A Back to School Swap for Sasha

I recently signed up to participate in a Back to School Swap for Sasha, which was hosted by Lorraine Tyler, whom I had just met in person at the 2013 Sasha Festival. Good fortune smiled on me, and Lorraine turned out to be my swap partner! Her swap to me arrived this past week. She sent me a darling plaid school uniform, with a white blouse and red school tie. Along with the outfit, she included a wonderful school satchel, filled with a set of colored pencils, an amazingly tiny pencil case with a working zipper, a Sasha sized Beatrice Potter book, and a miniature paint set. When it arrived, my lovely Alexandra immediately laid claim to it and has been wearing it ever since. We both love it! Alexandra may love it just a bit too much!

Alexandra's First Day of School

 

Alexandra has her new school things neatly laid out on the table, ready for the first day of school.

She can't wait to get them all packed into her satchel and head off to catch the bus!

"Zoe," she asks, "Is my satchel on straight? What time will the bus arrive to pick us up?"

"What? What do you mean, school doesn't start until tomorrow? I'm ready to go now!"

Summer Play Set for Amelia Thimble

I've been working on some rather small crochet projects recently, for a very tiny ball jointed doll called Amelia Thimble. In case you aren't familiar with her, at a mere four inches tall, Amelia lives in a sewing box, has a button studded bed, a dog named Rags, and a new friend called Izzy. Created by Joe Petrollese, Amelia is available from the Wilde Imagination website.

I wanted to share the pattern for one of Amelia's little crocheted outfits with you. I warn you, crocheting in a decent scale for a doll this tiny requires fine thread, small steel hooks, and may cause some serious eye strain! Still, if you have the patience for it, it can be a little addictive! The basic set can be varied to make different outfits. Shorten the pantalets to make bloomers. Use a different stitch pattern for the top, or lengthen it for a dress. Have fun, and by all means, let me know what you've made!

Crocheted Summer Play Set

For Amelia Thimble

by Charla McGuire Neal

Copyright 2012

Size 30 Crochet Thread (I used DMC Cebelia)

Size 11 Steel crochet hook (1.1 mm)

Pantalets

For waistband, cut a piece of 1/8" elastic to just fit around Amelia's waist. Butt the ends together, or overlap just slightly, and stitch by hand, OR, if you can find one of the clear or pastel colored latex ponytail holders in the right size, they would be ideal. (Blaxx, Goody, and Vidal Sassoon all make them.) I've tried using them, but the size I've found either have to be knotted to fit, which is less than ideal, (the knot leaves a bump, and the extra bit of band folded against the main band is awkward to crochet over.) Doubling the band works, kind of. The band will go around Amelia's waist, but is a *very* snug fit, and makes the pantalets difficult to get over her feet and knees. That's why I've pretty much gone back to the 1/8" elastic for the ones I've been making.

Note: Every row of pantalets is worked in the same direction, from the outside, without turning when you start a new row.

Row 1: Work 26 sc over the elastic ring, join to first sc with a sl st, ch 1, do not turn.

Row 2: Sc in every sc around, join, ch 2 (26 sc, not counting beginning ch st)

Row 3: Dc in every sc around, join, ch 2.

Row 4 & 5: Same as above, but at end of row, ch 5.

Row 6: Skip 1st 13 sts, join ch to next st with sl st, ch 2. Working one leg at a time, DC in same st as ch 2, then in each of remaining 12 dc. Work one dc in each of the 5 ch sts dividing legs, join and ch 2

Row 7 & 8: Dc in each dc, join, ch 1

Row 9: Sc in next 2 sc, sk 1 st, sc in next st, repeat to end of row, join, ch 2

Row 10: Sc in next sc, (*ch 2, sc in next st,) Repeat from * to end of row.

Break off, and work in ends of thread. Join thread at back of bloomers, and work second leg same as the first.

Sleeveless A Line Top

Bodice: Ch 29

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook & each ch across, 28 sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Sc in 1^st 4 sts, ch 4, sk 6 sc, sc in next 8 sc, ch 4, sk 6 sc, sc in last 4 sc.

Row 3: Sc in each sc and each 4 ch sts across. (24 sc)

Row 4: Sc in each sc across, ch 2, turn.

Skirt:

Row 5: Skip first sc, dc in 2nd sc, ch 1, dc in same sc, (V stitch made,) sk 1 st, Work V st in next st. Continue across row, skipping one stitch and working a V stitch in the next, working 1 dc in the last st, ch 2, turn.

Row 6-8: Work 1 V stitch in the center of each v st across, working 1 dc in top of turning ch, ch 2, turn.

Row 9: Repeat last row, ch 1, turn.

Row 10: Sc in every dc and ch st across row, ch 1 at end of row, then turn and sc up the side of the back. When you reach the sc rows of the bodice, ch 1, (buttonhole made,) sc in the end next 2 sc rows, ch 1, (buttonhole made,) sc in top row, break off.

Reattach thread at the neck edge of opposite back side, ch 1, sc along side to bottom of skirt, working over the end threads. At the bottom of the row, ch 1 and join with a sl st to the skirt bottom.

Work in loose ends of the thread. Sew two 2.5 mm pearl beads to right side of the back, across from buttonholes.

This pattern is posted for your own enjoyment. You may share the link freely with your friends, but please do not post the pattern anywhere else without my express written permission. Thank you!

Time Flies...

...especially when you are on vacation! I seem to not only be getting older, but correspondingly slower. I have the house all to myself this week, but just don't seem to be getting that much done. Of course, it could partially be because of the frequent breaks I've been taking for morning coffee, checking on the elk, checking email, reading the paper, lunch, knitting break, scanning old family photos into the computer, snack break, phone calls, checking Ravelry, getting distracted by Yard Crashers and/or Paula Deen, dinner, checking email again, looking up and importing recipes into The Recipe Manager, (my recipe program,) checking Ravelry again, running to town for cleaning supplies that I forgot to get when I was there over the weekend, soaking in the hot tub, and watching reruns of Bones. (Oh, and blogging, of course.) Still, I've only gotten about half of my to-do list checked off, and my vacation time is already three quarters over. Well, what's to be done, but soldier on. With frequent mental health breaks, of course. ;-)

A New Baby Arrives!

A new Sasha baby, that is. It is my 5 year old granddaughter, Ella's, first Sasha. Ella has named her new baby either Rose Amanda, or Amanda Rose, depending on her whim at the moment. Regardless, we have been calling her baby Rose, and not surprisingly, baby's favorite color is, well....rose! Baby Rose was adopted from Dorisanne Osborn. Dorisanne sent some cute little things along with her. The yellow crocheted dress she is wearing is one of those items. I have also contributed a couple of things I had on hand, including a white flannel diaper and a rose print receiving blanket, so at least baby Rose doesn't have to go around in her birthday suit. Undoubtedly, though, a suitable wardrobe must be gotten underway, and as far as Ella is concerned, the sooner the better!

I am off work for two weeks, and although I plan on doing some serious house cleaning, I also hope to find time to make a few additions to Baby Rose's wardrobe. Stay tuned for further updates!

Rescuing Harley

This is Harley, a seven month old chocolate labrador, who was recently staying here at the farm. His original owners took him without realistically considering how quickly he would grow from a cute little puppy into a rather large dog who needs a lot of exercise and room to run. I fell in love with him...who could resist those warm brown eyes, and that tongue-lolling doggie smile? Well, my hubby, for one, which is why he was only a foster-dog and not a permanent fixture!

I can't say it was easy to let him go, but I know it was best thing for Harley. During the brief time he was with me, though, I enjoyed his company more than I can say. When I sat outside on the old garden bench, he sat on the bench with me, his head, or sometimes his entire body, resting on my leg. When he wasn't trying to be a lap dog, he rolled around on the ground near my feet, playing with a toy made from a few old socks rolled up and knotted inside another old sock. He liked me to play tug of war with the sock toy, but his favorite game was fetch. I'd throw a tennis ball for him over and over, and he'd race after it and bring it back every time. He never tired of that game, even if I did! When my arm got tired of throwing, I'd distract him by taking a long walk over the farm. He was like Pooh's friend, Tigger, not running through the fields, but bouncing through them, in an exuberant display of unadulterated doggie joy.

Harley has since moved on to his new home, with a 20-something young man, who loves to go duck and pheasant hunting. He and his friend, who trains hunting dogs, were impressed with Harley's retrieving skills. For such a young dog, they say he is already displaying a lot of promise as a hunting companion. I'm thrilled that he's found such a good home and will be with someone who'll give him plenty of opportunity to do what he loves and was bred to do. He was only with me for a month, but he won't be forgotten. Have a great life, Harley...I'll miss you!

Summer Crochet for Sasha Baby

Earlier this summer, on the Ravelry "Sasha Friends" group, a few of us decided to do a Summer doll project. It could be anything we wanted, so long as it was for one of the Sasha dolls, and could be worn in the summer. I chose to crochet something for Sasha Baby. Although there are a number of people doing knitting patterns for the Sasha dolls, crochet patterns are a bit harder to come by, so I decided to try making one up myself. For inspiration, I looked through my patterns for real babies. I found a couple I liked that were worked from the neck down. I've done several lacy little doll dresses for the Tonner 10" Ann Estelle dolls that were worked that way, and I felt very comfortable with the style, so I decided to give it a try.

It came out rather well, and for once, I remembered to write the instructions down as I went along, so I'm sharing the pattern for those who might enjoy crocheting a dress or top for their Sasha Baby. Feel free to direct friends here to get the pattern, but please do not sell it! If you find a mistake in my directions, please let me know so that I can correct it, and keep in mind that I am not a professional designer! I will be adding a pattern for the diaper cover later, as it still has a few kinks that need to be worked out. For friends in the UK, please remember that here in the US we use different terms. Our double crochet is, I believe, your treble, and our single crochet is your double. (Or something like that!) Without further ado, here is the pattern:

Lacy Crocheted Summer Top or Dress for Sasha Baby

Materials: 1 ball #10 crochet cotton

#7 Steel crochet hook (1.5 mm)

Gauge is not critical, as the lacy fabric is pretty stretchy, and you can try the yoke on the doll for fit before you start the shells. Mine is 9 dc = 1" and there is about 5/8" from the center of one shell st to the center of the next one.

Shell St = (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same st

Picot St = (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch 2 space

Row 1- Ch 43, sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, (42 sc) ch 3, turn

Row 2- Dc in next 2 sts, *(2dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts,) repeat from * 9 more times, dc in last 3 sts, (53 sts) ch 3, turn

Row 3- Dc in next 3 sts, *2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4 sts,) repeat from * 9 more times, dc to end, (63 sts) ch 3, turn

Row 4- Repeat Row 3, (75 sts)

Row 5- Dc in bottom of ch 3 turning, (1/2 shell made,) *(skip next st, shell in next st,) repeat from * across, ending with 2 dc on top of ch 3 from last row, (35 shells, plus ½ shell at each end) ch 3, turn

Row 6- Dc in bottom of ch 3, shell in next 5 shells, ch 3, (forming underarm,) skip nine shells, shell in next 7 shells, ch 3, skip nine shells, shell in last 5 shells, 2dc on top of ch 3 from last row, ch 3, turn

Row 7- Dc in bottom of ch 3, shell in next 5 shells, dc in each of 3 underarm chs, shell in next 7 shells, dc in each of 3 underarm chs, shell in last 5 shells, 2 dc in top of ch 3 from last row, ch 3, turn

Row 8- Dc in bottom of ch 3, shell in next 5 shells, shell in center dc of underarm sts, shell in next 7 shell, shell in center dc of underarm sts, shell in next 5 shells, 2 dc in top of ch 3 from last row, ch 3, turn.

Row 9- Dc in bottom of ch 3, shell in each shell across, 2 dc in top of ch 3 from last row, ch 3, turn.

Row 10 and subsequent rows – Repeat row 9

Work a total of 13 rows for a top or 17 for a dress.

Edging: Attach thread at neck edge on Right hand side of dress back. With outside of dress facing you, work a row of sc down the back edge of the dress. When you reach the bottom corner, (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner st, (picot made,) then working across the bottom of the dress, *(sc in top of each dc of shell, picot in ch 2 space of shell,) repeat from * around to left corner of dress back, work picot in top of ½ shell, then turn and sc up the left back. When you reach the yoke, make a button hole at the bottom and another at the top neck edge, by working a sc, ch 2, sk a space, sc. Fasten off and work ends in. Sew tiny buttons to right back yoke under button holes

Knitting for Sasha

I've loved and collected dolls nearly from the time I was big enough to hold one. One of my all time favorite dolls is the Sasha doll, designed by Sasha Morganthaler, and manufactured at various times by Gotz, in Germany, and Frido or Trendon, in England. Sadly, these dolls are not in production at this time, but they are still widely available on the secondary market, and have an enthusiastic following on the web.

A large part of my enjoyment of the dolls I collect is derived from clothing them and collecting or making accessories for them. Sewing and knitting for Sasha and her brother, Gregor, is particularly satisfying, as the dolls are both well proportioned and easy to pose. They do not require a stand and are so well balanced, they can even stand on their heads!

Recently, I have been participating in a KAL with the Sasha group on Ravelry, and have just finished this sweater for my latest Gregor, a brunette boy from the 1970 Trendon production. He has had a rough life up until now, and has the scars to prove it. His hands and feet have slight chew marks, there is a dent on his upper right shoulder, and when he arrived, he had several ink and marker "bruises", which have finally faded with repeated applications of Oxy 10. He's apparently been the client of a young barber-in-training at some time or another, and still has a spot of shorter hair at the back of his head as a souvenir of that adventure. He also has a few spots where the hair just wants to stick up, no matter how long I keep his nylon stocking cap on, in an effort to convince it to lay flat. He is still a very handsome boy, though, and I'm happy to have him. He tells me that his name is Harry.

Anyway, getting back to Harry's new sweater, it is made of Telemark wool, from Knit Picks, in a nice shade of blue green, called Fjord Heather. The pattern I used is "Guernsey Fest" from Sirikind.com. I really love this pattern, and think I will be using it a lot. It is fun to knit, has lots of style options, sizes to fit both the Sasha dolls and American Girl dolls, and at the time of this writing, at least, the $5.95 purchase price is being donated to "Room To Read."

I started my sweater on October 5th, and finished it on October 12th. I primarily knit on it during my lunch hours at work, and for the occasional hour or so on the few evenings that I had something I wanted to watch on television. I knit the turtlenecked version. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the crocheted cast off that was used to finish the turtleneck collar. It does give a nice stretchy edge, but I just don't like the way it looks. In all fairness, it's the first time I've ever done a crocheted cast off, so maybe I'm just not doing it correctly. I'll have to do a search and see if I can find video instructions. In the meantime, Harry thinks it's lovely and warm, and is not as picky about the finishing details as I am!

Originally published on Monday, October 12, 2009