California Crochet

After finishing Mina’s afghan I had a request to make Kwazii for Volker. Kwazii is a former pirate in the show The Octonauts. I bought a pattern from Etsy and started. But I didn’t get it finished before leaving for California. I dutifully packed all the necessary parts into my carry-on luggage, intending to work on it on the plane.

First thing I discovered – I’d brought the wrong crochet hook! I have previously travelled with my case of crochet hooks, but I also almost lost them in security at the airport, or it felt like I almost lost them. Some of my hooks came from my Grandma Roth and I do not want to lose them, so I don’t take them anymore. So no crocheting on the plane.

Trina did not have a 4mm hook, so I had to buy a new hook. In the US Amazon is really amazing; I decided to buy a set of hooks, 2mm – 6mm, for less than $10 with the exchange! a really good deal.

Once I had the right hook, it didn’t take me long to finish Kwazii. I redid his whiskers as I didn’t like the first set. Volker was pleased.Volker with KwaziiLieutenant Kwazii Mina wanted a toy too. So I crocheted another character from a pattern book that Trina had purchased. This is Tweak: IMG_0896IMG_0895Then Trina decided to try crocheting a toy while I was there to help. She chose a Vegimal, Tunip (also from the Octonauts), to start. She caught on quickly and decided to make more. Volker is quite in love with the Vegimals.IMG_0911 It’s hard to hang onto all your friends and climb around on the playground equipment too!

Mina also wanted a Vegimal, so I made one with a different yarn and smaller hookIMG_0907This is the size difference, my Codish and Trina’s Tunip:IMG_0908And here are my two favourite children

IMG_0904How I do love them!

My Volker Doll

When my little grandson showed so much interest in the pictures of his grandfather, Trina asked if I would make a grampa doll for him.

Back in September 1980 I took a pattern from Woman’s Day magazine to make dolls for my kids. I made Jeremy for Simon and David for Trina.

looking a little worse for its 30 years.
An original doll (Trina’s David) looking a little worse for its 30 years.

Initially I thought, with that pattern, I could use a photo transfer of Volker’s face to make a grampa doll. That did not work well. Then, inspired by Alicia’s dolls (The Blind Stitch) it occurred to me how I might make a doll that would, with some imagination, look like Volker. Here are some pictures of my work in progress.

Next week I will post pictures of giving little Volker this doll for his first birthday.

Lalaloopsy Fashions

Here are the first two outfits, a crocheted dress with crinoline under-skirt and a short/shirt set:

Dress with under-skirt
Dress with under-skirt
shorts and top
shorts and top
buttons at the front
buttons at the front

August 6 New outfits: pajamas, sweater and socks, bloomers and shoes:

Pickle's pjs
Pickle’s pjs
sweater & socks
sweater & socks
crocheted bloomers and black shoes
crocheted bloomers and black shoes

A new top to go with the bloomers

Yellow top with white bloomers
Yellow top with white bloomers

I have blue shorts/pants in the works yet; hope to get them done before I head to California on August 14.

Introducing: Pickles B.T.L.

Mina has discovered the joy of dressing and undressing her dolls and no longer needs a lot of help from her Mom. Trina asked if I could make some clothes for her buddies. I do enjoy making doll clothes, but I really want to have a model when I do it. I want to know the finished item will fit properly.

As well, today there was a birthday party for my great-nieces, and I needed to get a gift. Because Mina loves her Lalaloopsie buddies so much I thought maybe the twins would also like them.

The Target store just opened across the expressway from my house so I went over at opening, 8:00 o’clock this morning. They had a few Lalaloopsies, but nothing I really liked. I decided to bite the bullet and go to Fairway Road to ToysRUs. They weren’t open that early. But Walmart was. As a practice I avoid Walmart (dislike of some of their business practices) but today I went. I found what I was looking for:

Pickles B.T.L.
Pickles B.T.L.

Why Pickles B.T.L.? Because she has rollerskates, just like my favourite little girl:

Mina's rollerskates
Mina’s rollerskates

And for Maya and Makayla I found soft dolls (I can’t quite understand the love of these hard plastic, heavy-headed dolls myself) Ember Flicker Flame and Mittens Fluff’nStuff.

dolls for the twins
dolls for the twins
Maya & Makayla
Maya & Makayla

So now I can begin making doll clothes. I have crocheted a shrug and shoes which will be mailed to California on Monday. I am working on a dress. So more posts will be coming.

new clothes
new clothes

 

 

Almost Easter

Wow, time flies, doesn’t it? Here we are in the last week of March. Hoping that snow disappears and doesn’t come back. Looking forward to Easter.

At the end of the week I fly to San Francisco to spend ten days with my kids in Santa Clara. I am so looking forward to the sunshine and warmth!

I’ve also been busy. Last year I made two little owls that I mailed to Mina for Easter.

coffee table mess
coffee table mess

This year I came across a very cute bag on the Red Heart website and just had to download the free pattern and make it. Here is my version (I opted to leave the wings off).

owl bag
Owl bag

Yarn used: from my stash – mostly Caron Simply Soft, in a blue/aqua/pink variegate, purple and pink. Crochet hook size 6mm for double-strand bag body and strap and 4mm for the rest.

As well, I came across a bunny pattern on the Drops Design website — I love making toy animals; I have a big box full of them yet from when Simon and Trina were little. I had to make this one too:

Easter Bunny
Easter Bunny

Yarn used: again, from my stash – Patons Grace (beige & purple), Schchenmayr Catania (pink & black), hook size 2mm.

These items will go in my suitcase to be given to the wee girl on Easter morning.