Crafty Sheep

Making progress! Rosalina’s vest is now officially done! It would have liked for it to be more form-fitting, but that’s my own fault – I shouldn’t have been so stubborn and should have just used smaller needles in the first place.

Never mind all that – it’s still a nice little vest, and this way it’s easier for little vingers to it take off, right?

The specifics: I knitted it in New Lanark organically produced DK yarn on needles 6 (4 mm) and 4 (3.5 mm), and after I was done knitting, I felted it just a bit so it would fit better. It’s a raglan top-down vest that was designed by my friend Stefanie. You can see hers here:

Stefanie’s top-down raglan vest

She’s so much better at this than I am!

Update on the skirt: I had to frog a small part of it last night because some way or another, some of the border stitches had unraveled. I don’t know how that happened! But my heart bled… there’s just something so sad about ripping out part of your own hard work! Sigh.

We will knit on though. I WILL complete this outfit before Christmas! (And preferably before having to start on another Christmas order that’s on its way!)

Now excuse me while I go wipe runny noses and crocodile tears… Have a lovely day!

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Looks like I broke something again… I just cannot seem to upload pictures to this weblog that aren’t on Flickr! So I’m afraid I won’t be able to explain the centre back seam of my waldorf doll’s hairdo today after all. I’m sorry Diana! Will try to fix things as soon as possible.

While I figure that one out, I’d like to introduce you all to my newest little friend, the Christmas Robin! Isn’t that just the sweetest little birdie you’ve ever seen?? It’s a test knit I did for Jacqui, and she’ll be releasing the pattern very soon!

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In case you were wondering whatever happened to Rosalina:

this.

For the last month or so (maybe even longer), I’ve been knitting my little heart out. And still the skirt isn’t done! Please, please, just tell me a good solid “no!” next time I decide a knitted ballerina skirt would be nice…

The other work-in-progress you see is a pink little wrap-vest-cardigan- thingy (who knows what to call it?), for which my good friend Stefanie very generously wrote me a pattern. Thank you!! Much quicker knitting than the skirt – almost instant gratification, exactly what I needed!

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Another doll has left the nest… My fairy Framboise has gone to live in Indiana, USA. Goodbye, sweetie! *sniff*

I guess now is the time to finally finish my Lavender Fairy! She’s almost done; all she still needs is her lace shawl. Unfortunately, I had to frog my first attempt, because I lost count somehow and for the life of me couldn’t figure out where in the pattern things had gone wrong… Wish me luck!

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Now that St. Martin has come and gone, it’s time to get ready for the Winter season. So I made my very first window star yesterday. You may notice the placement of the points is a bit off – that’s because I forgot that mathematics never was my forte. It’s nice and colourful though, I guess that’s what counts here! Maybe I’ll just start with a simpler star next time.

Here in the Netherlands, we’re also getting ready for St. Nicholas. He’s due to arrive this coming Saturday, and Olivier is super-excited! You can find out more about the feast of Saint Nicholas here:

Saint Nicholas – Discovering the truth about Santa Claus

(Thanks for the link Nicole )

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I’m much too busy right now to take on anything new for a while, but once I’m done, this is what’s on my wish list. My to-make wish list, that is!

When I was in Amsterdam yesterday evening I saw this doll in the window of a renowned department store:

She’s made by Danish company Sebra, and I’d love to make something like that! I seem to remember having a crochet instruction book somewhere, maybe I should dig it up. Don’t like the eyes though, they’ll have to go. And the hair will be quite different. Also, I’m not quite sure if I’ll be able to do the thumbs, seeing as my crochet skills are virtually non-existent… Perhaps I should just stick to my Waldorf dolls. (But if anyone knows of a similar pattern, please let me know! )

Then, there’s this sweetie:

(Pattern and picture courtesy of Atelier Sweet Moonies)

Isn’t she lovely? I’ve already ordered the pattern, all I have to do now is get the materials.

Aaaaaand of course there’s the Winter nature table to be prepared! King Winter, some ice elves, snowy mountain backdrop, crystals…

Yup, lots to do!

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A Waldorf Doll Hair Tutorial – Or: how to make Lina’s hair.

What you need:

- Yarn in the desired hair colour. This can be any yarn you like, from sock yarn to DK weight yarn to mohair. It all depends on the size of your doll, and the desired look. For Lina, I used Dream in Color Smooshy.
- Tissue paper
- Painter’s tape
- Sewing thread in (preferably) the colour of the yarn you’re using for the hair
- A sewing machine
- A CD cover or book to wrap the yarn around

How it’s done:

Wrap as much yarn as you need to cover the head (from forehead to halfway down the back of the head) around a CD cover or book (depending on the length you’d like the final wig to be). Make sure all threads of yarn are neatly arranged. A bit of overlap is okay, but there shouldn’t be any big gaps.

Secure the yarn with painter’s tape on both sides of your CD cover or book. You should have an opening of about 1 inch (approximately 2.5 cm) in the middle.

NB: I use painter’s tape instead of sellotape, because it’s less adhesive and thus can be removed more easily later on.

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Hello! Did you have a nice weekend?

We most certainly did – I *finally* found my acorn caps! At long last! We’d already been on at least three outings, but not a fresh, newly fallen acorn in sight! Even after the first October storm… nothing! I was about to think I was going mad… Or maybe all the acorns ran away when they spotted me… Yes, definitely mad. But! This morning, near my parents in law’s house, I finally scored big. Lovely fresh big acorns caps… loads and loads of them! I think between the three of us (Pieter, Olivier and me – Nynke watched somewhat bemusedly from her stroller) we got enough to last me at least a year. Hurray!

And I received the sweetest picture today. See? It’s my Lina! She’s staying over at Stefanie’s, all the way in Osnabrück, where she’s getting a whole new wardrobe. Seeing how comfortable she is in her little bed, I don’t think she’ll ever want to come home though! My little Lina, ahhh… It’s wonderful to know she’s being taken good care of!

Doll update: I’m just over halfway with my knitted ballerina skirt for Rosalina. I’m quite certain it’s going to be lovely eventually, but my goodness… it’s taking such a long time! Please remind me to knit a shorter skirt next time.

P.S. I know you probably won’t believe me, but Lina’s tutorial is almost finished! Yes, really!! Just need to add some last pictures and then it’s finally done!

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