Christmas time

I periodically get the crazy idea to make Christmas presents for everyone in my family.  I've skipped doing this for 2 years, but now I'm back to it.

I've made beaded bracelets for a few people, headbands, and sewn gifts.

It is difficult coming up with ideas for the men in my family.  I made glasses case with lanyard for my BIL, a heating pad cover for my daddy, and a blanket for my brother.

R is getting  a lot of handmade items.  Her big one from me this year is a Middie Blythe that I customized for her.

Last peak before being wrapped.

Along with the Middie is a collection of clothing and a carrying case.  I made her Blythe girls, Lisa and Coco, some outfits too.

Santa is bringing her a Mab Graves Pinkie and the baby dino cameo, and she is receiving a microscope, karaoke machine, and other odds and ends.  Her daddy is getting a necklace made from the shell of the bullet that killed her first deer this year.  Funny enough the shell has her initials on it.

I hope everyone who happens upon this post has a great holiday season!

My goodness

My goodness it has been a long time!!  Wonderful news, I graduated with my Masters of Science in Library Science.  Hooray! Hooey! Joy!

I have had more time to sew and knit.  I've been sewing like a crazy person making doll bags, hankie dresses, and long style dresses for my Blythes.

Here is a sampling:

Maybe eventually the long dresses will shop up in my Etsy shop.

Here is some knitting projects:

Team Zissou Hats!!

Just Joking....

Okay, new patterns did not happen.  I've become obsessed with finding Skipper clothing for my Blythes.  I'm also in the process of organizing...GASP.

Organizing isn't going too hot.  But, it is a start.

I will soon be offering vintage items altered for Blythe in my Etsy shop.  I have been doing "little laundry" as my family like to tease me about to get them ready.  The pieces are Skipper and Barbie circa 1963-66.  They are duplicates that I've gotten in my Ebay purchases.

A few vintage Ken pieces may pop up also.  Ken the nudist is overwhelmed by his new wardrobe.

Now available in my Etsy shop is vintage Skipper inspired Mod Dresses, http://www.etsy.com/listing/119314074/mod-blythe-dress

Right now these are the colors available. They are made from wool/wool-blend felt and have snap closures.

Halter Top for Bltyhe

Halter Top for Blythe

By Natalie Scrimshire

Supplies:

US 2 needle
Sock weight yarn
darning needle
scrap yarn

CO 20 stitches, knit flat
St. st. for 12 rows

**K2, SSK K to the last 4 sts., K2tog, K2

Purl**

Repeat from ** to ** 2 more times.

Wrong side- Knit (will be a purl ridge on the front)

Right side of top-

SSK, K3, K2tog, turn (no wrapping)

Purl

SSK, K4

Purl

Knit

Purl

SSK, K2

Purl

Knit

Purl

SSK, K1

Tie-

St. st. until desired length.  Last row, K2tog and pull yarn through.

Left side of top-

SSK, K3, K2tog

Purl

K4, K2tog

Purl

Knit

Purl

K2, K2tog

Purl

Knit

Purl

K1, K2otg

Tie-

St. st. until desired length.  Last row, K2tog and pull yarn through.

Back-

Pick up 11 stitches on the back right side (you will be knitting sides ways on the garment)

St. st. for 15 rows

BO and sew to the opposite side.  Weave in ends.

Happy knitting! If you have any questions leave a comment or email me at blytheknits@gmail.com

Copyright by Natalie Scrimshire, 2012

Crafty Fire for Blythe

Crafty Fire for Blythe

Supplies:

US 1 DPNs
Blue fingering weight yarn
Darning needle
Crochet hook

Note- To start out I use an i-cord on the first round.

CO 3 (make sure to have a long tail)  in the round

*KFB* every stitch. = 6 sts.

*KFB* every stitch. = 12 sts.

Knit 3 rounds.

*SSK, K2* all around. = 9 sts.

Knit 1 round.

*SSK, K1* all around.  = 6 sts.

*SSK* all around.  = 3 sts.

Pull yarn through remaining stitches and weave in end.

Fire Petals, knitted flat-

Using the CO tail, pick up 2 stitches.

KFB the 2 stitches.

SSK, K2tog

P2tog

Pull yarn through the stitch and weave in ends.

Repeat a second time for another petal.

Attach new yarn and chain stitch a loop big enough to fit Blythe's hand.

Have fun!

Copyright by Natalie Scrimshire 2011

This is for personal use only.  Please do not sell pattern. I can be reached at nscrimshire@gmail.com or at Ravelry user name- PandoraPhelps. Check me out on Etsy!  BlytheKnits

Welcome Home Outfit for Petite Blythe

Welcome Home Outfit for Petite Blythe

Supplies:

US 1 DPNs

Sock weight yarn

4 stitch markers

Darning needle

Scrap yarn

Velcro

Sweater:

CO 15

Place marker at 3, 2, 5, 2 3

Row 1- KFB before and after every maker

Row- Purl all stitches

Repeat 1 and 2 once more or until there are 6 sleeve stitches.

Knit to the sleeves and place them on scrap yarn and do the same for the second one.

Stocking stitch for 6 rows.

K1 x P1 for 1 row

BO in rib and weave in ends.

Sew on Velcro for closure.

Sleeves x 2-

Place the 6 stitches back on the needles and pick up 2 at the armpit.

Knit for 5 rounds.

K2tog, knit the rest.

K1 x P1 for 1 round.

BO in rib and weave in ends.

Skirt:

CO 20

Knit for 6 rounds.

Decreasing-

*K1, SSK, K4, K2tog, K1* twice.

Knit for 1 round.

K1 xP1 for 1 round.

BO in rib and weave in ends.

Wondering why this pattern is called Welcome Home Outfit? Check out my dolly blog with the story about Applesauce, who is the model.

Copyright by Natalie Scrimshire 2011

This is for personal use only. Please do not sell pattern. I can be reached at nscrimshire@gmail.com or at Ravelry user name- PandoraPhelps.

New Pattern for Sale!

Make a little deer outfit for your Petite Blythe! This pattern includes alternate bits to ensure perfect fit for the Littlest Pet Shop Blythes, also.


This pattern requires small amounts of yarn to create the hat and romper. The sock yarn was used for the embroidery work. Two miniature buttons are used to close the back to give this romper a sweet finish. Yarn overs are the buttonholes.

The romper is knitted flat and seamed up the inseam and back. Stitches are picked up for the tail and an i-cord is made.

The hat is knitting in the round and the ears are i-cord that are stitched on afterwards. The antler numbs (or tines) are a hybred version of the French knot. Not to worry, it is explained in the pattern.

Girly Chihuahua Dress for Blythe's Pet

Girly Chihuahua Dress for Blythe’s Pet

Supplies:

US 0 needles, either 24+ circular for Magic Loop or DPNs

Fingering yarn

Darning needle

Velcro

Directions:

CO 20

Knit

Purl

Knit

Purl

K2tog every stitch

Purl

Knit

Purl

Knit

On wrong side- backwards CO 15, then purl across the new 15 and old 10 stitches.

K9, K2tog, BO 14

Purl

K1, K2tog, K4, SSK, K1

Purl

Knit

Backwards CO 10 and join in the round.

Knit 2 rounds.

BO purlwise loosely and weave in ends.

Stitch or fabric glue on Velcro to attach the belly strap to the topside of the dress.

Copyright by Natalie Scrimshire 2011

This is for personal use only.  Please do not sell pattern. I can be reached at nscrimshire@gmail.com or at Ravelry user name- PandoraPhelps

Party Dress for Blythe

Party Dress for Blythe

Supplies:

Fingering or sport weight yarn

US 2 DPNs

Darning needle

Directions:

Starting bottom up-

CO 30

Seed stitch for 2 rows.

Knit 1 round.

*K2, KFB,* repeat to the end.

Knit 1 round.

*K1, KFB,* repeat to the end.

Knit multiple rounds until desired length of skirt.

Decrease-

*K2tog* all stitches.

Knit 2 rounds.

*K2tog, K1, * repeat to the end. = 20 sts.

Knit 3 rounds.

Increasing for the bodice-

Step 1- K4, KFB, K4, KFB, K10

Step 2- K5, KFB, K5, KFB, K10

Step 3- K6, KFB, K6, KFB, K10

Step 4- K7, KBF, K7, KFB, K10

Step 5- K4, KFB, K3, KFB, K4, KFB, K3, KFB, K2, SSK, K2, K2tog, K2

Step 6- K5, KFB, K4, KFB, K5, KFB, K4, KFB, K2, SSK, K2tog, K2

Knit 1 round.

Seed stitch for 2 rounds.  BO on the second seed stitch round and weave in ends.

Copyright by Natalie Scrimshire 2011

This is for personal use only.  Please do not sell pattern. I can be reached at nscrimshire@gmail.com or at Ravelry user name- PandoraPhelps

Petite Dresses for Petite Blythe

Petite Dresses for Petite Blythe

Supplies:

US 2 needles

DK weight yarn

Yarn darning needle

Notes: This is a formula that gives you general guide lines to construct a Petite Blythe Dress.  It can be completely customizable.  Make sure to cast on extra yarn to use as a tie.

Instructions:

CO 11

Work 2 rows.

Work 4 sts, YO, work 3 sts, YO, work 4 sts; this should be on right side.

Work 5 more rows (less or more to your desired style).

Increase on right side as many or less as you prefer.

Work shirt rows to your preference.

BO on wrong side.

Stitch up the skirt portion until it is sufficient space to slip the body inside the dress. Weave the stitching yarn up to the neck. Anchor and use as a tie.

Want more specific instructions?

Pink Example                                                   

CO 11

Garter st for 2 rows

K4, YO, K3, YO, K4

St st for 5 rows

*K1, KFB* repeat to end. (I ended with a K1)

Garter stitch for ¾”

BO on wrong side

Stitch up and create ties.

                               

           Grey Example

CO 15

Knit

Purl

K4, YO, K7, YO, K4

Purl

Knit

Purl

*K2, M1, K2* repeat to end.

St st for 1 1/4 inch.

BO on wrong side.

Stitch up and create ties

Copyright by Natalie Scrimshire 2010

This is for personal use only.  Please do not sell pattern. I can be reached at nscrimshire@gmail.com or at Ravelry user name- PandoraPhelps

Announcement!

I have three announcements!

1- I am receiving 3 new dolls in result of a yarn-doll trade! I am getting 2 petites and a 12 inch one. She is Takara Prima Dolly Ginger.

Holy crap am I excited!

2 I bought another Blythe before the trade. She is a Takara Very Vicky. 

I am excited, but less so because of the money I spent.

3 I have a new blog dedicated to Blythe! www.pandorasdolls.blogspot.com  This way Stitch Journal can be about knitting again.

I will be cross posting some things I am sure.

My Dolls

White hair- Angelina
Blonde with red dress- Fleur
Sandy blonde with blue dress- Hermione
Red hair- Penelope
Orange hair- Ginny

I think I may start a new blog. This blog has been over run by Blythe so maybe I need a blog about Blythe alone. That way I can list the girls and all of their changes.

I see one more Blythe in my future soon before I start back to school.

Before shot of custom dolls

This photo was taken by the ebay seller rich_amphai. Silly me did not take a before shot. Newly customized final coming soon.

Stock photo from Amazon of Roaring Red.  Soon newly customized doll photos will be posted. I am waiting on paint to finish her up.
Unfortunately, I think I missed my chance to get the photo for the third doll I am customizing. 

Can you believe it, 3? I was so nervous about cracking open the real Blythe doll (Roaring Red) but all is good.

Sneak Peek

Isn't she pretty!

I am having body issues though.  The World of Love doll, Soul, did not match the paint. I thought it did in the store. Damn crappy Hobby Lobby lighting. So, now starts the hunt for a new body. I probably screwed up Soul's body by trying to spray paint it.  Joe, my hubby, gave me fair warning.

She has 2 new sets of eye chips and I am still attempting to fit eye lashes in the slot.  Grrr....buttons. It is not easy.

A few more thoughts on my Roaring Red customization. She was NOT assembled with water soluble glue like I have read.

Blythe Day

Today I have have been working on customizing my Blybe and my Roaring Red Ashton Drake Blythe.

The spray painting the Blybe is finished, the unfortunate thing is that the paint did not match the body. I am not sure what to do- sand it and start over or find a new body.  I forgot that Bratz dolls have weird feet so that option is out. I might check the Moxie doll and see if she is suitable.

I can't seem to get the eye lashes in the slots either. Much harder than I anticipated.

My Roaring Red, I have never been happy with her. I bought her brand new and her hair was ferocious.  The other day I noticed that her spring was about to slip off which it did. I got it back on but it was stretched. I decided to pull the scalp off and start over.  Which, by the way, was not nearly as easy as I have read. Her scalp was completely different that the way Puchi Collective Tutorial described. I did it, but I will be order a new scalp and wefting for new hair.

We will see how all of this plays out. I am giving my Blybe a night to dry and then I am spraying a clear coat on her.

It's October!

I don't know where September went to! I have kicked it into high gear on Christmas gifts.  I have made a pretty fair dent in them.  If I could quit adding to the list I would be okay. I have now decided that everyone should have knitted slippers.  R's slippers are back to the original plan of piggies. 

On top of Christmas presents, I have several commisions.  Woohooo....money!

I have been debating on purchasing a new Blythe doll. Yesterday I was convince, but today I am not so sure.  I did get my Blybe doll in the mail that I am doing my customizations on. I ordered her eye chips and eye lashes too.  Now I have a body, head and eyes.  I can't start on it until I actually receive the body and head for Christmas from my husband.  I am afraid that paint matching won't be as easy as expected. The Krylon selection seems a bit limited in the browns.

Deer Hat for Blythe

I posted my first pattern for sale on Ravelry!

Perfect quick project for fun or costume purposes for your Blythe doll! This little hat was created thanks to tinyowlknits’s deer with little antlers hat available on her blog: http://owlinthedark.blogspot.com/2010/08/deer-with-little-antlers-hat.html. 

The pattern is written for magic loop method, but can easily be converted for DPNs. The hat, ears and antlers are all knitted seperately.

Great project for using up scrap yarn. Felting is optional for the antlers.

I made the little sweater and skirt too.

Photo credits go to Joe Phelps, my husband.  I convinced him to play with dolls!

Weekend

This weekend wasn't so productive.  I did finish a thing or two but nothing real significant. 

I tested a pattern that will soon be for sale through Ravelry.  I want to test it one more time.  I used a little to heavy of yarn to make it a true test because I had to alter the pattern.  Want a peak?

Once I get ready to post the pattern for sale, I will write more about the inspiration and such.

I also have a second pattern that will be going up for sale soon after the deer hat. No peaks on that one!  I haven't tested it but I think my pattern is pretty accurate. This time I wrote as I knitted.

I restarted my Some Cloudy Day legwarmers by tinyowlknits.  I got pretty far on the first one since we took a day trip on Saturday.  The trip ended up not being overly fun.  We are searching for a place to relocated in the state for better jobs.  My job is a good one, just not necessarily what I want to do forever.  I would like to go back to school and stay home a little more with R. Joe and I had a bit conflicting idea of where the ideal location was to move. So, it did not really put the rest of the weekend in a good mood for any of us, R included.

Sunday was a nice day on a cold river though! I pretty much have refused to swim in a lake this year.  I hate how the water feels warm.  I just don't think it is real healthy for you because it is not a constant flow. My little brother owns a jet boat and he invited us to go out with some friends for the day.  The river was really low at noon so he walked to boat out where the little ones could play pretty safely...and to clear the air- we are firm belivers in life jackets.  It was really nice and R had a great time playing with someone near her age.  Poor thing almost always is with all adults. It is really sweet to see how kids can bond nearly instantly. 

Fall Outfit

Puchi Collective pants and a top of my own design

Hermione's new outfit.  Her hair will be curled with real curlers tonight.  

Chihuahua Sweater for Blythe’s Pet, 2.0

Chihuahua Sweater for Blythe's Pet, 2.0

Pattern Notes:  This sweater is essentially the same pattern just a little longer.  It was how I originally wrote the first sweater, but I thought it was look better shorter.  I tested the pattern and I liked both.

Supplies:

DPNs US 2 or 3s

fingering yarn with elastic

darning needle

Directions:

CO 12

Rib K1x P1 for two rounds.

*K3, KFB,* all around.

*K4, KFB,* all around.

K1, YO, K4, YO, K1, K all around.

K2 rounds.

Rib K1 x P1 for two rounds.

BO and weave in ends.

Copyright by Natalie Scrimshire 2010



This is for personal use only. Please do not sell pattern. I can be reached at nscrimshire@gmail.com or at Ravelry user name- PandoraPhelps