Blythe Mania

I just bought another Blythe doll.  Silly I know, but it was a really good deal.  I purchased Pleasant Peasant off of ebay that included:

Doll + Pleasant Peasant apparel
2 Blythe dress forms
1 blonde curly wig and wig cap
1 outfit with boots
Vintage sewing patterns (one of them was a Skipper pattern!)

This was an outrageously good deal.  Wigs run about 18-20 dollars, wig cap is about 3-4 dollars, dress forms are 25 from This is Blythe, and outfit could be 6-15 dollars.  I don't know how much Vintage patterns are in retail.  I was going to spend about 20 dollars less for just the doll so I am really glad I found this on ebay.

Photo from Amazon.

Updating on Projects

My project updates are getting a little ridiculous because it is practically the same things!

My new project is Soft Kid Bubble from Boutique Knits book. I am about 9 inches into it. Now I am having to problem solve because I am leaving out the pockets.  This was an attempt to conserve yarn because I maybe about 80 yards short and I just think they will stretch and hang funny. That 9 inches is looking very beautiful.

Next project which I thought I was finished with is the Leaf tee.  I am going back and putting sleeves in and ribbing along the neck and bottom edges.  Everytime I look at it I just feel it is crappy looking and unfininshed.  Not just that I felt very frumpy wearing it.  I used yarn that had no dye lot and it is very obviously that I did not incorporate it together.  I am actually banking on some dye bleeding in the blocking process to make it somewhat uniform.

Black Unmentionables are a couple of rounds away from being finished. I am ripping out the BO in the first leg because I think it is too tight for the ruffle.  Nothing major, but I am happy to see them nearly finished.

Inamorata, the infamous trouble maker, is still incomplete.  I wanted to wear it on 4th of July weekend so I was trying my best to get it finished.  I have been crocheting around until I get to the spots that need straps to cut down on finishing time.  I have finished the front straps and button holes/buttons and I was rounding to the spot of the back straps.  I put the top on so my husband could help me place the straps. I got up without thinking and ripped out 5 inches of crochet.  I was so angry I haven't touched it since.  It has been nothing but a pain in the rear!!!!

R's retro bathing suit is just about finished!! I can't remember if I have posted about this project.  It is so cute; it is a SockPixie pattern that she published with Petite Purls online publication.  I am using Cascade Fixation in hot pink and lime green.  I am working on the ribbing around the sleeves and the neck and back.  R is so tiny that the size 2t is too large, but hopefully this means she can wear it next summer too. 

I am continuing writing patterns for my Blythe dolls.  Unfortunately, my weekend did not go as planned so nothing new is ready.

I did work on my second batch of cotton yarn that I dyed. I have several more section that need to be rinsed before I post photos.  I will post the first attempt at the same time.  The tie-dye kit has been working out rather well.  I am pretty proud of the finished products.

Shark Hat for Blythe

Doesn't every doll need a Shark Hat?  Well, yes.  This pattern has only been tested once.  I will soon test it again.  It is very likely a flaw or two in my pattern writting skills.

download now

REVISED!

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.

Bulb Skirt for Blythe

*Download Pattern*

Blythe is the perfect doll to knit for, she is so versatile and everything looks good on her.  This is one of the first items I knitted for my Blythe named Ginny, a Bulb Skirt. It is a quick and simple knit.  A perfect beginner magic loop pattern!

Bulb Skirt

Supplies:


US 2 DPNs or US 2 24 inch Circular needles
Fingering weight yarn with elastic
Yarn darning needle

Pattern notes:

Skirt is knitted bottom up. Add ribbing to the waist in the 3 rows before the bind off if yarn does not have elastic. This is a perfect beginner Magic Loop project. Just divide stitches evenly on the needles.

Instructions:

Co 40

Knit 1 round.

Increasing-

*K1, KFB,* repeat to the end.

Knit multiple rounds until desired length.

This example has about 18 rounds.

Decreasing-

*K2tog,* all around.

Knit 2 rounds

*K2tog, K1,* repeat to the end.

Knit 3 rounds.

BO loosely 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

Appleby Arrows

After much anticipation, I got my Appleby Arrows package today from HSKS 9.

Containing my excitement I read the note first that explained a few items and gave an apology for tardiness from the lovely Olive Brumblebirch. 

I opened the box and what did I see, many little silver wrapped bundles with customized Appleby Arrow labels.

                                     

                              

THEN, I ripped, ripped and ripped.  R came in and helped me out towards the end.  She just knew it was tiresome for me to do it alone....haha.

Here is what Olive sent to me:

4 skeins of Berroco, which I am pretty excited about.  Enough yardage to redo the Emmaline pattern.

3 skeins of Knit Picks organic cotton in Heather Wave, Heather Bermuda, and Heather Grey.  I just ordered more. I could not have picked any better for myself!

Special Edition Appleby Arrow Stitch makers, beautiful shades of blue and silver!

Appleby Arrow stationary

Handmade accessory bag

Handmade bag, which is gorgeous.

Harmony DPNs in US 9

Interlocking Stitch markers

Cute little owl that is definitely going on my Christmas tree.  My tree is homemade/ folksy.

2 items from a local artist in Portland, OR, Lotion bar in Orange and Sage and solid perfume called Dragons Blood.  How fitting to the Harry Potter World.  The lotion bar is really awesome!

Ashley Hat pattern by Beth Gaiantino

Emerald Fingerless Mitts pattern - a black pepper design

I sincerely apologize if I have forgotten something!  I got many wonderful things and I thank you very much!

Cotton dyeing

Well, I dyed my cotton. It is resting right now letting the dye set. I got a tie dye kit with fuchsia, turquoise, green, yellow, purple. At first it was a little overwhelming but my art skills finally kicked in! The hardest colors to deal with were the green and purple. All of the other colors were pretty easy to get creative with to make surprising colors.

Now, if any of the colors turn out, I guess we will see soon.

Dyeing yarn

I recently have been attempting to dye cotton yarn with kool-aid and gel food coloring. First attempt was awful. My color washed out. Right now my second attempt is in the works. Sometime this weekend I am going to get a tie-dye kit. I do plan to purchase real dyes but I want to practice on inexpensive products first.

I even thought about dyeing wools. I can wear gloves and mask if the fibers irritate me skin. I think it would be okay.

On Ravelry I have gotten myself set up as a designer. Hopefully I will soon get all of that figured out. Right now I am working on some Blythe doll patterns to publish- the Shark Hat is one and the other a Bulb Skirt. My friend told me that they are also called Tulip Skirts. I will post the patterns here and on Ravelry.