Lil Cutesies Moses Basket 2026

I mentioned earlier in the week that I'd finished off two categoies for donations this week.

The first was the night wear and the second is bassinets. I will not need a bassinet for Kits for Kids as the doll is a bit large for the project so all my bassinets are done until I start the 2027 items. Then again never say never. Every time I say never someone says could you...

I also said I was using up my on hand Homespun yarn. Yet for the Little Cutesie doll I tried a new color I've never used before.

I needed to make a minimum for shipping and decided to add some homespun to the order. When I went to check the site as I was writing this, turns out they no longer have Homespun. It does concern me as rumors are floating about the long term life of Homespun and if Lion Brand will be continuing to produce it as they've cancelled some of its off shoot lines. I would hate to see the yarn go but not suprising in the fiber market these days.

The blanket yarn I believe is Herschnerrs Worsted 4 that I've been trying to finish off.

Notes:

This is made using a no longer available Moses Basket pattern from Annie Potter presents Sweet Baby Doll Layette. The blanket is part of Darski's BBL pattern set found here.

I went with a g hook with baby yarn for the Lots to Love 8 inch baby doll and it was smaller than I wanted. I used an I with the Herschnerrs Worsted and it was slightly big but I'd rather slightly big than slightly small. I'd suggest an H hook with the heavier yarn and an I with baby yarn next time.

Rabbit in a Carrot

I've been splitting my crochet time between doll clothes and parts of finger puppets and small amis. I've been completing a portion of a finger puppet or ami, storing it in a plasic baggie and then when I'm close to finishing I'll assemble the item. In this case I also had the sleeping bag to make as well.

This is one of Laura Sutcliffe's patterns that can be purchased here.

Notes:

I'm going for small sized items for this donation. When I made this last in 2020 it wasn't as big an issue.

The pattern calls for DK yarn I went with Sinfonia cotton I am trying to use up and replace with Cotton Fair. They each have pros and cons but I have come to prefer the Cotton Fair for my small ami projects. This was a great project to hit my stash of old cotton I refuse to abandon.

I used a size 2mm hook for all items.

In my previous project notes I mentioned that the carrot needed to be wider to make it easier to get the bunny in and out of it for small hands. I increased the width following the pattern to 26 stitches.

I mistakenly read the front directions for the back and increased the length to make it long enough for the bunny but missed the shaping of the top for the carrot. After having finished the piece I was not redoing it but added the trim.

My note to myself on the pattern is to follow the lower directions and make the back piece first as this will determine I've made it wide enough and long enough for my rabbit. Then the front which is the first direction can be made and adjusted to fit the back.

This is going to be part of my Kits for Kids rotation.

Calico Critter Dad King

I've had this pattern on my list for a while now but I finally got to it last Friday. There wasn't really a reason not to do it, just the timing never seemed to be right.

This is made using one of Dawn Smith's free patterns found here.

I was drawn to this pattern for a couple of reasons beyond a free Calico pattern. First there aren't lots of patterns for the male Critters. Second I must say was the crown. It just was a unique item.

However, once I looked at the pattern I realized the crown wasn't part of the pattern. It's a free pattern so no real complaints but I wasn't giving up on the crown so you will find my own notes for a Calico crown. I'm sure someone can improve but it is a start.

Notes:

I used a 2mm hook and size 10 crochet thread. I believe the yellow is Thread Art and the brown Aunt Lydia's.

The pattern does have a sword belt pattern but many charities have been discouraging weapons and it seemed easier not to add this than to worry about making a sword to add to the project along with figuring out the crown.

I chose the short sleeved option for this outfit and I closed with a snap rather than a button.

Crown:

Chain 30 join

Row 1 sc in each chain and join.

Rows 2-3 sc in each sc stitch.

Row 4 (Chain 3 working down the chain ss in first stitch and sc in last of the chain 3 stitches.

SS in next two chains on crown.)

Repeat ( ) until the end of row and join.

Finish off

Now that I've mastered the crown I think next year I'll change the colors to more royal colors and work on a simple cloak to make the outfit a little more regal.