Happy Halloween

I got my Halloween decorations up last night including the crochet ones I made for the house. I already have a list of new Halloween projects for next year as I continue to dive into my Thanksgiving and Christmas pile.



I found Kelly, Stacie, and Skipper dolls online at KMart yesterday without all the accessories so Mom and I can have model dolls to make clothes with for our various projects. I bought a set with Kelly and Stacie in it having no idea how hard it would be to find a single Kelly doll to use as a model. I have not been hitting the yard sale circuit as much lately or I might have found one. I wanted to try making some clothes to send with the Barbie set I got for Christmas. Waiting was not an option. Skipper does not seem to be released often so I figured getting her alone now was essential. If she is released later in a set, at least Mom and I have a model to work from and I have something put aside for Easter or a birthday.




I have one Barbie Pilgrim dress that needs arms, an apron, snaps, and a cap and the battle will be done. I think I will try sock yarn for the next one. Even the right sports yarn appears to be too thick, although it still is cute.




The first Pilgrim Boy Bear is completed now that I put his buckles on. I hope to have pictures of him and the Pilgrim Girl posted next week. It all depends how crazy things get this weekend. The girl pattern is much more detailed in the outfit, but I have the head and arms to complete and she too will be done.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween.

Additional Holiday Patterns Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Halloween Page

Patriotic

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Stegosaurus One More Step Completed on Project Dinosaur

I had much greater success using a smaller hook and choosing different yarn with the second stegosaurus. Attaching the scales is still no walk in the park, but it was better this time than the first time. I suspect that if I make another one, I will continue to see progress. The color choice was an improvement as well.

This guy with Bronte, and the cow will be headed off for their journey to New Hampshire soon. I have to make arrangements for their car trip.

I have the body of the first Pilgrim bear completed. I need to add cardboard to the shoes before adding the bottoms. The theory is he should stand. I am doubtful, but I will withhold judgment. I almost have the head completed. I have modified the pattern to use a safety nose instead of sewing one. I also did not add some of the sewn embellishments. The hat is almost finished then will require stuffing. After which, it can be sewn to the bear. I am pleased with the progress so far.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Hello Kitty

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food


Pictures may not be used without permission.

Brontosaurus the Dinosaur Project Continues

I was so pleased with the second brontosaurus. I liked the color and using a smaller hook and better sewing techniques this guy actually stands up better, too. I was thrilled when I saw him coming together at how much better he looked than the first one I made. Looking at the sewing improvements, I think I can actually fix the legs on the first one to improve his ability to stand up.

My skills have come a long way since I started working on these projects and this guy reminds me to stop always criticizing what I cannot do and be happy with what I have learned to do better.

My Thanksgiving projects are continuing. After finishing the Hello Kitty project, I think I discovered a way to rescue a Pilgrim Weeble like woman that I almost abandoned in frustration because I could not get the pattern to work. After learning a few tricks from pulling out Hello Kitty's outfit a few times, I think I can now make the Weeble like Pilgrim lady work and even perhaps create a Mr. Pilgrim to be her companion for the holidays. An old Annie's Attic pattern is providing me with the chance to create a pair of Pilgrim bears. When those are completed, I will post those pictures as well.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Hello Kitty

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food


Pictures may not be used without permission.

Cow The Farms are Finished

I feel there should be horns sounding and people cheering, but there is just this post. Both basic farms are finished. I still have a silo to assemble and if time perhaps another silo bag to make, but I am done with the farms for the year. Perhaps another next year, but I can move on to other projects. I have a wooly mammoth to complete and I am on the fence about the pterodactyl. I am not sure if I will be making a second one and then that second set will be complete.



I used different yarn and a smaller hook on this cow so that may have been the issue. It could also have been my attitude. I wanted to work on Hello Kitty Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Bears that I have since started. Whatever the reason, this cow was far more stubborn than the first and it while the main body parts were fine, the detailed finishing pieces were not cooperating. It was determined to have my full attention.

I will be handing this guy off with a few dinosaurs to head to New Hampshire for birthday and Christmas presents. I heard rumors the T-Rex escaped early and has already claimed bedroom space.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Hello Kitty

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food


Pictures may not be used without permission.

Hello Kitty Pilgrim

The Hello Kitty Witch was a big hit so it was only logical that I would need to try to make a Hello Kitty Pilgrim. The Witch had an advantage, a free pattern. I have yet to find a Hello Kitty Pilgrim pattern and for those hoping this will enlighten you I am sorry, this is likely a one of a kind attempt on my part. I will explain how it happened and someone else may actually be able to come up with a saner path to create it.




I used Armina Ami-Nal's Hello Kitty Witch Patternfor the basic Hello Kitty pattern. I have found her patterns to be easy to follow and like the results. That gave me the Kitty Pilgrim grey body and white head. I used the Barbie Pilgrim pattern from Shady Lane's Timeless Fashion Doll Wardrobe, Vol. 1, #495 to create a basis for the cape and apron. I chose grey for the cape and hood because white on white does not look great. The original Barbie pattern has a white apron and a white cape. Obviously, Barbie and Hello Kitty do not share the same body shape. However, I was able to use the same basic idea to create an apron and a cape that covered her head. The Witch pattern has a cape but no hood, so I needed a different model.

As I continued with my project, I realized my cape hood was more like a shawl used as a hood than a traditional bonnet covering, but with the width of Hello Kitty's head, it worked for my purposes. I was pleased with this project.

On another note as someone who is not does not enjoy the sewing and lacks the fine detail skills I was thrilled to discover Suncatchers makes Hello Kitty yellow safety noses. I have not yet ordered any, but these are on my list to get as I continue to work on the Hello Kitty projects.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Hello Kitty

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food


Pictures may not be used without permission.

Barbie Witch Knitted

I cannot claim credit for this beauty. Mom made this costume for a relative on my husband's side of the family to share. The free pattern is available at Knitting on the Net. I found this pattern early on in my research. It convinced me I had to convert Mom to making doll's clothes. At that time, I could neither knit nor crochet and I wanted my nieces to have access to the wonderful doll's clothes I was finding patterns for on the Internet. Well my crocheting skills have progressed to the point I can make Barbie clothes, but Mom is still the only one producing knit clothes for the dolls in our family. I do not see that changing any time in the near future.

Barbie’s outfit will be leaving for her new home soon. I was fortunate to have the chance to take a picture using my dress model before the outfit left. I have some other great stuff Mom sent me for to give for birthday and Christmas gifts. I will photograph and share these outfits too before sending them off as well. She has expanded into sewing dolls clothes as well as knitting. I cannot wait to show off the items.

I am still waiting on my yarn shipment from JoAnn's to get started on my first doll project in ages. I have two Pilgrim outfits to make and ship before Thanksgiving. I needed lighter weight yarn, as the first outfit I made was a bit bulky.

It is not too late for those of you who want to make doll Halloween costumes. I have free patterns available on the Halloween page. Those who crochet are in luck. There are several free crochet patterns for Barbie, Ken, and even Kelly available on the Internet. I located three American Girl free crochet Halloween Patterns. I apologize to the knitters this is the only free Barbie Halloween pattern I have discovered. I have no Halloween patterns for the American Girl Dolls. I will update the Halloween page as soon as I find any to add.

Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:

Halloween Page

Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page

Barbie Knitting Page

Ken Page

Kelly/Skipper Page

American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing

American Girl Doll Knitting

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Patriotic

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Crochet Horse: The Last Farm Almost Complete

This was the last of the two farm animals remaining and I will say I am impressed with the ability I have shown in sticking to finishing projects. Even when I have wanted to go off and try new things, not repeat old patterns to make presents I need for upcoming birthdays and Christmas, I have managed to finish these gifts.

I love this pattern set which is an Old Annie’s Attic Pattern Club pattern, 87B54 printed in 1984. I have been blogging about my adventures with this pattern since April. When I finished the first one, I decided to do a second for another family member. I have learned a great deal since the first attempt.





One thing that I am hoping that will help is I purchased a tool that is supposed to help make tassels. My experience so making tail tassels for the animals has not been wonderful and I have ended up just sewing them. Perhaps if I can master the tassel maker I can have nicer tails for the creatures.

In order to make the project more interesting, I decided on a white horse instead of the brown this time. I wanted black, but only having black safety eyes, that did not seem like a viable option and I hate sewing eyes. I still have to find a source for colored eyes. I found one, but they do not sell small colored eyes, just the larger sized ones.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Hello Kitty

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food


Pictures may not be used without permission.

Triceratops Revisited

I have stayed focused on completing my projects. The dinosaurs are coming along and I have only the final additions on the last of my farm animals to complete. Then I have to move to Thanksgiving projects before the holiday gets away from me. I ordered some sock and sport yarn to experiment with the Barbie Pilgrim dress and some other holiday projects.

I love this set of dinosaurs. The pattern is called Dinosaurs and available from Gourmet Crochet. The only pattern I really have not mastered is the pterodactyl. At some point, I need to figure out how to attach the wings to the figure according to the pattern. Other than that, the other amigurumi directions have been easy to follow.

This guy has already been passed on for his trip to his future owner. I hope he enjoys many hours of adventures.

This is a set I suspect I will be visiting again.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Hello Kitty

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food


Pictures may not be used without permission.

Afghan Free Patterns

Colder weather always makes us think of warmer projects. I have started searching for some afghan patterns to share.

Crochet:

Angular Granny Throw

Autumn Evening

Autumn Log Cabin Throw

Blue Ridge Throw

Blushing Grannies

Bright Nights

Butterfly Throw

Building Blocks Throw (Lego Inspired)

Carousel Throw

Crayon Ripple

Crochet Pattern Central

French Country Throw

Graphic Grannies

Heirlooms Stitch Throw

Kaleidoscope Afghan

Medallion Circular Throw

Our House Quilt

Pennsylvania Dutch

Pinwheel

Post Stitch Throw

Purple Kitty Scroll Down

Pyramid

Rectangle Granny Square

Rainy Day Ripple Throw

Rosebud Throw

Round Ripple 12 Point

Round Ripple Bedspread Queen Size

Skipping Stones Circular Afghan

Spectrum Throw

Spider and Cobwebs Throw

Swirling Fans Throw

Wavy Blanket Scroll Down

Windows

Winter Skies Throw

Knit:

Greek Key

Knitting Pattern Central

Nature's Inspiration

Northern Motifs

NYC Skyline

Plum Mosaic

Purple Kitty Scroll Down

Scrapper's Stripe Afghan

Loom:

Simple Afghan

Check out the Holiday Blogs and Special Event Blogs for More Patterns:

Baby Blankets

Christmas

Halloween

Patriotic

Toy Themed Afghans

Valentines

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Goose The Second Farm Continues

I have gotten disiplined about finishing my two big Christmas projects that I have been working on for a while now. I have one set of dinosaurs completed and one farm set done. I am adding a silo to the first farm set which I need to finish, too. However, as I have read on other crochet blogs, I have trouble returning to projects I have already done and duplicating the efforts to make additional items for others.



In the midst of other writing projects not related to crochet I have pushed myself to get focused and get finished. I finished the castle even though there were times I really wanted to abandon it and then decided on a strategy of trading back and forth between farm animals and dinosaurs to finish both projects. I currently am working on the last farm animal the cow, so the strategy is yielding results.

I am trying a new strategy with the second set that is providing some different results. I switched from a G hook to an F hook and I am finding my projects are standing better. There are fewer gaps in the patterns and I like the overall look better.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Hello Kitty

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food


Pictures may not be used without permission.

My Halloween Decorations

In the middle of getting out Halloween packages to others I did stop to make some Halloween decorations for my own house. I still need a pumpkin before I decide the set is complete for this year. I will add more to my own set next year.




My pumpkin and ghost dishclothes are already up in the kitchen. It is neat to have my own crochet decorations up. I have yet to get to the attic to get out the other Halloween stuff so this gives me a start.



If you are looking for Halloween Free Patterns please check out these blog entries:

Halloween Pattern Links

Halloween Plastic Canvas Links

If you are looking ahead check out the Thanksgiving and Christmas Free Patterns:

Thanksgiving Crochet and Knit

Thanksgiving Plastic Canvas

Christmas Knit and Crochet

Christmas Ornament Knit and Crochet

Christmas Plastic Canvas

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Castle Crochet

I have been talking about this project forever and I finally have the pictures ready to post. This is the pattern I had discussed earlier from Bizzy Crochet.



I am already thinking about the mistakes I made with the goal of improving the next one I make. I have the farm bag ready to assemble and I learned a great deal from that project that should make the next castle an even better project. The door is better formed on the farm and I will fix that on the next castle. I was proud of myself for figuring out how to put on the door. I assembled it incorrectly the first time and looking at it managed to determine how it was supposed to go on and fixed it.



Unlike the original pattern, I chose not to sew the top on all the way, so the child could actually get into the inside of the castle from the top. I sewed the top half way on and left the other side open. I wanted a picture with all the finger puppets on the castle, but in my rush to get the pictures done, I almost took down the castle.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Hello Kitty

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food


Pictures may not be used without permission.

Mitten Patterns Knit and Crochet

With cold weather approaching I thought I would list some of the mitten patterns I was finding for others who are searching for free patterns.

Crochet:

Adult:

Crochet and Knitting.com Scroll Down

Crochet Pattern Central


Children:

Bev's Country Cottage

Crochet and Knitting.com Scroll Down




Knit:

Adult:

Free Vintage Patterns

Knitting Help

Knitting on the Net

Knitting Pattern Central

Children's:

Baby

Bev's Country Cottage

Knitting on the Net

Pat-A-Cake Mittens

Free Vintage Patterns

Loom Knitting:

Fave Crafts Scroll Down

Loom Mittens with Knit Cable Cuffs

As always as I find more patterns I will continue to add them to the list.


I have not found many but also check out the puppet mittens I have found on the puppet mitten/puppet page.

Picture Credit: http://morguefile.com/archive/display/607977

Friday's Crochet Round Up

I cannot believe how fast this fall season is moving. Monday we will be off to King Richard's Faire for our annual visit. That is always the mark for me that the Fall Season is moving towards the holiday rush. I hope to get our Halloween decorations out of the attic this weekend so we can enjoy them.

Trading off on my crochet projects is proving to work out as I planned. I finished the second farm horse I needed yesterday and began work on the triceratops. He needs legs, horns, and a tail. Then he too can join the finished pile. If I can get photographs taken before Monday, I can pass them on to my Aunt for their eventual trip to New Hampshire. Once I have pictures I can start posting them again.

Once the triceratops is completed, I need to finish the goose and the cow for the farm and have several more dinosaurs to finish the set.

I am thinking about experimenting with the Halloween characters to make some Pilgrims for Thanksgiving. As I mentioned in my previous post my first attempts were not successful. However, I was pondering how to combine the patterns to create little Pilgrims that would be a good size and something I have had success creating. The real issue will be creating the clothing as the Halloween characters had very simple outfits. However, half the fun is experimenting. If I have success, you can expect to see the results here.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Hello Kitty

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food


Pictures may not be used without permission.

Projects Moving Along

I started the Barn Silo free pattern from Bizzy Crochet and it is almost done. This is going to be a cute addition to the barn bag pictured above. I found after completing the castle that the trick in doing these bags is working the projects in stages and adapting the pieces to my purposes. I am going to use the plastic canvas siding that was in the castle to prop up the farm bag as I think it could use the additional support. I do not see it listed on the pattern, but it seems like a good choice.

I just packed up the two packages that have to be mailed for Halloween and those are off to the post office today. I was happy, but the piano looks sadly empty without all the Halloween creatures covering it. I also gave my Aunt some of the birthday and Christmas items headed to New Hampshire so that also decreased the pile. However, with the holidays coming and my love of decorating it was necessary. It also inspired me to get to work on finishing those holiday projects. Last night I completed most of the horse that needs to head to New Hampshire with that farm. Then I will switch off to the dinosaurs. I am hoping to have the full set of dinosaurs and farm animals done by the end of the month.

Then of course comes Thanksgiving. I started on Pilgrim lady, but she didn't come out as expected. I will have to try again. I also have some holiday themed dishcloths to make. I want to make some for myself and at least one to ship. I have two Barbie Pilgrim outfits to make as well. The plate is full, but I am enjoying it. I am glad I took on the challenge of learning even if knitting has not worked out as well as I hoped.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Hello Kitty

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food


Pictures may not be used without permission.

Check out the Halloween Page

October has begun and I am scrambling to finish my projects and already have ones on my list for next year.

Bloggers and yarn companies have been adding Halloween patterns to their sites and I have been adding links as I find them to my Halloween page. Lion Brand has added a ton of new patterns and I even found some doll Halloween costumes for those who are interested in making them. Keep checking back as I keep adding to the pages as I find them. My favorite find from Lion Brand so far was the cute Halloween bibs and the Vampire Ami doll, Cody the Count who is on my to do for next year as soon as I can print the pattern and log it. I will not have the time to get to Cody this year. I love the American Girl doll costumes, but those are also a next year project. However, it is always good to have new stuff to make.

Halloween Pattern Links

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Fall Colors

I have been trying to get outside and get some fall pictures of the changing leaves. With the warm weather the leaves have been slow to change. Now they are changing we have had endless wind and rain destroying the chance to take pictures. So in case I miss the change to save some pictures to take me through the winter I thought I would post some Morgue file photographs to hold me through the cold winter days that I know are coming.



I love the orange and red blends the most. The yellows are pretty, but the color blends just seem so amazing when you watch them transform.





This one I love because it reminds me so much of what the roads around here look like when the trees turn and the roads get a canopy of colored leaves.



I hope this helps those who are away from the changing seasons to have something to remember them.


Picture Credits:

http://morguefile.com/archive/display/148120

http://morguefile.com/archive/display/40973

http://morguefile.com/archive/display/40960

http://morguefile.com/archive/display/629985

http://morguefile.com/archive/display/97574