Stacie Winter becomes Spring

I began with idea of making the sister pattern from JudysDollsPatterns for Chelsea in thread.

I had started down this road with Stacie originally but I couldn't get the waist to fit. It ended up large for Chelsea but by the time I'd finished the edges it fit Stacie this time. I'd decided to go with size 20 thread for the shirt for Chelsea as the size 10 thread was huge. I found the 20 actually worked better for Stacie as well but as with the skirt during the finishing stages I needed to add some space around the neck to close as I'd decided not to add the winter finishing collar. The colors I had on hand just had more of a Spring feel so it seemed a good choice finish it as a Spring outfit.

The Christmas Playtime set can be purchased here.

Notes:

I used a 1.8mm hook for the skirt and a .9mm for the shirt.

I changed multiple rows trying to get it to fit Chelsea so this would be something to explore when making this again for Stacie. I'd start with the larger hook for the skirt but likely reduce the hook size to the .9mm once past the waist line to avoid some of the puffy feel and to get the details of the alternating colors to work better.

Usually I use snaps for Barbie and family but I picked up some tiny buttons and a button hole was a better choice for this project based on the challenge of getting the neck to fit right.

I plan on trying the overalls pattern for Stacie. I had hoped it would work for both dolls but after this experience I don't think it will work as hoped.

Springtime Patriotic Potholder

My husband purchased Scrap Potholders and Mats for me at Maggie's Crochet here. This has always been on my list of patterns to attack, but after working on the thread for the Texas Rose potholder I decided it would be fun to try working on a thread potholder.

I love this pattern. I used the magic circle for my potholder and it worked well. The only downside is at one point I tightened it too much and it did effect the look of the pattern. I'd work on that when I make this again. The big change I made was making bigger color wedges. I liked the outcome of this change. First I like bolder color stripes. Second it reduced the amount of ends needed to sew in at the end of the project.

This pattern used up some of my size 10 thread and has made me even more grateful for my Bates Bamboo thread hooks. I'm hoping to make one of these to donate for a kitchen charity basket.

This potholder will be on its way to a new home soon. The St. Patrick's Day bear is coming along and I'm hoping to have him finished soon.