<Living Crafts Blog

This elegant sweater, designed by Marie Grace Smith was featured in Living Crafts Winter 2009 issue. With it comes a matching sweater for the girl’s doll.

Although the pattern for the girl’s sweater can only be found in the Winter 2009 issue, the doll’s pattern is offered as a tutorial in our Craft Room, as well as in this post. Enjoy!

Doll Sweater

Designed by Shelley Caskey

Materials:

approximately 150 yards of worsted weight yarn, 5 stitches = 1 inch

size 6 knitting needles (or whatever size needed to obtain gauge)

3 buttons, 1/2 inch in size

yarn needle and scissors

Please note:  the red sweater in this photo was made with Sheep
Shop Sheep 1 Single Ply A106.

The Pattern:

sized for 15”-16” waldorf doll

knit in 5 pieces and sewn together

Back:

round 1-10:  cast on 40 stitches and work in garter stitch (knit every round)
for 10 rows, ending on wrong side row

round 11 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k34, k2tog, k1

round 12:  purl

round 13:  knit

round 14:  purl

round

round 21 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k32, k2tog, k1

round 22:  purl

round 23:  knit

round 24:  purl

round

round 31 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k30, k2tog, k1

round 32:  purl

round 33:  knit

round 34:  purl

round 35-40:  repeat above 2 rounds (k one round, p one round)
3 times more

round 41 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k28, k2tog, k1

round 42:  purl

round 43:  knit

round 44:  purl

round

round 49 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k26, k2tog, k1

round 50-54:  knit every round (garter stitch)

round 55:  bind off

Left Front:

round 1-10:  cast on 22 stitches and work in garter stitch (knit every round)
for 10 rows, ending on wrong side row

round

round 12:  k5, purl to end

round 13:  knit

round 14:  k5, purl to end

round 15-20:  repeat above 2 rounds 3 times more

round 21 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k18

round 22:  k5, purl to end

round 23:  knit

round 24:  k5, purl to end

round 25-30:  repeat above 2 rounds 3 times more

round

round 32:  k5, purl to end

round 33:  knit

round 34:  k5, purl to end

round

round 41 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k16

round 42:  k5, purl to end

round 43:  knit

round 44:  k5, purl to end

round 45-48:  repeat above 2 rounds 2 times more

round 49 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k15

round 50-54:  knit every round (garter stitch)

round 55:  bind off

Right Front with Buttonholes:

round 1-10:  cast on 22 stitches and work in garter stitch (knit every round)
for 10 rows, ending on wrong side row

round 11 (right side, decrease row):  k19, k2tog, k1

round 12:  p16, k5

round 13:  knit

round 14:  p16, k5

round 15-20:  repeat above 2 rounds 3 times more

round

round 22:  p15, k5

round 23:  knit

round 24:  p15, k5

round

round 31 (right side, buttonhole + decrease row):
k3, bind off one stitch, k13, k2tog, k1

round 32 (wrong side, buttonhole row):  p14, k2, m1, k2

round 33:  knit

round 34:  p14, k5

round 35-40:  repeat above 2 rounds 3 times more

round

round 42 (wrong side, buttonhole row):  p13, k2, m1, k2

round 43:  knit

round 44:  p13, k5

round

round 49 (right side, decrease row):  k15, k2tog, k1

round 50-52:  knit every row (garter stitch)

round

round 54 (buttonhole row):  k14, m1, k2

round 55:  bind off

Sleeve (make two):

round 1-12:  cast on 32 stitches and work in stockinette stitch
(knit one round, purl one round) for 12 rows, ending on
wrong side row

round 13 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k26, k2tog, k1

round 14:  purl

round 15:  knit

round 16:  purl

round 17 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k24, k2tog, k1

round 18:  purl

round 19:  knit

round 20:  purl

round 21 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k22, k2tog, k1

round 22:  purl

round 23:  knit

round 24:  purl

round 25 (right side, decrease row):  k1, k2tog, k20, k2tog, k1

round 26-28:  knit 3 rows (garter stitch)

round 29:  bind off

Finish:

Sew all seams (right sides together), weave in ends,
turn right side out and block.  Sew buttons on.  And enjoy!

Just a few months ago, I received this wonderful children’s storybook, written by Joanna Johnson and beautifully illustrated by her husband Eric Johnson, and towards the end I found knitting patterns for Phoebe’s Sweater and Phoebe Mouse from the story’s characters. I loved the idea of knitting something for a child to match the characters from a book. Phoebe’s Sweater was reviewed in the Fall 2010 issue of Living Crafts magazine: “This delightful story is about a child adjusting to the idea of a new sibling, and the assurance she receives from her parents about how much they love and cherish her. Her mother knits her a sweater while still pregnant with the baby. At the end of the book there are instructions for Phoebe the mouse, a child’s cardigan, matching with a doll cardigan, which, in the story, Phoebe the mouse wears. This book is a treasure for both the illustrated story, as well as the beautiful me-and-my-doll cardigan pattern.” The charming illustrations do not disappoint – they provide rich detail.

And the eager imagination of a young child will find much to consider. Phoebe’s Sweater is a seamless knit that comes together very quickly in bulky weight superwash yarn.

Instructions include a pattern for this sweet seamless doll and a matching doll sweater, too! Now, I am thrilled to have received Joanna and Eric’s second book, Freddie’s Blanket, which is just as charming.

The Johnson’s new book follows a similar idea of including knitting patterns with a storybook (much like Living Crafts’ Craft a Story column), but introduces a new family of characters and unfolds the tale of a young boy who has trouble staying in his own bed at night. A certain hand knit blanket is always at his side! The illustrations are just as lovely as in the first book. And offer much for children and parents to talk about while reading together. Five new knitting patterns accompany the story, including the darling Baby Envelope Blanket. Also, the cute knitted coveralls even have a pattern for a toy knitted hammer! And of course, there is another adorable seamless toy. There is also a pattern for Freddie’s sister, May, in a sweet violet dress.

Signed Books and Yarn Giveaway

Today we are offering a very special gift from Joanna and Eric at Slate Falls Press, and from our friends at Brown Sheep Company. Included in the giveaway are a copy of each of these two books, signed by the author and illustrator, as well as a generous collection of Brown Sheep Company yarn. There are 11 skeins of Lamb’s Pride Superwash Bulky, in Mint Cream, which is enough to knit the largest size Phoebe’s Sweater as well as the matching doll sweater. Also, the winner will receive 4 skeins of Serendipity Tweed in Colorado Columbine, which is enough to knit the largest size Freddie’s Coveralls as well as the matching toy coveralls. This wonderful giveaway is valued at $180.00. Just leave a comment to this post to enter the Giveaway. Comments will be open until Sunday (January 30, 2011) 8 p.m. EST.

And the winner is…

Here’s a pretty appliqué tutorial from Wee Folk Art.

These sweet hearts from Design*Sponge have my attention for this Valentine’s Day. They are just so simple, and easy to do with a child too. If they have not learned how to crochet yet, they can start with the chain stitch and make the garland. Click here for the tutorial.

                        Indian Lake Artisans hexagon knitting needles

Twice a year I go to a trade show for the needle arts. It is called TNNA, which stands for The National Needlearts Association. Some people call it “the yarn show,” although it covers all the needle arts—cross stitch, embroidery, and such. Every time I walk into this trade show, I feel just as I did as a child when my mother handed me some money and sent me off with my brother and sister to pick out goodies at the corner store. On the way, we would wonder about what we would get—ice cream or candy, or maybe stickers—changing our minds over and over again. But whatever we chose, all three of us came back home with a smile. At times like that, the world would stop. I was totally immersed in the moment, with not a thought to the future or past. And that is how I feel when I go to the yarn show now! And the fabric show! And the wool show! (I think I’ve covered all my bases here.)

At each trade show, there will be a couple of exciting finds, such as these hexagonal knitting needles I found at the most recent show. Made in Michigan from walnut, cherry, and birch wood, these needles are decorated with beautiful copper tops and each size is assigned a symbol. The hexagonal needles make knitting easier, especially for children and beginners (and me).

   I even love their logo design. And they sell those red chairs!

At the booth, I tried out the needles and loved the experience. Now, I have my hands on a bunch of different sizes, and am eager to start my next project with a pair. While it is wonderful to make your own knitting needles (and equally wonderful to teach your children how to make them), if you HAVE to buy needles I recommend these. They even come in double-pointed fives! Here’s a video for more information on the whole line:

Another wonderful U.S. made knitting needle company is Brittany Needles. Their needles have been reviewed in Living Crafts magazine and I’ve been using their needles and beautifully carved crochet hooks since early 2008. Recently my new puppy chewed on one that I had left on the sofa, and I was devastated. Brittany hooks are wonderful!

I’m very curious to know if you have a favorite U.S. made needle company and what it is you love about them. Please leave a comment and a link too!

This adorable design by Debbie Stoller can be incorporated into a simple spring vest or a scarf for a child, but the blanket is the best.  Click here for the tutorial posted on Etsy blog’s How-Tuesday.

What does fabric design and surfing have to do together? Well, Heather Ross can only explain it. Heather is one of my absolute most favorite fabric designers of all time. I have a collection of her vintage, old, and new designs and also have made some special items with them. One day when I start sharing my own personal projects (knitting, sewing, felting) on this blog, you will see them. But meanwhile, I want to tell you Walden Surfboards hired her to design surfboards for them. Having lived in Southern California for several years, watching so many surfers and surf boards, I know if I start surfing (in my next life), this is what I’ll be surfing on!

Mendocino collection by Heather Ross

Anna Maria Horner, one of the most talented fabric designers in the world (her fabric is a household item in my family) is auctioning a quilt for the Queensland flood victims. The fabric is her own design, the pattern is her own design (Gathering Flowers Quilt), and so is the sewing. The bidding ends midnight today, so there is still a whole day left to go over to her blog and bid on it to help people in need. Thank you Anna Maria!

I hope you too think this Card and Envelope Tutorial from Sew Mama Sew is unique and lovely and make-worthy. This project was posted at the Sew Mama Sew blog exactly a year ago, but is still a timeless treasure.