New crochet doll

Sometimes while at work (after school program), I have a little time to crochet. The kids get a real kick out of seeing me make something and they usually offer all kinds of advice on how the project should go. They almost always want to learn how to do it. It’s a win-win situation because I get to create something while at the same time teaching and entertaining the kids.

I started making a little doll at the end of the last school year and got as far as making the head, body and one leg. I recently pulled it out while taking care of the kinders and it was hysterical how much advice I was getting. This color hair, has to be a boy, has to be a girl, this color clothes, etc. I thought the doll came out a bit funny looking but the kids kept taking it and playing with it. They were all asking if they could keep it or if I could make them one (or a superman doll, a captain america doll or whatever character they happen to like) but I have to tell them I can’t possibly make so many things for so many students but that I can take suggestions and then either put it in the toy box for all of them to play with it or put the finished pieces in our prize box so someone can take it home. With this particular project we decided to put it in the prize box (because they all wanted it and were sure they would get to it first). When done with any project where they had input, the kids absolutely love that they were part of the process. They are very proud that I thought enough of their ideas to actually implement them (my words, not theirs :-)).

Did I mention it was kinda funny looking?

But the kids loved it.

I’m glad I finally got to finish the doll so it could stop taunting me every time I pulled out supplies from our craft closet.

It sometimes surprises me who ends up picking the things I make. There are always a few kids who say they can’t wait to go to the prize box to get one of my crocheted items only to get something else when they actually get their turn. And then more surprisingly when someone who showed no interest snatches it up and is all proud they got it. In this doll’s case, a child who I didn’t expect would want it, grabbed it, pulled it out of the baggie I placed it in and started playing with it with a big smile on his face. I think it was a big surprise for him too since I placed it in there a day before he made it to prize box. I can’t remember if he saw me working on it last school year. I know he didn’t see me finally finishing it this year because I worked on it before his regular arrival time at which point I would put it away so I  could get the kids started on homework. It must have appeared as if by magic in the prize box because he seemed so happy to get it. It always makes my heart feel a little warmer whenever the kids truly love something I make (even when I’m not 100% in love with it).

I’ve had a few requests for Hello Kitty purses so I when I get the chance again to work on a crochet project, I think it will be some purses and phone cases. They are easy to make and I can finish them more quickly but maybe I’ll give a go to that Superman request even if it takes me all year :-).

Freebie Friday – Color Block Bag

You can get the pattern here!

I receive many, many crochet newsletters and one of them had a free pattern for this cute purse. I lean towards making myself bags (think large grocery bags or supply holder type bags) and not purses but this one is so cute I thought I might actually try it one day. Maybe I’ll make a smaller version of it to throw it in our prize box at work. I know the kids will love it, especially if I let them choose the colors. I wonder if I can do a mini version as an iPhone case. Hmmm….

I am not affiliated with any websites nor do I make any money from these sites. They are simply patterns I like or would like to try myself.

Anniversary Weekend

It’s been 22 years of being married and we decided to celebrate in Vegas with some friends of my hubby. They own a timeshare so it was a no-brainer. Our arrival started with an early dinner. His friends told us about a great deal on Groupon for a buffet nearby at Planet Hollywood. Anyone who knows me knows I love a good deal and this was a goooood deal. The food was delicious and we ate ourselves into a stupor. I don’t usually recommend gluttony but did I mention the food is good? It was good.

His friends also bought inexpensive tickets to The Mentalist show at the V theatre. At the discounted price, it was worth checking out so we got tickets too. I’m so glad we did. After our gluttonous dinner, we rolled out of the buffet and headed over to the show which was nearby. The walk did us all some good. The show was fantastic.

Crochet Rag Dolls

Today one of my second grade students asked me if I would sit with her and teach her to crochet her own doll. I know she doesn’t have the skills yet to start a doll as she still doesn’t have the fundamentals down. Unfortunately we don’t have much time during the week to just sit and crochet but I told her that on Friday we could find time to do it (since we don’t do homework that day).

When I got home, I was thinking about how they all want to make dolls because they see me doing them. Very few (only one actually) ever reached the point where she could make one that actually resembled a doll. I definitely want them to feel like they can reach the goal of making a doll. I thought maybe they could try making squares and rectangles that we sew up to make rag dolls. The ones that move beyond chains (many are happy to make chains all day long 🙂 eventually learn to make squares and rectangles so that will be my next project with them. I have a fourth grade student who does single crochet pretty well and this project will be right up her alley. She’s always very helpful with the other students who are just getting started, especially the younger ones. Often, when they can’t get the mechanics of doing a chain, she is able to teach them how to do it in her own way. I love how patient she is with them and they love it as well. I think she will be excited about making her own doll and then she can show off her work to the other students. That’s the best part! 🙂

I will make a rag doll out of squares and rectangles myself as a prototype and see where that leaves us. I think they will be excited about being able to make something even though it’s not exactly what they had in mind. I am very excited myself to give this a try. I will post photos of my first attempt as well as photos of the students’ finished results in a future post.

This is the general idea.

Freebie Friday – Just groovin’ Crochet Beanie

I came across a ‘new to me’ stitch that really caught my eye. It was in one of the many crochet newsletters I receive. It looks very interesting and I’m definitely going to try it out. It’s a twist on the front and back post double crochet. I like the wave-like pattern it creates.

Here is the link that talks about the stitch and also has a video tutorial on how to do it: Click here!

I don’t like wearing hats or beanies in general but I still love making them. I wear them on occasion in the winter so I have a huge collection for that rare moment I want to wear one. This beanie below is made using the new stitch above and I think it’s a great way to give this stitch a try. I can’t wait to try it on some doll clothes for my crochet dolls. I think it would look nice as a bell-shaped skirt.

The pattern for this hat can be found at here.

I am not affiliated with any websites nor do I make any money from these sites. They are simply patterns I like or would like to try myself.

Crochet Inspiration

I am inspired! I came across these images (general google search) and had to share.

I never thought about doing something like this. I need to make me something like this. Not sure how I would even do it. As a crocheter, I would love to think I could do this but I’m not sure I can.

Freebie Friday – Back to School Lily Doll

I love, love, love a good bargain and when something is free it’s even better. I am constantly on the look out for free crochet patterns (even though I hardly ever follow one 🙂 ). I love using them as inspiration for something I might be trying to figure for my own designs or sometimes it’s simply to pretend I’ll actually follow the pattern. I thought I’d share some of my favorite pattern discoveries here.

Since I love making dolls so much, I thought I would start us off with a free pattern to this lovely beauty.

Here is the link for the free pattern (opens in new window).

I am not affiliated with any websites nor do I make any money from these sites. They are simply patterns I like or would like to try myself.