Crochet doll for my granddaughter

Hello, welcome back to my blog! ...you may also want to view my blog archive (at the right side of this page) to see my past original posts, full of useful information and inspiration for my fellow crocheters. 

For this post I'm happy to share my very first all-crochet cotton doll. I used our locally available 100% cotton mercerized crochet thread. I used double strand, to substitute for the fingering weight cotton yarn used in the pattern.

I bought the pattern at crochetree.com  I'm not affiliated with the site, I only want to share my appreciation for the well-written patterns of  the designer. 

This project took me about 5 weeks, since I crochet only a few hours a day. It really requires a lot of patience, but it is very doable for crocheters just by following the pattern instructions.

Here are some of my progress pics...

I modified the pattern a bit, especially for the dress and the bag...but overall, it pretty much looks like the model of the designer, here are the pics side by side. My work is the one on the right, with the yellow bag.

My granddaughter loved this doll I made for her.

Crochet and Other Stuff in 2019

Hello 2020! To whom it may concern, this year will be my 15th year in Blogger, and my 60th year in this world. I'm really looking forward... But wait! this year everything was put on hold, and our lives changed. Lucky are we if we didn't get infected, or none of our loved ones did...So just staying healthy and sane this year is an accomplishment worth mentioning.

This blogpost came very late for the topic, but I still need to finish it...just to complete my yearly compilation of crochet-related stuff.
So, here's my crafting for 2019.
(Btw, if you are on IG, please view @crochet.denim.me. You're welcome to follow me, and I'll follow back if you have a crochet/craft account too. 😇)

Crochet Projects

These are most of my projects for the year as posted on Ravelry...

Projects with details on Ravelry

The wonderful part of being able to crochet is making gifts that delight kids. Here's my granddaughter when she got the little mermaid doll https://www.instagram.com/p/BwdEH5nB1cO/

The Little Mermaid

Then there's also the satisfaction one gets from being able to customize something that would help other people...like this crochet boobies to be used to teach moms how to breastfeed.

Crochet Boobs

And these tiny booties for the preemies at the hospital. I made several pairs, mostly in white.

Preemie Baby Booties

And here's a gift I made for a friend visiting from abroad, January 2019.

Crochet Dreamcatcher

Patterns

I only published one free pattern on my blog, though I made up several small patterns that we used when I was teaching crochet to some moms at a local children's hospital.

Crochet Flounder Amigurumi

Flounder Amigurumi - free crochet pattern

(Disclaimer: Pardon the ads appearing on the pattern.)

Also in 2019, I submitted a tote bag pattern for the WeCrochet Magazine Spring 2020 issue.

Other Stuff

At the Philippine Children's Medical Center, July 2019...crochet session that ended with fruit-eating session 😍

More crafting soon...I hope, and may I come up with some more crochet designs.

Thanks for looking! Here's my end-of-the-year 2019 pic. See you in 2020! 😎

Flounder the fish - free crochet pattern

I'm sharing the pattern for the flounder amigurumi I made as companion for the Ariel mermaid doll  for my granddaughter. This one have the stripes worked in tapestry crochet. But you may also add in the stripes later, like in this first model I made.

Flounder Amigurumi
copyright Mimi Alelis, 2019
This pattern can only be found on this link:
https://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2019/04/flounder-fish-free-crochet-pattern.html


Materials
Worsted weight yarn - yellow and blue
Crochet hook size 4mm
Polyester fiberfill
Small amounts of crochet thread for facial features - black, white and green (for eyes, eyebrows), red for lips
Yarn needle to weave in ends
Crochet Gauge: 9 sts = 2 inches

Notes: Do not join rnds, work in a continuous spiral, marking the beginning of rnds as you go. 

Head and Body
With yellow, start with a magic ring, 
Rnd 1: 6 sc in ring (6 sc).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc).
Rnd 3: (sc in sc, 2 sc in next) 6 times (18sc).
Rnd 4: work in back loops only for this rnd, (sc in next 2 sc , 2 sc in next) 6 times (24sc)
Rnd 5: ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, sl st in next sc, sc in each sc around, sc on each st on the opposite side of ch 4 in the beginning of this rnd, sc again on the last st (31 sc)
Rnd 6: sc in each sc around (31 sc)
Rnd 7: sc in next 24 sc, sc and hdc in next, sc, hdc and sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc (33 sts) 
Rnd 8:, Sc in 3 sc, sc and hdc in next, hdc and sc in next. sc in next 20 sc, sc2tog twice, sc in last 4 sc (33 sc)
Rnd 9:, Sc in 2 sc, sc2tog twice, sc in 27 sc (31 sc)

Rnd 10: sc in each sc around (31sc)

Rnds 11-13: sc in 23 sc, change to blue (for the stripe), sc in 15 sc (move marker up the rnd as you go; carry unused yarn at the back of work), change to yellow, sc in 16 sc, change to blue, sc in 15 sc, change to yellow, sc in 35 sc (31 sc)

Rnd 14: sc in each sc around (31 sc)
Rnds 15-17: sc in 23 sc, change to blue, sc in 15 sc, change to yellow, sc in 7 sc, sc2tog. sc in 7 sc, change to blue, sc in 15 sc, change to yellow, sc in 22 sc 

Rnd 18: (sc in 8 sc, sc2tog) 3 times (27sc)
Rnds 19-21: sc in 20 sc, change to blue, sc in 15 sc, change to yellow, sc in 12sc, change to blue, sc in 7 sc sc2tog, sc in 6 sc, change to yellow, sc in next sc, sc2tog, (sc in 7 sc, sc2tog) twice, sc in 7 sc ( 24 sc at the of rnd 21) 
Rnd 22: (sc in 6 sc, sc2tog) three times (21sc)
Rnd 23-25: (sc in 6 sc, sc2tog) twice, change to blue, sc in 5 sc, sc2tog, sc in 5 sc, change to yellow, sc in 3 sc, sc2tog, sc in 2 sc, change to blue, sc in 5 sc, sc2tog, sc in 4 sc, change to yellow, sc in 2 sc, sc2tog, sc in 7 sc (15 sc at the end of rnd 25)
Begin stuffing.

Rnd 26: (sc in 3 sc, sc2tog) 3 times (12sc) Sc in 6 sc, change to blue,

Sl st in next st, cut-off yellow yarn, continue on with blue yarn.

Tail

Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st in 1st sc to join (12 sc)

Rnd 2: ch 1, (sc in sc, 2 sc in next) repeat around, sl st to join (18 sc)

Rnd 3: ch 1, 2 sc in sc, sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in each of the next 2 sc, sc in 7 sc, 2 sc in last sc, join ( 22 sc)

Rnd 4: ch 1, sc in 5 sc, sl st in next sc, sc in 10 sc, sl st in next, sc in 5 sc, join (22 sts)

Rnd 5: ch 2, dc in same st, hdc in next 2 sc, sc in next 2 sc, sl st in sl st, sc in next 2 sc, hdc in next 2, (2 dc in next sc) twice, hdc in next 2 sc, sc in next 2 sc, sl st in sl st, sc in next 2 sc, hdc in next 2, 2 dc in last sc, join (26 sts)

Cut off yarn, leaving enough length for sewing. Sew the tail end to close.

Fins (make 2) 

Row 1: Cn 7, turn, sl st in top loops only, from the 2nd ch from hook and next 5 chs, turn..
Row 2: Ch 1, sl st in 3 sts, sc in next 2 st, sc and hdc in last st, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sl st in 1 st, sc in 3 sts, sl st in 3 sts, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sl st in 3 sts, sc in next 3 sts, turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, sl st in 6 sts. Fasten off leaving 12 inches for sewing.
Sew about 3 sts below the first blue stripe.

Top Flap
Row 1: Ch 16 for base, *ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 ch, sc in next**, turn and sl st in the 2nd sc from hook, turn, repeat from * to **, sl st on the sc in base, hdc in the next ch, repeat * to **, dc on the same st where hdc was made, dc in next 7 chs, hdc in 3 chs, sc in 2 chs, sl st in 2 chs, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, skip the 1st sl st, sl st in next, sl st in 2 sc, sc in 3 hdc, hdc in 4 dc, dc in 4 dc, turn.
Row 3: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 2, hdc in 3 sts, sc in next, sl st in next. Fasten off leaving 12 inches for sewing.
Sew across top of head and body.

Mouth
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring
Rnd 2: (1 sc, 2 sc in next) 3 times (9sc)
Rnd 3:2 sc in each sc (18 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 5, skip 5 sc, sc in next 13 sc, 5 sc in ch 5 space, sl st in next sc. Fasten off leaving 18 inches for sewing.

Cheeks (make 2)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring
Rnd 2: (1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next) 3 times (9sc)
Rnd 3: (1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next) 3 times, sl st in next sc (12 sc)
Fasten off leaving 12 inches for sewing.

Eyes (make 2)
With crochet thread and 1.75 (or 1.5 mm) hook,
Rnd 1: With black, 6 sc in magic ring.
Rnd 2, change to green, (2 sc in sc, sc in next) 3 times.
Rnd 3: change to white, 2 sc in sc, sc in next 2 sc) twice, change to black, sl st in remaining sts. Fasten off white, leaving 12 inches for sewing and for embroidering the dot in the pupil. Fasten off black leaving 18 inches for sewing and embroidering of eyebrow.


Update: April 13, 2020
Finished another flounder for my 6yr. old niece today...while we are on quarantine.

Lion Handpuppet - free crochet pattern

Lion Hand-puppet
copyright Mimi Alelis, 2018
This pattern can only be found on this link:
https://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2018/06/lion-handpuppet-free-crochet-pattern.html

Materials
Worsted weight yarn - Color A - lighter color (for mouth, cheeks and chin) about 50gms; Color B - darker color (for nose, head and neck), about 100gms
Crochet hook size 4mm and 3.5mm (for the nose only)
Polyester fiberfill
Felt fabric - small amounts black, white and pink (for eyes, eyebrows, ears, nostrils, inside of mouth, tongue and teeth)
Sewing needle and thread
Yarn needle to weave in ends
Crochet Gauge: 9 sts = 2 inches

Note: Ch 2 at the beginning of rnds does not count as a stitch.
This pattern provides complete written instruction for the crochet parts. Only general instructions for sewing and finishing with felt parts, are provided.

Lower mouth
Using color A, start with magic ring, 
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 10 dc in ring, join with sl st to 1st dc (10 dc).
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join (20 dc).
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next) repeat around, join (30 dc).
Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (30 dc).
Rnds 5-7: Repeat rnd 4 (30 dc).
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Upper Mouth
Using color A, start with magic ring, 
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 12 dc in ring, join with sl st to 1st dc (12 dc).
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join (24 dc).
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next) repeat around, join (36 dc).
Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (36 dc).
Rnds 5-8: Repeat rnd 4 (36 dc).
Attaching the lower mouth
After rnd 8, ch 1, take the lower mouth put it on top of the upper mouth, with right sides together,  sc the two parts together on the next 12 stitches. (12 sc) (see pic below)
Fasten off.

Head
Using color B, start with magic ring, 
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 15 dc in ring, join with sl st to 1st dc (15 dc).
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join (30 dc).
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (30 dc).
Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next) repeat around, join (40 dc).
Rnd 5: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (40 dc)
Rnd 6: Repeat rnd 5 (40 dc).
Rnd 7: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 3, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next) repeat around, join (48 dc).
Rnd 8: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (48 dc).
Join mouth to the head
Ch 1, put the upper mouth on top of the head matching the last round of sts, sc the two parts together on the next 16 stitches (16 sc) (see pic below)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, dc in 32 dc of head, sc in next 16 sc, sl st on 1st dc to join (32 dc, 16 sc).
Rnd 10: Ch 2, (dc in 7 dc, 2 dc in next) 4 times dc in remaining sts, join (52 dc).
Rnd 11: Ch 2, dc in 36 dc, ch 20, skip the next 16 dc, do not join (36 dc).
Rnd 12: Dc in 1st dc of rnd 11 (see pic below), dc in next 35 dc, sl st on the 3rd ch.
Join head to lower mouth
Hold the bottom of mouth and sc together each ch and each of the next 16 sts (centered) on the bottom of mouth, sl st on 1st dc to join. (36 dc,16 sc).
Rnd 13: Ch 2, (dc in 7 dc, dc2tog) 4 times, sc in the next 16 sc, join with sl st on the 1st dc of this rnd (32 dc, 16 sc).
Rnd 14: Ch 2, dc in each st around, join (48 dc).
Rnd 15: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (48 dc).

Rnds 16-21: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (48 dc).

Nose 
Using color B and 3.5mm hook, start with magic ring,
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 5 dc in ring, join with sl st to 1st dc (5 dc).
Rnds 2-4: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (5 dc).
Rnd 5: Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc, join (10 dc).
Rnd 6: Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc, join (20 dc)
Rnds 7-8: Repeat rnd 6.
Rnd 9: Ch 2, (dc in dc, 2 dc in next) repeat around, join (30 dc)
Rnds 10-11: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (30 dc)

Rnd 12: Ch 1, (sc in 3 sts, hdc in 3, dc in next, tr in next, dc in next, hdc in 3, sc in 3) twice, join (30 sts).

Fasten off. 

Nostrils: Attach color A in back loop only on the 2nd st from the end of rnd 12. Work the next sts in back loop only of previous rnd, ch 1, hdc in 3 sts, dc in 3 sts, 2 tr in tr st, dc in 3 sts, hdc in 3 sts.

Fasten off. Stuff nose lightly and sew nostril to the opposite edge of rnd 12 to close.

Cheeks (make 2)
Using color A, start with magic ring,
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 10 dc in ring, join with sl st to 1st dc (10 dc).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 dc in each dc, join (20 dc).
Rnd 3: Ch 1, (1 dc in dc, 2 dc in next dc), repeat around, join (30 dc).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. 

Chin
Using color A, start with magic ring, 
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 7 dc in ring, turn (7 dc).
Rnd 2: Ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in next 5 dc, dc in last dc, turn (12 dc).
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next) 5 times, dc in last dc, turn (17 dc).
Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (17 dc)
Leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly and sew edges to under the mouth.

Assembly and Finishing
1. Position the nose starting just below the 3rd rnd of head, sew in place. Cut out nostril tip with black felt, sew in place.
2. Position cheeks, stuff with fiberfill and sew.
3. Cut out black felt to the shape of the inside of mouth for top and bottom. Cut out the tongue from light pink felt. Sew each part.

cut from felt fabric

Mouth joining

join mouth to head

lion and hippo

Crochet for kids

When I saw my granddaughter delighted with a dolphin designed candle-holder (that she didn't hold for she knows its breakable), I thought of making her this pair of dolphins, a mama and a baby dolphin that she can easily hold and play with. I was right, she loved playing with it.

amigurumi dolphins

Little kids are easy to please - make them a toy and they will surely be delighted. However, they also get easily attracted to new toys and after a short while get bored with their old toys. This doesn't discourage me from making toys for my granddaughter...I just make sure she'll like what I make, and she won't find anything else like it. Hopefully she will remember how much she enjoyed what I made for her when she's grown up.

nana made me toy dolphins

When my sons make a request for me to make them something, I really try my best to do so...since they don't often make requests. So, recently my son wanted a hand-puppet animal for him and my granddaughter to play with. They both liked watching the Madagascar movies and so he asked if I could make the 4 animals who starred in the movie. Ok I said, not knowing how to go about it. What is the most loved animal there - the lion, of course. I could first make that and see how it goes. After a lot of experimenting, I was happy with the final result. Everyone thinks its good...my granddaughter will be so surprised when she sees it for the first time.

Crocheted Lion of Madagascar Handpuppet

Crochet a braided ball

Its summer vacation once again...kids and adults alike will need a lot of activities to learn and to enjoy. Lucky for some who are into books, there are plenty to choose from. I found one book that was on sale when I got it...aside from providing a list of actual things to do, I found this book entertaining.

If you want to find the right book for you, just go to The Book Depository, it is easy to search on their available books. and you will appreciate its fair price and free delivery worldwide!

With regards to crafting, there's a lot you can do with just a few craft supplies. If you're into crochet, here's one suggestion. Crochet a braided ball! I enjoyed making it...actually, I got a bit impatient with the crocheting part. The braiding is fun though, and a bit challenging :)

braided ball

Details of this project can be viewed here on Ravelry.

Humpty Dumpty Crochet Puzzle Toy

I stumbled upon this free pattern from Book People Studio (details on Ravelry).
I had so much fun with this project! (details here.) I'll be giving this to my 17-mo-old nephew, and will be making another one for my 2 yr old nephew ;)

humpty dumpty crochet

I followed the pattern except for the arms and legs which got a total makeover.

Arms (make 2)
Rnd 1: (Hand) With white, 6 sc in magic ring Rnd 2: dec 1 sc (5) Rnd 3: Change color to red, sl st in next sc, ch 13, sc in 2nd ch from hk, sc in each ch, sl st in next 2 sc of hand, turn. (12) Rnd 4: Sc in each sc across, ch 1 turn (12), Rnd 5: Sc in each sc across, sl st in next 2 sc of hand (12) Rnd 6: join edge of rnd 3 with edge of rnd 5 with sl st on each st. FO, leaving enough tail for sewing.

Legs (make 2)
Rnd 1: (shoe) Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hk, sc in next 2 chs, 3 sc in last ch, on the other side of foundation ch, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in last st (10) Rnd 2: 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next 3 sc, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next 2 sc (16) Rnd 3: working in back loops only, sc in each sc (16) Rnd 4: sc in next 6 sc, sc2tog, 2 times, sc in next 6 sc (14)Rnd 5: sc in next 4 sc, sc3tog, 2 times, sc in next 4 sc (10) Rnd 6: sc in each sc (10) Rnd 7: working in front loops only, sc in each sc (10)stuff shoe Rnd 8: working in back loops of rnd 6, sc 5 times skipping every other sc (5) Change color to blue, sl st in next sc, Rnd 9: ch 19, sc in 2nd ch from hk, sc in each ch, sl st in next 2 sc of shoe, turn. (18)Rnd 10: Sc in each sc across, ch 1 turn (18), Rnd 11: Sc in each sc across, sl st in next 2 sc of shoe (18) Rnd 12: join edge of rnd 9 with edge of rnd 11 with sl st on each st. FO, leaving enough tail for sewing.

Crochet - finished or not

I still have some patterns and projects to finish...which already has taken too long. Sorry to keep some of you waiting. I really plan on sharing more free patterns this year - so far its still in-the-making. I promise to do this, soon...
I only managed to do little projects, little home improvements and the usual chores. And here's some of the little projects I made:
First, here's an illustration I recently made for my pattern Teeny, Tiny Heart. Since I don't have a program (or rather don't know how to use one), I drew the chart by hand and improved it with some photo editing on picmonkey ;)

Teeny, Tiny Heart

Last January when the weather was a bit cold, I got inspired to make baby booties from the Red Heart Super Saver yarns that I bought last December. Here's my baby nephew wearing his sneaker booties.

He wanted to play with it ;)

crochet sneaker booties

Then I have another nephew, about 18 months old. He, his Mom (my sister) and his Dad (my Dutch BIL) live in the U.K..They came to visit last month, He's so adorable! I love how he mimics the dogs' barking and he's fond of all kinds of animals, including bear stuff toys :) Here's a recent photo of him enjoying a lovely spring day, back in their place.

And this is the project that I made for him - a recycled denim baby book. Its made up of 4 flaps or 8 pages in all. I crocheted the letters, numbers and bear appliques. The heart applique was made from the above Teeny, tiny heart pattern :)

Lastly, here's another cell phone purse I made following my pattern Chic Cell Phone Purses. I modified the bottom and used a slightly bigger hook, and made a shoulder strap. I'm not sure I'll use this though, the strap is not long enough  for crossbody.

More of my crochet projects next post ;)

Amigurumi Crochet

Amigurumi are toys which originated from Japanese tradition. Amigurumi means “knitted or crocheted doll.” They are usually worked in rounds with single crochet stitches and is quite simple to learn for any crocheter. Usually, amigurumi is crocheted out of yarn and worked in spirals, meaning the rounds are not joined. They are also worked with a smaller hook size in order to create a very tightly crocheted or knitted fabric. The tightness prevents gaps which could cause the stuffing to show or come out.
Although amigurumi can be either knitted or crocheted, I think crocheted amigurumi is more popular since it is easier to master, and results in a more firm and detailed structure.
Amigurumi are usually worked in parts and then joined by sewing, except for some designs which have no arms or legs. These are worked as one piece. The extremities are sometimes stuffed with plastic pellets to make them more life-like, while the rest of the body is stuffed with fiber stuffing. The creativity and uniqueness will show in the colors, details and embellishments added to the project.
Amigurumi are usually cute animals but can include inanimate objects like food. Maybe it could also include any mini object that is stuffed :p

There are plenty of crochet amigurumi designs now available. For free amigurumi patterns go to Crochet Pattern Central.
These are some amigurumis in my to-do list:



Paddy O'possum


Amineko, cat

Lastly for the sake of posting, some of my designs that may be considered as amigurumi:

Fruit keychains
Yin yang ball keychain