Author Archives: Cindy Rice

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About Cindy Rice

My wonderful husband, my beautiful daughter, and I live in northeastern Illinois with our two sweet chihuahua boys. For as long as I can remember I have loved dolls and making things. I got my first Barbie when I was only three years old! My mom sewed for my Barbie dolls and taught me how to use her sewing machine when I was only seven. I cannot believe she let me near that needle, but she did. Not having enough money for my clothes habit in high school and college led me to start sewing all of my own clothes. There were so many fabric stores around back then and fabric was so inexpensive. I would wait for the 99 cent pattern sale and go crazy. Sewing for myself continued well into my 30’s. (I even made my wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses.) Shortly after I got married I left my full time graphic design position and started designing cross stitch patterns. I called my company “The Lilac Studio” and sold my botanical patterns at trade shows, through distributors which sold to retail shops, and mail order. My most popular pattern, “A Bouquet of Pansies” sold 5000 copies and won a J&P Coats Golden Needle Award! I was also featured in various cross stitch magazines and designed special projects for the magazines. When my daughter was born I didn’t have the time needed to cross stitch and design patterns all day long so I let my pattern design business slip away. And then I started discovering dolls again and I now had an excuse to start buying them. The only problem was that they were for my daughter and not for me. I soon discovered all of the adult collectors out there and decided I would be one of them. I started small at first, collecting Mattel Kelly dolls. Soon I collected over 100 Kelly dolls! After Kelly, I discovered Helen Kish’s Riley and Tonner’s Ann Estelle. I have since learned to knit doll sweaters and love an excuse to knit so most of my doll outfits include a sweater and/or hat. I love creating miniature outfits for dolls and enjoy sharing them with others. Currently I create doll ensembles for Ruby Red Fashion Friends, Kish Bethany, Dianna Effner's Little Darlings, Wilde Imagination's teeny tiny Amelia, Kaye Wiggs BJD, Boneka 10", Linda Macario's Penny.

New Knitting Pattern for the Little Darlings

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Finally, after 4 sample/test knits this pattern is ready for you!  I am just a wee bit tired of knitting jumper pinafores at the moment, but I wanted to plough through and get this one to you for your autumn knitting pleasure. 🙂  I hope you enjoy knitting it.

If you’ve been following my posts, you’ll know that this design was inspired by a vintage   jumper I saw quite awhile ago on Pinterest.  I’ve no idea who the original designer was.  If anyone knows, please let me know.

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This pinafore is quite easy to knit with minimal shaping.  It’s knit flat with plackets for buttons and buttonholes on the back.  You’ll start at the bottom with a seed stitch border and go up.  Stockinette stitch is used for most of the skirt.  As you get to the fitted high waistband, you’ll make decorative decreases which look like soft gathers or pleats.

When the entire skirt is finished, stitches are picked up for the straps.  I don’t like picking up stitches, probably because I haven’t practiced enough, but these are a very small number to pick up, and they’re picked up along a straight edge.  It wasn’t hard at all, and I’ve included tips.  If you really don’t want to pick up stitches simply knit the straps then sew them on.

Working buttonholes are added to the straps and for the first three buttons.  The remainder of the buttons are sewn through both plackets, as they’re not needed for dressing.

The Little Darlings have sloped shoulders, and the straps are meant to fall right at the shoulder/arm joint, so the straps need a fabric blouse or t-shirt to “grip” onto.  I’ve used quilter’s cotton which works nicely.  If you have the top already made you can adjust the straps when you get to this point in the pattern.  The straps could be lengthened and criss crossed in the back too.

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The buttonholes are made with a yarn over.  These buttonholes are just a tiny bit larger than the ones on my sweater patterns.  Four millimeter beads will still work, but five millimeter beads or 1/4″ buttons are a better fit.  If you’re using the smaller size, making good thread shanks is important.

I’ve use Knit Picks fingering weight yarn for these three pinafores:  Stroll Tweed Sock in North Pole Heather, Palette in a blue heather, and Gloss in cranberry.  The gauges came out slightly different for each, but all three different yarns worked with the same pattern.

I wish all of you a wonderful day!  Thanks for visiting with me today. ❤

“Autumn Sunset”

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We’ve been having some of the most gorgeous sunsets this month.  This fabric by Rifle Paper Co. reminds me so much of the orange-y reds and peach colors in the autumn sky.  Aren’t the the colors in this print gorgeous for this time of year?

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My Little Darling, Alice, is here to model “Autumn Sunset” for you.

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I hand dyed bare merino wool to a tonal peach to get the perfect color of yarn for this sweater.  This merino yarn is a single ply, so it’s very soft and slightly fuzzy.  I embroidered two coordinating floral motifs on the front of the sweater.

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Alice wears a vintage styled headband ear warmer which also has an embroidered rose motif at each side.  The bow ties off to the side under her chin.  I also have a pattern available for this headband ear warmer.

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Black accents looked perfect with this ensemble, so I used jet black Czech beads, Delica beads, and black grosgrain ribbon.

Alice’s other accessories include a customized miniature bear, bracelet, and peach cotton tights.

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“Autumn Sunset” will be available tonight (September 30, 2017) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

Enjoy this last September weekend everyone!

Trying to Get That Fall Feeling & Some Thanks

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After a week of 90+ temperatures here in northern Illinois, it feels cool this morning, and now finally, those cozy fall feelings can kick in.

Such strange weather we have had.  It’s been hotter in mid September than it had been during the entire summer!  And oh my, is it ever crispy out there.  I’m afraid the leaves won’t turn color; they will simply shrivel up and fall to the ground.

I received the sweetest gift for my girls, and want to tell you about it.  A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, Carolyn sent me a Facebook message.  She asked if she could send me something she made for me.  Surprised?  Tickled pink?  Disbelief?  Yes, yes, and yes.  I felt all those things.

I really had no idea what the surprise was going to be.  Since I shared some yarn dying information with Carolyn, I thought maybe she was sending me a bit of yarn she had dyed.

When the box arrived, and I saw her return label and sticker, I thought “not possible”, but I must admit I got a LOT more excited to get the box opened.  It was packed with such care and included so many lovely touches:  little cards, a hand written note, bookmark, and even tea.  Finally, I opened the organza drawstring bag, and I think I gasped.  Carolyn sent me one of her hand made mohair bears!  She is perfectly sized for my dolls, and her name is Ivy.  That wasn’t all either, nestled in tissue paper was a peach velvet pumpkin which looked like Cinderella’s to me.  Well, yes, I think I felt like Cinderella too!

Carolyn’s gift was truly a surprise; I didn’t know Carolyn made bears.  What a generous gift, and I will treasure my little Ivy, and her story, always.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you, Carolyn! ❤

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Amelia Thimble had the honor of meeting Ivy before anyone else.

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Looking into Ivy’s eyes I can tell she has an old soul and a gentle temperament.  Whenever one of my girls needs extra love, Ivy will be there for them, I am sure of it.

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Alice was second to make Ivy’s acquaintance.

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Then, it was Patience’s turn.  The others are still waiting for their big day when they can hold and hug Ivy.  Soon, my dears!

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If you’d like to visit Carolyn’s beautiful website and see her other bears, here is the link.  BTW, she has a nice selection awaiting adoption.  Won’t you give one of Carolyn’s bears a loving home?  I think your girls would be “over the moon” with a new teddy to call their own.

Have a nice day, my friends.

From my girls, Ivy, and myself, sending you all some warm fuzzies.

❤ ❤ ❤