Category Archives: knits

“Red, White, & Cherries”

Patience is showing off her patriotic side in her new ensemble, “Red, White, & Cherries”. Tuesday was a picture perfect kind of day here in northern Illinois so we took to the outdoors for Patience’s photo shoot.

I crafted a fun hair tie to bring to life the cherry motifs on Patience’s dress. I crocheted around lightweight pearl beads so the cherries would hold their shape, added a crocheted leaf, stems with the crochet thread, navy silk bow and a length of fine crochet to use as the tie. Patience seems to be enchanted.

I used pure white bamboo thread to knit Patience’s sweater. Some cobalt blue Czech glass crystal beads from my stash made the perfect buttons. I embroidered tiny red work cherry motifs around the bottom of the sweater.

Patience had the idea to pretend that the apple tree was a cherry tree to further the cherry theme.

It was a bit breezy, but the photo shoot was going smoothly until I turned my back on her for a second…

…and Patience starts to climb the apple tree. “Hey Patience, where are you going?”

I see London. I see France… (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

For more information on Patience’s “Red, White, & Cherries” ensemble please visit my “Available for Sale” page on cindyricedesigns.com .

“Summer Sweet” for the Little Darlings

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The abundance of fruit, flowers, and vegetables makes summer the sweetest time of year for our senses. There is always something new to be seen blossoming or something new to be tasted in the garden. And, of course, there are always the wonderful scents filling the air.

I believe that this time, right before the summer season actually starts, is the best time of all. It is all before us, yet to come, and at this point summer seems endless.

I just finished a very summery ensemble for my Little Darling, Gina. The print on the fabric depicts fanciful fruits and little white flowers on a perfectly pink background. I thought that the little fruits could pass for cherries or plums. I couldn’t make up my mind which I liked best.

And… the little lace shrug that I knit last week found its dress!

I loved the tiny daisy-like blossoms, so I repeated this shape for Gina’s hair ties and on her ballet slippers. The magenta pearl centers match the magenta colored fruits very nicely too.

I found beads to mimic the magenta and blue bunches of fruit, so I made a little fruit charm for the bracelet.

Another daisy-like motif is found on the necklace and a bit more magenta is added at the waistline with the help of an organza ribbon.

These Effner girls have the cutest little feet and legs that look so adorable in crocheted ballet slippers, so I couldn’t resist adding a pair to this ensemble.

For more information on Gina’s “Summer Sweet” ensemble please visit the “Available for Sale” page on cindyricedesigns.com .

Talyssa’s Got Something New

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And, here she is to show you her new summertime ensemble! I hope you like it.

I have to share with you the name of the collection this print came from; it is called Marmalade by Bonnie and Camille. Isn’t that the cutest name? So, yes, I was thinking of yummy marmalade quite often throughout the making of this ensemble.

I knit Talyssa’s cardigan in natural colored cotton/Modal yarn, so I could use all of the beautiful color in the fabric for the embroidery. Bullion stitched petaled flowers in three shades of coral, colonial knot golden centers, tiny opalescent seed beads, and kiwi green bullion stitched leaves create the artwork for the sweater; mother-of-pearl beads make the perfect buttons.

I used natural colored fine bamboo thread to crochet Talyssa’s cap. Unfortunately I didn’t have crochet cotton that matched or coordinated with the embroidery thread, so I tried something new and crocheted the flower decoration using the actual embroidery thread. It worked beautifully and gave the flower a pretty sheen. I am so happy that it worked.

My one and only skein of kiwi green bamboo thread was the perfect color to crochet Talyssa her very own drawstring purse. (I talked about the demise of my favorite bamboo thread here.) Her purse opens up, so she can add her little treasures. Hanging from the bottom of the purse is a little hand made beaded tassel.