Tag Archives: knit

“Autumn Leaves in Color” for the Little Darlings

Gina is here to show off another autumn ensemble (this is my last for the Little Darlings) that I have made for her. I fell in love with this tiny oak leaf cotton print and just had to buy it to make a fall dress for a certain sweetie. The colors of the leaves in pumpkin, warm red, greens, and greys are so pretty.

This vintage styled headband (hat) design was floating around in my head and seemed to work nicely with the ensemble. I designed the sweater with sleeves wide enough to go over the dress and a tad bit shorter to let the dress’s sleeves peek out a bit.

Wool felt leaf appliques are hand cut and embroidered onto the sweater and headband. Do you like my tiny acorns? They are bronze Czech glass crystals with a curved bullion stitch at the top.

At the top of the lace are alternating hand sewn 14k gold filled beads and topaz colored seed beads.

I have been trying on and off to make a sleeved dress pattern where I can neatly hide those raw edges and not drive myself crazy in the process. Finally…I did it. The armhole sleeve seam allowances are tucked underneath the lining which is hand stitched and the sleeve’s hems and underarm seams are doubled over and hand stitched. The result is an inside with no seam allowances or raw edges showing. I know, you’re probably thinking I’m crazy, right? These little things make me happy, sorry.

For more information on Gina’s new ensemble please visit my website’s “Available for Sale” page.

“A Toasty Warm Autumn” for the Little Darlings

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This new 8-piece ensemble called “A Toasty Warm Autumn” will keep every Little Darling who lives in a cooler climate cozy and warm throughout the fall months. The hand knitwear (sweater, hat, scarf) are all made with Peruvian Highland wool. The sweater is a bit longer length and the hat has cute ear flaps for those chilly brisk days. I found that when I keep my neck warm I stay warm so I made a generous scarf to wrap around the Little Darlings neck to help her stay warm too.

Even though it is fall, if you look closely enough you might still be able to find a few blossoms blooming. Gina made a small bouquet with the blossoms she found. A pretty blue silk bow is attached to the bouquet along with an elastic cord to help the Little Darlings hold it in their cute little hands.

The fine wale cotton corduroy dress can be dressed up with jewelry and a hair bow.

Most of the fullness in this drop waisted dress is towards the back and sides which give a bustled look to the back of the skirt.

The squirrels here in northern Illinois have been so busy collecting acorns that it got me thinking that I had better get busy with some cool weather wear. What do you think? Will it be another cold fall/winter?

For more information on this set please visit my website.

Also, look for a new price on ” Orange You Ready for Fall? ” for the Little Darlings.

Fall?…No… It’s Still Summer!

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Fall is right around the corner…!? No, say it isn’t so! I think it was just the Fourth of July yesterday. (thinking about it…) Oh no… that was almost two months ago. Yikes. Where did our summer go?

I do like fall, I really do. Here in Illinois autumn is usually still feeling warm and usually sunny. So, no complaints with fall (autumn). It’s the season that tries to slide in unnoticed right after fall, (and sometimes even before fall has finished up it’s time in the spotlight) now that’s the one that I don’t particularly like and that’s saying it nicely. Anyway… (I’m not even going to think about that bully of a season right now.)

I’ve been creating some things for fall, but not too fall”ish”. Don’t want to dive right in when I can get by with simply dipping my big toe in, right? And, I’m not quite ready to let glorious summertime go.

First up, is a new ensemble for our favorite Effner Little Darlings. It is colorful yet with a muted palette goes beautifully this time of year. Gina’s floral print cotton dress is reminiscent of the 1970’s with it’s folksy feel and the 1980’s with those large cabbage roses. The muted shades of rose, blue, yellow, green, and white are on a ground of chocolate brown. See, a fall palette can be quite colorful. The lace cardigan is hand knit out of fine baby alpaca/silk in a rosy pink tonal colorway. Tiny Delica seed beads knitted into the sweater add sparkle amongst the lace panels. Pink glass pearls button up the sweater, if desired. Gina’s cap is a slightly slouchy style with a hand made tassel. Both the sweater and cap are hand embroidered, with rosebuds on the sweater and a rose on the cap. This fall”ish” ensemble is finished off with rosy hued pastel cotton knit tights, a bracelet with a cloisonne bead and metal heart charm, and a white cotton lacy sash that ties in the back.

Another lace panel is on the center back of sweet Gina’s cardigan.

Next, is a dress/hat set for little Amelia Thimble and Izzy which I call “Tiny Bit for Fall”. Aster colored colonial knot clusters, warm pink bullion rosebuds, and straight stitched fall grass decorate this hand knit oat colored mohair/silk set. The tiniest pink satin ribbon bows are sewn onto the dress and hat for some extra “pink”.