Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Something Different--A Tutorial



Surprise.  I'm back.  And surprise again.  Instead of trying to sell something, I'm giving something away.  It's a pattern, but you'll have to suffer through my first attempt at a tutorial--complete with a ton of pictures.  Many years ago my sweet mother-in-law very patiently taught me to crochet, but I never did much with it until just recently.  One of my favorite things to crochet is the AG doll poncho and hat. I have made and sold a countless number of these.  I make it using a simple double crochet.  The two main pieces of the poncho are sewn together and I like to add the fringe and the pom-pom on the hat. You could use any stitch or crochet pattern that you like as long as the two rectangles are approximately 
4 1/2 by 12 inches.  So here goes.


Step One

Using a size H crochet hook and any yarn that you like, chain 42. 
Row 1:  Beginning in the 3rd ch from the hook, 40dc.  This will give you a total of 41 dc.  

Rows 2-7:  Ch 3. 40 dc across.  (I like the rib design that is formed by dc into the front loop of the even rows and into the back loop of the odd rows.)  Cut the yarn about 8 to 10 inches long and do not weave in or trim.

Make 2 of these.






Step 2

Place the rectangles so that they form an upside-down L.  Make sure that the original chains are to the outside of the L and the nice finished edge of the 7th dc rows are to the inside.  With the rights sides up, overlap the two rectangles with the finished edge on top.  Then stitch them together with the tail left from Step One.


Tie this tail to the short tail of the other rectangle.  Do not weave in or trim.





Flip the L over so that the wrong side is now up.


Fold the long side all the way down.


Fold the short side to the right edge of the long side.


Again, overlap with the finished edge on top and stitch.  Be careful not to sew all the way through to the other side of the poncho.




Step 3

Tie on yarn and sc around.  Be sure to do 3 sc in each corner. 



At this point, you can finish around the edge any way you like--leave it plain, add a ruffle or add fringe.  My choice--the fringe.


My fringe is approximately 2 inches. It will take around 110 4-in. pieces.   Fold a 4-in.  piece in half and pull through each sc and pull ends through the loop.  Pull through from the wrong side of poncho.  Even out the ends and pull tight.


Wrong side

Right side

Step 4

Chain 100 for tie.  Thread one of the tails into a large darning needle and weave in between the dc around the neck.  Make a tassle on each end by using 3 of those 4-in. pieces. Fold them in half and pull through the chain at the end to form a loop.  Pull all 6 ends and the tail through the loop and tighten.  Trim.





Tighten the tie to gather the neckline just a little.


Now let's make the hat.

All dc should be into the back loop to match the rib design of the poncho.

Ch 3, dc 8 (9 dc) into a magic circle.  Join with a slip stitch into ch3.  Pull end of magic circle until there is no hole.


Row 2: 2 DC in each dc of row 1.  Join with a slip stitch into top of ch.3. (18 dc)



Row 3:  Ch 3, 1dc into same stitch as ch 3, 1dc in next stitch.  Then 2dc, 1dc around and join. (27 dc)

Row 4:  Ch 3, 1dc into same stitch, 1dc, 1dc.  Then 2dc, 1dc, 
1dc around.  Join.  (36 dc)

Rows 5, 6:  Ch 3.  DC around and join.
Row 7:  Ch 3.  SC around.

End with row 7 or add row 8:  Reverse sc into both loops of 
each sc.

To make the pom-pom pull 10 arm lengths of yarn from skein and wrap evenly around 2 circles cut from corrugated cardboard.  The diameter of the big circles is 3 1/2 inches.  The diameter of the little circle cutout is 1 inch. 


Work scissors in between the circles and cut.


Cut a 12-in piece of yarn.  Slide it in between the circles and tie as tightly as possible.


Pull the circles off.  Bring the ends of the yarn around and tie again.  You want this to be as tight as you can get it.


Fluff and trim until you're satisfied with the size and shape.

Not trimmed



Trimmed
Using the darning needle or crochet hook, pull the long yarn that is tied around the pompom to the inside of the hat and tie tightly.  Note:  There will be 4 loose ends inside the hat.  Thread each onto the darning needle and push them into the pompom and trim.








Hope you enjoy making these as much as I do.  If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment.  Also, I would love to see yours, so send me a picture.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Doll Clothes Still Available



Crochet Ponchos and Hats
Available:  3 white, 2 purple, 2 pink
Crochet designs may vary.
$8.00 per set

Lavender Flannel PJ's
$6.00
SOLD

Pink with Brown Dot Pillowcase Dress
$8.00
SOLD

Multi-Colored T-Shirt with Black Leggings
$6.00

Multi-Colored Sweater with Black Knit Pants
$6.00
SOLD

Multi-Colored Sweater with White Knit Pants
$6.00
SOLD


Smocked Yoke Dresses--$15.00 Each

Pink Gingham

Blue Dot

Pink Dot
SOLD

Blue Gingham--3 available

Purple Floral--2 available

Blue-Beige Floral

OXFORDFEST--A BIG SUCCESS


I didn't really intend to do Oxfordfest this year, but when it fell in my lap I had to do it.  And I'm glad that I did.  Almost all the little outfits that I posted a couple of weeks ago SOLD.  And--HAIRBOWS--wow!!  I sold one or two (out of around 100) last year, so I almost didn't take them this year.  I still have plenty, but significantly fewer that what I did have.  I still have several of the smocked yoke dresses and 2 or 3 pants outfits for dolls and some Christmas pillowcase dresses for little girls.

Many thanks to all who stopped by my booth and for your business.  Hopefully I'll have more done for Christmas.  Any special orders need to be to me by November 1.  I have 3 sets of doll tables and chairs available at $40.00 per set.  These are first come--first serve and I'm not sure that I will have time to make any more before Christmas.  So let me know soon if  you would like a set.  I have 2 sets of doll bunks beds available and 2 more sets that I will complete before Christmas, so once again, let me know as soon as possible if you want one.  They are $65.00 each.  I have 2 sets of matching bedding available. (One set includes 1 fitted sheet, one quilt, and one pillow with pillowcase.)  These are $12 per set or 2 sets for $20 if you purchase the bunk beds.  If you let me know before Nov. 1,  I can do customized sets of bedding.






Tuesday, September 10, 2013

5. LOTS OF DRESSES AND SKIRTS FOR AG

 
5A.  Royal Blue Crochet Dress with Pink Flower
$8.00
SOLD

5B.  Purple Ruffle Pillowcase Dress with
Large Purple Velcro Bows
$8.00
SOLD

5C.  Purple Ruffle Pillowcase Dress
with Purple Ribbon Ties
$8.00
SOLD

5D.  Pink/Brown Pillowcase Dress
with Brown Tie
$8.00

5E.  Blue Ruffle Dress
with Blue Ribbon Bows
$6.00
SOLD



                                                  
                                                                5F.  Reversible Pink/Purple
                                                            Floral Dress
                                                          $.6.00
                                                         SOLD
                                                 
                                                             Reverse of 5F.

5G.  Reversible Blue Embroidered Dress
$6.00
SOLD

Reverse of 5G

5H.  White Pillowcase Dress
with Ruffle and Lace,
Trimmed with Green Piping and
Green Ties
$6.00
SOLD

5I.  White Polo Body Suit
with Reversible Brown/White Polka Dot Skirt
$6.00
SOLD

Reverse of 5I
SOLD

5J.  Tan LS Bodysuit
with Reversible Skirt
$6.00
SOLD

Reverse of 5J

5K.  Brown SS Body Suit
with Reversible Skirt
$6.00
SOLD

Reverse of 5K

5L.  1812 Dress in Pink and Green
$12.00
SOLD

5M.  1812 Dress in Pink and Blue
$12.00
SOLD




Made specifically to fit American Girl Dolls these outfits may or may not fit other brand dolls.  If you would like to order anything, either leave a comment or send me an email.  Identify your choice with the number and letter and desciption so that I can send exactly the one that you want.  Postage will be added to your order.  Thanks for visiting Granna's Designs and I hope that you find something that you like.  My goal is your satisfaction.  If you are pleased with your purchase, tell others.   If you are NOT pleased with your purchase, please let me know via email and you can return the item.  I will gladly fix the problem or send you a refund.

Thanks again for your interest and your business.
Kay (aka Granna)