Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Crochet for Dolls by Nicky Epstein
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| Crochet For Dolls |
I love the American Girl doll, and I even have two of my own!
Of course, someday when granddaughter Chloe is a bit older, she will have her
own too; and we will play with our dolls together!
I got a copy of this very fashionable doll clothes book
at Vogue Knitting Live Chicago, and
Vogue very generously was selling them at a deep discount. I’ve made two
ensembles already and enjoyed the finished results. I did run into a couple of
little glitches with the pattern instructions, but I just used my common sense
and made them work.
Nicky Epstein is a very well known and popular knit
designer. By her own admission in the book, she says that she is a better
knitter than crocheter. She also goes on to offer that she hasn’t forgotten us
crocheters and by request she has done this sister book to her Knitting for Dolls. She confirms that she believes that we (knitters and crocheters) are in a mutual “hood” (brother or sister).
I like the opening pages which show thumbnails
of each of the 25 designs in the book. There are also separate pages with
thumbnails of all the darling little purses that enhance the fashions included
with page numbers so you can find them quickly and get to crocheting!
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| Crown Princess |
I crocheted it with Optima size 10 cotton; Nicky recommended Aunt Lydia's Bamboo crochet thread.
Nikki also has designed her fashions around the Madame
Alexander doll, but any 18-inch doll will benefit by being outfitted in any of
these costumes! These 25 designs would all essentially be suitable for a little
girl or a woman for that matter. If you have the skills, you could even
translate them to the size you would like to wear! In the “Extras and
Resources” section, special jewelry coordinated with the dolls’ outfits are
listed with page references, along with a few recipes that are “as sweet as
your doll.” Colorful and well-photographed, all of the unique fashions
in this book are elegant and interesting in the yarns chosen by Nicky.
A wide range of yarn types are used in the
projects for these privileged dolls, from merino silk and bamboo to
wool/nylon/metallic and acrylics to fine perle cotton. Many brands are represented.
Whether crocheters rush out to buy the specified yarns or use their skills at
choosing from their stashes, these will be the best-dressed dolls around! I
know my dolls are the best-dressed in my neighborhood!
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| Irish Eyes |
I crocheted the coat in Bernat Sox Multi. Nicky recommended Grignasco Champagne
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