Another installment of Barbie knits

This space has been quiet lately and I think it's because my knitting mojo is back in full swing.  You've gotta love fall as a knitter.  I've been churning projects off of the needles, taking some (occasionally lousy) pictures and then knitting something else.  Sometimes I even spend a full day or two agonizing about what I will knit next.  But today I'm taking a break in the agonizing to post some pictures of recent Barbie knits.  I think this may be my last Barbie knit post for some time...I think.

First up is a collared shirt.  Pattern #0133 on stickatillbarbie.se
I stitched the collar down with a little thread because it really wanted to roll back up.

These pictures are pretty grainy since it was such a dreary day.  I managed to comb out the knots in (Hispanic Presidential Candidate) Barbie's hair the day before this photo session.  Then Henry promptly used her to drum on the walls so she is a disaster again.  I'm not redoing that hair until I absolutely have to.

For the ruffle skirt I used pattern #1005 pink dress (on stickatillbarbie.se) to learn how to do the ruffle and then made it into a skirt when I got to the waistband. 

I'm particularly proud of this jumpsuit knit.  I made up the pattern for this myself.  I knit it in the round from the bottom up and had up to seven needles going at once to join the two legs together, but the pattern is completely seamless!  (I get excited about the small things.)

This cape may be the most and least necessary accessory at the same time.  Does Barbie really need a cape knit in Madelintosh yarn leftovers?  No.  But, will my creative Barbie-playing friend be able to do some cool pretend play with a hooded cape on her Barbie?  Yes.  Decidedly yes.

Cape is pattern #1022 on stickatillbarbie.se

Now I have to sort through the rest of my knitting photos to decide what I should share here next...
And then I have to finish the cutest little Halloween treat bag in the universe! Stay tuned.

Barbie knitting sweatshop

I am aware that these Barbie knitting posts are silly.  Most people tell me I'm crazy for knitting such tiny things for relaxation.  But it works for me.  Using up small bits of stash yarn, starting a project and finishing it in a day or two, working out the technique to knit in the round instead of flat, all of it is helping to scratch an itch I have right now.  I've been working so hard to finish old quilting projects that I have startitis in the worst way.  But if I start a bunch of new quilts right now...I'll have another pile of UFO's to finish next year.  So I just pore over the many Barbie knitting options on this site and stitch away.  I'll get back to quilting soon.

But first, there is a Barbie fashion show.

First up is a relaxed dolman sleeve sweater and trousers.  I picture this as Barbie's lazy weekend outfit.

Since my young friend is in Minnesota, Barbie needs a winter hat and scarf.

Here is a pastel outfit for a spring day at the botanical gardens.

And lastly is a bold power suit with a shaped peplum that is longer in the back and shorter in the front.

Henry has recently taken an interest in Barbie since he was introduced to her through Toy Story.  He talks about Barbie's shirt, shoes and wrists.  He talks about her wrists a lot.  I never realized how few of his toys have moving wrists.  Barbie has been walking on the furniture and taking naps with the Handy Manny tools.  I think it is great that he keeps her busy while I'm working on her wardrobe.

(Nearly) Instant Gratification

First, I want to thank all that commented on my last post.  I did finish ripping all of the stitches in that quilt and I'm working on the new quilting today and tomorrow.

But first...I needed a quick, satisfying little project.  Knitting for Barbie to the rescue.  I had the shorts and skirt made since October, but poor Barbie needed some tops to look decent for her photography session.

These will be heading out (along with the two outfits from this post) to a young friend that will put them to good use.  The patterns came from this site.  The shorts are #0095, the skirt is #0039, the burgundy shirt is #0292 and the orange shirt is #0275.

And now, back to quilting straight lines...

Knitting Tiny Things 2

I've been having a lot of anxiety lately.  That is an odd thing to admit on the internet, but it is true.  There are many things going on in my life that are out of my control and it makes me awfully uncomfortable.  Anyway, when that happens to me I have a few things that help.  One is clutching tiny needles and knitting silly things like Barbie clothes.  

The patterns came from this site again.  The skirt and wrap around top are pattern number 248 and the dress is a shorter version of pattern number 849.  These will be sent to my young friend that adores handknit Barbie clothes.  I passed my last model doll over to her, too.  And then I sent my husband out to get me a new doll with the bendy elbows.  Just take a moment to imagine my sweet husband in the store and on the phone with me at home, debating the merits of different dolls for about 15 minutes.  (This one is Hispanic Presidential Barbie 2012.  Thank goodness she stands on her own so I didn't have to talk my husband into lying outstretched on the floor to hold her up for the photos again.  He is a ridiculously nice guy.)

And here are two newborn hats for the babies of the Pine Ridge Reservation.  I'll be donating these through Bundles of Joy again.

I have more charity and Barbie knits coming up. I know some of you have hinted that you'd like to see some sewing project finishes, particularly the Farmer's Wife quilt and the hexies.  I will get there eventually, but the tiny needles and tiny yarn are attempting to soothe my fraying nerves right now.  

Knitting Tiny Things

Do you ever yearn to knit something little but interesting?  Do you have a lot of sock yarn leftovers?  Do you have a young friend that loves handknit garments for her dolls?  If so, you must go see all of the Barbie clothes patterns on this site.

The site is in Swedish, but the patterns come as PDF files and can be downloaded in English.  There are over 1000 patterns on there.  This purple dress is #288.  If I knit it again I'd make the skirt longer and use a larger needle for the bodice because my stitches were too tight there. 

This dress pattern is #99.  Again I'd make the skirt longer if I knit it again.  I wonder if the designs were made for vintage dolls that had different measurements than today's dolls.  With a little tweaking, some size 0 needles and some quality yarn, these patterns turn out really cute. 

I had no idea that I'd have this much fun knitting tiny tiny clothes.  But, if you get inspired to try it out, too, let me know.