Tuesday, 26 February 2013

FREE Barbie Crochet Jacket Pattern

I don't usually crochet Barbie clothes, but this design really worked out well. I hadn't thought of writing this up,  but someone saw the sweater on my Flickr page and requested the pattern. This is super easy, and also shows you how to crochet a flat circle.



Barbie Crochet Circle Jacket                     By Kelly Mullan
Materials:
2.75mm/ C/2 hook
Medium to light weight sock yarn.
Instructions
Begin by chaining 6 stitches. Connect ends with a slip stitch to form a foundation loop.
Chain one st.
First round: Using single crochet stitches (sc), work eight stitches around foundation loop. Stitches should go through the center loop and not through individual stitches.
Second Round: work TWO stitches into each stitch of first round (16 sts total).
Third Round: (In first st, work 1 sc. In second st, work 2 sc) repeat to end of row.
Fourth Round: (in first and second stitch, work 1 sc. In third st, work 2 sc) repeat to end of round.

By now you might have noticed a pattern to the placement of increases. On every round you are working 1 more stitch before making an increase. (For example, if you were to do an Increase Round 5 you would single crochet into 3 stitches before increasing by working 2 single crochets into the next stitch.) You may continue in this manner until your fabric reaches the desired diameter. 

At round Seven, chain 8 stitches and connect chain to main body of work 8 stitches along edge. This creates a sleeve opening 16 sts around. Sc to opposite side of work and repeat. You should now have two sleeve openings across from each other. Continue working flat circle as above and working sc stitches into the 8 loops of the chain at each sleeve opening.

Sleeve openings


Continue for 10 more rows continuing the same increase pattern. End row opposite sleeve opening. Bind off. Sew in ends
Sleeves
Pick up 16 sts around sleeve openings. Sc straight for 16 rows. Bind off. Repeat for second sleeve. Sew in yarn ends.
Sew two buttons at center front of jacket. Use space between stitches for button holes.

For more Barbie patterns please take a look at my shop. 




Monday, 25 February 2013

Friday, 22 February 2013

New Pullover with Sailor Collar



Here are some shots of a sweater I made this week. It is really easy and adaptable. I love the sailor collar and have been meaning to make a sweater with one for some time, but a short collar is more sophisticated - less girly.

I find you can make this sweater with different weights of yarn on the same needles (US size 2/ 2.75mm) and come up with some very different looks. The pink sweater above is in a fine fingering weight of vintage baby wool. This has a pretty fitted look.


The grey sweater, in a medium weight sock yarn has a roomier fit, but still fairly sleek. I think this is a fairly common sock weight. It's also a nice weight to work with. A happy medium, if you will.







The yellow sweater is made with a heavier sock yarn but still a DK. It makes a bulkier sweater, with a more outdoorsy feel. Still quite cute though.

This free pattern will be posted soon. I'm putting in lots of pictures and explanations, so don't worry if you are a beginner.

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Getting to Know Me

On this wintery day, I'm introducing my Barbie knitting blog. Here is a favorite image that says it all. I'm just trying to cheer myself up on grey Toronto February day with a cute sweater. Also, I'm hoping to inspire anyone with a bit of leftover sock yarn and bit of time to make one of these small but easy designs. I try to make my designs as sleek and "wearable" as possible. And I've tried to infuse a little sensible style into the old girl.

Coming soon are some free patterns with lots of advice and help. Meanwhile, please take a look at my patterns on Etsy and Ravelry and more Barbie photo on Flickr. Here are some links

ETSY:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KellyMullanDesigns

Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kelly-mullan

Flickr 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56204398@N08/sets/