The Pitter-patter of Published Patterns

And then there were four:

From left, Gabi wearing the medium size as a pullover, Dolly wearing the prototype medium size as a cardigan, Vroni wearing the slim size as a cardigan and Carter wearing the plus size as a pullover.

The plus size actually looks pretty good on Dolly, even though she's slimmer than the American Girl dolls and the My Sibling/My Pal dolls for whom it was designed. (It's a free download, as are all three patterns.) If someone is in doubt about which size to pick for a doll that's in between medium and plus, I would recommend going with the plus size.

Slim 18"-range dolls, like Götz, would need this size. The mid-size is suitable for Michael's Creatology and other dolls with a chest size of 10-10.5". Dolly (Madame Alexander play doll) and Gabi (Tonner My Imagination doll) can wear the mid-size or the large size, depending on how you like the sweater to fit. (See below.)

I posted a photo tutorial on Ravelry here. It explains how to finish the steeks, knit the ribbing and other details.

I suggest lining the sleeves with nylon net or other thin fabric to keep doll fingers from getting caught in the floats, if the sweater is for a child's doll.

This is very easy to do. 

My test knitter finished her version of the sweater. She was an amazing help to me and inspired me to make the full-body chart/schematics. Since the medium size was the one she used, and it looked so good on her Michael's doll, I decided to make some adjustments to the original size and publish it as well.

Here's how Penny's (my test-knitter's) project looked when finished. (The doll is from Michael's, like Lauren, you might remember from last year's Habitat project.)

I've started on another one for Daphne Jr., whose birthday is the same day as Daphne's next month. She love purples and pinks. She's getting both in this one.

Zachary's birthday is next Saturday, though, so I was working hard to get his birthday package ready to pack. (DH is getting him something manly.) I'm dressing his doll, with the help of Carter, who is earning his keep. Besides the two sweaters (the one above and the "Boys Rock" sweater from the recent KAL), Zachary Jr. will also be getting a purchased raincoat and hat (from The Doll Clothes Store) and a hiking outfit, including these cool shades from Silly Monkey.

I also purchased some bejeweled sunglasses for Daphne Jr. from them. The pattern for the hat is from Pixie Faire, The Bucket Hat for Kids and Dolls. I had to pay for it, but I don't mind, because they give out a free pattern every Friday, and I don't mind giving something back. The pants were adapted from a free pattern from Milo Mila. I just turned the pants into shorts and added a cuff. 

Here is Carter modeling Zachary Jr.'s new hiking outfit, although he probably would wear his jacket instead of his nice Fair Isle sweater.

The puppy is a gift from Carter. (The puppy's from Home Sew.) The kitty will go to Daphne Jr. and will be named (if experience is any guide) "Fluffy Jr." She came from My Doll Best Friend in London, where I also picked up a few other things, to make the shipping worthwhile. Like these beach chairs.

Sorry, the girls had to try them out. They sat down and stared out at the snow. Wonder what they were thinking...

However, when the timer went off and the cookies came out of the oven....

While I was shopping in London (I saved so much by not flying over there to do my shopping) I picked up Vroni's original outfit, which I didn't get by buying her firsthand. (Remember the lovely smocked dress I got instead? One of a kind!)

She was very excited to get her Dirndl. (She wants you to see her traditional bloomers.)

Her apron tied in the middle in front means she's not available because she's too young. 

As soon as she was in traditional dress, she broke into song in her native Salzburg accent. (Who knew?) This is the song she sang.

"Joyful is the gypsy life." Indeed. I wonder if the dolls would like to go with us in the fifth wheel....

Just for some additional cuteness. 

In other news, we just became a two iPhone family. I don't know what DH had before, but he had a lot of trouble with it. He has switched his service to Credo and they "gave" him a new iPhone 7. (You know what I mean by "gave.") I have T-Mobile. We find it useful to have two different systems when we travel. Sometimes one of us has service and the other doesn't. Sometimes nobody has service. Then DH can channel his Native American heritage and we can rely on smoke signals.

What's on my needles: Daphne Jr.’s “Rosy Dawn” sweater.

What's on my Featherweight: Still the binding for the Kaleidoscope quilt. I didn't get very far, because my deadline for that is June. Finished boy doll clothes for now, but more to do for Lukas and for Carter.

What's on my loom: Still waiting.

What's on my wheel: Stanzi also still waiting.

What's on my iPad/iPhone: Still listening to The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson. On the Kindle app, I’m still reading Dying to Read, The Cate Kinkaid Files Book #1.

What's in my wine glass: Alice White Shiraz. Good value

What's my tip of the week: Vinegar will kill the smell of puppy pee. Of course, then you have the smell of vinegar for a while.

Note: This blog post was produced on the iPad and the MacBook, using the iPhone for some photos and some photo processing. No other computer was used in any stage of composition or posting, and no Windows were opened, waited for, cleaned or broken. No animals were harmed during the production of this blog post.