Break from the fibers: Custom Cosette

It's easy for me to get lost in dying and spinning these days, so it's always a treat when someone comes to me with a really special request for one of my handmade dolls.  In this case it's Cosette!

Thank you Easter bunny

I've been gone for a while, but I'm back for one of my favorite holidays... Bunnies, chocolate, what's not to love? And so it's time for a new pattern! We're going back to basics with my latest WIP: meet William.

William is a classic standing bunny pattern, and like the others he stands about 12-14 inches tall. However he features a few charming differences; He's got accented hands, feet, and ears that allow for an unlimited number of custom variations. He also features a slightly chunkier build than my other dolls. And although William is a solid boy, switch out his shorts for the apron style dress pattern Mia wears and you've got yourself a whole new bunny ;D

I hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek...
Keep an eye out for William, and other new patterns, in my shops this year!
etsy.com
ravelry.com
craftsy.com

Preview my new hand spun doll kits (coming soon!)

Looking to create a handmade heirloom for someone special? Or maybe a unique gift for the crafter in your life?
This holiday season I'll be offering a few very special kits! Like previous kits, these will feature all my favorite supplies: premium cotton fabrics, hand made glass eyes, ribbons, buttons, and other accessories. But these kits are even more valuable, because they also feature my very own hand spun wool!

The wool is a combination of fibers, dyed by me, and then carded together to create a rich deep color that you can't get from hand painting alone. I've worked hard to bring together some of the most popular color combinations based on past requests, and taken the time to create new pairings that I think you'll love.

You're getting a sneak peak into my process here, as I match my pre-carded fibers to the fabric. Once the fibers are carded, I spin them into a worsted spun(smooth), worsted weight single (100g as most of my patterns call for).

In my opinion, a plush single yarn(vs plied yarns) makes the best doll. And with this kit you'll be able to make your choice of bunny, kitty, or bear ;D

Whether I'm painting, quilting, or spinning,  I'm always looking for inspiration... and here it is!
OK, so it's no secret that autumn is my favorite time of year... and mostly because the of the amazing show the garden puts on just as it nears the end.

This week was the first chance I had to catch it on camera. As I let the dogs out one morning, I noticed the sun coming through the red maple leaves which already have such a beautiful color palette of dark reds and purples. But when the sun comes through them you get a whole other experience of olives and golden tones.


Then there was the peppermint. It gets these cute purple flowers on the end of vine like stalks, which normally hold dark green leaves, but now are beginning to turn pink with touches of yellow!

  

The miniature pink roses are actually still in bloom, but have begun to show these pumpkin like "hips" that are perfectly suited for the season. This crazy ornamental grass just showed up in my garden this year(I think it blew in from the neighbors yard), but it's a great fit. And with it's purple plumes on blue-green stalks, it has a subtle cool palette that I can't resist!

 

Petra: the mummy

Adorable and undead, Petra was my surprise Halloween project last year... and now she's back, available as a pattern in my Halloween collection (etsy shop, ravelry shop, craftsy shop)! And by popular demand, she comes with instructions for both a knit version of her hair, and a crochet version! 
Are you making Petra?Join us on Ravelry: CALwithDawnToussaint

the creative process

Since I've been away for a while, I thought it was only fair to share what I've been up to... some of it anyway ;D
So as I work through my latest project, I'm going to bring you along. This project is a valentines bunny that I've envisioned in a classic, vintage, and even a little french inspired look. Rather than waiting until it's done, I thought I'd provide updates as I go... so let's get started!

1/22/2013: Sometimes I begin with a sketch, but this time I began with the wool. I had recently purchased a lot of random wool, and so I got in there to investigate. When I saw all the variation in color and texture I thought about a soft bunny, and the special nature of hand spun wool. What I always loved about hand spun is not when it's perfect, but when you can really tell that it's hand spun. The thicks and thin, and silky mixed with fluffy, what would make a better bunny. So I pull out the mix I think will embody those characteristics, weigh it up, and get carding. 

1/26/2013: Next step is spinning. I have a ladybug spinning wheel, and I have been known to lose myself spending a few hours spinning. But don't get me wrong, the repetitive motion can take it's toll and I've had to declare self imposed bans on spinning (and sometimes knitting and crocheting too) from time to time. In this case, I needed to spend a few hours to spin the single ply. And since I want to create a strong, quality item, I've decided to spin my singles thin and ply them together for a 2 ply wool. Once it's plied, I'll soak the yarn so it can bloom, and set the twist.

1/26/2013: While waiting for the yarn to dry, I can work on other things; like choosing fabrics and working out the dress pattern on paper. I usually work out as much as I can from existing or estimated measurements, and then make adjustments once the final doll is done. For this one I'm choosing some french prints in florals and toile, and rich rose and olive tones.

2/3/2013: With the yarn plied and set, it's time to get the hook out. I start by crocheting the ears and arms of my bunnies so that they're ready to attach when I need them. I'm really enjoying the way the variation in the yarn is working out, both in the color and the texture. 

2/7/2013: With the exception of the foot bottom, my bunny's all pieced together and ready for stuffing. I use a combination of bamboo and polyfil stuffing, and whatever yarn and fabric scraps I happen to have around. The polyfil gives the spongy quality, while the bamboo and scraps give the firmer texture you want in the bottom and feet. The stuffing tool is great for this type of work since I work the doll in one piece and stuff the entire body through the legs!

2/9/2013: And with my bunny stuffed, I'm ready to complete her feet. Usually I like to cap off the feet with a coordinated fabric to match the dress; but I'm loving the wool so much that I've decided to wet felt 2 small pieces and use them to create the soles of her feet. It's not too difficult, if you have some roving or carded fiber, just layer the fiber out in thin perpendicular layers. Use a spray bottle to wet it down with warm soapy water, then message it into a flat sheet of felt with a gloved hand or another smooth item (I sometimes use a smooth river rock). In the detail phase, I'll most likely embroider in some toes since her feet are a little bare.

2/14/2013: So from fluff to finished, here she is! I pieced the skirt together from 2 inch strips of that awesome moda fabric you saw in the beginning of the post, and then decided to make a dark burgundy ruffle trim to set it off. Serging and stitching all the edges as I went, I used the same burgundy for straps and the waist band that ties the back together in a bow. Then I picked out some gorgeous glass eyes in a rose tint, and set them over a camel colored felt. I embroidered her nose and freckles in a dark brown, and her knees and toes in the cream colored hand spun I used for the rest of her body.

You can check out some more pics in my etsy shop where she'll be listed for sale, so stop by and let me know what you think!

Thanks for following along ;D
Dawn.

Doing the math: increase and decrease evenly row over row

I've recently received a few questions about a technique used in many of my patterns:
"SC across, INCR 3sts evenly over each of the next rows, trying not to place increases in the same place row over row."
Firstly, the instructions are written this way to allow flexibility and ease of creation. Once you understand it, it's easier to complete using the "technique" versus tracking each row on a pattern sheet(especially if you happen to be travelling). And if you are creating more than one, it allows you to find the formula that you like the best (although I know I do it differently every time!)

OK, now for the math! The formula works thusly...

random number(Stitch count of row/Number of Inc)

Explanation:
OK, say you have 24 stitches in the row, and you need to increase 3.

1. 24/3=8


2. now choose a random number from 1 to 8, let's pick 5... meaning we'll increase in the 5th stitch of our repeat


3. so we'll work the row like this: SC next 4 sts, inc1 in next st (the 5th st), SC next 3


4. repeat 2 more times to complete the row, for a total of 27 sts.


5. do this as many times as the pattern calls, just choose a different random number every time (at least 2 higher or lower than the previous row).

Now how about decreases? Same thing...
OK, say you have 24 stitches in the row, and you need to decrease 3.

1. 24/3=8


2. now choose a random number from 1 to 8, let's pick 5... meaning we'll start our decrease on the 5th stitch


3. so we'll work the row like this: SC next 4 sts, dec1 in next 2 sts, SC next 2


4. repeat 2 more times to complete the row, for a total of 21 sts.


5. do this as many times as the pattern calls, just choose a different random number every time (at least 2 higher or lower than the previous row).

I hope this helps make the pattern instructions clearer ;D

the holidays are over!

Wow, the holidays were CRAZY busy... and I'm sure I'm not the only one. But They are finally past and now to look ahead to 2012!
So, as some of you know, I have become addicted to spinning! I got some amazing alpaca fiber for Christmas and I just haven't been able to put it down. So what that means for you? Well, new dolls and kits featuring my very own hand spun wool of course! Right now I'm working on a lovely kit that not only has the supplies to make a beautiful doll, but also includes a handmade project bag and lavender sachet to protect that ooak creation you'll be working on ;D

But in order to do all this I need to clear some space in my workshop... so for all of you who have been asking "when will I see more FO's in the shop?" The answer is today! If you follow me on twitter than you've probably already seen that Mia and Libby are up for sale in my shop! But what you don't know is that I will be listing a few more of my stock every day over the next few weeks. So if your interested in getting your hands on one of my own personal favorites (and at a discount I might add) just keep an eye on the etsy shop!
Thanks as always, and happy new year!
Dawn.

Petra: my halloween mystery project

If you've joined our ravelry group, then you may have seen the beginnings of my latest project... you may have even tried to guess what she was going to be.
Well, I've finished her just in time to keep my jack-o-lanterns company this Halloween! And here she is: Petra the mummy! She's not the conventional mummy, but that's OK... She'll happily take her place along side my wolfboy, pumpkin witch, scarecrow bear, and kitty noir in the Halloween collection (pattern to be available in the near future). Find more pics on her ravelry project page ;D

September CAL: Hermione the unicorn

Well, it's been a little while but we're back together for this adorable crochet along requested specifically by our ravelry group! This little unicorn is a fantastic way to feature some of those "must have" custom or specialty yarns that you have lurking in your stash, even if you only have a few yards ;D

For this CAL I definitely suggest joining the ravelry group (if you haven't already) because I will not be around much this month. The group has some experienced crocheters and they have always been great at supporting each other!

I can't wait to see the herds of unicorns come to life ;D

Download the pattern from my website now!

Kits are here!

Wow, I have been wanting to do this for so long!
I don't know about you, but my favorite part of making ami's is choosing the supplies, matching up fabrics, and mixing up the colors! Unfortunately I can't finish them quick enough to keep up with my imagination. This means all those dolls I dreamed up but couldn't get to myself will now be up for grabs in my etsy shop ;D

I've started off with Mia (a bunny), but I'll probably be expanding to make other patterns available as kits soon.
The kits include things like:

• hand dyed/painted wool


• fabric pieces for sewn clothes(serged)


• felt for eye details


• coordinated custom fabric covered buttons


• hand made glass eyes

Each one is unique. I only hope that whoever ends up with these kits are kind enough to share the FO pics with us!

Ami of the month: May

Bonjour Cosette!
She's this month's FO... featuring the most lovely handspun yarn I picked up at YarnParty2011 from Mid Valley Fibers. As a matter of fact it was the yarn that inspired the doll. I love this colorway called "Sunset over water", and I had a great time matching the fabrics in her apron skirt! To me she looks like blue skies and sunshine ;D
You can see more in my etsy shop!

May CAL: it's Neila the koala

Well it's that time again! Time to CAL with us on ravelry, and this CAL brings us Neila the little koala... suggested by one of our CAL members, and I couldn't resist! I've never seen a koala in person, but that's never stopped me before ;D
For mine, I decided to paint the hands and feet, and even a little bit of the ears for some added interest... but I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Grab up your free pattern today and join us on ravelry, group name: CALwithDawnToussaint

Ami of the month

Some of you might remember that I started off making custom ooak amigurumi and offering them in my etsy shop. Well, I'm going back to my roots... sort of ;D
I've decided to offer 1 finished object in my etsy shop every month! That means every month you will have the opportunity to pick up a custom designed, handmade cutie that I made just for the love of ami's (and those are the best kind if you ask me!) I'll be making something new every month, which may or may not be based on one of my existing patterns, and will definitely include all my favorite materials. Look for custom hand spun yarns, hand made buttons, and gorgeous fabrics... and keep an eye on this blog right here for a sneak peak at each month's offering!

Speaking of, have you seen this month's offering? Meet Mia ;D
http://www.etsy.com/listing/72509208/mia

I spoiled myself at yarnparty 2011

How could I resist, it was my birthday after all ;D
It all started a few weeks ago when my awesome husband asked, "any special requests for your birthday?"... well since you asked! And off we drove to Savage, Maryland. When we got there I was a little concerned because parking was a challenge(the place was packed!), but once a got inside the Savage Mill building I was pleasantly surprised. It's a charming place filled with little shops including paper crafts, pet stuff, paintings, beads, quilts, and more. So we made our way over to the main hall where the yarn party was being held and walked on in (no fee to get in!). The floor was crowded but manageable, and I made my first sweep around the room in about 5 minutes. Then in the next 2 passes I picked up all the items I had my eyes on and well... I came home with a great big bag of fancy hand dyed, hand spun, hand sheared, and all around awesome fibers... so I thought I'd share my favorites with you here!

Meet Amelie

Many of you out there asked for an all crochet version of my little Aubrey, and here she is! Amelie also wears an adorable little crochet sweater dress that's removable. She's just the latest in my "ready to wear" collection.

It took me a while to work out just the right combination of features, so thanks to all of you for your patience... She's a great pattern to start with if you're new to ami's, or if you just need something to work up as a quick gift!

Enjoy ;D

Valentine's CAL: Roman the lovebird

Meet Roman, my Valentine gift to you ;D

Whew, I feel like I just made it in under the wire! I would hate to disappoint, especially after all the words of encouragement here and on ravelry... but I wanted to get him just right. I was going for a more home made look with Roman, and I think I got there, but only after about 4 tries. Sometimes you have something in your head and it takes a little extra effort to bring it to life. I also wanted to offer something that gave each of us the opportunity to make it our own, and I think this pattern does that!

Thanks so much, and as always I can't wait to see your creations!
Remember to join us on ravelry: CAL with Dawn Toussaint

Download pattern: Roman the lovebird
*This pattern was updated on 2/19/2011 ;D

February CAL???

Well, now that the holiday hustle is over... I'm thinking about our next CAL ;D
Of course February means Valentines day (at least it does in my house) so I automatically started thinking of love birds, puppy love, and all that stuff. But maybe your not into Valentine's mushiness? So I want to hear from you! What do you want to see in our next CAL?

BTW: I've opened it up on the ravelry group too... join us over there for more about our next CAL!

Aubrey: the pattern

Well I first want to thank everyone for all their kind comments on Aubrey, my latest creation. It was because of all your compliments that I have decided to offer the pattern in my ravelry and etsy shops!

If you haven't seen her yet, you're in for a surprise... not only does she have removable clothes, she has hair that buttons on! That's right, dress up time is taken to another level. Right now she is the only one of the prete a porte collection to have removable hair, but I have a feeling it won't be long before there are some more. And before you ask, yes I am working on an all crochet version as well!

So thanks again for your comments and questions... I love to hear your thoughts, so let me know what you'd like to see next in my shop!

Murray (the merry) reindeer

It's Christmas time, and I have an early gift for you...
As promised, our December CAL is a brand new reindeer pattern! You can download the pattern here, or on ravelry, and then join the ravelry group to share your progress.

Thanks for your support this year, and happy holidays to all!
Dawn.