Seasonal Hand Knitted Designs for 18″ Dolls

I recently purchased the “Seasonal Hand Knitted Designs for 18″ Dolls: Spring/Summer Collection” and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. The book is filled with 13 beautifully designed hand knitted patterns that are suitable for both beginner and experienced knitters. The patterns are not only perfect for creating a stylish wardrobe for my 18″ doll, but also as a way to celebrate the art of knitting and honor the memory of the author’s mother, Brenda, who taught her how to knit at a young age.

One of the things I love about this book is that the patterns are designed to coordinate with each other, creating complete ensembles for my doll. From the traditional options offered in the Bria Collection, to the spring cherry blossom inspired set found in the Earth Collection, along with the versatile styles of the Neapolitan Chic Collection, and finishing with trendy nautical essentials from the Sea Collection. Each design is worked with the doll’s ease of dressing in mind, making it easy to dress and undress the doll.

The patterns are designed to fit American Girl Dolls and the comparable 18″ Gotz Dolls, which are very popular among doll enthusiasts. American Girl Dolls are known for their quality and attention to detail, making them a favorite among collectors and children alike. The dolls are designed to have different skin tones, hair textures and eye colors, which allows children to find a doll that looks like them. Additionally, the dolls have a wide range of books, clothing and accessories, making them an ideal companion for children to play and learn with.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves to knit and has an 18″ doll. The patterns are beautifully designed and easy to follow, making it a great way to celebrate the art of knitting and create a stylish wardrobe for your doll.

Next Pattern:

Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.

If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.

This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).

There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.

It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).

The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.

This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.

If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]

Next Pattern:

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