Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links that I may get compensation from if you decide to make a purchase. Thank you for the support!

Rainbow Rachael Doll… Free Crochet Pattern!

December 12, 2013 By 16 Comments

.

Rainbow Rachael Doll

Named after my wonderful Sister-in-Law… She has beautiful curly hair!

.

wpid-IMG_20131204_091051_519-1.jpg

.

wpid-IMG_20131204_090611_648.jpg

.

This is Rainbow Rachael…  She is a quick fun crochet project!  She is made using small amounts of any color of yarn you want,,, Perfect for using up your last couple of yards of yarn!!!

.

Supplies:

Worsted Weight Yarn –  Body: 2-3 yards per stripe for a total of 15-20 yards      Hair: 3-5 yards per curl for a total of approx 50 yards.

Hook- Size G

Yarn Needle

Poly-Fil

2 Black Buttons and 1 decorative button for hair optional

Shop for your yarn  and crochet supply needs at Michaels Craft Store Online!! Affiliate Link

.

Stitches: 

Sl St – Slip Stitch       Ch – Chain          Sc – Single Crochet          Dec Sc – Decrease Single Crochet         Hdc – Half Double Crochet

.

Tips ~ To join small amounts of yarn I love to use the Russian Join, This method is wonderful for making a seamless join without having ends to weave in!  Click HERE  for an instructional video

I also like to start with the Magic Ring, This method makes a nice beginning when working in the round.  Click HERE for an instructional video.

.

Instructions:

     Body – You will be changing color to meet your own personal taste.  I like using 5-6 colors.

Magic Ring

Row 1:  Ch 1, Sc 6 in Magic Ring. Join with Sl St = 6 Sc

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 Sc in each St around. Join with Sl St = 12 Sc

Row 3: Ch 1, Sc  around. Join with Sl St = 12 Sc

Row 4: Ch 1, (2 Sc in first St, 1 Sc in next St) repeat around. Join with Sl St. = 18 Sc

Row 5: Ch 1, Sc around. Join with Sl St = 18 Sc

Row 6: Ch 1, (2 Sc in first St, 1 Sc in next two Sts) repeat around. Join with Sl St = 24 Sc

Row 7-16: Ch 1, Sc around. Join with Sl St = 24 Sc

1st Leg~

Row 1: Ch 1, Sc in the first 12 Sts, Join to 1st Sc. Leave remaining Sts unworked (this will be worked next for the second leg) = 12 Sc

Row 2-7: Ch 1, Sc around. Join with Sl St. = 12 Sc

Row 8: Ch 1, Dec Sc 6 times. Join with Sl St. = 6 Sc. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing foot together.

With yarn needle, draw yarn through the 6 Sc and pull together to close. Weave in end.

2nd Leg~

Row 1: Join yarn in any remaining St of body base.  Ch 1, Sc around remaining 12 Sts. Join with Sl St.  If you have more that 12 Sts, use a Dec Sc so you only have 12 Sts for the second leg also.  = 12 Sc

Rows 2-8: Repeat rows 2-8 for Leg 1.  Before finishing off, stuff doll with Poly-Fil. Finish off in the same manner as Leg 1.

Hair~

Use 3-8 different colors of yarn for hair.

Make 8

Starting with a 2″tail – Chain 21, 2 Hdc in 3rd Ch from hook, 3 Hdc in each St to end. Finish off leaving a 2″ tail = 56 Hdc    The Hdc chain will naturally curl. Tie the 2-2″ tails into a knot. These ends will also be used for attaching the Hair to the head.

*Use Picture for Hair and Button placement

Attaching Hair:  Using the 2 tails left on each piece of hair, tie each curl to the top of the head in a random order.

Bangs:  Cut several pieces of scrap yarn into 4″ pieces.  Using 2 strands at a time, attach in a fringe method to the bang area. Trim bangs evenly

Eyes:  Sew 2 Black Buttons onto face directly below bangs

Decorative Button for hair.  Sew button into hair

.

Enjoy your Rainbow Rachael... I hope you will stop by my Facebook and Ravelry page and post your project pictures… I would LOVE to see them!!

.

*** You may make and sell products from my patterns but if you do I ask that you link back to my post. Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.***

.

.

.

.

.

 

 

Filed Under: Patterns and Projects Tagged With: , , , ,

Wednesday Facebook Fan Favorite… Week 17!!

December 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

.

As the gift giving season gets even closer all of us who love to crochet or knit are keeping our fingers busy!!!  It is a true blessing to be able to give handmade items at the holidays… Not only are they treasures, but it can be very cost-effective too!!  This weeks Facebook Fan Favorite is one of those handmade items that is not only a great gift,,, but very cost-effective… Are you looking for something quick for a last-minute gift?? Well here you go.. This week’s Facebook Fan Favorite!!!

.

washcloth

Star Stitch Washcloth..

.

This week’s Favorite was a blog post from Whiskers and Wool...  She found a Potholder Pattern from Drops Designs that she loved and made it into these great Washcloths… Great idea!!!  This was one of our largest votes to date…

.

If you love this design,,, You can find a whole library of Daily Free Pattern Finds on my Facebook Page arranged in my photo album titled “Daily Free Pattern Find 2013”  ,,, You can also see a new Daily Free Pattern Find each and every day  featured on my timeline….To cast you vote each week find the patterns on my timeline and like, comment and share away!!!!

.

AND… Our Crochet-A-Long is almost here… Only 5 more days to vote for the Viewer’s Choice Crochet-A-Long…  Once all the votes are in by Midnight December 15th… I will announce which project you chose…

The Crochet-A-Long will start in January… Each week I will post a section of the pattern for us to complete,,, We will be sharing our progress and all the fun we are having as a group… You can participate on my Facebook page each week by posting your pictures every Friday evening… Also, for those of you who love Ravelry Groups… We are all set up over on Ravlery  for a group Crochet-A-Long and we are over 50 members already!!!  I would love to see you over there too!!

.

I am in the process of finishing up the Free Pattern for my Rainbow Rachael Doll,,, Working on a new Infinity Scarf Pattern and Getting ready to release my first pattern for sale… Sadie-1920’s Style Cloche Hat!

.

wpid-IMG_20131204_091051_519-1.jpg     IMG_1888

Rainbow Rachael Doll and Sadie 1920’s Style Cloche Hat

.

Happy Crocheting…. Elena

.

.

.

.

Filed Under: Patterns and Projects Tagged With: , , , ,

Tuesday Tidbits… Crochet Christmas Countdown!

December 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

.

The countdown is clicking away!!  Christmas is two weeks from tomorrow...  Are you ready??  Weather you are Professional Crocheter or a Hobbyist, this is the busy season for all of us!!

.

christmas count

.

Here are a few helpful tips I use to stay on track~

.

* Make a list… (And check it twice): It’s not to late to jot  down your ideas and projects you want to finish before Christmas!  Once your list is done,  be realistic!  If you can’t accomplish it all, don’t feel bad~ Just cross off what you can’t finish, maybe write  a card with an IOU…

.

* If making multiples of the same project, I like to time myself (Yes, I know its is a little OCD), Then I will know how long it will take to finish the batch!

.

* When making larger projects like Afghans and shawls… See how long it takes you to complete a row…  Count how many rows it will take to complete the entire project… Divide the total rows  up by how many days you have to complete your project~ This process will help keep you on track!

.

* Stash busting… This time of year I love to use up my yarn stash… It keeps my costs down and makes room for the newest yarns coming out in the new year!

.

* Grab all the tools you will be needing over the next couple weeks… Hooks, Scissors, Yarn Needles, Buttons and any other goodies you will need…  Find a container they will all fit in and keep it next to your crochet spot… This way when your done for the evening you can put it all away and it will be waiting for you  the next time you sit down to get to work… No more searching for that silly yarn needle!

.

* Keep your yarn organized by color, weight and fiber…  By doing this you will be able to find what you need when you need it!

.

Happy Crocheting!  Elena
.
.
.
.
.
 
Filed Under: Patterns and Projects Tagged With: , , ,