Wednesday 21 November 2012

Don't blink

So, my two year old is a Dr Who fan. Her excitement at the TV adverts for the most recent series was probably way more than my own, and she knows most of the characters and monsters by name. She's my beautiful mini-geek! For one of her gifts for Christmas, I'm making a set of crocheted Dr Who toys to go with a purchased TARDIS toy. This is the first one, a Weeping Angel. While there are a couple of patterns around, none were quite the right scale, so I wrote this one up myself.



These directions are written using UK crochet terms. For conversion to US stitches, this page is very useful.

dc =  double crochet (US single crochet)
trc = treble/triple crochet (US double crochet)
2dctog = 2 double (US single) crochet together: decreases one stitch.
st = stitch/stitches
ch = chain
Rd = round
Where a number of stitches is given, work one stitch in each stitch of the previous row the stated number of times. E.g. 5dc = work one dc in each of the next 5 stitches of the previous row.

Materials:
Grey DK yarn.
3mm crochet hook
Polyfibre toy stuffing
Pipe cleaner or florist/modelling wire
Grey embroidery thread, slightly darker than yarn. 
Large-eyed sewing needle

Head:

I worked the head in rounds joined with a slip stitch, but work in spiral if you prefer.
Work 6 dc in a magic ring,
Rd 1: 2 dc in each dc (12 st)
Rd 2: (dc in dc, 2 dc in next dc ) to end (18 st)
Rd 3: (dc in next 2 dc, 2dc in next dc) to end. (24 st)
Work 5 rounds even, making 1 dc in each dc of the previous round.
Rd 9: (2 dc, 2dctog) to end. (18 st)
Rd 10: (dc, 2dctog) to end (12 st)
Rd 11: (2dctog) to end. (6 st). Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Body:

Chain 7. Dc into second ch from hook, dc to end. Join in a ring. (6 st)
Follow rounds 1-3 as for head, then continue as follows:
Rd 4: (3 dc, 2dc in next dc). (30 st)
Rd 5: 5 dc, 2dc in next dc, 3 dc, 2dc in next, 10 dc, 2dc in next, 3 dc, 2dc in next, 5 dc. (34 st)
Rd 6: (5 dc, 2dc in next) twice. 10 dc. (5dc, 2dc in next) twice. (38 st)
Work 6 rounds even.
Rd 13: (3 dc, 2 dctog) (31st)
Rd 14: Work even.
Rd 15: (3dc, 3dc in next dc) to end. (45 st)
Work even for 10 rounds.
Rd 26: (4dc, 3dc in next) to end.
Work 6 rounds even. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Base:

Make 6dc in a magic ring.
Rd 1: 2dc in each st
Rd 2: (dc, 2dc in next) to end
Rd 3: (2dc, 2dc in next) to end
Rd 4: (3dc, 2dc in next) to end
Rd 5: (4dc, 2dc in next) to end
Work successive rounds in this manner, doing one more dc before the increase in each round, until your circle is large enough to comfortably fit the bottom of the skirt.

Wings (make 2):

The wings are worked flat in rows. For each row, work to the end and then turn, ready to work the next row. The first four rows are worked in double crochet, then work in alternate rows of treble and double crochet.
Ch 7. Dc in second ch from hook, dc to end. (6 st)
Row 1: 2dc in first st, dc to end. (7 st)
Row 2: dc to last st, 2dc in last st. (8 st)
Row 3: 3dc in first st, dc to end. (10 st)
Row 4: dc to last st, 2dc in last st. (11 st)
Row 5: trc to end, then work 4 trc in a foundationless treble crochet chain
Row 6: dc to end.
Repeat last two rows twice. On the last dc row, continue in dc around the top edge of the wing to give a neat edge. Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Arms (make 2):

Work 6 dc in a magic ring.
Dc in each st for 10 rounds. Next, shape the elbows: turn, 3dc, turn, 3dc. Continue working even as before for another 10 rounds. The number of rounds for the arms is approximate: check their size aganst your body piece to choose the best size.

Making Up:

Stuff the head and body. Using the yarn tails, sew the base into the the body. You can add in a circle of card to give a flatter base if you like. Sew the head to the top of the body, and attach the wings to the back of the body. Next, make the hair using the DK yarn. First sew the flat back area of the hair. Take long stitches, starting at the third round from the top down to a central point at the bottom of the head at the back. The stitches should cover about two thirds of the circumference at the top. Next, make loopy stitches to cover the top of the head. For the bun at the back, make a ring of loopy stitches.


Using the embroidery floss, embroider the face. I just did eyes and a toothy mouth (badly, I admit!).


To attach the arms, first pass the wire through the body at the level where the arms will go, like this:


I used a pipe cleaner bent in half and twisted slightly. The overall length should allow for slightly less than the length of both arms plus the width of the body. Thread the arms onto the wire, then stitch to the body all around the arm edge.


Bend the arms into position, and done! The Ravelry page for this pattern is here. I haven't tested this pattern as I wrote it mostly from memory after completing the make, so do let me know if you come across any errors!

Monday 29 October 2012

Haslam System of Dresscutting: Two Books of Draftings

These two treasures are my recent covetous eBay win. As much as I am meant to be saving for Christmas buys, these come up so rarely I just couldn't hold back. There were a good twenty plus books listed as separate lots, something for which I am very grateful, and I allowed myself two. I bid on a few of them, but these were the two I came away with: books number 9 and 21. Though they have no dates they will most likely be late '40s.


If you haven't come across the Haslam systems before, it was designed as a three part drafting system, requiring a chart of your measurements, a special drafting curve/template, and a set of draftings like these. Having finally got to see the draftings for myself, however, you could easily draft these pattern up without the chart or the template, as they are very thorough with the measurements on the diagrams. The original curve templates do come up on eBay occasionally, though they can be hard to find amongst listings as people so rarely know what they are if they are found out of context. Alternatively, I came across this blog post, where you can download a PDF version to print at home! I love the generosity of the blogging community.

Book number 9 is for "Lingerie: with blouses, skirts, overalls and maternity wear".

There are several dressing gowns and house robes


Nightdresses...


Pyjamas...


And lots of lingerie, including slips, bras and different styles of knickers.




I love the pockets of this skirt, and the blouse is a classic 1940s style:


There are also some maternity styles including dresses and smock tops. This lovely swing jacket would be beautiful for non-maternity wear too- it looks so comfy!


Book number 21 is for "Spring and Summer" wear, and has pages of full colour illustrations in addition to the black and white sketches.

The ruffled peasant dress is so feminine and sweet.




Beautiful scalloped details. I'm also in love with the simple shawl collar and clean silhouette of the pink dress below: I'll be on the hunt for some winter fabric to make this one up soon I think.


Suits and coats. My favourite is the ruffled peplum design on the pink jacket.



Thursday 11 October 2012

Le Petit Echo de la Mode, June 1951

Today I have images from the 24th June 1951 issue of Le Petit Echo de la Mode. A bit out of season at the moment, so perhaps one for my southern hemisphere readers!

This one is a bit tatty, mostly due to the fact that it has no staples so the pages have slipped out of line, but it still has some lovely pages. Hopefully some of you may have use for French knitting patterns, because this issue has lots!

All images should open up full size if you right click > view image.



Crazy collar anyone?









Monday 20 August 2012

Modes et Travaux, June 1953

As promised, the other one of these recent buys. This edition comes from June 1953, and is packed with beautiful beach wear, sun dresses and children's play clothes. Is there still time to sew up a couple of copycat items while the weather lasts?




Changing an outfit with a bolero or overskirt:



Oh how I love the turquoise striped dress. Yes, I'm still drooling over that colour, particularly when striped with white!




These embroidery designs are something I will definitely use at some point, as they are included on the transfer sheet. I love the bows and the little kites.





Tuesday 14 August 2012

Modes et Travaux, August 1952

Last week I was lucky enough to get my hands on two issues on Modes Et Travaux (out of the 6 that I bid on), both complete with their embroidery template sheets. First up today are pages from August 1952.



I love these lace blouses- it's hard to choose a favourite between them!








A set of very sweet embroidered detachable collars (transfer is on the sheet included).


Diagrams for embellishments with embroidery thread woven through a simple row of machine stitches.