Finished. Finally.

Finished the copycat 2 year old dress. Probably going to attempt it again, but it turned out lovely. Now to make a little slip for it too.

The picture with the bow and buttons is the back.

Altering the plans.

Back to the last post. My husbands grandmother crocheted a dress for her two year old daughter to have a picture taken. The subsequent daughters - my mother in law included all wore the dress for their two year old pictures. Then all of her daughters wore it (my sister in laws). Then all of the granddaughters, my three daughters included wore it as well. My oldest was the first great grand-daughter to wear the dress.

I remember clearly when my mother in law came to visit and brought the dress for these pictures. Has it really been 14 years ago?

She wanted Ry's hair curled just like hers was in her own 2 year old picture. So we did. And while at the photographers she recalled that in her own picture her mother had handed her her wedding ring to play with so she would keep her hands together. She handed my two year old her own ring to hold. I love that invisible moment in those pictures.

In the last few months I have become obsessed with that dress and how as the family tree spreads the tradition could end. I decided to make a copy for my future grand kids. (Odd? Maybe. But I am okay with that. ).

After an extensive Internet search of antique patterns I found the pattern or a pretty close match.

I decided to follow the pattern from 1944 precisely. And it's turning out cute. Just not like the original. It appears that great grandma Loretta made some alterations. However making it myself following the directions will help me better make the alterations to the second version of the two year old dress I bought thread for today. Yes, I plan on making it again.

I thought briefly about just ripping it out and starting it again with the same thread a few hours into this project, but opted to continue and just learn the pattern and enjoy the process. My girls are already thrilled with the idea of this reproduction existing even though they hope to use the original when the time comes.

I probably have another 5-6 hours to go in this dress.

I am looking forward to doing it again.

Not forgotten

I am currently working on a rather large crochet project from a pattern printed in 1944. Let me just say that patterns have gotten a lot easier in 66 years. Holy math project. Pictures to come soon.

Organizing

Okay third times the charm on this post. I made myself this little needle and hook organizer. I love it. I didn't intend to store the giant needles in there, but now like having everything in one place.

The giant flower button is quite possibly my favorite part. I picked them up in several colors and plan to use them all on projects for myself.


Now I just need to come up with a plan for my circular needles . . .

Honestly I am really a knitter.

But apparently I have a little crochet problem.  Strangers have actually stopped my girls to take their pictures in their monkey hats I made them last fall (see the previous post on with the Sock Monkey Halloween costume).  This pattern also came from Etsy SweetKiwiCrochet.  Really simple pattern can crochet up in less than hour...if you don't count sewing on the ears, mouth, eyes and making the pom-poms. 

So okay, it still needs eyeballs but this is basically what they look like..  My girls actually slept in theirs most nights this winter.  They are cute.  This one is for a toddler.  I had extra yarn after making the two for my girls and so I made the baby and toddler versions as well and just haven't sewn the eyes on them yet.  I put mismatched eyes on the girls' hats and will probably do the same for these.

And I just finished two of these for the girls next December...

they have earflaps and long white fuzzy braids hanging from the flaps. 

The thread has sequins incorporated so they have a little sparkle.  Kind of cheesy, but fun.

This pattern also purchased on Etsy from SweetKiwiCrochet. 

Crochet Cobbler...

So more little shoes as promised.  All from TwoGirlsPatterns on Etsy. 

They have some super cute patterns for little shoes.

These little sandals are a fun way to use up little bits of yarn. 

These flowers are lovely and fun to make because the results are stunning...

you know if the picture weren't blurry.

So cute I made another pair...

they could use a little blocking or shaping to take a better picture,

but alas this is what you get for today.

Someone should loan me a baby so I can take their pictures in these things.

Crochet

I taught myself to crochet two winters ago...you know more than a chain --- and became fixated on baby shoes.  This is surprising as I am pretty sure I don't even know anyone with a baby these days...  I purchased the patterns on Etsy from TwoGirlsPatterns. 

Yep, you have seen these before.  I have made several pair and have several pair right now completed.  I love these.  I love the whimisical loops and the mismatched antique buttons that I put on them.  I have given these as gifts and even sold a pair.  Love them!

And these little Mary Janes... I find them enchanting.  Ver simple quick crochet and with nice results. 

Don't worry, I have more mediocre photos of baby shoes for another post. See you soon!

What I've been doing.

Just finished this pair and started a second. (Two Girls Patterns on Etsy)

This is hanging in my basement now.