Happy 300

Thank you to everyone who said such lovely things about my issues with THAT PLACE and THOSE PEOPLE. I am taking all of your advice and not letting it get to me and in fact, I'm over it. I've decided not to waste one more ounce of energy on it. :) So thank you ALL for making me feel much much better. :) And as for a blogging break . . . I'd miss you guys too much!

So this is my 300th post. Wow. That's a lot for me! I'll be having the traditional give away but I'm not ready yet so stay tuned for that in the next few weeks. I may wait until after my vacation.

I do have something for you crocheters out there. A pattern! It's a simple pattern and I'm sure it's been done before but since I wrote it down as I went along I figured why not share?

Crocheted Matroshka Doll




Materials

2 skeins of Lily Cotton in 2 coordinating colors
Size F or G hook (you should make a single crochet swatch to see if your stitches are tight enough to not let the stuffing show through with the larger needle. If not, use the smaller one.)
stitch marker
Felt scraps
Needle and coordinating thread or floss
stuffing
ribbon

Abbrieviations

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
w/ss = with slip stitch
sc2TOG = single crochet two stitches together
DNJ = Do Not Join
(# sc) = number of single crochet stitches you should have at the end of the round

IN COLOR NUMBER ONE (RED)

Ch 2, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join w/ss, ch 1

2 sc in each sc around, join w/ss, ch 1 (10 sc)

(1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (15 sc)

(1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (20 sc)

(1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (25 sc)

(1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (30 sc)

(1 sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (35 sc)

(1 sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (40 sc)

1 sc in BACK LOOPS of each sc to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (40 sc)

1 sc in each sc to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (40 sc)

Repeat last row 3 more times (40 sc)

(1 sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (45 sc)

(1 sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (50 sc)

1 sc in each sc to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (50 sc)

Repeat last row 2 more times (50 sc)

(1 sc in next 8 sc, sc2TOG) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (45 sc)

1 sc in each sc to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (45 sc)

Repeat last row 1 more times (45 sc)

(1 sc in next 7 sc, sc2TOG) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (40 sc)

(1 sc in next 6 sc, sc2TOG) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (35 sc)

1 sc in each sc to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (35 sc)

(1 sc in next 5 sc, sc2TOG) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (30 sc)

CHANGE TO COLOR NUMBER 2 (PINK)

1 sc in each sc to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (30 sc)

***you want to begin stuffing your doll as you go from now on***

(1 sc in next 4 sc, sc2TOG) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (25 sc)

1 sc in each sc to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (25 sc)

Repeat last row 3 more times (25 sc)

(1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (30 sc)

1 sc in each sc to end, join w/ss, ch 1 (30 sc)

Repeat last row 4 more times (30 sc)

1 sc in each sc to end, DO NOT JOIN OR CH 1 (30 sc)

***you will begin a spiral here so you do not join the rounds or chain one at the ends***

Place stitch marker in last sc

(1 sc in next 4 sc, sc2TOG) to marker DNJ (25 sc)

****remember to keep stuffing!***

(1 sc in next 3 sc, sc2TOG) to marker DNJ (20 sc)

(1 sc in next 2 sc, sc2TOG) to marker DNJ (15 sc)

(1 sc in next 1 sc, sc2TOG) to marker DNJ (10 sc)

(sc2TOG) to marker DNJ (5 sc)

Remove marker and finish off with 6 inch tail. Thread tail on yarn needle and pull through last 5 stitches to close up the head. You should have a bowling pin shaped body.

Using your felt scraps cut out a circle for the face and hair. Trim your hair circle like the one in the picture and stitch together. Use french knots for eyes and small felt circles for cheeks. You can decorate the body however you like. I used a Sizzix die to cut my felt into a flower. Sew a piece of ribbon around the row where you change yarn colors.



You could use any kind of yarn but the Lily cotton is pretty cheap. You could also decorate with beads or buttons but I wanted my dolly to be baby safe. :)

If you make one, please let me know!! Also, if you find any issues with the pattern please tell me. I made a second one following the pattern to check it out and once I decorate her I'll share.

bug hugs
Rebecca