Patterns & Laziness

Given how long between posts, I don't know if anyone actually reads this anymore. But I want to post.

Santa and I had a little chat. He is bringing Elanor a doll for Christmas. She is a Madame Alexander Favorite Friends doll. Very close in size to the American Girl dolls so the patterns & such from one should fit her. After a lot of research, I chose this one. The prices for the AG dolls are *insane*. The MA one is a third of the price. (Don't worry, DD can't read yet. So she won't learn anything she shouldn't about Santa's present.)

So, of course, I want to make something adorable for Elanor & the doll. Given knitting is my particular vice, I figured I would try to make them a matching set. I was surprised that there weren't a lot of matching sets for the girl & the doll.

I did find a pattern book with nine matching patterns. So I decided to buy that. It arrived today. I opened it up and nearly cried.

All the patterns are sweaters you have to piece together. UUUUUGGGHHHH! I *hate* that.

I know, I know. It is me being a lazy knitter. I really should just change my blog name to Confessions from a Lazy Knitter. (I just added it to my subtitle. *laugh*) I hate piece sweaters. And I don't understand why they are the norm other than they are easier on the designer. I really feel like a doll could do without seaming too!

So of course, being me, I am figuring that I should just use a basic pattern, scale it down for the doll. This way I can *skip* seaming work. I have a book of kid knits that are all seamless construction. So I could just work from there.

I know, I know. I should just get over it and do the work. *laugh* But I know myself. I am terrible about putting buttons on. What on earth makes me think I would actually deal with seaming!

I also figured I would get some sewing patterns. Sewing is significantly faster. And believe me, after looking at the prices on outfits for dolls, I *knew* I had to do something. (Honestly, I am not thrilled with the dress the doll comes in so I want her to have options.)

I was thrilled to find McCalls is having a pattern sale. Most of their patterns were only $1.49. The only downside it their shipping & handling was kinda crazy. But I ordered a bunch of doll patterns as well as some young girl patterns & three costume patterns for the kids next year Halloween and/or Ren Faire.

Maybe all of this doll stuff is just my own insanity. Or lack of sleep. *laugh* But I recall my mom making me and my Fisher Price Jenny doll matching shirts. It was kinda sweet. (Mind you I also remember it was 70s and they were polyester...which was fine for a doll, but not so fun for a kid...*winces*)

I really hope Elanor likes the doll. I am not sure honestly. But I am hoping. She likes the dolls she has so far though she hasn't taken a particular shine to any of them. But who knows. Only time will tell.

Ah well. I have a ton of work I need to finish! Conference starts in less than two weeks. *sigh*

Quickie Update

Just feeling like I should take a sec for an update. Though not too much to report.

The Baby Surprise Jacket still hasn't had what little seaming there is completed. Have I mentioned how much I dislike seaming? *grin* I should do it soon.

I was really glad I had my knitting with me in the car on Friday. DH and I were running around, looking at baby stuff. Unfortunately, there was a minor fender bender (more details on my non-knitting journal). We were both fine. It was start and stop traffic. So no one was going very fast. I don't even think our seat belts locked up.

It did mean that we had a lot of time to just sit around and wait for the cops to arrive and such. I had the First Coat for the kiddle that I was working on. It is a very simple knit which was sorta perfect. I also had the BSJ with me, but I just knew seaming at that moment could be a disaster. So I left it alone.

The funny thing was that I forgot my tape measure. So when I got home, I realized I had knit more than I should have. So I ripped back to the point when I should have started some decreases. Whoops!

I have finish the pieces other than the collar. Of course, that means that it is time for the dreaded seaming work! *laugh* I have to attach some pieces before I can pick up the stitches for the collar.

Overall, it is going well. And I think it will look really nice.

Though sooner or later I need *buttons* so I can complete the Baby Surprise Jacket, Loving Memories Lacy Bunting and the coat! I had actually stopped at a Michael's before the accident but they didn't have any buttons. *grumblegrowl* I should go up to the Garment District in the city and get some. It is just between all the baby stuff and having too much work to do these days, it has been a challenge to get away from my desk for lunch, much less out of the building to do anything else. Maybe next week. *crosses fingers*