Dress Up Your Dolls: Sensational Outfits to Knit & Crochet for Dolls Up to 18in
Dress up your 12" to 18" dolls in this wide range of knitted and crocheted outfits. There is something for every occasion from fun to formal, and from simple to more complex according to ability. I think that my favorite features of this book are the wonderful staged photographs showing dolls clad in their new clothes doing various things. Dolls in pirate outfits play on a beach, others wearing winter outfits are in the snow with a snowman, or tracking through the long grass on a walk. These are not Barbie type dolls but the more traditional type of stockier toy more like a baby doll, only mostly with hair (there are a few baby outfits too). This book was originally published in Norway, so expect the yarns mentioned to be different although any yarn crafter worth their salt ought to be able to find something to substitute. Hooks and needles are given in both UK and US sizes, and patterns are in word format with a few charts. The level of expertise would be improvers upwards, but the patterns vary in complexity. It is an imaginative mix of everyday costumes and those for best, or for playing make believe. Some dolls sport everyday children's clothes, others are dressed in party best or as explorers, pirates, fairytale characters or a 20s flapper. There are accessories too such as a fairytale tent for a princess, toy monkey for the safari section, bunting for the party etc. adding to the fun. There is no index which I found frustrating when looking for something in particular, and anybody wanting a couple of "refresher course" pages of stitches had better look elsewhere. Overall this is a good book that does what it says on the cover, i.e. provide patterns for dolls clothes.-Myshelf.com