Crochet Patterns Hats

Make sure you select and use doll clothes patterns that include handbags, shoes, hats and jewelry to create that ‘total look.’ When most people think about making doll clothes, they don’t consider the impact of accessories. It’s often the choice of doll accessories that completes the outfit… or makes it ordinary. That’s why we included these must-have accessories on our 5 Top Trends list.

Here are five of today’s top accessories trends to translate into doll clothes patterns:

1.) Oversized bags

Backpacks are ‘out’ and mailbags are ‘in’. Many of the new handbags are big, like totes and body bags. Popular features are drawstring tops and lots of hardware trim. These bigger bags are balanced by wearing heavier shoes, like sandals with very wide straps, or boots.

2.) Knee-boots with fringe

The must-have boot this season is leather or suede, knee-high and trimmed with fringe. Consider adding a fringe-trimmed tote or hobo bag. You’ll also see drawstrings around the tops of boots. Don’t forget, doll clothes patterns for American Girl and 18-inch dolls must convert the popular high-heeled sandal and boot styles to fit your dolls’ flat feet.

3.) Casual knit hats

Most hats are knit or soft fabrics, worn close to the head and either clingy or droopy. Big floppy-brimmed bridesmaid-type hats are ‘out’. The beanie is still a hot style. Update it with an open crocheted pattern, for a lacier, more delicate look to wear with a long scarf. Other popular shapes are the engineer’s cap and the newsboy’s cap. Fabric headbands and forehead bands (inspired by the 1970′s) are back again as trendy hair accessories.

4.) Extra-long scarves

These long, exaggerated scarves wrap around the neck and hang down to the knees. They’re usually made of lightweight knits and sometimes silk. As outerwear, they’re often worn with a matching hat. If you know how to knit or crochet you can create your own doll clothes patterns by reducing some of your ‘human’ projects to doll-size.

5.) Long pendant necklaces

The long pendant necklace is probably the biggest trend in jewelry. The younger crowd wears hearts, lockets, stars, crosses… interesting, meaningful objects. Recycled and ‘found’ objects are good, too. Be creative. Girls and dolls like to wear matching necklaces.

Get started! Now you have plenty of information about the new accessories trends to help you select doll clothes patterns, accessorize and coordinate your doll’s wardrobe. So, get inspired and release your inner designer.

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Crochet Patterns

I have to confess that not being able to read a crochet pattern kind of defies the whole concept of crocheting!

When I first learned to crochet, I wanted to know what these abbreviations meant. Maybe I was curious or wanted to learn everything at once – I honestly can’t answer that at this point.

To my way of thinking, reading a crochet pattern is essential to the learning of easy crochet. You are very limited as to finished projects if you can’t read crochet patterns!

If you can’t read a crochet pattern, you are very limited in my opinion. What do you do, keep starting over till you think it’s right and continue in that way?

If you can read a crochet pattern you have the world at your disposal. You are not afraid to venture on to try new things in my estimation!

But the number of people who can’t read crochet patterns astounds me. It seems like a real pity that they don’t learn how to better themselves and feel better about the projects they create!

If you can’t read a crochet pattern, how do you make doilies or crochet home-made dishcloths? Remember, they look easy in the picture, but can you duplicate it that way?

When I learned to crochet (it seems like a life-time ago now), those patterns with those strange abbreviations were a challenge to me. At that point, I made up my mind to learn to read the patterns no matter what.

I did a lot of research and asked a multitude of questions and finally got results. The strange part of it was that then I was no longer limited to crocheting with wool alone.

Being able to read crochet patterns seems to give you the confidence to be able to move on to greater heights – by that I mean, I moved onto cotton and made doilies in a very short time of learning how to read crochet patterns.

The thing that amazes me is that people who aren’t able to read crochet patterns don’t seem to care that every part of every crochet stitch has to be explained and/or demonstrated to them on a one-to-one basis. This bothers me.

I was told at one time that not being able to read crochet patterns showed a lack of patience in whoever did home crocheting in that fashion. It showed no ambition!

Now, I don’t agree with that statement, but I have one of my own – “Don’t learn anything by halves, learn the whole thing, or don’t waste my time!”

When my oldest daughter was in hospital when she was five (5) months old, I was able to crochet a doily, thanks to being able to read crochet directions.

Here’s another point to ponder: If you can’t read crochet directions or patterns, how do you expand your own crocheting knowledge to include the extra stitches required? I am referring to the treble stitch, the half double stitch and so on – that could be daunting!

So if you are a home crocheter, learn how to read the patterns and don’t be stuck in that rut that I call never-ending – read patterns, expand your horizons beyond your own expectations.

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