Giving Thanks

Warm wishes and toasty thoughts along with sweet blessings for a safe, and joyous Thanksgiving.
As for my plans? I have a new pattern in the works, projects yet to be completed, but before I do, we (my husband, kids, mother-in-law & I) are going to take a break by stepping out of town and into nature, we intend to treat this holiday weekend as a chance to be, to change the pace a little and explore this new territory we moved to back in spring.

On a designer's note, and a shameless promotion, check out my Etsy store for completed outfits, with more to come along my self-published knitting patterns available in my Craftsy Pattern Store and not forgetting my two recent knitting pattern books


On a knitter's note, check out this awesome sale happening on Craftsy right now

Mac'Yanna for the holidays

 
Saige waited so patiently to model her very first Debonair Designs outfit, along with her sisters Jessica, sporting new glasses and Elisabeth.
She certainly is a natural at modeling, and made herself right at home.









I am lost for words to write in this post, mainly due to my head still spinning from proof reading my second book publication that is due to go into production after a print review, more on that in my next post. . . . .

 So I will leave you with what's new from my knitting needles in this trio I am calling
 my Mac'Yanna Clan.

A trio of faux fair sweater dresses using my 'Ayanna' pattern, where I worked a variation in the pattern stitch to that of another pattern I recently released, 'Olympia', thus producing a plaid/tartan effect throughout, finished with a stylish beret with added pom pom.

What a fun photo shoot this turned out to be, enjoy and thank you for looking ~ Deb.

 



















Be sure to check out my Etsy Store, for more completed outfits

Saige ~ A new addition to my doll family

Welcoming Saige, a new addition to my doll family, Saige, an American Girl of the Year 2013.  Saige arrived a few days ago as an early Christmas present from my hubby and kids :)) They had been listening to me chat about her and decided to go ahead and make the purchase now before she is no longer available. What a wonderful surprise to say the least, I feel so blessed.

Happily I am able to have her now rather than wait until Christmas, which I am delighted with, as her coloring is so inspiring to me. Her first of many outfits is currently on my needles, another faux fair sweater dress using my 'Ayanna' pattern, but I worked a variation in the pattern stitch to that of another pattern I recently released, 'Olympia', thus producing a plaid/tartan effect throughout. 
As soon as this is completed along with two other complimentary outfits, I will be posting.

 In the meantime please enjoy one more look at my fall inspired outfit, one that both made my day and brought an extra smile.
 I would like to share this fall inspired outfit I completed that is now in the hands of a talented young photographer, the outfit you will recognize as it is featured on the pattern page. 

 

 Be sure to check out her blog Dolly Dorm Diaries for more stunning pictures. 

Fall for Ayanna

Before embarking on winter themed outfits, I would like to share highlights of recent Autumn inspired outfits I have completed, using my faux fair isle sweater dress pattern 'Ayanna', read this post for pattern details

Designed to fit: American Girl Dolls & the comparable 18" Gotz Dolls like my models that share the same body type

Pattern Features: The faux fair isle is achieved with the use of slipped stitches, thereby avoiding the traditional stranded color work, written out with line-by-line instructions given, including back buttonhole placement. Set in 3/4 length sleeves and a ribbed stitched turtle neck worked from picked up stitches complete the look.


 

See my Etsy store for completed ensembles

Fall, the most inspirational time of the year for me, inspired also by my love of fair isle stitch patterns, ‘Ayanna’ is worked without the need for experience in stranded color work, as I made use of slipped stitches worked in pattern throughout to achieve the look of fair isle for this stylish sweater dress,  along with line-by-line written instructions.  ~ Debonair Designs

My inspirational picture, for 'Ayanna' in Yosemite

Knitting Pattern Books Giveaway

Knitting Pattern Books Giveaway

Head on over to The Doll Wardrobe's current giveaway for a chance to win a copy of my Fall/Winter Knitting Pattern Book

'Seasonal Hand Knitted Designs for 18" Dolls' 

 

Front Cover

Back Cover

 

The giveaway also includes a chance to win a copy of Nicky Epstein's Knits for Dolls popular knitting pattern book too!

 

 

presenting my latest knitting pattern, 'Ayanna'

Following my recent post in using the inspiring colors of Heartland yarn by Lion Brand, I am thrilled to present my latest pattern. . . .

Models wearing 'Ayanna' paired with my Newsboy Cap

  

 

 

 

 

 

Ayanna ~ a faux fair isle patterned sweater dress

Now Available

 Designed to fit: American Girl Dolls & the comparable 18" Gotz Dolls like my models that share the same body type

Pattern Features: The faux fair isle is achieved with the use of slipped stitches, thereby avoiding the traditional stranded color work, written out with line-by-line instructions given, including back buttonhole placement. Set in 3/4 length sleeves and a ribbed stitched turtle neck worked from picked up stitches complete the look.


 

See my Etsy store for completed ensembles

Fall, the most inspirational time of the year for me, inspired also by my love of fair isle stitch patterns, ‘Ayanna’ is worked without the need for experience in stranded color work, as I made use of slipped stitches worked in pattern throughout to achieve the look of fair isle for this stylish sweater dress,  along with line-by-line written instructions.  ~ Debonair Designs

My inspirational picture, for 'Ayanna' in Yosemite

Autumn Delights ~ fall inspired

While thoroughly enjoying summer to its fullest, the days are flying by and as September nears so do my thoughts turn to the most inspirational season to knit and design for. 
After a recent visit to my local yarn store, who already are steps ahead with fall colors appearing at every turn, I happened upon new yarn, which is always exciting, this yarn not only spoke to me, it is perfect for Autumn delights, and of course a few of the colors just had to leave with me, called Heartland by Lion Brand

Here are a couple that caught my eye

Yosemite Colorway

Yellowstone Colorway

  I adore this colorway, but what I love the most is the, 'proudly made in USA', and honoring our national parks . . oh and it's softness too!











This stunning corn maize will work up with so many other colors, a stunning colorway








So after purchasing this eye candy, and more, I just knew I had to cast on for fall. 
What I came up with I am sure will delight, a new pattern for our 18" Dolls, American Girl & Gotz, the design is a faux fair isle sweater dress, what I mean by 'faux fair isle' is that I make use of slipped stitches using two contrasts and a main color to achieve a fair isle look without the need for experience in color-work, no charts to follow as the pattern is formatted with line-by-line written instructions. The sweater dress also features seed stitch ribbing, a generous cowl neckline along with 3/4 length sleeves, called, 'Ayanna'. 

Check back later this week for the release of Ayanna, along with some colorful photos that I cannot wait to show and tell, thanks for looking, Deb

Seasonal Hand Knitted Designs Book for 18" Dolls

What's new for me this season ? . . . . . . .

  I am thrilled to announce that I have just completed my first ever published knitting pattern book for 18" dolls

 

Seasonal Hand Knitted Designs for 18" Dolls

Fall/Winter Volume ~ A five collection series

Signed Copy Now Available

 

Deciding to put together a book of my patterns for 18" dolls seemed the next evolutionary step to make from my individual patterns that are currently available in pdf format.

As challenging as it was in getting this together, with much frustration trying to get the word document to accept my format, along with a few computer glitches, I am delighted beyond words with the results, so much so that I have already embarked on the second book in this series, which will feature knitting designs from my spring/summer collection.

In the meantime I wait with great excitement for next week when I will receive my proof copy, once thoroughly checked I then will issue the okay to put into production.

INTRODUCTION

          PHOTO INDEX

 

. . . . many more pictures offered in the book

Heartfelt thanks to those of you who have knitted some or all of these designs and thank you to those of you who follow me. . . kindest regards and happy summer, Deb

Christmas Collection

The Christmas Collection was born out of the desire to fashion holiday ensembles for a craft show I will be attending near the holidays. Inspired by the classic holiday movie, ‘White Christmas’ starring Bing Crosby, I created this festive set all featuring the use of faux fur trim, and all designed to coordinate with each other for complete ensembles.         ~ Debonair Designs

 Buy Now

The Christmas Collection Patterns:

Noel ~ a fur trimmed hooded coat with collar option

Juliette ~ a fur trimmed cloak with capelet option

Cabana III ~ a chevron stitched two-piece skirt and matching top 

 Noel                                                                              Juliette

 Cabana III

Pattern Note: Worked flat, back and forth in rows

Construction: Written out with line-by-line instructions given, including faux fur placement, Coat worked bottom up in one piece then each section is worked individually, hood created from picked up stitches along with a collar option worked in the same manner, Cloak/Capelet worked top down with gradual shaping. Both the skirt and matching top worked from the bottom up.

Materials: Medium worsted/10ply yarn with bulky textured yarn used for the faux fur. Yarn Equivalent: 8ply/Double Knit (UK/Australia) and 12ply/Chunky

 

 

 

Text and knitwear designs © 2013 Debonair Designs

All rights reserved.

Debonair Designs is the exclusive copyright holder in this publication and the designs and photographs contained herein. As such the copyright of these patterns, their text, photos copyright 2013 Debonair Designs. No part may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise without prior permission in writing of the copyright owner.

The knitwear designs are copyrighted and must not be knitted for re-sale. Reproduction of this publication is protected by copyright and is sold on the condition that it be used for non commercial purposes.

Disclaimer: Debonair Designs is not affiliated with any doll or doll clothing companies.

Sienna Collection

  The Sienna Collection was born out of the desire to have various patterns working together for a complete outfit. This versatile collection comes with variations added, including working a longer version of Cabana to create a dress version, which when paired with the jacket, gives a whole new ensemble that’s perfect for the Fall season, my favorite time of the year.  ~ Debonair Designs

  

Buy Now

The Sienna Collection Patterns:

Sienna ~ a double breasted collared jacket

Cabana II ~ a chevron stitched tunic dress 

Beret II ~ a textured stitched beret

BoHoh II ~ a textured stitched tote bag

Sienna                                                          Cabana II

  Beret II                                                                  BoHoh II                                                                                                                            

Pattern Note: Worked flat, back and forth in rows.

Construction: For the jacket and dress, the textured stitch patterns have been written out with line-by-line instructions given, including buttonhole placement.  

Materials: Medium worsted/10ply yarn used throughout

Yarn Equivalent: 8ply, Double Knit (UK/Australia)         

  

My patterns are also available on Patternfish where this collection is featured in the July Newsletter

 

Text and knitwear designs © 2012 - 2013 Debonair Designs

All rights reserved.

Debonair Designs is the exclusive copyright holder in this publication and the designs and photographs contained herein. As such the copyright of these patterns, their text, photos copyright 2012 - 2013 Debonair Designs. No part may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise without prior permission in writing of the copyright owner.

The knitwear designs are copyrighted and must not be knitted for re-sale. Reproduction of this publication is protected by copyright and is sold on the condition that it be used for non commercial purposes.

Disclaimer: Debonair Designs is not affiliated with any doll or doll clothing companies.

Design # 2 ~ 2013 Fashion Design Contest

Neapolitan Bridesmaid ~ Design #2 for the 2013 Fashion Design Contest

Cast your vote 

Elisabeth (pictured) was so excited to be chosen to model my second design, a Neapolitan Bridesmaid, but when the day arrived she became quite nervous, so I asked her best friend Jessica to accompany her down the isle. 

When it came time for Elisabeth to walk down the aisle, she was feeling so pretty in her outfit that she forgot all about her nerves, and happily strolled the walkway admiring the pretty petals.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did in creating it, please pass on your vote here, my first design is already posted, and this second design will appear soon, thank you for looking ~ Deb

2013 Fashion Design Submission

After working diligently for so long on a project I will soon be posting about I finally came 

up for air and just in time for a design contest I spotted . .  2013 Fashion Design

and thought why not!!! . . . . and so here I am ready to post about my submission for this. 

. . since I have thoughts of an upcoming Holiday Craft Fair close to heart, this will in turn 

be my vision and submission:

To recap the rules (for my purposes of course!) 

1) Outfit design

This can be a drawing, with your hand or on the computer, pictures of human clothing, a Polyvore-type mash-up thing, scan from a catalog, whatever you what to do.

But it has to clearly show your design. Identify types of clothing items, colors, and fabrics.

Also you should do a write-up for what you are planning. Use your words. Explain everything.

Try to be as complete as possible. The more complex the outfit, the better. And we don't mean it has to use couture sewing techniques and super-expensive fabrics. I mean start from a basic foundation and then go beyond that. Layers, outerwear, socks, tights, shoes, jewelry, a purse, etc. Do you go to the mall in just a tee shirt and shorts? Probably not. You at least wear shoes....

Design #1:

Inspirational picture for first design

Long Dress/Coat complete with Capelet & Muff ~ Hand Knitted

Working this design pretty close to my inspirational picture but with some changes noted in design and styling.

Design & Styling:

• Working the dress/coat in one piece with an added faux fur trim along the skirt’s hemline.
• Changing the bodice to feature an empire waistline from which the faux fur trim line will drape. Set in long sleeves and a simple neckline.
• A removable faux fur trimmed capelet and muff to complete the look along with a faux fur trimmed headband. Flat red shoes will be worn.

Materials and Progress picture for first design

Materials:

True red yarn, used worsted weight wool-ease by Lion Brand, along with accent white faux fur trim using Bernat Pipsqueak. Embellishments: Added white and red beads in small snowflake patterns to the capelet, with red beads added to the sleeves and upper bodice of the dress. Red beads worked on the muff with silver thread worked in small chain stitches for a finishing touch.

Designed to fit:

Designed to fit American Girl Dolls, modeled by my 18” Gotz Doll Jessica, who shares exactly the same body type as the American girl dolls.

 

Design #1 Completed Pictures:

Long Holiday Dress/Coat complete with Capelet & Muff ~ Hand Knitted

Photography:

Meet Jessica, who’s been dreaming of her very own ‘White Christmas’ gown. Her dream come true early than expected after I decided to enter this year’s fashion design challenge with the ‘White Christmas’ finale scenes of the gowns as inspiration. Summer may be almost here, but Jessica was more than happy to be finally wearing her gown ensemble, which is everything she imagined it would be, now she is dreaming of a true white Christmas to come in time for her to present this outfit once more at a holiday craft show later this year. She hopes you love it as much as she does, thank you for looking ~ Deb Debonair Designs

Vote here