Summer's Calling . . .

Summer's calling . . . 

Inspired by the fashion of project runway all stars for the challenge of modern resort wear, I set about to get my girls wardrobe ready for summer's calling . . . presenting a new pattern (soon to be released)

Dekora ~ A fashion forward halter-neck jumpsuit just in time for warmer weather activities or for kicking back to enjoy the ease of a summer day, featuring flattering lines and flared legs. Pair with a favorite cardigan for a stylish wardrobe addition that will work on through the seasons

Designed to fit slim 18” all vinyl dolls like the Kidz ‘n’ Cats

 

 

Hello January

A brand new year beckons, my head swirls with delightful thoughts of casting on something new for my dolls, maybe even for myself too! Purged through my knitting basket for inspiration as I slowly recuperated from a family filled holiday home along with an un-welcomed flu virus that held my family and I hostage for the new year . . . .ugh

Opening up my emails was at first daunting, soooo many to read after my computer died from an overworked, small capacity hard drive failure, thanks to my dear hubby for coming to the rescue with not only a newer hard drive but one that has much more capacity I have not had for a couple of years now . . . yay! this new year is looking brighter each day.
One particular email caught my eye, an event I actually had forgotten all about, the debut of the 2015 American Girl of the Year, Grace Thomas 

This was exactly the inspiration I needed, something new, something different to cast on my needles for, thanks also to a January knit-along currently happening over in the American Girl Knitters group over on the ravelry forum.

I set about to the knit-along challenge of creating a outfit using three different patterns and chose a Parisian City Chic style for my 2006 American Girl, Jess.

For her sweater I made use of my raglan jersey sweater pattern Sequoia paired with an adorable ruffled skirt by Janice Helge where I added a bow befitting of the chic style I was going for, topped with a stylish beret, and finished with fingerless-mitts also with added bows. . . overall I am very pleased with the outcome, as is Jess too!

 

Thanks for looking, be sure to check out my listings for this completed outfit and more via my eBay store my husband and I have had for many years ~ Deb

Hello December

For many it is as pictured, although a treasured postcard image that evokes hot toddy's, cozy fires, snuggled up in warm blankets, the reality can be a dangerous situation on the roads, so do take extra care out there.
In the meantime from our overcast days here in Seattle I can only dream of winter white days and make use of faux snow in my photo shoots for my latest two designs, although we did have a brief dusting of the real stuff.



Here to show and tell is my Kidz’n’Cats Wunschpuppe/wish doll, Aletta modeling my latest hat accessory

 Jingles 
a jester’s style hat with a textured stitched cuffed brim that matches the main body pattern of Laurentia ~ my previously published unisex sweater

 For the American Girl/Boy version here is my Gotz girl, Elisabeth from the Precious Day Collection to show you

 Jolly 

a jester’s style hat with a textured stitched cuffed brim matching the main body stitch pattern of Yukon ~ my previously published unisex sweater

 



Wishing you and yours safe travels and treasured memories during this winter season, thanks for looking ~ Deb

Sail Away

 Sail Away in style is the theme behind this photo shoot. Nautical fashion is still considered today as timeless symbols of escape to distant shores and 'Meridian' is no exception, stylish classic stripes are featured with this jaunty short-sleeved sweater, suitable for both your American Girl or Boy dolls





 




















For knitters:

 Meridian ~ a nautical inspired unisex sweater designed for 18” American Girl/Boy Dolls

Add a splash of color to your doll’s summer wardrobe with this jaunty short-sleeved unisex sweater knitting pattern. 

 















'Meridian' offers an introduction in working with colorwork known as stranded knitting, with line-by-line written instructions including charts for colorwork reference given throughout in a new easy to read update format, one I hope you will enjoy ~ Deb

For a finishing touch, pair with my Newsboy Cap as shown on my former Pleasant Co boy, Jaden or pair with my Eyelet Beret as worn by my American Girl, Saige.

Both completed outfits can be found via my Etsy Store

Jess also loves a splash of color, here she is wearing another version, this completed outfit is also available via my Etsy Store

 

Thanks for looking ~ Deb

Debonair Boys

 
Happy to post that I am now able to give my Debonair Boys more attention after a couple of transformations . . . first up is Jaden, a former American Girl Pleasant Company doll who made his first debut in my February Post now sporting a new enhanced wig.



 
















Here to show and tell, he is modeling Cascadia paired with a stylish Sailor Cap

This completed sweater & cap set is also available for sale via my Etsy Store

In my upcoming post, you will get to meet my new Kidz 'n' Cats boy . . .  

Hope you and yours have a great holiday weekend, Deb & Dolls

Nuala for Spring's Thaw

Watching Mother Nature deliver even more treacherous weather in many parts the world over, I am certainly counting my blessings for our spring-like weather, so much so that I was inspired to create a little something new, this time for the 18” slim all vinyl girl dolls like the Kidz n’ Cats® dolls & comparable sized.  

For those loving these dolls, be sure to check out the new lines of Kidz 'n' Cats Dolls by Sonja Hartmann

 presenting . . .

‘Nuala’, a textured stitched sweater dress,  that makes use of an easy to work slipped stitch pattern along with classic ribbing, featuring front pockets along with a deep ribbed welt and sleeve cuffs, complete with boot liners that feature the same pattern on the cuffs.

“This easy to work pattern was prompted after the desire to simply enjoy the rhythm of knitting, along with this fun slipped stitch textured  pattern for it’s unique honeycomb effect.

Nuala: Irish: meaning exceptional lovely, befitting of my Kidz n’ Cats ® model Lena.”

 ~ Deb   

Pattern Now Available ~ Buy Now 

   Just in time for Saint Patrick's Day, this outfit can be easily transformed for spring using a variety of colors, here's my model Lena to show & tell.

Pattern Features: Formatted with written out line-by-line instructions given throughout. An easy to achieve slipped stitch textured pattern is worked throughout, along with a deep ribbed welt that is also worked for the cuffs and crew neckline. Incorporated pocket liners are worked at the same time as the main body with pocket fronts worked at completion from held stitches.

Construction: Worked flat: back and forth in rows. 

Sweater Dress worked from the bottom up in one piece to armholes, including back button bands (added for easy dressing), then each section is worked individually to neckline, created from picked up and held stitches. Pocket lining worked at the same time as main body using the knitting on cast-on method, *(see source link), pocket fronts added at completion from held stitches. Set in long sleeves worked from cuff edge to sleeve cap, seamed and sewn into place. 

Cuffed Boot Liners worked alike in one piece to length, seamed then worn as pictured.

This completed hand knitted outfit is also available for sale via eBay 

Looking for more of my patterns, be sure to check out my two recent publications now available

Seasonal Hand Knitted Designs knitting pattern books

Autographed copies of these books are available through my Etsy Store

Valentine's Surprise

As I watched January quickly slip by, my thoughts turned to brisk winter walks, and my favorite Gansey stitch patterns, what better way to showcase this new knitting pattern than a Valentine's surprise from a bashful Jaden to Jess.

presenting 'Yukon'

a Unisex Textured Stitched Sweater & Ear-Warmer knitting pattern

designed to fit American Girl/Boy Dolls & the comparable 18” Gotz Dolls

"Here she is . .  Sit . .  good boy Rembrandt." ~ Jaden

 

Pattern Now Available ~ Buy Now 

  
Pattern Features: Formatted with written line-by-line instructions given throughout. Horizontal ribbed stitch is featured around the neckline and top of sleeve cap with classic single ribbing worked for the welt and cuffs along with a textured stitch worked for the main body, including the matching ear-warmer or headband.

"Aw! Thanks Rembrandt, that's so sweet." ~ Jess

Construction: Worked flat: back and forth in rows.

Sweater worked from the bottom up in one piece to armholes, including button bands for back button closure for easy dressing, then each section is worked individually to neckline. Horizontal ribbing is featured for a classic crew neck, created from picked up stitches. Matching sleeves worked alike and sewn into place.  

Ear-Warmer worked in one piece to circumference with a single buttonhole closure.

'What a great view!" ~ Jaden. "Sure is, thanks Jaden." ~ Jess

These completed hand knitted outfits are also available for sale via my Etsy store  


My new 18" Madam Alexander model has also been busy making her Valentine cards, here she is showing a pink version, completed outfit is also available for sale via my store

 

Winter Birds

Winter Birds . . . 

Welcome 2014, continued . . . 

A brand new year with the potential of fulfilling many hopes and dreams come true. 

Finally have the time to update my blog after the new year, and what an inspiring new year it is turning out to be, yet I find myself tripping up with how fast January is slipping by, especially since I have sooooo many knits I want to complete before the next season is upon us.

 So I have decided to continue with my initial theme for Winter 2014 through February, called 'Winter Birds'.

I love the winter season, as long as it's not too much of anything, my heart goes out to all those inflicted with the major ice storms, I love the dreamy snow covered scenes from the safety of a warm, lit home, and am very thankful for just that, although we do not have any snow, I have my pretend snow and American Girl snow-scene backdrop to help.

Please feel free to follow my mood board I created on Pinterest for inspirational colors that Mother nature does so well, that I can only hope to aspire to.

To kick start this theme, here is my new model, Abbie, an 18inch Madam Alexander girl from the 2007 Favorite Friends series.

   She was a gift I gifted to myself for Christmas, after a long soak, her tangled locks were free once again, enhancing her beauty even more, after holding up various color options, I saw that the gold tones were so complimentary to her and she glowed.

Here's a very excited Abbie to show and tell, enjoy and thank you for reading ~ Deb, Debonair Designs

This little cutie caught my eye

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Abbie is wearing a matching cape set that makes use of my new pattern 'Denali', recently released, read more about this winter special collection in my previous post, 'Denali' ~ A winter special collection eBook

 

Be sure to check out my Etsy store for this completed outfit and more I have made available













Not forgetting my two recent publications now available Seasonal Hand Knitted Designs knitting pattern books

Autographed copies of these books are available through my Etsy Store

New Year beckons 'Denali' ~ A winter special collection eBook

 

Welcome 2014!

A brand new year with the potential of fulfilling many hopes and dreams come true. 

    

Normally I do not entertain the idea of new year resolutions, but this one arrived in my inbox from my dear hubby, from the creator of 'The Secret' 

 

 

A New Year's Resolution That Will Change Your Life

"Do whatever you can to feel good, because when you feel good, life will be good. The better you feel, the better life will get . . . ."

 And there's much more to read . . .  

So with these inspiring words, I knew that focusing on my knitting for dolls passion is the right path for me. To kick start off this new year, is a new pattern collection, one I hope you and yours will both enjoy and have fun with ~ Deb, Debonair Designs

presenting, 'Denali' ~ A winter special collection eBook

 

Buy Now  

This winter inspired set took form from the desire to have an outer garment that compliments my sweater dress pattern, Ayanna. This collection once again makes use of the easy to achieve faux fair isle pattern with  variations offered,  along with a matching hat featuring a gathered top and coordinating fingerless-mitts for a finishing touch. Included in this winter special is a matching horse saddle blanket complete with socks; along with a pet kerchief for your doll’s favorite pet dog; a fun addition I hope you and yours will enjoy.                                ~ Debonair Designs


Denali ~ A Winter Special Collection Patterns:
Denali ~ a faux fair isle stitched cape with matching faux fair isle stitched hat
along with faux fair isle stitched fingerless-mitts

Footprints ~ a faux fair isle stitched horse saddle blanket with socks
~ and a matching kerchief for your doll’s pet dog

My American Girl Saige is here to show and tell, a tribute to her as last year's American Girl of the Year, view more pictures of this collection, and be sure to check out my Etsy store for this completed outfit and more I have made available 


 


















 

Rembrandt joined in the fun too!

Flicka, a Battat horse

 and not forgetting my two recent knitting pattern books