Autumn offerings

Autumn/Fall, the most inspirational time of the year for endless color combinations I am eager to explore working from my popular design from last year's season, 'Ayanna', a faux fair isle sweater dress, read  previous post here  for pattern details.

See my Etsy store for completed ensembles

 However before I embark on these, my attention has been taken away to focus on my Kidz n' Cats twins, Leroy & Lena, this being their first fall season together, pictured here embarking on their first school trip .

 September may be almost over, but not my plans for more fall inspired knitwear.  Deb ~ Debonair Designs

 'Ayanna', a faux fair isle sweater dress, read  previous post here  for pattern details.

 

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

2012 a New Year ~ and a New model doll

Happy New Year: 2012 beckons new beginnings in so many ways . . . . 

 

Firstly my thoughts quickly turn back the pages of time, to thoughts of my dear departed Mum, who sadly passed away from this physical plane 2nd Jan 2011 . . . . .
At times, I cannot fathom that she is no longer at the end of the phone line chatting away, no longer sending those loving cards . . . . and then there are times that I cannot believe it has been almost a whole year . . .
. . . time will heal I am sure of that, yet the more time goes by, the more I naturally miss her and my Dad even more so. I am smiling more today with my treasured memories  . . . and in a strange way, I am deeply consoled that my mum is now where she wanted to be, reunited once again with her life partner, my Dad . . . . 
Which brings me to my passion; my knitting and my dolls . . . they bring me much comfort and joy, providing an avenue to let go and let God . . . to explore my creative inspirations through dressing and designing for these 18 inch dolls; who, in their silence, have brought me so much pleasure, satisfaction and new virtual friendships beyond my wildest dreams.

I love designing & knitting for dolls and in turn sharing that passion too!!

And so it gives me much pleasure to share my new doll, Lena; (pictured far right) ~ 
a Kidz 'n' Cats 18 inch girl from the Heart & Soul Collection by doll artist Sonja Hartmann

Kidz 'n' Cats play dolls from 'With Heart and Soul' are designed by Sonja Hartmann. These stunning 18" dolls have beautifully sculpted faces and bodies (all vinyl) with extra moveable joints, and have hand knotted kanekalon wigs and acrylic eyes.

Read more here at Bambolina . . . . 

pictured here on Christmas day

Over time I will be designing and knitting for her, and of course my current Gotz girls . . . even as I write this post, I have already started a sweater which is currently on my needles, and I hope to be providing a pattern too! . . more on that in another post. 

What I love about this new girl is her articulation, how she comes alive in photo shoots, also I love that she is 18 inches tall, although slimmer than the American Girl dolls and my 18 inch Gotz models, I know I will be able to create designs for her with a little tweaking of my current designs.
Having a new model always brings an additional excitement, I love the challenges of creating for a new girl and cannot wait to share with you . . . . .

 

Be sure to check in on designs from my 2012 Winter Collection:

My thoughts have turned to the ski season with images of all things Nordic and Icelandic, so with this in my minds eye, I will be creating ensembles that reflect my love of fair isle patterns, represented in ensembles with a modern flare.

These completed ensembles I will showcase here and will once again be available for sale some time after the new year, in auctions listed on eBay, via a store my husband and I have, you will find them under my label Debonair Designs at Tekay-intl
  
Thank you for your shared interest, be safe and have yourselves a memorable and happy new year ~  Warmest regards, Deb & Dolls