~~~~~~~~ Dolls House Miniatures - In Crochet ~~~~~~~~
When I first taught myself how to crochet, way back in 1974, my main concerns were making gifts for baby showers and accessories for the home. Later on when we moved to a village home I operated a small craft shop in the sunroom area, crocheting dolls, clothes, afghans, doilies etc...as well as doing a little sewing and quilting. We moved back to the city in 1992 and it took another 13 years before I would find and thoroughly enjoy, miniature crochet...creating teeny, tiny little dresses, hats, panties, afghans, rugs and doilies in 1:12 scale for a doll house and its little inhabitants. And I love it!!
I've created this little web page to showcase some of my miniature crochet items for dolls and dollhouses (and believe me I'm no computer geek - just a geek-ette in training so I hope you'll forgive the lack of professionalism...the less time I spend here the more time I have to create these wonderfully delicate and detailed miniature crochet items).
YOU ARE ALL INVITED !!
I've recently joined a wonderful group of miniature enthusiasts in my hometown - Miniature Enthusiasts of Kingston & Area - and this talented group of mini lovers are presenting their 2010 event (show every 2 years) at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour here in Kingston, Ontario Canada.
Everyone is welcome to attend and all information re day, time, admission fee and contact information can be found in the notice below....and please feel free to email me anytime if you have any questions....AND...if you live in the area please consider becoming a member of this miniature group....you will find likeminded people who know and understand miniatures of all scales and who will warmly welcome you and share their time and talent with you. You'll receive a monthly newsletter with information on upcoming events of interest to miniature enthusiasts, as well as projects. And every meeting held monthly in Kingston, will showcase a project that all can participate in and where most supplies are generously provided.
Some of My Little Mini Darlings
Above are just a few of the miniature rubber babies by a company called Schleich...which, unfortunately has decided to discontinue making these mini dolls as of 2006. I managed to acquire over 4 dozen in the various styles so I have plenty to play with, creating new outfits as the need arises and the crocheting mood strikes. I will occasionally offer dressed mini rubber dolls for sale - please email and ask if there's something that interests you.
The mother and daughter dolls in the middle of the picture are Schleich as well but from the early 1950's - wonderfully bendable which makes changing their outfits a breeze.
Cotton or 75% wool content oval rugs in many sizes - whatever the customer needs - prices vary depending on size.
All cotton thread - original design, oval runner approx. 1 1/8 inch wide and 1 7/8 inch long, seen on a 1:12 scale coffeetable
Aren't these just adorably tiny, yet realistic? But they measure less than 1/2 inch in diameter. Just one of the doily varieties I have crocheted for customers in the past.
Above is a minature version of a bruges lace style centrepiece or doily. It is a reworking of a motif found in a vintage crochet magazine and I loved the style so much that I am teaching myself the various ways this technique can be used to create lovely, vintage style miniature crocheted accessories. And I'm working on a few clothing designs incorporating this crochet technique as well. When I like how the items turn out, I'll post pictures here.
Just a few of my miniature quilt blocks that finish to a mere 1 inch square - except for the house block in the bottom right hand corner. When that block is made into a pillow or used in a wall hanging it will finish at 3/4 inch square.
Cotton or 75% wool content oval rugs in many sizes - whatever the customer needs - prices vary depending on size.
All cotton thread - original design, oval runner approx. 1 1/8 inch wide and 1 7/8 inch long, seen on a 1:12 scale coffeetable
Aren't these just adorably tiny, yet realistic? But they measure less than 1/2 inch in diameter. Just one of the doily varieties I have crocheted for customers in the past.
Above is a minature version of a bruges lace style centrepiece or doily. It is a reworking of a motif found in a vintage crochet magazine and I loved the style so much that I am teaching myself the various ways this technique can be used to create lovely, vintage style miniature crocheted accessories. And I'm working on a few clothing designs incorporating this crochet technique as well. When I like how the items turn out, I'll post pictures here.
Just a few of my miniature quilt blocks that finish to a mere 1 inch square - except for the house block in the bottom right hand corner. When that block is made into a pillow or used in a wall hanging it will finish at 3/4 inch square.
Beginning with Issue #154, April 2007, I began to be featured in my favourite miniatures magazine – Dolls House and Miniature Scene – with my Oval Table Centrepiece as well as my Pansy Doily.
This was followed by my Flower Motif Afghan in Issue #156, June 2007 and Nursery Sampler Afghan in filet crochet in Issue #158, August 2007.
Over the last two year some of my mini dresses for both the rubber baby dolls as well as 1:12 scale family of dolls have appeared in various issues of this fabulous magazine that caters to all aspects of miniatures. Click here to see the current and next issues of DHMS.
I have now had more than 18 of my designs published in the last 2 plus years and will add a few more pictures here
A trio of bags published in 2008 - clutch, beach bag and tote bag
A pretty little pineapple afghan in a soft sage green
These pretty little Heidi Ott babies are wearing another of my published designs - a layette set in crochet - sweater, bonnet and booties...one crocheted in cotton thread and the other in silk thread
The latest design appeared in Issue #183 - Candy Stripes Afghan - crocheted diagonally from the left hand corner and completed in the right hand corner. Using either red or green and alternating with white, the effect is like candy canes and this little miniature afghan is almost as sweet.
I’m not listing very much on eBay these days as most of my time is spent in designing a variety of items for the crocheter and miniature enthusiast.However - my mini crocheted items and dressed miniature rubber babies are for sale so please send me an email if there is something that interests you. I have a huge stash of threads in solid and variegated colors. Special orders are welcomed as time permits. Email me (link below) and we can talk.
Several of the new threads I've worked with lately include Thimbleberries 50wt, Mettler Silk-Finish and Gutermann silk as well as Venne Unikat Colcoton cotton threads – all very suitable for miniature knitting or crochet. My cotton thread of choice for my miniatures has always been Valdani – a long staple, quality cotton thread available in many solid and variegated colors. You can find these threads on the internet at http://www.valdani.com – on eBay from my favourite thread seller – fjell781 – or if you are in the UK please have a look at Yvonne Wakefield’s website for miniature knitters (and crocheters). You will find a link below called Miniknittingstuff.
Please take a few minutes to check out the many delicate and detailed miniature crocheted items in my Etsy auctions, which can be purchased with the click of a button and even paid for with Paypal for immediate shipping - more to be added on a regular basis - PLEASE email with any questions about a possible custom order, or if there's an item you like but would prefer in another color...I'm always open to discussion with no obligation on your part until an actual order is placed.
My ETSY Miniature Crochet Auctions
I was recently accepted as a member of AIM - a wonderfully creative and supportive group of miniature artisans - hence the name AIM - Artisans in Miniature. I have included a link below to their online magazine - free for everyone - no subscription needed. Just click on an issue and then be ready for an adventure not even Gulliver himself could have imagined. You'll be glad you did.
Thanks for dropping by.
Lydia Murphy 2009
AIM Magazine - fabulous and free online miniatures magazine featuring dozens of articles, projects, tips and techniques for the mini enthusiast
My ETSY Miniature Crochet Auctions
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My eBay Auctions
Miniknittingstuff in the UK