Lovey-Dovey

Hi Lovey Dovey,

While browsing Ravelry I came upon a lovely pattern called Bedtime Bella and I fell in love.  The pattern was given to me as a birthday gift from a friend and I set out to reproduce this beauty.

I posted pictures and got the request to purchase the very first one I did.  Yeah me...

What do you all think?   Isn't she just gorgeous?

I was elated.  I showcased her to the viewers of our local television morning show #SmileJamaica it's morning time, and was blown away when the request came for not one, not two but three, 1,2,3 of them.

Come on Melissa let the work begin.  I started right away on fulfilling my customer's request, she gave her colours, pink and purple, wait that's only two colours, and the request was made for three. 

Wait, what about one pink, one purple and a pink and purple... We agreed.

Check stash, hold on just a minute, I don't have to mix pink and purple... I could just use another shade of pink. Yeah, that's it.  

Dress #1... Completed

Dress #2 .... Finito 

Dress #3... Done and done.

After completing all three dresses, it is onto the head and arms.

3 heads

6 arms

I'm heading to home base now.  I need to make their wig caps and pompoms.... `

3 wig caps were completed and fitted.

Next step, unto making the pompoms for my three little beauties, and then those sleepy eyes.  

Whisper, whisper..... Hey, I'm right beside you as well you know..... Lol

Snuggle bugs... It's as if they're under the covers with arms out... 

All parts completed and attached, friends here goes......... VOGUE!!!!!!!

I really love making these, they were such great knits..... Love the fact that the dress can be just about any colour, be it solid or multicoloured.  You can put your own personal touch to it like I did with the two coloured pink on with adding Picots to the tip.  

#khenzuri #handmade #crochettoys #crochetdolls #crochet

Man Up....

The sequel,

After finishing doll #1, I really wanted to top that one as no way are they going to look the same.  I completed the body and then started thinking about what the "look" should be.

Ok Melissa, doll one had a jump suit on, he had a regular hat, what are you gonna do to make these different?  I started looking around for inspiration, new patterns etc.  I made another jump suit but this time I lengthen the pants.  I had this baby knitted hat pattern and decided to make it in two tones, so yellow and green it was (Can you all believe I just started knitting and has never knitted with two interchangeable colours before?, Girl's developing mad skills).

OMG, it turn out lovely, if I should say so myself.... And guess what?  I said so... 😆

What do you all think? 

Doll #3.... 

Doll #2 was looking good, but I want to do something different again........ I didn't want to do another jump suit.... I decided to crochet a pants but give more dimension to it.  I incorporated a few techniques and came up with a nice textured look.  I then paired it with a variegated coloured vest.  I initially added a black inside piece but some how it was just not the look I was going for. I left the clothing and moved on to the hat... So doll 1 a basic crochet hat, doll 2 a knitted hat.... What should I do for doll 3...... think, think, think, Melissa think....... While thinking I started browsing and came across this popcorn stitch baby hat.... this is it... I crocheted the smallest size and it fitted him perfectly...  

You would have thought I would have been satisfied right, well nope.... He was still missing that oomph...that pizzazz....  So while showing my work to a friend he gave me the missing piece... He said "all he needs now is a gold chain to top the look off".... I was like grinning from ear to ear as "thank you Keane" this was the missing link I needed.   I didn't find a gold chain but silver works just great..

Star Yute....

Are you all ready to see them? Of course you are, here we go........  

Trying to be gansta....

Before the Sequel

After finishing doll number one, I took pictures and sent them to its soon-to-be owner (Charles Hyatt). He loved it.

He collected his doll and took it home.  I heard my phone ringing, saw his number, and thought he was just calling to inform me he got home safe, (no that wasn't his reason for calling).  He called because his wife Judy wanted to speak with me.

Why you ask?....................

Well, it's because "I can't stop looking at the doll". She stated she was even thinking she might need one for herself. OMG... She commended my neatness and applaud my craftsmanship.

It felt good when a customer is satisfied with their order.  I'm bracing myself for what's to come and it is gonna be good.  I can just feel it.

Sneak preview.....

Sequel Preview 

#Khenzuri #Jamaicanmade #customersatisfaction

#GoodNews

Hey guys,

     When you get a personal call from Charles Hyatt of #GoodNewsJamaica requesting that you make a doll or two, you do it.  Even if it's going to push and test your creativity.

      He requested two "manly dolls" just to support me (girl glad bag buss).  Now, I've made male dolls before (see pic below), just none that's "buff".

Oh well, this is my chance to prove I am the best at what I do.  Here goes!

Doll #1

So sorry guys, I was so excited to get it done I totally forgot to take pics of the arms and legs before I started the body.  I'll do it with doll #2, scouts honour.

As promised, arms and legs, before the body is attached.

Here is finished doll #1.

See those muscles?

Bye for now as Doll number 2 and 3 (yes he ordered a third) will be in the sequel.

#Khenzuri #Handmade #creativityatitsbest

Drops of Summer.

Hi y'all,


I am part of this lovely group called Yarnitude on Facebook. It comprises knitters, crocheters, and just all things yarn.

I tried via Youtube to learn knitting a few years back but never really got the hang of it.  The amazing members of this group along with their diverse artistry have ignited the fire to wanna learn knitting and learn it quick.

One day while commenting on a post the administrator of the group Jen Giuntoli read my comment and gifted me a choice of one of her lovely designs. Can you believe that? Yes, she did.

I thought it would have been hard being that I have never read a knit pattern and understood it before as I don't know the different stitches with the exception of Knits and Purls (and I actually recently learned the difference between the two). I took a deep breath and read my "drops of Summer" pattern and realise this was a rather easy pattern.

Guess what?...... What, you say?..... It can be worn in 3 ways. (Grinning like a  Cheshire Cat)

I was so anxious to try this pattern out, that I didn't confirm I had enough of the same yarn to complete it.  It turned out, I so didn't as I had only one skein which couldn't make it. Secondly, when casting on, I didn't leave a long enough tail to get the number of stitches for an adult size (How can one turn such a simple well-written pattern into something hard? Ask me, I can tell you).  I decided to complete the child size instead since that's the number of stitches I got from the tail I left out.

The first step before repeats.

I decided to use another colour.

I got the thumbs up to match the two colours (see pic above), but I kept making mistakes after mistakes, so guess what I did?  You got it, I pull it all out.  I was however not discouraged, so I started the pattern over with another yarn and in, you guessed it my size.

Making steady strides.

Let the repeats begin.

Two more rounds of repeats and then...... Decreases.

I was so motivated to complete this shawl that I burned the midnight oil. 

My shawl/cowl is completed.  I've blocked it and waiting for the perfect outfit to pair it with.  I said I was waiting for the perfect outfit right?, well I couldn't seem to find it and couldn't wait so.......

Me trying to be a model.

#thankfulformygift #handmade #yarnitude #khenzuri