Pages

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

A Powerful Motivator

Last year I finished up a doll that I had started several years prior. I hated the project. The yarn split and the needles were fiddly. However, the end result was adorable. Too adorable in fact. My mom saw the doll when she went to visit my sister and promptly requested one. She wanted to give it to her grand-niece. I complained. She assured me that it would be easier this time. I ignored her requests and offers of money. I claimed to have too many other projects. I hated the project that much.

Finally after enduring the guilt of ignoring your mom for five months, I succumbed to her pleas. I realized she and my dad would be traveling east and visiting with her intended recipient. I couldn't ignore her anymore. So last week I started another doll. I had leftover yarn from the last doll, and I firmly believed I had enough for this one. Not even close. I whipped up the panties for the doll with the old yarn. They went really quickly as did the hair, and I began to think my mom may have been right. I tried to cobble together enough yarn from the remaining partial skeins, but I soon realized I had to buy a skin tone yarn for the body and some for the dress. Since I was running out of time, I had to try the local chain craft store.

After hemming and hawing, I bought some cotton yarn. It is horrible. I am back hating the poor doll. The needles are small, and the yarn hurts my hands. I am halfway through the dress, and it is huge. Of course, I didn't check gauge this time (I didn't last time either). I am just hoping the increased size will translate throughout the whole project. This doll will definitely be much bigger than the last. I hope my sister realizes what a great gift she received, since this one may be a bit wonky in size. I would love to make two more for my new nieces, but I don't see that happening unless I find better yarn. Dishcloth cotton will not work.

When I have not been complaining about the power of guilt and my dislike of this project, I have been reading quite a bit. I am still working through Amanda's recommendations. I finished When God Was a Rabbit. I liked the characters and story, however the last half was not as good as the first. It seemed a bit disjointed. My next read is Plainsong. I feel as if I have read this in the past, but I don't think I have. I am enjoying the diverse characters in the book and the way the people are presented to the reader. It is a quick read, and I am over halfway through it.

Of course, this Wednesday I am linking with Ginny's Yarn Along. A Quick doll saving question -for those of you who knit with cotton, do you have any suggestions for this doll. Someone at my knit night mentioned cotlin from Knitpicks, but also said it hurts her hands. I would possibly like to make another, but I need better yarn. Would a superwash wool be just as good? Help! I am knitting on size one needles with yarn that I dislike. I need ideas.

16 comments:

  1. Heather, I am so sorry you are not loving your doll knit, but what a great daughter your are to do this for your mom.
    For the doll I made I picked up some flesh colored yarn from Michaels. I looked to see if I still had the band, but can't find it. I know it was a washable wool, not cotton.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my I am so sorry I have no recommendations on yarn for the doll. I hate projects like that especially when you had hoped to make a few more. I hope someone has a suggestion!

    ReplyDelete
  3. is there a reason you can't use wool? just curious. i mean i know the pattern maybe have said cotton... but?? when i knitted fiona a doll it was with wool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I want it to be easy care. I could probably use a super wash, but it must be machine washable.

      Delete
  4. I'm so sorry the doll is such a PITA.....the cotton that I love is Manos Cotton Stria, but it has been discontinued....sorry I have no recommendations on yarn...I've seen the movie Plainsong several times and plan on reading the book....

    ReplyDelete
  5. Never thought of knitting a doll...I bet my daughter would have loved that.Sorry that you had such troubles with your last one- wishing you sucsess and ease with this one- can't wait to see it finished Heather.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've tried (unsuccessfully) to teach myself to knit with cotton yarn. Maybe that's my problem...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Rowan has a beautiful soft cotton that feels wonderful as you knit; not sure about the available colors. Nothing worse than having something so totally unfriendly to knit. and a fiddly something at that!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love to knit with cotton..and some brands are really a PIA..and yes, the size is generally larger, and size 1 needles..yikes! For size 1 I have no recommendations! Mother's guilt.. I know it well!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I wish I had some suggestions for you. :( I hope you find some solutions from another knitter and the doll will be salvaged with less guilt!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I hope you find some more enjoyable yarn!

    ReplyDelete
  11. aw sad you aren't enjoying making it, it is a really cute doll! where's the pattern from?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Heather, I think it means a lot more that you did something for your mom that you did not want to do!! Love the pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  13. blue sky alpaca has organic cotton i think heather. i know you'll find just the right thing. good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous3:21 AM

    Your first doll is so adorable! I'm sure this one will be too, so sorry you are not having such an enjoyable time making it.. Wool should be fine though if you ever want to make another one?

    ReplyDelete
  15. I agree with you about that book. I can't say I did not like it but I can say I did not love it :) Glad we are thinking the same thing :)

    ReplyDelete