Socks for Blythe! (a knitting pattern)

Ankle socks for Blythe

Our girls need some socks to keep their little tootsies warm as the nights are getting colder!

I am SO excited to finally share this pattern with you!  

Above you can see the ankle socks are close fitting enough to wear with close fitting shoes.  The shoes pictured are by Jemgirl for Licca/Blythe.  There are lots of styles available in her Etsy shop (here is Jemgirls's shop).  And Chantilly Lace often sells a big selection of them at BlytheCon USA, if you happen to attend.

I use US 000 double point needles.  And a super soft, fine lace weight yarn.  I look for Merino, because it seems to work best so far.  I like Athena by Elegant Yarns.  Here is a page for it on Ravelry.  But you can find it online at Amazon and other retailers, if you do a search.  And I have found similar yarns at local yarn shops.

This pattern is knit in the round, so there is no seam.  And I like that.  But it makes for kind of fussy work with such tiny needles and fine yarn.   The end result is yummy though.

Polly has another pattern online for free, too:  Sweet Socks.  These are knit flat and sewn together at the end.  These are good if you like flat knitting or you don't want to do the fussy, tiny knitting in the round.

My pattern also has a knee socks length version, too.  (See the picture below)

Here is the pattern:

Socks for Blythe

Finished Size

Ankle and Knee socks for Blythe

Materials

Soft lace yarn

000 dpn needles (1.50 mm)

Ankle Socks

CO 16 sts (not too tight)

K1P1 rib 6 rows

Divide onto 3 dpns and join

Knit 20 rounds

K2tog K1 K2tog (on each needle)

K2tog K1 (each needle)

Cut yarn, thread though needle and pull through all stitches closing toe of socks, weave in end.

Close the top rib with small seam, if desired.

Knee Socks

CO 20 sts (loosely)

K1P1 rib 8 rows

Divide onto 3 dpns and join

K 20 rounds

*K next round to last stitch, slip that stitch to first dpn and K2tog (decreasing 1 st under back seam), finish round (so this is 2 rounds)

K 1 round*

Repeat from * to * 2 more times

Redistribute stitches for evenness

K 17 rounds

K2tog K1 K2tog, K2tog (3 times), K2tog K1 K2tog

K2tog next round

Cut yarn, thread though needle and pull through all stitches closing toe of socks, weave in end.

Close the top rib with small seam, if desired.

And I'll put a copy on Scribd.com for easy printing. (Click here to go there)

Enjoy!

BlytheCon & Tonner West Coast Event 2016!!

Just Announced!

Tonner just announced a date for the next West Coast event!  I love these events.  They always sell out.  It seems like the tickets sell faster every year.  I'm looking forward to this (or rather, next) year's event.  It is always a bright spot in bleak Januaury, to chase away the end of the Holidays blues.

And...

of course...

BlytheCon Chicago!

http://www.blytheconusa.com/

BlytheCon is October 18 and the pre-meet is the day before on October 17 at Navy Pier.  For more information, click the picture for a link to the website!

And look for me at BlytheCon!  I'll be handing out little swaps/gifts as usual!

Making Dolly Carriers

I'm making Blythe carriers for the ACFDC trunk show!

 

These are the type of carriers that are meant to protect your doll inside another bag.  So they are fairly slim in profile.  But you can carry your girl and a few accessories safely inside another tote or purse for a day trip to the beach (or wherever your travels take you)!  You can consolidate items and have no fear of her being damaged by other items in your purse. 

 

As you can see, these carriers are tailored to the size of Blythe's proportions with a bigger space at one end for the head.

 

And they have a quick easy closure that is an elastic loop and a large, decorative button. 

The inside is lined with 100% cotton flannel to protect dollies pretty face!  

And it's a perfect fit for her!  So cozy!

Also, there is a pocket on the front for a few of your girl's essentials, like shoes that may like to slip off or an extra pair, plus a comb, hat or extra dress!

I'm making them in different designs to suit different tastes.

I hope you like them!

By popular demand: Peanut Butter Pie!

photo credit: Kimberly Munn

This is a real crowd pleaser!  It's a perfect cool desert for summer.  And it's no-bake!

I use a few name brand ingredients.  I suspect they are widely available.  But you can probably find substitutes if these aren't available in your area.  I think that you can really taste the difference in quality with some ingredients, which is why I'm listing here my exact ingredients.

This is the best peanut butter for pies!

These are the two toppings.

This is the pie crust.

Without further ado--

Peanut Butter Pie

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened

1 ½ cups confectioners' sugar

1 ¼ cups  creamy peanut butter (I like Skippy with the turquoise lid.)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 (16 oz) package frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 prepared graham cracker crust, 2 extra servings size (larger size)

Hershey's Shell Topping

Hershey's Double Chocolate Sundae Dream Thick & Delicious Sauce

Whipped cream

Directions

1. Pour half of half of Hershey's Shell Topping in the graham cracker crust and swirl it around to coat sides.  Be careful that the crust doesn't slide out of the pan.  It's only a little tricky. Put crust in freezer to harden chocolate.
2. Beat together cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth (all sugar lumps disappear). Mix in peanut butter and then vanilla, scraping down sides to mix completely. Fold in half whipped topping, smoothly to mix for consistency.  Fold in the rest of topping.
3. Spoon into pie shell.  Freeze until firm.  After a few hours you can put it in the refrigerator for a softer pie.  Or you can keep it in the freezer for a more ice cream type texture.
4. To serve, slice smallish pieces, because it is very rich.  Swirl chocolate sauce on top and finish with whipped cream.
   
   Here's the recipe to print.

Enjoy!

The fresh taste of Pesto is perfect for summer pastas!

Pesto and summer just seem to go together.  Pesto is fresher and lighter than traditional sauces.  And you don't have to heat up your kitchen with a long cooking bolognese.  Not to mention so much faster for those summer eves when you spent a little too much time lingering at the beach.  

I love to make a big batch of pesto and save some in a jar in the refrigerator for later.  It's great on pasta, pizza or bread.  I like the traditional flavor of pine nuts.  But some people substitute walnuts or even omit the nuts all together.

I'm giving you two recipes today.  One for the pesto, and the other is for Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad.  If you don't want to make the pesto from scratch, you can still make the pasta recipe by substituting store bought pesto.

 

Pesto

¼ c. pine nuts

4 cloves garlic, crushed

pinch kosher salt

¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

3 c. lightly packed basil leaves

½ c. grated parmesan

¾ c. extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Place pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper, basil, and cheese in the bowl of a food processor.  Pulse to chop the basil.  With machine running, add the oil gradually and continue to process until creamy and smooth.  Use on pasta, pizza or bread.  *Here's the recipe to print.

 

Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad

1 lb. box Barilla Campanelle

1/3 c. pesto, or more to taste

2 T. extra virgin olive oil

¼ t. salt

¼ t. garlic powder

1/8 t. ground black pepper

1 pack (approx. 10 oz.) grape tomatoes, halved

1 (8 oz.) container fresh mozzarella pearls

small handful of basil leaves, chiffonade

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook pasta as directed.  Drain.
2. Mix pesto, olive oil, salt, garlic, and pepper in a large bowl. Add pasta and toss to coat.  Fold in tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil chiffonade.  *Here's the recipe to print.

Enjoy with a cool Chardonnay or crisp Apple Cider!

BlytheCon 2014 in Seattle!

Art by Dr. Blythenstein

We got our tickets to Blythe Con in Seattle this week!  It is on August 2 at the Fisher Pavilion.  The theme is "Journey to the Emerald City," which is very appropriate since this year is the 75th anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz." There is a lot of information on their website/blog, including vendor interviews. 

Excitement is building on Facebook, too.  It's important to follow the news there.  The BlytheCon team are working on setting up a panel talk with Allison Katzman and Junko Wong the day prior to the event, but that is not a definite event yet.  Also, pre-meets and other events are usually organized through Facebook. 

I am hoping for a swap meet this year.  The Dallas swap was so much fun!

And...I am working on another large donation project for the goodie bags again this year!  This year, I am making tulle underskirts-- at least 100.  These are not full enough to be pettiskirts or tutus, but will add a little fullness to a skirt and peek out of the bottom with a little sheer color.  So far the colors that I am working on are black, blue, pink, and a few lavender.  Let me know if you think I should do some other colors, too-- like maybe white? 

See her little pink tulle underskirt?!  Cute, huh?!

Ready, set, GO!

We have 5 months!

Are you ready?

Game Day!! Blue Cheese Dip and Dressing Recipe

I love to make a spread for the game.  We always like to have celery sticks and a dip.  Homemade blue cheese dip just seems so much more special than opening a jar, even if it's the good stuff.  Here's the recipe for the dip that we have been making lately.

 

Blue Cheese Dip and Dressing Recipe

Ingredients

5 to 6 oz. Good quality blue cheese

¼ cup Buttermilk

3 T. Sour cream

2 T. Mayonnaise

2 t. White wine vinegar

½ t. Sugar

¼ t. Garlic powder

½ t Worcestershire sauce

Three-finger pinch salt

Pepper

Directions

1. Mash together half the blue cheese and all of the buttermilk until mixed but still chunky. 
2. Stir in the rest of the ingredients. 
3. Now gradually add the rest of the blue cheese mixing and mashing gently with a fork until it reaches your desired blue cheese strength of flavor.  I like to use it all, because I like strong cheese flavor.

 

Enjoy the game!!