Itty Bitty Doll Pattern

 This little doll is well used in our house as it's the right size for everything;  Doll houses, riding in Barbie cars, fits into homemade cardboard box houses, and into little pockets :)  Here's the pattern:
Head:  ROW 1: SC 5 into magic circle
            ROW 2: 2 SC in each SC (10)
            ROW 3: *1SC, 2SC in 1* Repeat from * to *4 more        times
            ROW 4 - 5: SC 15
            ROW 6: SC 1, DEC 1 (10)
            Stuff head with stuffing
            ROW 7:  SC 2 TOG.  Repeat until 5 ST left
            SL ST.  Bind off, leaving a long string for sewing on later

Body: ROW 1: SC 6 into magic circle
           ROW 2: 2 SC in each SC (12)
           ROW 3: *1 SC in first SC, 2 SC in next*  Repeat from * to * around (18)
           ROW 4 - 8:  SC 18
           ROW 9: *SC 1, DEC 1* around (12)
           Stuff body 
           ROW 10: *SC 1, DEC 1* around (12)  Bind off.

Arms (make 2):  SC 4 into magic ring
                          SC 4 around until arm is desired length.  (I did 7 rounds)
                           Stuff
Legs (make 2):  SC 5 into magic circle.
                          SC 5 around until leg is desired length.  (I did 7 rounds)
                          Stuff
Ears (make 2):  CH 3, Skip first CH, & SC2
Assembly:  Sew the open end of the arms together, and sew to     the open end of the body at the neck.
                    Sew the open end of the body onto the open end of the head.
Sew both legs to the bottom of the body.
Attach the ears to each side of the head.

Hair and Face: Take a strand of wool about an ams length (or longer).  Start at the bottom of the body; Go into the body with your needle and wool, try to weave it through the inside of a few stitches on your way up to the top of the head so it's a little more secure.  Go in and out with your wool on the top of the head and design your hair however you like, leaving long loops.  When you are done, give her a little haircut, cutting the loops so they become long strands, and making the ends even.

Now sew on a mouth, and eyes.  (For the eyes, I went in under the arms, came out where I wanted the eye to be, made a knot, went back in the same spot, came out at the other eye spot, 
made a knot, when back in the same hole, and weaved the wool through the inside of the body, coming out at the chest.
  
As always, if you have any questions about this pattern, or need clarifications, feel free to ask in the comments below.
I've made a few outfits for this doll, but would be willing to take any requests for clothing items that you'd like a pattern for to fit this doll
Enjoy!

Basic Granny Square Pattern (for the beginner)

The Granny Square is a good starting point for any beginner to crochet.  I love them because they can be very simple, they are quick to make, and if you only have a few minutes a day where you can pull out your hook & wool, you can make a few of these and in the end you will have a great afghan to show for your stolen moments :)

ROUND 1:  Begin with a magic circle.  CH 3, 2 DC in circle.  *CH2, 3 DC in circle:  Repeat from * to * 2 more times.  Connect to top of first CH3 with SL ST.
You should now have something like this:

Now, either bind off and switch to a new colour or SL ST to the first CH2 space (from round 1)
ROUND 2:  CH 3, 2DC, *CH2, 3DC, CH1,*   This should complete your 1st corner for Round 2.  (IF you want a rounder corner, just CH1 instead of CH2 in between your group of 3DC's)  
Repeat from * to * 3 more times until you arrive back where you started.  Join with a SL ST and bind off to begin with a new colour or SL ST to the first CH 1 or 2 space if staying with same colour.

 ROUND 3:  I'm sure you have now discovered the pattern.  Round 3 is the same as Round 1.  It's plain & simple; just groups of 3DC with a CH1 or a CH2 in between.  The only reason I ever CH2 instead of 1 is on the corners in order to make it a more square shape.  (This makes it easier to sew them together; rather than working with rounded edges).

 ROUND 4:  (Optional)  You make want to stick with little granny squares, but if you want one a little larger (see photo below) then continue with Round 4, or add a Round 6 or 7.... Totally up to you :)

 Now time to have fun with combining colours!  Here's a few strange-ish combinations I've put together today.  I'm hoping that when sewn all together it will look pretty cool - if not blinding! lol  But what a great family heirloom!  I'd love to have an afghan like this in a chest in our family room, to pull out for cozy movie nights, etc.  I'll be sure to post a photo when I finish!!  If you have any questions or need clarifications on this pattern, please feel free to ask away in the comments below.
Enjoy!

In the beginning...

Jan 2012.  Here I am proudly showing off my first ever attempt at crocheting. I've come a long way in a year and a half!  LOL  Crocheting has become my all-time favourite hobby since then.  I can tell you in complete honesty now that I'm pretty sure I can crochet anything.  Yes, I mean ANYTHING.  But here's why I wanted to start a blog:  There was a time (a long period of time) where I thought I was a pretty good crocheter (is that a word?)  and I could make anything IF (big IF) I could find a pattern for it.  There's a pattern for just about everything out there, but most good patterns cost money.   I cannot even begin to describe the frustration of not being able to find a good free pattern!  This is my solution for anyone out there who shares my sentiments:  Now that I am not bound by the restraints of following patterns (I can pretty much just pick up my hook and wool, and make anything I want); I've started writing them down; even taking pictures now and then of my work in progress, and I plan to post all of my patterns FOR FREE for anyone who would like to use them!  So please Enjoy! :)