Heart Pinafore Dishcloth

So the pinafore exploration evolved and now there are a bunch of patterns.
Since it is close to Valentine's Day, I share these next.
While this may dress a doll or a dish washing liquid bottle, it was created to wash your body, dishes, or whatever else you choose.

The strap enables it to be hung to dry, as well as clothe vaguely person-shaped bottles. This pattern offers a charming way to give unique Valentine’s Day, hostess, housewarming, or shower gifts.

Finished size 7”h x 7”w (with 4.5mm hook)
or 7.5”h x 8.5”w (with 5.0mm hook),
fits (lady shaped) 30 oz., 10”h dish washing liquid bottles.

Tools required in addition to hook, yarn/tapestry needle
Gauge (with 4.5mm) 7sc, 8 rows= 2”
Level: Intermediate


You can get the pattern here:

buy now

Kokeshi Dolls and Pattern Testing

The Kokeshi Doll swap on Ravelry opened a door.

I found the form(http://www.etsy.com/shop/temple7e http://www.amazon.com/Kimmidoll-Japanese-Kokeshi-Doll-Tomomi/dp/B002M0AIXA) and history very interesting



and loved some of the nontraditional interpretations,
like these sold on Etsy:
http://ny-image3.etsy.com//il_fullxfull.113008635.jpg


I spent my time in rehab/hell/exile making dolls and trying to make dolls sculptural
and after seeing some "lady" Kokeshi dolls, I knew I wanted to interpret her as well
as inscribe my approach to this form.

The other patterns I saw were more girl-forms and girlie, a bit too sweet for me:
Crochet:

http://www.suncatchereyes.net/Kokeshi%20Dolls.html
http://www.felt.co.nz/browse/listing/12714/Crochetbury-Kokeshi-Dolls

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/yuuii---amigurumi-kokeshi-doll
Stuffie:
http://www.fionamarie.com/freepatterns/kokeshistuffie.pdf
Knitted
http://flutterbypatch.typepad.co.uk/flutterby_patch/2009/02/japanese-garden.html
(but non traditional as doll is not supposed to have limbs)
Embroidered
http://www.sublimestitching.com/node/3199

then I saw Krokeshi Art Toys
http://janmstore.com/250102.html

and was affirmed. And so Crocheted Lady Kokeshi doll pattern is now being tested by five intrepid volunteers!

And like teaching, pattern writing is a learning experience... it is so hard to say what one did, and for me even to commit to an approach. But I have, for this and it seems the good resulats are replicable. Ahhh replicants.







Hopefully we'll have a sunny day so I can get a decent picture with my aging digital--
the shots here were all taken with my cell phone.