Soft yet substantial in hand it is a luxury to work with it. This shawl is a gift for a friend living in the southern US and will be easy to wear this fall when nights turn a little cooler.

I’ve started this pattern in other yarns but tripped over the nupps (pronounced “noops”) in heavier yarns.  In crochet they’d be something like a popcorn stitch, but in knitting they are made knitting in the front and back of the same stitch many times to create a solid block. I hope I can do them even in this lace-weight yarn.

Staying focused is my problem. Too easy I daydream… then there is a mess. With this fine yarn a mess is a really big mess. Knitting isn’t very forgiving and these patterns demand concentration. I figure it is a good exercise.  The alternative is to start taking math courses–and I might do that too.

After 10 days there is six inches of fabric. But it is nearly perfect.

And heeeerrrreee she is– AmiDoll Buddy In The Pink–the pattern. Now you can make your own AmiDoll Buddy In the Pink champion for breast cancer prevention and awareness.

October is breast cancer awareness month. Make this little Cocker Spaniel amigurimi doll complete with a jewel collar with the name of your champion person to remind them to have routine health screenings.

There’s also a pattern for a stretchy beaded bracelet you make for yourself or to give away as a sparkly reminder when AmiDoll Buddy cannot be with you. Bling for a pretty in pink purpose!

Cocker Spaniels are bred to find wild birds and bring them to their owners. Our AmiDoll Buddy is flushing home good health for you and your loved ones.

WARNING: The AmiDoll as described is NOT intended for children under 8 because of buttons and beads that could be swallowed by younger children. If created for younger children, do not use the Beaded Crystal Collar or button eyes. Instead embroider the eyes onto the AmiDoll and crochet a pretty bow for a Collar. (She is NOT intended to be used as pet toy.)

The AmiDoll Pattern

Materials
Worsted weight pink yarn
Size F and E crochet hooks
Black size 8 buttons
Black embroidery floss
Sewing needle small enough to go through beads.
Tapestry needle
Small, ceramic letter Beads
Pink and white crystal beads.
Sturdy beading thread
Stretchy beading cord

Glossary
Chain (ch)
Single crochet (sc)
Increase (inc)
Decrease (dec)
Skip (sk)
Slip stitch (sl st)

Head
Use F hook and pink worsted weight yarn
R1 Ch 2. 6 sc in second chain from the hook. Place safety pin marker at the start of the row.
R2 2 sc in each sc (12 sc)
R3 *Sc 1, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 6 times (18 sc)
R4 *Sc 2, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat 6 times (24 sc)
R5 -11 Sc in each of the 24 sc.
R12 Sc, sc 2 together (decrease), repeat 6 times (18 sc)
Next create face. Attach eyes and embroider mouth and nose. Align nose feature nearly level with eyes and place eyes wide. Satin stitch sew the nose (see photo).Embroider mouth with three strands black embroidery thread.
Stuff head.
R13 *Sc 1, dec 1* 6x (12 sc)
R14 *Sk 1 sc and dec 1 in next 2 sc* Repeat 6x. (6 sc)
Fasten off and weave in loose ends.

Body
Use F hook and ch. 2
R1 5 sc in second chain from hook
R2 2 sc in each sc (10) [place safety pin marker]
R3 *Sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 5 times (15 sc)
R4 7 Sc to end, ch 1, turn
R8 *Sc 1, dec 1* repeat 5 times
End off and  stuff body. Sew to head.

Legs and Arms
(Make 2 arms and 2 legs)
Use E hook and ch 2
R1 3 sc in second chain from hook
R2 2 sc in each sc (6 sc)
R3 4  SC
Fasten off. Sew edges together without stuffing. Sew to body/

Tail
Use E hook, ch 2.
R1 4 sc in second ch from the hook
R2 -3 Sc in each sc.
End and sew to the body.

Cocker Spaniel Ears
F hook
Start–Ch 3
R1 Sc in each chain. ch 1 turn.
R2 Sc, 2 sc in next stitch, sc, ch 1 turn. (5)
R3 Sc across, ch. 1 turn
R4 Sc in first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc, ch 1, turn (7)
R5 Sc across to end, ch 1, turn.
R6 Sc next 2 sc, 3 sc in the next sc and then sc to end, ch 1, turn.
R7 Sc next 3 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc to end. Ch. 1, turn.
R8 Sc to end., ch. 1 turn
R9 Sc to end, ch. 1 turn
R10 Sk first sc, sl st next sc, sc to end, sl st last stitch. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.
Ear Fringe
With yarn still attached, chain 3 and working along the lower edge of the ear, slip stitch, chain 3, slip stitch in each of the stitches (9). Ch. 3, turn.

Working in each row, for three rows from the bottom of the ear, chain 3 and slip stitch across the row.

Champion dedicated beaded collar

• Measure a 6 inch beading thread (can use 3 strands of white embroidery floss).
• Be sure your needle will go through the beads you’ve selected.
• Layout the bead pattern, for instance, small white or pearl-like bead, pink crystal bead, small white, letter bead, small white, letter, white, letter. After the last letter continue with small white, pink crystal and small white until you have 4 inches of beaded collar.
• Once you have it strung, fit it around your AmiDoll’s neck and double knot to secure. Distribute the beads so the letter beads are to the front with the name of the “champion” it is dedicated to.
• If you like, you can use other decorations on the collar. Just be sure they are proportionate to your AmiDoll.

Your AmiDoll Buddy Champion bracelet to keep or giveaway

To make a matching bracelet for yourself or your Champion people use stretch cord and crystal and letter beads to match your AmiDoll Buddy’s collar. Give them to your Champion with the AmiDoll Buddy so they remember the importance of early detection of breast cancer and as a tribute to all women.

Instructions
Measure your wrist and add a couple of inches. Cut a string of stretchy cord that length and string your selected beads onto it. Tie the ends together with a double knot and then an overhand knot. Watch a YouTube video on making a stretchy bead bracelet from JewelrySupply.com

When finished slip the bracelet over your wrist to wear. Make and wear one for each person you give an AmiDoll Buddy In The Pink to.

Tips for Amigurumi Toys

• Crochet tightly.
• Use inexpensive yarns or scraps.
• Stuff tightly.
• Use paper and pencil to track rows and counts.
• Use a safety pin or clip stitch marker to note start of next row.
• Be careful to keep the right side out as you work the pieces.

Your AmiDoll Buddy Health Toolkit
To learn about breast cancer prevention and breast health visit

US OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH
Girl’s Health
• http://www.girlshealth.gov
Women’s Health
• http://www.womenshealth.gov
• http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/womenshealth/wwwp/

Breast Cancer Fact Sheet (PDF)

Mammogram Fact Sheet (PDF)

To learn about Cocker Spaniels visit
AMERICAN SPANIEL CLUB
• http://www.acs-cockerspaniel.org

[THE AMIDOLL IN THE PINK PATTERN IS PROVIDED HERE TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS PROJECTS AND IS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED, COPIED, OR COMMERCIALLY DISTRIBUTED. AmiDolls are are a creation of Bobbie Kolehouse. Copyright 2009 BOBBIE KOLEHOUSE.]

This pattern is protected under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivation Works 3.0
You may not use this pattern or the product produced from this pattern for retail or commercial purpose.

AmiDoll for breast cancer prevention awareness

She’s small.  She’s delightful, and she is very pink. Like real Cocker Spaniels, few can resist the charm of those dark eyes and little amigurumi smile. Who is she?  She is the new AmiDoll Buddy In The Pink Champions –is the first of a collection of Cocker Spaniel AmiDolls created to champion women’s wellness.

October is breast cancer awareness month. Each year 1 in8 women is diagnosed with breast cancer. A woman’s risk increases as she ages and today breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the U.S.  Early detection helps  to reduce risk and is done with monthly breast self exams (BSE), and routine mammography screening after a woman reaches age 40. BSE and mammography help to find disease early when treatment is more likely to work well.

Ami Buddy in The Pink is six inches tall and is crocheted in pink with darker pink ears. She wears a jewel collar strung with crystal and letter beads to spell the name of someone who is a genuine champion for women’s health.

The pattern for Ami Buddy in The Pink will be available soon so you can make your own AmiDoll to give to your champion friends and family.

For more information on breast cancer detection and screening, visit http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/breast-cancer.cfm#2

The result was my SeaSiren rolls from the shore to the deep sea and back again bubbling up with a little seafoam misting into clouds.

The pattern was pictured in a solid, but my SeaSiren, based on a modified shell and post pattern, is multi-colored and done in worsted weight yarn.

If you hold it close to your ear, you might just hear the sirens calling you.

2009 SeaSiren afghan

My daughter picked out the yarn and color at a charming fiber shop in Roswell, Georgia, “Cast-On Cottage”. The rows of colorful yarns and textures almost took your breath away because of the selection.

The yarn she choose for her shawl is a sock weight, similar to lace weight, and is kettle dyed Tiziano Red. The color on my monitor does not show the deep jewel-like richness of the color in the yarn itself.

http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,36/

According to the Malabrigo website, the fiber is from Merino sheep raised in Uruguay. It is so soft and the Cranberry shawl with a lace edge and beads should be comfortable to wear this fall.

It was simple and clean and I loved it. I looked for the pattern online but didn’t find it, so went back and bought the book ($18) it was in. That was “Knitting Workshop” by Elizabeth Zimmerman.

The vest is made from a simple garter stitch with the interesting part the technique to work the corners. You make two halves and then sew them together at the center-back.

The pattern is on page 104 and 105. She notes that while hats are “best bizaar items” Rib Warmers are most popular too.

I’m on the second half of my sweater vest and will share a picture of it here when it is finished.

Ms. Zimmerman recommends wool, but I used (per the shop’s recommendation) Patons Shetland Chunky, 75% Acrylic, 25% wool. It is machine washable.

on sale at KnitPicks.com for $10.79

So I’ve several projects underway. A delicate knitted shawl, a sassy crocheted purse, a new crocheted summer afghan to get those blues into my living room, and then the way cute amigurumi dolls. My first was a teacup designed by artist Ana Paulo Rimoli. Then I created the first of my Cocker Spaniels, Ami. My daughter has a new kitten, so I poked around trying to create a cat that looks more like a pig so I’ll have to try again. This morning I designed a tulip ami doll

The Shirley Tulip

based on the Shirley variety that starts pale cream and increasingly is washed with purples. They are beautiful and so here is my first try at creating the Shirley Tulip.