18 in doll hand-crochet vest waistcoat

18 in doll hand crochet waistcoat vest from Bonnie Boon

A classy sleeveless vest waistcoat sweater for American Girl and other 18 inch dolls. Hand crocheted in a light oatmeal beige light tan yarn featuring pretty shell and rib stitch scolloped edging.

This sweater is made in a wool and acrylic blended yarn, ready to ship immediately. Or if you would like a different colour, just let me know and I will make one especially for your doll in a colour of your choice.

Please click for more information. 

Jeans jacket for 18 inch doll

Hand crochet knit jacket cardigan for 18 inch doll.

I love the deep indigo jeans jacket I made for myself recently, so I decided my doll ought to have something similar.  I used the same 100% acrylic yarn, this time with a shell, scallop and rib design.  It can be worn open or fastened with rather cute tiny doll-size flower buttons in 3 different shades of blue.  For more details check out my Etsy shop. 

My perfect jeans jacket!

Hand crochet knit jacket made to order.

I'm just in love with this jacket I just made.  Usually I knit and crochet for other people.  But this one is just for me!  I wear jeans and pants most of the time and while it's still a little cool here before summer arrives, I just need a little something to slip on when I go to town to keep out the chill and yet look cool and stylish at the same time. Here's my solution!

It's hand crocheted in a beautifully soft acrylic yarn and constructed in a circular design which gives it a flattering draped look.  It can be worn either open, so the reveres drape straight, or fastened with a single button for a snugger fit.  I love the design of the back especially, which shows off the pattern of stitches from where it flares out so attractively.

Because I wear denim so much, for myself I chose a deep indigo blue shade which goes with all my different jeans.  Actually I've worn it with smart pants too and I'm thrilled with the look.

If you would like me to make this jacket for you in another colour and size please let me know.  You can take a look at details in my Etsy shop.

Rosette headband for doll

Rosette headband for American Girl and other 18 inch dolls

I used a rich Burgundy yarn to crochet this broad headband for my 18 inch doll.  Then an assortment of cotton threads in cream and two shades of pink to create a frilled rosette, which she wears to the side.  I'm thinking of adding rosettes to some hat designs I have in mind.  In the meantime, this design is available in my Etsy shop.

Necklaces for American Girl dolls and other 18 inch dolls

Dark Red hand crocheted necklace pendant for American Girl doll and other 18 inch dolls.

I find crocheting so relaxing.  And my new passion for making tiny clothes and accessories to fit 18 inch dolls for my Etsy shop makes me feel really good, because they take much less time than adult items.  At the same time I just adore to pay just as much attention to the details as I do with larger pieces.  

 




 This pretty necklace in a deep burgundy red cotton thread is embellished with iridescent glass beads and a faceted crystal pendant.  It fastens with silvery clasps at the back.

My friend is about to make a gown in rich Royal Blue velvet for her doll, so I'm sending her this blue necklace embellished with stars and blue beads to add the finishing touch.

These necklaces are 6 inches long plus the fasteners and are perfect for the dolls to wear high to set off the necklines of most garments.  They are also perfectly sized to be worn as a bracelet by a child.

I shall be offering doll necklaces like these for purchase in my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/BonnieBoon If you would like one in a different colour or length, please contact me as I welcome custom orders.

Mary Jane shoes for 18 inch dolls

Mary Jane shoes Cerise Pink for American Girl and other 18 inch dolls by Bonnie Boon

A pair of shoes to colour match every outfit;  a dream for any girl!  I'm aiming to make this dream come true for fashion aware little girls who love their American Girl dolls and any other 18 inch dolls.  So far there are 11 colours to choose from in my Etsy shop.  I'm open to further suggestions and custom orders.

Mary Jane shoes for American Girl and other 18 inch dolls by Bonnie Boon 

Clothes for Amercian Girl doll and other 18 inch dolls

Pompom hat and sweater for 18 inch doll.

I've heard people talk about having a second childhood.  But never given it much thought until now.  It all started before Christmas, when my friend Beverly was making doll clothes as a gift for one of her grandchildren's American Girl doll.  Now the pair of us have are own dolls and are totally hooked.

I got my girl Diamond from some very nice people at http://www.thedollshouse.co.uk  She arrived in a glamorous pink shiny box all wrapped up in tissue paper, complete with birth certificate.  I haven't given her a name yet .... any ideas?

For me, hooked is the operative word, because the first design I've created for 'my girl' is this sassy hand crocheted two-piece outfit, in two colours of yarn; warm pink and purple. The striped hat is topped off with a fun pompom tassle, and the sweater can be buttoned snugly at the collar with a flower motif.

For more information about this outfit you can visit my Etsy shop
And my friend Beverly's creations can be seen at here.

Kids Pom Pom Slipper Socks

Kids Pom Pom Slipper Socks

I crocheted these deliciously soft childrens slipper socks using two colours worked together;  a plain black and a fabulous snuggly blue eyelash yarn.  They are similar in style to my adult womens version, but obviously smaller and finished with a cheeky pom pom on the front.  

I can make them in all sizes and many colours.  Custom orders welcome.  Just contact me and let me know what you would like :)  You can also browse my Etsy shop.  

New Convertible mittens short and sweet.

Convertible mittens by Bonnie Boon.  Backs view, open and closed.

Here's a new convertible mitten design I finished today and added to my Etsy shop. These are shorter at the wrist than my design from a few weeks ago. 

As with the original, they still fasten back with a loop onto a flower-button motif when the finger section is unrequired.  But there's a difference with the way the thumb converts, as it can now be tucked right out of the way inside from the base of the thumb.  Big improvement!  The finger-flap too is made so it now tucks inside without need for a button.

Convertible mittens by Bonnie Boon.  Front view, open and closed.

Convertible mittens by Bonnie Boon.  Front view, closed and open.

 I'll still happily make my original convertible mitten design for people who would like me too.  They are longer than the new design, and wonderful for people who like to keep their fore-arms snug, as well as their hands and wrists.

Convertible mitten arm warmers by Bonnie Boon.  Backs view.

Christmas Gift Certificates for women

Women often like to choose for themselves, especially when it comes to colour!  Here are 4 suggestions for Christmas Gifts that offer recipients the chance to do just that.  My Gift Voucher Certificates enable them to choose from a huge range of gorgeous coloured yarns for me to make the perfect cozy winter warmers sure to keep them snug and very pleased with you!  See my Etsy Shop for details.

Fluffy Santa Claus slipper boots

Extra long women's slipper socks in gorgeous red eyelash yarn crocheted together with smooth black;  a Christmas combination.  I've just finished making them as a custom order in my Etsy shop and shipped them off for a thoughtful husband in Alabama to warm his wife's cold feet this Christmas.  

Many colour variations available.  Just email me if you would like me to make some for you.

Convertible fingerless mittens.

I love receiving custom orders from visitors to my Etsy shop.  Recently someone requested a variation to my regular fingerless mittens so they could convert to cover the whole hand.

Regular fingerless mittens.

The regular mittens allow all your fingers and thumbs to remain uncovered all the time, whilst keeping the rest of your hand and wrist warm and snug.  I use mine when painting outdoors in the winter.  They're also great for driving!

Convertible Fingerless Mitten - front & back.

 My new mitten design means you can keep your hands completely covered, buttoned-up, snug and warm.  Then when fingers are needed for making text messages or holding a mug for example, you simply flip back the finger section and secure with the loop and flower/button to the back.  The thumb section also works both ways.

I'm grateful to the nice lady who ordered these for giving me such a good idea.  I can now custom make a pair for you in any colour you choose.  See my Etsy shop.

Convertible Fingerless Mitten palms - closed.

Convertible Fingerless Mitten backs - closed.

Convertible Fingerless Mitten palms - open

Convertible Fingerless Mitten backs - open

Fabulous fluffy fuschia Slipper Socks

I used a luxuriously fluffy eyelash yarn in deep fuschia pink and a whisper of black, combined with a smooth bright pink to hand crochet this pair of slipper socks.

They're available in many colours and yarns, but all are gorgeous and snuggly soft to wear.  The one size is flexible enough to fit all women.

See my Etsy shop.
 
Larger men's sizes available.  Just drop me an email for any further information.

Sea glass pendant aqua green crochet necklace

Beach gem genuine sea glass pendant crochet necklace

Here's another piece of genuine sea glass from the beach. It has a lovely white frosted surface and reminds me of a slippery nugget of ice.  I decided to capture it in a cool aqua green crochet basket and added a necklace 20 ins long.  It fastens with a loop and bobble.   

Email me for more information, or see my Etsy Shop.

The weather today was absolutely gorgeous; sunny with a little breeze, so it wasn't too hot. H and I got stuck into some much needed pruning on the hill terrace.  George and Mr Tabs gave us a hand.

Sea glass necklace in blue

I've amassed quite a collection of sea glass from the beach, since I began this new fascination.  My eye is finely tuned now, and I can spot a glint of glass from quite a distance.  The dogs try to help me on our beachcombing expeditions, but so far, are less reliable;) 

I've been working on ways to transform my beach treasure into jewelry.  Here's a delicately pretty Beach Gem crochet pendant in Mediterannean foam blue.  I crocheted a protective basket to support the sea glass and fashioned a necklace, which fastens with a bobble and loop.

I find the white translucent colours are the most common, along with various shades of green, and very occasionally browns and gold.  Lots of lovely possibilities!

Email me for more information, or see my Etsy shop. 

Sea glass jewelry experiment

Recently I've become fascinated by the colourful objects I find on my beach walks.  I stroll along, occasionally stopping to winkle out small smooth stones from the sand, especially excited if I spy the green gleam of sea glass, which I swoop on as if it was an emerald.

I love the idea of up-cycling these naturally available objects, so have begun experiments to feature them in jewelry.  I began with this green hand crocheted ring to test methods of holding the 'gem' in place.  It worked, but I've ideas that should improve it.

Crochet Big Bead necklace

Time does fly! I've been so engrossed in making pictures with my painting hat on, that I clean forgot to post about my latest one-of-a-kind textile jewelry necklace. As you can see it features large chunky bead shapes, completely hand crocheted in bright Pink, Green, Turquoise, Yellow, Orange, Purple and cool Grey cotton yarns. I made a padded bobble to slip through a loop to fasten. It is light to wear and measures approx 22 inches.(56 cms).

I just love the process of making hand crochet or knitted jewelry in this way. I let it evolve with only the merest plan when I start, and give myself the freedom to let the colours and yarn take me in any direction...pretty much the same way my paintings take shape :)

Crochet & knit necklace - Blues & Pinks

I made this one-of-a-kind necklace combining knitting, crochet and handmade fabric beads in cotton, wool and bamboo yarn.


The soft blues, pinks, purple and cool grey look so pretty together. I stitched the fabric beads from 3 different printed cottons from my quilting stash, then applied a medium so they are firm and have a satin finish. They, and the crochet beads can be moved along the necklace to create different looks. A softly padded a bobble is made to slip through a loop to fasten the necklace, which is altogether light as a feather to wear.

Spring is in the air and I'm loving my recent concentration on textile jewelry. The more I make, the more ideas are crowding in queuing for attention.

Beach gems and textile jewellery

Went to the beach earlier than usual today so it was still quite cool, especially as the sun was well hidden by cloud.

Teddy was very patient while I combed the sand for interesting pebbles and wave-smoothed glass gems. At home I popped them in water and their colours gleam again like they did wet from the sea. I shall choose one or two to combine with crochet and knitting to make a necklace.

In the meantime, here's a pretty pale pastel, one of a kind piece of textile wearable art jewelry, which can be worn as a necklace or wrapped double around your wrist as a bracelet. It's hand knitted and crocheted in soft Mauve, Green, cool Pink, Peach, warm / cool Greys and pale Lemon yarn. The button-embellished flower slips through a loop to fasten, which can be worn at the back of the neck or the front. The soft beads can be moved and rearranged along the necklace to create different looks. Light to wear it measures approx 18 inches.(46 cms).

Hand knit and crochet bracelet for Spring

This morning Teddy and I went down to the beach and walked the coastal path for an hour or so. She's not too keen on walking in the hills where we normally go, but this morning both she and I seemed energised by the waves crashing on the pebbles and the winter sunshine was doing it's best to cheer us on. We could have gone on for hours .... but the thought of breakfast and studio work called us back.

I've got an overwhelming need to work with Spring in mind. The weather is still low compared with normal and the skies are grey, but I detect a slight raise in temperature as the week goes on. I finished making this hand knit and crochet bracelet today. It makes me think of fresh spring crocus flowers and the wild iris that will be blooming on our mountain quite soon.