Christmas is coming

I have tried most crafts in my time, but knitting is my favourite hobby and I just have to knit all the time. I long ago got tired of garments which never seemed to turn out just as I wanted, although I sometimes get tempted by socks and all the lovely patterns on Ravelry.

I have found my niche with miniature knitting (dolls house scale).  I began designing little patterns, which I sold through my website, and developed the business into kits (so customers don't have to buy large amounts of yarn they won't use), books of patterns, yarn and needles suitable for my patterns, also some ready knitted garments.

Knitting isn't popular during the summer, and most of the business is done in the run-up to Christmas, especially with the little ready made sweaters.  Cardigans and anything with colourwork are especially popular.

So at this time of year I spend the evening in front of the TV making little garments - I can usually do one in an evening.  I sell them on ebay  and they go quite well, although I know this is because I don't charge much for them.  I justify it by saying that it is a hobby and I am not in it for the money, and hopefully it also provides some advertising for the webpage.  And I love doing it!

This is a few I have around at the moment

Did I mention that this is just a few???

Achievement of the week

I am so pleased with myself.  Last week I was up in London and visited St Pauls cathedral.  I went up to the Whispering Gallery and then thought, what the heck, I can do the rest, so ended up climbing right to the top.  The last bit is a bit scary, with tight open spiral staircases between the inner and outer dome of 150 steps, so you can see exactly where you have come from and where you are going, with a lot of space around.  I'm not brilliant at heights but it had to be done.  And at 61 years old I feel it was quite an achievement and not something I will do again.  Thanks Liz for being patient and waiting for me!

Dress up your dolls and dolls house for Halloween

Anna is selling lots of knitted clothes and related items for Halloween, suitable for bjd but also some will fit dolls house dolls too.  Check out her store at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/beepbeep?ref=pr_shop_more

Hallowe'en knitting patterns for bjd

Anna has just published her new book of knitting patterns for tiny bjd, Lati Yellow and Pukifee size.

they are lovely seasonal patterns perfect for dressing a tiny bjd for Hallowe'en, including pumpkin, a pumpkin hat, witches hat, cloak and treat bag!  Pretty and very unusual.  Available now from http://www.etsy.com/shop/beepbeep?ref=pr_shop_more

Christmas is here!

My new book of Christmas patterns for the doll's house is now available.

All new miniature knitting patterns for the holiday season, easy to knit using 2 ply yarn and 2 mm knitting needles. 



Patterns included are:

• Wreath decoration
• Garland
• Christmas stockings
• Father Christmas outfit
• Mother Christmas outfit
• Santa hat
• Pixie outfit
• Toddler dress
• Child's sweater and pleated skirt
• Adult sweater
• Santa toy
• Stained glass windows blanket
• Christmas pudding tea cosy

Available from ebay or the webpage, or contact me for details.

www.bitstobuy.co.uk

New collection of bjd knitting patterns for the summer

Anna's new e-booklet of bjd knitting patterns is now available:

Absolutely gorgeous patterns for the summer for your tiny bjd, Lati Yellow size. 
Available from her on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76957837/summer-sun-knitting-pattern-ebook-for

And I believe she is currently working on the winter collection, so more patterns to come soon.

www.bitstobuy.co.uk

Coming soon!

Almost finished my next book - this is the Christmas collection.  Lots of seasonal dolls house knitting patterns for the winter holiday season, including garments, decorations and more.
Just putting in the final touches and hopefully it will be available within the next month or so in plenty of time to get the dolls house ready for December.
Here is a preview

Mia

Been a bit busy the last couple of weeks, welcome to baby Mia

Lots of knitting patterns for bjd, lati yellow, pukifee and other tiny dolls

I have decided to concentrate on dolls house scale knitting patterns and have passed over designing tiny bjd patterns to my daughter Anna.  She has so many of her own lovely ideas that it was a shame to be in competition and she understands the collection of these tiny dolls, and appropriate designs, much better than I do.
She is putting together several lovely collections of designs, and the first booklet is now available.

More details can be found on her blog
http://beepbeepdesigns.blogspot.com/
She is selling it as an ebook on Folksy
http://www.etsy.com/listing/73897449/brilliant-basics-knitting-pattern-ebook
also on Ravelry
http://www.ravelry.com/
Where her designer's name is JaneUK
Here's looking forward to the next collection!

http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/

Not happy

I became the victim of internet fraud this week when I found someone had hacked into my Paypal account (how??? only I know the password and I am very cautious and never respond to spoofs etc, can only assume there was some sort of inside job???).  A bit of research finds that it is quite common - three transactions very close together on my account transferring money to Skype, a total of about $44.  I have never used Skype and don't have an account with them.  It appears that a prepayment account was set up without my knowledge (a sort of Direct Debit).   I was fortunate in that I discovered it very quickly and Paypal have refunded the money within a couple of days.  BUT the really annoying thing is that Paypal have now restricted my account.  I can still take money from customers but can't remove or transfer money, even refunds, or do anything else.  To get back on track I have got to supply Paypal with all sorts of information including photo ID, bank statements etc.   I haven't yet worked out how to do this without having a scanner to email them copies or access to a fax to send them that way (the only way they will accept it), and it will cost me time and money.
I thought it was worth posting this so it will warn others of this scam which is not unusual.  Keep a close eye on emails from Paypal about debits, and check your account regularly. 

http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/

New haberdashery on the webpage - buttons and more in 12th scale

 

I have listed some new haberdashery items on the webpage - these are all in 1:12 scale so are suitable for dolls house (for example Heidi Ott), and other small dolls such as tiny bjd (Hujoo Baby, American Girl, Rosen Lied Monday child, Lati Yellow, Pukifee, Bobobie Tiny, Ellery Kish, PukiPuki, Lati White, Yoshi).

I have buttons in lots of colours and sizes from 2mm to 4mm, snap fasterners (press studs), hooks and eyes, and tiny buckles.

These items are also suitable for use when making garments for other 5 -7" dolls such as Pippa, Dawn, Bobobie, Kelly, Ginny and Ginger, and Strawberry Shortcake, or for larger dolls such as Barbie and Sindy.

 

 

All available now on the webpage

http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/

New miniature knitting pattern book

Now available - my second miniature knitting pattern book!

'EASY TO KNIT MINIATURE KNITTING PATTERNS for the doll's house in 1:12 scale BOOK 2'
by Helen Cox.


This book presents over 20 knitting patterns specially designed to be easy and quick to knit, for new and experienced knitters, with designs suitable for both the miniature collector or for a child's first doll's house. Although intended for doll's house scale, many of the garments will also fit other 5 -7" dolls such as Pippa, Dawn, Bobobie, Kelly, Ginny and Ginger, and bjd such as Lati, and Pukifee (with the exception of jumpers which won't fit over a head larger than 8cm around).
These are brand new designs not available elsewhere, suitable for adult (5-7" tall) and child (4" tall) dolls.
Designs include: Baby dresses and hooded shawl, toddler dress, girl's pinafore and dress, child's cardigan and trousers, cabled pullover, lace blanket and cushions, yoked sweater, yoked cardigan, cot bedding, patchwork blanket, cane effect conservatory furniture, shopping bag, Christmas stocking, hot water bottle cover, and beret.
All the designs are made using readily available materials, with a manageable 2mm knitting needle size and 2 ply yarn, and are very quick to produce.
I have been designing miniature knitting patters for many years, and have gained international recognition with many projects published online and in the doll's house press. As well as these new designs not available elsewhere, this publication is packed with hints and tips, suggested pattern variations, and instructions on how to convert the patterns to 1:24 scale.
Softcover booklet printed with full colour photographs, size 6 x 8", 32 pages.
Available NOW from the webpage
http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/

Back from holiday

Just back from holiday and busy catching up with bitstobuy.  After a little break I have listed loads of things on ebay again and will soon be putting some new items up on the webpage - watch this space!

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/bitstobuy/m.html?_trksid=p4340.l2562

Here are some of the things I have listed at the moment:



http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/

Easy to knit miniature knitting patterns for the dolls house

My first booklet of knitting patterns for the dolls house continues to sell well, and I have had many kind comments about how easy the patterns are to knit and the good results. This collection has lots of garments for adult and child dolls, and furnishings such as bedcovers, baskets, tiny toys and tea cosy - over 25 patterns in total.
But my brain is buzzing all the time with new patterns and I have so many that more books will be following - watch this space.
I am also thinking about a publication for tiny bjd patterns when I can find the time!
The book is available from the website
http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/

Knitting patterns for Strawberry Shortcake

Yet another doll who fits my patterns :)
These are pictures of Strawberry Shortcake in two of my garments, kindly sent to me from Raquel in Spain: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25718230@N02/5464936870/sizes/m/in/photostream/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/25718230@N02/5392822222/



Photos are copyright msrakel

http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/

Hujoo Baby pictures

One of my customers has sent me these lovely photos of her Hujoo Baby in a couple of my jumpers.  This is a 10cm tall doll, so they are a bit oversized, but still look great!  The socks and shoes are mine too.

http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/

Dolls house and bjd knitting patterns measurements

There are so many tiny dolls out there and I am being asked all the time which dolls my patterns fit.  It can be difficult to know without having the doll in front of me, but I have spent some time gathering together measurements and am fairly confident now about sizing.  My own doll is a Doll Family JoJo (how I would love to have a Lati Yellow) which is a fairly average tiny doll size.  As knitted garments are so stretchy anyway they adapt fairly well to most tiny doll sizes.  All my basic patterns will fit 5 to 6" (13 to 15 cm) dolls house dolls including Heidi Ott, also Pippa, Dawn and Kelly.  Those patterns which are either specially designed for larger heads, or have a front opening such as a cardigan will fit 5 to 7" bjds  (13 to 18 cm) such as American Girl, Rosen Lied Monday child, Lati Yellow, Pukifee, Bobobie Tiny, Ellery Kish and JoJo.  They fit but look oversized on smaller 4 to 5" (10 to 13 cm) PukiPuki, Lati White, Yoshi, and Hujoo baby, although I have adapted patterns and knitted specially for these sizes.  I also have some patterns for dolls house child dolls such as the Heidi Ott children, which are 4" (10cm) tall.
Hope that helps!

http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/

Missed a few things

So while I was busy knitting and not blogging I missed a few items of news.
So not forgetting Harry:

And Emily:

AND another wedding:

It's been a busy couple of years.

http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/

Don't they just make you smile?

Lovely buttons for knitters

My daughter has just started a shop on Folksy selling buttons and ribbons.  Do have a look, she has chosen some really fun and unusual designs!  Ideal for that special knit or child outfit.
http://www.folksy.com/shops/windthebobbinup
She sells her ready made lovely crafted items at
http://www.folksy.com/shops/beepbeep

I am busy working on a second book of knitting patterns for dolls house size dolls, more information soon :)
Meanwhile all my usual patterns, kits and 2 ply miniature knitting yarns are available on the webpage
http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/

Helen