I recently learned a new crochet technique called tunisian entrelac. This technique creates a checkerboard pattern. It's fun and not hard to do once you get the hang of it. To practice I made myself this scarf.
The scarf is my customization of a pattern for a pretty wrap by Allison Cohen. I love how the variegated Alchemy Migration yarn forms blocks of color.
As soon as I leaned this new technique, I decided to incorporate it into a Karabouts doll. Mike had done a sketch for a jockey doll (we're addicted to the Animal Planet show "Jockeys") so I figured entralac crochet would be a great way to make the diamond pattern on a jockey silk.
Here's Mike's sketch:
And here's one of my early attempts at working out a jockey shirt pattern with some yellow and blue crochet thread I had on hand:
Once I got a pattern that I liked, I put it on a doll.
I'm really excited about this guy, not only because I get to use my new skill of entrelac crochet, but also because he STANDS UP ON HIS OWN!!!!!!!!! I've been working on figuring out a way to make our dolls stand for some time now.
Here's a close up.
It's like magic - only it's really more like lead fishing sinkers in his feet! Hey, whatever works...