A Little Crochet Dress for a Very Special Doll....

When Ros and Emma approached me about making a little something for the Red Nose Day Dolls, I couldn't think of lovelier project for a crafter to be involved with, so instantly I said 'YES'!  With images of Blossom, Maisie and Poppy in my mind (sorry Mac, this one isn't for you!), I set to with my trusty hook and some Debbie Bliss 'Eco baby' cotton yarn. Using my daughter's somewhat neglected doll, Ursula, as my model (her measurements are similar to those of the RND dolls) I worked up the bodice, edged it, made a tiny birds eye button (if you've never made one, give it a try, they're quick, easy and brilliant for using up odds and ends of yarn) to fasten it and then turned my attentions to the skirt.

Whilst we live a very simple life at our cottage in the Dorset countryside, I still dream of floating about in a 1950's dress complete with net underskirts! And inspired by '50s glamour, I gently increased the basket stitch to give the dress a full skirt, which I then lined with plenty of soft tulle. And what dress would be complete without some tiny crochet blossom?!

The finishing touch, a pretty satin sash held in place by fine crochet chain loops, to make sure it fits perfectly.

When I'm not raising my two children, feeding our brood of hens and running a cookery school with my Sicilian chef husband, I write the onechurchillsgreen.typepad blog - gentle musings about my life in the country, far from the city where I grew up. Little by little I fill it with crochet patterns, crafty ideas and ramblings about country life. I've written my first book, 'Simple Crochet', and love writing a monthly column for 'Inside Crochet' magazine. I'm afraid I still don't make a living from my craft, but it does give me immense pleasure and it keeps me calm and content. 

I love sharing my skills with anyone who will sit still for long enough and I am just delighted to have the opportunity to create something that will contribute, even in a small way, to this awesome charity. The children and I are huge fans of Comic Relief and the work they do both here in the UK and further afield. I am proud to be a part of it and wish the Red Nose Day Dolls lots of success on the day. Here's hoping the dollies raise a whole heap of lolly!