Axl Crafts

My place for keeping track of my projects and ideas. Links to patterns in project notes and materials in individual posts.

[axlcrafts]

Project Larp Doll Ryshar

Hayfield Bonus Super Chunky in Grey, White and Black (Body) Hemline 15mm Jacket Buttons in Black (Eyes) King Cole Big Value 4 Ply In Graphite (Chainmail) 2mm Black Foam, Scrap leather, 3mm Elastic 

The first finished doll I’m able to share. Hes actually taken the longest as I struggled to make his chainmail. I went through 4 different yarns/threads, and different techniques before I was able to get what I wanted. It would have been nice to use a metallic thread, but I couldn't find one that worked well enough and didn't cost the earth.

Ryshar is a Pallus cat/Siberian lynx beastman from the game Curious Pastimes. The face differs from the photo as I used an older mask design, as the mask in the photo needs updating to match. I’m quite happy how he came out, though the chainmail is easy it took me far longer to figure out than I would have liked.

[axlcrafts]

Adding Hair To Dolls

Project Larp Doll Hair/Beard

Halfshell’s beard: Hayfield Bonus Chunky in Paprika (I think, I lost the band) 4mm Hook

Halfshell needed his beard. A big fluffy ginger beard. Having scrolled through pinterest I decided the best way to do this was to just pull a looped of the strand through a stitch and secure it with a lark heads knot.

I continued around his mouth, I know I made the strands far too long but for a first attempt I wanted to be safe. (Note I did end up undoing the top of the beard to instead sew that portion.)

I trimmed the yarn and untwisted the strands so they were fluffier. 

Once trimmed and roughly shaped, I took a fine comb and gently brushed the yarn to smooth it and give it a bit more shape. I could have smoothed and shaped it more, but I wanted him to have a rougher look as it suited the character more.

[axlcrafts]

Making patterns for doll clothes

Project Larp Doll Clothes

Materials used: Cling film, masking tape, pipe cleaners, duct tape, paper, card, white glue, scissors.

With the bodies done I needed to come up with an easy way of making their clothes. I opted for using fabric rather than crochet as I thought this would be cheaper and easier to get more precise patterns with.

I took inspiration for this idea from duct tape dress forms, if it works for human sized things, surely it'll work on a smaller scale too.

I started with a plain doll and wrapped it in cling film to protect the yarn. I then put masking tape over the top to secure it as the cling film wasnt behaving. The masking tape I used will only stick to very few things, meaning it was happily sticking to the cling film but not the yarn so I had an extra layer of protection.

I then taped pipe cleaners to the masking tape so I had a guide for my scissors. I placed them in places where I wanted seams. One over each arm, one at the back of each leg, one along the centre of the body, making sure to keep tight by the neck and legs so as not to distort the pattern.

Then onto the duct tape, using small pieces I covered the entire doll, taking care around the joints and curves to get an accurate mould. I ran out of the blue tape near the end, and used the green to touch up the last few places, and reinforce the bottom of the feet which I knew was a trouble area for me. 

With the doll covered I took a sharpie and drew over the pipe cleaners and then added seam lines, for example adding the edge of the hood on the head.

Then came the long task of carefully cutting the tape off. The masking tape was a good choice, the duct tape wasn't even sticking to it in many places so it was really easy to peel it back as I was cutting, and then go back and cut the masking tape itself without fear of not being able to see it.

With the tape form free, I cut it into the pieces I would need. The tape was jagged from where it had been cut the first time but once I'd traced them onto paper I took the time to smooth them out. I tested each paper piece on the doll before moving onto the card. I glued each piece toa thin piece of card and let it dry. I then cut them out and glued those to another piece of card to make the pieces more sturdy.

Finished pieces (the arms on the torso piece aren't as smooth as I’d like, but until I find my craft knife they will have to stay that way) They are now ready to use again and again. Just trace around the pieces on your fabric of choice remembering to add seam allowances if necessary.

Sorry for the long post :) 

[axlcrafts]

Project Larp Doll Eye Comparison

Left: 12mm back plastic safety eyes Right: 15mm Black 4-hole Buttons

I though I would prefer the sleeker look of the safety eyes but I was wrong. I actually prefer the button eyes. They are easier to sew on the right place, than putting the safety eyes in, especially after stuffing. The only downside is that it is surprisingly hard to find the tradition 4-hole buttons these days. So far my local Hobbycraft has them in small numbers and I believe the craft shop near me has them individually, but those are the only places that have them. But I bought the last two packets when I was last there and they do have 10 in each so I should be fine until they get their next batch in, assuming I don’t go on doll making rampage....

[axlcrafts]

Project Larp Doll Pattern Adjustments

(Hayfield Super Chunky in Grey, 5mm Hook)

Becoming more confident with my crochet I thought it was time I started to adjust the pattern to fit what I wanted. I made the body and legs longer and added more definition to the feet. Its not the chibi doll I originally had in mind but I’m happy with it being less cartoonish and more proportional. However he does look a tad wonky in the photos....

[axlcrafts]

Project Larp Doll

Doll Size Comparison Part 2

Head One was made using Hayfield Super Chunky in Light Natural and a 6mm hook Head Two was made using Hayfield Super Chunky in Light Natural and a 5mm hook Head Three was made using Hayfield Chunky in Light Natural and a 6mm hook

The super chunky yarn had a suggested hook size of 10mm so I thought going down to a 6mm would be enough (Head One), unfortunately as I mentioned in the previous post, it was far too big for what I had in mind. I was unsure that decreasing size again would work so the next thing I tried was to increase the hook size on the original chunky yarn I had been using (Head Three). While it did increase the size it also left wider holes than I liked, my partner didn't seem to think they were too bad, but the first few rows of increases  were very noticeable and I was worried that with a darker yarn the stuffing would show through. So I picked up the 5mm hook and went back to the super chunky yarn (Head Two). Surprisingly it worked really well. It does create a very dense fabric, it holds its shape well even before stuffing, and I would be tempted to use it as light armour in one our larp systems if the need arose. But it was perfect for what I wanted with the doll. So that is the one Ill continue with from now on.

[axlcrafts]

Project Larp Doll

Doll size comparison (Hayfield Super Chunky - Light Natural, Hook 6mm)

Unhappy with the size of the doll as my crochet got tighter I moved from the Hayfield Chunky yarn to the Hayfield Super Chunky yarn. The previous doll was using a 5mm hook so I’m somewhat impressed from the size difference for only using a 6mm hook. However its not what I had hoped for. If I were to continue the full pattern, which I may still do, the doll would be closer to the size of a newborn rather than the first doll.

So options moving forward:

Use a smaller hook with the super chunky yarn

Use a larger hook with the chunky yarn

Find a new pattern

Adjust pattern myself

In other news I finally figured out I had my front loops/back loops confused and things now look better.

[axlcrafts]

Project Larp Doll

So I had an idea. An idea which is either brilliant or terrible, as most of my craft based ideas are. While thinking of things I could do for my partners for valentines I came across some crochet doll patterns. An hour later I had multiple designs sketched out and began my hunt for beginner patterns that would suit my ideas. 

I found this free doll pattern by Supergurumi, for a no sew all in one doll. Having never crocheted before (though an avid knitter) I set to work really hoping the partner I live with wouldn't figure out what I was doing (spoiler alert: he did)

So dolls I need to do:

Ryshar (CP): Pallas cat based beastkin, wears leather kilt and chainmail shirt, seriously fluffy hair, kite shield.

Halfshell (GC): Human medic with a missing eye, wears flecktarn jacket over chainmail shirt, black combat trousers and boots. Has a rune stone chain on waist and hood with the names of the dead.

Talos (REGEN): Human bodyguard: Black underarmour shirt, with skull tac vest. Leather and chainmail heavy jacket. heavy chain hanging from waist, biggggg axe

[axlcrafts]

Project Larp Doll

Third doll attempt - Colour Changes (Hayfield Bonus chunky - Light natural & Black, Hook 5mm,)

I discovered there is a right side and wrong side of amigurumi, so this doll was made with the right side out. Despite using the exact same yarn (even from the same ball) and hook, this one is a lot smaller. I assume its because my stitches are a lot tighter, but I preferred the size I had originally, so whether I need to find a larger yarn or go up a hook size (and risk the stuffing showing through) I’m not sure.

I starter the colour change at row 17, and he ended up with a scoop neck, not exactly what I was aiming for but oh well. Next attempt will be a row or two earlier. I’m also not sure how I ended up with little spots of colour in the change over row, but then I also misread the tutorial I was following for the smooth change over so I think I just need to pay better attention to what I’m doing

[axlcrafts]

Project Larp Doll

Second doll attempt ( Women's Institute Soft and Chunky Yarn - Grey, Hook 5mm, Black Safety Eyes 10mm)

Happier with the eye placement on this one, its slightly bigger than the first doll, but the yarn is also slightly bigger so its unsurprising. Stitching is better and tighter on this one, arms look slightly different so I’m unsure as to what I did. I did adjust the pattern on the feet of this guy so they pointed more outwards rather than inwards. This one might make it to being an actual doll rather than a prototype.

[axlcrafts]

Project Larp Doll

My first crochet doll attempt.  (Hayfield Bonus Chunky - Light Natural, Hook 5mm, Black Safety Eyes 10mm)

Eyes are a bit high for my liking, I need to put them a row lower on the next attempt. But for a first attempt at the pattern and crochet in general I’m happy.