Dora update Completed 3-22-05 Page 7 (Graph Afghan)

[Tampa Doll]

Heeeeeeeere’s Dora

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/startDoraExplorer001.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/startDoraExplorer002.jpg

My inspiration Madison she is my youngest Granddaughter.
She loves Jersey tomatoes and is prone to sudden naps.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/1by2MadisonTomatoes.jpg

[faithpa76]

How neat! I don't think I'd have the patience to make something like that!

[Julie]

lol - you are SO fast!! Can't wait to see this one progress. :clap

[crochetdiva]

I am blown away!!! I am still just thinking about what to do for my next project...and you have done so much already. Your work is fabulous!! Your granddaughters, and all who can see your work in person are very blessed.:not

[Empress Busy Bee]

You make it look so easy.
My daughter would love a Dora one, which is on my list. Way down on my list. LOL

[MommaChelle]

Lookin good so far!!

[crochetingRev]

Oh I can't wait to see it completly done..

[earthwhisper]

Wow, that is great!

[luvtocraft]

It's looking good. Can't wait to see the finished project!! :camera

[cinfulkarmah]

Wow you are sure fast on those graph-ghans! :clap

[Nashville Crocheter]

I can't wait to see the progression of "Dora"

Your granddaughter is sooo cute. Did she fall asleep and squish the tomato?

My kids used to do that too. ;)

Barbara

[Swayde]

Do you cut your yarn every time you change colors when you do something like that? If not, how do you do it? Is there a tutorial somewhere? Cause I would really love to make my brother a Tampa Bay Bucs afghan like that, with their helmet and logo and name all on it in Bucs colors.

[Tampa Doll]

Barbara,

I use bobbins when I am working with more than one color yarn. The main color is the only one that is not on a bobbin.

If you look at the finished princess project, you will see how it looks.

Alls you have to remember is that when you are working on the wrong side of the afghan, the bobbins are in front and when you are working on the right side, the bobbins are behind.

Good luck in finding a pattern with the Buc's new logo. Unless you can find a cross or counted corss stitch in it.

[rebeccav]

i have a question, too.....
so you've got the bobbins hanging there, it's time for one of the colors....do we just pull it up from behind and begin like it's a color change in any other project? so theres a length of unworked yarn from one row/stitch to the next???

[Swayde]

Thats what is confusing me too, Rebecca...

[Tampa Doll]

In a nut shell, when you add the new color you do it as changing colors with the string hanging down.

Now you do not cut it when you are done. You crochet around it till you are at least on stitch past where you will use it in the next row. When you pick it up, you start a single crochet in the stitch prior to needing and crochet it like you would a color change, but there is no string hanging down.

I am getting together some pictures, so that you can see how it is done. I hope to have them today or tomorrow.

:sun :sun :sun

[rebeccav]

oh yay! looking forward to the pictures!!! :bounce

[123mama]

I am waiting to see the pictures to. I made a cross afghan and didn't want to keep cutting so I just left the yarn there to pick up.

My question is "Do you outline every thing in the black?"

I am going to try one. I have a stack of cross stitch books and thought I could try something little to start.

Have you ever done Barbie? I love her

[Tampa Doll]

Adding a new color to your work is like changing colors. On stitch prior to color change, do a sc till 2 loops are on the hook. Put new color on the hook, and pull through the 2 loops, new color is added.

adding colors
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/AddingColors.gif

Some people don’t, but I continue to crochet around the main color, till it is needed again. Once you are ready to pick up the main color again, it is right there. Before you totally drop the next color, check on the next row and see how much further it is needed. You may need it one to ??? Stitches . This way, you can carry the color behind your work one to two stitches before you need it on the next row.

When you pick up on the next row, you will crochet around the new color and then work like you are adding a color. This makes for less strings hanging down to be weaved in later. This is especially good if you have only one stitch to add.

As to crocheting around the main color until needed again, some will tell you it is better to only carry it for 3 to 6 stitches. Let me warn you, that if you use bobbins for the main color, you will forever be making bobbins, as they do not hold much yarn. Another idea is to use 2 skeins of yarn. One for each side of the afghan.

changing colors
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/ChangingColors.gif


Some info web sites

http://hostultra.com/~huggems/grafgfaq.html

http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa072697.htm

http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa041203b.htm

[Tampa Doll]

Sondra,

I only outlined what needed to be outlined. I did the faces and hands. I really dislike outlining. :U It is sewing and I am not very patient when it comes to sewing. :<>

It is really up to the individual whether to outline or not. I had to show the chins, noses and hands with fingers.

:sun

[Swayde]

Thank you for taking the time to explain this technique to us all =)

[Tampa Doll]

Updated 3-10

Dora’s Progress :knit

I think she is going to be bigger that my granddaughter :hyper

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/DorasProgress001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/DorasProgress002.jpg

[LORFML]

Oh my, how wonderful. You do awesome work. :bow Do you have room for any more grand daughters? :yes - Lucy mllorf.blogspot.com (http://mllorf.blogspot.com)

[hollier2002]

Awesome!! I am going to have to try the bobbin things next time I do a blanket like that.... looks tedious though.:help

[upmom]

I can't wait to see it finished! You do such great work, and soooooooooooooo fast!
Lori

[hollier2002]

Hi,
I was just wondering where you are in the dora blanket right now. I know you work fast so you should be almost finished by now!:bounce

[kariholtz]

I would like to volunteer to be one of your grand-daughters too!!!!
That is going to be wonderful. My boy saw it and said it's dora!

[Tampa Doll]

Dora is going to be bigger then my Granddaughter :shrug :lol

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/updateDorasProgress002.jpg

[Empress Busy Bee]

It's turning out just great.
I really, really need to make one of those. My daughter is so into Dora right now; we're even doing a Dora birthday for her complete with mostly Dora gifts. LOL

[NancyCA]

This is turning out just so cute!! She is going to love it!

I made a pattern for Green Bay Packers and stitched it up for my nephew. But, I never heard/saw/thought of using bobbins! Are they special ones that hold a certain amount of yarn? I know I had 8 skeins at one point going. I would just turn one way, then the opposite each time so that I wouldn't tangle them.

I have 3 of these sort of afghan to make in the future. I'm interested in those bobbins!!

[crochetdiva]

YOU ARE GREAT!!! My two year old walked by the computer and ponted and said "It's Dora, it's Dora!!":heart

[YaYa Yarnhood]

Holy cow, your blankets are so wonderful!!!! Have you considered doing the junior friendship exchange that has been mentioned? Because I would love to be your exchange partner!!!!!! :) :) :)

[Tampa Doll]

Thank you all for your encouragement with the Princess and Dora afghans.:ty

I haven't done anything like them in a long time.

Now as for the bobbins. I use the regular size bobbins . Now I was in Joann's the other day and they had real large ones for bulky yarn. I would advise getting them for a large amount of yarn. You won't have to wind yarn on the bobbin as often.

I find bobbins much easier to use, then using full hanks of yarn for each color. Less chance of getting tangled up.

Below is the Mary Maxim web site where you can see the bobbins. When you get there just put in bobbins for search and it will take you there. If you want to be ambitious, you could probable make you own.



plastic bobbins (http://www.marymaxim.com/Default.asp)

[jingles96]

Wow! It's looking great! And you're making it up so fast. I'm in awe. :)

[faithpa76]

That looks awesome! You are quick!!

[rebeccav]

unbelievable! such a wonderful talent for this!!!:clap :cheer2 :clap

[hollier2002]

Wow you have gotten very far with it. I started a spongebob and winnie the pooh but i cant go as fast as you because i have a 3 yr old and a one and a half yr old. They are both boys so you can about guess how much crocheting they let me do! LOL But I can always count on my 10 yr old daughter to help out some. My next one will be Dora .. my neighbors daughter says so! LOL
Anyway, I love your work, and you go so fast !!
:)
I do have one quick question. I was wondering if you carried along the black between the shoes in the first pic?

[mythunderbird]

mary jo, oh wow that is awesome, your dora is going to be spectaular, i sent a copy of the picture to my sister and now SHE wants me to make my baby niece who is 2 a dora blankie too. did you make the pattern up yourself? is so cool. wonderful job. dora is coming to life as we speak!!!!!!! :yes :yes the baby abby goes 0h mama dora is on the putter. thats what she calls the computer. maybe this summer i can get to do something like that. let me know the pattern(if you have one) that you can share, i would love to make abby that for christmas next year. take care again AWESOME job:wowdrool :wow drool:wowdrool :wow droolvicki

[Tampa Doll]

Dora is zipping right along. :bounce

Hollier2002, With the shoes, I used a bobbin on each shoe for black and pink.

[Tampa Doll]

Almost there, all I need to do is the edging. When she is done, I will post the picture.:clap


Dora on Queen size Bed :c9
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/3_20UpdateDora001.jpg

[dennymare]

Beautiful job Mary Jo, can't wait to see the the edging on it,

mary

[Dani]

:yay :yay :yay :yay
Wonderful job Mary Jo!!!!
I think it turned out so cute!!

[YarnFeather]

MARY JO!!!:cheer :cheer :cheer

I am amazed at your work!!!

[bythehook]

WOW! She's beautiful. I'm in awe of your talent for pictureghans. :clap

[xantha]

Beautiful!! :D Yay, Dora! heh.

[Empress Busy Bee]

Nicely done!
Can't wait for you to post and thank you in advance. I hope to do one for my daughter and you just might save me some work. lol

[MiCountess]

Beautiful - I continue to be amazed at your patience.

Michelle :wink

[ellebee]

wow i love it! Can't wait to look at the site. I have a 4 yr old that would love it!:)

[goldi316]

Wow! That is just awesome! :clap

I don't know that I'd have the patience to do something that detailed, maybe someday. For now, I'll just live vicariously through you!

So what's next? Got any plans to top those incredible blankets? :devil

goldi
My blog (http://goldilocksofyarn.blogspot.com/)

[Nashville Crocheter]

Beautiful Dora gahn ;) I would love to "tackle" something like that. It is like following a cross stitch chart?--only using crochet stitches?

[rebeccav]

HOLY COW!!

you are a speedy!! WONDERFUL job!!! :nworthy

[cinfulkarmah]

Wow! You are quick with those graph-ghans! Lovely Dora. My youngest DD would snatch it up in a heart-beat!

[mythunderbird]

mary jo she is adorable. my niece will go nuts. thanks so much for sharing with us. that is sweet of you.:cheer :c9 vicki

[Kathleen]

This is just great! What talent!

[Yarnmistress]

Wow.... you are amazing! I am so in awe of your talent. If I could only do the amazing things you can do I would be so happy.

Awesome job! I love seeing all the wonderful things you make!

[truelove730]

You are so patient! I love Dora better than the princesses! You did a great job! I can't wait to see it all finished. Great job!

[knotyourgrandma]

My 2 year old son is in love with Dora. He would go absolutely crazy if I made that!

[ZingyZoid]

WOW! That's awesome. I completely in awe.:cheer

[sugalily]

Beautiful job!! :cheer

Lily

[viviskins]

I'm just amazed! You rock!:cheer

[Tampa Doll]

Finally finished . :clap :cheer :yay



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/The%20making%20Dora/CompletedDoratheExplorer.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/The%20making%20Dora/CompletedDora002.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/The%20making%20Dora/CompletedDora003.jpg for Madison http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/The%20making%20Dora/1by1MadisonHoneyBlond2.jpg

[Tampa Doll]

Here is how Dora the Explorer afghan was made.


Red Heart Super Savor Yarn



4 skeins - White for background

1 skein - Coffee – Hair and eyes

Bright Yellow – Socks and bracelet

Buff – Skin

Hot Red – shorts

Lt. Raspberry – Shirt – Mouth

Black – Eyes and outline

Medium Purple – Knapsack

Orchid – Knapsack straps

Petal Pink – sneakers



Edging – 1 row each – Petal Pink – Orchid – Lt. Raspberry – Medium Purple.

I did a chain 5 skin 2 stitches then single crochet, all the way around on

row1. 2 – 4th row single crochet in any chain 5 then chain 5 single crochet in

next chain 5.


The finished afghan without the edging is 47 H x 54 W

You can always make the higher by adding more rows at the top and bottom.
Hook size is H



It is 192 stitches across 205 rows high. There are 6 rows at the top and 6 at the bottom of Dora.



It is made in single stitch, but afghan stitch can be used.



The outline is done while you are crocheting. It is part of the blanket pattern.



Any questions or problems, feel free to contact me and I will help you all that I can.

[kat]

it's beautiful! :yay

[jingles96]

It looks great! I'm in awe of you.

[ellebee]

Wow its awesome! Thanks so much for the info on how you made it too. Madison is a lucky girl!

[sem464]

:think Wow, the work that you do! Your family, I hope are really proud of you. Lucky Madison.:cheer

[kariholtz]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:cheer :clap How cute is that? It's wonderful!

[truelove730]

That is so nice! You are amazing. Thanks for sharing the site with us. I will save scooby for my hubby...one day! :)

GOOD WORK!!!

[luvtocraft]

It's so beautiful!! You work so fast, too!! :yay

[CraftyChristine]

Wow! I'm in awe! You work so fast and it's fantastic looking! Great job!

[upmom]

Mary Jo, that is truly awesome! What a great gift and talent to pass along to your grandaughters! Lucky girls!

:cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer

[msjett]

That is awesome !!!!!!!! You have done a wonderful job and I'm sure Madison simply LOVES it ! :clap

[faithpa76]

That is amazing, it looks great!

[Frangipani]

WOW Mary Jo! MAdison is one lucky grandchild and you are one special grandma! I'm sure she'll treasure it! You are a whiz with those things!!!


Bec:cheer

[Mom w/a Motif]

That is so awesome! I'm so envious...:( Did you crochet the Dora pattern into it, as you went, not cross-stitch it? I remember seeing your little wrapped "floss" cards hanging off the afghan in one picture. I am almost tempted to try it. Maybe if I can go find a Spidey graph.:) You are so talented, and your granddaughter is gonna love it!

Tina
http://timelesscreations.blogspot.com

[123mama]

Nice nice nice.Your grand daughter will love it. Now you can pretend I am your grand daughter and do the Cinderella one for me.lol

[Msbarjam]

That is beautiful!:cheer


~Barb

[Jewels]

Wow, you're a patient creative crocheter. I love the way you and Dora almost are look-a-likes!

[Tampa Doll]

The Dora is crocheted in, not cross stitched.

I do not like any kind of sewing. Unless I absolutely have to.:thumbdown

Mom w/a Motif What you see hanging down are yarn bobbins.

Getting the blankets ready to go up North.:yay

[LoulouNi]

Oh my!! I know a couple of little girls who would be in heaven if they had this afghan!!!

Well done!

Louise

[Yarn Angel]

Makes me want to be a Dora fan!!! I am in awe of your talent (and perserverance!)

Amy

[GinaLaughed]

You did such an excellent job with this and your sweet Madison is one lucky pup! :) I don't think I have it in me to do this unless I have someone here teaching me in person. Wanna visit? :lol

[Julie]

Oh that is just so cool! Wonderful job, it's just adorable. :manyheart

[Sue89]

Your work is so amazing. Thank you for sharing how you did it and the link to those graphs. One of these days I'm going to try one of these blankets, although I'll probably have to start with something really simple. ;)

[kvinna]

Wow! You did an AMAZING job! :clap
I know my niece would love something like that. Of course, I will be good enough to make something like that by the time she is 21. :heehee

[rebeccav]

FABULOUS!! what an amazing job - and so quickly! awesome

[chickpea67]

This is amazing!

[Terri/LadySorce]

WOW... very nice.

[Crochet Buffet]

:nworthy:nworthy:nworthy:nworthy:nworthy
That is truly gorgeous!!!!! Your granddaughter should be a very happy little girl!

I have a cross stitch pattern program. Can I use that to graph something?

My daughters would love something like that, and I would love the challenge!

Thanks so much for sharing!

[Hook and I]

Wow - is that ever neat! Your grand daughter is going to love it!

I'm not sure I'd have the patience to do something like that myself, but I can't wait to see the finished project! :c)

[AshEgypt]

Super cool!

:frog

[angels776]

:eek wow that is beautiful to say something i Love it ,i'm irikel's sister but to let you know i would for now never be able to get something like that done wounderful.

[donnalynn2]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

You make it look so easy and effortless!

[Kymberlina]

You did a great job!! What a talent you are, it's gorgeous:yay !

[busybee]

WOW :cheer Again another great job!!!! You have been such a great help to me and so supportive. Dont think I will ever :no get where you are but thats why you are the :queen of the graphs.:hug

[Everyday Crochet]

I don't think I've ever seen anything so neat before! You are very talented. What a lucky little granddaughter.

[gramcar3]

WOW: That is just wonderful. I am sure Madison will love it. You are a great crocheting grandma.:cheer:clap:flower:nworthy

[threeolivemartini]

not trying to take away your praises or anything.. but.. this was completed LAST year.. madison already has the blanket

[Aelita]

I love the Tinkerbell and the Mickey afghans my youngest god daughter would love the the Disney Princess one. I wish I could make afghans like that.

[Riohnna]

Wow!! I am sure this will be gorgeous!! I can't wait to see it!

[Ladycrochat]

Mary Jo, You did an incredible job on that Doraghan! I really liked watching it progress, and the tutorial that you gave us was so helpful.....thank you for teaching us all how to do this, and being such an inspiration! I have wanted to learn how to do this kind of crocheting for a long time, and now I think I will finally be brave enough to commit to doing it! Your Granddaughter will be wild with happiness with that awesome afghan! You deserve a round of applause!:applause :applause :applause :applause :applause :applause :applause :applause

[Becks]

It's beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! :clap
Congratulations on such a masterpiece! :yay

[misssmaggie]

Looks great so far!!! She is a cutie!!! Thanks for sharing!

[tobybob]

That is beautiful!

[Hookerangel]

WOW - how cool is that. Love the afghan - I'm sure Madison is bowled over by it. Amazing work

[nana]

dora came out cute. the colors are so bright. bet your grandaughter love it. i know i would. thank for sharing.

[rvan777]

That is so precious. I was sad when my daughter told me that she thinks my granddaughter Emily is outgrowing Dora.

[chickcrochet1991]

Hello, I'm new to this site. My name is Shawn and I have been crocheting ever since I was 10 years old. I have a co-worker wanting a crochet Dora Afghan and I wasn't sure where to go or even how to start. Can you give me a little insite?:crocheting:help

[chickcrochet1991]

Finally finished . :clap :cheer :yay



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/The%20making%20Dora/CompletedDoratheExplorer.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/The%20making%20Dora/CompletedDora002.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/The%20making%20Dora/CompletedDora003.jpg for Madison http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/TampaDoll/The%20making%20Dora/1by1MadisonHoneyBlond2.jpg

This is soooo beautiful!!! I hope mine turn out a pretty as this one.

[mama_crochet]

That is awesome! Where did you get the pattern for that! My dgd loves Dora too..I would love to make her one!
BTW..what color did you chose for her face?

[Monique39]

Very cute!

[Peggy85225]

That is fantastic!

[cher49]

I can't wait to see it when you complete it.

[Bejae_60]

Oh my gosh. That is so cute. I want so bad to learn to do picture ghans, but then I chicken out. Thinking its too hard

[mom4x]

WOW.. Thats just awesome. I'dl really like to do one of those for my dd.. but I don't think I have the patience or skill... GREAT JOB:cheer