'I am a Pirate King'...

Oh, better far to live and die

Under the brave black flag I fly,

Than play a sanctimonious part,

With a pirate head and a pirate heart.

Away to the cheating world go you,

Where pirates all are well-to-do;

But I’ll be true to the song I sing,

And live and die a Pirate King.

For I am a Pirate King!

And it is, it is a glorious thing

To be a Pirate King!

I just loved Anthony Warlow's Jack Sparrow influenced version of the 'Pirate King' in Pirates of Penzance. He's such a good mimic. His Frank Spencer impersonation makes me laugh so much!

Ok... now on to the knitted dolls...

During my extensive research on knitted doll making, I purchased the book 'Knitted Pirates, Princesses, Witches, Wizards and Fairies' By Annette Hefford. I LOVED the pirate in this book so I decided I would attempt to make a version of him but using the same basic doll pattern as I had for the previous two dolls (from 'Babes in the Wool' by Fiona McDonald). I did this mainly because I really wanted my dolls to be able to mix and match clothes and all look like they are from the same 'family' of dolls... and because I wasn't too fussed on the basic doll design that comes with the book.

So first things first... make the doll. I accomplished that part in about three days... worked out how to modify the shirt, pants and boots to fit my doll, made the headscarf as per the pattern (just on bigger needles). I also decided that Jack would have cool grey eyes instead of brown. I don't know why really except for that fact that I think grey eyes are sexy... and Jack Sparrow should be sexy yes?

Five days later I was at this stage...

MONTHS later... I am still at that stage... hehe. Did I mention I am a huge procrastinator and easily distracted onto other projects? Anyway... at this point I was getting inspired to make a gypsy princess doll so before I finished the clothes I started making my fourth doll.

MONTHS later... I am still not finished the primary pirate outfit for my Jack Sparrow doll, I have finished my fourth, fifth and sixth dolls plus a whole bunch of outfits for all of them and my collection now looks something like this...

You would think that somewhere in that pile of work I would find the time to finish a tricorn hat, a frockcoat, sword and a couple of belts yes?

This is my new mission... finish Jack Sparrow's original pirate outfit! (I am pleased to report that since starting this entry I have finished his sword... I have also knitted up half a pair of cargo pants, a pleated skirt and a sweater dress. HAHAHA! Alright I am hopeless I admit).

I hope by my next entry I will be able to say that I have beaten my procrastination and have actually finished this doll.

Until next time...