Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Sweet Baby Mine

With this Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby doll outfit I move from Christmas to Valentine's Day for the doll donation. The beauty of the Valentine's projects is most are able to be worn more through out the year. Some pieces can even be split and worn with other outfits as they don't scream Christmas.

The main portion of this outfit is made with Darski's free Sweet Baby Mine pattern found here. I used the dress, cape, and headband found in the much larger set.

The shoes, and undies I made using Amy Carrico's Spring Dress pattern which is listed as being sold on Ravelry here. Her patterns show up and disappear between Etsy and Ravelry so I make no promises. I've bought just about every baby doll pattern she has available for the sizes I donate because I love her designs. They just aren't always easy to locate.

Notes:

The dress is made with Walmart's Mainstays Pink Blend. I picked up more of this because I do like it for this outfit and at some point it will be discontinued. I believe the pink is the same Pretty and Pink.

I use an I hook for the dress thus ignoring the directions after row 5 to change hook sizes.

The directions are changed to join the dress after row 5.

To get to this length I add rows trying it on until I like the length.

I follow the directions for the cape and headband as written except I join the headband sewing the flower over the join.

Amy Carrico's pattern requires baby sport weight yarn and I used pink and white baby bernat sport and an e hook for the panties and the shoes.

I followed the shoes as written.

The panties require working to 32 sc to get it wide enough to fit the doll. I then add some rows to get it to fit over the diaper.

16 Inch Baby Doll Summer Christmas Dress

This is the last of the Christmas outfits I need for 2026 and I think I have enough of this yarn for next year's outfits.

The dress for this outfit is the Summer Dress pattern from the out of print newsprint House of White Birches Baby Doll Fashions to Crochet. The hat and shoes are from two different free pattern sets. The shoes can be found here and the hat here.

Notes:

To get this to fit the 16 inch baby doll with this yarn I used an e hook for the entire dress not changing to a D for the skirt as it would have been too tight.

As I mentioned in the post about the other 16 inch baby doll Christmas dress this is a sport weight metallic yarn of unknown origin. It is lighter than my baby weight sport yarns.

I repeat row 5 once thus changing the row numbers all the way down. I add skirt rows to get to the length I want. This time I added a sc trim to the top and arms. I used a sc skip 1 5 dc in the next for the bottom trim.

I need a J hook for the shoes with sport weight yarn. I used a G and f hooks for the hat.

Calico Critter Brother Christmas Overalls

With this Christmas outfit complete I need just one more for the 16 inch baby doll and all will leave with something to wear for Christmas.

This is a pattern set available for purchase here that has a pattern for the sister and brother Calico Critters.

Notes:

These are made with size 20 crochet thread and a 1mm thread hook.

I reversed the colors I used for Dad and having added the trim like I did with Dad chose not to use the buttons.

The pants legs are finished with a round of sc green and followed by a ss row.

16 Inch Baby Doll I Feel Pretty Christmas Dress

The two 16 Inch Baby dolls are some of the last Christmas outfits I need for the 2026 donation. I don't have specific Christmas patterns but I decided to take some classic patterns and use them for this project. This is Darski's free I Feel Pretty pattern found here. The shoes are another of her free patterns found here.

Notes:

The green yarn is a sport weight metallic yarn that was given to me a while back and I don't remember where it came from sadly. I tried using it on Darski's Green Christmas Dress for the 18 inch doll a few years back and it proved to be too light and ended up making an outfit for the Glitter Girl. I've not seen anything online similiar to this yarn.

The red is old Red Heart Sport and the white Bernat sport baby yarn.

I used an H hook for the dress. There is a correction for row 5 that requires a start of 9 dc not 8.

I did the first white contrast row where suggested, but after seeing the look of the red chose to add the additional length rows I need for this doll and end with the contrasting red color at the bottom.

Regarding the panties a note to self legs are formed in row 7. The red yarn was not great for making waist tie so I left it off.

Hat requires a G and F hook. I need 50 chains for hat to tie.

I used sc trim for neck. The arms had a sc to clean them up and then a sc chain 3 for decorative purposes.

With sport yarn the shoes need a J hook to fit.

Our Generation Boy Sleeping Bag

I try to post only one sleeping item per week regardless of how many I finished.

This was actually my New Year's Eve project. I started it at an appointment the day before. Worked on it during a game night on New Year's Eve and finished it up New Year's Day. I started the next one and worked it until I reached the shell section for my next appointment as it is easier to travel when the project is at this point then starting from the pillow section on the road.

I am working to fufill my promise of having these finished early in the donation cycle.

This is made using Suzies Stuff free pattern found here.

In years past I've made it a goal to use up yarn in my stash where possible. This year it is less of a goal and more of a need as I can't indulge my yarn buying habit. I had used this same skein of Red Heart Ombre Cocoa last October to make the boy's sleeping bag. Not sure there is enough for another 18 Inch doll but it might work for Ken.

I need a K hook for this project.

Lil Cutesies Nightgown

It was almost November before I finished the Lil Cutesie nightgown for the 2025 donation. It feels amazing to be preposting about it in January!

This is the only one of the baby dolls I don't use Darski's Sweetly pattern for the nightgown. For what ever reason her free BBL pattern fits the Lil Cutesie doll better. You can find that pattern here.

Notes:

I read last year's notes that suggested an E hook rather than an f and this worked out well. I would suggest following the directions for additional increase stitches. I fear I missed a couple of these. I would not the next time I make this.

I work at avoiding repeating colors when possible but not a fan of the Ice Cream Lemon Meringue for this project. I've used it for some of the 16 inch dresses and liked it but not a great fit for this smaller project. I had been tempted to repeat Tutti Frutti and I'd go back to that for next year. It was a fun look.

This pattern has directions until row 8 and then make it as long as you want. I stopped a row before the length I wanted and did a sc skip a stitch 5 dc in the next stitch shell to finish the bottom. When complete I finished the back before chaining 30 for the neck closure. This year as I was going across the neck I'd alternated back stitch and front stitch hdc for a little different neck finish rather than the sc chain 3 I've done in previous years.

I also decreased and finished the arms with sc and then added an additional row of sc chain 3 skip one around for a better arm fit and a little decoration.

Calico Critters Dad Christmas Overalls

Sadly I don't have many patterns for the male critters. I did discover one after the donation last year that I haven't tried but the overalls are my tried and true for the boys.

This is a On A Calico Day pattern that can be purchased here. It includes a pattern for Mom and Dad.

Notes:

I used size 20 thread and a 1mm hook to get these to fit.

There are several options for the pants. I can never get the full length legs to fit so mine are always the shorter legs and I choose not to add the cuff. This time I added a red trim to give it a holiday feel using sc around the top and surface stitching the bottom of the pants using a chain 1 between stitches.

I looked at adding buttons to this set of overalls but found with the contrasting colors it was too much.

Ken Christmas Caroler

I was able to track down links for the out of print free Ken Caroler pattern. Page 1, 2

While I'd made Barbie previously I'd never made Ken. The original pattern gives Ken a Christmas green coat and hat. It is a festive outfit but having already made a Santa outfit for Ken I was hoping for a more winter look that he could use to carol with Barbie but also might work for other winter play fun. Therefore I chose blue and black as my primary colors with some red highlights.

As I was cleaning my yarn stash I found a crate of Red Heart sport yarn and I am going to be putting it to use for projects like this one this year. I'm also hoping to replace the colors I finish off with Hobby Lobby's sport as it has a similiar weight.

Notes:

I used the suggested e hook for this project.

All the yarn except the hat was Red Heart Sport. I learned from making holiday yoga skeleton hats using Ken's holiday patterns that I need worsted 4 yarn so the hat is made with Red Heart Super Saver Black and an e hook.

The first thing that surprised me as I started this project is the coat is not a traditional coat but more of a tunic that attaches a cape to it.

As with Barbie in order to give the arms room to fit into the holes I did not join the first three rows and then used a snap to close the opening.

I followed the directions as written except I crabbed stitched around the hat edges and surfaced stitched the red trim around the hat.

I also followed the same directions for the book that I used with Barbie sewing the book together.

Having found the original pattern link I went back to look to see if I'd lost the directions for Ken's pants but I couldn't find any. I'm still playing with my directions because I don't love the crotch but this is what I did for this pair of pants.

Cut an elastic to fit Ken's waist.

Sc around elastic 24 stitches

Dc around for 3 rows

Split for legs dc in 12 stitches chain 3 and join

10 rows of 15 stitches

sc around

ss around

I'm thinking about trying the next pair of pants I make without the chain 3 to see if they sit better.

Finally I couldn't resist a picture of the two of them together caroling. I never know how the toys are distributed but I do like to think of the Barbie's heading out together.

Barbie Christmas Caroler

This is an old out of print pattern that was always free. Page 1 is available here. Page 2 here.

My suggestion is if you are interested in this pattern save it and print it as the last time I tried finding it I couldn't locate it. This time I almost missed it. I'm still trying to locate a link for Ken's companion pattern.

I found these patterns over 20 years ago when I was looking for Barbie patterns for my nieces. I started thinking about them again when Barbie made it back into my doll rotation for the donation. With the addition of a Christmas challenge both Barbie and Ken have benefited from the older patterns. If all goes well Ken will be leaving with a Santa and a Caroler pattern. After all Barbie isn't going to go caroling by herself.

I didn't take as many notes in the past so I am getting more dilegent about documenting my work for future projects: Notes:

I used Hobby Lobby's Sport Yarn for the dress and Bernat Big Baby for the trim. I haven't used a great deal of their sport yarn but it is incredibly soft. The one challenge with yarn, especially soft yarn and Barbie are her hands that can be claw like when putting on clothes. Other than that I really liked this and will be looking to get more for other patterns from this designer that I haven't visited in a bit.

I had a note on the pattern from the original time I made this not to join until finishing the first 3 rows. That worked for me and I added a snap to close. It is really hard to get the arms through the arm holes without the extra space.

I'm using the same technique for Ken's tunic like coat for his caroler outfit. I joined after row 3 and continued as written. Again to make it easier to get the arms in and out of the dress for the straps I chained 6. Without this the arms are just don't fit through the holes.

I finished back with sc around the straps.

I chose to use Bernat Baby for the trim.

The bottom of the skirt is done with surface crochet remembering to sc between stitches. This is not a formal stitch instruction but the only way it works for me.

The upper trim is ss chain 3 ss across.

The neck is sc

The cape is trimmed with crab stitch.

Note for the future do not decrease on dress sleeves. As noted Barbie's hands catch on yarn so a little width makes it easier to get clothes on and off. I added a 2dc trim around the end of the sleeve to widen the sleeve and this helped a little.

I ss to one side of the book and chain the length of the side of the book on each side as this gives Barbie handles to hold the book. I sew the white pages to the black music cover.

I included this picture as a reminder that this hat only fits hair through the hole first. I put the tail through first and then pull it up on to head. It haven't been able to get it to fit any other way. I've thought about experimenting with leaving it open instead of joining as it would be easier for a child to get on and off.

16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

With this second 16 inch Baby Doll Sleep Sack complete I only have one more to make for the Lots to Love 14 inch Baby doll. Next up however is a sleeping bag for the Our Generation Boy doll. I finished all the Sleeping Sacks easily enough but never got to the sleeping bags last year. I am determined not to be making sleeping bags in the fall next year.

Notes:

You can find the free pattern here along with sleeping bags for both the fashion dolls and the 18 inch dolls.

I use a J hook to get this to fit the 16 inch baby dolls.

This one is made with Red Heart Ombres Jazzy.

As I tend to use these and the sleeping bags as traveling projects a reminder to myself to start and get to row 7 before taking this project out once established this is a very relaxing project that requires minimal monitoring. The earlier rows require more attention which can make it less useful for my needs.

I do not count rows once the pattern is established but determine it is time for the final row which is a trim row when I've tried it on and it is big enough.

16 Inch Baby Doll Bib 2

With the completion of this bib the diaper bag crocheted items for the 16 inch baby dolls are complete for 2026. I still need a bib for the Lots to Love 14 Inch baby doll.

This bib pattern is part of a larger free crochet feeding kit pattern found here.

I add the Melissa and Doug Feeding Kit to the three largest baby dolls I donate every year. The one challenge I've found is the bib is designed for their doll not the dolls I donate so I still continue to crochet bibs and diapers to add to the diaper bags each year in addition to sending the feeding kits. I no longer need to crochet bottles and feeding items.

Notes:

After finishing this bib I'm making a note to use lighter yarn for the trims and ties. Worsted is great for the bib but the ties are a bit bulky when done with worsted.

I hook

To get this bib to fit the larger doll I've made the following adjustments:

Start with a chain 16

Continue pattern for 20 rows

Row 21 do row 11 neck shaping

Chain 40 stitches for ties

I always add this reminder but I did pull the pattern and put it in my to do binder because I will forget if I don't set it up for success.

Reminder to myself for future years, this bib is a bit large even without adjustments for the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby doll. Needlecrafts Shop's Sweet Cuddles 971016 leaflet is a better fit and I should pull it out to use for the smaller doll.

Lots to Love 10 inch Baby Doll Nightgown

I realized I forgot to add a link last year. This is made using Darski's free pattern set Sweetly found here.

Notes:

To get this to fit the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby doll I used an F hook and Baby Bernat Sport yarn. Reading my previous notes I remembered to return to the baby yarn for this project.

I followed rows 1-17 then completed rows 33-37.

I finished the back and then did the ties as suggested making mine 30 chains.

I finished the arms and added a sc chain 3. I did not attempt longer arms as this sometimes can make it more challenging to get the outfit on and off.

I believe I used Darski's BBL for the Lil Cutesies doll but I will be back with the Sweetly pattern for the Lots to Love 14 inch Doll.

Our Generation Green Christmas Dress

I found I still have one skein left of Bernat's Happy Holidays green glitter yarn and decided it was time to pull out Darski's free Green Christmas pattern found here.

Notes:

I realize I've never really made notes for this dress just a few casual comments along the way. For my own sanity here goes.

I used an I hook for the dress and a G for the trim and finishing the back.

I no longer have metalic white so I used basic white worsted. When I run out of metallic green I'm considering making it without the metallic yarn. I tried using a substitute I was given but it was too light weight for the project a few years back and the Glitter Girl ended up with an outfit from it.

This is a personal note for me chain one between each surface crochet stitch. No idea why but this works for me. In the past I've actually lazy daisy stitched the trim this time using the chain one I was able to make it work. I used fpsc technique for the ss as there are no sc and this has confused me for years.

I would actually consider using Bernat baby for the trim next time as the worsted is heavy with the chains. It looks fine for the surface crochet.

My Life Gingerbread Dress

This is another Adoring Doll pattern which you can purchase here. I believe I received both Gingerbread patterns as a set from my husband as a gift.

Notes:

Since I had both Gingerbread patterns I decided to make both of them for the two My Life donation dolls.

The patterns are similiar but different. If I make these for next year's donation I would use the first pattern's hat for both dolls. I had to take out the decreases on this hat pattern and it was still a little tight getting it over the hair.

Since hair ranges on the available dolls each year I try not to make anything too hard to get on and off. The first hat would work better for both outfits. That being said as someone who rarely enjoys repeating items I liked that this was a different take on the theme. The boots were different from the shoes and the dress works up well.

I used an I hook for everything but the trims. The face and bow were made with a g hook.

The brown is Red Heart Super Saver Caffe Latte. I finished off a huge ball of it after making the first outfit and it almost completed the dress. I've been trying to buy the Jumbo's when I can find them as they last longer for my doll projects. I was lucky to get a matching color as I didn't write down the color of the ball I had left. Thankfully if not the same as the unamed ball it was close enough that it allowed me to finish the project. The red and white are both likely Red Heart as I keep buying them when I run out but the browns seem harder to find and match.

I've been adding in the other yearly projects around the Christmas themed projects but promised myself no Valentine's outfits until every doll has at least one Christmas outfit to leave with for the donation.

16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

This was actually my Christmas Day project. I started it as a travel project and finished it Christmas night.

I had forgotten that unlike the sleeping bags this pattern takes until about row 7 until you have a easy pattern to follow while having a conversation or not having the brain power to concentrate which is what I try to establish for a travel project.

The rows prior to that aren't hard but the stitches used change and you have to be more mindful which can be more challenging when you are looking for something to keep your hands busy but not require a great deal of focus.

With that in mind I finished the second snuggle sack for the 16 inch baby dolls to row 7 and left it for my next appointment.

Notes:

This is a free pattern found here. There are two sizes of the snuggle sack and various sleeping bags I use for this project.

To make this fit the 16 inch baby doll I use a J hook.

This version was made with Red Heart Ombre Violet yarn that was left over from a previous project. It felt like it was a little lighter than some of the other Red Heart Striped Yarns I've used for the sleeping bags.

Once passed the establishing rows I don't count rows for the snuggle sacks. I keep trying them on until they fit and then do the final row.

16 Inch Baby Doll Diaper 4

This is the final diaper I need for the 2026 16 inch Baby Doll donation! There are so many distractions and honestly fun crochet projects that I like to get these projects completed early and in their donation bags so they don't get left out and have me scrambling when I do inventory in the fall.

They are simple enough to do but I try to make two for each of the dolls to allow the child to have a diaper on and have one in the diaper bag for "changing" the baby. While not hard the items can be a bit dull. My experience with my adult nieces was the plastic disposable ones didn't last long and finding replacements wasn't an easy task. These are pretty hardy and can be used until lost.

Notes:

These are made with a free pattern available here.

I use worsted 4 yarn and a J hook. The diapers are closed with snaps. Buttons might work if you wanted a substitute.

16 Inch Baby Doll Wipes 2

With these complete I am done with baby wipes for the 16 inch baby doll for 2026!

This is made with an old out of print diaper bag pattern from Crochet n'play. I've been using a g hook I might consider an h hook as this one seemed larger than usual.

One more diaper and a bib and the second diaper bag set of crocheted items will be complete.

Calico Critter Sister Dress

Mother and daughter have now entered the Christmas doll outfits for 2026. Sister is sporting a free shell stitched dress pattern that can be found here. The pattern includes directions for Mother and Sister.

I hope to include non-Christmas outfits for both using this pattern for the 2026 donation.

Notes:

One of the reasons for documenting these projects each year is to remember what worked and learn from the challenges. Last year I used a 1.25mm hook for Sister's dress and while it fit it was tight and it was challenging to fit the tail through the back opening. This was corrected this year with a 1.5mm thread hook.

This was made with size 10 crochet thread. This color has been discontinued.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Christmas Dress

I had been considering what pattern to use for the Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll's Christmas outfit. I saw a pattern for a Baby Steps doll and loved it for this challenge. I'd found previous patterns with patterns for both the 10 inch baby doll and the Baby Steps so I knew they were compatible with some adaptations.

You can purchase the pattern here.

Notes:

When I've purchased patterns listing the Baby Steps doll there have been separate directions for the baby doll as this one is more of a toddler doll. Thankfully I'm used to adapting patterns to meet my needs.

The pattern calls for size 10 crochet thread and a size 5 thread hook. This always throws me as numbered thread hooks don't transfer the way a G hook would on most patterns. I started with my closest guess but it was rather small and I ended up moving up to a C hook for everything but the shoes. I needed a 1.8mm thread hook for the shoes. They were huge with a C hook.

Note for dress I always struggle with working into ss, around, behind so where possible I try to give myself an opening. Round 2 of the dress requires ss but round 3 requires working behind ss. TO make this easier I worked the ss into the front loops of stitches of the previous row leaving the back stitch open for round 3.

I added rows 13-14 to red before adding white shell edging for length.

The panties fit as written with no adaptations needed other than hook size.

The designer suggests multiple options for trims and colors and I'd like to add at least one more dress from this pattern to the donation this year.

I love that it requires no snaps or buttons.

Lil Cutesies Sleep Sack

I had targeted the one of the 16 Inch Baby Dolls to be the next travel sleep sack projects. However, I was cleaning up and found a collapsed skein of striped Red Heart yarn and while rolling it decided why not just use it and another sleep sack was finished for the 2026 donation.

As I said December was a busy, productive month for getting stuff done for the next donation year.

You can find the free pattern here.

Notes:

I need a G hook to get this to finish the Lil Cutesies doll.

I want to make one more of the small sleep sacks to put in an Operation Shoebox donation with one of the Lots to Love 8 Inch dolls next year. It should fit in with the bassinet I make for the doll. If it doesn't I have another sack ready for 2027.

16 Inch Baby Doll Diaper 3

Each year I donate two 16 inch baby dolls. This requires duplicate sets for the crocheted diaper bag items. Each of the baby dolls gets two diapers. The first doll's diaper bag items are complete for 2026 and I've started on set 2.

I am loving the Christmas projects but I learned from last year that it is important to get these other projects completed as well. Therefore on Sunday after completing a section of another Christmas doll outfit I decided it was time to make another diaper for the diaper bag.

This is my go to free pattern found here.

I used a J hook for the diaper and they are closed with snaps.

Calico Critter Mom Christmas Dress

The Calico Critters have entered the Christmas project with a dress for Mom made with Char Caywood's Empire Dress pattern available for purchase here.

Notes:

This was made with size 10 Aunt Lydia's thread. The variegated is no longer available.

I need a b hook to get this to fit the bunny.

I chose not to add trim to the neck as I have in the past as the Christmas colors would have been a bit overwhelming. I did reduce the arms this time decreasing around and then doing a row of sc on each arm.

I closed the back with a snap.

I'm thinking of adding a dress for my own holiday decorations.

My Life Gingerbread Outfit

I'm continuing with my Christmas themed projects for the 2026 doll donation. This is one of Adoring Doll's patterns available for purchase here.

Notes:

I used an I hook for most of this project. I'd consider using a J hook for the Vest as it proved to be a little small around the arms when joined. I used an H for the bow. I used a G for the buttons.

The white and red yarn are Red Heart Super Saver. The brown is either Red Heart or Caron Pounder Yarn. I didn't have a label for it and it was rolled into a ball after a previous project.

This suit is similiar to the Elf suit I made for the Our Generation Boy. The one note I'd make for myself is before starting the split for legs make sure to be at the back center. I had been doing this while doing other things and found my first leg was well off center and the leg needed to be frogged and redone.

I'm hoping to make the Gingerbread Dress for the other My Life Doll's Christmas outfit.

Lil Cutesies Christmas Dress

The Lil Cutesies doll is next up for a Christmas outfit. I went back to the Petite Doll's outfit I wrote about last week changing to Christmas colors and making the corrections in the skirt following the directions for a dc ch dc v-stitch to a 2 dc ch 2 dc v-stitch in the second row which makes for a puffier skirt.

The dress and shoes are made using a Petite Designs pattern that can be purchased here. The hat is again adapted from the free Barbie Santa hat available here.

Notes:

I've started to use size 3 thread for some of the smaller baby doll dresses as I'm fining them to be a bit large with the sport baby yarn. The red sport I have is slightly heavier than current baby yarn which makes it even less helpful for these outfits.

The white and red are Aunt Lydia's. The green is Thread Art. When I start buying thread again I'm going to need some darker greens in all numbers if I want to do the Christmas project again for next year's donation.

I did rows 1 and 2 skippped to 4

I join all rows no need to close back.

I decreased the panty rows down to 3 and this made for a better fitting panty. It reduced the width for the front of the panties but this was not a huge issue as they tend to be incredibly bulky in full.

Hat:

I needed a chain of 50 to get the hat to fit around the doll's head. Over the white base rows I reduced to the original count and the thread stretched quite well. I was then able to follow the pattern as written.

The pom pom continues to be the pattern I've used for all of these dolls and then sewn on to the hat. I've never been great at making traditional pom poms and these don't tend to shed.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Sleep Sack

December turned out to be an appointment month which allowed me to finish off another sleep item for the donation a little less than ten days before Christmas.

This is a free pattern you can find here.

Notes:

I used an I hook for this project.

I add an extra row before the final row for this doll.

The yarn is Herrschners' Worsted 8 Baby Stripes Pastel Rainbow. I found this yarn works a little better for the smaller dolls than the Red Heart yarn. I still use traditional worsted for the larger 16 inch baby dolls.

Lil Cutesies Dress, Hairband and Shoes Set

December was a busy month for starting the 2026 project. I'm preposting into January as I'm working on some Christmas outfits and thought it would be better to post them closer to the holiday when possible.

With this project finished Lil Cutesies enters the 2026 donation project.

I've been working on adapting Petite Doll Designs so they fit the Little Cutesies doll a bit better. I love being able to use yarn over thread but over the years I've come to realize that these projects can be a bit bulky with the baby yarn and I've been working on using thread. I realized I actually converted one to size 10 thread last year. I really do need to read my notes before tackling these projects. I took notes on my phone this year and then printed the changes I made to add to my pattern sleeve for this pattern.

This is a Petite Creative Design pattern available for purchase here.

Notes:

I changed to size 3 thread this year and liked that it was a little less bulky. I noticed in another post for a different pattern that I tried size 10 with a few changes and it worked and I'd think about that for next year.

I did rows 1 and 2 skippped to 4

I join all rows no need to close back.

I needed to decrease the crotch to 4 stitches to get the panties to fit. This is another reason to consider using size 10. Even size 3 is bulky.

Increase to 12

Sew to waist

Do additional top rows in sc

Skirt row 1 and 2 are not the same it changes look of skirt

This is why this verstion doesn't flow as well. Not sure I'll have a chance to come back and try it again this year but an important not for future projects.

Finish legs

5 dc rather than 7 crochet shell for bottom of skirt. If I follow the change of skirt pattern the 7 dc would likely fit.

Finish top of bodice with alternate color

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Christmas Dress

This outfit was created adapting Amy Carrico's Springs Set for the 8 inch Baby doll and playing with Darsk's free hat pattern from Baby's first Christmas pattern found here.

Amy Carrico's pattern used to be available on Etsy but is still listed as being available for purchase on Ravelry here.

Notes:

After making the Spring outfit for the 2026 donation I decided to try this with size 3 thread as the red sport yarn I had was too heavy when I tried it.

Dress:

I followed the hook suggestions I used with the yarn and I found this worked for the thread. The first 2 rows with a C hook and finish with a B hook.

For this outfit I chose to continue to turn even after joining as I wanted a different look than the Spring dress.

Panties:

I'm continuing to play with the panties to get them to fit this doll as I find they are either too big or too small. So still a work in progress.

Shoes:

I used a C hook with the shoes and followed the pattern as written. Shoes fit well with thread.

Hat:

I used the brim from Darski's hat pattern. I may try to enlarge the Barbie pattern for the Lil Cutesies doll when I make her Christmas outfit. This wasn't quite the look I was hoping to make.

Rag Doll Christmas Dress

I generally don't make hats or headbands for this doll as her hair makes fitting them rather challenging. However this free 18 inch doll Santa Hat is designed to be oversized and thus fits over the doll's hair.

Notes:

Both patterns for this were adapted from free patterns. The dress is Darski's Dora Dress For February Dress found here. The hat is a free 18 inch doll Santa hat pattern found here.

Dress:

I use a K hook for the first 7 rows joining at the end of row 7.

For the skirt I switch to an I hook to the end of the dress.

In Row 1 to make the arms fit both dolls I need to chain 8.

However this creates and issue with the skirt so in the following row I need to evenly reduce by 8 stitches the number of additional chains added in the previous row prior to starting the pattern that will eventually establish the skirt.

Use a stitch marker to mark the decreases and increases. They are just easy to loose.

Don't skip the directions for finishing the top and the arms.

Hat:

I used the suggested I hook. The suggested yarns are no longer available but I used regular Red Heart yarn and still liked the outcome. I followed the directions as written. This is where I learned to make pom poms that I use for the other dolls.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Christmas Dress

This outfit puts the Lots to Love 14 inch baby doll on the map for the 2026 donation and gives me hope of sending off each doll with a Christmas donation.

This is an adaptation of Amy Carrico's Spring outfit listed for sale on Ravelry here. It also adapts the free Barbie Santa hat pattern I've been using which you can find here.

Notes:

Dress:

The dress, panties, and shoes are from Amy Carrico's pattern. The pattern includes a sweater and headband which I intead to use when I make this as a non-Christmas outfit to add to the donation later in the year.

I have an old big ball of Red Heart Sport Yarn in Red that I've been using for various Christmas doll outfits along with white Bernat Baby.

To make the dress fit I used a G hook for the first 2 rows switching to an E hook for the rest of the dress.

The final shell row of the dress was done in white to give it a Christmas look. The neck is finished in sc white. I used decrease rows with the red to finish off the arms.

The panties need to be worked to 32 stitches at both ends before joining. I play with this pattern every time as I add rows and then decrease to get the panties to fit over the diaper without being too big.

I use an e hook for the shoes following the pattern as written. These stay on fairly well.

While the pattern comes with a headband I wanted a Santa hat and decided to experiment with the free Barbie Santa pattern found here. Hat:

There are some patterns that are harder than others to adapt from doll to doll especially when the dolls are completely different body types. This Santa hat has proven to be a bit easier likely because it is a bit less complicated than something with more form to it.

I originally tried the white baby sport yarn with a larger hook but it was too tight. I moved to white worsted 4 yarn and an I hook and the bottom of the hat fit leading me to believe the pattern would work for this doll. I changed to an H hook for the red yarn.

Pom Pom:

Row 1: 10 DC into magic circle

Row 2: 2 DC in each DC from previous row

Row 3 Dc 1 2 Dc in next

Finish off weaving yarn through bottom of pom pom and pulling closed. Weave in starting end and use finishing end to sew on to hat.

My Life Sleeping Bag

I vowed last fall I'd finish the accessories earlier for the 2026 donation. I really didn't enjoy rushing to finish them at the last minute.

A couple of appointments and some Christmas movie viewing made this one move along quickly.

Notes:

This is made from a free pattern found here. You can find sleeping bags for the fashion dolls there along with snuggle sacks for the various sized baby dolls.

I use a K hook to make this fit the 18 inch dolls.

I believe this is Red Heart Super Saver Bright Stripe. I often pick skeins up at Walmart for the sleeping bag projects.

Our Generation Boy Elf

Happy New Year!

I finished this outfit Sunday and moved on to a Christmas outfit for the Lots to Love 14 inch Baby Doll. My hope is all the dolls will leave with a Christmas themed outfit. Not sure how well that will go for the Calico Critters but I think I can manage for most of the remaining other dolls.

Notes:

This is Adoring Doll's Elf outfit that can be purchased here. It is shown with the Boy and Girl in red and green but the pattern is the same for both dolls. It is a jumper style pattern not a seperate pants and top outfit. While the shoes are separate the gloves are attached.

I believe the white and green yarns are both Red Heart Super Saver skeins.

The elf suit was made with an I hook and I followed the directions as written.

I used an H hook for the sleeves and the gloves. Even with the H there were some fingers breaking through I might go with an I the next time for the gloves.

I worked the first row of the collar in the back loops to get it to flop forward. I used the suggested H hook for the points I'd consider a G next time as they are larger than I expected. It might be that this doll has a bit of hair but I went up to an H hook and had to increase the stitch count and lengthen the hat to get it to fit on his head. I'd consider starting with an I hook and perhaps reducing once past the skull and hair.

The shoes worked up with an H hook. The only challenge I had was two different colors of green forced me to remake one shoe.

I would make this again for the boy doll as I don't have lots of Christmas options for him. This worked out well.