My Life Birthstone

Again still not out of April but moving deeper into May as I prepost. Not a bad challenge to have as summer approaches and more things take up time.

This is another one of Darski's free patterns found here.

The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creation's Sailor pattern that can be purchased here.

Notes:

I'll start with the pants. Unless I'm making footed pj's for the baby dolls for the most part I just make pants from the top down regardless of what the pattern says. There have been a few exceptions where the pants required something specific but when possible I don't. I find creating the legs and joining to be a frustrating process. I'm sure it technically is better but I've finally decided a finished wearable pair of doll pants is better than an unfished technically correct pair.

So with that in mind I followed Darski's directions for the upper part of the outfit but went my own way with the pants. I buy hair elastics and sc over them. I then dc until I split for legs by chaining 3 and dividing the legs evenly. I then decrease the legs as they can be wide. I generally finish with a ss "seam" as this tends to keep the stitches from catching as the pants are taken on and off.

This is Red Heart Super Saver Blue Wave and I only got two skeins of it when I stumbled upon it at Walmart. I liked it because it was between Royal and Navy and I knew I'd have projects that would work with this yarn. Sadly when I went to look for more it looks like they are no longer making this color.

It takes almost a full skein of Super Saver to finish this outfit along with additional white for trim.

Sweater:

I used an H hook for the sweater as suggested.

The sweater seemed short so I added some rows for length which meant adding rows to the cape to get the length pictured in the pattern.

This is a nice top and I would add it to the rotation with the cape for future donations.

Cape:

I used an extended dc rather than the hdc that Darski suggested. I tried the hdc and it didn't work for me.

As stated above I needed to add rows to the cape to cover the rows I added to the sweater to get it to fit.

Hat:

The hat was a happy mistake. I thought about pulling it out and starting again but I liked the way it looked despite it not being the match to the pattern picture.

Shoes:

This is my standard strap shoe pattern but having read my notes from the Madison project I did use a g hook and the fit was better.

Our Generation Elspeth

Still not quite to the end of April yet but edging closer as I prepost my projects.

This is another of Darski's free patterns that can be found here. The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creations School Girl pattern which can be purchased here.

Notes:

The main yarn for this dress was Red Heart Super Saver Saffron. The pattern called for an I hook but the dress is slightly larger than I'd like but having played with these patterns lately I suspect the H hook would be too small to get the dress to close for me.

The white trim is Baby Bernat Sport the hat Red Heart Super Saver. The Green is also Red Heart Spring Green left over from the Madison and Rivulet outfits. I used an f hook for the shoes but I'd go with an e next time as this yarn is heavier than the grey yarn I used for the last shoes and they were big.

My Life Arabella

As I'm writing this we are finally heading into the last week of April. My preposts are starting to catch up as my projects are a little more involved and take a bit longer to finish.

This is one of Darski's free patterns that can be found here. The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creation's School Uniform pattern that can be purchased here.

I needed a break from some of my smaller hook work and decided a stroll through Darski's patterns would be a good break. I had not made the Arabella pattern before. Some of Darksi's patterns work up easily for me and others feel like we are not communicating clearly. This sadly was the latter. I kept on and finished it. I took pictures in case I want to tackle it again at some point but I don't see this becoming a regular pattern.

I started with an I hook for the top section of the dress but it was huge. Thinking this was my problem I used an H hook as the top section is worked from the waist up. Then however the top was still too large in the bodice and the waist too small. This was a sign I was going to be making lots of changes.

I went back to the I hook for the dress and started reducing stitches once I was sure I had the waist wide enough for the doll. I didn't record all the reductions but I did finally get the top not to be off the shoulder.

The dress skirt was not an issue at all and worked up as written. I lenghtened the chains for the white trim at the neck in order to get the trim to weave through. It was short as written.

I used the suggested H hook for the bonnet. I likely should have used an I. The bonnet was not what I'd hoped for based on the pattern pictures. I had to add chains to the red trim to get it to fit and it was narrow so I added a row.

One of the reasons this dress has been on my radar for so long is the Spenser jacket. It gives the dress a historical feel.

It starts as a shrug working into a jacket and I found it was hard to fit. I pulled out the front panels a couple of times as they needed to be moved so the arms weren't trapped. There are pictures but the places I needed more help were the areas that had no pictures and the directions seemed a little mysterious for me. I have come back to projects after working on something else and suddenly they make sense which is why I took so many pictures because I haven't given up hope that this might make more sense with another try.

The shoes thankfully were easy with a size g hook.

The yarn for this was Big Twist I believe Teal. The Green and White were both Red Heart Super Saver. I'm glad I stuck with it and it does give another historical piece to the donation.

My Life Harriet

It feels odd to be preposting in May in the middle of April but I'm glad I have enough projects finished to be ahead instead of behind. Life can get busy and it is easy to stop posting and focus on what needs to be done outside of my preparations for donations.

This was made using the free Harriet pattern from Darski's Harriet set found here.

The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creations School Uniform Pattern that can be purchased here.

Notes:

This was made with Red Heart Super Saver Heather Grey and left over Big Twist unspecified grey. I haven't bought any Big Twist since Joann closed but I have been trying to find ways to use up the stock pile I purchased prior to them closing. The scarf is made with Walmart's Mainstay's Pink Blend. I use this particular Mainstay yarn for a couple of projects because I like the color blend.

Skirt:

The skirt was made with the Red Heart Heather gray. I crochet over a pony tail elastic with an H hook and complete the pattern as written. The increases are made in the back not the sides as with the Dovetailed pattern.

Sweater:

I use an I hook for the sweater. For some reason I had to play with the collar a few times as it wasn't sitting correctly.

Scarf:

I chain 100 and then mark the end stitches as the pattern is different for these and extend the count for the middle stitches to account for the longer chain. I used an I hook for the scarf.

Shoes:

I've discovered I need an E hook to get these shoes to fit.

My Life Claret

This is the second pattern in Darski's free Harriet pattern set found here

Notes:

My local Walmart did finally have Red Heart Claret so I decided to try it out. This feels more maroon than claret but each year I do try to get there.

This is a really quick and easy formal gown for the 18 inch dolls.

I use an I hook for the dress and follow the directions as written other than I added a few extra rows to get the length I wanted for the gown this year.

I've been experimenting with the trim that Darski calls the Flimmery bits. I've tried soley on the top as she suggests but I prefer front armpit to back armpit.

The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creations School Uniform that can be purchased here. I moved to an e hook for the pattern and they fit mcuh better.

The back gives directions for button formation as you are creating the dress and I almost started additional button holes after finishing the dress as this is something almost every dress does after completion. I rather liked this method as it was neat and clean.

Working on the Harriet pattern from this set for my next outfit.

Our Generation Dovetailed

This is a fairly standard donation pattern for the Our Generation Doll. It is one of Darski's free patterns you can find here.>

The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creation's School Girl pattern that can be purchased here.

This grey photographs lighter than the actual color. I was confused when I looked up the previous post as it also looked like a lighter grey and I don't have much light grey in my stash. This is Red Heart Super Saver Dusty Grey and it is the color I'd want again for this dress. I recently ordered some light grey for some other projects and I think it would be too light. The Red Heart Super Saver Gray Heather I use for another of Darski's patterns is too dark for this outfit although based on other pictures I have used it previously.

Notes:

I start the skirt by crocheting around a hair band with an I hook.

The increases need to be made on the side of the skirt. I start the overdress with a K hook switching to a J hook when I change to pink.

The back is finished and I add three button holes. Darski and I differ in that I do not let the buttons go below the grey line.

I used a H hook for the hat working as written.

I'm still struggling to make shoes without the strap that stay on the feet. I used an f hook for these and they still aren't quite right but I'm trying.

My Life Howdy Neighbor Coco's Tunic

With the wonders of preposting I'm half way through April as I write this but almost into May as I'm posting.

This is another pattern found in Darski's free Howdy Neighbor pattern found here.

The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creations Sailor Pattern that can be purchased here.

Notes:

This was made with Red Heart Bright Yellow and white. The hat calls for a darker yellow contrast but not having any currently in stock I went with a solid yellow with white trim.

I used an I hook for the tunic following the directions as written. I took the picture below to demonstrate the back closing as it has been a while since I made this outfit.

Darski makes her pants one leg at a time and joins them and this is a perfectly legitimate method. I only use this method when making footed pajamas because I can't avoid it for those. I much prefer to start top down and split for legs.

For this outfit I don't chain for legs I join at the crotch split. I start by sc over a hair elastic and then move to dc rows until I feel it is long enough to split for the legs. I chose to match the spikes on the top of the tunic to the bottom of the pant legs.

This year I needed a J hook to get the hat to fit the doll. The hair on this doll is a bit different but similiar to the models I've been donating so it seemed a good idea to go with the larger hat. The only other change I made to the hat is I finished it with white crab stitch along the top border.

My Life Rivulets

The last two years I've made this pattern with dark green yarn as the light green was harder to find. I found the Spring Green at Amazon and I just reordered some as I make several patterns for the 18 inch dolls and the 16 inch baby dolls with this color.

That being said after I'd finished this in the suggested color I realized I rather like the pattern in the darker color and wanted to note that for next year. While I'd continue with the Madison dress in the Spring Green I'd go back to the dark green for this outfit.

Notes:

This is one of Darski's free patterns that can be found here.

The shoes are made using Sweet Silver Creations Sailor Doll Pattern that can be purchased here.

This was made with Red Heart Super Saver Spring Green. I'd go with a darker green for my next attempt. My notes all say Caron Pounder is the best choice for this dress. The white is Baby Bernat Big Ball white.

I used the suggested I hook for everthing but the top trim. I used a g hook for the trim on the top as it tended to poof with the larger hook and the lighter yarn. I also used a g hook for the trim on the bottom as it gets bulky with the larger hook.

Don't increase beyond four dc between the post stitches as the skirt gets to be huge. The last row is all dc before adding trim. I missed this and the trim sits better from dc row.

The bottom trim rows need to adjust for reduced number of increases.

After finishing the dress directions I finished the back and top of the dress with the primary color yarn before adding the white trim. This made for a cleaner back and made adding the trim easier. It also makes the arm holes look cleaner when completed.

Be careful not to split yarn changing from chains to dc for arm holes. The white yarn is soft but it needs to stay strong for the arm holes.

I need to do a V stitch in the end stitch of each end for each row of the shawl, not in the chain stitch. I struggled with this last year and caught the direction this year.

My Life Madison

This free pattern is part of the Howdy Neighbor set found here.:

Notes:

In looking at my notes it appears the last few times I've made this dress it has been for the Our Generation doll not the My Life doll. All good as it is nice to shift things around a bit.

I've noticed my gauge has been a bit off the last week so I'll note my previous hooks and current for future projects. Previously I've needed a J for the bodice and an I for the skirt. This time I was able to follow the directions as written using an I hook for the whole dress.

I used Red Heart Super Saver Spring Green. There are a couple of yarn eating Darski patterns that use this shade of worsted but it is one of the colors I can't get at my local Walmart. I do stock up when I find it. Unlike the Rivulets pattern I used worsted 4 white for the trim for this pattern.

Row 3 should read sc 9 not 19 as the numbers do not work for the stitch count without this change. I love it when there are stitch counts.

Row 11: Row 10 sadly doesn't have a stitch count so having made this a number of times now I'm making this note for myself others may find it works differently for them. I dc in 5 in order to get a stitch count of 55.

Rows 12-16 I increased to 20 for the length I wanted. Thus making row 17 row 21

Bodice trim and strap changes:

Instead of slst in 5 I sc in 5 then I chained 8 for the arm strap. This was just a better look and feel for me. This changes the next chain direction to chain 8 ending with sc 5 at end.

I chose to finish back with green not white trim. I used a button not a snap for a close this time.

The shoes are made using Sweet Silver Creations Sailor Doll Pattern that can be purchased here.

I used an H hook for the shoes with my current gauge issues I'll be using a g for the next My Life project I'm working to complete.

I'm continuing to prepost so today was drop off day for Kits for Kids. Unlike Aztec Wishes this was just a drop off. However, all things being good I've been invited to help pack the bags in May so I'm looking forward to learning more about what donations would work best for the project.

Chelsea Kits for Kids Sleeping Bag

It's April Fool's Day and I'm preposting my Kit's for Kids projects which hopefully have long been delivered by now. I've been using a free beanie baby sleeping bag pattern for years for Chelsea's sleeping bag. However, the two new charities I've added Chelsea to this year have space restrictions. The beanie bag is bulkier and I decided to explore if I could use the thread bag from the Calico Critters to save space as I've adapted a few of Mom's outfits to fit Chelsea before.

You can find the free Calico Critter sleeping bag pattern here.

Notes:

I am always on the hunt for differnt types of thread, especially variegated colors. This is Herschnerrs own brand size 10. I had previously tried it on a dress I've made multiple times with the same hook and it was huge. It also looks larger than my other brands of size 10. I don't have 8 on hand but that would be my guess as it is smaller than my 3 but it is heavier than my other 10's.

Since I was looking to adapt a smaller pattern to a larger doll this seemed like the ideal time to use some of the thread up. I experimented with hooks until I settled on the 1.5mm hook. I may go back to the 1.25 for the one I need for Operation Shoebox as I'm still on the fence about the size.

I followed the directions as written for the basic formation other than I needed more rows for length due to Chelsea's height prior to starting the pillow section. As I do with the Critters I stuffed the pillow and sewed the bottom opening of the pillow closed.

Our Generation Let The Sunshine In

I have one more Kits for Kids project preposted but with this preposting the delivery date for that project is tomorrow. With some challenges I'm having retruning to a project with larger hooks seemed like a good idea.

This project seems to pop up in my to do list every other year or so. Thankfully with binders of patterns I do have plenty to make. I chose this one because it is fairly simple to make and requires basic colors that were in my stash.

That didn't stop me from stocking up on Red Heart Super Saver Navy from my local Walmart as that can be a tough color to find. I can find the lighter blues but Navy is hit or miss for me.

Let the Sunshine In is part of Darski's free Weatherby set found here. The shoes are from my favorite shoe pattern from Sweet Silver Creation's Sailor Pattern and that can be purchased here.

Notes:

All three colors are Red Heart Super Saver. For my own notes the Navy is Soft Navy.

I used a K hook on the dress for the bodice and an I hook for the skirt. I used a K hook for the Bolero jacket.

I went with the suggested hook size for the hat.

This dress ties to close around neck in back and I added chains. This was a bad idea. Use suggested chain length for ties.

Found a previous note to try a G hook for these shoes with the Our Generation Doll and they fit well.

This is the first year I've added white trim to the Bolero jacket arms and I would continue to do this as I liked the look.

These pictures are from my 2022 project and instead of taking new pics each year I keep the old ones to remind myself of what the Bolero jacket looks like prior to full assembly as some years it makes more sense than others and rather than take new pics each year of the process I just post the old to my latest project as that is generally where I turn the next time I make the project.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Cuddle Up Romper Kits for Kids

I wasn't sure this outfit was going to make it into Kits for Kids. It is the last item for the donation but due to some challenges I've not been crocheting much the last week of the donation push. However the Friday before I made a push to finish the last bits for this outfit.

This is one of Amy Carrico's patterns that is currently listed for sale on Ravelry here.

As the Lots to Love 8 inch dolls are no longer being made and my supply is diminishing I've been considering my options.

I will continue to use the doll for Aztec Wishes and Operation Shoebox for 2027 since I've already started my Aztec projects.

However, going forward I think I'm going to double up on my Lots to Love 10 inch dolls for Aztec Wishes and use a Lots to Love 10 inch Doll for Kits for Kids. This will allow me to stretch my supply of Lots to Love 8 inch dolls for the shoeboxes as size is most critical there. I've been looking for a substitute but so far nothing compares to this doll. Hopefully, I will find something before my Shoebox supply runs out.

Likely do to some health issues I was having my guage was all over the place on this project and I was constantly adjusting hook sizes.

Notes:

The yarn was Baby Bernat Big Ball yarn in yellow and pink.

While I normally use a C for the main part of the shirt and a b for the arms this time I needed an e and a d hook to get it large enough to fit the doll.

The pants continued to require a B hook.

The headband went up to a D hook.

Next month I will get to see how these projects work for the intended donation and hopefully get a better feel for what to work on for next year.

Dog and Bed Playset Kits for Kids

I am preposting the week before the weekend before the donation needs to be dropped off. I had hoped last week would have been a more productive finish to the project but a few set backs and I was only able to complete two more items to send off with the donation.

I am hoping to get to the assembly of the outgoing bags in May and that should give me a better idea of what to make for the 2027 donation.

I've made many of this designers playsets for family. The directions are clear and the sets are adorable. DH recently gifted me a mouse royal set I hope to include in next year's donation. You can purchase the dog set here.

I wanted to control the size of this set as it needs to fit in a bag with other items.

I used an e hook with some inherited Zayre brand yarn for the dog. I had no idea this was even in my stash until I started digging for lighter beige/brown colors and came across this one. I have been gifted quite a bit of yarn from people who have lost family members and have no idea what to do with the yarn. I clearly didn't remember the Zayre brand as it was long out of business when I started to crochet. I will say I would have been a regular customer if I'd been crocheting back then even after all these years it worked up well.

I sewed his arms to the body before attaching the head. The ears were attached to the head before sewing on the body.

The pattern sews on the eyes and nose I used safety eyes and noses. I am not a huge fan of having to sew them so when possible I use the safety option.

The blanket is made with Red Heart Super Saver and a G hook. The ball is made with Hobby Lobby Sport Yarn and a D hook.

I ended up working the second to last bowl row in back loops to leave an opening to sew the blue water to the bowl. It looked better than my first try at sewing it to the bowl.

Last note for myself would be more aware of the blanket size. The directions felt too small but my final product is a bit too large. I need to find a happy spot as I'm sure this will be part of next year's donation plan. There is a similiar cat pattern from this designer I have that I'd like to make and add for next year as well.

Kits for Kids Chelsea Simply Bluetiful

This is a new donation project for me this year and until I work on the packing project in May I'm not sure if all my choices are the best but we work on the information we have to make the best choices we can.

For my main doll donation of the year I tend to buy or add accessories to the dolls I buy. However, this donation is different. Space for all items is limited to a single bag and I'm trying to limit the pieces that can be lost as a child moves.

During the recent sales I stocked up on some of my Barbie dolls. I've been thinking about what direction to go with Chelsea as the It Takes Two Camping set I've picked will eventually be discontinued. I was able to stock up for a few more years. My hesitation has been that most of the Chelsea models have a hard plastic "tshirt" that can show through depending on the outfit I make. The dark blue and even the yellow from the camping have not been a huge issue but as I started to shop not only were the newer colors more likely to clash with the outfits I made but they also had print designs on them to look more like a child's tshirt. I get the concept but again not quite helpeful for making clothes.

As I was thinking about what to do for the next Chelsea I found out about this donation and saw there was a basic Chelsea in two skin tones being offered. It's Barbie and friends Club Chelsea. I picked up on at my local Walmart to test how the clothes would fit because the measurements didn't match the current model doll I was using. After realizing the fit would work I picked up a couple of each skin tone for donations during the big sales in March.

This fit my goal of a simple doll. This model has a gingham dress and shoes. The body has no plastic tshirt cover common in the Chelsea line which makes dressing her a bit easier.

Notes:

This has been my go to free Chelsea pattern found here.

I used a 1.8 mm thread hook for this project.I used a 1.8 mm thread hook for this project.

I did not decrease rounds when joining at round 7 or the project would be too small for this Chelsea doll.I used a 1.8 mm thread hook for this project.

The back and top were finished and back closed with a snap.

For this outfit I did add trim at bottom.

Kits for Kids Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

Notes:

I finished this and the nightgown for Kits for Kids on the same day and am preposting them as they fit on the blog. I am past the deadline as I prepost but I am hopeful I met it. If not these will go right to 2027.

You can find the free pattern for this project here. This was made with Herrschnerrs Worsted 8 Baby Stripes Sweetie Pie.

I need an F hook to fit this doll.

A reminder traditional worsted is too large. I thankfully continued with the skein I used from the last sack so this wasn't an issue but these are my page notes for these projects so it is wise to keep the reminders posted.

I posted on the last snuggle sack for this year and then I found out this project had a more aggressive timeline than I'd realized so no more predictions that I won't need more for someone else.

Princess Finger Puppet

Things got a bit busy and as I was reviewing my final posts for Kits for Kids I realized I was short a finger puppet. The princess had been left off. As I'm preposting shuffling posts is not a huge challenge so she has been added back into the post schedule.

Why make such a fuss. Well I do go back to these posts for future projects to figure out what I did and what never to do again.

This was made using a free pattern set that includes a castle, knight, dragaon, and princess finger puppets found here.

Notes:

I used a g hook for the body of the puppet.

The yarn is primarily left overs from other projects with the exception of the hair which I used Herrschner's sport weight. The hair is too heavy with traditional worsted 4. I sewed the crown to the puppet's wig before sewing wig to the puppet's head. This was much easier to manage. As with the Knight I sewed in ends as I went as it is hard to reach the ends once finished and these puppets do not easily flip inside out for sewing.

I mentioned with the knight that I would choose colored yarn for the eyes but it would need to be a dark blue not light. I looked at a previous picture of a princess I'd made with light blue and it was not good. I'd actually prefer the black.

I had to add a row to both hands to get them to close.

Knight Finger Puppet

I'm continuing to prepost projects in March and I'm now past the deadline for the dropoff which should have been yesterday.

This is another finger puppet made using a free pattern from Crochet World's no longer available website which I recovered as I was working on the dragon finger puppet blog. You can find the pattern for the castle and the puppets here.

Notes:

I used a G hook for the main portions of this puppet including his shield. To get the helmet to fit the head I needed an H hook. The limbs were made with an f hook.

I intend to include this set for 2027 so I'd note I have to fiddle with the rows on the helmet a bit to get it to be long enough and I sewed it to his armour.

Looking at my previous notes I had added chain stitches to his shield to allow him to put it around his hand and then I sewed it on so it wouldn't get lost.

For future projects for this and the princess which I am currently working on I'd use colored yarn not black for the eyes. This time they are both getting black because I got into the habit when making the farm puppets.

As I mentioned with the dragon post I sewed in ends as I worked this puppet and it was easier than trying to turn it inside out at the end. The head is really hard to pull back and forth through the body once made.

Kits for Kids 2026

Last winter when I dropped off the Aztec Wishes donations there was talk of a new service project for kids moving into foster care. The plan was just being discussed and I reached out in March to find out the collection was being closed in April. My focus is clearly going to be for 2027 but I decided I would see if I could complete some small play sets to provide some comfort to kids who could use it.

March 2026

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll:

Chelsea

Finger Puppets: