Rag Doll Swim Suit

Another swim suit completed for my 2026 challenge. This is actually a free Dora the Explorer Doll crochet pattern you can find here.

Notes:

I used a J hook for the suit and an I hook for the skirt. I did not add the extra row this year.

I do add a finishing row around the outer arms.

This is the first year I didn't have an issue with the pattern not joining right away. It could be that I've made notes every year to remind myself but it seemed to flow more easily this year.

Our Generation Nightgown

Every year I try to get to patterns I've either never used or infrequently used for the donation. I don't believe I've ever used this Herrschners' Playtime and Pajamas 18 Inch Doll Ensemble pattern. I believe it was likely part of a kit but I found it as a second hand pattern and then never made it.

Years ago when I tried some of their doll kits I found the patterns ran small for me so I went into this one with an experimental attitude. The original pattern called for size 2 afghan yarn and a C hook. I used a mixture of Premier Basix size 3 petal pink and Herschnerrs worsted 4 for this project. When I make it again I'd look for Premier Basix in colors closer to the original as I think it was a good fit for size.

I needed an f hook for this project.

The outfit is closed with a snap.

I'm currently experimenting to see if my second try with this pattern can be rescued for one of the other dolls as it was too small for the Our Generation. The first try was too small for any of my donations.

I would make my own headband pattern next time, but I was playing yarn chicken with the pink and didn't want to lose. It needs to be wider. I did like the flower.

Ken Valentine Tank Top and Pants

I stumbled across a free Barbie heart Valentine's sweater pattern but my first attempt was clearly going to be too large for Barbie so I turned it into a tank top for Ken and then made him a pair of pants to make it a set. You can find the pattern here.

I haven't given up on this for Barbie I just need to find the right fiber. It suggested fingering weight yarn so I tried size 3 thread and a D hook which was suggested. This clearly was too big. I'd make this in the future for Ken as a fun Ken and Barbie set but I am considering if I want to join as with Barbie's bent arms it makes getting clothes on and off more challenging.

I did not use the white finishes for Ken as I went with a tank top rather than the Barbie sweater.

The pants are my standard go to of measuring and sewing a piece of elastic together waist size for the doll. I then single crochet around the elastic for the first row. The rest of the rows are in dc. When I reach the crotch I split with a chain 4 reducing I believe to 15 dc per leg.

Glitter Girl Valentine Sweetheart

Thanks to Adoring Doll's patterns I've been able to add more outfits for the Glitter Girl over the years. You can purchase her Valentine pattern here.

Notes:

I've gotten better over the years about taking notes on my projects to make future projects easier since I reuse many patterns for future donations. I did OK with last year's notes on this project but there were improvements to include this year.

I use the suggested e hook for the dress and I moved to a D hook for the shoes this year.

The reminder to not forget the skip in row 10 was helpful so I'll include it in this year's notes as well.

I continue for two rows in pattern after row 17 for length.

Last year I felt the hearts and bow were bulky so this year I used size 3 thread and an e hook and I liked the outcome better.

I also noted the hair tie needed to be longer, I didn't count but think it was close to 120.

Lastly, I made this in the darker grey suggested in the project picture last year and I'd return to that for next year. I went with what I had on hand, but I am sure dark grey will return to the stash before the 2027 donation.

2025

Glitter Girl Sleeping Bag

For years I've used Adoring Doll's camping set sleeping bag for this donation.

I've just never been a fan of the mummy sack sleeping bags. My brothers had the down ones for deep winter camping and of course it was all I had available when I needed a sleeping bag and I found them horribly confining.

Last year after finishing the mummy sack I promised myself I'd look into adapting the free 18 inch sleeping bag pattern for the smaller doll and here we are with a new sleeping bag.

Notes:

This was made adapting a free 18 inch doll pattern found here.

The only change I needed to make was to use a G hoook. After establishing the pattern I don't count rows I measure length against the doll before closing the bottom and that is what I did for the smaller Glitter Girl.

This was made with Red Heart Super Saver Bonbon print and required slightly over one skein to finish. I leave this as a note as it is significantly less than the other dolls but still not a single skein project unless it is a jumbo skein.

Skipper Swimsuit

As I was working on my swimsuit challenge for 2025 I had to adapt patterns for Skipper and Stacie as there are very few pattern written specifically for these dolls. I chose the swimsuit pattern from an out of print Leisure Arts leaflet 2132 Hawaiian Honeymoon Fashion Doll Wardrobe for this project and decided to stay with it for 2026.

Notes:

I used a B hook with no longer available size 5 Bernat Handicrafter thread for this project.

I had looked into purchasing more size 5 Artiste from Hobby Lobby but the color selection is a bit low at the moment. However, Creative Yarn Source does carry size 5 in more colors and I'm thinking of getting a supply. I'm discovering I have more Goldilocks projects which are too small with size 10 thread but bulky with size 3. With no color options its been a bit challenging to move to size 5. I'm hoping to correct that soon.

One of the notes I made previously was that the piece needed to be even after row 2. This became clear to me and once again I adjusted as I was off. I took a picture to remind myself of how the crotch needs to be balanced or the whole piece is off center.

After row 1 on shaping don't count slip stitches.

I generally sc around leg openings but this time I opted for hdc and the look was better to close the gaps.

Ken Pajamas

I can get a few years out of one Ken doll model but it is often hard to stock up until I'm sure I really like a model.

The dentist for instance was not my favorite Ken he was a bit smaller which meant every pattern had to be modified to fit him drastically. Last year was my final year with a hiking Ken model. Sadly when I realized he was a great fit for my patterns he was no longer available so he had a limited shelf life.

This brings us to It Takes Two Camping Ken which I was smart enough to stock up on this version so I have an additional 5 years to go. This is good because once again I have a model that seems to fit the patterns I have.

Unfortunatly, they've already discontinued the Stacie and Skipper dolls from this set which is sad because they both again fit the patterns I have so well. I'm finding it hard to find replacements for these two. I have time as I have two more years for Skipper and three for Stacie so perhaps something will be released before then.

This is actually a jumpsuit pattern found in Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 inch Fashion Dolls including a Complete Wedding Esemble and Trousseau. When I originally saw the pattern I thought it was PJ's so I decided to adapt the pattern using the top for my pajamas top and making pants.

Notes:

I used a D hook and Baby Bernat Sport Blue yarn for the top and followed most of the pattern as written through row 10 where I stopped before joining to make the jumpsuit. The one major difference I made was to use sc for the collar as it was way to large with the suggested dc. The sleeves worked as written.

I made the pants the way I make most of Ken's pants. I measured and sewed a piece of elastic big enough for his waist and crocheted around it with a C hook and the same yarn as the top. When I reached the crotch I split the paints by chaining 4 in the middle and joining thus creating two legs of equal stitches. After reading last year's notes I made each leg 19 rows from waist to bottom of the leg.

These are the smallest white butttons that come in my button sets I buy. Just an FYI note to myself for future projects. I actually did come back and check this note and picture from last year so I'm adding it back because it helped me decide which buttons to use.

Chelsea Valentine's Dress

Chelsea enters the Valentine's challenge with a pattern that can be purchased from Michelle Ratman here.

Notes:

This was made with Lizbeth size 3 Pink Ice Crochet thread and an e hook.

I changed the sc to hdc and the hdc to dc and this will require reducing the bodice section when I make this again as it is longer than I had planned.

The dc are worked between the stitches.

I would use this color again as I like the blend it makes, I would make it shorter. I have green I may try as a Spring dress for her.

Rag Doll A Dress for February

This is one of Darski's free Dora the Explorer patterns that I use for both the Rag Doll and the 16 inch baby doll. You can find it here.

I generally change to an I hook for the skirt but life happens and I did not. I have made additional notes on the pattern and here to remind myself as I will be making this for one of the 16 inch baby dolls, too.

Notes:

This was made with worsted weight 4 yarn in red, white, and light pink. I've traded off over the years using dark red or dark pink.

I use a K hook for the top portion of the dress switching to an I hook for the skirt in Row 8

The dress is joined after row 7.

In order to get this to fit both dolls I need to chain 8 for the arm holes.

Eventually these have to be reduced as the waist will be too large. It is a balance but this was made for Dora not the two dolls I use it for and the dimensions are different.

I finished the back adding a button hole loop.