Skipper Poncho and Pants

I don't have lots of patterns specifically designed to fit Skipper. Those that I have aren't always designed to fit the modern Skipper so when possible if I find a Barbie pattern that seems like it would adapt well to Skipper I try to make it work.

The poncho for this pattern is made using Michelle Ratman's design that can be purchased here. The pants were made using an out of print House of White Birches leaflet Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 inch Fashion Dolls.

Notes:

I used Barbie's pants pattern which fits Skipper but I still needed to add rows to the legs to get it to fit. The pants are made with Knit Picks Palette Fingering Yarn and a C hook. I used 1/8 inch elastic measured cut and sewn together prior to crocheting around it for the waist band.

When I made Barbie's poncho I commented that I didn't have any sport weight cotton. I did find some and used it for Skipper's Ski outfit. However it was too light for the poncho. During my search I did unearth a skein of Knit Picks Shine Worsted that I also want to finish off so this became the yarn for Skipper's poncho.

This Skipper with her hair seems to have a larger head than than Barbie or it could be the cotton yarn is stiffer. Anyways I started with a G hook until I went to the mesh where I went back to the e hook I had used for Barbie's poncho.

Barbie Strapless Dress

I'm working my way through the out of print House of White Birches Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 inch Fashion dolls. The patterns are allowing me to use up yarn on hand while filling up my donation bags.

There are two strapless dress patterns in this leaflet for Barbie. This one is found on page 17 for my future reference as I suspect I'll be back to make this one again. I liked the approach to fitting the bodice on this gown even when I was unsure how the current Barbie compared to the vintage one the pattern was designed to fit. I was pleasantly pleased to find I could make it work.

Notes:

This was made using the same Babe yarn I used for Skipper's winter outfit. I still haven't used it off. I think there is enough for one more fashion doll item.

I chose not to make this a full length dress. I don't currently have many casual items for Barbie and I thought it would be more practical for this to be a shorter dress. I mentioned the page number because there is a second outfit in the booklet with the same name that is shorter, looks similiar but the directions are different. I might try that later but if I decide to repeat it would be helpful to know which pattern I tried considering the picture won't help since I changed the pattern length.

The D hook worked for this outfit but I needed to finish the back in order for their not to be a gap when I used a snap to close it. This is a slightly heavier yarn than the Knit Picks Fingering Yarn I normally use for these outfits so when I make this again hook size may need to change. I did try making this with an old A.C. Moore sport weight yarn and it was too thick. I'm thinking it likely needs to be a DK weight or lighter.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Sun Suit

This is the last of my projects for the Lots to Love 14 Inch Dolls from Darski's free Sweet Baby Mine pattern found here.

I realized as I checked my notes I'd only made this as a gift for the JC 16 Inch Baby doll. I'd never actually attempted it for the smaller doll so my notes were not as helpful as I'd hoped. That being said I'm not sure how helpful these notes will be as I tried some items I'll likely not have around for the next time I may this projects but I will write them as I'm never sure later what will help to know.

Notes:

This is made with Big Twist Bulky 5 in a color no longer available. I hadn't realized it was a bulky yarn when I pulled it out of my stash as it has the feel of a worsted 4. My experience with Big Twist is that while I love the color options it does tend to be a bit lighter than listed. If you know this going in and choose the right project options it tends to work out. In this case I wanted a bright happy variegated color for the project and the slightly heavier weight wasn't a huge issue.

In order to get it to fit around the waist I needed a J hook. In the future regardless of yarn I'd reduce what ever hook I chose prior to splitting for the legs. The chubby doll can have a waist challenge sometimes but once past the tummy the size reduces dramatically and things can get bulky.

The contrasting yarn is Red Heart Super Saver Spring Green. I used an I hook for the Suit and an H for the hat. The hat was made as written.

The shoes are from an out of print Amy Carrico pattern Spring Jacket and Dress. I used an e hook and Baby Bernat Sport Pink and White.