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.