My Life Dress and Hat Set

Having finished the baby blanket it was time to get back to the doll donation project. It was also time to dig into my left over balls of yarn to see if I could finish off any yarn in the ever growing bags of project left overs. I was able to finish off one ball of pink with this project and make a sizeable dent in a second so this was a great destashing project.

For those of you interested this is one of Petite Creative Designs patterns found here.

This pattern uses UK terms and while I had been able to translate them as I go, it had been a while and I ended up writing the American terms on top of the UK terms in order to avoid mistakes. The pattern calls for DK yarn I used worsted weight acrylic and went up to an I hook. My guage has been odd lately so I've been finding myself with larger hooks. I'd thought with the increase in yarn size I might not need the larger hook but it was not meant to be I guess.

My Life Sailor Dress

While I've used the shoe pattern from this outfit for many years I haven't made the sailor outfit for some time. This year I've been revisiting neglected patterns in my doll binders and it seemed a good time to add the sailor dress to the donation. Sadly for those of you looking to purchase the pattern it is no longer listed in Sweet Silver Crochet's Etsy store. Should the pattern show up again I will try to add a new link for the pattern.

When I made this outfit previously I used Caron One Pound Yarn, White for the entire white section of the outfit. This time I only used that for the hat and used Bernat Super Value Yarn, Navy for the trim and the shoes as it was the only worsted Navy I had in my stash. I used an I hook for both the hat and the shoes.

For the dress I started with the heavier Caron but it wasn't working and I frogged it and restarted with Bernat Big Ball Baby Yarn White using no longer available Red Heart Sport Navy yarn and Red Heart Comfort Sport in Red for trim and detail work.

I started with an I hook found myself switching to an H hook and then finished after the 3rd row with the g hook. I did add some additional rows to the top as I found the dress was hard to get on and off if I joined it to start the skirt as suggested. It is a much easier outfit to dress when the torso is a little longer.

Update November 3, 2021

Pattern has been relisted for purchase here.

My Life Heart Shirt and Rib Effect Skirt

Sometimes projects just don't come together like you think they will. I made this skirt a few years back at the end of a donation cycle and not having time to make a top for it put it aside thinking I'd make s top for it for the next year's donation. It got folded in with an unfinished project and it never made it to the donation, until now. I came across it while looking for something else just after I'd frogged the thread skirt I was making to go with this heart shirt. The two seemed a good fit so here we are with another outfit made.

You can find the free pattern for the Ribbed effect Skirt here. The Heart Sweater is part of a Tee Shirt and Skirt pattern you can purchase here. If you are wondering why I was making a separate skirt when the pattern comes with one I actually started with a thread skirt pattern and was looking for a top to use with it. I wasn't happy with the skirt and opted to frog it and decide if I want to try it again at a later date. That left me with a finished top in need of a skirt. Thankfully, problem solved.

Notes:

Pattern calls for a G hook and I used an H hook I'd consider an I next year. It just felt snug and it wouldn't come close to fitting the Our Generation doll when I tried it on and I started this project thinking this would be the first item I made for the Our Generation doll this year. One of the benefits of different dolls is that it always seems to fit one. I'll have to work on something different for the Our Generation doll.

18 Inch Doll Girl About Town

This is another doll pattern I found in Crochet World's Best Animals, Toys, and Dolls and decided to add to the doll donation. You can purchase this digital magazine at e-pattern central here. As I mentioned in my previous post they have some amazing sales if you are patient.

I try to make a habit of listing where the patterns come from because when I go to a site I love knowing where the pattern came from so I can look for it if I choose. Free or paid, print, out of print, e-pattern or print it is nice to know where I can start the search for something I'm interested in making. When possible I try to pass this courtesy on by listing what information I have for someone else who may want to find the pattern.

Now on to my notes for the future.

This was a wonderful stash busting project. Many years ago as in the girls are now respectively in college and high school I crocheted Barbie clothes using sport yarn and I bought Red Heart Sport yarn because I could make some of the patterns with it. Eventually the girls outgrew Barbie and I had not real love for working with the tiny Barbie sized patterns which is why I don't donate the fashion sized dolls. However, the end of Barbie did not mean the end of her yarn stash. As I moved to larger dolls I had almost forgotten about this stash of yarn until I recently came across more doll patterns that needed sport weight yarn and realized that it was time to target this stash.

To get this pattern to fit with the old Red Heart Sport yarn I needed to move from the suggested g hook for the top to a G hook. I moved down to an f for the skirt but if I make this again I'd move back to the e hook. This dress works up quite easily and I would make it again and try different types of skirts to go with it. I think it is adaptable.

For the cardigan I also had to go to a g hook for the main body. However I had to return to the e hook to make the arms fit. I could see making the cardigan to add to other patterns. It works up easily enough.

18 Inch Doll Cinderella

I did mention I'd eventually get back to making costumes for the donation dolls didn't I? I own several Cinderella patterns for the 18 inch dolls. Some are more challenging than others. I chose this one because it is quick to make up and I had the supplies on hand. While I've been focusing on using up orphan yarns I have a supply of staple yarns that the majority of my donations come from and since I haven't been out shopping much I haven't resupplied those as much as I would normally do and therefore there wasn't a guarantee that when I went to find light blue yarn I'd have any available.

For those of you interested in this pattern you can purchase it from Adoring Doll Clothes here. While her prices are quite reasonable she regularly has sales or deals for multiple pattern buys if that is of interest. I know I take advantage to keep up on her newer designs.

Pattern Notes:

To add the overdress I changed row 9. I crocheted in the back loops for this round to leave the front loops available to begin the overskirt. This is a change from the directions and one I'd like to remember when I make it again.

I had to add rows to the headband to make it long enough. When I make this next time I need to measure this prior to finishing off to make sure it fits.

To get the shoes to fit I needed an I hook. This is pretty standard for me.

Snaps closed the dress and the choker at the neck. This differs from the pattern directions.

The dress was short so I added rows to make it floor length.

18 Inch Doll Cable Link Sweater and Skirt

I am pleased that I'm making progress on my efforts to create separates and non-costumed outfits this year. While I love making the doll themed outfits and already have a few lined up on my to do list there is more to outfiting a doll than themed costumes. Having the basics is important too. However, I sometimes neglect making those in favor of the themed costumes for the dolls. This year I am trying to do better.

This is actually my second try at the skirt from the free pattern Dovetailed found here. I'll be posting about the finished project I made for the Our Generation doll next week. I thought I had enough yarn to make a second outfit for the My Life Doll using the blue yarn but I clearly underestimated how much yarn I had on hand. I had enough for a skirt but not enough to complete the outfit. Just a note for myself, the skirt fits the My Life Doll better with a g hook if you don't use elastic.

Now I needed a top so I turned to my out of print Sweater Trio pattern published by Fibre Craft in 1999 FCM494 for those who might want to search for it. I've made this pattern for several years but it has always felt a bit bulky to me.

I've tried making it with an e hook and that helped a little but it still had that feel of wearing an bigger sister's wardrobe. This year I decided to go back to that purple baby yarn you may have seen across several projects now that I've been trying to use up. I swear it multiplies at night. I used the required f hook instead of going down to the e as I had before, but with the lighter 3 yarn it fit better.

While you can't see it in this picture the sweater pattern includes a headband pattern that also uses the cable loops which for some reason I find to be fun to put together. It is not something I get to do frequently in crochet, but it is a fun little exercise when making this project.

Our Generation Ribbed Effect Skirt and Tank Top

I've been searching through my pattern collection to find separates to match up for the annual doll donation and as happens every year I am surprised by something I've forgotten in those pattern binders. This year I came across a Doll Picnic pattern I'd purchased from Maggie's crochet several years ago that you can buy here.

At some point I'm going to revisit this pattern and make the whole picnic set. I think it would be a fun item to donate. However, my mission this round was tops and bottoms. In this case I wanted the tank top.

This top was a little different from others I've made in that it used seed stitch to give the top some texture. I like the look of the top and as I said I'd like to revisit the whole pattern again at some point and make the set.

I thought I'd need a larger hook to fit the Our Generation doll and started this pattern out with an I hook but it was too large. When I make this for the My Life doll it will likely require a G hook. Marking the front was important for me because the first time through I made the reduction for the arms on the wrong side which made joining them unlikely. These are all notes to help me in the future.

The skirt is the same free pattern I used for the My Life doll found here. As this skirt uses an elastic waist band cut to the size of the doll no additional adjustments to the skirt pattern were required. The stitches adjusted around the elastic and the designer leaves you to determine the length of the skirt.

18 Inch Doll Pleated Skirt and Sweater

This is another outfit made using Maggie Crochet's Crochet Pattern Abby, Allie & Annie PA972-R to provide the skirt. This works up quickly and helps add more separates that can be mixed and matched to the donation.

The sweater is a from free pattern set Your the Tops I previously missed from Darski's collection over at Crochetville. You can find it here. When I saw a link to it over there I had to print it and try out some of the patterns. This sweater was a nice match for the skirt I wanted to try out for both dolls.


Notes for future reference:
The skirt fit this doll as per pattern instructions although I added 20 chains to the waist tie to make it easier to tie. I added a couple of rows to the sweater because I wanted it to cover the top of the skirt.

Our Generation Doll Poncho and Pants

I mentioned in a previous post that I've been experimenting with the Our Generation Doll as it is slightly more padded in places that the Walmart's My Life Dolls and the Springfield Doll's I'd previously used for donations for years. The first project I started for the Our Generation Doll inspired me to order a My Life Doll so I'd have some place to put the clothes that didn't fit the Our Generation Doll. I'll be donating one of each this year.

I've been making items from Maggie Crochet's Crochet Pattern Abby, Allie & Annie PA972-Rsince I started this donation project. The pants are my favorite pants pattern. I've even made them into shorts and on at least on occasion a skirt when I needed it. It just has a nice simple fit.

I needed to alter the pattern to fit the Our Generation Doll and I'm including my notes for the next time I attempt this project for the OG doll. Your gauge and experience may be different but I share my experience.

Rows 1-3 I used an I hook I may experiment with an H hook at some point to see how the fit works. The fit was too tight with a G hook a little loose with an I but not slipping
Row 4 I used an H hook as having passed the more padded section of the doll I wanted to work my way back to the g hook in a tapered manner
Row 5 onward I was able to complete the pants with a g hook

I used a g hook for the poncho. I might have been able to use an f hook but with the pony tails having the neck a little looser made getting the poncho on and off easier.

I was able to complete the hat with a f hook.

This is another one of those orphan skeins of yarn I've been targeting in my yarn supply. I was given this at one point and wasn't sure what to do with it and it got buried. When I was thinking about what yarn to use for the poncho and hat this seemed to call out to be used.

I'm still working on the Lil' Cutesies donation project. The doll outfit is completed I'm working on the accessories for the play set at this point. I've been doing a little on the play set and then working on another doll outfit for the other dolls. It should be quite cute when finished.

18 inch Doll Off the Shoulder Dress

I knew switching from the Springfield dolls to new donation dolls might provide some new challenges. However, I knew the outfits I'd been making for the Springfield dolls fit the My Life Walmart dolls. I had more questions about the Our Generation Dolls from Target. I had this memory from back when I first started making 18 inch doll clothes for my now college aged niece that the Our Generation dolls were slightly "larger boned" than the Springfield dolls. However based on my comment that my niece is now in college I wasn't sure if things had changed. Therefore after finishing the last baby doll project I decided it was time for an experiment with a new doll pattern from Adorable Dolls, Off the Shoulder, that can be purchased here.

This was perhaps not the best choice of outfit to begin this journey with the new doll. I love the outfit and am happy with the outcome, but when I make my next attempt for the Our Generation Doll it will be with something that opens in the back not a one piece outfit that slides on and off with sleeves. If I do make this for the Our Generation Doll again I'd move up to an I hook for the bodice and return back to the H hook for the skirt. The bodice was just too tight with the H hook to make this outfit work for the Our Generation doll but it fits nicely for the Walmart's My Life Doll. So it appears we will have a mixed donation this year of Walmart and Target 18" dolls.

Note for myself:

Even making this for the My Life doll I needed an I hook to make the sandals feet the feet. I also used an I hook and the purse. I'd likely use a button or other means to close the purse should I make it again. The flowers worked with the assigned hook sizes for the headband and the waist.

I love these sandals. I can't recall making sandals before. Years ago my Aunt made a pair for my niece's doll from plastic canvas. These however, worked up quickly and I think they are adorable. I would make these again to go with a summer outfit.

While my first Our Generation project didn't come to fruition it did motivate me to order a My Life Doll for the Christmas donation and I know I won't be wasting outfits that don't fit the Our Generation doll if the sizing is off. That is a relief. I'm not sure what my next 18 inch outfit attempt will be.

My next project is for the JC Toys Lil Cutesies Doll Lulu. I am challenging myself to donate a variety of different dolls and sizes this year. I found a Mary Maxim pattern that is designed to fit this doll and I also think I can adapt some of the 8" patterns to make sure this doll heads of to the donation nicely outfitted.

American Girl Let the Sunshine In

This is a wonderful fun summer outfit. It is part of a free pattern set called Weatherby found here. I've made three patterns in this set for the donation this year. This is the first time I've attempted this pattern. I'm not sure how I missed this one before. I found it worked up quickly and it is an adorable summer outfit.

The jacket threw me at first. I'd never made anything quite like it before. However, I was thrilled when it was finished. I'd like to make more like this again now that I understand how it comes together. It makes a cute addition to a dress.

I mix and match patterns all the time to get the pieces I want. The shoes come from a Sweet Creations paid pattern Sun Dress found here. I wouldn't suggest buying a pattern for the shoes, but if you find patterns that you like that fits and doesn't fall off the doll my suggestion is use it across other patterns where you need shoes.

American Girl Sun Dress

Sweet Silver Creations has always been one of my favorite 18 inch doll designers. Over the years I've collected most of her 18 inch doll patterns. They've generally appear on my Christmas and birthday lists. I'm hoping some new ones will be coming out soon. This is my first attempt at making this one. You can find the pattern here.

I loved the dress and the shoes. I wasn't as happy with the hat.

Pattern notes:

I used worsted weight instead of sport weight yarn. The H hook worked with the worsted weight to make the outfit fit.

American Girl Tunic and Shorts

A funny thing happened on my way to trying my second set of capris, I ran out of yarn and had to settle for shorts. Since I was making this for a donation I wanted to have different colors for the dolls. I had some Bernat Satin that I wanted to use up and it made gauge for the project. However, it wasn't quite enough to complete the project. So capris became shorts.

For those of you who didn't catch yesterday's post. The pattern is from Shady Lane, Crochet Play Clothes and can be purchased here.

All joking aside this pattern is quite versatile for making a variety of lengths and styles of pants and I plan on using it in the future. I've found a cheap supply of hair bands at the local pharmacy and they are working out well with these patterns. It will make it easier for little hands to get the clothes on and off as well. While you could use regular elastic, the rubber bands don't roll or twist and it does make it easier. I've used the elastic in the past and it works, but I've often had to deal with the twisting.

Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:

Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page

Barbie Knitting Page

Ken Page

Kelly/Skipper Page

American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing

American Girl Doll Knitting

Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns

Baby Doll Patterns:

Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without permission.

American Girl Pussycat, Pussycat Where Have You Been?

As I mentioned last week I picked up the new Crochet World Presents Best of Animals, Toys, & Dolls magazine. The first item I attempted was the pattern called "Pussycat, Pussycat Where Have You Been?" by Sandy Abbate.

The pattern calls for Patons Astra light, a 3-weight yarn. I used Red Heart sport and other than having to change hooks to make gauge, I had no issue with the change. It also helped me use up some yarn in my stash. I found the hat, the pants, and the shoes worked up really well and will be making them again. I liked the hat without the face so I left it that way. The details didn't look like they'd be that bad to add if you wanted the kitty face.

I did however, struggle with the sweater. After two attempts, I couldn't get the pattern to work for me and opted for the "Cable Loop" Sweater from the out of print Fibre Craft's Springfield Collection Sweater Trio. When I'm working on my donation projects, if something doesn't work, I tend to move on to something I can finish as having a completed wardrobe is my goal and November is creeping up on me. I would love to hear from others that finished the sweater.


Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:

Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page

Barbie Knitting Page

Ken Page

Kelly/Skipper Page

American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing

American Girl Doll Knitting

Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns

Baby Doll Patterns:

Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without permission.

American Girl Snuggly Bear

I was so excited to see Annie's had published a new book of 18 Inch doll patterns On-the-Go Fashions for 18 Inch Dolls and I rushed off to order it.

This outfit was the selling point for buying this leaflet when I saw it in one of Annie's promotions. I loved the bear outfit.

I did end up playing with the gauge to get the outfit not to be too snug. The pattern calls for a J hook I found with a K it fit but very snuggly. The challenge was the next size up is almost a little too loose. However, since I know small hands will need to get the outfits on and off, I went with a little loose.

The one big change I made is the pattern doesn't use a chain stitch to create a crotch. I tried it and I couldn't make it work. I added a chain stitch. This requires you to reduce afterwords to make the legs work for the feet later. I tried following the pattern as written and I couldn't get it to work without it looking strained. Someone else may have better luck. I found the chain stitches made joining the legs a bit easier.

I am pleased with this purchase. I can see myself working through most of the patterns in this book. I was able to make this pattern using yarn I had on hand. A few of the outfits might require special purchases, but I think several have equivelent yarns I have in my stash, which is always welcome.

Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:

Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page

Barbie Knitting Page

Ken Page

Kelly/Skipper Page

American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing

American Girl Doll Knitting

Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns

Baby Doll Patterns:

Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

American Girl Mock Turtleneck Sweater and Pants

Along with holiday and dressy outfits I try to include some basic outfits with my doll donation. The pants are from my favorite Abby, Allie and Annie pattern set, from Maggie's Crochet. The sweater was made using a free pattern from Button Specialties. Unfortunatly, when I went to load the link I realized the website is no longer available. Perhaps the designer will post this again on another site. This is just a reminder of why it is important to download the patterns when you locate them. Links are wonderful, but websites and blogs do go inactive and you can lose some wonderful resources when they are gone if you don't have your stuff stored.

I did play a little bit with the pattern. I didn't sew the arms on the sweater, I crocheted from the arm holes created as the sweater was put together. I try to limit the amount of sewing where I can. I also had to play a bit with the collar to get it to fit.

I am in the process of trying to adapt this sweater for the 15 inch baby doll. I was experimenting with gauge when I first started and the smaller hook should fit the 15 inch doll using worsted weight yarn. It looks like I won't have to dig into my baby yarn to create the sweater for the smaller doll.

Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:

Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page

Barbie Knitting Page

Ken Page

Kelly/Skipper Page

American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing

American Girl Doll Knitting

Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns

Baby Doll Patterns:

Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Shopping With Grama American Girl Dress

This was the last outfit I completed for the 2013 doll donation project. It finished most of it over the summer, but after working so long in thread, I needed to finish some other projects, put it aside, and never got back to it, until I was getting the package ready to donate. I love this outfit and plan on making the Bobby Socks version of it at some point, too. I wish I was more talented in working with thread as there are so many beautiful thread patterns out there for these dolls. However, I am switching back to worsted weight for now as I can make more outfits in a quicker period of time.

I found this pattern in the 2010 Crochet Calendar when it was called Shopping w/Grama. It is now available as part of a two dress pattern called Bobbi Socks and Polka Dots found here.

For the moment I am focused on making holiday outfits for the 2014 doll project. I have one done and ready to post. I'm working on two others.

Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:

Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page

Barbie Knitting Page

Ken Page

Kelly/Skipper Page

American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing

American Girl Doll Knitting

Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns

Baby Doll Patterns:

Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without written permission.