Calico Critters Brother Sleeping Bag

I finished this travel project back in April and was sure it had been posted but after checking my blog it wasn't there. To keep my records straight here is the brother's sleeping bag for 2025. As it turned out this was the last one I needed for the 2025 donation. Another project type finished!!!

This is a free pattern available here.

Notes:

I used a 1mm hook and size 10 crochet thread for this project.

My consistant notes for this project is don't overstuff the pillow and remember that the top of the pillow is crocheted but the bottom must be sewn shut to the sleeping bag to keep the stuffing from falling out.

I've made the decision to start with the 18 inch dolls as the next travel project. Their sleeping bags take the longest to finish so getting them out of the way would be a good choice.

I was able to secure another Milk Bunny family set for the 2026 donation but only one set. Not sure if I'm going to need new models after that to match the donation Critters as they are all slightly different in how stuff fits.

Calico Critters Mom Sleeping Bag

I'm continuing with my travel sleeping bag projects. Mom's was finished last week and I realized when I went back to Dad's post I didn't make some crucial notes. So I wanted to help myself for future projects.

You can find the free pattern for the adult and children sleeping bags here.

Notes:

I used a 1 mm crochet thread hook and size 10 crochet thread for this project.

The directions include both sizes listed in () for each size. If you are like me you need to make sure you are following the correct stitch count.

The row count resets for the pillow section.

I choose to add the pillows to my sleeping bags you can finish it flat if you choose. I need to remember more stuffing isn't better. This pillow is bigger than Dad's and it should be smaller. It needs to be barely stuffed to give the illusion, not the reality of a huge stuffed pillow.

Again this is a reminder for me, you need to sew the pillow closed after stuffing as the directions are some what vague about this issue while very clear about the actual formation of the pillow and closing the top of the pillow.The row count resets for the pillow section.

The pillow attaches to the sleeping layer closet to the pillow opening. I seem to have understood this the first time I made it but clearly things register differently on different days. This note just reminds me not to panic when I can't find the specific directions.

After finishing this bag I set up the sister sleeping bag in my travel project bag for upcoming appointments.

Calico Critters Mom Empire Dress

To the best of my knowledge this is the only Critters pattern from Char patterns. You can purchase the pattern here.

I've been collecting crochet critter patterns for a bit now. At one point I had some young family members who enjoyed the toys. Now that they seem to have moved passed that interest I've decided to add a set of bunnies to the donation. I've also been on the look out for patterns I didn't previously have. I've found a couple of paid and free patterns this year that have made this a fun project.

I've also discovered that the some of the Critter patterns can be adapted for Chelsea. I'm experimenting with this one to see if it will work for Stacie as well

Notes:

I originally decreased to size 20 thread and a 1 mm hook as that has been my go to for this Calico patterns but much to my surprise it wasn't even close. I went back to size 10 as suggested and a b hook for the dress to get it to fit. I used a 1.25mm hook for the trim around the neck and arms.

I added color trim to the neck and back to finish the dress before adding the snap. I used the white to finish off the arms as they were slightly ragged before finishing.

Calico Critters Mom Morning Glory Dress

Happy St. Patrick's Day! It is much easier to find free and paid patterns for the Mom Calico Critters. This is a free pattern found here. That being said most of the dress patterns are variations on a theme as it is hard to fit something to a toy this small.

Notes:

The pattern calls for fingering yarn I used size 3 Thread Art's Lilac Crochet Thread. I am moving more to thread with some of these smaller projects. Fingering yarn is a subjectiver term and I sometimes have yarn that will work and sometimes it isn't a fit. I decided to start with crochet thread and only move to yarn if I couldn't make it work with thread.

I needed a 1.5mm hook to get the dress to fit the Critter.

I chose not to use the elastic with the headband. I also found the count off for the critter I was using. I crocheted a chain long enough to fit the animal's head and then used hdc for the headband.

Calico Critters Sister Shell Dress

This was one of the earliest Calico Critters free patterns I discovered when I set out to make clothes for family. Now that I've returned to donate them it seemed wise to return to something I'd previously had success making.

You can find the free pattern which gives directions for the Sister and the Mother for this dress here.

Notes:

This is the Artiste Multi-Colored Box of sample threads from Hobby Lobby I discussed in yesterday's post. I suspect it will be quite useful for the Calico projects.

I used the 1.25mm hook I had previously used when I made this outfit for the Mouse I was gifting. Not sure if it is the change in character, thread, or my gauge but the top was slightly tight to add the snap. The bottom was fine.

My suggestion for the future is to experiment with a larger hook for the top and return to the 1.25 for skirt. This will also likely provide a bigger hole for the tail which was also slightly tight. The mouse tail is long and thin so this also was not likely and issue for fitting it when I made it last.

Calico Critters Bay Creek Knits Crochet Mother Dress

The last order I placed for the Rag Dolls was disapointing because I didn't realize they had changed the quality of the dolls. The previous dolls had cute hair the current dolls have much cheaper hair in a less attractive color. I don't wish to waste them so I will make the clothes and donate them but once gone I won't order them again.

I looked online to find a replacement but I didn't find anything that was similiar in the price range for a replacement. I decided to revisit a project I had worked on for some family members. As a result of that project, I had collected patterns and looking online found some additional ones. This seemed like a great time to introduce a new member of the doll donation.

This year's donation will be the Milk Rabbit Family. The set here are my models. An unopened box will go to the donation. I found mine at an unexpected location, Barnes and Noble. I generally don't think to look for toys there but I have had luck finding the Calico Critters online there at a reasonable cost.

This is a free pattern found here.

Notes:

I used size 10 thread with a B hook as suggested by the pattern.

I did not use a foundation chain to start and it worked fine.

I have never been good with surface crochet so I did follow the directions after row 4 for moving the main color thread back into place to continue the project. However, before starting row 5 I did a row of ss into the starting row to avoid having to surface crochet later. I made row 5 by crocheting behind ss. It worked for me, although it was challenging finding the 25 stitches required to start the skirt. It took me a few trys but it was worth it to avoid the surface crochet.