16 Inch Baby Doll I Feel Pretty

Rotating through the baby dolls weekly seems to be creating a more balanced wardrobe among the dolls.

Next up is the I Feel Pretty Dress for the 16 Inch Baby doll.

You can find the free dress pattern here and the shoe pattern here.

Notes:

This was made with Herrschners Baby Worsted Stripes Pastel Rainbow and Worsted Peachy.

The dress and panties used an H hook. The hat used a g and f hook. The shoes need a J hook with the Herrschner's yarn.

Row 5 of the dress first dc is 9 not 8.

I add 3 rows for length for this doll.

The legs are formed in row 7 of the panties.

The hat uses a G and an f hook and I use 50 chains for the ties.

I've been using a snap to close this outfit after finishing the back rather than buttons.

Rag Doll I Feel Pretty

I've been alternating between the Rag Doll and the Glitter Girl doll weekly until I finish off the swimsuits to try to keep their donations equal. In the past one or the other always feels like it has been neglected.

This has been adapted from one of Darski's free baby doll patterns I Feel Pretty found here.

Notes:

Last year I made a note that the H hook I'd used was too large. This year I tried the suggested size 7 hook and it was still a bit roomy. I'd try a g hook next time.

I used Herrschners size 4 Herrschners Baby Worsted 8 Baby Stripes Hydrangea and I believe Worsted 8 Eggplant as the contrast color.

The arms were reduced sc around and finished with a sc chain 3 row. I also sc along the bottom row and then also did a sc chain 3 row around. This helped the skirt keep from turning up. I used a button to close the dress.

I hope to make this dress for both the 16 inch baby dolls including the accessories that don't quite work for this doll.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Sweetly Pants, Top, Shoes

This was made using Darski's free Sweetly pattern set for the Lots to Love 10 inch baby doll found here.

Notes:

I'm continuing my quest to finish off my skein of Lion Brand Baby Soft Dusty Lilac and I added Baby Bernat Baby Baby for the contrast.

Bonnet:

I used an e hook for the bonnet and added rows to make it long enough. It was a little wider than I'd hoped this year so I'd decrease before the face rows next time if it is loose.

I'd place the ties further out. They are too close to tie make them effective.

Shirt:

The shirt was made with a G hook and I followed directions as written.

Pants:

I've been playing with my own top down pants for this outfit for a while now.

Chain 44 and join.

HDC in each chain and join for a total of 8 rows.

Chain 3 ss into 22nd stitch and start first leg.

I didn't record number of legs for rows but I did decrease last row with sc around.

Last row made with sc chain 3 around.

Shoes:

I've been playing with her bootie pattern to make Mary Jane shoes to give the doll a variety of shoes.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Moses Basket

I set out to make this one for the Lil Cutesies doll but added too many extra rows to make it larger and the Lots to Love 10 inch baby doll now has its bassinet for the 2026 donation complete.

The pattern for the Moses basket comes from an Annie Potter Presents Sweet Baby Doll Layetter Pattern set that I can no longer get an active link to provide. The blanket is from Darski's BBL set found here.

Notes:

The bassinet is made with Premier Puzzle yarn. The blanket with left over baby yarn of unknown orign.

Note to self that the Lots to Love 8 inch doll needs a G hook for the blanket the 10 inch doll requires an I hook or the blanket is small.

I just need one more bassinet for the Lil Cutesies and these will be complete before my summer deadline.

16 inch Baby Doll A-Line Dress Part 2

This is the second A-line dress made from Margaret Funk's out of print Baby Doll Fashion's to Crochet for the second 16 inch baby doll being donated. The shoes are from a free Darski pattern set found here. The headband was something I experimented with on the first dress. It was made chaining the distance around the doll's head and doing a row of dc.

Notes:

This was made with Lion Brand Mint Ice Cream Yarn. I'm determined to use up more yarn on hand on projects that don't have specific yarn requirements. These two A-Line dress projects were a great chance to use up some yarn that I had intentions for at one point but have never used so it is time for them to become productive and move out.

The dress requires an I hook and the shoes a J hook with the lighter yarn.

I finish the back and around the front in sc closing the back with a snap.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Sweetly Dress

Several years back I accidently made this too large for the Lots to Love 10 inch baby doll and it got added to the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby doll's donation. It doesn't make every donation year but I do keep it in the rotation.

With the exception of the shoes this outfit is made using Darski's free Sweetly pattern found here. The shoes are from Amy Carrico's Spring Pattern which appears to be currently available on Ravelry here. Her patterns come and go so I link them when they are up. I love these shoes with socks for the 14" baby doll and frequently add them to other patterns.

Notes:

I didn't read my previous project notes and confused them with my written notes for the nightgown from this set.

I used Herrchners worsted and Ice Cream Yarn Meringue for the dress. The shoes were made with the Lemon and Bernat Baby Sport Big Ball White.

The dress required an H hook and I added rows for length. I also added the same chain trim to the bottom of the dress that is used on the sleeves.

I used the Lemon for the panties and played with the design as I usually do.

The shoes were made with the suggested e hook as written.

The bonnet belongs to another pattern in this set. It was made with an H hook and as it was a bit short I decided to play with some post stitches.

Our Generation Wisteria

Still on my stroll through Darski's pattern library. This free pattern can be found here. The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creation's Sailor pattern and can be purchased here.

I love the concept of this outfit but I struggled a little with the execution.

Underskirt:

I used the 4.5/7mm hoook for this project with the exception of the shoes.

First I'd reduce the width of the skirt for the underdress. I had to make the overdress much wider to come close to accomadating the width of the skirt.

I would consider keeping it at the original 60 stitches rather than expanding it to 70.

I reduced the underskirt to 20 rows but I would trust my instincts and keep it to the top of the feet likely closer to 18 rows next time.

The tie pictures look more complicated than necessary. I did a simple tie in the back.

Overskirt:

I used a 4.5 mm hook for the overskirt.

The top feels large but it is reduced with a pull tie that allows the dress to come on and off.

For this outfit I had to increase the skirt count to 75 to fit over the larger skirt. This might not be as much of an issue with a smaller skirt.

I used Sweet Silver Creation's shoe pattern with a G hook.

There is an overall set included with this pattern that I'd like to finish for the donation.

I do need to pivot and start getting back to the night clothes, swimsuits, and some general clothes for the other dolls. I'd also like to work on some of the other patterns I have for the 18 inch dolls. I won't be abadoning my quest to work through more of her patterns but I do need to broaden my donations for a bit.

My Life Chef

This is the last item from Darski's free Howdy Neighbor pattern found here. The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creations' Sailor pattern that can be purchased here.

Notes:

I take better more detailed notes some years than others. I made this several years back and my notes were not as helpful as I would have liked.

I used an I hook for this hat. I'd go bigger next time for a fuller hat. I tried this twice and it is smaller than the two hats I made before which leads me to believe I may have used a larger hook.

I made these shorts top down crocheting over elastic sewn together. I decreased until I got to the stitch count Darski listed for her legs after splitting. I did not do a chain 3 for the crotch but joined at the split. I did a ss to hem the shorts so they were less likely to get caught while taking on and off.

The previous notes don't mention and issue with the count for the shirt being a challenge for splitting the arms and having them even. To get them to be even I did the first arm as written and then counted the stitches from the end for the second sleeve and put a marker where the join should be made to split the sleeve. This was the only way the sleeves were close in size.

The apron is made using the suggested hook size. Mark both sides where the ties will be added to make sure they will be even on both sides. I chose to sc rather than ss as I prefer the look. Darski's notes explain this but in order for the apron to slide over the head with out tying behind the neck there is a gap that hangs behind the neck. If you decrease the stitches it will not fit over the doll's head. The only way to fix this would be to finish off one side and start the other so you could tie the apron at the waist and neck. I've not tried this but it would fix the large gap.

I used a G hook for the shoes.

I know this is Red Heart White but I have a note that the last time I made this the pink was Red Heart Super Saver Shocking Pink and the colors look like a match.

I added this picture to my notes to remind me to use Adoring Doll's Back to school heart motif. I find it next to impossible to make good hearts. That pattern is one of the few that works for me. I fiddled with this one several times. It would have been easier to pull the other pattern. I will do that next time.

I like that this works as a summer outfit if the child bores of the chef motif.

My Life Birthstone

Again still not out of April but moving deeper into May as I prepost. Not a bad challenge to have as summer approaches and more things take up time.

This is another one of Darski's free patterns found here.

The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creation's Sailor pattern that can be purchased here.

Notes:

I'll start with the pants. Unless I'm making footed pj's for the baby dolls for the most part I just make pants from the top down regardless of what the pattern says. There have been a few exceptions where the pants required something specific but when possible I don't. I find creating the legs and joining to be a frustrating process. I'm sure it technically is better but I've finally decided a finished wearable pair of doll pants is better than an unfished technically correct pair.

So with that in mind I followed Darski's directions for the upper part of the outfit but went my own way with the pants. I buy hair elastics and sc over them. I then dc until I split for legs by chaining 3 and dividing the legs evenly. I then decrease the legs as they can be wide. I generally finish with a ss "seam" as this tends to keep the stitches from catching as the pants are taken on and off.

This is Red Heart Super Saver Blue Wave and I only got two skeins of it when I stumbled upon it at Walmart. I liked it because it was between Royal and Navy and I knew I'd have projects that would work with this yarn. Sadly when I went to look for more it looks like they are no longer making this color.

It takes almost a full skein of Super Saver to finish this outfit along with additional white for trim.

Sweater:

I used an H hook for the sweater as suggested.

The sweater seemed short so I added some rows for length which meant adding rows to the cape to get the length pictured in the pattern.

This is a nice top and I would add it to the rotation with the cape for future donations.

Cape:

I used an extended dc rather than the hdc that Darski suggested. I tried the hdc and it didn't work for me.

As stated above I needed to add rows to the cape to cover the rows I added to the sweater to get it to fit.

Hat:

The hat was a happy mistake. I thought about pulling it out and starting again but I liked the way it looked despite it not being the match to the pattern picture.

Shoes:

This is my standard strap shoe pattern but having read my notes from the Madison project I did use a g hook and the fit was better.

Our Generation Elspeth

Still not quite to the end of April yet but edging closer as I prepost my projects.

This is another of Darski's free patterns that can be found here. The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creations School Girl pattern which can be purchased here.

Notes:

The main yarn for this dress was Red Heart Super Saver Saffron. The pattern called for an I hook but the dress is slightly larger than I'd like but having played with these patterns lately I suspect the H hook would be too small to get the dress to close for me.

The white trim is Baby Bernat Sport the hat Red Heart Super Saver. The Green is also Red Heart Spring Green left over from the Madison and Rivulet outfits. I used an f hook for the shoes but I'd go with an e next time as this yarn is heavier than the grey yarn I used for the last shoes and they were big.

My Life Arabella

As I'm writing this we are finally heading into the last week of April. My preposts are starting to catch up as my projects are a little more involved and take a bit longer to finish.

This is one of Darski's free patterns that can be found here. The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creation's School Uniform pattern that can be purchased here.

I needed a break from some of my smaller hook work and decided a stroll through Darski's patterns would be a good break. I had not made the Arabella pattern before. Some of Darksi's patterns work up easily for me and others feel like we are not communicating clearly. This sadly was the latter. I kept on and finished it. I took pictures in case I want to tackle it again at some point but I don't see this becoming a regular pattern.

I started with an I hook for the top section of the dress but it was huge. Thinking this was my problem I used an H hook as the top section is worked from the waist up. Then however the top was still too large in the bodice and the waist too small. This was a sign I was going to be making lots of changes.

I went back to the I hook for the dress and started reducing stitches once I was sure I had the waist wide enough for the doll. I didn't record all the reductions but I did finally get the top not to be off the shoulder.

The dress skirt was not an issue at all and worked up as written. I lenghtened the chains for the white trim at the neck in order to get the trim to weave through. It was short as written.

I used the suggested H hook for the bonnet. I likely should have used an I. The bonnet was not what I'd hoped for based on the pattern pictures. I had to add chains to the red trim to get it to fit and it was narrow so I added a row.

One of the reasons this dress has been on my radar for so long is the Spenser jacket. It gives the dress a historical feel.

It starts as a shrug working into a jacket and I found it was hard to fit. I pulled out the front panels a couple of times as they needed to be moved so the arms weren't trapped. There are pictures but the places I needed more help were the areas that had no pictures and the directions seemed a little mysterious for me. I have come back to projects after working on something else and suddenly they make sense which is why I took so many pictures because I haven't given up hope that this might make more sense with another try.

The shoes thankfully were easy with a size g hook.

The yarn for this was Big Twist I believe Teal. The Green and White were both Red Heart Super Saver. I'm glad I stuck with it and it does give another historical piece to the donation.

My Life Claret

This is the second pattern in Darski's free Harriet pattern set found here

Notes:

My local Walmart did finally have Red Heart Claret so I decided to try it out. This feels more maroon than claret but each year I do try to get there.

This is a really quick and easy formal gown for the 18 inch dolls.

I use an I hook for the dress and follow the directions as written other than I added a few extra rows to get the length I wanted for the gown this year.

I've been experimenting with the trim that Darski calls the Flimmery bits. I've tried soley on the top as she suggests but I prefer front armpit to back armpit.

The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creations School Uniform that can be purchased here. I moved to an e hook for the pattern and they fit mcuh better.

The back gives directions for button formation as you are creating the dress and I almost started additional button holes after finishing the dress as this is something almost every dress does after completion. I rather liked this method as it was neat and clean.

Working on the Harriet pattern from this set for my next outfit.

Our Generation Dovetailed

This is a fairly standard donation pattern for the Our Generation Doll. It is one of Darski's free patterns you can find here.>

The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creation's School Girl pattern that can be purchased here.

This grey photographs lighter than the actual color. I was confused when I looked up the previous post as it also looked like a lighter grey and I don't have much light grey in my stash. This is Red Heart Super Saver Dusty Grey and it is the color I'd want again for this dress. I recently ordered some light grey for some other projects and I think it would be too light. The Red Heart Super Saver Gray Heather I use for another of Darski's patterns is too dark for this outfit although based on other pictures I have used it previously.

Notes:

I start the skirt by crocheting around a hair band with an I hook.

The increases need to be made on the side of the skirt. I start the overdress with a K hook switching to a J hook when I change to pink.

The back is finished and I add three button holes. Darski and I differ in that I do not let the buttons go below the grey line.

I used a H hook for the hat working as written.

I'm still struggling to make shoes without the strap that stay on the feet. I used an f hook for these and they still aren't quite right but I'm trying.

My Life Rivulets

The last two years I've made this pattern with dark green yarn as the light green was harder to find. I found the Spring Green at Amazon and I just reordered some as I make several patterns for the 18 inch dolls and the 16 inch baby dolls with this color.

That being said after I'd finished this in the suggested color I realized I rather like the pattern in the darker color and wanted to note that for next year. While I'd continue with the Madison dress in the Spring Green I'd go back to the dark green for this outfit.

Notes:

This is one of Darski's free patterns that can be found here.

The shoes are made using Sweet Silver Creations Sailor Doll Pattern that can be purchased here.

This was made with Red Heart Super Saver Spring Green. I'd go with a darker green for my next attempt. My notes all say Caron Pounder is the best choice for this dress. The white is Baby Bernat Big Ball white.

I used the suggested I hook for everthing but the top trim. I used a g hook for the trim on the top as it tended to poof with the larger hook and the lighter yarn. I also used a g hook for the trim on the bottom as it gets bulky with the larger hook.

Don't increase beyond four dc between the post stitches as the skirt gets to be huge. The last row is all dc before adding trim. I missed this and the trim sits better from dc row.

The bottom trim rows need to adjust for reduced number of increases.

After finishing the dress directions I finished the back and top of the dress with the primary color yarn before adding the white trim. This made for a cleaner back and made adding the trim easier. It also makes the arm holes look cleaner when completed.

Be careful not to split yarn changing from chains to dc for arm holes. The white yarn is soft but it needs to stay strong for the arm holes.

I need to do a V stitch in the end stitch of each end for each row of the shawl, not in the chain stitch. I struggled with this last year and caught the direction this year.

My Life Madison

This free pattern is part of the Howdy Neighbor set found here.:

Notes:

In looking at my notes it appears the last few times I've made this dress it has been for the Our Generation doll not the My Life doll. All good as it is nice to shift things around a bit.

I've noticed my gauge has been a bit off the last week so I'll note my previous hooks and current for future projects. Previously I've needed a J for the bodice and an I for the skirt. This time I was able to follow the directions as written using an I hook for the whole dress.

I used Red Heart Super Saver Spring Green. There are a couple of yarn eating Darski patterns that use this shade of worsted but it is one of the colors I can't get at my local Walmart. I do stock up when I find it. Unlike the Rivulets pattern I used worsted 4 white for the trim for this pattern.

Row 3 should read sc 9 not 19 as the numbers do not work for the stitch count without this change. I love it when there are stitch counts.

Row 11: Row 10 sadly doesn't have a stitch count so having made this a number of times now I'm making this note for myself others may find it works differently for them. I dc in 5 in order to get a stitch count of 55.

Rows 12-16 I increased to 20 for the length I wanted. Thus making row 17 row 21

Bodice trim and strap changes:

Instead of slst in 5 I sc in 5 then I chained 8 for the arm strap. This was just a better look and feel for me. This changes the next chain direction to chain 8 ending with sc 5 at end.

I chose to finish back with green not white trim. I used a button not a snap for a close this time.

The shoes are made using Sweet Silver Creations Sailor Doll Pattern that can be purchased here.

I used an H hook for the shoes with my current gauge issues I'll be using a g for the next My Life project I'm working to complete.

I'm continuing to prepost so today was drop off day for Kits for Kids. Unlike Aztec Wishes this was just a drop off. However, all things being good I've been invited to help pack the bags in May so I'm looking forward to learning more about what donations would work best for the project.

Our Generation Let The Sunshine In

I have one more Kits for Kids project preposted but with this preposting the delivery date for that project is tomorrow. With some challenges I'm having retruning to a project with larger hooks seemed like a good idea.

This project seems to pop up in my to do list every other year or so. Thankfully with binders of patterns I do have plenty to make. I chose this one because it is fairly simple to make and requires basic colors that were in my stash.

That didn't stop me from stocking up on Red Heart Super Saver Navy from my local Walmart as that can be a tough color to find. I can find the lighter blues but Navy is hit or miss for me.

Let the Sunshine In is part of Darski's free Weatherby set found here. The shoes are from my favorite shoe pattern from Sweet Silver Creation's Sailor Pattern and that can be purchased here.

Notes:

All three colors are Red Heart Super Saver. For my own notes the Navy is Soft Navy.

I used a K hook on the dress for the bodice and an I hook for the skirt. I used a K hook for the Bolero jacket.

I went with the suggested hook size for the hat.

This dress ties to close around neck in back and I added chains. This was a bad idea. Use suggested chain length for ties.

Found a previous note to try a G hook for these shoes with the Our Generation Doll and they fit well.

This is the first year I've added white trim to the Bolero jacket arms and I would continue to do this as I liked the look.

These pictures are from my 2022 project and instead of taking new pics each year I keep the old ones to remind myself of what the Bolero jacket looks like prior to full assembly as some years it makes more sense than others and rather than take new pics each year of the process I just post the old to my latest project as that is generally where I turn the next time I make the project.

Kits for Kids 8 Inch Baby Doll Nightgown

Still in the middle of March as I continue to prepost but that April deadline is looming. Trying to see just what I can finish in a short period of time. What doesn't make it into this year's donation will go into 2027.

This is a simpler version of the donation I make for Aztec wishes as I know the space for this donation is more limited.

Since liquid isn't an issue for this donation I do hope to get the smaller baby bottles at Hobby Lobby before the due date. If not I will slide another out of the bigger kits as I did for the shoebox donation and plan better for 2027.

I have the snuggle sack to post and I'd like to get at least one other outfit made. The doll does come with a simple onesie so it does come dressed. I hesitate to add too much as space is an issue.

Notes:

This is from Darski's Sweetly pattern that you can find here.

The original pattern is designed for a 10" baby doll so some adaptations are required for the smaller doll.

This is made with Bernat Baby yarn.

I use a C hook for this doll.

I followed rows 1-17 then completed rows 33-37.

I finished the back and then did the ties as suggested making mine 30 chains.

I decreased the stitch count on the arms and finished with a chain 3 skip to make it more decorative.

To keep things fun I did a sc chain 3 around the neck as well. I need 3 this year so it pays to keep things fresh.

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.

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.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Nightgown

I've adapted the 10 inch baby doll Nightgown from Darski's free Sweetly pattern found here for the Lots to Love 14 inch baby doll.

I made this one while watching the Olympic Figure Skating team competition. I like simple patterns when I'm watching something that requires more of my attention.

Notes:

I use a G hook to get this to fit the larger doll.

This nightgown was made with Bernat Big Baby Sport Tiny Tulips.

I didn't count rows for length but I do crochet until it is about ankle length.

I make a number of these nightgowns so I do play with how I finish them. I chose a shell pattern for the bottom of this one. Sc skip 5dc around.

The ties are 40 sc each. I finished the back before adding the ties. I didn't do anything special with the collar this time.

I finished the arms with a row of sc followed by a row of sc chain 3 skip one sc around.