Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Cuddle Up Romper Kits for Kids

I wasn't sure this outfit was going to make it into Kits for Kids. It is the last item for the donation but due to some challenges I've not been crocheting much the last week of the donation push. However the Friday before I made a push to finish the last bits for this outfit.

This is one of Amy Carrico's patterns that is currently listed for sale on Ravelry here.

As the Lots to Love 8 inch dolls are no longer being made and my supply is diminishing I've been considering my options.

I will continue to use the doll for Aztec Wishes and Operation Shoebox for 2027 since I've already started my Aztec projects.

However, going forward I think I'm going to double up on my Lots to Love 10 inch dolls for Aztec Wishes and use a Lots to Love 10 inch Doll for Kits for Kids. This will allow me to stretch my supply of Lots to Love 8 inch dolls for the shoeboxes as size is most critical there. I've been looking for a substitute but so far nothing compares to this doll. Hopefully, I will find something before my Shoebox supply runs out.

Likely do to some health issues I was having my guage was all over the place on this project and I was constantly adjusting hook sizes.

Notes:

The yarn was Baby Bernat Big Ball yarn in yellow and pink.

While I normally use a C for the main part of the shirt and a b for the arms this time I needed an e and a d hook to get it large enough to fit the doll.

The pants continued to require a B hook.

The headband went up to a D hook.

Next month I will get to see how these projects work for the intended donation and hopefully get a better feel for what to work on for next year.

Dog and Bed Playset Kits for Kids

I am preposting the week before the weekend before the donation needs to be dropped off. I had hoped last week would have been a more productive finish to the project but a few set backs and I was only able to complete two more items to send off with the donation.

I am hoping to get to the assembly of the outgoing bags in May and that should give me a better idea of what to make for the 2027 donation.

I've made many of this designers playsets for family. The directions are clear and the sets are adorable. DH recently gifted me a mouse royal set I hope to include in next year's donation. You can purchase the dog set here.

I wanted to control the size of this set as it needs to fit in a bag with other items.

I used an e hook with some inherited Zayre brand yarn for the dog. I had no idea this was even in my stash until I started digging for lighter beige/brown colors and came across this one. I have been gifted quite a bit of yarn from people who have lost family members and have no idea what to do with the yarn. I clearly didn't remember the Zayre brand as it was long out of business when I started to crochet. I will say I would have been a regular customer if I'd been crocheting back then even after all these years it worked up well.

I sewed his arms to the body before attaching the head. The ears were attached to the head before sewing on the body.

The pattern sews on the eyes and nose I used safety eyes and noses. I am not a huge fan of having to sew them so when possible I use the safety option.

The blanket is made with Red Heart Super Saver and a G hook. The ball is made with Hobby Lobby Sport Yarn and a D hook.

I ended up working the second to last bowl row in back loops to leave an opening to sew the blue water to the bowl. It looked better than my first try at sewing it to the bowl.

Last note for myself would be more aware of the blanket size. The directions felt too small but my final product is a bit too large. I need to find a happy spot as I'm sure this will be part of next year's donation plan. There is a similiar cat pattern from this designer I have that I'd like to make and add for next year as well.

Knight Finger Puppet

I'm continuing to prepost projects in March and I'm now past the deadline for the dropoff which should have been yesterday.

This is another finger puppet made using a free pattern from Crochet World's no longer available website which I recovered as I was working on the dragon finger puppet blog. You can find the pattern for the castle and the puppets here.

Notes:

I used a G hook for the main portions of this puppet including his shield. To get the helmet to fit the head I needed an H hook. The limbs were made with an f hook.

I intend to include this set for 2027 so I'd note I have to fiddle with the rows on the helmet a bit to get it to be long enough and I sewed it to his armour.

Looking at my previous notes I had added chain stitches to his shield to allow him to put it around his hand and then I sewed it on so it wouldn't get lost.

For future projects for this and the princess which I am currently working on I'd use colored yarn not black for the eyes. This time they are both getting black because I got into the habit when making the farm puppets.

As I mentioned with the dragon post I sewed in ends as I worked this puppet and it was easier than trying to turn it inside out at the end. The head is really hard to pull back and forth through the body once made.

Kits for Kids 2026

Last winter when I dropped off the Aztec Wishes donations there was talk of a new service project for kids moving into foster care. The plan was just being discussed and I reached out in March to find out the collection was being closed in April. My focus is clearly going to be for 2027 but I decided I would see if I could complete some small play sets to provide some comfort to kids who could use it.

March 2026

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll:

Chelsea

Finger Puppets:

Dragon Finger Puppet

If all goes as scheduled the first donation for Kits for Kids will be dropped off tomorrow. I'm still preposting in March and even found some new potential donations during Amazon and Target Days that will make it for this year's donation or 2027 depending on how things work with shipping.

This was made using a Crochet World April 2010 pattern from Kathleen Stuart for a castle and finger puppets. I last made the complete pattern in 2020. Thankfully this time I only needed the puppets.

Sadly this used to be available as a free pattern on Crochet World's website and I gave the link when I made this in 2020. However, Crochet World's website no longer exsists.

Updated to add I did find the link available but with many of these old link recoveries they don't always last so I suggest you grab it if you want it as it may not be there again. Castle pattern here.

I made the Dragon with an H hook. I might try a G for future projects. I learned after I made this project as I was working on the knight to sew in ends as I go. The key is to make no mistakes or there is no frogging.

This dragon's head folds flat but as you are creating it it seems hard to imagine how the head will attach to the body but it folds therefore making it all work.

The tail and ridges also work as written although again I had to make it before I saw it.

I used a g hook for the legs and arms. If I shift to a g hook for the next set I'd likely go to an f hook for the limbs.

The eyes are made using the same technique I learned making the farm animals.

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.

Kits for Kids Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Moses Basket

Still busily preposting in March as my April deadline looms ever closer.

I wanted to include a baby doll in Kits for Kids. Not sure how much I'll be able to finish for the doll or practically what is best to include as the child will be carrying what they need to take with them but for now the doll has a bed and that is good.

This is Annie Potter Presents Sweet Baby Doll Layette for the Moses Basket and Darski's BBL free pattern for the blanket. I have been chasing Annie's Potter's pattern sites for years and I stop now. This is a wonderful pattern set that I rely on for the baby doll beds but I have no idea who has control over her patterns and I won't risk spam sites to try to help people find her patterns any longer. Darski's free BBL pattern is found here.

As I pulled another doll from my inventory I decided it was time to consider stocking up and sadly came to realize the last place I could get the Lots to Love 8 inch Baby dolls is no longer selling them. This is disappointing and thankfully as a donation hoarder I am not desparate for a replacement just yet but I do need to find one as these dolls are an ideal size. There are sadly some families these dolls go to that don't have a ton of space and a small baby doll is the right choice.

I had just found an accessory kit that was sized close to them which I hadn't been able to find in years of searching. It will still work for the Lil Cutesies doll and the Lots to Love 10 inch doll which are still available but this size doll is one I need to find a replacement for before my hoarded stash is depleted.

Notes:

This is made with Premier Puzzle Yarn for the basket and old Red Heart Sport for the blanket. I used an H hook for the basket and a g hook for the blanket. I still need 2 more of these for the Lots to Love 8 inch dolls, one for the Lil Cutesies doll, and one for the Lots to Love 10 inch baby doll.

Duck Finger Puppet

It's just turned to Spring as I'm preposting this and the duck is the last of the finger puppets from the free Farmyard finger puppets pattern found here.

Notes:

This was made with an e hook for everything but the bill which I used a d hook to keep it small.

The white is Red Heart Super Saver the yellow is Big Twist a little lighter worsted 4.

There are directions for a little tuft at the top that I chose not to add as it doesn't look durable.

I am currently working on the bassinet for the Lots to Love 8 inch doll that will be going out in April but I'm trying to decide if the next batch of finger puppets will be castle themed or from an old book of ami finger puppets that I made over a decade ago and loved. I had to go hunting for the pattern leaflet but found it and if not this donation, they will make an appearance in the 2027 donation.

If You Give a Pig a Pancake

I've always enjoyed gifting book and ami's together so next up was If You Give a Pig a Pancake for Kits for Kids Donation.

I mentioned previously that it's been a long time since I've made ami's and I smartly read the project notes I made about the mouse and foolishly didn't read the notes I made regarding the pig.

I've never had trouble making the sweater fit for the pig but this time it was a nightmare. After rereading my notes I realized I'd previously used a g hook for the pig not an e thus the various weights and sizes of yarn I was using didn't work. I resorted to size 3 thread but still the fit wasn't all I wanted.

Notes:

You can find the free pattern here.

I used an e for the pig, use a g hook.

This project I used size 3 thread to get the sweater to fit I'd go to some of the light sport cotton I have with a c hook to see if I can get it to fit as written for the one I need for next April.

I have always sewn the sweater on so this I sewed the tail on and as I was making the sweater left pins to indicate the space needed to leave for the tail to come through.

Rooster Finger Puppet

I'm continuing my work on the free Farmyard Finger Puppets pattern that can still be found here.

Notes:

I used an e hook and I believe Red Heart Super Saver for this project.

The pattern worked for the everything but the comb. I couldn't get it to sit correctly so I crocheted directly into the puppet body.

Still in mid March as I post this but the deadline for the 2026 deadline still looms over me as I try to get as many done as I can for this year. I am already thinking of options for next year as I pull patterns that would work for this project.

Pig Finger Puppet

As I mentioned with the cow this was preposted on St. Patrick's Day as I'm hoping to get several items finished for an April 15th deadline for Kits for Kids.

I have few complaints about the cheaper acrylic yarns I use but every so often there is that one skein that truly isn't great for what I'm trying to make. I think this skein will go back to my stash for a doll project. It's faults will not be a huge issue with a doll dress but when trying to make an ami it was challenging and not quite the finished product I hoped to complete. I hope to make the pig for If You Give a Pig a Cookie and I will not be using this skein.

Notes:

I used an e hook for this project.

I followed the directions as written with the exception of the tail. I'm going to look at the tail from the other pig and see if that would work better. I played with the directions for this pig and it is better but still not quite there yet. Since I need another set of these animals for 2027 may as work on improvements.

Cow Finger Puppet

I'm working on finishing a farmyard finger puppet set for Kits for Kids due in April. This is being preposted on St. Patrick's Day so I still have some wiggle room with my due date although it is coming fast.

While Crochet Pattern Central is no longer around I did find the free pattern link here. No guess how long it will last.

I've always been a fan of finger puppets because they can fit in a small carry bag, don't take up much room and are great ways to encourage kids to retell stories or make up their own.

I have another set of farm animals that I likely won't get to before this year's deadline but I'd like to make for next year's donation as I like variety.

Notes:

This was made with Caron Pounder Taupe and an E hook.

I've been trying to use yarn on hand this year but at some point it might be worth experimenting with a lighter weight yarn like Herschnners as these are a bit larger than needed even going from the suggested g to an e hook. However, for this year I'm going to keep at this weight so they will all be close to the same size.

Dog Finger Puppet

I started on my finger puppets for Kits for Kids.

I actually have a crochet pattern binder for puppet patterns I've acquired over the years and I went there first.

This is a pattern from the defunct Crochet Pattern Central. While they generally were a place that just listed patterns, they did have a few like this one that were hosted on the site. With some help I did find the pattern but no promises how long it stays available if you are interested so I suggest downloading and saving it. You can find the pattern here.

As I went to save a copy for myself I found the designer's name credited at the bottom as Yvonne Boucher. The pattern was written in 2006.

It has been a bit since I've made ami's or puppets so I started with the directions as written and they were big for my adult hands so I did change hook size for the puppet.

Notes:

This was made with the same Caron Pounder I made the mouse with previously. I want to say this is Taupe. I stocked up on shades of brown for some previous doll projects and clearly it was meant to be for this project.

As I mentioned above I started with the suggested G hook but the tube was huge. I made this guy and have started the cow with an e hook. To get them any smaller I'd have to change yarn weight to be able to use a smaller hook.

There is an interesting technique for making eyes with pretied knots I've never tried before but will be using from now on when I can't use safety eyes.

Since the dog has a sewn on muzzle I did use a saftey eye for his nose but with the open inside safety eyes are viable for puppets. The eyes have to be sewn or use eyes that can be sewn. I love learning new useful skills on a project and I've already used it for the cow's nose.

As I've mentioned previously these posts are all preposted. My deadline is April 15 and this guy was finished one month ahead of the deadline.

Mouse and Cookie

I heard about another program associated with Aztec Wishes being organized for this year, Kits for Kids when I did the drop off last year. I likely am not going to finish a huge number of projects for 2026 but I am going to get done what I can before the April deadline. I will also get a better idea of what works when I participate in the packing in May for 2027.

I have been hyper focused on the doll donation and finally decided to reach out to find out more about this project and deadlines this month. The deadline is tight for this year but there are some of the smaller items from the Aztec Wishes donation that were put aside to help with this project and I will finish what I can before the deadline.

I've always been a huge fan of combining toys and books. I've made the combo of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie book and Ami a few times now. However, with my focus on dolls and lots of other life stuff happening I haven't made any amis in some time. This was a great project to get myself back into the game. I've since started on finger puppets.

Notes:

This pattern has disappeared several times but I do have a link for the moment here.

I used the suggested e hook with worsted 4 acrylic I had on hand. I did use Herrschner's 3 weight for the chips on the cookie as it was the closest color I could find.

At some point in my last round of Ami adventures I stocked up on pink noses because when I went to look I had a gallon storage bag full. I had used thread to sew the last mouse nose as I couldn't find the safety noses. Clearly I wasn't planning on running out again.

The one part of making ami's I don't love is sewing the pieces together so when possible I adjust. I split the body like I'm making pants for a doll and worked the directions for the mouse legs top down instead of feet up. I would do this again to avoid sewing the legs on. This left the head, ears and the arms to sew.

I used a D hook with pink and followed the ear directions to make an inner ear. I then made a second ear with the main color and the e hook and crocheted them together for the ear. I know fabric is popular with ami's but I've never had luck with it for ears, etc.