Chelsea Swim Suit

The weather this spring has been rather wet and cold. When it does warm up its been humid. What better way to change the attitude than to think of swim suit weather and so I begin my annual swim suit doll donation project.

Notes:

This is one of Char's patterns that can be purchased here.

With some adjustments this pattern will also fit Stacie so I hope to get her swim suit completed for this year as well.

I used size 20 Creative Yarn Resources I believe bright yellow and Lizbeth Tropical Punch for this project. I decided it was time to change up the colors I used for this project.

For my own records the Lizbeth came from Handy Hands as my variegated supply is getting low and I'm going to need to restock in the not too distant future.

This outfit was made using a 1.25mm thread crochet hook.

A note for future projects, I need to reduce the initial stiches for the crotch as it does not sit well between Chelsea's legs at the current width.

Barbie Once Upon a Time

Still playing catch up with my fall donation projects I couldn't post without access to a computer.

I did get through the final donation box yesterday. I'm always amazed at how many amazing goodies people can fit into a mailing box, especially when I try to put the stuff back in the box. Sunday I finished my final doll project for the 2024 donation. Now I need to pack everything up and finish posting my notes so I can revisit these projects when I get stuck another time.

One of my goals for the Barbie donation was to visit some of my pattern collections and try some of the outfits I'd never made before. Clearly I'd bought the patterns for a reason. It was time to actually try them.

This pattern comes from Annie's Fashion Doll Crochet CLub. I mentioned previously I'd love to find an original complete binder as I do love these patterns for the donation. Some are more practical than others but I've found many to be useful for the donation.

This is a Joyce Bishop pattern number FCC07-04 Once Upon a Time.

I finished this one before Halloween and it was fun to work on a costume theme before the holidays. I used a combination of no longer available Red Heart Sport Yarn and Lion Brand Ice Cream Yarn for this project.

I used a G hook for the overskirt for the first row only and dropped to a C hook for the remaining rows. It is an odd combo but it made the skirt fit her hips without the skirt being too big.

I ended up adding a tie to fully close the back of the skirt. Different yarns can create different outcomes.

This was a fun Barbie princess outfit. I'd like to play with it more for the 2025 donation.

Barbie Peach Sundress

/

My very old laptop stopped working at the end of September and I finally have some stuff that needs to be completed for the donation to move forward so I'm using DH's computer to finish up the 2024 donation. Part of that project is documenting what I did so I have something to return to for future donations to kow what to do and what not to do for future projects. I did a better job in some instances than others in documenting my notes as I normally complete a project and try to get it written up, rather than waiting months. I used the second pattern from Annie's Fashon Doll Crochet Club Sundress Pattern FC20-02. I would make the skirt again as liked the skirt but I wouldn't make the top again. I tried it a few times and the style was not my favorite./div>

Here is where my notes are hazy. The fiber is no longer available and Yarn Sub says size 10 thread is the substitute but I can't remember what I used. I did record that I needed a .75mm hook. If I go back to the pattern again I'm just suggesting I should be open to considering what size thread is required as I didn't record it on the pattern./div>

Barbie Blue Party Dress

As I've mentioned in several blog posts I've been going through my doll pattern binders looking for some neglected patterns that might be something that would work for the 2024 donation. This comes from my collection of Annie's Fashion Doll Crochet Club patterns that I've been building over the years. This is from the Sundresses pattern FC20-02 for anyone who might be interested.

I secretly have a dream that I stumble across a complete binder of these patterns at a library used book sale or a church sale or some place with a price I could actually afford. I see them occasionally pop up online but far out of the reach of a price I'm willing to pay for items I donate. As much as I'd love to have a complete set, I'd much rather put the money towards buying dolls, accessories and the items I use to make the doll stuff to donate. I still hold out hope that at some point Annie's will release these patterns as digital patterns. It wouldn't be the same as finding the binder but I could find the ones I'm missing.

This outfit was made with Aunt Lydia's size 10 medium blue crochet thread and a 1.25 mm thread hook. For my own notes since I expect to return to this pattern again row 26 should be completed as written. It feels like the dress will be too small but it makes the back close correctly.

There are two main patterns in this leaflet and full length patterns included for each shorter dress. I hope to make all four dresses to include in the donation. This one worked up well so I'm thinking the longer version should work. We will see about the second dress. If the short version works up well I would be ready to make a longer dress to increase the wardrobe options for the donation dolls. I have multiple Barbie's leaving this year.

Tampa Doll's donation box included a box of doll shoes so I decided to include a pair with the party dress.

Stacie Coat and Hat

Stacie won my guage doesn't match the pattern designers lottery this week and ended up with an outfit I'd been trying to make for Chelsea. It's no great loss as with adjustments I think I can make this for Chelsea and now I have a pattern that will work for Stacie since there are so few patterns that are designed specifically for her.

This is a Petite Creative Designs pattern that can be purchased here.

The pattern calls for size 10 cotton thread and a 1.75mm thread hook. I used a 1.8mm hook. I'm thinking of going down significantly for Chelsea or perhaps if necessary switching to size 20 thread.

I followed the coat pattern as written with the exception of the arms. Stacie has one bent arm and this makes the coat sleeves two different sizes. I made the straight arm first and when I tried to make the second arm the same length it was too long for the bent arm. I pulled out some rows and crocheted it to a length that fits the arm as bent. Off the doll it is clear the arms are different sizes but it fits the doll.

This Stacie has a good size bun for this style of hat. In order to accomadate the hat I left the last 6 stitches unworked as I got to the section where her bun interfered with the hat sitting on the head. I then chained 6 and joined to the start of the hat row. As I continued I crocheted into the chain rows and continued around. This allows the hair to go through the hole.

Stacie Crop Top and Shorts

This is the final outfit for the 2024 donation from Annie's Fashion Doll Crochet Club's Cool Crop Tops and Shorts FC0104. I'd previously made the outfits for Barbie and Skipper and then things oddly got busy at the end of the summer and has continued into the fall season. I finished this outfit right before Labor Day and she's been waiting patiently for her picture and a return to the model bag to hang with her friends.

I love the idea that with one pattern I can make outfits for three of the Barbie dolls with minimal changes. I used Lion Brand Ice Cream Yarn and Baby Bernat Sport for this project. I used a C hook with the Medium directions to get the fit for Stacie. I can only imagine this will be on my to do list for 2025 as it works up quickly for all three dolls and gives a nice summer outfit that may not be exciting in the winter when the doll is received but will be something to return to as the weather thaws.

Skipper Crop Top and Shorts

It's almost Labor Day but Skipper finally has shorts. Considering the doll won't be leaving until November for a Christmas donation seasons are less relevent when I make the stuff. However, sometimes when its hot I do feel like shorts are a good idea. This past week was a good week for short outfits.

This was the second outfit from Annie's Cool Crop Tops and Shorts Pattern from their Annie's Fashon Doll Crochet Club FCO104.

I used the medium directions with a C hook for Skipper with baby 3 yarn. I would continue with this for the shorts but use I'd use a b hook and the large directions for her top. I had to add rows with the medium directions to get it to fit the modern Skipper. Barbie's finished shirt was too big so I'm thinking a smaller hook would make the fit work.

I've started Stacie's shorts with the smallest pattern but lots going on so we will see when that outfit is finished.

Barbie Crop Top and Shorts

I made myself a promise this year that I'd work through my doll binders and find projects that I'd neglected that I thought I could actually complete for this year's donation. While going through my Barbie binder I found an old patterne that seemed like a good one to work on when I needed something quick and simple. This one was perfect because it offered a simple project and it had three sizes of the Barbies with limited changes so it was a great way to add projects to the donation bags.

This is an out of print pattern from Annie's Fashion Doll Crochet Club FCO104. I truly wish Annie could find a way to reprint these patterns in digital format for purchase as they are often ridiculously priced in the used pattern market. I like them because they vary from simple projects like this to fancy detailed outfits I'll never make but there is variety for all levels and interests.

I've learned working with Barbie's that I always need to test the outfit against my current model doll as the dolls can change. I'm donating a Ken and Barbie that don't really do well with the older patterns I have but the current models seem to do quite well. I'm only hoping when I have to get the next model when my supply of these current models runs out still fit these older patterns without the drastic changes I'd had to do for the previous dolls.

Notes:

I used baby yarn for this pattern. Herrschners baby 3 for the solid and Lion Brand Ice Cream 3 for the shirt.

Barbie Barbecue

My hope was to have this done in time to post for the July 4th holiday but I have no regrets as much as I love this donation project living life is an equally important and worthy goal.

I find myself returning to projects I haven't made in a few years. I last crocheted this Joyce Bishop July Fourth Picnic outfit in 2021.

My copy comes from Crochet World 2005. However, back then I was able to add a link to Annie's Freepatterns.com site for the pattern but sadly it appears that site is no longer available.

So you'll have to hunt down a copy of the magazine to find the pattern. I believe mine came from one of the CD sets Annie's put out several years ago with copies of the magazine and one that specifically had doll patterns.

As I revisit these patterns one thing I'm trying to get better about doing is documentation because I find as I read old posts I tended to be some what lax in listing details about hook size, fiber, etc. Sometimes I can't get the same fiber, but it is a starting point when I come back to try a pattern again.

Pants:

While the pattern calls for size 10 thread I did note on my previous project this had been an issue so I decided to experiment with Size 3. I finished off a cone of Thread Art slate blue and thankfully had a second one to use to finish off the pants. I used a B hook for the pants with the larger thread.

The one challenge I had with the larger thread was the pant legs were huge. To fix this in row 8 of the legs I dc in first stitch dc2tog around reducing the total stitch count to 18. I also only needed 21 rows for the pant legs not 25.

Shirt:

I used Aunt Lydia's size 10 white for the shirt starting with a 1.8 mm hook to make the waist fit and moving to a 1.25 starting in row 5 to reduce for the chest. I may experiment with size 3 at another time as this still isn't quite right.

The directions call for this to be a one piece outfit. I resisted previously as I was making huge changes to the pants. Having struggled with the fit of the top twice now I'm tempted to make the top as written connecting it as a one piece next time to see if it would fit better around the waist without having an issue with the top of the shirt being large.

Apron:

I used a .75mm hook for the apron with Aunt Lydia's Red size 10. I followed the directions as written.

Hat:

The hat needs a 1.25mm hook with Aunt Lydia's White size 10. Mitt:

The pattern calls for 1 I make two as it just seems more even. They are both likely to be lost at some point so 2 keeps the odds one can be located more likely. I used a 1.25 mm hook. I followed the directions for the fake thumb.

Barbie Doctor

I've been going through my Barbie binders looking to increase the donation for the fashion dolls this year. I'd forgotton about this out of print leaflet Annie's Attic Crochet Costume Party for Fashion Dolls 870014. I have another costume leaflet but they are far more costumes than anything that could be added for a career outfit.

I was suprised to find these use yarn rather than thread. Many of my older patterns are thread so it was a welcome break.

It has been nice to have a doll that fits the older fashion doll patterns. The previous doll I was using I had to do far more adaptations so I skipped using many of these patterns.

Notes:

This calls for sports yarn but sports yarn is a relative term especially with older patterns. Thankfully, this pattern has gauge so I tested some baby yarn I had to see if it would make gauge with the suggested e hook. To my delight it worked.

For my own records the green baby yarn had no label but I believe it is Mary Maxim's Baby's Best Yarn in mint. I've been buying their baby yarn when I have a shipping coupon because they work well for so many of my doll projects. The white yarn is Bernat Baby Sport White. In a twist I ended up needing Aunty Lydia's Size 3 Fashion Crochet yarn for the mask as the yarn was too thick.

I used a size E crochet hook for everything but the mask. I made the mask with a size D hook.

Shirt:

I chose not to add the sleeves. I couldn't get a modern scrubs look but the sleeves just looked awkward.

While using the directions to finish the neckline I also finished the sides of the shirt prior to adding the snaps.

If I had mint thread I would have added the pocket but the yarn pocket was too heavy and bulky.

Pants:

I thought the pants might end up being long but they fit as written. I made no changes to the pants.

Jacket:

I finished the ends of the jacket coat while working the collar and I would do that again.

I tacked down the collar and I would not do that again.

After I finished the coat I found the white thread for the mask. Next time I would try to make the pockets for the coat and see if they worked with thread instead of the heavier yarn.

Hat:

I think I'd make the hat a bit wider for the top and then perhaps tighten for the bottom. It doesn't fit well and I'd work more on fit the next time I make this.

Mask:

The mask pattern didn't work for me. First the yarn was just too heavy and chains work better for ties. The Adoring Doll pattern uses loops for the ears of the larger doll but there isn't enough of Barbie's ear to hold a mask so ties are required.

I just crocheted a rectangle finished the edges and then I added ties to each corner without crocheting back down the chain as this was just to thick even with slip stitches.

Barbie Sleeping Bag

I'm quite excited to be able to see the end of the sleeping bags for the 2024 donation.

With this bag the fashion dolls all have their sleeping bags. I have three more to make for the 2 My Life Dolls and the Glitter Girl and I will be done with the bags for the year. It is a fun accessory to add to the donation and not terribly difficult to make. I just like finishing off the projects that go across multiple dolls as early in the year as possible. It prevents me runnig into the November deadline.

The free pattern for the sleeping bag can be found here. This however does not include the shells. The directions for the shell version work easily on all the sleeping bags but are found on the free Beanie sleeping bag variation found here. I like the texture the shells produce and it breaks the boredom of constant sc rows.

Notes:

I used an I hook with this sleeping bag.

Hunting through my stash I came across some Red Heart Ombres Jazzy that had the pink shades I wanted.

I don't count rows for these bags I keep a doll in my travel bag and keep measuring the doll in the bag until it feels like its a good fit.

I have started making a note on my phone about how many shells I'm supposed to have in each row as I found when I was making the Rag Doll I added shells. It wasn't as much of an issue with this bag but I still have the note on my phone so if I need to count it is there for future sleeping bags.

I have another round of appointments coming up so I need to get another one started before I head out. I prefer to get the pillow made and sealed before it leaves the house as the pillow has to be stuffed. I do have a closed pocket in my project bag with stuffing just in case I need to work on the go but it isn't my favorite way of working these projects on the go.

Barbie Strapless Shell Dress and Cape

I mentioned in Friday's Ken post that I had stumbled upon a new to me out of print newsprint series of doll patterns published by Tower Press. This one is even more low tech than the House of White Birches one and the patterns reflect more of a 1970's feel, but again there are some here that will work for my donation and if I see others in this series I'd be more likely to pick them up.

One of the things I liked about this leaflet is like the House of White Birches on its focused only on fashion dolls. I have some other vintage titles that try to hit a variety of dolls, some even a variety of craft styles and often the patterns aren't as helpful. It would perhaps have been better if the editors had narrowed the topic and picked patterns people would make.

This is listed as p-810 by Lynn Vol 2. I'm interested to see if I come across more of these as they are designed to build a basic doll wardrobe.

I'm a big fan of quick projects. This was finished in a day and ready to go in Barbie's donation bag.

I ended up consulting with Crochetville board members on the meaning of sc behind the dc row. I tried a back post stitch and it was clear that the result was way to bulky for a doll dress. The quality of the black and white photo printed on newsprint combined with the section of the dress being covered by the cape made guessing more challenging. However, the suggestion to work in the blo for these rows worked out and solved my question on how to get the pattern to work. I was especially pleased since this direction shows up in several of the other patterns.

I would experiment with the reductions at the bodice when I make this the next time. I ended up fixing a gap when I finished the back prior to adding a snap for closing the dress. There does need to be a reduction but modern Barbies have larger waists I suspect than the older models and I'll need to account for this as I'm looking at the reductions.

I used the suggested e hook and switched to a sport weight 2 cotton yarn after trying a 3 weight baby yarn that was too heavy. I have no idea what brand this is but it is on my orphan yarns to use up list so while not finished it at least was usesd. The pattern suggests using a pearl button for the cape which I missed. Not sure I have one Barbie sized but I'd look before making this the next time.

Ken Shorts and Shirt

I made this back in 2022 when I was using the smaller Ken Dentist.

Lately I've fallen back to my newsprint and other older magazines for the Barbie dolls because many of them have quick to make outfits that are more designed for play than display. I admire the people who collect, dress, and display their dolls. The hand made outfits can be amazing to look at but for little hands and someone looking to fill a room full of donation bags those patterns just aren't as practical a choice.

This pattern comes from the out of print newsprint title House of White Birches Crochet Wardrobre for 11 1/2 inch Fashion Dolls Including a Complete Wedding Ensemble and Trousseau. I try to include titles even for out of print stuff because it's easier to find something if you have the information to look. I learned this recently when I came across a new line of newprint titles I'd never seen before.

I used a C hook for both the shirt and shorts despite the pattern calling for a D hook. I suspect doll size and yarn create different needs.

I used a no longer available Red Heart Baby sport yarn for the pants and Bernat Big Baby Sport White for the shirt.

I rather liked this version of Ken beecause he fits many of my old vintage patterns much better than the dentist. However, I misjudged purchasing extras and if my inventory is correct I only have him through 2025 before I will need to find a new Ken model.

While I've replaced Barbie with the camping Barbie nothing on the market for Ken right now appeals. I got stuck this time because by the time I ordered a couple and started making something for the model he was already disappearing from the market. This time I have to make testing a priority regardless of where I am in the current year's donation.

Ken Ski Outfit

I previously made this outfit for Ken back in 2021 using the pattern found in the out of print House of White Birches Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2" Fashion Doll Including a complete Wedding Ensemble and Trousseau.

This is a black and white newsprint leaflet but I love it for this project because for the most part the patterns are designed for people who want to make a wardrobe for a child to play with rather than an adult who will display the dolls. I have been exploring the patterns a bit more this year and returning to some like this one I hadn't used in a few years. I'm trying to get better about notations so when I do return to a project I have a starting point.

One challenge I have had is that the sizes on the model dolls change. Sometimes significantly and sometimes in a minor way. The first Ken I used for the donation is more similiar to the current model I'm using now. The middle one, the Vet was smaller and required significantly more changes to the old fashion doll patterns to get the clothing to fit. Sadly, this Ken looks like he's been discontinued so I will have to start searching for a new model. I'm hoping to find one similiar in size to this one because so far the old patterns fit him pretty well.

Notes:

I used Knit Picks Fingering Palette and a C hook for all items I would suggest using a D or E hook for the hat as it is tight.

Sweater:

I've played with changing colors at the top. I like this look better than the previous look. The single strand stripe got lost at the top. The double stripe looks cleaner.

Don't decrease sleeves at row 11. While it gives a more realistic cuff look the hand does not fit through the cuff once the count is reduced. I think I realized this before but without notes I tried the reduction and pulled it out. Pallete doesn't always love being pulled out.

Pants:

I end up crocheting around to cover the elastic and then reducing. I waited to reduce after making the legs. I think in the future I would experiment with reducing after finishing the elastic row as the pants get puffier the longer the additional stitches remain. I did get down to 15 stitches for each leg and that was a good fit once I reached it to get them easily on and off.

As I mentioned earlier these dolls seem to be slightly different in size. I needed to add rows to 18 to get the legs long enough for Ken's pants.

Hat:

After realizing Ken's hat was tight I went back to see if I left any instructions for Skipper's hat I'd made earlier and sure enough I had so for next year's project I leave myself the reminder from Skipper's project. I'd also seriously consider going up to a D hook as this was snug.

I added one 2 dc in one dc in next row for the hat after reading my previous project notes and I found this made the hat fit better with the doll's hair.

Barbie Strapless Dress

I'm working my way through the out of print House of White Birches Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 inch Fashion dolls. The patterns are allowing me to use up yarn on hand while filling up my donation bags.

There are two strapless dress patterns in this leaflet for Barbie. This one is found on page 17 for my future reference as I suspect I'll be back to make this one again. I liked the approach to fitting the bodice on this gown even when I was unsure how the current Barbie compared to the vintage one the pattern was designed to fit. I was pleasantly pleased to find I could make it work.

Notes:

This was made using the same Babe yarn I used for Skipper's winter outfit. I still haven't used it off. I think there is enough for one more fashion doll item.

I chose not to make this a full length dress. I don't currently have many casual items for Barbie and I thought it would be more practical for this to be a shorter dress. I mentioned the page number because there is a second outfit in the booklet with the same name that is shorter, looks similiar but the directions are different. I might try that later but if I decide to repeat it would be helpful to know which pattern I tried considering the picture won't help since I changed the pattern length.

The D hook worked for this outfit but I needed to finish the back in order for their not to be a gap when I used a snap to close it. This is a slightly heavier yarn than the Knit Picks Fingering Yarn I normally use for these outfits so when I make this again hook size may need to change. I did try making this with an old A.C. Moore sport weight yarn and it was too thick. I'm thinking it likely needs to be a DK weight or lighter.

Skipper Ski Outfit

I've been revisiting my pattern binders and pulled out the House of White Birches leaflet Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 inch Fashion dolls to try Ken's pants for Barbie to go with her poncho. I discovered I needed Ken's pants while reading the 2021 post about Skipper's Ski Outfit and it reminded me this could be a quick set of outfits for the older members of Barbie's family. Since I'd pulled up the notes I had for Skipper I decided to start with her outfit.

Notes:

I used a C hook for this outfit.

The purple is a no longer available Babe cotton yarn that I'm trying to finish off. I'm thinking of using this on Barbie's poncho pattern for a smaller version for Skipper as well. The yellow is Knit Picks Pallette yarn.

I added an additional row to the pant legs. These seem to be short on both the Barbie and Ken patterns for the modern dolls.

I added one 2 dc in one dc in next row for the hat after reading my previous project notes and I found this made the hat fit better with the doll's hair.

Due to the change in yarn I needed to finish the back and neck which added more of a mock turtleneck look than the sweater I'd made previously. I liked the look.

Barbie Poncho and Pants

I have written about several of the Michelle Ratman patterns I purchased for both the Barbie and 18 inch doll donation. I'm slowly working my way through them adding new items to the doll bags.

This outfit combines Michelle's poncho pattern that can be purchased here with a pants pattern found in an out of print White Birches leaflet Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 inch Fashion Dolls.

Notes:

While the pattern calls for cotton 4 weight yarn for the poncho I went with acrylic because I either have "kitchen" cotton or sport weight for my ami's on hand. I don't have a brand or color because this was a great project to work on using up a left over ball of yarn from a previous project.

The worsted acrylic required a change to an e hook to fit this Barbie model.

The last time I made the pants from the House of White Birches pattern for Barbie in 2021 her sister Skipper ended up with them and I made a note to try Ken's pants to see if the fit would be better. Barbie sizes change over time and this Barbie fits the Ken size better than the pattern written for Barbie. I'm hoping to make the complete winter sets for Ken, Barbie, and Skipper in the near future.

I used a C hook for the pants crocheting over an elastic band. The pants are made with Knit Picks Palette fingering yarn.

Barbie Winter Formal Dress

I went back to look for notes for this project and the last time I made this outfit was in 2011 for a now adult niece. However, I did realize one challenge has remained the same. The original directions for this dress don't fit the Barbie I'm using. The Barbie I used back then and my current model are slightly larger than the Vet model I used in previous years. I'm going to try this with the directions as written to see if it would fit Skipper without changes I needed to make for Barbie.

This pattern comes from an old out of print Annie's pattern club leaflet, Fashion Doll Quick and Easy 87D20. The original pattern uses trim for the skirt, top, shawl, and as an outline for the dress. Oddly there is no mention of what kind of trim or how to attach it. The trim in the pattern picture creates a beautiful illusion of there being an under and overskirt but with the time and resources I had on hand the trim wasn't an option.

When I previously made this dress I made limited mention of the changes I needed to get the outfit to fit the doll. I plan on a more fuller explanation for my own purposes because I will return as Barbie has become a more fixed donation and this is a quick outfit to add.

Notes:

I followed the skirt pattern and the shawl pattern as written with the exception of the trims. I eliminated the trim for the skirt as I've yet to figure out how this can be done easily without directions.

For the shawl I used size 5 crochet thread and a D hook and used a shell pattern of dc ch1 dc ch1 dc (3 dc with a chain between them) around the edge of the shawl spaced as evenly as I could. One change I would make is to make a larger shell at the spike of the shawl. I had ended it off before I realized this would have been a better option and didn't wish to go back. This would work well for next time. The shawl closes with a snap.

I tried a variety of yarns for the dress to see if I could get it to fit the waist line before resorting to my old trick of using elastic for the waist and crocheting around it.

I have an old big ball of Red Heart sport yarn that I used for this project. I picked it up back in the time I was still making Barbie clothes and really haven't touched it since. I'm hoping to utilize it for more Barbie projects and finally send it off.

I measured the elastic around Barbie's waist and sewed it together.

It took 29 sc to cover the elastic join and continue to join for all bodice rows.

From here I worked up the bodice section.

Dc 5 decrease around

DC 4 decrease around (21)

DC 3 decrease around (18)

DC even for 2 rows I might reduce this to one with the added trim.

I would use the size 5 crochet thread next time for the top. I didn't come up with the idea until working on the shawl.

Creating the bodice this way makes the dress slide on and off with no need for snaps or buttons.

I followed the skirt pattern as written although I believe mine was short on rows as the bodice was longer. It's a trade off I need to work on. As I mentioned above I'd likely reduce a row on the bodice which would start the skirt higher giving it a better look.

Stacie Winter becomes Spring

I began with idea of making the sister pattern from JudysDollsPatterns for Chelsea in thread.

I had started down this road with Stacie originally but I couldn't get the waist to fit. It ended up large for Chelsea but by the time I'd finished the edges it fit Stacie this time. I'd decided to go with size 20 thread for the shirt for Chelsea as the size 10 thread was huge. I found the 20 actually worked better for Stacie as well but as with the skirt during the finishing stages I needed to add some space around the neck to close as I'd decided not to add the winter finishing collar. The colors I had on hand just had more of a Spring feel so it seemed a good choice finish it as a Spring outfit.

The Christmas Playtime set can be purchased here.

Notes:

I used a 1.8mm hook for the skirt and a .9mm for the shirt.

I changed multiple rows trying to get it to fit Chelsea so this would be something to explore when making this again for Stacie. I'd start with the larger hook for the skirt but likely reduce the hook size to the .9mm once past the waist line to avoid some of the puffy feel and to get the details of the alternating colors to work better.

Usually I use snaps for Barbie and family but I picked up some tiny buttons and a button hole was a better choice for this project based on the challenge of getting the neck to fit right.

I plan on trying the overalls pattern for Stacie. I had hoped it would work for both dolls but after this experience I don't think it will work as hoped.

Chelsea Summer Play Set

I've been working on a few more complicated doll outfits so to give myself a break I've been throwing in a quick Chelsea outfit when I reach a "milestone" on a bigger project.

I found this free Amelia Thimble pattern a few years back and while the outfit wasn't a complete match for Chelsea, I was able to turn the top into a dress for Chelsea. It has become a great quick project and adds another item to Chelsea's donation bag.

You can find the free pattern here. Notes:

This pattern is the base for the Chelsea dress but do to the differences in dolls I've made significant changes.

The pattern calls for size 30 thread I use size 10 for Chelsea with a 1.8mm thread hook.

I follow rows 1-4 of the pattern as written with the changes in thread and hook size.

Following row 4 I continue row 4 for an additional 4 rows joining after completing 8 rows.

I changed the pattern's written row 5's V stitch to 2dc ch1 2 dc instead of dc ch1 dc I kept the skip stitch in place.

The dolls are different sizes and I never counted the skirt rows. I continue until the dress fits passed the doll's knees.

To close the back I use a snap after finishing the back with sc.