American Girl Back to School Outfit

This was another free crochet pattern found from ABC Knitting here.

I fell in love with the colors when I came across this pattern. I try not to complain about free pattern designers. What ever they give is a gift. However, one of my few complaints is when designers of free or paid patterns choose obscure yarns that are hard to find or are no longer available by the time the pattern is published. I understand people have the right to choose the yarn they feel will best match their design needs, but for those of us who then try to find yarn to use it can be a frustrating process. I don't even complain when the yarn is more expensive than I want to pay. At least if it is still available I have some hope of trying to find a substitute I can afford. However, when the yarn is an obscure one, or one no longer available, finding a substitute is much more challenging. The more important the texture and color are to matching the pattern, the more frustrating it is when the yarn is not readily available. No yarn is available forever, however, one would hope that at least at the time of publication, we should be able to locate the yarn used by the designer.

I saw this pattern when it was first published at ABC Knitting and started immediately on a hunt to find the suggested yarn. I couldn't locate it anywhere. For some patterns that isn't an issue. Substitutes are easy enough to locate and the finished product is close enough to the suggested yarn that I'm happy with the result and sometimes at a discounted rate. However, this one was trickier because it required specific colors that were not easy to locate. I eventually found Cascade fingering yarn at Webs. It was the only yarn I found online that matched the suggested weight and came close to the color. I'm not sure based on outcome it was exactly the same texture as the original yarn. Not having the original to see how it measures up, I can't be sure.

I found the skirt and the backpack worked up easily, but I struggled to get a good fit for the cardigan. The colors are perfect for a fall outfit and I was quite pleased with the outfit.

While I love the skirt and the backpack, I'm not sure I'd try the cardigan again. I'll have to find a substitute if I make them again.

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 Skirt, Shirt, and Hat.

I decided to use up some sock yarn I had won a while back and had no use for as I don't make socks. I found a free pattern for a crochet skirt at ABC Knitting that required fingering yarn here. I tried the matching top, but found I couldn't get the fit right, so I adapted a favorite dress pattern to make a top. I did use the free hat pattern found here.

I love it when I can add another outfit to my donation pile and use up yarn that is taking up valuable space in my yarn room.

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 Ballet Dress

I'm finally getting around to posting the ballet dress I mentioned in the baby doll post last week. You can find the free pattern for an 18" doll ballet dress here. The pattern really is a easy pattern and requires no buttons, snaps or ties which makes it easy to assemble and easy for a child to put on and take off the doll.

The original pattern has ribbons for the ballet shoes. I opted not to go that route. However, the directions are there for those who want a fancier outfit. I can say this will likely be on my list of repeats for next year. I like the quick and easy ones.


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 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.

American Girl Hippy Thread Dress

I started this project for a May birthday present and finally finished it. This is a second pattern found in Maggie Weldon's 18" Doll Hippy Wardrobe Pattern that I have finished.

I love the skirt on this dress. I haven't done much work in thread, but this is beautiful. I tried the sleeves, but preferred the dress without the additional sleeves. The two hippy outfits will be shipping soon as I have to get the May birthday box out soon. I still have another thread dress I started that I need to finish for my Christmas donation. However, right now I am still working on my jungle project that I will be posting about soon.

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

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.

American Girl Doll Two Piece Bathing Suit

As part of the Mary Maxim doll kit, Gracie's Day at the Beach, I got another bathing suit pattern. This one was a two-piece set made from the Seafoam Ultra Mellospun DK used for the dress and bag pattern in the main outfit. I was pleasantly surprised to find this pattern as it is not listed in the description of the kit online. I used the leftover yarn from the dress and the pattern for a beach towel that is part of another pattern set found here, to add to the outfit.

I am pleased I was able to complete a bathing suit for each of the donation dolls without having to repeat a pattern. I had not counted on that when I ordered this kit.

I am also thinking I have discovered an easy underwear pattern. Some of the dresses really do need panties and I have yet to find a simple pattern. This pattern worked up easily and would fill the need for modesty required by some of the outfits.

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

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.

American Girl Doll Wedding Dress

I purchased this pattern when it was still available in digital format at Annie's Attic. You can still find the pattern to purchase here.

I was not necessarily interested in making a wedding gown. What drew me to this pattern were the fingerless gloves. I have other plans for these gloves to use with other outfits. However, as I started working on the gown, I came to like it.

I did have trouble finding the plastic baby headband needed for the headpiece. I can see why they suggest using a plastic one as would be easier to assemble. I went to several craft stores and could not locate one. Instead, I found a Springfield doll headband, which was covered. This meant I could not assemble and slide the headband through the crochet headpiece. I had to assemble it around it at a certain point. I do not want to give away any trade secrets, so I will not explain any further. However, if you purchase the pattern and cannot find the plastic headband, you can make the Springfield headband work with some altering of the directions.

This is the first outfit I finished for my yearly doll donation. It felt good this past Christmas morning to know there were a couple of girls out there that had well dressed dolls under the tree this Christmas. This is what they mean about getting more out of volunteering than what you give. I loved making the clothes and I really enjoyed the feeling on Christmas morning. As soon as I finished Litwick I got started on this outfit. I have ordered an online kit from Mary Maxim, so I already have my first doll. I am going to expand to working with baby dolls this year. I know baby dolls are also popular so I am going to see what I can accomplish before my donations are due next December.

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

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.

American Girl Nightgown Set

I adapted this outfit from an out of print pattern found in Annie's Attic Crochet Vintage Doll Ensembles pattern number 870614.

I believe this is the first 18 inch doll outfit I have made using sports weight yarn. It is amazing how much longer it seems to take to finish. I can only imagine the time it takes for the thread patterns.

This is one more outfit ready for my donation package. I have another ready to post soon.

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

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.