Barbie Simple Outfit

I am no doll expert, including Barbie but if you make enough clothes for dolls you start to understand a few things. I've learned over the years there are many versions of Barbie and when you find patterns for Barbie not only do you have to be aware of the age of the pattern because Barbies have changed through the years, but that even newer patterns can be made for different versions of Barbies and that can effect how the outfit will fit the doll.

You can find this free pattern for the Barbie Trendy doll here.

This pattern calls for Yarn and Colors Must Have which is a cotton sport weight I didn't have in my stash. I used Yarn Sub to find a sport cotton I use for ami's in my stash but when making the pattern it was huge for the Barbie I donate. I then moved on to Knit Picks Palette Fingering also in my stash and was closer to the fit I was hoping to get. I used a C hook for the top and a B hook for the bottom. If I used this yarn again for this outfit I'd go with a B hook for both. I'm currently experimenting with size 5 crochet thread to see if I can make this for Skipper.

I think I'd remove a row of the shirt for future outfits as it is a bit bunchy but I like the shirt. It is simple but an easy add on. I am still thinking about how to improve on the skirt as it is a bit poofy.

Barbie Colonial Outfit Crochet

Barbie is getting ready to celebrate the Fourth of July by getting in historical costume. This is a free Betsy Ross Barbie crochet pattern. I have Ken and Skipper finished and will be sharing their pictures soon. I am trying to see if I can adapt a Kelly pattern to let her join in the festivities, too. I need to get the package finished so it can be mailed before the holiday.

I used Red Heart and Caron One Pound Yarn to make her outfit. The pattern required an e hook. Barbie also needs four inches of 1/4" elastic for her waist band.

The cap was a great find. I have been looking for a simple pattern for this for a while now. One simple change I made to the pattern was to split the first row into two. Instead of sc 14 stitches into the circle I did seven and then increased two before moving on to the next row. I found I could not make the 14 sc work correctly for me. Others may have a different experience in making the pattern work. I also increased the pattern by alternating the dc with 2dc to make the hat larger for Barbie's head. My stitches may be tight, but I found the hat was tight when I added the tie before I added the increases. Again, others may have a different experience. I liked the outcome.

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

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Kelly Pink Skirt and Top

This was the last of the set of outfits I have made so far experimenting with the free overalls pattern. The free pattern is available here.

The skirt is in fact the overalls pattern with a skirt bottom I learned to make from a Hello Kitty pattern. I experimented with it until I got it the way I wanted it to give Kelly a different look than the straight dress look I had made the first time. I previously showed this same top with the pants. The three pieces will be given to the child that test-drove them on New Year's Eve for Valentine's Day. I will make another set to ship across country for my Valentine's package.

Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:

Kelly/Skipper Page

Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page

Barbie Knitting Page

Ken Page

American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing

American Girl Doll Knitting

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.

Kelly Pink Dress

I had originally intended this to be Kelly's Valentine's dress and was going to mail it out with my Valentine's package. However a funny thing happened on the way to getting my Valentine's packages ready. I had a guest on New Year's Eve who informed me while she had a Kelly doll, the doll had no clothes. This dress was finished unlike the top that needed a snap, so it went off to a new home. I will have to make another one to ship out.

This is actually the overall pattern I discussed in the previous blog. The free pattern is available here. Instead of breaking for the legs I continued the skirt by adding stitches to give the dress a wider skirt. It is fun to see what you can do with these patterns.

Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:

Kelly/Skipper Page

Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page

Barbie Knitting Page

Ken Page

American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing

American Girl Doll Knitting

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.

Kelly Red Pants and Pink Shirt

I have had several discussions with people about making Barbie and her friends and family outfits. What I have come to realize is there some of us focus on practical use and others on fashion and look. I would love to be able to make the thread outfits, but I lack the skills. However, this weekend I unexpectedly had a relative visiting. When she picked up this outfit to play with, I realized it was only because it was not made of thread that it survived the encounter.

I also focus need to focus on ensuring that snaps will not pop off and the buttons stay on tight. This does not always lend itself to delicate creations. Little hands are not always gentle, but they do love their dolls. This sometimes calls for practical and functional solutions, not always the most beautiful, delicate, and dainty looks. Others will argue that one can do both, however, this weekend reminded me that one should know the intended audience of one’s gifts. I do and for it is finally sinking in that each of us has a calling and a reason for our gifts. Mine is to make dolls clothes that can withstand tough little hands. I have a different audience than other doll clothes makers, but there is room in the world for all of us.

It made me think about my motivations for learning to crochet. Unlike many people, I know who knit and crochet, I did not learn as a child. I have only been at this a less than two years. One of my motivations was to be able to make dolls clothes and toys. I had looked at some of the junk that passed for Barbie's clothes and knew there were better options if one knew how to knit or crochet them. I have had store bought outfits almost shred as I have removed them from model dolls to try on outfits I was making. That is not what kids should have to deal with when playing with their dolls.

In the last year, I have gotten more adventurous about exploring and experimenting with patterns. This in fact is the pants and part of the shirt portion of a free overalls and shirt pattern available here. I started with the intentions of finishing the pattern as written. Before I was done, I had another dress and skirt finished. The overalls and the shirt have yet to be made as written. I am sure I will get back to it at some point, but it was fun experimenting to make new outfits for Kelly.

Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:

Kelly/Skipper Page

Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page

Barbie Knitting Page

Ken Page

American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing

American Girl Doll Knitting

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.

Barbie Santa Take Two

I have been promising myself since I finished this dress the night before Christmas Eve that I would make a note on the pattern reminding myself NOT to join the top and instead add a snap. I still have not done it. I am hoping writing it here will be a reminder if I do not do it and find myself stumped once again next year.

I wrote about this all last week and did manage to finish, wrap and have it ready in time for the big Christmas Eve celebration. I have an Annie's Attic pattern to experiment with next year, but I may find myself returning to this pattern. Sometimes we do what works.

You can find this free pattern by using the Christmas Link below.


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

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.

Ken Santa Crochet

I really enjoyed this project. Once I understood the mistakes of Ken Pilgrim, Ken Santa was much more fun to make. In fact, I will go back and make another Ken Pilgrim to replace the old one once I get past the holiday rush.

The red I used for Barbie was from yarn I picked up at a Church sale last year. It finally ran out. Therefore, Ken has a darker yarn, which I purchased at a craft store recently that I actually like better. It has a more old world look to it. I have not even finished off the first skein of white yarn I bought at the Church sale I have been using for all my doll trims, including Ken’s beard. I loved the idea of including a beard in the pattern. I had seen a couple of free Ken and Barbie Santa hat patterns but this is the first free pattern I saw with a beard. You can find the pattern page one here page two here. I did much better with Ken's boots this time. I think I would use this boot pattern for the Pilgrim next time. I also opted out of the buckle on the belt. Instead, I used a snap in the back to hold the belt in place and just sewed a buckle on. Little hands sometimes do better with easier options.




I found an old Annie's Attic pattern for a Santa Ken and Barbie that I ordered from a vintage site. It will be interesting to see how the patterns differ.

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

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.

Barbie Santa Crochet

I finally figured out the problems I was having with the free Barbie and Ken Pilgrim patterns and this first Barbie Santa was where the problems resolved themselves. You can find the free pattern here. Instead of a dress, the first Barbie is a two-piece outfit, a skirt and jacket. I do not believe I will have any problem making the next dresses I need to complete my Christmas list. Learning from my mistakes is half the journey.

I am going to try out the Christmas Caroler pattern before making my second Barbie Santa. I have until Christmas Eve before the second sets are delivered. However, I am running out of time as my shipping dates are closing in on the first set of Barbie items.

As I mentioned with the American Girl Doll post, I found some white yarn at a Church Christmas sale that has made wonderful trim for my holiday doll outfits.

Several people have commented about the thread vs. yarn issue with Barbie. Well Thanksgiving taught me that children like having Barbie clothes. Even the Barbie outfit I was not as pleased with was a hit. I fully understand thread looks better. For all those that think I need education, I do not. I have eyes and I can see the difference. Unfortunately, my hands do not seem to work with thread. However, I can still make clothes that send Barbie back to the time of the Pilgrims or make her into Mrs. Claus and that works for the kids who play with these outfits. Given a choice of these bulkier outfits or nothing, I have been told not to wait until I learn to use thread. Therefore, I will continue to admire the outfits people make with thread. However, I am not giving up making my bulkier alternatives leaving kids without clothes for their dolls.

I post the free patterns I can find for Barbie and company. Some are thread and some are yarn. If you cannot find what you want, I suggest you try the vintage market or look for people who sell their patterns to download. There are many thread patterns available. Not everyone generously donates his or her patterns for the rest of us to use. People are entitled to make money from what they create. I am truly grateful for those who donate the gift of their talents for our use. It has allowed me to create far more items this year than would have been possible otherwise. I have continued to buy new patterns and build my vintage pattern collection. However, the free patterns for Barbie, the American Girl Doll, and other crochet toys have extended my gift giving and charitable donations this year. I thank all those who freely give of their talents for the rest of us to enjoy. I hope all of them are blessed and able to continue sharing their talents with the rest of us.



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

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.

Barbie Pilgrim Shady Lane

Once I learned about adding elastic, this became my favorite of the two Barbie patterns. The original Shady Lane pattern does not use elastic. Adding it made it a much easier project for me to work with in making a neat outfit with a closed back.

This pattern can be found at Shady Lane. It is in the pattern book Timeless Fashion Dolls Volume 1, #495.

The shawl and the style of bonnet also make this a favorite of mine. I have one more of these to make, but it does not have to be finished until Thanksgiving Day.

I am already thinking about how to adapt these patterns to create something for Kelly and Skipper for next year. Thankfully only one side of the family has the Kelly/Skipper dolls so I could make one set and be done. However, they all have additional Barbies, so I do not believe I am done with Barbie Pilgrim outfits, just yet.

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

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Barbie Pilgrim with Free Pattern

I finally decided to get over my fear of elastic and try this pattern that can be found here. This pattern was discovered during my research for free Barbie patterns. Her site is a treasure trove of period and other crochet Barbie patterns. I listed many of them on my Barbie/Fashion Doll pages.

The elastic was not nearly as intimidating as I feared and I liked the fact it finally closed the back gap I have been struggling with when making my Barbie clothes with sports yarn. The dress pattern was easy to follow, but I found myself adjusting the cap to make it fit on Barbie's head. It could be my ability to follow directions and not the pattern.

I learn more from each one of these projects. As I mentioned in an earlier blog I have several of these outfits to make before Thanksgiving. I went back and made the Shady Lane Pilgrim dress and used my new found ability with elastic to make the pattern easier for me to work with and I will be writing about that in another blog.

Ken's Pilgrim outfit is finally finished and I will be posting his picture, the Shady Lane Barbie Pilgrim picture, and the American Girl Doll Pilgrim picture this week as I finally have the pictures on my computer.

I have one more Shady Lane dress to make before the holiday and then Barbie is done with the Pilgrim scenario for this year. Mrs. Pilgrim just needs her arms and she will be finished. I have a couple of other small projects that need to be completed for shipping by tomorrow. Then it is on to Christmas fashions and other holiday projects.

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

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page



Pictures may not be used without written permission.

My Fashion Doll and Barbie Projects

Just as I created a blog entry to track my toy projects, I decided Barbie needed her own page since I have been working on so many projects for birthdays and Christmas presents. I have found many vintage patterns to try and have been experimenting with different types of yarn to deal with options that are no longer available. Therefore, I am sure there will be plenty of new entries added. I have several new dresses to add to the blog as soon as the pictures are taken and I will add those links to the page as soon as they are ready.

Barbie :

Christmas Caroler

Christmas Caroler Black Jacket

Colonial Outfit

Easter Outfit

Ghost

Pilgrim

Pilgrim with Free Pattern

Polish Peasant Dress

Prairie Dress

Santa

Santa One Piece

Shorts

Shorts and Top

Sock Yarn Dress

Spring Dress

Strapless Gown Purple

St. Patrick's Day Dress

Valentine Ball Gown

Valentine Pink Ball Gown

Winter Formal




Ken:

Colonial

Ken Pilgrim

Santa




Kelly:

Cat Costume

Colonial

Pink Skirt and Top

Red Pants Pink Shirt

Santa



Skipper:

Colonial

Party Dress

Skating Outfit

Sun Dress

Mom's Contributions

Mom and I have been working on dressing dolls for kids. These are pictures of the outfits Mom knitted to be given to kids on the other side of my family. The Valentine's photo has one of my first Barbie attempts, a crocheted hat.

Valentine's Barbie

St. Patrick's Day Barbie

Barbie's Knitted Easter Outfit

Barbie Knit Christmas 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

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Pictures may not be used without written permission.