Ken Merman

I know Mermaid themed dolls can be popular but one reason I avoid buying them to donate is they are some what limiting.

If you tire of the water theme most of them don't have removable tails so the Mermaid doll isn't likely to be easily moved into another play environment.

This isn't an issue for those who buy multiple dolls but for kids where this may not be an option, I try to go for dolls that can be adapted to different pretend options.

I found a pattern for Barbie a few years back and adapted it to Skipper last year. After seeing a Ken Merman doll I decided to try the tail on Ken to see if the pattern would work for him as well and it was a decent fit.

You can find the free pattern here.

Notes:

This is made with Caron Simply Soft Oceana Paints. I don't use lots of Caron Simply Soft with dolls as it tends to split and catch on doll fingers, etc. but this has worked out for the mermaid projects. The original pattern has a solid main color with a multi-color trim but I like this for the whole outfit.

I used an e hook for Ken as I did previously for Barbie and Skipper.

Ken being taller required a longer tail than the notes I wrote for Skipper so I crocheted to row 29 before skipping to the finishing row of 33.

I missed a note I made regarding Barbie's fin so I added it to the pattern now and I'm noting it here to make sure Skipper's fin's are not reduced below 10 stitches as I wrote on Barbie's post they came out better that way.

I'm currently experimenting with thread to see if this will work for Stacie. I will get back to making one for Skipper as I have the notes from last year on making the adjustments for this pattern using the Caron Simply soft that will fit her.

Ken Sleeping Bag

I'd taken a break from Aztec Wishes doll clothes to make the deadline for Kits for Kids. When I came back I wanted to work on some larger doll clothes to give my hands a rest.

I haven't given up on that goal but I also realized I can't abandon the accessories or I'll be scrambling in the fall to finish off items that got forgotten. Looking back at last year's projects this sleeping bag was posted early November. Not something I wish to repeat.

The only sleeping bags remaining are the Barbie ones. With this I still need Skipper, Stacie and 2 Chelsea as I will need one for the Shoebox donation, too.

This is a free fashion doll sleeping bag pattern found here. I like the texture from the beanie bag pattern also on the same site found here so I combine the patterns.

Notes:

The yarn for this bag is Red Heart Super Saver Stripes Latte Stripes.

I use an I hook for the sleeping bag and once the pillow is made I stop counting rows. I continue to crochet until I can close the bag over the doll's feet with a little room at the bottom.

Ken Christmas Caroler

I was able to track down links for the out of print free Ken Caroler pattern. Page 1, 2

While I'd made Barbie previously I'd never made Ken. The original pattern gives Ken a Christmas green coat and hat. It is a festive outfit but having already made a Santa outfit for Ken I was hoping for a more winter look that he could use to carol with Barbie but also might work for other winter play fun. Therefore I chose blue and black as my primary colors with some red highlights.

As I was cleaning my yarn stash I found a crate of Red Heart sport yarn and I am going to be putting it to use for projects like this one this year. I'm also hoping to replace the colors I finish off with Hobby Lobby's sport as it has a similiar weight.

Notes:

I used the suggested e hook for this project.

All the yarn except the hat was Red Heart Sport. I learned from making holiday yoga skeleton hats using Ken's holiday patterns that I need worsted 4 yarn so the hat is made with Red Heart Super Saver Black and an e hook.

The first thing that surprised me as I started this project is the coat is not a traditional coat but more of a tunic that attaches a cape to it.

As with Barbie in order to give the arms room to fit into the holes I did not join the first three rows and then used a snap to close the opening.

I followed the directions as written except I crabbed stitched around the hat edges and surfaced stitched the red trim around the hat.

I also followed the same directions for the book that I used with Barbie sewing the book together.

Having found the original pattern link I went back to look to see if I'd lost the directions for Ken's pants but I couldn't find any. I'm still playing with my directions because I don't love the crotch but this is what I did for this pair of pants.

Cut an elastic to fit Ken's waist.

Sc around elastic 24 stitches

Dc around for 3 rows

Split for legs dc in 12 stitches chain 3 and join

10 rows of 15 stitches

sc around

ss around

I'm thinking about trying the next pair of pants I make without the chain 3 to see if they sit better.

Finally I couldn't resist a picture of the two of them together caroling. I never know how the toys are distributed but I do like to think of the Barbie's heading out together.