Barbie Swimsuit

I had forgotten when making Skipper's swimsuit that I'd actually purchased some size 5 Omega thread from Creative Yarn source during last year's donation as I dived into some of Annie's pattern club fashion doll patterns and found size 5 worked was needed to complete some of the patterns. I found my stash while looking for the last of the size 5 Bernat Handicrafter I'd purchased for some holiday potholders a few years ago.

Notes:

This size 5 is slightly heavier than the Bernat. I had considered increasing my hook size as Skipper's suit was tight on Barbie. However, the b hook was fine with the Omega thread.

The package says azul for my own efforts in needing to reorder I believe this is deep blue on Creative Yarn's website.

I did finish the sides of the suit for this outfit. I also did both a hdc, followed by a sc border around the legs as the gap was significant without the borders.

This is the crotch from Skipper's suit but I leave it here in case I have questions and start with Barbie instead of Skipper next year. This is one of the few outfits I make that starts this way and the first one of the year can throw me. The legs need to be balanced evenly on both sides of the crotch or the suit doesn't work. I needed to rework Skipper's but Barbie's was a one and done. I think the picture helps.

For my own look back next year this was preposted and finished March 5.

Skipper Swimsuit

As I was working on my swimsuit challenge for 2025 I had to adapt patterns for Skipper and Stacie as there are very few pattern written specifically for these dolls. I chose the swimsuit pattern from an out of print Leisure Arts leaflet 2132 Hawaiian Honeymoon Fashion Doll Wardrobe for this project and decided to stay with it for 2026.

Notes:

I used a B hook with no longer available size 5 Bernat Handicrafter thread for this project.

I had looked into purchasing more size 5 Artiste from Hobby Lobby but the color selection is a bit low at the moment. However, Creative Yarn Source does carry size 5 in more colors and I'm thinking of getting a supply. I'm discovering I have more Goldilocks projects which are too small with size 10 thread but bulky with size 3. With no color options its been a bit challenging to move to size 5. I'm hoping to correct that soon.

One of the notes I made previously was that the piece needed to be even after row 2. This became clear to me and once again I adjusted as I was off. I took a picture to remind myself of how the crotch needs to be balanced or the whole piece is off center.

After row 1 on shaping don't count slip stitches.

I generally sc around leg openings but this time I opted for hdc and the look was better to close the gaps.

Ken Swim Trunks

There are certain patterns, like the 16 inch Baby Doll shoes that I repeat constantly because they are the best pattern for the job. There are other patterns I repeat because despite the huge supply I have it takes time to go through my options and then figure out what it will take to complete the new option.

I've been making Ken's swimming trunks from an old Crochet world pattern for years. It wasn't so much a favorite as it was something I knew. This year as I started to use the Leisure Arts out of print Honeymoon Wardrobe leaflet 2132 for Barbie and Skipper's swimsuits it seemed a practical idea just to look at Ken's pattern for a change.

The Crochet World pattern is fancier. The waist is ribbed and it has stripes. It also is made with thread and depending on the Ken model of the year it has been a bit challenging to make gauge. It is a good bit of effort for a swim trunks. I'd rather save the detail work and time for something that looks worthy of the effort.

Crochet World 2009 pattern

Notes:

This was made with Baby Bernat Big Ball Sport yarn and a size B hook.

Having looked at the previous pattern I would decrease the waist line before splitting for the legs. The narrower legs look better. There is a short set pattern in this leaflet I may add as well and I'd likely do the same for that pattern as well. This is a 1991 pattern and the doll featured in the pictures has bigger legs than the modern Ken doll I'm using. Just something to keep in mind as I work through more of these patterns.

The only adjustments I made for this outfit were yarn and hook size. The fingering yarn I had was too small and I needed a B hook not the suggested 2.10mm hook. My 2.0 was too small.

Skipper Swimsuit

As I mentioned in my post about Barbie's swimsuit I was on a hunt for a different swimsuit pattern and settled on one from an out of print Leisure Arts Leaflet 2132 Hawaiian Honeymoon.

Skipper was fortunate to benefit from all my attempts at making this for Barbie as I believe my final attempt for her will be the template for future swimsuit projects for these two dolls.

Notes:

For this project I used size 5 Bernat Cotton thread which has sadly been discontinued. For my own notes Hobby Lobby Artiste has a limited number of colors which will also work for this project when my current supply runs out.

I used a size B crochet hook for this project. I tried it on Barbie when I was done to see if it would work for next year and it will work for her as well.

For myself I will add the note I put in Barbie's project about making sure the crotch is even on both sides to avoid having a lopsided project.

Barbie Sweetheart Dress

I promise myself each donation year that I will try to use some of my older patterns that are appropriate for the donation. This is another offering from the out of print leaflet Leisure Arts Hawaiian Honeymoon Wardrobe 2132.

Notes:

This is made with size 10 crochet although I'm not sure of the brand. I needed my 2mm Tulip Etimo hook to make guage. However, I would consider using the suggested 1.8mm in the future.

I measured the suggested 3 inches for skirt length but this is much longer than the skirt in the picture. Not a huge issue for me as I try to avoid short skirts for my donation projects.

Barbie Swimsuit

I don't have a favorite swimsuit pattern for Barbie and Skipper so I decided it was time to keep looking through my binders to find another option. I looked at my records and the last time I used this leaflet was before I started this donation so its good to see it getting used again.

Notes:

This pattern comes from Leisure Arts out of print Leaflet 2132 Hawaiian Honeymoon Fashion Doll Wardrobe published in 1991 for those who might be trying to find a copy. I'm not sure how I've overlooked this one but I'm thinking of coming back and trying some of the other patterns for Barbie, Ken, and Skipper.

I originally tried this with fingering yarn but it didn't fit well at all. I moved to size 3 cotton thread thinking it might hold the shape better and it did but it is still a bit bulky. A note for future projects since I'd make this again for both Barbie and Skipper that Size 5 thread with a B hook will work for both dolls.

This picture is a note for myself to remember the crotch needs to be balanced or the swimsuit top will be off center and the legs will fit awkwardly in the suit. It is one of the more unique ways I've seen an outfit started and it took me a bit to realize why it was off but I left myself this reminder for future projects.

I finished the sides, back of suit in addition to the directions for finishing the legs. It just gave the suit a more finished look.