Ken and Barbie Pilgrims Crochet

Before I shipped the outfits out last week, I wanted a shot of the couple together. I had made and taken pictures of the outfits at different times and the dolls were never dressed at the same time to take a group photograph. Therefore, before the clothes were packed I wanted a shot.

Someone commented on a Yahoo group that I belong to that she believed Barbie clothes should only be made in thread after seeing my blog. She was upset that many of the patterns I had found were not thread patterns. I do love the look of thread on the dolls. However, I have yet to master the ability to crochet with thread. I am extremely grateful to the people who have very generously taken the time to create patterns that do use alternate yarn for those of us who are not competent with thread. Given a choice of no clothes for dolls or bulky heavier weight clothes made from baby or sport weight yarn, I can assure her that kids would prefer to have doll clothes. Thankfully, my efforts are improving.

I say this kindly to all people who come here for the free pattern links. Be grateful to the artists who share their work with us. If you do not find something of use, so be it. When someone donates his or her work to use at no cost to us, it is a gift. Nobody forces you to take it. I for one am very grateful that the many doll, toy, and house patterns have allowed me to provide gifts to friends, family, and charities. I buy many new and vintage patterns, but some of the most wonderful patterns have been those shared by generous people who freely donate their work online. It has allowed me to stretch my money to do more.

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.

Ken Pilgrim

I have not made many Ken doll clothes. I made a few pairs of shorts and a shirt, but that was the extent of my efforts that have been split between amigurumi's, food patterns, American Girl clothes, and Barbie.

However, as Thanksgiving approached the free Pilgrim pattern haunted me. I really wanted to make a set to send for Thanksgiving. I looked the pattern over and it did not seem to intimidating.

The pants worked out well although in this picture with him sliding on the floor they do not appear to be even. I also figured out a better method for the feet after the pattern was done, but overall I was pleased with the bottom half. However, I could not make the pattern for the top work and had to try a different approach.

I confirmed my suspicions at a craft fair white elephant this weekend. I was looking at some dolls and picked up a Kelly, Tommy, and a Cabbage Patch doll to use as doll models in my projects. I also looked at a Ken while I was there and realized the shoulders on the doll I am working on are wider and far harder to move than the one at the sale. However, since the child and I have the same doll, buying the less developed Ken hardly helps me so I left him for another child to enjoy.

I was not completely satisfied with top of this outfit. Mine is joined in the back instead of the front. However, was a learning experience. After working on the American Girl doll Pilgrim, I learned some strategies that will help me in my next stab at this pattern.

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.