Rag Doll Bathing Suit

With the arrival of the hotter summer weather I've embarked on the doll bathing or swim suit project for the donation. I try to send each doll off with a bathing/swim suit each year. I believe I have at least one or more options for each doll.

The Rag Doll is always a challenge to dress because there are no patterns written for the doll. You can purchase the doll at Factory Direct but they don't provide clothing options.

This pattern is adapted from a free Dora the Explorer Doll pattern Oceanside found here. I only use the bathing suit for the Rag Doll but there are other accessories included.

Notes:

I use a J hook for everything but the skirt and the trims on this pattern. For those sections I use an I hook.

The back doesn't close right away and this always throws me which is why I continue to take a picture of the finished back to remind me a large gap in the back is intended not a mistake.

I don't add the extra finish shaping rows at the top. It doesn't work right for me for this doll.

As suggested I do an extra row on the white skirt.

The skirt got a little folded in the back when I took the picture but it actually does work as a full skirt around.

Rag Doll Swim Suit

In my quest to send out as many of the donation dolls with bathing suits last year I discovered that Darski's free Dora the Explorer Oceanside pattern, found here, would fit the Rag Doll with a few minor adjustments.

I need a J hook for the outfit and and I for the trim. I had more Wildflower Red Heart left over from last year's project so I continued with it for this year's suit as well. I figured out how to add the white trim to the top for this year's version and I like the look.