Rag Doll Nightgown

I'm always thrilled when I finish off a category for the donation and this week I have the pleasure of posting about two. With this nightgown all the dolls now have night wear going into the 2026 donation. I need to get caught up on swim wear but what better time for swimming than the heat of the summer.

This is the same free pattern I use for the 18 inch girl dolls that you can find here.

Notes:

I had bought a bunch of Big Twist yarn when Joann was going out of business for projects like this one. I find it a bit light for the larger dolls but does well with some of the smaller dolls. I realize the brand has been picked up but I'm still working through my stash and have not needed to refill yet. For my own notes this is Jade Green.

I do need to shorten the rows before the final trim rows for this doll. I would trim it back a few more next time as this felt a bit long.

My notes indicated I should use the suggested hook size but that was with heavier worsted. If I used lighter worsted in the future I'd go with the next size hook up.

I finished the back and closed with a snap.

Now to finish off the swimsuits before the fall hits.

Rag Doll Swim Suit

Another swim suit completed for my 2026 challenge. This is actually a free Dora the Explorer Doll crochet pattern you can find here.

Notes:

I used a J hook for the suit and an I hook for the skirt. I did not add the extra row this year.

I do add a finishing row around the outer arms.

This is the first year I didn't have an issue with the pattern not joining right away. It could be that I've made notes every year to remind myself but it seemed to flow more easily this year.

Rag Doll A Dress for February

This is one of Darski's free Dora the Explorer patterns that I use for both the Rag Doll and the 16 inch baby doll. You can find it here.

I generally change to an I hook for the skirt but life happens and I did not. I have made additional notes on the pattern and here to remind myself as I will be making this for one of the 16 inch baby dolls, too.

Notes:

This was made with worsted weight 4 yarn in red, white, and light pink. I've traded off over the years using dark red or dark pink.

I use a K hook for the top portion of the dress switching to an I hook for the skirt in Row 8

The dress is joined after row 7.

In order to get this to fit both dolls I need to chain 8 for the arm holes.

Eventually these have to be reduced as the waist will be too large. It is a balance but this was made for Dora not the two dolls I use it for and the dimensions are different.

I finished the back adding a button hole loop.

Rag Doll Sleeping Bag

This is the last of the large doll sleeping bags I need for 2026.

I'm working on adapting this pattern to use with the Glitter Girl as I've never been a fan of the mummy sack sleeping bag pattern I have for her.

You can find this free pattern here.

I still use the K hook for this doll I just use fewer rows stopping when the bag covers her feet leaving room to close it.

I believe this is Red Heart Super Saver Polo Stripes Yarn.

Rag Doll Christmas Dress

I generally don't make hats or headbands for this doll as her hair makes fitting them rather challenging. However this free 18 inch doll Santa Hat is designed to be oversized and thus fits over the doll's hair.

Notes:

Both patterns for this were adapted from free patterns. The dress is Darski's Dora Dress For February Dress found here. The hat is a free 18 inch doll Santa hat pattern found here.

Dress:

I use a K hook for the first 7 rows joining at the end of row 7.

For the skirt I switch to an I hook to the end of the dress.

In Row 1 to make the arms fit both dolls I need to chain 8.

However this creates and issue with the skirt so in the following row I need to evenly reduce by 8 stitches the number of additional chains added in the previous row prior to starting the pattern that will eventually establish the skirt.

Use a stitch marker to mark the decreases and increases. They are just easy to loose.

Don't skip the directions for finishing the top and the arms.

Hat:

I used the suggested I hook. The suggested yarns are no longer available but I used regular Red Heart yarn and still liked the outcome. I followed the directions as written. This is where I learned to make pom poms that I use for the other dolls.