Springfield Doll Poncho, Skirt, and Hat

This is another outfit for my donation doll made from Maggie Crochet's Abby, Ally and Annie pattern available for purchase here. The skirt pattern is actually the pants pattern adapted into a skirt for a slightly different look. I am trying to make as many pieces that can be mixed and matched later. An additional skirt seemed like a good alternative.

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

Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Springfield Doll Pink Dress, Hat, and Purse

This is the next outfit ready for my donation project. The dress pattern is from Maggie Crochet's Abby, Ally and Annie pattern available for purchase here. I wanted a hat for this outfit, so I decided to use the hat and the purse from Maggie's Little Miss Rosalie Pattern available for purchase here. At some point, I would like to make the dress from that pattern. After finishing another outfit based on the Abby, Ally, and Annie pattern that I will post later, I am working on Maggie's Ready for Spring Outfit available for purchase here.

Sadly, I have no promotion agreement with Maggie's Crochet. It would be lovely to get free patterns. However, I do get questions when I post patterns free or paid where others can find them. I think it is important to promote designers we like so they make more patterns we will enjoy. While I use many free 18" doll patterns this year, I have been going back to patterns I purchased and never got to make for inspiration for this project. I would love to see more 18" and Barbie crochet patterns printed in various weight sizes. Sadly, thread seems to be taking over and I am useless with it.

I am trying for a variety of outfits for this project. I want some basic play outfits, some historical, some dressy, and some holiday themed outfits. This dress is casual, but cute. It was surprisingly simple to create. This was only outfit left in the pattern I had not made.

I will say for the money, of all the patterns I have purchased the Abby, Allie, and Annie pattern is the one I have received the most value from buying. The outfits have worked up quickly and they provide a chance to modify and make the outfits look different. I have an outfit finished that I made modifying one of the patterns that I will post later in the week.

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

Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Springfield Doll Pants, Sweater, and Hat

I finished my second outfit for the doll donation project. I ended up using three different patterns. The pants are from Maggie’s Crochet Abby, Allie, and Annie Pattern. The sweater is the top part of the free We Gather pattern. Finally, the hat is from Edie Eckman’s Crocheted Wardrobe for 18” Dolls.

This is my favorite pants pattern. They work up quickly and they are easy to get on and off for little hands. As I was making this pair, I realized they would make great shorts, so I think I will be making a pair of shorts from the pattern to include in the box, too.

The We Gather pattern is my favorite free dress pattern. I wanted a quick and easy sweater for this outfit, so I used the top of the dress and it worked out nicely.

The only change I would make is to use a larger hook for the hat. It is cute, but I would have liked a larger hat.

I have almost completed the dress outfit from the Abby, Allie and Annie pattern with a few extras from other patterns. I will post that soon.

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

Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns


Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Springfield Doll Donation Deal

I do a doll donation at Christmas with my Mom and Aunt. I pick up a Springfield Doll and we make the outfits for the doll. Thanks to an AC Moore 50% off coupon and a rewards certificate, I got the doll for the cost of sales tax.

This frees up money for a possible second doll for the toy drive. I love it when the deals come together to allow for something like this to happen.

Last week I started my doll outfits for the drive. I have one completed and a second set almost done. I am hoping if I get started early that I can get more items completed.

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

Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns


Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

American Girl Valentine Dress

This dressed is based on the Valentine's dress pattern found in PatternsByJeannine SIGNATURE SERIES: All American Girls - 36 Crochet Patterns for 18 inch Dolls. The hat is based on a free pattern found here.

I now have my second Valentine's package completed. I filled a Valentine's bag for my weekend visitor with the two dresses and a puzzle book. I am pleased I finished the challenge on time.

This was my first experiment with ribbon and it was a fun challenge. A saftey pin proved highly useful in threading the ribbon through the crocheted hat.

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner and I have already started on my projects. I am converting a Skipper dress for Barbie with St. Patrick's Day colors. The skirt is almost finished. It remains to see how the top will fit.

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:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

American Girl Doll Colonial Outfit Crochet

This was the second outfit I made from PatternsByJeannine SIGNATURE SERIES: All American Girls - 36 Crochet Patterns for 18 inch Dolls. This time the outfit looked much more like the original pattern. I have never done quite so much treble crochet before. Like the first pattern however, I did not do it right the first time. However, this time I caught my mistake and was able to fix the skirt pattern as this pattern is a skirt and shirt, not a dress.



I am experimenting with yarn as I do not have the Bernat Satin, but did have some Caron Simply Soft. It seemed to work well. The patterns state sports yarn. However, the pattern actually lists worsted weight thickness by number. Some of the patterns ask for Bernat Satin specifically. I have not actually tried the sports yarn. However, when I made the Valentine's dress I used worsted weight yarn and the waist fit. I suspect if I had used sport's weight yarn that it would have been too small.

The pattern also called for Chenille to make the trim for the dress. I am on a quest to try to use up my stash of yarn. My goal is not to buy more yarn unless I have to in order to finish a project. If I cannot find a substitute, I am giving myself permission to buy. In this case, I used the same white yarn I used for all my holiday trim. I left off the arm trim because it did not look right with this yarn.

I also put a snap on the neckband instead of the tie the pattern suggested. Again, this is about my audience. The child this will be going to will find the snap much easier to manage than the ties suggested in this pattern. Those looking for style may prefer the tie.

I am thinking about making this as a dress. I think the style would work. I am also thinking about using the style of the skirt for a Hello Kitty Valentine outfit. It is amazing how learning a new style can apply to doing something completely different.



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:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

American Girl Doll Red Dress

My husband bought me PatternsByJeannine SIGNATURE SERIES: All American Girls - 36 Crochet Patterns for 18 inch Dolls after I put it on my Christmas wish list. The reviews were not great, but I wanted a book of crochet patterns for the 18" dolls and there are not many options on the market. I really like this book. The disadvantage of buying the condensed version is that the patterns are black and white. However, you can download pictures of the patterns from her website. I have done that for the two patterns I have worked on so far and it works for me. It was a much better option than the price for the individual colored pattern booklets.

This was supposed to be the Valentine's Dress. As often happens as I start reading patterns from someone I have not worked with before I realized I made a mistake. What was supposed to be a flowing skirt was straight. However, I liked the more modern look and decided I would keep this outfit and try the Valentine's outfit again later. I added a top to the hat so when I make the Valentine's dress the child will have two different doll hats and this one goes better with this outfit.

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:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

American Girl Doll Poncho and Skirt

This skirt pattern is also from Maggie's Crochet Abby, Allie and Annie 18" Doll Outfits Pattern. I learned to do that pleated look which has since come in handy on several projects including the poncho and a snowman toilet paper cover I hope to complete once all my Christmas obligations are completed. The pants, poncho, and skirt are on there way in a Christmas box. I rushed to get the photographs taken and stored so I could post them later.

I never could have completed any of these three items last Christmas and with all the crazy Christmas rush it makes me feel good to stop and realize that is progress. It is important to realize that no matter how much I cannot yet do, I never would have completed any of these projects last year. It has been a year of learning and growth and I am thrilled about that achievment.


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:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

American Girl Doll Poncho and Pants

Back in November I wrote about making another poncho from Maggie's Crochet Abby, Allie and Annie 18" Doll Outfits Pattern. I donated that poncho and kept working on the patterns in the book. I really like the pants pattern. Do to the Christmas rush I was only able to complete the black pair, but I would like to make some in a few colors and then a few to put away in the donation box I hope to start once the holiday rush is over. The poncho pattern is also one I plan to put in the donation box for next year. My skills were limited last year. However, by the end of the year I was finally making outfits. Therefore, my hope is if I start early, I will have some clothes ready for both children's charities and the Church sales, along with my regular family gifts.

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:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

American Girl Knit Sun Dress

Mom and I have teamed up to dress some dolls this year. Our latest project is a Springfield doll. I got Mom started with the book this pattern comes from for Christmas and just loaded her up with a bunch of in print and out of print knitting and sewing patterns for 18" dolls and Barbie for her birthday and Mother's day. There will be some very well dressed dolls this Christmas. This dress is from the book below. I am anxiously awaiting the sewing projects Mom has cut out is working to assemble. She has promised me a pair of jeans so my doll will be decent when taking sweater and top pictures. I have yet to find a bottoms crochet pattern that does not require crocheting over elastic. While I am determined to learn, Mom and I agree it is best to keep the model modest when posting.




Mom is even heading home with her own Springfield doll to use as a model. We have both realized in working with Barbie the invaluable benefits of having a doll to try on the clothes as you are working on them. As I mentioned in a previous blog about my first dress attempt, if not for having the doll to try the dress on, I would have had no way of knowing the outfit did not fit. As frustrating as it is realizing I had to redo the dress top, it would have been far worse to mail the dress off and have the child not be able to use it.




For those looking for free patterns please check out the free
American Girl and 18" Doll page for crochet, knitting, and sewing links.


Pictures may not be used without written permission.

My American Girl and 18" Doll Projects

Barbie has her own page and now that I have started working on American Girl and 18" Doll projects they require a page as well. I am finding it more challenging to find projects that are within my range, but have recently bought elastic to experiment with so I can make more of the crochet patterns. Mom has also been sharing her work with me so I will be featuring some of her knitted and sewing projects here as well.





















Crochet:

Blue Pilgrim Dress

Colonial Girl

Colonial Outfit

Dress

Holiday Dress

Pilgrim Dress

Poncho

Poncho and Black Pants

Poncho and Pink Skirt

Red Dress

Santa

Santa with Holiday Yarn

Sun Dress

Valentine Dress

Loom Knit:

Loom Hat

Loom Hat and Scarf

Mom is kind enough to knit and sew doll projects for family members on my husband's side of the family along with projects for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. I have been documenting Mom's projects with my own.
Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Mom's Contributions:

Knit:

Christmas Sweater and Pants

Evening Gown

Redsox Cheerleader

Sundress

Sew:

Bathrobe

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:

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

American Girl Doll Crochet Sun Dress Crochet

I was still looking for a simple project when I took on my second American Girl outfit. This Sun Dress pattern can be found in the free
American Girl 18" Doll Pattern Links.

I loved variegated colors and decided to do so as an alternative to the suggested pattern colors. I loved the pattern idea of using cotton dish cloth yarn. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I hit several great sales and had stocked up on a variety of colors. I thought it would be fun to try to pattern that utilized the cotton for a dress.




My husband's comment was the doll needed a shirt for underneath the gown. However, other than the lace that I did not add this is pretty much the pattern as described. I do have a white sweater I can add before sending the dress off at Christmas.

The hat was fun to make and looked so cute when it was finished. This will be a great pattern to add to other dresses that need a cute hat, but do not come with one.

I liked the style of the shoes, but have a terrible time keeping them on the doll's feet. I am going to continue to look for a pattern that fits better and then make some different colored shoes to go with the outfits that both Mom and I are making for the various kids who have both Springfield and American Girl dolls.

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

American Girl Doll Crochet Dress

I was searching for a very simple dress for my first attempt at an American Girl pattern. My model and the doll owned by the child I am making clothes for is a Springfield doll. I started with the idea that patterns would likely be based on the designer's own crocheting style and the specific dolls they work with and expected adjustments.

The pattern I stared with is a free wedding pattern. This pattern and others can be found in the American Girl Free Pattern Links page. I realized my crocheting style or the doll this pattern was originally designed for were not compatible as written. I worked the upper part of the gown as written and the poor doll could not squeeze in. So, I increased the hook size. While the doll could get into the gown, there was a sizeable gap in the back. I increased my chain by eight stitches to accommodate the width of the doll. When making the next doll I would decrease this by at least two chains, as the dress was too large with eight.

I chose green and I shortened the dress because I was looking for a basic doll dress, not a wedding gown and it suited my purposes. It is actually an easy dress for the child to put on and take off. I am thinking about adding sleeves on my next attempt once I have the exact chains nailed down.

Pictures may not be used without written permission.