My Life Swimsuit 2

This is Adoring Doll's Swimsuit pattern found here.

I orginally bought the set with the Boy, Girl and the Wellie Wisher pattern I don't see offered currently. For my own notes I have all three stored together as they were printed together. I haven't used the other two in a bit and was a bit paniced when I couldn't find the 18 inch girl pattern as it was hiding behind the boy pattern.

Notes:

I used worsted weight 4 yarn for this pattern. I'd tried Herrschners previously and I ended up needing a much larger hook.

I used an I hook to start with and switched to a G hook after the color changes. I'd start with an H hook and finish with a G in the future as it makes it a big large on the top.

16 Inch Baby Doll Swimsuit

Continuing to work through the final donation projects for 2025. I finished this outfit on Halloween and this doll is ready to be boxed for delivery.

I returned to Char's Bitty Baby pattern that can be purchased here for the second 16 inch baby doll. When possible it is fun to try different options for the same purpose. It keeps the challenge from becoming dull.

Notes:

I used Herrschners' Worsted for this project. This is a new batch for me and for some reason the green was softer than normal. It is normally a typical acrylic yarn but this skein was a little heavier and softer than what I'd previously purchased.

In general I have to go up in hook size and the Bitty Baby is a slightly smaller doll than the doll I donate. I used an I hook for this pattern. If I made it again I'd try the suggested H hook first as this was a little bulky and I found myself reducing to get the fit I wanted.

I used the H for the shoes and they were a little large I'd consider trying a G hook.

I played with the hat and the trim on the waist

16 Inch Baby Doll Swimsuit

With this item complete this doll is inline to be packed for the donation!! I'm so excited this year to have help with transportation. It means we don't have to be as crazy about making sure the boxes will fit in our car so we can fit the box best suited to the donation.

This is the same pattern I used for the My Life doll from Stephanie Dygerty that is sadly not currently available for purchase. I have another larger baby doll swimsuit pattern that I'm going to try to see if it will work for the second doll. I like mixing things up as not to get bored. Especially since I've left all the repeat patterns until the end this year.

Notes:

This is made with Red Heart Super Saver Bright Yellow yarn and an K hook. I was suprised the baby doll required a larger hook than the My Life but sometimes yarn is a little different in thickness.

Thankfully, I do stock up on dolls when I find them on sale for this donation. It's the only way to make this affordable.

This year has been a tough year to find sales but the week of Halloween as I write this I was quite thrilled to find the Lots to Love 14 inch dolls on sale at Amazon and thankfully I won't need to worry about these being on sale for a while now.

I'm truly hoping Walmart has a sale on the My Life dolls at some point as those prices are out of my donation price range at this point. I have all I need for 2025 and I am hoping at these prices there will be a glut on the market and the prices will come down and I can stock up on those again.

They used to be a much more affordable option than the Our Generation Dolls. However, they are now in some cases more expensive. I have my Our Generation Dolls for 2026 as I was able to get those on sale. I hope I will be able to keep sending the My Life dolls as well.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Swimsuit

With this outfit completed the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby doll is also now ready to be boxed. Since I'm preposting this I'm pleased to announce this is done before Halloween. We've never been able to box stuff prior to Halloween.

This is made from one of Char's patterns that can be purchased here.

It provides separate patterns for the 10 inch baby doll and the 9.5 Inch Baby Steps Doll. For my own notes what threw me when I went to look for the pattern in my binder was the cover picture is of the Baby Steps doll and I thought I'd misplaced this pattern. It is the right one.

Notes:

I keep a variety of thread sizes and brands on hand to try to avoid having to order for a specific project.

I believe the main color is Aunt Lydia's size 3 crochet thread in warm teal. The contrast color is Lizbeth size 3 I believe wildflower. Lizbeth is one of my favorite threads in all sizes for contrast. The skeins aren't large but the colors add something special to a project.

I used a size f hook for the swimsuit and the visor. I used an e hook for the shoes.

Along with not including all the accessories as I had in previous years this year I also didn't add the coverup. I've been on the fence about it the last few years and with time being an issue I chose not to include.

I also used the Lizbeth for all the contrast rather than returning to the origin color or adding another contrast color as the directions suggested. I prefer the Lizbeth for the contrast. I also used it to finish the visor this year.

I generally finish around the legs for these projects but this year the edges looked good and it would have been bulky if I'd added another row so I let it go.

My Life Swimsuit

This is one of the long standing patterns for the donation. Sadly as I mentioned the last time I made this I can't find Stepahine Dygert's patterns online any longer to give a link for those who would like to purchase the set.

It also includes a pattern for a rubber ducky floatie and a sand pail I've not included for the donation this year. Time is getting close for finishing the nightgowns, swimsuits and sleeping bags.

Notes:

I need a J hook to get the body of this to fit. However, I used a g hook on the legs after making the trim for the top and I'd go with the g for the top next time as well.

I'm hoping to use this pattern for the 16 inch baby dolls. I haven't decided which patterns to use for the last My Life doll and the Our Generation Doll for their swimsuits yet.

I'm trying to finish off dolls with one item or less to box for delivery and throw in one like this one that gets that doll closer to one and done. I did pick up a new nightgown pattern for the 18 inch dolls and I found a pj pattern that might work for the Our Generation Boy that is already in my collection. I've never made it before so I have to see how it will fit.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Baylees Bikini

This is an Amy Carrico pattern which does not look like it is available for purchase any longer. I keep checking back as her patterns do pop up on either Etsy or Ravelry from time to time but no luck this year.

Having finished the swimsuit for the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby doll I'm one outfit closer to finishing the challenge. It was the perfect swimsuit weather. I often end up making these in the winter dreaming of the warm weather but this was made in the middle of a hot humid heat wave and I wanted to be at the beach.

My previous notes indicated I needed to go up in yarn and hook size but this year I stayed with the directions for both but had to play with the waist a bit as it was a bit larger than I needed.

Notes:

This is Bernat Baby Sport Ombre I believe Baby Baby but not having the label not sure.

I used the suggested e hook for this outfit. I did not have time for the towel and I did start the sandals only to remember why I don't make her sandals. I can never get them to fit right. It is a cute outfit without either and some year I may get around to making the towel to add.

One note to self this does look better in darker colors. I went with baby yarn on hand but looking at previous project the darker pink looked better.

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 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.

Stacie Swimsuit

Continuing with my annual swimsuit challenge I move on to Stacie adapting Char Caywood's Chelsea pattern that you can purchase here.

Notes:

I use size 10 crochet thread and a 1.25mm thread hook to get this to fit Stacie.

I need to repeat rows 4 and 5 in the front panel before starting row six to get the length required for this outfit. I made a note after making this previously about needing a longer crotch but I didn't find that to be the case this time.

I haven't decided if I will try this pattern without the ruffle for Skipper or try to adapt a Barbie pattern for Skipper. I wasn't crazy about my previous attempt so I'm tempted to see if this will work before trying one of the Barbie options.

Glitter Girl Swimsuit

Another doll checked off my list of swimsuits for 2025. This is a Wellie Wisher pattern that fits the Glitter Girl and can be purchased here.

Notes:

I used an e hook and size 3 thread for this project. The main color is thread art and the contrast is Lizbeth. For my own notes I can find Lizbeth at Handy Hands these days.

I do a row of sc around the legs to finish them as they have a rather raw edge when completed as written.

For no particular reason I left the visor out of this year's donation. I believe it comes from late night crocheting.