Lil Cutesies Valentine Dress with Headband

I needed two Lil Cutesies Baby Doll outfits for my Valentine package and I was able to purchase both from Char Patterns. You can find this one here.

After having made the first one in size 10 crochet thread I was surprised to find the second called for Aunt Lydia Fashion Crochet Thread Size 3, White,Warm Rose, and Scarlet. I've been on a quest to use up thread I've acquired for projects I've never made and was thrilled to have all the required colors I need on hand. For those of you who aren't crazy about thread sized hooks this set uses an e hook with the size 3 thread.

This pattern set works up very quickly and I will be coming back as there are variations in the pattern set to make more outfits for the donation dolls. A great way to attack my thread stash and when that is done a good excuse to stock up again.

Lil Cutesies Valentine Outfit

I decided to send Valentine's themed outfits for the Lil Cutesies 8.5" Baby Doll I gave as Christmas presents.

For the first dress I settled on a pattern from Char Patterns that you can purchase here.

The more I work with crochet thread and hooks the more I appreciate when people use mm measurements for hooks rather than sizes as I'm finding the number sizes vs mm sizes in thread hooks are not as consistant as the letter sizes in the larger sized hooks. This pattern calls for a size 5 thread crochet hook. I don't have one labeled 5 and from what I've checked online this translates to a 1.7 mm hook. I have a 1.75 mm hook and I found that worked well for the dress and panties. I plan on using a smaller hook for the hat and shoes when I make this for the St. Patrick's Day outfit. The shoes and hat would benefit from a smaller size.

I was very pleased that this was another stash project. In fact I played thread chicken as I had just enough thread to finish the last shoe before I finished off the thread container. I had another one but one of my goals has been to use up some of my thread supply. Over the years I get interested in thread projects, stock up, get distracted, and I have a substantial supply that needs finishing. This was a win on the war on fiber stash. It is nice though to be able to pick up a pattern and have the fiber on hand to make it.

Notes

I did not close the back with a tie as suggested. Once I finished the collar, I finished the back and made a button hole below the collar and sewed a button on the opposite side to close. You have to start the collar without following the tie suggestions.