Stacie Valentine Shirt and Pants

I've been experimenting with a free Barbie Valentine Heart sweater pattern and so far Ken and Stacie now have Valentine outfits.

Notes:

The shirt is a free Barbie pattern available here.

I decided to revamp my efforts after the first shirt went to Ken.

Knowing I had a range of dolls this could fit depending on outcome I went smallest first.

I started with a 1.25 mm thread hook and size 10 crochet thread in red and white.

This time I chose not to join with the girls bent arms the more room I have to get the shirts on and off the better and there is no real added benefit to closing it other than I needed fewer snaps. The designer joins and ties at the top.

I haven't finished with this pattern and still have some work to do on the arms which I realized after I'd finished them off. I chose not to add the trim after trying it and not liking it. It may look better when the directions are followed for the arms.

I used the top white trim to decrease the neckline for a better fit. There is off the shoulders and then there is topless.

The bottom trim worked fine adjusting for the fact it wasn't joined.

I made these pants the way I make most of my pants. I measured elastic for the waist and did sc around the waist. I then did I believe 2 or maybe 3 rows of dc before splitting with a chain 3 for the legs. There are 14 rows of dc for the pants. I finished the pants with a row of ss as I find this helps the pants keep from catching and fraying.

The pants are also size 10 crochet thread and a 1.25mm crochet thread hook.

I am hopeful that Mattel continues to produce the Stacie line. I still have a few left in my donation stash but I'm finding Stacie and Skipper harder to find. I like having a variety of dolls other than Barbie to send off.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Valentine Dress

This is one of Char Caywood's patterns that fits both the Lots to Love 8 inch Baby Doll and the Little Cutesies dolls. She includes directions for both in her pattern that you can purchase here. She also has color suggestions.

I made this outfit 3 years ago and coming back to it found I needed some hook adjustments. My tension changes over time so I try to note stuff for future projects.

Notes: I continued with the 1.75 mm hook and size 10 cotton for the dress.

For some reason I remember having to reduce the panties so I tried a 1.5mm hook and they fit better this time with no adjustments needed.

I'd made a note previously about the shoes being too small with a 1.25mm hook but this time that was the ideal size. The 1.5mm shoe was falling off.

Hat:

I tried the directions for the Lil Cutesies hat first and thought I just made the wrong hat as it was huge. I started again with the directions for this doll and still found it large so I made some changes.

I used a 1.25mm hook for the hat and stopped at row 9.

I crocheted in front loops for trim.

This year I used ties instead of snaps for closure. Think I'll go back to snaps but it seemed like an idea to try pattern as written for once. This created problem in finishing collar.

I'm hoping to get this finished for the Lil Cutesies doll as well.

Ken Valentine Tank Top and Pants

I stumbled across a free Barbie heart Valentine's sweater pattern but my first attempt was clearly going to be too large for Barbie so I turned it into a tank top for Ken and then made him a pair of pants to make it a set. You can find the pattern here.

I haven't given up on this for Barbie I just need to find the right fiber. It suggested fingering weight yarn so I tried size 3 thread and a D hook which was suggested. This clearly was too big. I'd make this in the future for Ken as a fun Ken and Barbie set but I am considering if I want to join as with Barbie's bent arms it makes getting clothes on and off more challenging.

I did not use the white finishes for Ken as I went with a tank top rather than the Barbie sweater.

The pants are my standard go to of measuring and sewing a piece of elastic together waist size for the doll. I then single crochet around the elastic for the first row. The rest of the rows are in dc. When I reach the crotch I split with a chain 4 reducing I believe to 15 dc per leg.

Glitter Girl Valentine Sweetheart

Thanks to Adoring Doll's patterns I've been able to add more outfits for the Glitter Girl over the years. You can purchase her Valentine pattern here.

Notes:

I've gotten better over the years about taking notes on my projects to make future projects easier since I reuse many patterns for future donations. I did OK with last year's notes on this project but there were improvements to include this year.

I use the suggested e hook for the dress and I moved to a D hook for the shoes this year.

The reminder to not forget the skip in row 10 was helpful so I'll include it in this year's notes as well.

I continue for two rows in pattern after row 17 for length.

Last year I felt the hearts and bow were bulky so this year I used size 3 thread and an e hook and I liked the outcome better.

I also noted the hair tie needed to be longer, I didn't count but think it was close to 120.

Lastly, I made this in the darker grey suggested in the project picture last year and I'd return to that for next year. I went with what I had on hand, but I am sure dark grey will return to the stash before the 2027 donation.

2025

Chelsea Valentine's Dress

Chelsea enters the Valentine's challenge with a pattern that can be purchased from Michelle Ratman here.

Notes:

This was made with Lizbeth size 3 Pink Ice Crochet thread and an e hook.

I changed the sc to hdc and the hdc to dc and this will require reducing the bodice section when I make this again as it is longer than I had planned.

The dc are worked between the stitches.

I would use this color again as I like the blend it makes, I would make it shorter. I have green I may try as a Spring dress for her.

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.

My Life Valentine Dress

This is one of Adoring Doll's patterns that can be purchased here.

This was one of the patterns I found from here when she first started blogging before opening her Etsy store. I'm so glad she's kept designing and expanded her offerings to the Wellie Wisher sized dolls as well as this has allowed me to increase my donations for the Glitter Girl as well.

Notes:

Dress:

The dress is made with an I hook.

I have always struggled with working into ss in patterns. After row 1 return to the start of row 1 and complete a row of pink slip stitches in the front of the sc leaving the back of the stitch available for the next row. I finish off pink and continue on with white and row 2.

After row 2 I repeated above for second set of ss.

At the end of row 9 repeat this for the lower level pink stripe. I chose to sew the heart up higher this year. I just liked it better higher.

I looked at last year's notes and while making a pink heart for the Back to School outfit I made a red one and put it aside for this outfit so I could put the pattern away.

I made a change from last year and chose to close the back with a snap.

Sweater:

I hook

I added 2 sc rows to arms and finished them with a sc chain 3 skip on around

I added rows to the length of the sweater prior to finishing after learning from my mistake with the Back to School jacket.

I finished complete edge of sweater in process of making suggested button hole I just preffered a finished look.

I used an I hook for the shoes and hat. I'd consider an H hook for the shoes as they were larger than expected. I also chose not to turn them inside out and like the finished look better.

Our Generation Back To School

The main part of this outfit is made with Adoring Doll's Back to School outfit that can be purchased here. I alter the jacket a bit as I like the fit better but for the most part I follow the pattern as written other than needing to add some length for the jacket. The Skirt is Meesh Bridge's Rib Effect Skirt pattern that was originally a free Ravelry pattern found here. It is currently listed as unavailable but I'm adding the link hoping it will return as she has a couple other patterns I've added to the donation that have left the platform.

Notes:

I will start with the Adoring Doll pieces.

These pictures are from last year's project but I'm continuing to add them to remind myself of the shirt construction. It is slightly different than most of my other projects and some years it goes smoothly like this year and others it feels like a logic puzzle on a low energy day. These pictures are for the day I just can't remember what or why I thought doing this was a good idea.

Shirt:

I use an I hook for the shirt. The math is correct although I do find myself questioning it at times.

The back of the shirt is finished in sc adding a button hole to close the shirt.

I love the heart pattern and am using it for Adoring Doll's Valentine pattern for the other My Life Doll's Valentine outfit.

Jacket:

I used an I hook for the jacket. The one note I made on the pattern is that it needs to be longer than the pattern suggests for it to fit this doll. I had to make some adjustments after I finished it off to get it to fit this time. With my notes I shouldn't have that problem next time.

I finish the collar of the jacket differently than the pattern. tack the edges of the jacket back and this works for me.

The sleeves have multiple steps to reduction and I'm not sure I've followed these before. I've generally made my own. I followed the pattern as written and was happy with the outcome.

Boots:

I love these boots. For the Our Generation Doll they need a G hook. They are a little challenging getting on and off due to the height of the boots but I find even store boots that don't zip can require a little effort to get on and off the dolls so it is nothing unusual.

My Life Hearts and Flowers

Since these donations won't be delivered until Christmas of 2026 my making the holiday outfits late is not as much of an issue as it might otherwise be if I was gifting them. I do like including them and so expect to see more Valentine's and then some Easter themed outfits all likely past the holiday for 2026 but not for 2027 when the child will have the toy.

This was made using two patterns. Darksi's free Heart and Flowers pattern was used for everything but the shoes. You can find that pattern here. Adoring Doll's Valentine Dress pattern was used for the shoes and it can be purchased here.

Notes:

I use a K hook for the first 4 rows of this dress as with my odd guage it is the only way I can get the dress to slide on and off. I use an I hook for the rest of the this pattern. including the shoes. The one exception is the flower which I use a g hook to make.

The dress is primarily made with worsted 4 pink, white and rose. The mesh including the shawl uses Bernat Baby white sport.

I did not join after finishing the opening chains but waited until I worked into the back loops of the stitches for the first row. Oddly I've missed this step every time I've made this dress and this was the first time I did not need to reduce the top of the bodice to get it to stay up. This did require me to sew the opening created by not joining the chain closed after I'd finished but it was a minor issue.

Reminder to join all rows other than the first as I found it impossible to work into back stitch of first row while it was joined. I have made this dress so many times but for some reason I missed this one this year so when I make a mistake I add a note.

I added two pink skirt rows this year as I found the skirt was short. Not sure I've always done this but trying to get better about documenting my changes.

Return to Row 1 and start Row 10 to complete the skirt portion of the dress. I didn't read this note from last year and paniced when I needed the reduction row but I added it and all was well.

I use a different strategy for the flower and the rose joining. I changed the design to have the dress tie at the neck and use the flower to attach the tie at the front so it covers the attachment. This just works for me.

I've never made any notes regarding the mesh/pepulum but I clearly have changed the directions over the years and haven't noticed so I'll document my changes here. I followed the first as written. Row 1 work as written. Row 2-3 I did tr ch1 tr around. Row 4 as written. It is important I don't forget to change to the baby yarn as the mesh is heavy with the worsted 4.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Valentine's Day Dress

I added another doll to my Valentine's outfit challenge with this dress for the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby Doll.

This is one of Char's patterns for the Lots to Love Baby Steps Doll that can be purchased here. Unlike the Christmas doll this one was made in a halter dress style. The challenge with this is the dolls are not the same. With the Christmas dress the differences are covered because there is a back and arms to support the dress. With this you see the dress is a bit large in the halter area.

Understanding this now I think I'd think about a rectanglur bodice and I'd work the straps differently. I love the skirt and the cape, so I want this to work for the 10 inch baby doll for other projects. I'm on the fence about the sandals. I like the ones from the Christmas project better. Again it is likely different shaped feet but these are harder to keep on than the Christmas ones.

I tried reducing hook size but it was a Goldilock's challenge. It was going to be too big or too small. I think a little redesign could make this work.

I used size 10 thread and a c hook for everything but the sandals. As with the Christmas shoes they required a 1.8mm thread hook to get them close to fitting.

I followed the directions for the panties but did sc around the leg holes.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Sweet Baby Mine

With this Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby doll outfit I move from Christmas to Valentine's Day for the doll donation. The beauty of the Valentine's projects is most are able to be worn more through out the year. Some pieces can even be split and worn with other outfits as they don't scream Christmas.

The main portion of this outfit is made with Darski's free Sweet Baby Mine pattern found here. I used the dress, cape, and headband found in the much larger set.

The shoes, and undies I made using Amy Carrico's Spring Dress pattern which is listed as being sold on Ravelry here. Her patterns show up and disappear between Etsy and Ravelry so I make no promises. I've bought just about every baby doll pattern she has available for the sizes I donate because I love her designs. They just aren't always easy to locate.

Notes:

The dress is made with Walmart's Mainstays Pink Blend. I picked up more of this because I do like it for this outfit and at some point it will be discontinued. I believe the pink is the same Pretty and Pink.

I use an I hook for the dress thus ignoring the directions after row 5 to change hook sizes.

The directions are changed to join the dress after row 5.

To get to this length I add rows trying it on until I like the length.

I follow the directions for the cape and headband as written except I join the headband sewing the flower over the join.

Amy Carrico's pattern requires baby sport weight yarn and I used pink and white baby bernat sport and an e hook for the panties and the shoes.

I followed the shoes as written.

The panties require working to 32 sc to get it wide enough to fit the doll. I then add some rows to get it to fit over the diaper.