Barbie Blue Party Dress

As I've mentioned in several blog posts I've been going through my doll pattern binders looking for some neglected patterns that might be something that would work for the 2024 donation. This comes from my collection of Annie's Fashion Doll Crochet Club patterns that I've been building over the years. This is from the Sundresses pattern FC20-02 for anyone who might be interested.

I secretly have a dream that I stumble across a complete binder of these patterns at a library used book sale or a church sale or some place with a price I could actually afford. I see them occasionally pop up online but far out of the reach of a price I'm willing to pay for items I donate. As much as I'd love to have a complete set, I'd much rather put the money towards buying dolls, accessories and the items I use to make the doll stuff to donate. I still hold out hope that at some point Annie's will release these patterns as digital patterns. It wouldn't be the same as finding the binder but I could find the ones I'm missing.

This outfit was made with Aunt Lydia's size 10 medium blue crochet thread and a 1.25 mm thread hook. For my own notes since I expect to return to this pattern again row 26 should be completed as written. It feels like the dress will be too small but it makes the back close correctly.

There are two main patterns in this leaflet and full length patterns included for each shorter dress. I hope to make all four dresses to include in the donation. This one worked up well so I'm thinking the longer version should work. We will see about the second dress. If the short version works up well I would be ready to make a longer dress to increase the wardrobe options for the donation dolls. I have multiple Barbie's leaving this year.

Tampa Doll's donation box included a box of doll shoes so I decided to include a pair with the party dress.

Glitter Girl Shorts, Shirt and Cap

This is one of Char's Wellie Wisher's patterns that I purchased recently here. I've found the Wellie Wishers patterns to be a good fit for the Glitter Girl doll without much need for adjustments.

This pattern calls for size 20 thread. For my own records so I know what I used and where to find it the Purple is Aunt Lydia's size 3 Fashion Crochet Thread in Purple. No idea where I purchased it but Aunt Lydias is a fairly common name so even for the odd size it has been easier to search and buy it online. I even occasionally find it locally. The Lizbeth is size 20 Scottish Thistle I found at Handy Hands. This is for my notes because I find something a specific fiber that suits a project and if it isn't from the place I normally shop I often forget where to go back for more.

This pattern has alterations to make different styles of this top, and versions of the shorts for capris and pants. It was one of the selling points of buying this pattern as I've struggled with separate options for the Glitter Girl. Most of the patterns I have for her are dresses. This widens my options for mix and match outfits.

I used the suggested e hook for this project. I might think about making the shoes with a D as they were slightly big. It is worth an experiment to see if I can get a better fit.

Stacie Coat and Hat

Stacie won my guage doesn't match the pattern designers lottery this week and ended up with an outfit I'd been trying to make for Chelsea. It's no great loss as with adjustments I think I can make this for Chelsea and now I have a pattern that will work for Stacie since there are so few patterns that are designed specifically for her.

This is a Petite Creative Designs pattern that can be purchased here.

The pattern calls for size 10 cotton thread and a 1.75mm thread hook. I used a 1.8mm hook. I'm thinking of going down significantly for Chelsea or perhaps if necessary switching to size 20 thread.

I followed the coat pattern as written with the exception of the arms. Stacie has one bent arm and this makes the coat sleeves two different sizes. I made the straight arm first and when I tried to make the second arm the same length it was too long for the bent arm. I pulled out some rows and crocheted it to a length that fits the arm as bent. Off the doll it is clear the arms are different sizes but it fits the doll.

This Stacie has a good size bun for this style of hat. In order to accomadate the hat I left the last 6 stitches unworked as I got to the section where her bun interfered with the hat sitting on the head. I then chained 6 and joined to the start of the hat row. As I continued I crocheted into the chain rows and continued around. This allows the hair to go through the hole.