Lil Cutesies Dress, Hat, and Shoes

I'm not quite as ahead preposting as I was but it is still nice to have a little edge of needing to get something finished and posted.

It is Wednesday as I prepost and I had a delightful experience helping to pack the Kits for Kids bags bags this morning. I was an honor to watch this sophmore kids demonstrate what they are capable of doing with supports in place. They organized supplies to pack 120 kits and having been to different but similiar events I was amazed at how well they had it all ready to go.

I had hoped by going to learn more about what I could offer that would be useful and I have two plans. One is to collect school supplies in the fall to drop off with my Aztec Wishes donation so they will have it for their Spring packing party. Anytime you need school supplies the back to school sales are the best time to get name brands at really cheap prices.

The second is about what to make. I will drop the baby doll and keep the Chelsea doll for next year just do to space. It is a small bag. Then I will focus on the finger puppets, book tie ins, and play sets as the director for the project suggested those were the projects that would work best for the kids they service. I'll keep my dolls other than Chelsea for Aztec Wishes. I have my eye on another Three Little Pig set that would be perfect for this size donation.

Now back to this outfit.

This is one of Petite Designs patterns that can be purchased here.

I just purchased one more of her patterns for the Little Cutesies doll and several Amy Carrico baby doll patterns that I didn't have from Ravelry. I have some of their patterns on wish lists and then those patterns aren't offered for a bit. So, when I find them again I've been buying them. Just a side note as I seem to be wandering today.

Notes:

I have discovered Premier Yarns DK yarn and I plan on adding more to my stash for the baby doll projects. The contrast color is Caron Simply Soft Paint Rose Garden.

A note for future projects this project eats the contrast yarn. I used almost a 1/2 skein of Simply Soft Paints. Just something to consider when planning yarn needs for this next year.

This pattern is written in UK terms. While I can remember that a dc is a sc the htr always throws me and I find myself looking it up to discover it is the hdc. I was able to use the suggested e hook for everything except the first row of the panties which I needed to start with an I hook to get them to fit around the waist. I suggest swithching to an e hook for the remaining rows or the panties become too large. I switched at row 3 and had to make some reductions while sewing the crotch together.

I sewed a snap to close the back without thinking about it. In the future I'd finish the back and do the suggested neck ties.

Chelsea Sleeping Bag

I settled on the free Calico Critter pattern found here for Chelsea after experimenting with it for the Kits for Kids donation.

With this one complete I just need one more for my Shoebox donation and I can move on to the small baby doll bassinets. It feels good to get these finished, especially with two additional donations that require sleeping options.

Notes:

I need a 1.5mm thread hook for this project and follow the adult critter instructions with the exception of the length of the sleeping bag.

The identification for this thread sources seems to have fallen out of the cone so I don't know which brand or color this is but I suspect it is Hobby Lobby.

A note to myself is that unlike the previous pattern I was using where it was obvious the bag was long enough I got the feeling this one was too long and stopped. It does fit but I like a little extra foot room to make it easier to get on and off. Next time I'd ignore my fear and go longer. The thread is tighter than the yarn ones I make and a little extra room is worth it.

This was a great travel project over two appointments. This post is being preposted to the end of the month but as I write this I'm starting the last Chelsea sleeping bag I need as I have an appointment this week where I suspect I can get some rows completed.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Swimsuit

This was made using a free Amy Carrico Fun in the Sun pattern found on Ravelry here.

Notes:

I only found last year's yarn when I finished the project so I stuck with Herrschner's 2 Baby yarn but used the Castle color.

My guage has been all over the place lately so I needed a C hook to get this to fit where I've previously made it work with a B and this yarn.

For my own notes when checking gauge on this project make the bottoms first as this was the quickest way to determine if the yarn hook balance had been reached. When the shorts fit the halter top fit.

The sandals and the visor always have to be fiddled with to get them to work for me. I never write this and then think I must be having a bad year but it came to me as I was working this year that this has always been the case.

I wrote a note to increase the ties as they are tight. I increased to 40 and I'd go to 50 the next time as they are still short.