Operation Christmas Child 8 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

After I finished scrambling to complete last year's donation I joined a few online groups and started to think about how I could blend what I was already doing for Aztec Wishes with what I wanted to offer for Operation Christmas Child.

One of the suggestions for the younger girls is a baby doll and I have a supply of Lots to Love 8 inch dolls for my Aztec Wishes donation so this seemed like a start for a younger girl box. I have experience with dressing the doll so it will be a matter of what I can fit into the box.

For my own notes this year while shopping for Operation Christmas Child at Hobby Lobby I found dipaer bag kits that would work for the smaller baby dolls for Aztec Wishes. There are lots of accessories and I removed one bottle for this donation. There are additional bottles for the bag going to Aztec Wishes so the one missing bottle shouldn't be an issue but it does solve my issue of finding a bottle for this size doll that has no liquid.

This is a free pattern found here.

Notes:

This was made with Herrschnerrs Worsted 8 Baby Stripes Sweetie Pie.

I need an F hook to fit this doll.

A reminder traditional worsted is too large. I had just brought home so very pretty striped yarn and wasn't thinking when I started this only to realize it wasn't going to work. I frogged it and pulled out the Baby Stripes and had no issue.

This is the last of the snuggle sacks I need for 2026. I'm hoping to add a bassinet to the shoebox donation after I finish the ones I need for Aztec Wishes.

Barbie Swimsuit

I had forgotten when making Skipper's swimsuit that I'd actually purchased some size 5 Omega thread from Creative Yarn source during last year's donation as I dived into some of Annie's pattern club fashion doll patterns and found size 5 worked was needed to complete some of the patterns. I found my stash while looking for the last of the size 5 Bernat Handicrafter I'd purchased for some holiday potholders a few years ago.

Notes:

This size 5 is slightly heavier than the Bernat. I had considered increasing my hook size as Skipper's suit was tight on Barbie. However, the b hook was fine with the Omega thread.

The package says azul for my own efforts in needing to reorder I believe this is deep blue on Creative Yarn's website.

I did finish the sides of the suit for this outfit. I also did both a hdc, followed by a sc border around the legs as the gap was significant without the borders.

This is the crotch from Skipper's suit but I leave it here in case I have questions and start with Barbie instead of Skipper next year. This is one of the few outfits I make that starts this way and the first one of the year can throw me. The legs need to be balanced evenly on both sides of the crotch or the suit doesn't work. I needed to rework Skipper's but Barbie's was a one and done. I think the picture helps.

For my own look back next year this was preposted and finished March 5.

16 Inch Baby Doll Herrschners Nightgown

I generally use Darski's nightgown pattern for both of the donated 16 inch baby dolls. However, over the years I've made it a policy where possible to recycle projects that don't work for one doll by trying to make it work for another in the donation.

My first attempt at the Herrschners Playtime and Pajamas 18 inch Doll Ensemble was clearly not going to work for any of the dolls at the arm hole stage. However, this was my second attempt using Herrschners Cheerful DK Yarn which has the feel of Carron Simply Soft in a DK weight.

I have bought various styles of Herrschners yarns for my stash as they work well for different baby doll projects. I'm not sure I've worked with the DK as I wasn't prepared for the Simply Soft experience. I find it a bit slippery to work with but it did the job for this outfit.

Notes:

I used Parakeet and I believe White Daisy Herrschners DK Cheerful yarn for this project with a D hook. I think the magenta or lemony would be good choices for the future but I had the green in my stash so green it was.

Like the 18 inch doll I used an f hoook for this project. I did not need to add any rows for length.

It was closed with an added button hole in the back.

The pattern for this outfit is an out of print Herrschners Playtime and Pajamas 18" Doll Ensemble Crochet pattern which may originally have been part of a kit. I'm pretty sure I picked it up as a used pattern and not as a kit.

I chose not to add the headband as I was getting close on yarn and didn't have more in my stash.