My Life Linda

I made Adoring Doll Clothes' Linda pattern for the Glitter Girl but this is my first attempt for the 18 inch dolls. My warning to self is to read the notes I make on these projects.

You can purchase the pattern here.

Notes:

The important note I forgot to review from the Glitter Girl project is personal to me but DON'T JOIN THE TOP.

I ended up sewing more ends for the Glitter Girl but it is so much easier than trying to guess how to make the top large enough to slip on but tight enough to stay up. I ended up starting with a larger hook, adding a row at the top to decrease when finished and even adding the tie from the Glitter Girl pattern.

All this could have been avoided if I didn't join the back until I reached the skirt allowing the dress to fit better. I love not having to sew butttons or snaps but I hate when a dress is tight or loose so next time don't join. I suggested row 9 for the Glitter Girl I think it will be row 10 for the 18 inch doll.

I used an I hook for the dress and would not need to start with a larger hook if I don't join. I started with 47 instead of 31 chains to deal with the need to slide the dress. I'd like to test this by not joining and see if I still need to change the starting chain count. I used an H hook for the shoes and the purse. The shoes fit well I'd consider an F hook for the purse next time. The purse is a little large.

My note from the Glitter Girl project regarding the shrug is important as well. The directions do work but my brain is always convinced it won't. That note I did read from the blog post I made and just went with it this time and had no issue making the shrug with the suggested hook size.

The headband isn't a favorite of mine so I've skipped it for the Glitter Girl and the My Life Doll.

Stacie Nightgown

I like to mix up my patterns from time to time. Last year I used the same pattern for Stacie's nightgown that I used for Chelsea. This year I decided to try the pattern from the out of print Annie's Fashion Doll Sister and Me 87D21.

I finished the first four rows of the sister pattern and could not figure out where the pattern was going in row five. I tried several times and finally after putting way too much time into a doll nightgown decided I needed another path.

There is a pattern for Barbie's nightgown and it was written by a different designer. I decided to take a look and see if I might be able to adapt Barbie's pattern reducing the number of stitches to Stacie's original pattern and see what happened.

Notes:

This was made with size 10 thread and a 1.25mm crochet thread hook.

After finishing first four rows it took me two tries to work the math for adjusting Barbie's row 3 to be Stacie's row 5. Sadly I didn't write the changes so I'm putting notes here for myself to remind me where to start.

I believe I started with 7 sc chained 5 skipped 7 and then crocheted across the front until I had 14 stitches left. These number aren't exact. I originally started with different numbers these are the numbers I think I changed to but I am guessing. I realized I needed to changed my first effort after trying it on and realizing the dress didn't fit well. I suggest trying that again.

The rest of the Barbie directions aren't stitch count specific so I was able to continue the pattern with the starting count I had for Stacie. I continued the pattern until I was with in the length of the last two Barbie finishing sc rows. I wanted to finish the pattern as written and I had an idea of the length required for the two sc rows.

The big draw back for both these patterns is there is no picture of either nightgown. They both have a picture of the nightgown under the robe set that didn't seem a style I wanted to add to my donation. If I had a picture of the little sister outfit I might have been able to understand where the directions were headed. I'd also have loved a picture of Barbie's nightgown.

I used a chain trim rather than ribbon. I've not had great luck with ribbon and small hands so I've tried to use other methods where possible.

Barbie's pattern has trim for the neck and arms that helped tighten the loose parts of the nightgown that I was hoping to adjust.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Sweetly Dress

Several years back I accidently made this too large for the Lots to Love 10 inch baby doll and it got added to the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby doll's donation. It doesn't make every donation year but I do keep it in the rotation.

With the exception of the shoes this outfit is made using Darski's free Sweetly pattern found here. The shoes are from Amy Carrico's Spring Pattern which appears to be currently available on Ravelry here. Her patterns come and go so I link them when they are up. I love these shoes with socks for the 14" baby doll and frequently add them to other patterns.

Notes:

I didn't read my previous project notes and confused them with my written notes for the nightgown from this set.

I used Herrchners worsted and Ice Cream Yarn Meringue for the dress. The shoes were made with the Lemon and Bernat Baby Sport Big Ball White.

The dress required an H hook and I added rows for length. I also added the same chain trim to the bottom of the dress that is used on the sleeves.

I used the Lemon for the panties and played with the design as I usually do.

The shoes were made with the suggested e hook as written.

The bonnet belongs to another pattern in this set. It was made with an H hook and as it was a bit short I decided to play with some post stitches.