Camping Pocket Pal

I sometimes buy patterns for a specific project and they never get made. Then along comes a charity drive that needs small items to fill bags and I have the perfect set of projects.

I absolutely love this pattern which you can purchase here.

Many playsets require plastic canvas or cardboard and for perfectly good reasons.

However, it is time I don't always want to invest in a project. This little tent requires nothing but old fashioned crochet and sewing in ends. It stands up on its own and I couldn't be happier. The only additional item required was a tiny bit of stuffing for the sleeping bag pillow but this could be left out as one of my other sleeping bag patterns offers as an option.

I tested it to see if other toys might fit and the smaller Calico Critters fit tightly. If I was going to add this to their donation next year I'd use heavier yarn to make the tent bigger and test how well it stands. I know the sleeping bags I made this year for them will not fit in this tent and they couldn't possibly fit in the sleeping bag designed for this ami.

I do think as is that other small play figures would fit in nicely.

Notes:

As I mentioned on the Rabbit in a Carrot post I've been trying to use up a large stash of Sinfonia cotton that I'm slowly replacing with Cotton Fair. I needed Cotton Fair for the doll's face and the tent. Everything else helped me with my project to finish off the old stash.

This set was made with a 3mm hook.

I chose to sew eyes instead of using safety eyes as the head is rather small.

A note to self to turn sleeping bag inside out before crocheting sides together. This one is made slightly different from the others.

This is going in my binder for this charity as it has quickly become one of my favorite patterns I've made so far. I can also see stealing some of the accessory patterns for both the Calico Critters and Chelsea. Not sure I can get the tent to be big enough while still holding its shape but the fire would be a cute addition to her sleeping bag.

Barbie Ski Outfit

When I went to look for my blog project notes on this ski outfit, I could find notes for Ken and Skipper but nothing for Barbie.

This was odd since I had written notes about what needed to be done to alter the pattern for the modern Barbie and how it differed from Skipper. I might have made the outfit last minute and it never got posted one year and never came back to make it for Barbie again.

I lost a number of project pictures when I failed to back up an old computer and it died. So, if I have made this for Barbie before, which my notes indicate, I have no written evidence other than my notes on the pattern.

This was a great project to finish off a wonderful weekend. The pattern is from a House of White Birches newsprint leaflet Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 inch Fashion Dolls from Margaret Funk.

There is a pattern for Ken and Barbie. I use Barbie's pattern for the hat and sweater but Ken's pants work best for both dolls. Barbie's pants pattern fits Skipper quite well though.

The outfit is made with Knit Picks Palette. The sweater and pants required a 3.0mm hook and I used an E hook for her hat.

I only change colors once at the top using the same contrast color.

The pants require 20 rows to fit Barbie. I do not reduce the arms as it is impossible to get her hands through once reduced. Both pants and sleeves are finished with ss to avoid catching on Barbie's hands and feet.

I keep playing with the hat increases to get a good fit but this time I believe I was close to as written for increases. There is an extra sc row at the bottom of the hat and it is finished with ss.

Our Generation Boy Minion Inspired Outfit

This is one of Pamela Yarborough, formely Adoring Doll Clothes patterns that can be purchased here.

This has been in my pattern library for some time and this year was the time to make it for the Our Generation Boy's donation bag. While designed for the girl the pattern is generic enough to use for the boy.

Notes:

I used the suggested G hook for the boots and they fit really well. I'd use these for another project.

For the hat I went back to my notes for the doctor as the hats aren't completely different in size and used an H hook for this hat rather than the suggested G as I had with the Doctor hat.

I alternated between an H and an I hook for the outfit.

These are one of the only overall doll patterns I have that have a front and back bib. Most of my patterns have a front bib and attach to the rear waist band. I like the look of this style of double bibs.

The shirt and pants were made with an I hook. However the sleeves and legs changed to an H hook as they were to big with the I hook.

I made a note on the pattern that to make sure I am at the half way point of the waist when I start the legs or they are off center. Having made this mistake the first time through I'm noting it here and on the pattern to avoid future challenges.

I did the last row of shirt in back loops to make it easier to attach bibs only to discover this wasn't necessary so I wouldn't do it again.

I would definetly make these again for the Our Generation Boy donation as long as the Minions continue to be something kids receiving the donation would recognize. The overalls could continue to be used. I'd just go for a more nuetral shirt color.