Our Generation Red Flower Dress Crochet Pattern

This has been the year to use neglected patterns. This is another one of Pamela Yarborough's patterns that can be purchased here. It's been in my binder of her patterns for a bit but I've never made it. I do think rotating the dolls weekly has opened more options than working on one doll for a period of time before moving on to another as something usually arises and shortens the time for one doll to be dressed. This way the rotation continues around time reductions.

Notes:

The yarn for this project is Red Heart. The red is Cherry and I'd like to see at some point if I could locate a brighter red. I thought that was Cherry but this is darker than I anticipated.

Dress:

I used an I hook for the dress.

After row 1, I sc in back stitch to allow myself to play with red trim that is added at end. What I forgot is it needs to be added now not at end to make this technique work. I've added a note to my pattern and here as a reminder for the next time I approach the project. I am not a fan of surface stitch and this is one way to avoid it if I do it correctly.

The flowers for the dress and headband were made with the suggested 3.0mm hook. I found they were smaller than I liked. I'd try them with either an E or F hook next time.

I found the length was fine as is with no additional length rows.

Shoes:

The Our Generation Doll was fine with a G hook and the directions as written.

Headband:

I used a G hook for the headband. I had to add rows to fit it around the Our Generation head. I wouldn't increase the hook size as the width would be too wide.

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.