Barbie Poncho and Pants

I started picking up Michelle Ratman's patterns for Barbie and the 18 inch dolls a few years ago.

You can purchase the poncho pattern here.

The pants are made using Ken's pants from the Ski outfit pattern found in the out of print House of White Birches Crochet Wardrobe for 11.5 inch Fashion Dolls.

For my own notes this is page 33 and ends on 47. For some reason I was left trying to figure out which pants I had used two years ago. This narrows the hunt down.

Notes:

Poncho:

I've opted to use acrylic for over cotton for her patterns.

I had Unforgettable Gossamer left over from Mermaid projects and I decided to try it out on a poncho for Barbie. I am planning on using the left over Unforgettable Candied I have from making the Lil Cutesies mermaid for a poncho for Skipper.

I used and e hook for the poncho.

My one mistake was not counting each side of the chain 3 points and I ended up pulling out rows which can be a bit challenging with this yarn when I realized the poncho was not even. Once I counted from each side every row it worked out well.

My goal is to continue to use this yarn for the mermaid outfits so there should be enough to continue with ponchos as well. I do like the way the colors work together.

Pants:

The pants require crocheting around an elastic the distance of Barbie's waist for the first row. I recently bought wider elastic as the 1/8 was splitting apart with my hand sewing. While it takes slightly longer to make sure the yarn covers the elastic completely, the wider elastic works better.

This was made with Knit Picks Palette yarn and this year I used a 3.0mm Tulip Etimo rather than my Bates Bamboo C hook as I'm trying to give them a little bit of a break after having broke one of my B hooks and not being able to replace it.

I needed 20 rows to make the legs long enough for Barbie and I finished the legs with a row of ss to help keep the feet from catching in the yarn.

Calico Critters Mom Empire Dress

This has become a go to pattern not only for the Mom Calico Critter but also Chelsea and Stacie. For some reason the Calico Critter patterns seem to adapt well to Barbie's little sisters.

You can purchase the pattern here.

This is made with size 10 thread.

The White is Aunt Lydias and the multi-colored is from a box of Artiste Thread smaller sample sized cones that I buy for these smaller doll projects. I love the color blends that they don't seem to sell as individual larger sized cones and they provide great options for small projects and trims.

Notes:

I had to check this a couple of times because it always seems odd to me I need a larger hook for the Calico Critter than I do for Stacie.

This outfit requires a b hook with size 10 thread to fit the Calico Critter Mom.

Note to self mark the chain spaces. They can be hard to find later.

I finished the back and the top with the contrast color and closed with a snap in the back.

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.