Since these donations won't be delivered until Christmas of 2026 my making the holiday outfits late is not as much of an issue as it might otherwise be if I was gifting them. I do like including them and so expect to see more Valentine's and then some Easter themed outfits all likely past the holiday for 2026 but not for 2027 when the child will have the toy.
This was made using two patterns. Darksi's free Heart and Flowers pattern was used for everything but the shoes. You can find that pattern here. Adoring Doll's Valentine Dress pattern was used for the shoes and it can be purchased here.
Notes:
I use a K hook for the first 4 rows of this dress as with my odd guage it is the only way I can get the dress to slide on and off. I use an I hook for the rest of the this pattern. including the shoes. The one exception is the flower which I use a g hook to make.
The dress is primarily made with worsted 4 pink, white and rose. The mesh including the shawl uses Bernat Baby white sport.
I did not join after finishing the opening chains but waited until I worked into the back loops of the stitches for the first row. Oddly I've missed this step every time I've made this dress and this was the first time I did not need to reduce the top of the bodice to get it to stay up. This did require me to sew the opening created by not joining the chain closed after I'd finished but it was a minor issue.
Reminder to join all rows other than the first as I found it impossible to work into back stitch of first row while it was joined. I have made this dress so many times but for some reason I missed this one this year so when I make a mistake I add a note.
I added two pink skirt rows this year as I found the skirt was short. Not sure I've always done this but trying to get better about documenting my changes.
Return to Row 1 and start Row 10 to complete the skirt portion of the dress. I didn't read this note from last year and paniced when I needed the reduction row but I added it and all was well.
I use a different strategy for the flower and the rose joining. I changed the design to have the dress tie at the neck and use the flower to attach the tie at the front so it covers the attachment. This just works for me.
I've never made any notes regarding the mesh/pepulum but I clearly have changed the directions over the years and haven't noticed so I'll document my changes here. I followed the first as written. Row 1 work as written. Row 2-3 I did tr ch1 tr around. Row 4 as written. It is important I don't forget to change to the baby yarn as the mesh is heavy with the worsted 4.
