Crafting is fun for all ages and interests. This blog evolved from researching resources for friends and articles I write as a freelance writer. It is a place to share the information I discovered. Please feel free to leave comments and questions. I am always looking at new projects ideas for family and friends in areas of my own abilities and theirs. As a notice to my readers this blog does contain Amazon links and Google Adsense. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
American Girl Patriotic Dress
My husband is amazing about buying me crochet stuff as long as I tell him what stuff I'm interested in. I came across a pattern set on Amazon Kindle that I had never see sold as a set before. While I'm doing more with my Kindle, I still like paper patterns. I looked on Ravelry where I had seen the patterns offered separately and had them wish listed, but the set wasn't available. Turning to Etsy, I discovered I could get the complete set for $20, which was an amazing savings. By buying the complete set the patterns are almost 50% off. Since I had most of them on my to buy list, it seemed like a great item to put on DH's birthday shopping list. You can find the listing here.
The outfits are adorable. I started on this one because I had wanted to make a holiday outfit for the July 4th holiday for the donation. Since the donation isn't until Christmas being late isn't really an issue and I was in the mood for a Patriotic outfit.
While my gauge is still off, I still adapted the pattern to use worsted weight. When I matched gauge the dress was a bit tight and the designer uses a tie in the back to close the gap. (Her pictures show the dress being a little tight) I chose to make it a little looser using worsted weight (4) and used a button to close the back. It just looked a little more finished.
I've started on the Elsa inspired dress and plan to work my way through the pattern book.
Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:
Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page
Barbie Knitting Page
Ken Page
Kelly/Skipper Page
American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing
American Girl Doll Knitting
Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns
Baby Doll Patterns:
Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch
Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:
Christmas
Valentines
Easter
Graduation
Patriotic
Halloween Page
Thanksgiving
Pictures may not be used without permission.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
American Girl Ballet Dress
I'm finally getting around to posting the ballet dress I mentioned in the baby doll post last week. You can find the free pattern for an 18" doll ballet dress here. The pattern really is a easy pattern and requires no buttons, snaps or ties which makes it easy to assemble and easy for a child to put on and take off the doll.
The original pattern has ribbons for the ballet shoes. I opted not to go that route. However, the directions are there for those who want a fancier outfit. I can say this will likely be on my list of repeats for next year. I like the quick and easy ones.
Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:
Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page
Barbie Knitting Page
Ken Page
Kelly/Skipper Page
American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing
American Girl Doll Knitting
Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns
Baby Doll Patterns:
Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch
Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:
Christmas
Valentines
Easter
Graduation
Patriotic
Halloween Page
Thanksgiving
Pictures may not be used without permission.
Monday, July 20, 2015
American Girl Super Hero
This has become another yearly favorite. I love this designer and I wish she'd publish more 18" doll patterns. You can purchase this pattern here.
I didn't have any trouble with the dress or the cape this time around, although I'm still adjusting for gauge. I'm not sure why I'm crocheting so tight, but I'm working on it. The boots were more challenging this time around and after I finished I think I may have figured out my problem with the mask. I still hope to get a second costume made for the second doll. We'll see what time allows. I'm still pleased to be getting the outfits done.
Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:
Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page
Barbie Knitting Page
Ken Page
Kelly/Skipper Page
American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing
American Girl Doll Knitting
Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns
Baby Doll Patterns:
Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch
Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:
Christmas
Valentines
Easter
Graduation
Patriotic
Halloween Page
Thanksgiving
Pictures may not be used without permission.
Friday, July 17, 2015
American Girl Day at the Beach
This outfit was a clear sign my crocheting is not quite where it was last year. I compared the photo I made of last year's bathing suit with this one and last year's clearly was a better fit. However, the only way to get better is to keep working through it.
I do love this set which can be purchased here. The accessories were fine, but the suit despite increasing hook size still seemed tight. I will try another one later as I have more than one doll. I also may try acrylic yarn as I've been struggling more with cotton recently.
I love the idea that it comes as a complete play set. The extra items always make for a more fun project to donate. The ducky ring always makes me smile when its completed.
Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:
Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page
Barbie Knitting Page
Ken Page
Kelly/Skipper Page
American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing
American Girl Doll Knitting
Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns
Baby Doll Patterns:
Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch
Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:
Christmas
Valentines
Easter
Graduation
Patriotic
Halloween Page
Thanksgiving
Pictures may not be used without permission.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Pretty in Pink 15 Inch Baby Doll Dress
A funny thing happened on the way to making an 18" doll ballet outfit, it suddenly became a cute 15" doll baby dress. I found a free pattern for an 18" doll ballet dress here.
Since I've started crocheting again, I've found my gauge to be rather funky. The pattern calls for sports yarn, but to make gauge even changing hooks I had to use worsted (4) to make gauge. I also found after making the first one I wanted to try again to make the fit better for the 18" doll although the fit was fine on the 15" doll.
It worked out fine as the baby doll has another outfit and the 18" doll eventually got her dress, too. I also found another free pattern designer. I'll be watching to see what other doll patterns she produces.
Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:
Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page
Barbie Knitting Page
Ken Page
Kelly/Skipper Page
American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing
American Girl Doll Knitting
Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns
Baby Doll Patterns:
Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch
Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:
Christmas
Valentines
Easter
Graduation
Patriotic
Halloween Page
Thanksgiving
Pictures may not be used without permission.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
American Girl Witch
I tried to include holiday outfits with my doll donations and after years of adapting two patterns to make a Halloween witch costume I was pleased to discover Red Heart had produced a free 18" doll pattern for a witch costume found here.
I had to adjust the hook, but I was able to match gauge and I liked the way the pattern worked up. A huge thank you to Red Heart and Michelle Wilcox. You have made my annual holiday outfit creation much easier. I am always grateful to the free pattern designers who stretch my donation budget just that much farther.
Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:
Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page
Barbie Knitting Page
Ken Page
Kelly/Skipper Page
American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing
American Girl Doll Knitting
Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns
Baby Doll Patterns:
Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch
Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:
Christmas
Valentines
Easter
Graduation
Patriotic
Halloween Page
Thanksgiving
Pictures may not be used without permission.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
American Girl Dressed in Blue
I started out to make Donna Collinsworth's 3 Blue's Pattern that can be purchased here. However, a funny thing happened on my way to making the outfit and I decided instead of frogging it, I'd repurpose the outfit and see if I could make something of what I had. I intended to go back and remake it as written, but this was the last outfit I made before Spring hit and I got away from crocheting for a bit. I still hope to revisit the original, but I still think this makes a nice outfit for my donation.
Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:
Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page
Barbie Knitting Page
Ken Page
Kelly/Skipper Page
American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing
American Girl Doll Knitting
Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns
Baby Doll Patterns:
Baby Doll and Cabbage Patch
Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:
Christmas
Valentines
Easter
Graduation
Patriotic
Halloween Page
Thanksgiving
Pictures may not be used without permission.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Aztec Wishes Donation
I took some time off from Blogging and Crocheting, but kept in touch with my online crochet friends. A very dear friend made a huge donation to my Christmas doll donation to the local tech high school's annual toy drive. Yes Christmas in July, folks. No seriously, these toy drives come due in November, but for those of us who make stuff for them, we start in December for the following year. I thankfully, had a blitz right after the holiday and had some outfits stocked for the upcoming donation, but had a drop to nothing as as spring came.
Thankfully, with this donation there will be some very happy children this Christmas. Also, with encouragement from friends, I too have got my hooks working again and have some new doll outfits ready to post. I picked up some new doll patterns for my birthday to try out and I'm very excited to be working again.
A big thank you to my friend Darski at Crochetville. Your amazing generosity and inspiration cannot be expressed with words. However, I think we both know the joy that dolls and their lovely clothes can bring to kids. You have made that a reality for this coming Christmas. Thank you.