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.
Friday, March 17, 2023
Happy St. Patrick's Day
I didn't have a chance to do a holiday box for St. Patrick's day so clearly not many projects for the holiday. I wish all of you who celebrate a safe and happy holiday.
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Our Generation Boy Sleeping Bag
I came across Red Heart Super Saver's Latte Stripes while wandering the yarn aisles. As I'd already begun the sleeping bag project it seemed like it would stripe nicely into another one and I picked up a jumbo skein as I have it in mind to try for sweaters as well.
This is a free pattern designed for the American Girl doll that you can find here. This leaves me with just the two My Life 18 inch dolls to outfit with sleeping bags and this challenge will be met for the 2023 doll donation. All the dolls will be leaving with either a sleeping bag or a snuggle sack for the baby dolls.
The bathing suit challenge is coming along more slowly but I'm making progress as I can't use the same pattern for as many of the dolls I do need to have more specific patterns that will fit the range of dolls in the donation.
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Glitter Girl Hannah Revised
Having made Adoring Doll's Hannah Carrot pattern for the Glitter Girl Doll, you can find the pattern here, I realized I could adapt the pants to a skirt and have another outfit for the donation.
Notes:
I promised myself I'd make a note of the starting chain when I played with this pattern with a g hook for the bottoms. I started with 30 chains and I followed the original pants plan until the pants split for the crotch. At this point I started adding increases with hdc 4 increase then hdc 5 increase. When I had the width I wanted for the skirt I made rows until I had the length I wanted for the skirt.
The shirt, hat, and boots are from the original pattern. I chose not to add the carrot as I wanted this to be a separate outfit. Hopefully these pieces will mix and match with other items I make as I proceed with the donation.
This was another great stash busting project. I'm enjoying finding ways to use up left over yarn balls and bobbins from previous projects.
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Glitter Girl Bathing Suit
While I have never found patterns specifically designed for the Glitter Girl dolls I've been fortunate to find dolls with about the same fit to send off a decent wardrobe for the donation.
This is actually a different swim suit pattern than the one I used last year. This is part of Adoring Doll's set for the male and female 18 inch dolls and the smaller 14.5 inch dolls. I posted about making the male doll's suit earlier. I'm hoping to finish the female suit for one of the My Life dolls. You can purchase the pattern here. The patterns are available individually if you only have interest in one of the dolls.
Notes:
I used a G hook for this project and followed the rest of the directions as listed.
I'm slowly working my way through the bathing suits and am hoping every doll will leave with one.
Friday, March 10, 2023
Our Generation Sleeping Bag
One positive of having a shared goal of completing certain projects for all the dolls is it helps me not to neglect certain dolls, only to panic as the deadline approaches and I realize I haven't completed projects for certain dolls. Sometimes I just get more inspired for certain dolls than others in a year and focusing on finishing certain items helps me to remember each doll.
This brings me to the first of the 18 inch doll sleeping bags. While I've made clothes for the My Life dolls I've been neglecting the female Our Generation Doll. Some patterns just seem to be easier to fit to the My Life Dolls but it doesn't excuse not including the female Our Generation Doll. So when it came time to make start the shared projects for the 18 inch dolls it seemed important to start with the Our Generation Doll.
You can find the free American Girl Sleeping Bag pattern here.
I love the texture used in this pattern. Especially with the striped yarns it makes for some fun patterns.
For my notes for future projects to get this to fit the Our Generation Doll I used a K hook rather than the suggested I hook as it was tight getting on and off with the suggested hook.
I have 3 more sleeping bags to make and this part of the collective project will be completed. I saved the biggest ones for last.
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Our Generation Boy Swim Trunks
I've been picking up patterns for the 18 inch boy dolls over the years but every time I think about adding one to the donation they seem to get discontinued. I had hoped to get a My Life as I tend to find them easier to fit but after waiting a bit I decided if I was going to try the project to dive in with the Our Generation Daniel doll.
You can purchase the pattern here. I have the set with the patterns for the male and female 18 inch dolls as well as the 14.5 inch doll I use for the Glitter Girl.
Notes:
I always seem to need an I hook for her patterns which I attribute to my guage. In order to make the pattern fit the Our Generation Boy doll I needed a starting chain of 46 instead of 36 chains. The trunks would not fit with the smaller chain. This meant the leg split was 23 chains. The color change is listed for the second leg not the first leg so I'm making a note for myslef to follow the directions for the second leg to get the leg stripe.
I finished this swim suit as we were preparing for a nasty winter storm. Making the swim outfits in the winter does help me focus on the warmer weather to come.
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Glitter Girl Hannah Carrot
I've been trying to rotate through the dolls to make sure they all are dressed before November. The Glitter Girl Doll still had no clothes so it was time to put something in her donation bag.
This pattern is available for purchase here. This can be an Easter or Spring gardening set depedning on your interests. I plan on making a second set using the pants as a skirt as I found the pattern worked up well and I wanted to increase the number of outfits going out with the Glitter Girl this year.
Notes:
I always ending up changing my hook size for this designer so for all items except the pants I used a G hook.
I went with an I for the pants.
Since I intend to use this pattern for future pants items I'm actually planning to go back to the g hook and just increasing the original waist chain and then splitting evenly for the legs as I found the original waist line too small for this doll while the other items fit perfectly with my normal adjustment for hook size. While the I hook worked the pants "look" baggy. I will note the chain lenghth on a future post when I figure it out. I also plan on using this as a skirt set.
This was a great scrap project. Much of this was yarn left over from a baby blanket kit. The pink was part of a yarn ball bag I've been keeping to finish off left over yarn before starting on new skeins.
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Calico Critters Shell Dress
After purchasing the single Stephanie Marshmellow Calico Critter hoping she would work as an adult model for my Calico Critters outfits I have come to suspect she is actually closer to the daughter rather than the Mother figure. I've finally broke down and bought the Cuddle Bear Family so I have a range of sizes to work from and I'm thinking of making some holiday outfits for myself so they can be part of my holiday traditions as well.
I'm no doll or toy expert so when I make clothes I firmly believe in models to try to make sure the clothes will fit. It takes a good bit of time and resources to make the clothes and you know if they don't easily fit they are far less likely to be used.
For those of you interested in mkaing some Calico Critter clothing of your own this is a free pattern that can be found here and includes directions for the mother and daughter figures, which is what finally made me believe this is not the Mother sized figure I'd hoped for when I purchased it as it was much closer in size to the daughter than the mother.
This pattern works up quickly. I used DMC Traditions Size 10 thread. I have been searching for striped/variegated thread to use with various doll projects and at some point picked up this thread but I'm not sure when or where and it does not seem to be commonly available when I searched for it online.
To make this fit this sized mouse I used the daughter directions and a 1.25mm Tulip Etimo thread hook. I'm finding this seems to be the hook for this mouse. We will see if it holds to the standard for the adult figures when they arrive.
Monday, March 6, 2023
My Life Shamrock
I saw this new pattern at Adoring dolls, available for purchase here, and wanted to try it out for the donation. I like adding holiday outfits and I also think the skirt and shirt could be adapted for non-holiday use as well.
I always end up using an I hook to get this designer's clothes to fit, just a guage issue on my end. I went with a f hook for the clover and added a fourth section to add some luck.
The yarn is a variety of worsted weight yarns I had on hand and I'm pleased to note I was able to use up some black yarn bobbins I had left over from a blanket project making the trims for this project. I finishing off left over yarn.
Friday, March 3, 2023
Rag Doll Sleeping Bag
I'm continuing my project to send off all the dolls with either snuggle sacks for the baby dolls or sleeping bags for the rest. This is a free pattern designed for the American Girl dolls that you can find here.
This pattern adapts rather easily to a variety of the larger sized dolls. I tested the width after a few rows to make sure the doll would fit and then put the doll in periodically to test for length before closing.
This isn't a brand doll so it doesn't come with accessories, nor are there store accessories to match the doll. I like sending stuff that will work with the doll either items I make or some that I find at the store like the play food I pick up for all the larger dolls when I can find it. It just adds some addiitonal play value for the donation.
I used the suggested I hook for this project.
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Bunny Puppets
This is the last of my 2022 Easter projects I'm preposting in June so I don't lose track of my projects.
This pattern is no longer available but if it returns I will post a link to it.
I had never used Velvet yarn prior to this project. I understand the attraction to this yarn as it has the feel of a traditional stuffed animal. While I love amis the yarn versions are not nearly as snuggly as traditional stuffed animals. The Velvet yarn brings a softer feel to projects.
There is a trade off to working with the velvet yarn however in that it sheds and wears as you crochet with it. You don't tend to have this challenge working with traditional yarn. I found it was rather unforgiving when I had to pull out a section to redo something. I often found I could get one redo if I was lucky and that was it as the yarn was then to worn to use again. It had lost its plushy feel.
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Bunny Couple
Continuing on with my 2022 Easter catch up posts. I made this Easter couple to go with the cottage I posted about yesterday.
You can find the free pattern for Lily and Levi here. As you can see I started with Levi and realized with the suggested hook size Levi was going to be too large for my Easter play set so the first one became part of my Easter decorations for 2022. Not great loss there as he is adorable.
This was a great stash busting project so I did need to change colors when I made the second Levi for the Easter set as I'd finished off the left over dark blue I'd started with when I made the first bunny.
Not sure if I ended up with a D or a C hook for these but I believe it was a D. Not sure the C would have worked well with this yarn.
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Bunny Cottage
I metioned yesterday that I preposted my 2022 Easter projects last June to post in 2023 as I missed the chance to post them in 2022 and still wanted a record of them to return to later.
When I send holiday boxes I love sending items that can create creative play with different kinds of items. One type of crochet patterns I've pursued are house patterns that can be used with little amis to make crochet play sets. I found this pattern on Ravelry as part of a online magazine In the Round Issue 15 Realm of the Faires. The pattern is called Cottingley Faire Cottage. You can purchase the pattern here.
This was a fun learning experience as the designer used some techniques I wasn't familiar with to create the fairy cottage look. As this was being created for kids to play with and not just as a decoration I did omit some of her decorative elements. For fun I also dug through my button collection to add decorations to the project rather than crocheting everything.
When I send holiday boxes I love sending items that can create creative play with different kinds of items. One type of crochet patterns I've pursued are house patterns that can be used with little amis to make crochet play sets. I found this pattern on Ravelry as part of a online magazine In the Round Issue 15 Realm of the Faires. The pattern is called Cottingley Faire Cottage. You can purchase the pattern here.
This was a fun learning experience as the designer used some techniques I wasn't familiar with to create the fairy cottage look. As this was being created for kids to play with and not just as a decoration I did omit some of her decorative elements. For fun I also dug through my button collection to add decorations to the project rather than crocheting everything.
Monday, February 27, 2023
Chick a Hop
Last Easter I made crochet projects but for a variety of reasons never got around to posting them. As summer approached I realized in future years I'd want information about these projects as I'd likely make at least some of them again. With that in mind I started preposting Easter posts to arrive in a more timely fashion for the following Easter that would trace the projects I'd made in 2022.
My husband saw the Chickadee Friends Herrschners Kit in a catalog I had left on the table and it arrived as a Christmas present. I've been decorating his home office with holiday ami's to brighten his day and he dubbed this one Chick a Hop. As of my preposting this the kit was still available at Herrschners here.
Notes:
I used a D hook for this project. I wanted a smaller ami for my purposes.
To get the stitch counts to match I found myself changing directions in rows 4-7 of the body to keep the counts correct. I haven't seen a correction on the site but this was my experience.
Friday, February 24, 2023
Ken' Swim Trunks
I've made a point of focusing on celebrations rather than worries for this year's donations and Ken's swim trunks bring us to another celebration. His are the last of the fashion doll bathing suits I need for the 2023 donations!! I still need more swim suits to finish off my yearly challenge but one set of dolls is done and that is worthy of celebration.
This pattern comes from the June 2009 Crochet World. The pattern is called Fun in the Sun and includes swim wear for Ken and Barbie along with beach accessories. I've made some of the accessories in the past but the last time I got caught up in making the accesories some of the dolls left without suits so I'm thinking suits first and I can always go back and make the accessories if I have the desire to come back later.
The pattern calls for a 1.9 mm hook with size 10 crochet cotton. For my last two attempts I've used size 10 cotton with a .6 mm Tulip Etimo steel crochet hook. Having done this twice now I've found the .6mm hook is splitting the thread and since I've increased my supply of size 20 thread I'm making a note here for next attempt to try the size 20 thread with a larger hook to avoid the thread splitting and make this a more pleasurable project.
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Calico Critters Romper
I started adding Calico Critters to birthday and holiday packages but until now hadn't ventured into making clothes for the toys.
It's been a busy winter so I opted to skip holiday boxes until Easter so I'd have some time to think about what I wanted to make. I had no idea what patterns were available for the Critters characters and I had to find a model as I need to fit clothes as I make them do to my guage challenges.
It was harder finidng a single character than I thought it would be as I only wanted one adult character to fit the clothes. I realize the animals differ slightly by type but I was hoping for to get close by using one of the adults to make some clothes. I settled on Stephanie Marshmellow Mouse as she was one of the less expensive models and started looking for patterns.
You can purchase the pattern set here. This outfit was made with size 10 crochet thread. I dug out my recent shipment from Thread Art. I'm a huge fan of Aunt Lydia's but I can't find the range of colors I used to be able to find even online so I've been branching out to try other brands. I'm pleased with my experience so far with Thread Art.
While the pattern calls for a 1.8mm thread hook I needed to use my Tulip Etimo 1.25mm hook to get the outfit to fit. Again this is why I try to have a model when I make clothing for dolls or toys because I never am sure if I will need to adjust the hook size or fiber to make the outfit fit until I try it on the doll/toy.
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Rag Doll Swim Suit
In my quest to send out as many of the donation dolls with bathing suits last year I discovered that Darski's free Dora the Explorer Oceanside pattern, found here, would fit the Rag Doll with a few minor adjustments.
I need a J hook for the outfit and and I for the trim. I had more Wildflower Red Heart left over from last year's project so I continued with it for this year's suit as well. I figured out how to add the white trim to the top for this year's version and I like the look.
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Barbie Simple Outfit
I am no doll expert, including Barbie but if you make enough clothes for dolls you start to understand a few things. I've learned over the years there are many versions of Barbie and when you find patterns for Barbie not only do you have to be aware of the age of the pattern because Barbies have changed through the years, but that even newer patterns can be made for different versions of Barbies and that can effect how the outfit will fit the doll.
You can find this free pattern for the Barbie Trendy doll here.
This pattern calls for Yarn and Colors Must Have which is a cotton sport weight I didn't have in my stash. I used Yarn Sub to find a sport cotton I use for ami's in my stash but when making the pattern it was huge for the Barbie I donate. I then moved on to Knit Picks Palette Fingering also in my stash and was closer to the fit I was hoping to get. I used a C hook for the top and a B hook for the bottom. If I used this yarn again for this outfit I'd go with a B hook for both. I'm currently experimenting with size 5 crochet thread to see if I can make this for Skipper.
I think I'd remove a row of the shirt for future outfits as it is a bit bunchy but I like the shirt. It is simple but an easy add on. I am still thinking about how to improve on the skirt as it is a bit poofy.
Monday, February 20, 2023
My Life Robbie Lynn Spring Dress
This is one of Adoring Doll's patterns that you can purchase here. Her patterns always find themselves on my gift wish lists and I have a doll binder devoted to her patterns at this point and work myself through quite a few of them for both the 18 inch dolls both My Life and Our Generation and now the Glitter Girls.
Notes:
I've found for most of her outfits while she lists a G hook I need an I to make the outfits fit. I've always had weird guage so my notes are a reminder to myself to go with the I hook.
These shoes are a departure for me as they are button hook shoes and the button needs to be on the outside for each shoe. The directions are clear on how to do this but a reminder not to panic as the shoes look similiar when finished but fit fine when you remind yourself that the buttons are placed correctly and should be worn on the outside. I had a momentary panic after completing the second shoe and putting it on the doll the wrong way that I'd made the shoe wrong. However the shoe can be put on wrong and "fit" but it doesn't mean it's made wrong it just fits both ways, although not as well.
Friday, February 17, 2023
Skipper Swim Suit
It does seem so strange to be working on swim wear during snow storms but some how it does remind me Spring will come and the weather will warm.
I've been exploring my doll binders trying to explore patterns I may not have added to my donation before or ones that I haven't done in a bit. Skipper's swim suit is actually a Barbie pattern found in an out of print Leisure Arts leaflet Crochet Fashion Doll Clothes Book 2, leaflet 437.
This pattern calls for baby yarn and I used a Tulip Etimo 1.25mm hook to get the outfit to fit Skipper.
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Skipper Sleeping Bag
I've started to celebrate finishing certain repeated projects because it is helps me remember these projects are about not about repitition which I'm not a fan, but about each child getting something special for the holiday.
While I still have more sleeping bags to make this is the last of the fashion doll sleeping bags for 2023. I used the free fashion doll pattern found here that I previously used for Ken and Barbie.
This was made with what looks to be no longer available Big Twist yarn from Joann. I used an I hook and followed the pattern until it measured 12" long. I am recording the 12" because I had no real idea how long it was going to need to be to fit Skipper I kept measuring it against her in the bag until I was sure it was long enough to close the end of the bag. I make these notes to give myself a crochet until and then check for the next time I make this project. I'm hoping the sleeping bags become a regular accessory as they are easy enough to make and add a little something extra to the donation.
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Rag Doll A Dress for February
Technically the holiday outfits won't be used until after they are gifted this Christmas so being late finishing a Valentine outfit isn't the end of the world.
A Dress for February is a free Dora the Explorer Doll pattern you can find here. In order to get it to fit the Rag doll I used a K hook for the top section and an I hook for the skirt.
For my own notes I used Red Heart Super Saver Grenadine for the dark pink this year. It's a new to me shade and I likely will not remember its name to buy again if I don't record. The white and pink are left over from previous projects that I'm trying to finish off. I used a button to close the back.
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Happy Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day! I thought I'd share by remembering the Valentine's themed projects I made this year.
Monday, February 13, 2023
Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Valentine's Outfit
As I mentioned when I made the Lil Cuties Valentine outfit, Char's pattern had adaptations for the hat to fit the Lots to Love 8 inch doll. The sizes of the two dolls are compatible enough that the adjustments I wrote about in the previous post worked for the smaller doll, too. You can purchase the pattern here.
Notes:
The pattern calls for a size 5 steel hook. I've never found the numbers to be helpful as the numbers vary by manufacturer so I try to stick to mm when recording so if I change hooks I have a better chance of matching mm than sizes. For this pattern I used my Tulip Etimo 1.75mm and 1.5mm hooks. For the dress I used the 1.75mm hook. Having finished off the pink yarn for the Lil Cutesies doll I dug into my stash of thread and located some new pink options for this dress as I wanted it to be different from the previous outfit.
I did not use a tie at the top and I finished the back with sc so I skipped the first stitch on both sides when working the collar. I didn't do this the first time and the collar didn't close correctly so I note it here for future projects.
The bottoms also used the 1.75 mm hook. I chose to finish the leg openings with a sc around the legs.
I used the 1.5mm hook for the shoes. I had previously made them with the larger hook and found them hard to keep on the feet. I found going down to a 1.25mm hook made the shoes too tight.
For the hat I also went down to a 1.5mm hook. I ran out of pink at the last row so I used a row of white at the end before the brim. The directions for the Lots to Love hat are slightly different than the Lil Cutesie directions as the heads are shaped differently.
Friday, February 10, 2023
16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack 2
The snuggle sacks were a nice accessory to add to all the baby dolls this year and this is the last one I need for the 16 Inch baby dolls.
This is a free pattern you can find here. In order to make it fit you will need to add rows before doing the final finish row. It's easy to measure the sack on the doll as you go to make sure the size fits. I went with a J hook for the larger doll as it makes it a bit easier to get it in and out of the sack. The I hook works but it is a bit snugger. It all depends on how you want it to fit.
This was an odd Red Heart Skein I picked up and I haven't seen the color often so I thought it best to write down should I wish to find again Red Heart Super Saver Color Block Iris Bouquet.
Thursday, February 9, 2023
My Life Valentine Outfit
Valentine's Day kind of crept on me this year and while I can add holiday outfits at any time of the year since the donation doesn't go out until November there is something about making the outfits around the holiday as a way to celebrate that appeals to me. I finished Darski's pattern and decided to continue on with Adoring Doll's pattern that you can purchase here.
Pattern Notes:
I used an I hook for most of this pattern.
In order to get the slip stitches in I added them slightly differently than the designer. After row 1 I went back to the start of row 1 and did a row of pink slip stitches ended and finished off pink and continued on with white and row 2.
After row 2 I repeated this for second set of ss.
At the end of row 9 I repeated this for ss that heart will sit on.
Hat and shoes were made with I hook.
Sweater:
I hook
I added 2 sc rows to arms and finished them with a sc chain 3 skip on around
I finished complete edge of sweater in process of making suggested button hole I just preffered a finished look.
While I love the sailor shoes I have to remember to use this shoe pattern more frequently as I really like them!
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Lil Cutesies Valentine Outfit
I had previously made Valentine themed holiday outfits for the Lil Cutesie dolls for a Valentine present box but this year I set a challenge to see if I could add more holiday outfits to the donation dolls. The outfits don't need to be made at the holidays since they won't be donated until November or early December but it is a fun way to celebrate making them during the season.
You can purchase the pattern here. There are minor adaptations for the Lots to Love 8" doll included in the pattern and I'm planning to make the outfit for both dolls to send off for the donation this year.
I've made this outfit in pink for Valentine's and green for St. Patrick's day. It works well for both holidays.
Notes:
The pattern calls for a size 5 steel hook. I've never found the numbers to be helpful as the numbers vary by manufacturer so I try to stick to mm when recording so if I change hooks I have a better chance of matching mm than sizes. For this pattern I used my Tulip Etimo 1.75mm and 1.5mm hooks. For the dress I used the 1.75mm hook. I finished off a container of pink size 10 thread. I mention it because while I often finish a skein of yarn, it often feels like thread lasts forever. Since I've added some of the smaller dolls I've been using more thread and seeing the cardboard ends is not as rare as it once was although still not as common as finishing off a skein of yarn.
I did not use a tie at the top and I finished the back with sc so I skipped the first stitch on both sides when working the collar. I didn't do this the first time and the collar didn't close correctly so I note it here for future projects.
The bottoms also used the 1.75 mm hook. I chose to finish the leg openings with a sc around the legs.
I used the 1.5mm hook for the shoes. I had previously made them with the larger hook and found them hard to keep on the feet. I found going down to a 1.25mm hook made the shoes too tight.
For the hat I also went down to a 1.5mm hook. I ran out of pink at the last row so I used a row of white at the end before the brim.
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
My Life Hearts and Flowers
Over the years of this donation I've enjoyed including holiday outfits for the donation dolls when I've had time to add them. I don't need to make them close to the holidays as the package goes out at the Christmas season, but there is something fun about making them as a way of celebrating my own holiday seasons. This is one of Darski's free patterns found here.
The shoes are not part of the free set but have become my favorite shoe pattern. They are part of Sweet Silver Creation's Sailor Dress pattern. I don't always make the dress every year but I've lost count of the number of shoes I've made from this pattern you can purchase here. I like the shoes because they are easy to make and stay on the doll's feet.
Pattern 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 outfit including the shoes. I returned to row 11 using an I and reduced last sc row of top.
The flower belongs lower on the waist but I was experimenting with the ties in the back which I've never done before and I ended tacking the flower at the top of the dress instead of the waist. I'm noting this because I do check my previous blog notes when remaking these outfits for future donations.
Monday, February 6, 2023
Barbie Nautical One Piece Swimsuit
I used to follow the Crochet for Barbie blogspot until it disappeared from the web. You can find this free pattern here while the link lasts.
I always expect issues of guage when I work with different designers and in this case she designs for a slightly different sized Barbie. However, with some work I like this outcome for Barbie's summer swim wear.
I used size 10 cotton crochet thread and Tulip Etimo 1.8mm Thread hook.
As always I take responsiblity for my odd guage so my notes are for my own use:
The red section of the suit fit as written. To make the white fit I stayed with the 36 stitches and didn't do the decreases. The increases made the outfit huge and the decreases didn't create the shaping as shown in the pattern picture. I'm OK with the look.
For the bottom blue section I stayed with the 36 stitches as well. For row 6 I sl st in the first 6 stitches and continued the pattern as written.
I slipped stitched the tie rather than sc as the sc were too thick to tie.
Friday, February 3, 2023
16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack
I've been slowly working my way through the baby doll snuggle or sleep sacks as a new item for the doll donations this year. I have one more to make after this and I should be good for the year.
After making one for the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll I tried it on the JC 16 Inch Baby doll and it was clearly short but the fit was close. I found an old skein of Red Heart I'd picked up prior to COVID at a Church sale and it felt lighter than the ones I'd previously used for this project so instead of an I hook I went with a J hook and the fit was good.
You can find the free pattern for this project here.
Notes:
With the lighter yarn I did go up a hook size and it might have worked with an I hook as well. I plan on going back to an I hook with more modern Red Heart Yarn for the second one I need for the donation.
While I had to add rows for length I didn't need to change the stitch count for width by using a larger hook.
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Stacie Sleeping Bag
I'm continuing to work through the doll donation's camping theme sleeping bags. Stacie's bag is made using a free Beanie Bag pattern found here. I chose to use the alternate shell pattern for this bag because I have lots of these to make and finding ways to make them different keeps the project engaging.
I followed this pattern as written with the exception of length as this is not a Stacie pattern. I chose to go with the wider width because of the bend in Stacie's elbow. I could other wise have used the regular fashion doll one and made it shorter. I also wanted to try the shells. It makes for a unique texture for the sleeping bag.
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Lil Cutesies Moses Basket
The Lil Cutesies Moses Basket is the last of the small doll Moses Baskets I need for the 2023 doll donation. My hands just aren't up to making the large baby doll baskets anymore.
I picked one up for the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll during the holiday sales. One of the very generous women who crochets for the donation has shown interest in trying the free pattern I've used for years so that is a possibility. If that doesn't work out I will pick up the basket I picked up for the second 16 inch Baby doll for last year's donation so they both had a doll carrier/bed.
Notes:
This Moses Basket is made using Annie Potter's Sweet Baby Doll Layette leaflet available for purchase here. The blanket is part of the free BBL set you see frequently referenced on this blog found here.
I used an H hook for the basket adding no additional rows. I used a J hook for the blanket.
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2023
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February
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- Bunny Cottage
- Chick a Hop
- Ken' Swim Trunks
- Calico Critters Romper
- Rag Doll Swim Suit
- Barbie Simple Outfit
- My Life Robbie Lynn Spring Dress
- Skipper Swim Suit
- Skipper Sleeping Bag
- Rag Doll A Dress for February
- Happy Valentine's Day
- Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Valentine's Outfit
- 16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack 2
- My Life Valentine Outfit
- Lil Cutesies Valentine Outfit
- My Life Hearts and Flowers
- Barbie Nautical One Piece Swimsuit
- 16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack
- Stacie Sleeping Bag
- Lil Cutesies Moses Basket
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February
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