Stacie Swim Suit

After making Charpatterns bathing suit for Chelsea which you can purchase here, I began wondering if I could adapt it to fit Stacie.

In the past I've primarily adapted Skipper patterns to fit Stacie as there are not many patterns designed to fit the modern Stacie. However I don't have a swim suit pattern suited for Skipper and was thinking of adapting a Barbie suit for her this year.

I tried the bottom of Chelsea's suit on and realized it was too small but it showed promise for adaptation.

Notes:

My notes are not specific and intended only for myself for reference for next year as a starting point.

I used size 10 thread instead of size 20 thread called for in the pattern for Chelsea's suit.

I stuck with the Tulip Etimo 1.25mm Thread hook I'd used with the Chelsea suit.

I increased the crotch rows in the front until they reached the hip bones for Stacie. I need to record a stitch count next time. I matched this in the back and this eventually required a decrease row after the swim suit was joined as it was just a bit loose. I sc 3 and decreased.

I added an additional dc row for the skirt and I'd do the same with Chelsea's the next time as well.

I did a finishing row outside the leg holes and did some decreases to make it a little tighter.

As Stacey is longer in the torso I added additional rows in the front panel before decreasing.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Baylee's Bikini

This is an Amy Caricco's Baby Doll Pattern for the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby doll but I can't provide a link as her pattern store is once again not available. Should it return I will post a link. I tend to go on a buying spree when her pattern store is up and I think I have most of her patterns for the doll sizes I donate that she's made available in recent years. I know there are some that she's not posted in a while so I keep my eye out hoping that the ones I'm missing will reaapear and hoping for new patterns should she have time to resume her store.

With all that being said I went into this pattern with confidence as I've had great success with what I'd consider to be far more complicated of her doll patterns. This one was more challenging. I've had some issues with guage this year so I'm willing to accept that the challenge may be mine.

Notes:

The pattern called for baby sport yarn and an e hook. I ended up moving to Red Heart Super Saver and an I hook for the non trim items. I used a g hook for the triple crochets and trim.

I decreased sc 3 dc at the waist line and then a row of hdc to cover the doll diaper.

I ended up playing yarn chicken with my variegated yarn. It was an old skein and I thought I had more in reserve and found to my dismay I did not have enough to finish the project. As a result I used the contrast color to finish the hat and I did not make the beach towel for the outfit. I may try that for next year. I have some ideas to work around the challenges I had this year that I've used on other patterns.

16 Inch Baby Doll Diaper 4

There is a feeling of accomplishment when I finish off sets of items for the donation. I feel like there should be celebratory music or horns. This is the last of the 16 inch doll diapers I need for the 2023 donation and I couldn't be happier to have them finished off. I now have the diapers, the bibs, and the wipes done. While not the most exciting projects in the world they do add to the play value of the dolls the children receive. Having these finished in January means they won't be forgotten as other stuff comes up during the year.

The diaper is made using a free pattern you can find here. I've adapted it to fit the 16 Inch Baby doll by using a K hook. I use snaps to close my diapers not buttons so I don't skip stitches in the first row for the button holes. I also add a reduction row at the crotch to make the diaper fit a little better.

Ken Sleeping Bag

I've been working my way through various accessory projects and it was time to make Ken's sleeping bag.

His sleeping bag is made with the same free pattern I used for Barbie's found here.

Notes:

I used Hobby Lobby's I Love this Yarn Autumn Stripes for this project. (I note this because I want to buy more for other projects and I'm terrible with remembering names of colors.)

After you establish the actual sleeping bag portion of the bag distance becomes more important than row counting. The rows are accurate for establishing the pillow and where you want to chain to begin working in the round for the bag but as for the length of the bag it really depends on your doll. I didn't measure for Barbie or Chelsea but I will the next time I make the bags. I did for Ken however and the bag from top of pillow to where I stopped the rounds to join was a little over 13 inches.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

I've finished the snuggle sacks for the smaller dolls so it was time to make one for the Lots to Love 14 inch Baby doll. You can find the free pattern here.


The larger doll sleep sack has the addition of a flower decoration and I decided to add it to the snuggle sack.

These snuggle sacks work up really quickly if you need a quick baby doll item. When I finished this one I tried it on the 16 inch Baby doll and it will fit it just needs more length. I will just need to add more rows. It won't need to be wider for the sack to fit the doll.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Doll Sweetly Nightgown

Both of Darski's free pattern sets for the Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby doll, Sweetly and BBL, have nightgown patterns. I've made both for the donation and have decided I prefer the Sweetly pattern and so I've begun the set of baby doll nightgown's with the size doll the pattern was intended for and I will hopefully adapt it to the smaller baby dolls before the donation date.

Notes:

This outfit was made with Bernat Baby Sport Ombre Baby Baby Yarn and an F hook.

I eliminated rows as I found it too long for the doll. I also finished the back before adding the closing ties.

I left the short sleeves and used a sc chain 3 to finish sleeves.

Chelsea Swim Suit

I've decided to add swimming clothes to my camping theme. Who knows at some point I might add winter clothes for winter camping for some of the dolls. I purchased the swim suit pattern for Chelsea at Charpatterns here.

Notes

This pattern requires size 20 thread. The blue comes from Creative Yarn Source french blue

The variegated is Lizbeth Springtime

I have no trouble getting Creative Yarn sources size 20 thread but Lizbeth which I use for the contrasting variegated colors has been harder to find so I've been buying it as I can find it for the doll clothes.

I used Tulip Etimo size 1.25mm for this pattern.

16 Inch Baby Doll Diaper 3

I feel like I'm coming into the home stretch for the diaper bag accessories for 2023. The wipes are finished and I now have 3 of the 4 diapers I need made for the 16 inch baby dolls.

You can find the free crochet diaper pattern here.

This year I've been using a K hook and what ever brand of acrylic worsted 4 weight yarn I have on hand. I use snaps for closures.

Baby Doll Wipes Round 2

This is the last set of wipes I need for the 2023 donation for the 16 Inch Baby doll as I picked up the Melissa and Doug Diaper Changing set for the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll that includes wipes.

At one point I used to make the diaper bag, the bottles, the changing pad, and tried making the baby food jars, but it got to be too much.

I still make the baby bibs for all the dolls to make sure they fit, and diapers and wipes for the 16 inch baby dolls. I've either used donated diaper bags or purchased them.

I've been purchasing the Melissa and Doug feeding kits when I can get them on sale to send with the 3 larger baby dolls. There are some things that are harder to make than others and feeding kits with the magic bottles and baby food jars are one of those items that I'd rather buy than make.

The wipes are still a practical item to make as few of the store bought ones last. Sadly I can't share where to purchase the pattern because while I've kept monitoring hoping Crochet n'Play will return I've yet to see their shop back offering the diaper bag set that includes these wipes.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Doll Snuggle Sack

I've been working on doll accessories to start the year.

I adapted the free sleep sack pattern for the Lots to Love 8 inch doll by changing yarn and hook size. You can find the free pattern here.

Over the years when Herrschners has sales and shipping deals on their yarn I've picked up various types of their house brand yarns for doll projects. The yarn tends to be "lighter" weight than suggested and I find I can get color options available for the smaller dolls not available in traditional "baby" yarns. I used their Worsted 8 Baby Yarn in Watercolors for this project with an f hook to get the sizing right.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Moses Basket

I've been committed to finishing off the accessories early in the year to avoid any last minute crisis when I realize I never made ... It helps to rotate the projects. Some projects are quick and easy and good for certain quick moments. Others are harder on my hands and a break between them is always welcome. However, as long as I keep rotating them in until they are done I will feel better knowing I'm better placed for this year's donation.

This is the second of three of the smaller moses baskets I need for the donation. I still need to make one for the Lil Cutesies Doll. With a larger head I'm going to make a carrier between the size of this one and the large Lots of Love 10 inch doll as that one was too large.

This moses basket is made using a pattern found in Annie Potter's Sweet Baby Doll Layette leaflet that you can purchase here. The blanket is a free pattern set for the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby Doll found here.

Notes:

As these patterns are designed for a slightly larger doll there are some adjustments required.

I used a g hook for the Moses basket and added more rows to the bottom of the basket.

I will continue with the smaller hook and add additional rows for the Lil Cutesies doll as the H hook made the basket too large for the doll and this basket was a bit tight with the larger head. I will test the sizing as I go along but this was close so I think a few more rows should make it comfortable without worrying about the doll rolling out. I also add rows to the side of the basket for the same reason.

If you want to move the doll or store it in the carrier having it constantly roll out is not a great plan. For this reason I don't add a mattress to the baskets. It makes it more likely that the doll will roll out.

For the blanket I experimented with hooks and using Red Heart Ombres Anemone I used an F hook with the suggested number of rows

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll BBL Sweater Set

Some projects become classics for this donation because they work up quickly and add something nice to the project. This sweater set is one of my go to projects for the smaller baby dolls. It is part of a free set BBL designed for the Lots to Love 10 inch dolls but I've adapted it for the Lots to Love 8 Inch dolls and the Lil Cutesies over the years when I needed an extra outfit.

There are several patterns included in the free BBL set and you can find it here. I have been using this project to finish up a stock of Herrschner's Worsted 4 that had overrun my stash from a project that I'd bought more than required. However, last year realizing how well the worsted 4 and baby weights work for the doll projects, especially the smaller doll ones I have restocked when I've had shipping coupons. This green is slightly different from my previous stash but it still makes for a cute set for the dolls.

The notes for this pattern are fairly simple the sweater requires an H hook, the booties and bonnet a g hook.

I made the pants for this by crocheting over a pony tail holder and making pants as I usually do. I will make a note here for myself that I was a row short. I'd make the legs just a bit longer.

I just picked up another doll pattern with booties and I'm hoping they fit better as these booties have a really hard time staying on. I have an alternative pattern for the Lil Cutesies I'm using. I'm hoping the new pattern for the Lots to Love 10 Inch doll will work as a substitute for this doll for future patterns.

16 Inch Baby Doll Diaper 2

New Year's Day 2023 and I've finished half of the diapers I need for the 16 Inch Baby Doll. I try to get these little acessory projects out of the way as quickly as possible and they are great projects to work on while doing other things because they don't require tons of concentration.

You can find the free pattern here. I'm using a K hook this year and I remembered to decrease at the crotch for the second diaper. It makes the fit a little less bulky, especially if the child wants to put clothes on over the diaper.

Just two more diapers and both 16 Inch Baby dolls will have diapers for the donation!!!

16 Inch Baby Doll Bib Yellow

I love getting the accessory items off my doll donation list as early in the year as possible. It allows me to explore other doll patterns once all of these items are done.

This is the last of the doll bibs I need for the large baby dolls. I've never made bibs for the smaller dolls. It's hard to get them to fit, but who knows perhaps at some point I may try with thread. You can find the free pattern set that includes a food jar and spoon, along with the bib here.

The trim for this project finished off another one of my my scap balls. I've made a significant dent in my supply already this year.

To get this bib to fit the larger doll I've made the following adjustments:

Start with a chain 16

Continue pattern for 20 rows

Row 21 do row 11 neck shaping

Chain 40 stitches for ties

Lil Cutesies Snuggle Snack

Having finished the Lots to Love 10 inch Snuggle Snack I set to work on adapting the free pattern found here for the smaller baby dolls. I was able to use up the remaining balls left from a skein I'd been targeting last year and when it didn't quite finish the project I finished off another ball as a contrasting color.

In order to adapt this pattern to fit the Lil Cutesies doll I used worsted weight 4 acrylic yarn and an H hook. I needed to add an additional regular row to make it long enough however, I didn't add the finishing round as I'd run out of the green and really didn't want to add another color. I was pleased with the outcome.

Chelsea Sleeping Bag

I originally thought about adapting the free Barbie sleeping bag to fit Chelsea but on the same website was a pattern for the Teeny Beanie Sleeping Bag found here so I decided to try that for Chelsea instead as the size seemed like it would fit.

I used the suggested I hook and worsted 4 weight yarn for the project. In order to make it long enough for Chelsea as this was not designed for her I had to add a few rows at the end before closing it.

These sleeping bags are fun accessories for the dolls and they work up very quickly and are a great use for yarn scraps you might want to finish off.

Skipper Little Sister Pretty Ensemble

Last year was the best year for getting the Barbie dolls dressed for the donation but as usual one doll usually gets sadly neglected and last year that doll was Skipper. I thought I'd started well by completing this outfit, but that was the only outfit Skipper left with last year. This year I decided I'd start with Skipper and try to make sure she left with more outfits this year.

This outfit was made using the out of print Annie's Fashion Doll Sister and Me 87D21 leaflet. To make it fit the current Skipper doll I used a 1.5mm Tulip Etimo thread hook and Aunt Lydia's Wood Violet and White Size 10 Crochet thread. My guage has been a bit weird so I did end up adding an extra row to the skirt as it was rather short.

With a little adaptation this pattern fits Stacie so you will likely see it again as it works up quickly and there are not tons of patterns available for either doll.

16 Inch Baby Doll Diaper

I try to get the accessory projects started and finished early in the year as they are quick projects to squeeze into busy end of year and start of year schedules and they often get forgotten if I don't target them early on in the process.

While last year I reduced my hook size to an I this year I went back up to a K hook as the diaper was too small with an I. Gauge is always a challenge so I try to document what worked when. I used Red Heart Super Saver for this project. I think last year it was Caron Pounder but I haven't found the weights to be that different to require that different a hook change. It is likely me.

This is a free pattern I've been using for years for the JC 16 Inch Baby dolls you can find it here. I've never found a diaper pattern I love for the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll although it does come with one cloth diaper. This year I picked up the Melissa and Doug Diaper Bag Set to send with the smaller 14 inch doll and I'm hopeful the diaper will fit the doll along with providing the other diaper bag essentials I make for the larger baby dolls.

16 Inch Baby Doll Bib

Last Tuesday night I had just finished off the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Bib and was trying to decide what to work on next when we lost power. I had all the pieces near me to work on another bib for the JC 16 Inch Baby Doll using Red Heart yarn and I had a scrap ball I'd identified for trim so with the help of a Coleman lantern I was able to continue the project as it is a fairly simple task of sc rows.

Each year my guage is a mystery so I try to record information for future projects. With Red Heart white I needed an I hook to make the bib fit with the adjustments I've previously written about for this doll. I need to chain 16 to start and then complete 20 rows before beginning shaping round. I chain 40 for the bib ties to make the ties long enough for the doll.

You can find the free pattern that includes a baby food jar and spoon here.

Baby Doll Wipes

I looked again but Crochet n' Play still hasn't returned to selling online so I can't share a link to find the pattern for this diaper bag set.

I mostly just use the wipes from the set for the donation but it is truly a great set to make accessories for a little one's doll. For my purposes I've moved to adding Melissa and Doug's Time to Eat Accessories for many of the diaper bag accessories I donate. However, I still make the wipes, bibs, and diapers for many of the larger baby dolls, despite buying the play set.

There are some sets that do offer wipes but some either are a box that "pretends" there is something inside or there is something inside but they either dry out quickly or are paper and rip and don't last long. The crochet ones while not as realistic as the wet ones last longer and are reusable. They are easy to replace if lost. While I don't sew I've seen sewn ones that are also practical.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Snack

I love when I go to a free pattern site or blog for a specific pattern and come away with more patterns to try. In this case I went originally to find a free Barbie sleeping bag pattern and I found several patterns I'm hoping to add to the donation this year. First up is the snuggle or sleep sack for the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby doll. You can find the free pattern here. I'm going to adapt this pattern for the smaller Lil Cutesies and Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll. I was going to work on adapting it for the larger baby dolls but she has another pattern for the larger baby dolls here.

This is a really quick and easy doll accessory to crochet. I used the suggested I hook for the Lots to Love 10 inch doll.

I'm going to experiment with hook size to see if I can finish off the yarn I used for the doll carrier to make a snuggle snack for the Lil Cutesies doll or if I will need to move down to a lighter weight yarn. I tried this sack on and it was too large for the smaller dolls so some adjustments will need to be made to make it work but not something I haven't had to do before. It's worth it for another cute accessory to send off with the dolls.

Glitter Girl Sleeping Bag

I saw a camping pattern set for both the 18 inch and 14 inch dolls at Adoring Dolls and it immediately went on my Christmas wish list.

I was quite happy to find it on Christmas morning and I decided to start with the sleeping bag for the Glitter Girl doll as her donation bag is often not as filled as those of the 18 inch dolls. You can purchase the camping pattern here. It is also sold separately by size in her store if you don't want both patterns.

Notes:

I used an I hook and still added a few rows to get the length I wanted. I attribute this to my odd guage. Another note to myself as one of the pictures kept throwing me fold up.

This pattern works up quickly and is helping me with adding to my goal of giving some additional creative play options along with the dolls and their clothes.

This set comes with wood, a flashlight, and some clothing. I'm going to try to add the wood and the clothes. I'm picking up some camping sets to send off with the donation that will include flashlights so I don't think I'll be making those this year, but its good to have the patterns because you never know what will be available in other years. If I can't find a Barbie set I may try the flashlight in thread.