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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! I thought I'd share by remembering the Valentine's themed projects I made this year.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.