Barbie Prairie Dress

I have been hunting for the binder with the Annie's Fashion doll crochet pattern for a bit and was so excited to finally find one. It wasn't complete but I discovered I didn't have too many duplicates with the patterns I've collected from used pattern sites over the years. I promised myself I would start to use the patterns that were practical for the donation this year. This was the first pattern that I selected.

I had tried this pattern about 15 years ago for one of my nieces before I was comfortable using thread. I also didn't do as much altering of patterns then as I do know to get an item to fit when the directions just don't seem to work for the doll. I wanted to try thread for this donation project and I was much more willing to change directions to get a finished product that worked.

Normally I will make changes directly on the pattern but the text on this pattern is pretty thick and I made substantial changes so I used the notes option on my phone and printed them out to include in the pattern for future attempts.

The pattern calls for size 5 thread. I don't remember the last time I used size 5 thread but I'm thinking it was a Christmas project as the only colors I had on hand were red, green, and white. That being said lately I've found I've had to decrease thread and hook size for most of my Barbie patterns to get them to fit the modern Barbie's. This was not the case with this pattern.

Notes:

For many Barbie, Chelsea, and Calico Critter patterns I have found myself using size 20 thread instead of the suggested 10.

I was hoping this meant I could use size 10 instead of size 5 but the pattern was too small in size 10 with a few exceptions. I ended up using size 3 as I had it on hand but I've ordered some size 5 thread to try as the 3 was heavier than I wanted for this outfit. It worked but I'm hoping the 5 will make the other patterns big enough but lighter in weight.

I used size 3 and 10 slate blue color 28 thread from Thread Art and Aunt Lydia's size 10 White for this project.

Dress:

B Hook

I didn't reduce after fow 12 staying at 21 stitches.

Finish row 30 and skip to row 33.

Arm:

One thing I'd remembered from making this pattern previously is the picture shows dainty sleeves but the pattern creates balloons. I first tried the sleeves with the size 3 thread and then with the size 10. Both were a problem.

I stuck with the size 10 thread and reduced to a 1.8mm hook and changed the stitch count.

I did 13 rows staying at the original 15 stitches. I didn't reduce at the wrists as the hands got stuck in the dress making it hard to put on and take off. I did a ss around the edges to reduce the hands catching on the sleeve and the risk of fraying the end of the sleeve.

Bonnet:

The bonnet convinced me to try buy the size 5 thread as it was hard to get it to fit Barbie's head playing with my make do options.

I used the size 3 thread and alternated hook sizes.

Size D hook rows 1-4

Size C hook row 5

Size B hook 6-7

Apron:

Size 10 thread

1.25mm hook

There is a decorative border for this apron. Don't reduce after row 12

There is a decorative border for this apron. I had finished it before I realized I'd missed the directions for it but I'd consider making it again with the border.

Calico Critters Sister Party Dress

This has been a popular pattern this week. This is On a Calico Day's Party Dress pattern. The set comes with patterns for the Mother and Sister sized Critters. You can purchase the pattern here.

Notes:

For my own reference as I've just repurchased and at some point might forget where I bought it the size 20 thread used for these smaller doll projects comes from Creative Yarn resources.

I used size 20 thread with a 1mm hook.

I needed to decrease around the top to get the outfit to fit, especially the arms. I did not finish the arm holes.

The flower is part of the original bunny outfit.

Our Generation Boy Karate

This was made using Adoring Doll's Knox Karate pattern which can be purchased here. The pattern comes designed to fit the boy and girl doll with an additional shorts pattern.

Notes:

I almost always go up to an I hook for shirt patterns from this designer but this shirt is more of a wrap and when I make this for the female Our Generation doll I think I would start with an H hook and decrease rows if it is this long. It should be a little shorter.

I used an I hook for the body of the pants and an H hook for the waist and legs.

I used the suggested G hook for the headband but I'd try an H when I make it again. I tried making it flat but the look wasn't as I'd hoped so I worked in the back loops. I'd try it again flat.

I made the belt with an H hook, I'd consider an I to get it longer and wider.

Martial arts are popular in this area with students so I was glad to find a pattern to add to the donation. I have purchased some of her other sports patterns that I hope to use for both the male and female dolls.

Chelsea Critter Party Dress

Mostly when I crochet late at night trying to finish something the outcomes are not always great. However, sometimes I make interesting discoveries.

As I was finishing the Calico Critter's Mom Party Dress I happened to grab the Chelsea doll by accident and tried the dress on her. Clearly the dress was too short but oddly the dress was not too tight. I took a closer look at the dress and realized it could be a top for Chelsea or with some work I could actually get it to work as a dress. I just needed to make the skirt section longer.

Notes:

This was made with size 20 crochet thread and a 1mm hook.

I didn't count the extra skirt rows I just kept trying it on the doll until I reached the point I wanted to add the trim to the bottom.

Like the Calico Critter I had to decrease the top section to keep the straps from sliding off. Again it would be worth exploring the arm chains.

I am curious to explore more Calico Critter patterns for Chelsea options.

Calico Critter Mom Party Dress

This is another one of On a Calico Day's patterns that can be purchased here. For those of you looking for Calico Critter patterns hers are easy to follow and frequently go on sale despite a pretty affordable entry price.

Notes:

I used size 20 cotton and a 1mm hook for this outfit.

The only real change other than size of cotton and hook is I needed to reduce around the neckline as it was large even with the smaller hook and thread. One possible solution is fewer chains for the arms but I'd have to play with this to see how it changed the overall fit to the dress.

I finished the back but even doing so I was unable to join in the back and left it open for the tail.

Chelsea Summer Dress and Hat

I've been working on adapting Petite Doll Designs American Girl Mini patterns to fit Chelsea. I've found with work the patterns will fit. I thought I'd found a standard hook size for her patterns but this one required some decreases at the bodice to get it to fit properly. I think I'd go with a smaller hook the next time.

You can purchase the pattern here.

Notes:

I used a 1.25mm hook with size 20 crochet thread. When I make this in the future I'd consider a 1mm hook.

The skirt is long and I'd consider removing rows 6-7 when I made this again. It isn't supposed to be floor length.

I did a sc followed by a decrease around the bodice and arms to tighten the top as it was too large for the smaller Chelsea. This might not be as big an issue with a smaller hook.

16 Inch Baby Doll Sunny Days

This is one of the patterns that seems to appear for this doll most years. Darski created a great outfit for the doll.

The dress pattern is called Sunny Days and can be found here. The shoes are my standard shoes from her free Peachy Keen pattern found here

Notes:

Dress:

I used a J hook for the bodice and an H for the skirt.

Row 5 should read dc in sc 3 dc in 5 not 2 or the count gets complicated.

I don't decrease for row 6 as I find the bodice gets tight.

I continue the skirt until it covers the white section of the legs.

Row 14 is listed but I've never had the directions and have always created them. I'm now recording them for future reference. sc in first ch 2 skip 1 repeat around.

I failed to make this note on the written copy of this pattern which I have since added but I find this pattern to be short. I need to add more rows prior to making rows 12 and 13 the finishing rows for the skirt.

I've always finished the arms but again finally recorded what I did as the look with the larger hook is unfinished. sc chain 2 sc around.

Hat:

J Hook for hat. I followed directions as written.

Shoes:

I hook. Followed pattern as written.

Stacie Block Dress and Hat

While I've had luck finding patterns for Chelsea, patterns for Stacie are much rarer. This is the same Petite Creative Designs Dress I made for Chelsea last week but this time I followed the original directions more closely for thread size and hook.

You can purchase the pattern here. As I mentioned in the Chelsea post regarding this pattern this is actually a pattern for the Mini American Girl Doll but it seems to work for both Chelsea and Stacie with some adaptations.

Project Notes:

I used size 10 crochet thread and a 1.8mm thread hook. This is actually really close to the original directions which call for size 10 crochet thread and a 1.75mm hook. I've never seen a Mini American Girl Doll so I have no idea how close this is to the actual sizing of the Mini vs the Chelsea and Stacie dolls.

I did seven rows of the dress pattern to get the length I wanted for Stacie. As with Chelsea I didn't change the final row to add an additional stitch to each section.

I also followed the same process for making the arms. I chained 1 and skipped 10 stitches for each arm hole following the rest of the directions for the arm hole row. It requires one to fudge the stitches to get the count right but it works. I did a sc around the arm holes to finish them and keep the hands from getting caught in the stitches.

I did finishing rows for the back and top but didn't need decreases as I did with the Chelsea doll.

The dress is closed with a snap not ties.

Stacie's hair is less accomadating than Chelsea's so I have to make a hole in hats for the pony tail to fit through the hat. I left the last seven stitches unworked in row 3 chained 7 and joined. I continued the rest of the hat as written crocheting into chain stitches as if the stitches had been completed on previous round.

I didn't attempt the shoes for Stacie.

Not sure which brand of size 10 thread this is as the wrapper is long gone but I'm pretty sure it is not Aunt Lydia.

Glitter Girl Easter Morning Dress

It was time to add the Glitter Girl to my Easter challenge.

I've mentioned this before but like the My Life or Our Generation dolls most patterns I use for any of these dolls tend to be marketed under another doll's name or under a generic sizing. The Glitter Girl is close in size to the Wellie Wisher and this pattern is a Wellie Wisher pattern.

Notes:

The pattern for the dress comes from Little Bitty Boutique and can be purchased here. I've collected quite a few of her patterns for this size doll as they work up quickly and are not overally complicated while not looking too basic.

The shoes are my go to pattern for this doll and come from an Adoring Doll pattern that can be purchased here.

I used Herrschners Thistle Baby yarn which is a 3 weight and slightly heavier than the white Bernat Baby sport I used for the white. I like the Herrschners' yarn for these projects because the availabilty of colors is wider and when I can get a shipping deal the cost for the yarn is rather affordable. I haven't found anything else that works as well for these projects in the range of colors.

The pattern calls for Caron Simply Soft and I had some left over from a shawl project that I was trying to use up but I found the dress was too tight even when I went up a hook size so I switched back to the combo of Herrschners and Bernat.

I used the suggested f hook for the dress and H hook for the bow. I used an E hook for the shoes with the baby weight yarn.

I change row 9 for this pattern and do not overlap as it is too tight for this doll.

When I made this previously I needed to add rows this time it fit as written.

Easter Ornaments

This first ornament was a bonus pattern from a Crochet Calendar.

I mentioned last month that friends have a business with a year round tree that we decorate. These are the Easter ornaments I added.

Cowboy Ducky:

I used size 3 crochet thread and a b hook to get this to ornament size. The original pattern calls for DK yarn and a 3.5mm hook.

Not sure what the availabity of this pattern is at the moment. No longer available on Etsy but it is listed on Ravelry for purchase here.

Eggheads Ornaments:

I bought this pattern years ago when Crochet Village had its own website. However the designer has moved to Etsy and the pattern is available for purchase here

I used the suggested G hook for these with worsted weight yarn.

I folded the beak to make it fit the head better.

Little Miss Maisy

I went through my Easter Ami binder and came across this pattern that is available for purchase here.

Easter Peeps

This was a Crochet Calendar pattern and it worked really well for my project.

Eggs:

These were made using a pattern from Amigurumi World Seriously Cute Crochet Ana Paula Rimoli. This book is no longer in print. I used the suggested hook but I'd make these smaller in the future.