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.