Skipper Sleeping Bag

With Skipper's sleeping bag finished she is ready to be boxed for the donation!

This is Suzie's Stuff's free fashion doll sleeping bag pattern found here.

Notes:

This was made with an I hook. I use her directions for the shell pattern rather than the sc option. I just love the look and it makes it more doable.

Once the pillow is made and the pattern established I no longer count rows I just crochet until I can cover the feet and comfortable seem the bottom without it being tight for the feet.

This time I started the pattern into the chain. I didn't do an extra row of sc and I think it fits better after joining.

This was made with the Herrschners Baby Striped Worsted Hydrangea I had left over from making the Glitter Girl nightgown. Not done with it yet so it might find its way into a future project. However, I do know I'll be buying more when I have a coupon. Despite my stash I'm trying to finish this works for several of my doll projects and I want to make sure it is in stock for the 2026 donation as well.

Lil Cutesies Nightgown

With this outfit complete the two smallest baby dolls are ready to be boxed!!! It feels amazing to be getting things organized a bit earlier this year. We are getting some help with delivering to the school this year so we decided getting the stuff boxed so we had some idea how much stuff we actually had to move would be useful.

I looked back at my notes and for some reason have decided Darski's BBL pattern is a better fit than her Sweetly pattern for the Lil Cutesies doll. It could also be that when I made this proclamation I was tired of repeating patterns. However, once I've made the choice I'm sticking with it for now because it seems to work.

This is Darksi's free BBL pattern for the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby Doll found here.

Notes:

I used an f hook for this project with the Lion Brand Ice Cream Yarn Tutti Frutti. I made a note to consider an e hook for next year.

This one has you crochet until row 8 and then make it as long as you want. I stopped a row before the length I wanted and did a sc skip a stitch 5 dc in the next stitch shell to finish the bottom. When complete I finished the back before chaining 30 for the neck closure and doing a sc chain 3 sc in next for the neck. It makes it a little more decorative.

I also decreased and finished the arms with sc and then added an additional row of sc chain 3 skip one around for a better arm fit and a little decoration.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Nightgown

I'm working towards my goals of finishing the year with as many dolls having nightgowns and PJ's as possible. This pattern is Darski's free Sweetly pattern set found here.

As this set is designed for the larger 10 inch baby dolls some adjustments were required.

Notes:

I used a C hook for this project with Bernat Big Ball Baby yarn. I try to keep both the ombre's and single colors in my stash as I need them for various projects.

This is a smaller than intended doll for this project so even with decreasing hook size I needed to decrease rows.

I followed rows 1-17 then completed rows 33-37.

I finished the back and then did the ties as suggested making mine 30 chains.

My Life Swimsuit

This is one of the long standing patterns for the donation. Sadly as I mentioned the last time I made this I can't find Stepahine Dygert's patterns online any longer to give a link for those who would like to purchase the set.

It also includes a pattern for a rubber ducky floatie and a sand pail I've not included for the donation this year. Time is getting close for finishing the nightgowns, swimsuits and sleeping bags.

Notes:

I need a J hook to get the body of this to fit. However, I used a g hook on the legs after making the trim for the top and I'd go with the g for the top next time as well.

I'm hoping to use this pattern for the 16 inch baby dolls. I haven't decided which patterns to use for the last My Life doll and the Our Generation Doll for their swimsuits yet.

I'm trying to finish off dolls with one item or less to box for delivery and throw in one like this one that gets that doll closer to one and done. I did pick up a new nightgown pattern for the 18 inch dolls and I found a pj pattern that might work for the Our Generation Boy that is already in my collection. I've never made it before so I have to see how it will fit.

Glitter Girl Nightgown

I would like to start by thanking all those who offer free doll patterns for others to use. My donation has been greatly increased because I do have access to a huge library of free patterns. I like to challenge myself each year trying new patterns so I buy some and I try new free patterns. This is my fourteenth year doing this donation after years of making doll clothes for family so it is helpful to stay fresh by trying new things.

Those who provide free patterns provide them as they see fit. I find some formats easier to use than others. Normally I avoid You Tube patterns because I find a written pattern easier to follow. Again when it is free people provide it as they choose. So I continue to thank those who provide them in the format of their choice.

With that in mind I have to own my processing style. I will explain further.

First so there is no confusion most people are aware of the cheaper versions out there for the 18 inch American Girl Dolls. However, I do sometimes get questions about the Glitter Girl as the Wellie Wisher substitutes are not as well known.

A few years back I read about the Wellie Wisher and wondered if there was a more affordable alternative I could add to the donation as I'd been finding some really adorable crochet patterns for the doll. I came across the Glitter Girl dolls and its been a staple for the donation since. For those who buy the Glitter Girl doll I've found most of the Wellie Wisher crochet patterns do fit in the same way most of the American Girl dolls fit the My Life Dolls and the Our Generation Dolls I donate. I try everything on as I make it to make sure the outfit will fit.

I did search for a Wellie Wisher written pattern for a nightgown for this project. I was willing to buy one but I didn't find one out there. However what I did find was a You Tube video. With no other patterns that fit my search and loving the look of this one I decided to figure out how I could make this work for my processing style.

This is a free You Tube pattern for the Wellie Wisher nightgown found here. The creater is Allmycrochet.

I can't follow directions while listening and watching a video. If you can that is wonderful. I have stayed away from video patterns for this reason.

I love youtube to see stitches and I also appreciate when a pattern includes a video that demonstrates some places where the designer has tried something new or does things differently from a traditional way I'd normally approach something.

You see these sometimes attached to blog pattern and those I love. However, when I sit down to create something I really like to be able to refer back to the directions in writing. I especially find in hard to wait for the rows that repeat with the same pattern until you get to the directions that change. It's hard to know where to skip to because you aren't sure what changes when. I learned this when I skipped a little ahead only to discover I'd missed an increase.

This technique may or may not work for you. I took the notes function on my phone and transcribed the pattern while I watched the video on my laptop. I then was able to send the notes to my laptop and with the picture I took of the finished item I now had a functional pattern for my use only. Since I constantly repeat patterns yearly for this project I had no desire to go back to the video again and this solved my problem. I am thrilled with the outfit.

If I find another you tube pattern that fills a void I can't get in written format I'd consider going this route again. However, it still is not my first choice for patterns.

Stacie Sleeping Bag

Another sleeping bag off my list for the 2025 donation. Both Chelsea and Stacie are made with the free Beanie Bag sleeping bag found here. Skipper, Barbie, and Ken use the Fashion Doll pattern found on the same blog.

I have a stash of Herrschners' yarn that I've bought when I had a shipping coupon and as I've gotten back into finishing the donation for 2025, I've been targeting it more for projects. The purpose of buying the yarn was to use it for projects not to have a stash. Most of what I have ranges between their 3 and 4 weights but I've found their weights are lighter than the other acrylic brands I've purchased. This oddly makes it better for certain doll projects because I don't have to pay more to buy a lighter weight yarn.

With this sleeping bag I've started using it for the Barbie sleeping bags and it works because they aren't as heavy. I'm currently working on Skipper's sleeping bag with Worsted 8 Baby Stripes Hydrangea left over from a project for the glitter girl. The next time I have a shipping coupon I'll be buying more of this color as I'll need it for the 2026 Glitter Girl project and the weight seems a good fit for the bags.

Chelsea Nightgown

I've been working steadily to get these project themes finished across all doll categories where I have the patterns to meet them. I found an American Girl mini pattern that I previously adapted for Stacie and Skipper back in June. I never thought it would take until October to get to making Chelsea's nightgown.

I bought a complete pattern set for the AG mini's as some of the ones I wanted were not offered as individual patterns. However this pattern can be purchased alone and is available here.

Notes:

I needed size 20 crochet thread in two colors and a .75mm thread crochet hook to get this to fit Chelsea.

I chose not to add the arms or the top trim based on notes from my previous projects. I've not had great luck with crochet fashion doll shoes so I chose not to make the slippers.

For this project I followed rows 1-10 as written with the thread and hook changes. When I make this again I'd go to row 11 to make it a bit longer. I then skipped to row 16 and completed from there.

The counts for rows 3-5 are off and I've adjusted them to make the outfit fit.

The neck closes with a tie and I chain 40 before adding.

Our Generation Boy Sleeping Bag

I finished the crocheting part of this at an appointment last Friday. I did the final finishes at home. These do make great travel and wait projects. I do try to do the pillow section as it requires stuffing at home and get the bag section started but after that it is a great calming waiting project. This was finished over two appointments.

You can find the free pattern at Suzies Stuff Blog here.

I've been working harder on the join after creating the pillow section. This is the only challenge I have with the pattern as it sets the form for the whole project. Something has changed in what I'm doing as I hadn't had a problem in previous years so I'm taking it more slowly. Testing the doll to make sure it fits before adding the rest of the rows. I also think I may have added an additional sc row after joining before starting the dc shell rows. I will keep working on this as this previously had not been an issue and clearly the pattern hasn't changed in all these years.

Notes:

This was made with Red Heart Ombre Cocoa with a K hook.

I don't count rows once past the pillow. I continue to measure it against the doll closing when it is easily past the feet with room to sc closed with a little space at the bottom.

Our Generation Boy Swim Trunks

This is an Adoring Doll pattern that can be purchased here. I have the set that includes the boy, girl and the Wellie Wisher doll patterns. You can buy the individual pattern that I've linked or it is sold as a set.

Notes:

I use an I hook for this pattern.

To get it to fit the Our Generation Boy I need a starting chain of 46. This then changes the legs to 23.

The color change for the leg is marked for the 2nd leg not the first so the change is Row 11 stays yellow, row 12 blue, end with row 13 yellow. Again a note to self for next year actually count. I did the color change a row early and it will work but it is better with the additional row.

This is why I actually write these notes for myself. Sadly when I'm rushed I don't always read them. I did this the last time I made them and something told me I'd done it before but I read the pattern directions not my notes and I didn't follow the notes which also allows you to tighten the trunks if they are a little loose.

The original pattern calls for a piece of yarn to be tied for the trunks as if it is a tie. I decided to crochet a tie and thread it through the fpdc as this year the trunks were loser and it allowed me to tighten them just a little with the pull ties.

I mentioned in a previous post about a hat I made for the 16 inch Baby doll from a Linmary Knits pattern that you'd be seeing it again for the Our Generation Boy as I'd made a mistake and it was too large for the baby doll. When possible I try not to waste items that could be used by another doll if it is just a matter of size. When I saw this I thought it would make a great sun hat for his swim trunks. I never thought when I made the hat in July it would take me until October to get the trunks finished but they are done in the same donation year so that is a blessing.

16 Inch Baby Doll Nightgown 2

I've been on a push since I got back to crocheting again to finish off the nightgowns, swim suits, and sleeping bags for all the dolls involved with those projects. With this one finished another set of dolls is complete for nightgowns.

I do not have a link to this Darski pattern.

Notes:

I used a G hook and Herrschners Worsted Weight Yarn for the nightgown and hat.

The hat is still a work in progress but I am trying to get it to a point where I like it enough to write it down to use again rather than starting each time fresh. It is primarily started with magic circle sc and then uses increases to expand the top of the head. When it is ready to expand down I start a pattern of 3 back post dc and 3 front post sc for some texture and I find it helps get the hat on and keep it on the head.

I'm currently adapting a mini-AG pattern that I used earlier in the year for Skipper and Stacie to make Chelsea's nightgown.

Chelsea Sleeping Bag

There are certain projects I try to make each year for the donation. A few years back I added sleeping bags and snuggle sacks for the respective doll types. I also have some targeted specific clothing items I try to make for certain dolls. For a variety of reasons I've fallen behind and need to get caught up on these items and you will likely start to see more of them posted in the coming weeks.

I finally finished this one Tuesday.

I received an email from the school and it looks like the drop off date for the donations is the first couple of weeks of December. I am hoping to be done with 2025 donations before Thanksgiving so I can get everything boxed and ready to go, leaving me the time to enjoy the holiday and start on the 2026 donations.

I am working on two sleeping bags a Barbie family member and an 18 inch doll and currently a nightgown for the second 16 inch baby doll. It gives my brain a little rest between repetive projects.

I've been using Suzie's Stuff's sleeping bag patterns for all the non-baby dolls except for the Glitter Girl.

This is her Teanie Tiny pattern for Beanie Babies found here. Her sleeping bag patterns can be done in sc or in a pattern that provides texture. I generally make the larger dolls with the shells and Chelsea with sc. This year I finally changed the color of her bag and decided to try the shells. I like the shells. I might even try a patterned yarn like I do with the larger dolls next year. This was scrap yarn I was hoping to finish off so a good choice for the project.

Notes:

I used an I hook for this project.

As I mentioned with the previous sleeping bag project the first join is critical to attach correctly or the opening is too small.

I was and am continuing to work on the boy Our Generation Sleeping Bag. I will be starting Stacie's sleeping bag also using this pattern.

Once the top is established I continue the length until the feet are fully covered and then follow the closing instructions.

Rag Doll Sleeping Bag

I've been making this free 18 inch doll sleeping bag pattern found here for some time now.

What I realized this year is there is a specific way to join the top of the sleeping bag or it is too tight for the 18 inch doll to slide easily in and out. This is the second year the Rag Doll has inherited a sleeping bag made with a K hook instead of an I because the opening was too small for the larger doll.

I recently had to frog a large section of another one when I realized I was headed in the same direction with one made for the Our Generation Boy. I think I've identified how to verify it is joined correctly but I've also decided not to continue with the pattern until I've tried it on because it isn't worth having to pull it all out again.

16 Inch Baby Doll Nightgown

This was another one of my September projects that never got posted. Nightgowns/wear are one of my yearly challenges for the dolls. I try to see how many outfits I can complete for different dolls in each category before the deadline. When I have options I will use different patterns when not I repeat as needed.

This is one of Darski's patterns that I sadly don't have a link for but it is a simple nightgown that ties in the back. I've used this for years for the 16 inch baby dolls. I still need to make one more and its on my to do list before the donation is due. I did make a mistake with this one as it didn't get a hat. There is no pattern but I generally do work something up. I will make sure the next one has one.

I stocked up a while back on Herrschners worsted and baby yarn for doll projects. This is made with Herrschners worsted weight and a g hook based on last year's notes. I will write on the pattern any additional notes I have when I make the second one for this year's donation and add them to that project page.

My Life Rivulets

I finished three projects in September and while I got the pictures taken and they are in the correct donation bags I never wrote up the projects. I consider this process to be important because I go back to these posts each year to see what I completed and looking for notes on the completion.

What I noted as I was getting this post ready is in my rush to just get the pictures taken and printed for the donation I listed the wrong pattern. This makes it hard to trace my notes for future patterns leading me back to why I try really hard to go back and post projects even after the fact because it reminds me what I did and how.

I had a push going on through the summer to alternate between Darksi's free 18 inch doll patterns and Adoring Doll's paid patterns. They each add variety to the donation and different fun for my crochet life. I misidentified this as Darski's Madison pattern in my picture save but it is actually her Rivulets free pattern that you can find here.

Notes:

As with last year I went with Caron Super Saver for this outfit. I've been working on finishing off a skein and as per last year's notes the thicker yarn works better to create this outfit. I used Bernat Baby for the shawl and trim.

Follow length as written when adding trim. I added additional rows thinking it was short and the trim doesn't work as well.

I used the suggested I hook for everthing but the top trim. I used a g hook for the trim on the top as it tended to poof with the larger hook and the lighter yarn. I might use a g hook for the trim on the bottom next time as well as it got a bit bulky with the I hook.

Don't increase beyond four dc between the post stitches as the skirt gets to be huge. The last row is all dc before adding trim. I missed this and the trim sits better from dc row.

The bottom trim rows need to adjust for reduced number of increases.

After finishing the dress directions I finished the back and top of the dress with the primary color yarn before adding the white trim. This made for a cleaner back and made adding the trim easier. It also makes the arm holes look cleaner when completed.

Be careful not to split yarn changing from chains to dc for arm holes. The white yarn is soft but it needs to stay strong for the arm holes.

I need to do a V stitch in the end stitch of each end for each row of the shawl, not in the chain stitch. I struggled with this last year and caught the direction this year.

Our Generation Boy Basketball Uniform

This has been a challenging year for getting crochet time but I still believe we will have an amazing donation. I'm starting to focus on finishing the targeted projects for the individual dolls. This could be one of the last items just for fun that will be made for the donation as the deadline is fast approaching and I still have lots of must makes to complete before then.

Since I added the boy Our Generation doll I've had to seek some of the more generic girl patterns to convert for the boy doll. Adoring Doll Clothes has sports patterns that have worked well for the boy. This is her Basketball pattern that can be purchased here.

Notes:

Shirt:

This is made with Caron Pounder Kelly Green, Red Heart White and Black. I wanted the specific shade of green for future reference I tend to use what ever shades/brands of white or black I have on hand.

I used an I hook for the shirt and I'd stick with that for future projects as the fit was good for getting on and off the doll.

I made the button hole while trimming the neckline and finishing the back in white.

Shorts:

I needed an I hook.

I kept this note from the previous year's post as I found it helped me complete this year's project.

I've never been good at adding ss along the edge of something so I ss to add the yarn to the side than did a row of ss not attached to the end of the shorts and ss to the end of the shorts. I left a long end and sewed the ss to the shorts. Not the most effective method but better than the mess I was making trying to ss directly to the shorts.

Shoes:

Last year I used a g hook and I wrote it worked well for the Our Generation. I found the shoes were a little harder to get on and off so next year I'd suggest an H hook for the Our Generation. If I was doing this for the My Life Girls I'd use an I.