Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Spring Set

Every year I try to bring back patterns I didn't get to the previous year. This one has many little pieces to it so often if it isn't one of the early patterns I make in the year I don't always get to it.

This is Amy Carrico's Spring Set. It is currently shown on Ravelry as buy here but I bought it years ago from her Etsy shop so I don't know if the link is still valid. You can find it here.

Notes:

I alternate between a b and c crochet hooks for this outfit.

The yarn is Bernat Big Baby Sport Lavender and White.

The bodice of the dress is made with a C hook changing to a b for the skirt as it gets wide quickly.

Not sure if it was the b or the c for the jacket I thought I'd made a note but I did not. I am thinking it was a c to fit over the dress.

I used a b for the panties as I made a note the c made them too big. I also used a b for the headband adding 10 stitches to the starting chain. It tends to be big width wise for the head and this is a better version.

I needed a c hook for the shoes a b was too small.

Barbie Mermaid

I made this for both Barbie and Skipper for the 2024 donation and until there were crochet delays it was on my radar for the 2025 donation. With 2025 complete it was one of the first patterns I pulled out to start 2026.

This is a free Crochet Spot pattern you can find here.

The last time I made this for Barbie I used yarn left over from a Mary Maxim 18 inch doll mermaid kit. When I made the outfit for Skipper I used Caron Simply Soft Paint Oceana and I used that with Barbie this year.

Notes:

Do to the yarn change I used an e hook with Barbie as I had used with Skipper previously. I was able to follow the directions as written for Barbie. The only adjustment I made was to the fin. I don't reduce past 10 stitches it just works better for me.

I plan on making this for Skipper as I did before. I tried tail on Ken and I'm thinking about trying for a Ken Merman this year. I may try this in thread and see if it will work for Stacie. You never know until you try.

It would make for interesting play outfits. I rarely see the Mermaid Barbies that can then wear the regular clothes. This would let the child play Mermaid dress up and then move on to other types of settings.

Our Generation Nightgown

Many years before I started this project and before I was making doll clothes for my nieces my now deceased Aunt taught me the basics of knitting and crochet. I never got far with knitting but I learned to love crochet so much that when my nieces outgrew their dolls I started donating clothes. Several years after I started making doll clothes my Aunt started giving me 18 inch doll phamplets she'd collected over the years. Some of I used consistently over the years and others like this pattern set I've never used. When I started the nightgown challenge this year I decided to dig it out and give it a go.

This pattern set includes a nightgown, robe, pj's and a blanket. Due to time I only made the nightgown. I'd like to try the nightgown with the robe another year.

Notes: I used the suggested e hook with Bernat Baby Big Ball Yarn in yellow.

After starting the bottom I stopped and finished the top as it was larger than I needed and having the top indicated how long the bottom was going to need to be.

In the future I'd use a D hook or consider size 3 thread as this was bigger than expected. I think the thread would make for a more finished look.

I'm still processing the last donation box on Veteran's Day but with this I am done with my items for the 2025 donation. This will be dropped off at the beginning of December. On to 2026!!!

My Life Swimsuit 2

This is Adoring Doll's Swimsuit pattern found here.

I orginally bought the set with the Boy, Girl and the Wellie Wisher pattern I don't see offered currently. For my own notes I have all three stored together as they were printed together. I haven't used the other two in a bit and was a bit paniced when I couldn't find the 18 inch girl pattern as it was hiding behind the boy pattern.

Notes:

I used worsted weight 4 yarn for this pattern. I'd tried Herrschners previously and I ended up needing a much larger hook.

I used an I hook to start with and switched to a G hook after the color changes. I'd start with an H hook and finish with a G in the future as it makes it a big large on the top.

My Life Nightgown 2

This is Adoring Doll's Christmas Nightgown pattern that can be purchased here.

As you may have noticed I chose more nuetral blues as I felt it would be more useful to have a year round outfit rather than holiday specific for this item.

Notes:

I used an I hook for the dress and an H for the hat.

I tried working the surface crochet with an alternative of working in the back loops. I'm not a huge fan of either. In the future I think I'd just do a row of alternate color sc in the rows and not have the texture. I have no issue with the flat texture found in the rest of the nightgown.

The surface crochet made adding a button hole in the back more challenging so I closed with a snap.

This is one of the last three items I need for the 2025 donation. They are all complete and I'm preposting them on Veteran's Day. It feels amazing to be done. I'm making some items and then it will be time to start the 2026 donation!!!

Our Generation Swimsuit

I've been working through my swimsuit patterns this year. This is the swimsuit from Mary Maxim's Mermaid kit I made several years ago. I have a better mermaid pattern but I do like the swimsuit pattern. I did check the site to see if it had ever been added to their pattern offerings as the kit is only offered as a knit kit currently. Sadly still not available.

Notes:

I don't have the kit yarn so I chose Premier Basix DK yarn that I had previously stocked up on as a size 3 option. I haven't used this yarn often but I found it soft and it was a good match for this project. I used some Herrschners green for the border.

I made a note that with this yarn 4sc rows made for 1 inch and I'd need 16 rows to meet length requirements. I doubted myself as I was slightly under the mark and added a row. In the future I would follow my directions as written as the crotch section is a little longer than needed from not following the directions.

CC is the main color not the contrasting which is what my brain oddly keeps translating.

The Front section directions form the crotch section. This is not clearly stated so I write it here to remind myself.

I have not decided if I will repeat this pattern or go with the Adoring Doll Swimsuit for the last My Life swimsuit I need for the 2025 donation. I need to finish the two nightgowns I've started and make the last swimsuit for 2025 and that will wrap up the 2025 donation. As I'm preposting this in early November, I have one more day to sort and post pictures of the last donation box.

If all goes well we have help this year with delivery for early December.

Rag Doll Nightgown

Notes:

This is the free pattern I used for the My Life doll found here.

I used the suggested pattern hook sizes for this doll rather than going up a hook size as I did with the My Life Doll.

Due to height differences I decreased the number of rows before rows 20-23 to allow for the bottom finish.

I am close to finishing the Our Generation Nightgown and about 1/2 way through the last My Life gown both are different patterns. I have started the My Life swimsuit and hope to get started on the Our Generation swimsuit so they all finish at about the same time. I'm preposting the second weekend of November so my hopes are good that I can finish despite some pressing family stuff.

My Life Nightgown

I had forgotten this nightgown pattern and while searching for nightgowns for this year's donation I rediscovered this free gem which you can find here.

After completing this item one of the My Life Doll's is ready to pack!!

Notes:

This works up quick and not hard to follow. I plan on using this for the Rag Doll as well to finish off that donation as well.

I used the H hook rather than the suggested G changing to an I hook when the pattern suggested changing to an H. I found this fit the doll nicely.

To close the nightgown I finished the back and added a button and buttonhole. The pattern suggests ribbon but the button seemed a bit more likely to survive.

My Life Sleeping Bag 2

It is time to celebrate as I've finished the sleeping bags for 2025.

Notes:

I was in Walmart to pick up some other items. My husband normally does the Walmart runs so I treated myself to a trip down the yarn aisle and picked up some Red Heart Favorite Stripes Yarn as I've started to run out of options for sleeping bags. I prefer the multi-colored yarn rather than the solid for these projects as it keeps them a bit more interesting.

You can find this free pattern on Suzies's Stuff Blog here.

I need a K hook to get this pattern to fit the My Life Doll.

My Life Sleeping Bag

I am in the home stretch for the 2025 donation. This is one of the last two sleeping bags I need for the donation. After the sleeping bags both My Life Dolls and the Our Generation Doll, and the Rag Doll need nightgowns. Thankfully I've started all of them. Then one My Life Doll and the Our Generation Doll need Swimsuits and the 2025 donation will come to an end as I take a break for some family stuff I need to do and then ramp up for the start of the 2026 donation.

This is a free pattern found on Suzie's Stuff Blog here.

Notes:

I use a K hook for the larger sleeping bag pattern.

This is a heavier weight Big Twist Yarn that I bought ages ago and never was able to use up. It is a bit scratchy and sheds. I am determined to use it all up rather than waste it so this was a great way to eat a bit of yarn. It still didn't finish it off.

16 Inch Baby Doll Swimsuit

Continuing to work through the final donation projects for 2025. I finished this outfit on Halloween and this doll is ready to be boxed for delivery.

I returned to Char's Bitty Baby pattern that can be purchased here for the second 16 inch baby doll. When possible it is fun to try different options for the same purpose. It keeps the challenge from becoming dull.

Notes:

I used Herrschners' Worsted for this project. This is a new batch for me and for some reason the green was softer than normal. It is normally a typical acrylic yarn but this skein was a little heavier and softer than what I'd previously purchased.

In general I have to go up in hook size and the Bitty Baby is a slightly smaller doll than the doll I donate. I used an I hook for this pattern. If I made it again I'd try the suggested H hook first as this was a little bulky and I found myself reducing to get the fit I wanted.

I used the H for the shoes and they were a little large I'd consider trying a G hook.

I played with the hat and the trim on the waist

Barbie Sleeping Bag

I am so excited to be posting the last of the Barbie family sleeping bags for 2025!!! Of course there is always 2026 but I am hoping not to be making these in the fall next year.

Barbie is also now ready to be packed the day before Halloween!!

It is a great gift when you find a free pattern site that gives you great items for your donation. Suzie's Stuff blog has given me the patterns for the sleeping bags and sleep sacks for all the dolls. It was and continues to be a great gift.

I combine two patterns for the larger Barbie dolls. The first is the fashion doll sleeping bag, found here, which is made completely with sc stitches. I've made this one and it works well. I just find with so many projects it is a bit mind numbing. However, if I combine the shell option she offers with her Beanie Bag sleeping bag I find these projects are much easier to get finished. You can find that one here.

Notes:

I believe this is Red Heart Perfect Pink. I keep several pink shades in stock for the 18 inch doll princess dresses.

This project requires an I hook.

Our Generation Boy Pajamas

One of the challenges of donating the boy Our Generation is finding enough patterns to make it a workable donation. I've have some male patterns but I've taken to using some of the 18 inch girl patterns that are more generic and making them over for the boy. This year I've taken two Christmas themed patterns for both the boy and the girl and moved them to more year round colors because I think the outfits will get more use once Christmas is past if they aren't thought of as Christmas night wear.

This outfit was designed as Christmas PJ's for the 18 inch female doll by Adoring Dolls. You can purchase the pattern here. I will say it reminded me of the winter PJ's and long johns my brothers had growing up so I decided making them for the boys was not a bad choice.

Notes:

I chose not to include the night cap and I switched the back for front because it fit better for this doll.

I used an I hook and Caron One Pounder Blue Danube. While I love this shade I'm not sure it is still available. I pulled it from my stash as I wanted blue and I wanted to make sure I didn't run out mid project.

I used an I hook with this project and followed the directions as written until it came to figuring out how this would be worn. The directions are a bit iffy for closing it in the font. I tried it on with the doll wearing the opening in the front and honestly I wasn't loving the look. This led me to decide to close it in the back with a snap and add the button closure in the front as a decoration rather than the closure which was slightly unclear to me as to how it was going to work.

For my purposes this makes it easier for a child to use as the snap easily closes the outfit in the back and the outfit drapes better with the opening in the back. I would continue to make it this way as I'll need PJ's for next year as well.

She does have a pattern for pj's for the boy on her website but I wasn't sure they would appear different than a shorts and shirt outfit.

With this outfit the Our Generation Boy is ready to be packed the day before Halloween!! Yes I am excited to be finishing up and getting stuff packed.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Nightgown

Several years ago I made a mistake of not reading my notes and made this nightgown with the suggested G hook for the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby doll. It was huge and the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll inherited a nightgown. For some reason I never went back and made it for the larger baby doll again until I went on a quest to give nightwear to the dolls this year for the donation and realized I didn't have a specific pattern for the larger doll but I had used this pattern previously.

This pattern is the nightgown from Darski's free Sweetly pattern set found here.

With this item finished this doll is also ready to be boxed the day before Halloween!

Notes:

I used a G hook and Bernat Baby Big Ball Sport Yarn.

Bernat Baby Sport and Herrschners' brand yarns have been my go to yarn for the baby doll projects. I just ordered more of the Herrschners' striped yarns for the 2026 donation as I still have solid colors from my previous order but I've burned through quite a bit of my striped stash this year and do to the price of shipping I try to order only when they have shipping offers.

Supplies change but I find most of my Baby Bernat sport at Walmart. I used to order it online but the Walmart oddly has kept a wider selection of colors than I could find online and the price has been good. I've kept a decent stash so not sure what the current state of their availability is for this brand but I'll be starting there when I need more next year.

Ken Sleeping Bag

With this item finished Ken's box was packed for the donation the week of Halloween! Yes I am very excited to be getting these boxes packed so early. The departure date isn't until December but this means I can close out 2025 and begin the prep for 2026 once the last doll is packed.

The base of this pattern is Suzie's Stuff free Fashion Doll Sleeping bag found here. This is done completely in sc and I prefer the shell option she offers for the Beanie's found here. So I combine the start of the fashion doll and finish it with the Beanie shells. I just like the look and the texture it provides. I also find it works up faster than the rows of sc's.

Notes:

I used an I hook with what I believe was Red Heart Super Saver Green Tones. After getting the join correct I started the shells right away and I liked it better. I generally continue the pattern until I can join it at the bottom with a little room for Ken's feet. This makes it easier to get him in and out.

Still working on nightgown wear, bathing suits and sleeping bags until the boxes are complete. Then I can have a little more freedom of creation starting 2026.

16 Inch Baby Doll Swimsuit

With this item complete this doll is inline to be packed for the donation!! I'm so excited this year to have help with transportation. It means we don't have to be as crazy about making sure the boxes will fit in our car so we can fit the box best suited to the donation.

This is the same pattern I used for the My Life doll from Stephanie Dygerty that is sadly not currently available for purchase. I have another larger baby doll swimsuit pattern that I'm going to try to see if it will work for the second doll. I like mixing things up as not to get bored. Especially since I've left all the repeat patterns until the end this year.

Notes:

This is made with Red Heart Super Saver Bright Yellow yarn and an K hook. I was suprised the baby doll required a larger hook than the My Life but sometimes yarn is a little different in thickness.

Thankfully, I do stock up on dolls when I find them on sale for this donation. It's the only way to make this affordable.

This year has been a tough year to find sales but the week of Halloween as I write this I was quite thrilled to find the Lots to Love 14 inch dolls on sale at Amazon and thankfully I won't need to worry about these being on sale for a while now.

I'm truly hoping Walmart has a sale on the My Life dolls at some point as those prices are out of my donation price range at this point. I have all I need for 2025 and I am hoping at these prices there will be a glut on the market and the prices will come down and I can stock up on those again.

They used to be a much more affordable option than the Our Generation Dolls. However, they are now in some cases more expensive. I have my Our Generation Dolls for 2026 as I was able to get those on sale. I hope I will be able to keep sending the My Life dolls as well.

Glitter Girl Sleeping Bag

I've made this a few times now and I'm seriously thinking about adapting the free pattern I use for the 18 inch dolls as it works up a bit quicker and I like the pillow rather than the mummy sleeping bag look. It is easier to make and it also is easier getting the doll into and out of for me. I will try to experiment earlier next year so I can decide if I need to come back to the pattern.

This is one of Adoring Doll's pattern sets that can be purchased here. It comes with several accessories and a few clothing items. I generally have been buying and sending the Glitter Girl campfire and portable grill set when I can find it on sale. Eventually it will be discontinued and these items may come back to my crochet list.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Swimsuit

With this outfit completed the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby doll is also now ready to be boxed. Since I'm preposting this I'm pleased to announce this is done before Halloween. We've never been able to box stuff prior to Halloween.

This is made from one of Char's patterns that can be purchased here.

It provides separate patterns for the 10 inch baby doll and the 9.5 Inch Baby Steps Doll. For my own notes what threw me when I went to look for the pattern in my binder was the cover picture is of the Baby Steps doll and I thought I'd misplaced this pattern. It is the right one.

Notes:

I keep a variety of thread sizes and brands on hand to try to avoid having to order for a specific project.

I believe the main color is Aunt Lydia's size 3 crochet thread in warm teal. The contrast color is Lizbeth size 3 I believe wildflower. Lizbeth is one of my favorite threads in all sizes for contrast. The skeins aren't large but the colors add something special to a project.

I used a size f hook for the swimsuit and the visor. I used an e hook for the shoes.

Along with not including all the accessories as I had in previous years this year I also didn't add the coverup. I've been on the fence about it the last few years and with time being an issue I chose not to include.

I also used the Lizbeth for all the contrast rather than returning to the origin color or adding another contrast color as the directions suggested. I prefer the Lizbeth for the contrast. I also used it to finish the visor this year.

I generally finish around the legs for these projects but this year the edges looked good and it would have been bulky if I'd added another row so I let it go.