Kits for Kids Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

Notes:

I finished this and the nightgown for Kits for Kids on the same day and am preposting them as they fit on the blog. I am past the deadline as I prepost but I am hopeful I met it. If not these will go right to 2027.

You can find the free pattern for this project here. This was made with Herrschnerrs Worsted 8 Baby Stripes Sweetie Pie.

I need an F hook to fit this doll.

A reminder traditional worsted is too large. I thankfully continued with the skein I used from the last sack so this wasn't an issue but these are my page notes for these projects so it is wise to keep the reminders posted.

I posted on the last snuggle sack for this year and then I found out this project had a more aggressive timeline than I'd realized so no more predictions that I won't need more for someone else.

Princess Finger Puppet

Things got a bit busy and as I was reviewing my final posts for Kits for Kids I realized I was short a finger puppet. The princess had been left off. As I'm preposting shuffling posts is not a huge challenge so she has been added back into the post schedule.

Why make such a fuss. Well I do go back to these posts for future projects to figure out what I did and what never to do again.

This was made using a free pattern set that includes a castle, knight, dragaon, and princess finger puppets found here.

Notes:

I used a g hook for the body of the puppet.

The yarn is primarily left overs from other projects with the exception of the hair which I used Herrschner's sport weight. The hair is too heavy with traditional worsted 4. I sewed the crown to the puppet's wig before sewing wig to the puppet's head. This was much easier to manage. As with the Knight I sewed in ends as I went as it is hard to reach the ends once finished and these puppets do not easily flip inside out for sewing.

I mentioned with the knight that I would choose colored yarn for the eyes but it would need to be a dark blue not light. I looked at a previous picture of a princess I'd made with light blue and it was not good. I'd actually prefer the black.

I had to add a row to both hands to get them to close.

Knight Finger Puppet

I'm continuing to prepost projects in March and I'm now past the deadline for the dropoff which should have been yesterday.

This is another finger puppet made using a free pattern from Crochet World's no longer available website which I recovered as I was working on the dragon finger puppet blog. You can find the pattern for the castle and the puppets here.

Notes:

I used a G hook for the main portions of this puppet including his shield. To get the helmet to fit the head I needed an H hook. The limbs were made with an f hook.

I intend to include this set for 2027 so I'd note I have to fiddle with the rows on the helmet a bit to get it to be long enough and I sewed it to his armour.

Looking at my previous notes I had added chain stitches to his shield to allow him to put it around his hand and then I sewed it on so it wouldn't get lost.

For future projects for this and the princess which I am currently working on I'd use colored yarn not black for the eyes. This time they are both getting black because I got into the habit when making the farm puppets.

As I mentioned with the dragon post I sewed in ends as I worked this puppet and it was easier than trying to turn it inside out at the end. The head is really hard to pull back and forth through the body once made.

Kits for Kids 2026

Last winter when I dropped off the Aztec Wishes donations there was talk of a new service project for kids moving into foster care. The plan was just being discussed and I reached out in March to find out the collection was being closed in April. My focus is clearly going to be for 2027 but I decided I would see if I could complete some small play sets to provide some comfort to kids who could use it.

March 2026

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll:

Chelsea

Finger Puppets:

Dragon Finger Puppet

If all goes as scheduled the first donation for Kits for Kids will be dropped off tomorrow. I'm still preposting in March and even found some new potential donations during Amazon and Target Days that will make it for this year's donation or 2027 depending on how things work with shipping.

This was made using a Crochet World April 2010 pattern from Kathleen Stuart for a castle and finger puppets. I last made the complete pattern in 2020. Thankfully this time I only needed the puppets.

Sadly this used to be available as a free pattern on Crochet World's website and I gave the link when I made this in 2020. However, Crochet World's website no longer exsists.

Updated to add I did find the link available but with many of these old link recoveries they don't always last so I suggest you grab it if you want it as it may not be there again. Castle pattern here.

I made the Dragon with an H hook. I might try a G for future projects. I learned after I made this project as I was working on the knight to sew in ends as I go. The key is to make no mistakes or there is no frogging.

This dragon's head folds flat but as you are creating it it seems hard to imagine how the head will attach to the body but it folds therefore making it all work.

The tail and ridges also work as written although again I had to make it before I saw it.

I used a g hook for the legs and arms. If I shift to a g hook for the next set I'd likely go to an f hook for the limbs.

The eyes are made using the same technique I learned making the farm animals.

Calico Critters Brother Sleeping Bag

As I've mentioned previously I prepost a great deal and when making similiar projects I try to spread them out across weeks when possible so I don't have a week of ...

This is the last of the Calico Critter sleeping bags I need for 2026 and was finished at the beginning of March.

I mistakenly made an extra Sister bag in 2025 and put it aside for this year's donation last April thus no need to make one for her now. Not done with this pattern as I plan on adapting it for two Chelsea sleeping bags one with and one without a pillow.

Notes:

This was made with size 10 Thread Art variegated greens crochet thread with a 1.0 mm thread crochet hook.

I use a different hook for the children. I forgot this when I started this and when looking at my notes on the sister frogged and began again as it was larger than I wanted.

This is made with a free pattern you can find here

I choose to stuff the sleeping bag pillows so this requires sewing the bottom of the pillow shut to keep the stuffing inside.

Kits for Kids 8 Inch Baby Doll Nightgown

Still in the middle of March as I continue to prepost but that April deadline is looming. Trying to see just what I can finish in a short period of time. What doesn't make it into this year's donation will go into 2027.

This is a simpler version of the donation I make for Aztec wishes as I know the space for this donation is more limited.

Since liquid isn't an issue for this donation I do hope to get the smaller baby bottles at Hobby Lobby before the due date. If not I will slide another out of the bigger kits as I did for the shoebox donation and plan better for 2027.

I have the snuggle sack to post and I'd like to get at least one other outfit made. The doll does come with a simple onesie so it does come dressed. I hesitate to add too much as space is an issue.

Notes:

This is from Darski's Sweetly pattern that you can find here.

The original pattern is designed for a 10" baby doll so some adaptations are required for the smaller doll.

This is made with Bernat Baby yarn.

I use a C hook for this doll.

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.

I decreased the stitch count on the arms and finished with a chain 3 skip to make it more decorative.

To keep things fun I did a sc chain 3 around the neck as well. I need 3 this year so it pays to keep things fresh.

Kits for Kids Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Moses Basket

Still busily preposting in March as my April deadline looms ever closer.

I wanted to include a baby doll in Kits for Kids. Not sure how much I'll be able to finish for the doll or practically what is best to include as the child will be carrying what they need to take with them but for now the doll has a bed and that is good.

This is Annie Potter Presents Sweet Baby Doll Layette for the Moses Basket and Darski's BBL free pattern for the blanket. I have been chasing Annie's Potter's pattern sites for years and I stop now. This is a wonderful pattern set that I rely on for the baby doll beds but I have no idea who has control over her patterns and I won't risk spam sites to try to help people find her patterns any longer. Darski's free BBL pattern is found here.

As I pulled another doll from my inventory I decided it was time to consider stocking up and sadly came to realize the last place I could get the Lots to Love 8 inch Baby dolls is no longer selling them. This is disappointing and thankfully as a donation hoarder I am not desparate for a replacement just yet but I do need to find one as these dolls are an ideal size. There are sadly some families these dolls go to that don't have a ton of space and a small baby doll is the right choice.

I had just found an accessory kit that was sized close to them which I hadn't been able to find in years of searching. It will still work for the Lil Cutesies doll and the Lots to Love 10 inch doll which are still available but this size doll is one I need to find a replacement for before my hoarded stash is depleted.

Notes:

This is made with Premier Puzzle Yarn for the basket and old Red Heart Sport for the blanket. I used an H hook for the basket and a g hook for the blanket. I still need 2 more of these for the Lots to Love 8 inch dolls, one for the Lil Cutesies doll, and one for the Lots to Love 10 inch baby doll.

Duck Finger Puppet

It's just turned to Spring as I'm preposting this and the duck is the last of the finger puppets from the free Farmyard finger puppets pattern found here.

Notes:

This was made with an e hook for everything but the bill which I used a d hook to keep it small.

The white is Red Heart Super Saver the yellow is Big Twist a little lighter worsted 4.

There are directions for a little tuft at the top that I chose not to add as it doesn't look durable.

I am currently working on the bassinet for the Lots to Love 8 inch doll that will be going out in April but I'm trying to decide if the next batch of finger puppets will be castle themed or from an old book of ami finger puppets that I made over a decade ago and loved. I had to go hunting for the pattern leaflet but found it and if not this donation, they will make an appearance in the 2027 donation.

If You Give a Pig a Pancake

I've always enjoyed gifting book and ami's together so next up was If You Give a Pig a Pancake for Kits for Kids Donation.

I mentioned previously that it's been a long time since I've made ami's and I smartly read the project notes I made about the mouse and foolishly didn't read the notes I made regarding the pig.

I've never had trouble making the sweater fit for the pig but this time it was a nightmare. After rereading my notes I realized I'd previously used a g hook for the pig not an e thus the various weights and sizes of yarn I was using didn't work. I resorted to size 3 thread but still the fit wasn't all I wanted.

Notes:

You can find the free pattern here.

I used an e for the pig, use a g hook.

This project I used size 3 thread to get the sweater to fit I'd go to some of the light sport cotton I have with a c hook to see if I can get it to fit as written for the one I need for next April.

I have always sewn the sweater on so this I sewed the tail on and as I was making the sweater left pins to indicate the space needed to leave for the tail to come through.

Calico Critters Mom Sleeping Bag

I am so very grateful to be finishing these sleeping bags and sacks so early in the donation year.

With preposting I spread them out so I only post one a week so this one was actually finished a month to the date ago.

These little ones are so quick and easy to finish that I decided to work my way through the Critters before going on to other dolls. I'm also going to adapt this pattern for Chelsea as it is less bulky and since I'm also making one for my shoebox donation space is critical.

You can find the free pattern here.

Notes:

I used size 10 crochet cotton and a 1.25 mm hook for the adult sleeping bags.

Since I don't have the means to add beds to my donation are am sure there is even space for such items I try to send sleeping items with the dolls. Most dolls have a sleeping bag or sack. The baby dolls have some kind of bassinet and blanket and the larger dolls all have blankets.

With this is mind the pattern leaves an empty pillow in the sleeping bag. I never had a sleeping bag with a pillow but as this is the intended sleeping area for the doll I've been stuffing and closing the lower portion of the pillow area. It is a choice when you make one.

Rooster Finger Puppet

I'm continuing my work on the free Farmyard Finger Puppets pattern that can still be found here.

Notes:

I used an e hook and I believe Red Heart Super Saver for this project.

The pattern worked for the everything but the comb. I couldn't get it to sit correctly so I crocheted directly into the puppet body.

Still in mid March as I post this but the deadline for the 2026 deadline still looms over me as I try to get as many done as I can for this year. I am already thinking of options for next year as I pull patterns that would work for this project.

Barbie Nightgown

I discovered this negligee pattern when searching for a nightgown for the 2025 challenge. This comes from the out of print newsprint House of White Birches Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 inch Fashion Dolls Including a complete wedding ensemble and trousseau. I've found this phamplet to be helpful for both Barbie and Ken in finishing their annual donations.

I keep experimenting with different brands of threads to have access to different colors and patterns. I originally tried this with Herrschners size 10 cotton and it was significantly larger than my other brands of 10. I don't have any size 8 in the house but I'm thinking what I have is closer to 8 as it isn't quite as thick as a 3. I just started using it to adapt the Calico Critters sleeping bag for Chelsea. The bag clearly needs to be bigger and why not use the larger thread to help.

I made adaptations to this pattern to fit the modern dolls I'm donating as the original pattern as written would not fit the dolls as written.

Notes:

I used size 10 thread and a 1.25mm hook for this outfit.

Chain 45 After making the math changes to rows 1 and 2 the only additional adjustments were to the row counts as they were now smaller than the original pattern. However the basic pattern worked with the reduced counts.

There is a 3 stitch cluster between each sc set. The cluster being 3 sc in one stitch.

Row 1: sc 6 cluster sc 11 cluster sc 7 cluster sc 11 cluster sc 6 total 53 stitches

Row 2: sc 7 chain 8 skip 14 sc 11 chain 8 skip 14 7 sc

Follow rest of instructions as written with understanding stitch count will differ.

Also as a note to myself clearest way to know you've made a mistake is clusters should not be stacked on top of each other they should alternate rows. If this pattern is not occuring you have made a mistake. I noticed this a couple of times and was able to go back and fix before I'd gone too far.

Pig Finger Puppet

As I mentioned with the cow this was preposted on St. Patrick's Day as I'm hoping to get several items finished for an April 15th deadline for Kits for Kids.

I have few complaints about the cheaper acrylic yarns I use but every so often there is that one skein that truly isn't great for what I'm trying to make. I think this skein will go back to my stash for a doll project. It's faults will not be a huge issue with a doll dress but when trying to make an ami it was challenging and not quite the finished product I hoped to complete. I hope to make the pig for If You Give a Pig a Cookie and I will not be using this skein.

Notes:

I used an e hook for this project.

I followed the directions as written with the exception of the tail. I'm going to look at the tail from the other pig and see if that would work better. I played with the directions for this pig and it is better but still not quite there yet. Since I need another set of these animals for 2027 may as work on improvements.

Cow Finger Puppet

I'm working on finishing a farmyard finger puppet set for Kits for Kids due in April. This is being preposted on St. Patrick's Day so I still have some wiggle room with my due date although it is coming fast.

While Crochet Pattern Central is no longer around I did find the free pattern link here. No guess how long it will last.

I've always been a fan of finger puppets because they can fit in a small carry bag, don't take up much room and are great ways to encourage kids to retell stories or make up their own.

I have another set of farm animals that I likely won't get to before this year's deadline but I'd like to make for next year's donation as I like variety.

Notes:

This was made with Caron Pounder Taupe and an E hook.

I've been trying to use yarn on hand this year but at some point it might be worth experimenting with a lighter weight yarn like Herschnners as these are a bit larger than needed even going from the suggested g to an e hook. However, for this year I'm going to keep at this weight so they will all be close to the same size.

Calico Critter Dad Sleeping Bag

I finished this sleeping bag back in February but I try not to post more than one per week.

This is a free pattern found here.

A very dear friend sent me some size 10 crochet thread and this sleeping bag was made with Aunt Lydia size 10 shaded blues. I'm thinking I have an old Barbie pattern that requires this shade. For my notes Thread Art has a similiar color should the Aunt Lydia's become unavailable.

Notes:

I use a 1.25mm thread crochet hook for this project.

The pillow is generally not stuffed as is the case with sleeping bags but since this is often the bed I send with the dolls I do try to include a pillow. The pattern allows you to stuff and sew off the opening if you want but no clear directions are written for this as the design is to keep it flat so it can be rolled up.

Glitter Girl Swimsuit

I'm in the middle of three differnt donation projects at the moment. Two have fall/winter deadlines but one has a Spring deadline this year and again next year. Next year will hopefully easier to plan and meet. However, this year I'm putting aside some of my plans for the other projects to submit something for the April deadline for Kits for Kids.

That being said I don't want to completely abandon my doll projects. My hands also need a break from the amigurumi/puppet work. I'm going to try to keep up with the swimsuits, nightwear, and sleeping bag projects while I work on the Kits for Kids items as relief work for my hands.

This was my first relief project. The Glitter Girl has always been one of my favorite swimsuits as it works up quickly.

Notes:

This is a Wellie Wisher pattern that can be purchased here.

This was made with size three Thread Art Slate Blue and Lizbeth Pastel Pedals using an E hook.

I did not edge the legs this year as the fit was better without the edging.

The visor made a comeback this year.

Glitter Girl Nightgown

I discovered this You Tube pattern last year while searching for a nightgown pattern for the Glitter Girl doll.

I am always grateful for those who make free patterns. I believe when offering a free pattern the format is in the designer's hands.

If you struggle as I do to follow video patterns while crocheting I suggest taking notes and creating your own pattern. I am not free to share it here I don't own the design but I can share the technique.

This year I went back and fixed some things I missed when I wrote my notes from last year. If you love video patterns this clearly doesn't apply.

One challenge I had this year was the puff stitch. I realized the puff stitch wasn't quite right thus the picture below as a reminder of the pattern I want versus the pattern I created on my first attempt this year.

Notes:

I use size 4 Herrschners Baby Worsted 8 Baby Stripes Hydrangea for this outfit with an f hook.

Do not pull any stitches off hook until number of yarn overs complete for puff stitch then yarn over all stitches for puff.

I had done a different stitch a while back that creates a puffier stitch and this was not what was needed here. One of the reasons for the second picture is a reminder of the flatter puffs.

For this doll I do 25 rows to get to the length I wish.

Dog Finger Puppet

I started on my finger puppets for Kits for Kids.

I actually have a crochet pattern binder for puppet patterns I've acquired over the years and I went there first.

This is a pattern from the defunct Crochet Pattern Central. While they generally were a place that just listed patterns, they did have a few like this one that were hosted on the site. With some help I did find the pattern but no promises how long it stays available if you are interested so I suggest downloading and saving it. You can find the pattern here.

As I went to save a copy for myself I found the designer's name credited at the bottom as Yvonne Boucher. The pattern was written in 2006.

It has been a bit since I've made ami's or puppets so I started with the directions as written and they were big for my adult hands so I did change hook size for the puppet.

Notes:

This was made with the same Caron Pounder I made the mouse with previously. I want to say this is Taupe. I stocked up on shades of brown for some previous doll projects and clearly it was meant to be for this project.

As I mentioned above I started with the suggested G hook but the tube was huge. I made this guy and have started the cow with an e hook. To get them any smaller I'd have to change yarn weight to be able to use a smaller hook.

There is an interesting technique for making eyes with pretied knots I've never tried before but will be using from now on when I can't use safety eyes.

Since the dog has a sewn on muzzle I did use a saftey eye for his nose but with the open inside safety eyes are viable for puppets. The eyes have to be sewn or use eyes that can be sewn. I love learning new useful skills on a project and I've already used it for the cow's nose.

As I've mentioned previously these posts are all preposted. My deadline is April 15 and this guy was finished one month ahead of the deadline.

Mouse and Cookie

I heard about another program associated with Aztec Wishes being organized for this year, Kits for Kids when I did the drop off last year. I likely am not going to finish a huge number of projects for 2026 but I am going to get done what I can before the April deadline. I will also get a better idea of what works when I participate in the packing in May for 2027.

I have been hyper focused on the doll donation and finally decided to reach out to find out more about this project and deadlines this month. The deadline is tight for this year but there are some of the smaller items from the Aztec Wishes donation that were put aside to help with this project and I will finish what I can before the deadline.

I've always been a huge fan of combining toys and books. I've made the combo of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie book and Ami a few times now. However, with my focus on dolls and lots of other life stuff happening I haven't made any amis in some time. This was a great project to get myself back into the game. I've since started on finger puppets.

Notes:

This pattern has disappeared several times but I do have a link for the moment here.

I used the suggested e hook with worsted 4 acrylic I had on hand. I did use Herrschner's 3 weight for the chips on the cookie as it was the closest color I could find.

At some point in my last round of Ami adventures I stocked up on pink noses because when I went to look I had a gallon storage bag full. I had used thread to sew the last mouse nose as I couldn't find the safety noses. Clearly I wasn't planning on running out again.

The one part of making ami's I don't love is sewing the pieces together so when possible I adjust. I split the body like I'm making pants for a doll and worked the directions for the mouse legs top down instead of feet up. I would do this again to avoid sewing the legs on. This left the head, ears and the arms to sew.

I used a D hook with pink and followed the ear directions to make an inner ear. I then made a second ear with the main color and the e hook and crocheted them together for the ear. I know fabric is popular with ami's but I've never had luck with it for ears, etc.

Operation Christmas Child 8 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

After I finished scrambling to complete last year's donation I joined a few online groups and started to think about how I could blend what I was already doing for Aztec Wishes with what I wanted to offer for Operation Christmas Child.

One of the suggestions for the younger girls is a baby doll and I have a supply of Lots to Love 8 inch dolls for my Aztec Wishes donation so this seemed like a start for a younger girl box. I have experience with dressing the doll so it will be a matter of what I can fit into the box.

For my own notes this year while shopping for Operation Christmas Child at Hobby Lobby I found dipaer bag kits that would work for the smaller baby dolls for Aztec Wishes. There are lots of accessories and I removed one bottle for this donation. There are additional bottles for the bag going to Aztec Wishes so the one missing bottle shouldn't be an issue but it does solve my issue of finding a bottle for this size doll that has no liquid.

This is a free pattern found here.

Notes:

This was made with Herrschnerrs Worsted 8 Baby Stripes Sweetie Pie.

I need an F hook to fit this doll.

A reminder traditional worsted is too large. I had just brought home so very pretty striped yarn and wasn't thinking when I started this only to realize it wasn't going to work. I frogged it and pulled out the Baby Stripes and had no issue.

This is the last of the snuggle sacks I need for 2026. I'm hoping to add a bassinet to the shoebox donation after I finish the ones I need for Aztec Wishes.

Barbie Swimsuit

I had forgotten when making Skipper's swimsuit that I'd actually purchased some size 5 Omega thread from Creative Yarn source during last year's donation as I dived into some of Annie's pattern club fashion doll patterns and found size 5 worked was needed to complete some of the patterns. I found my stash while looking for the last of the size 5 Bernat Handicrafter I'd purchased for some holiday potholders a few years ago.

Notes:

This size 5 is slightly heavier than the Bernat. I had considered increasing my hook size as Skipper's suit was tight on Barbie. However, the b hook was fine with the Omega thread.

The package says azul for my own efforts in needing to reorder I believe this is deep blue on Creative Yarn's website.

I did finish the sides of the suit for this outfit. I also did both a hdc, followed by a sc border around the legs as the gap was significant without the borders.

This is the crotch from Skipper's suit but I leave it here in case I have questions and start with Barbie instead of Skipper next year. This is one of the few outfits I make that starts this way and the first one of the year can throw me. The legs need to be balanced evenly on both sides of the crotch or the suit doesn't work. I needed to rework Skipper's but Barbie's was a one and done. I think the picture helps.

For my own look back next year this was preposted and finished March 5.

16 Inch Baby Doll Herrschners Nightgown

I generally use Darski's nightgown pattern for both of the donated 16 inch baby dolls. However, over the years I've made it a policy where possible to recycle projects that don't work for one doll by trying to make it work for another in the donation.

My first attempt at the Herrschners Playtime and Pajamas 18 inch Doll Ensemble was clearly not going to work for any of the dolls at the arm hole stage. However, this was my second attempt using Herrschners Cheerful DK Yarn which has the feel of Carron Simply Soft in a DK weight.

I have bought various styles of Herrschners yarns for my stash as they work well for different baby doll projects. I'm not sure I've worked with the DK as I wasn't prepared for the Simply Soft experience. I find it a bit slippery to work with but it did the job for this outfit.

Notes:

I used Parakeet and I believe White Daisy Herrschners DK Cheerful yarn for this project with a D hook. I think the magenta or lemony would be good choices for the future but I had the green in my stash so green it was.

Like the 18 inch doll I used an f hoook for this project. I did not need to add any rows for length.

It was closed with an added button hole in the back.

The pattern for this outfit is an out of print Herrschners Playtime and Pajamas 18" Doll Ensemble Crochet pattern which may originally have been part of a kit. I'm pretty sure I picked it up as a used pattern and not as a kit.

I chose not to add the headband as I was getting close on yarn and didn't have more in my stash.

Stacie Valentine Shirt and Pants

I've been experimenting with a free Barbie Valentine Heart sweater pattern and so far Ken and Stacie now have Valentine outfits.

Notes:

The shirt is a free Barbie pattern available here.

I decided to revamp my efforts after the first shirt went to Ken.

Knowing I had a range of dolls this could fit depending on outcome I went smallest first.

I started with a 1.25 mm thread hook and size 10 crochet thread in red and white.

This time I chose not to join with the girls bent arms the more room I have to get the shirts on and off the better and there is no real added benefit to closing it other than I needed fewer snaps. The designer joins and ties at the top.

I haven't finished with this pattern and still have some work to do on the arms which I realized after I'd finished them off. I chose not to add the trim after trying it and not liking it. It may look better when the directions are followed for the arms.

I used the top white trim to decrease the neckline for a better fit. There is off the shoulders and then there is topless.

The bottom trim worked fine adjusting for the fact it wasn't joined.

I made these pants the way I make most of my pants. I measured elastic for the waist and did sc around the waist. I then did I believe 2 or maybe 3 rows of dc before splitting with a chain 3 for the legs. There are 14 rows of dc for the pants. I finished the pants with a row of ss as I find this helps the pants keep from catching and fraying.

The pants are also size 10 crochet thread and a 1.25mm crochet thread hook.

I am hopeful that Mattel continues to produce the Stacie line. I still have a few left in my donation stash but I'm finding Stacie and Skipper harder to find. I like having a variety of dolls other than Barbie to send off.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Valentine Dress

This is one of Char Caywood's patterns that fits both the Lots to Love 8 inch Baby Doll and the Little Cutesies dolls. She includes directions for both in her pattern that you can purchase here. She also has color suggestions.

I made this outfit 3 years ago and coming back to it found I needed some hook adjustments. My tension changes over time so I try to note stuff for future projects.

Notes: I continued with the 1.75 mm hook and size 10 cotton for the dress.

For some reason I remember having to reduce the panties so I tried a 1.5mm hook and they fit better this time with no adjustments needed.

I'd made a note previously about the shoes being too small with a 1.25mm hook but this time that was the ideal size. The 1.5mm shoe was falling off.

Hat:

I tried the directions for the Lil Cutesies hat first and thought I just made the wrong hat as it was huge. I started again with the directions for this doll and still found it large so I made some changes.

I used a 1.25mm hook for the hat and stopped at row 9.

I crocheted in front loops for trim.

This year I used ties instead of snaps for closure. Think I'll go back to snaps but it seemed like an idea to try pattern as written for once. This created problem in finishing collar.

I'm hoping to get this finished for the Lil Cutesies doll as well.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

I'm still working my way through the sleeping bags and snuggle sacks for the dolls. I'm hoping to finish them by Spring and move on to the baby doll bassinets. Up next is the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll.

You can find the free pattern here.

I am done with the snuggle sacks for Aztec Wishes for 2026. I am hoping to add one for an 8 inch baby doll to an Operation Shoebox project for this year. I'm also hoping to make some Chelsea clothes for a second box.

Notes:

This was made using a J hook.

The yarn is Red Heart Super Saver Stripes Favorite Stripe.

Rag Doll Swim Suit

Another swim suit completed for my 2026 challenge. This is actually a free Dora the Explorer Doll crochet pattern you can find here.

Notes:

I used a J hook for the suit and an I hook for the skirt. I did not add the extra row this year.

I do add a finishing row around the outer arms.

This is the first year I didn't have an issue with the pattern not joining right away. It could be that I've made notes every year to remind myself but it seemed to flow more easily this year.

Our Generation Nightgown

Every year I try to get to patterns I've either never used or infrequently used for the donation. I don't believe I've ever used this Herrschners' Playtime and Pajamas 18 Inch Doll Ensemble pattern. I believe it was likely part of a kit but I found it as a second hand pattern and then never made it.

Years ago when I tried some of their doll kits I found the patterns ran small for me so I went into this one with an experimental attitude. The original pattern called for size 2 afghan yarn and a C hook. I used a mixture of Premier Basix size 3 petal pink and Herschnerrs worsted 4 for this project. When I make it again I'd look for Premier Basix in colors closer to the original as I think it was a good fit for size.

I needed an f hook for this project.

The outfit is closed with a snap.

I'm currently experimenting to see if my second try with this pattern can be rescued for one of the other dolls as it was too small for the Our Generation. The first try was too small for any of my donations.

I would make my own headband pattern next time, but I was playing yarn chicken with the pink and didn't want to lose. It needs to be wider. I did like the flower.