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.

Ken Valentine Tank Top and Pants

I stumbled across a free Barbie heart Valentine's sweater pattern but my first attempt was clearly going to be too large for Barbie so I turned it into a tank top for Ken and then made him a pair of pants to make it a set. You can find the pattern here.

I haven't given up on this for Barbie I just need to find the right fiber. It suggested fingering weight yarn so I tried size 3 thread and a D hook which was suggested. This clearly was too big. I'd make this in the future for Ken as a fun Ken and Barbie set but I am considering if I want to join as with Barbie's bent arms it makes getting clothes on and off more challenging.

I did not use the white finishes for Ken as I went with a tank top rather than the Barbie sweater.

The pants are my standard go to of measuring and sewing a piece of elastic together waist size for the doll. I then single crochet around the elastic for the first row. The rest of the rows are in dc. When I reach the crotch I split with a chain 4 reducing I believe to 15 dc per leg.

Glitter Girl Valentine Sweetheart

Thanks to Adoring Doll's patterns I've been able to add more outfits for the Glitter Girl over the years. You can purchase her Valentine pattern here.

Notes:

I've gotten better over the years about taking notes on my projects to make future projects easier since I reuse many patterns for future donations. I did OK with last year's notes on this project but there were improvements to include this year.

I use the suggested e hook for the dress and I moved to a D hook for the shoes this year.

The reminder to not forget the skip in row 10 was helpful so I'll include it in this year's notes as well.

I continue for two rows in pattern after row 17 for length.

Last year I felt the hearts and bow were bulky so this year I used size 3 thread and an e hook and I liked the outcome better.

I also noted the hair tie needed to be longer, I didn't count but think it was close to 120.

Lastly, I made this in the darker grey suggested in the project picture last year and I'd return to that for next year. I went with what I had on hand, but I am sure dark grey will return to the stash before the 2027 donation.

2025

Glitter Girl Sleeping Bag

For years I've used Adoring Doll's camping set sleeping bag for this donation.

I've just never been a fan of the mummy sack sleeping bags. My brothers had the down ones for deep winter camping and of course it was all I had available when I needed a sleeping bag and I found them horribly confining.

Last year after finishing the mummy sack I promised myself I'd look into adapting the free 18 inch sleeping bag pattern for the smaller doll and here we are with a new sleeping bag.

Notes:

This was made adapting a free 18 inch doll pattern found here.

The only change I needed to make was to use a G hoook. After establishing the pattern I don't count rows I measure length against the doll before closing the bottom and that is what I did for the smaller Glitter Girl.

This was made with Red Heart Super Saver Bonbon print and required slightly over one skein to finish. I leave this as a note as it is significantly less than the other dolls but still not a single skein project unless it is a jumbo skein.

Skipper Swimsuit

As I was working on my swimsuit challenge for 2025 I had to adapt patterns for Skipper and Stacie as there are very few pattern written specifically for these dolls. I chose the swimsuit pattern from an out of print Leisure Arts leaflet 2132 Hawaiian Honeymoon Fashion Doll Wardrobe for this project and decided to stay with it for 2026.

Notes:

I used a B hook with no longer available size 5 Bernat Handicrafter thread for this project.

I had looked into purchasing more size 5 Artiste from Hobby Lobby but the color selection is a bit low at the moment. However, Creative Yarn Source does carry size 5 in more colors and I'm thinking of getting a supply. I'm discovering I have more Goldilocks projects which are too small with size 10 thread but bulky with size 3. With no color options its been a bit challenging to move to size 5. I'm hoping to correct that soon.

One of the notes I made previously was that the piece needed to be even after row 2. This became clear to me and once again I adjusted as I was off. I took a picture to remind myself of how the crotch needs to be balanced or the whole piece is off center.

After row 1 on shaping don't count slip stitches.

I generally sc around leg openings but this time I opted for hdc and the look was better to close the gaps.

Ken Pajamas

I can get a few years out of one Ken doll model but it is often hard to stock up until I'm sure I really like a model.

The dentist for instance was not my favorite Ken he was a bit smaller which meant every pattern had to be modified to fit him drastically. Last year was my final year with a hiking Ken model. Sadly when I realized he was a great fit for my patterns he was no longer available so he had a limited shelf life.

This brings us to It Takes Two Camping Ken which I was smart enough to stock up on this version so I have an additional 5 years to go. This is good because once again I have a model that seems to fit the patterns I have.

Unfortunatly, they've already discontinued the Stacie and Skipper dolls from this set which is sad because they both again fit the patterns I have so well. I'm finding it hard to find replacements for these two. I have time as I have two more years for Skipper and three for Stacie so perhaps something will be released before then.

This is actually a jumpsuit pattern found in Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 inch Fashion Dolls including a Complete Wedding Esemble and Trousseau. When I originally saw the pattern I thought it was PJ's so I decided to adapt the pattern using the top for my pajamas top and making pants.

Notes:

I used a D hook and Baby Bernat Sport Blue yarn for the top and followed most of the pattern as written through row 10 where I stopped before joining to make the jumpsuit. The one major difference I made was to use sc for the collar as it was way to large with the suggested dc. The sleeves worked as written.

I made the pants the way I make most of Ken's pants. I measured and sewed a piece of elastic big enough for his waist and crocheted around it with a C hook and the same yarn as the top. When I reached the crotch I split the paints by chaining 4 in the middle and joining thus creating two legs of equal stitches. After reading last year's notes I made each leg 19 rows from waist to bottom of the leg.

These are the smallest white butttons that come in my button sets I buy. Just an FYI note to myself for future projects. I actually did come back and check this note and picture from last year so I'm adding it back because it helped me decide which buttons to use.

Chelsea Valentine's Dress

Chelsea enters the Valentine's challenge with a pattern that can be purchased from Michelle Ratman here.

Notes:

This was made with Lizbeth size 3 Pink Ice Crochet thread and an e hook.

I changed the sc to hdc and the hdc to dc and this will require reducing the bodice section when I make this again as it is longer than I had planned.

The dc are worked between the stitches.

I would use this color again as I like the blend it makes, I would make it shorter. I have green I may try as a Spring dress for her.

Rag Doll A Dress for February

This is one of Darski's free Dora the Explorer patterns that I use for both the Rag Doll and the 16 inch baby doll. You can find it here.

I generally change to an I hook for the skirt but life happens and I did not. I have made additional notes on the pattern and here to remind myself as I will be making this for one of the 16 inch baby dolls, too.

Notes:

This was made with worsted weight 4 yarn in red, white, and light pink. I've traded off over the years using dark red or dark pink.

I use a K hook for the top portion of the dress switching to an I hook for the skirt in Row 8

The dress is joined after row 7.

In order to get this to fit both dolls I need to chain 8 for the arm holes.

Eventually these have to be reduced as the waist will be too large. It is a balance but this was made for Dora not the two dolls I use it for and the dimensions are different.

I finished the back adding a button hole loop.