Dog and Bed Playset Kits for Kids

I am preposting the week before the weekend before the donation needs to be dropped off. I had hoped last week would have been a more productive finish to the project but a few set backs and I was only able to complete two more items to send off with the donation.

I am hoping to get to the assembly of the outgoing bags in May and that should give me a better idea of what to make for the 2027 donation.

I've made many of this designers playsets for family. The directions are clear and the sets are adorable. DH recently gifted me a mouse royal set I hope to include in next year's donation. You can purchase the dog set here.

I wanted to control the size of this set as it needs to fit in a bag with other items.

I used an e hook with some inherited Zayre brand yarn for the dog. I had no idea this was even in my stash until I started digging for lighter beige/brown colors and came across this one. I have been gifted quite a bit of yarn from people who have lost family members and have no idea what to do with the yarn. I clearly didn't remember the Zayre brand as it was long out of business when I started to crochet. I will say I would have been a regular customer if I'd been crocheting back then even after all these years it worked up well.

I sewed his arms to the body before attaching the head. The ears were attached to the head before sewing on the body.

The pattern sews on the eyes and nose I used safety eyes and noses. I am not a huge fan of having to sew them so when possible I use the safety option.

The blanket is made with Red Heart Super Saver and a G hook. The ball is made with Hobby Lobby Sport Yarn and a D hook.

I ended up working the second to last bowl row in back loops to leave an opening to sew the blue water to the bowl. It looked better than my first try at sewing it to the bowl.

Last note for myself would be more aware of the blanket size. The directions felt too small but my final product is a bit too large. I need to find a happy spot as I'm sure this will be part of next year's donation plan. There is a similiar cat pattern from this designer I have that I'd like to make and add for next year as well.

Kits for Kids Chelsea Simply Bluetiful

This is a new donation project for me this year and until I work on the packing project in May I'm not sure if all my choices are the best but we work on the information we have to make the best choices we can.

For my main doll donation of the year I tend to buy or add accessories to the dolls I buy. However, this donation is different. Space for all items is limited to a single bag and I'm trying to limit the pieces that can be lost as a child moves.

During the recent sales I stocked up on some of my Barbie dolls. I've been thinking about what direction to go with Chelsea as the It Takes Two Camping set I've picked will eventually be discontinued. I was able to stock up for a few more years. My hesitation has been that most of the Chelsea models have a hard plastic "tshirt" that can show through depending on the outfit I make. The dark blue and even the yellow from the camping have not been a huge issue but as I started to shop not only were the newer colors more likely to clash with the outfits I made but they also had print designs on them to look more like a child's tshirt. I get the concept but again not quite helpeful for making clothes.

As I was thinking about what to do for the next Chelsea I found out about this donation and saw there was a basic Chelsea in two skin tones being offered. It's Barbie and friends Club Chelsea. I picked up on at my local Walmart to test how the clothes would fit because the measurements didn't match the current model doll I was using. After realizing the fit would work I picked up a couple of each skin tone for donations during the big sales in March.

This fit my goal of a simple doll. This model has a gingham dress and shoes. The body has no plastic tshirt cover common in the Chelsea line which makes dressing her a bit easier.

Notes:

This has been my go to free Chelsea pattern found here.

I used a 1.8 mm thread hook for this project.I used a 1.8 mm thread hook for this project.

I did not decrease rounds when joining at round 7 or the project would be too small for this Chelsea doll.I used a 1.8 mm thread hook for this project.

The back and top were finished and back closed with a snap.

For this outfit I did add trim at bottom.

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.