Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Moses Basket

My goal is to complete all the bassinet/moses basket projects by the end of summer. I have two more to complete and that goal will be achieved.

This basket is made using Annie Potter Presents Sweet Baby Doll Layette. I haven't been able to find an active link for her patterns for a while now so I've stopped trying. Her pattern site pops up and then disappears. It is different from Annie's. The blanket is from Darski's BBL free pattern found here.

Notes:

The basket is made with Premier Puzzle Yarn and the blanket is part of my project to identify yarns that have been here a bit and need to become an actual project, Lion Brand Baby Soft dusty lilac. I like the texture of the yarn but a bit pale if I were thinking of buying it again.

The basket requires a H hook and the blanket a g.

I still have more of this shade of Premier but I found some green that also needs to go for the Lil Cutesie basket. I'm going to be starting it up for my travel bag and even trying to alternate some work on it in between other projects as I really want these done early in August.

16 inch Baby Doll A-Line Dress Part 2

This is the second A-line dress made from Margaret Funk's out of print Baby Doll Fashion's to Crochet for the second 16 inch baby doll being donated. The shoes are from a free Darski pattern set found here. The headband was something I experimented with on the first dress. It was made chaining the distance around the doll's head and doing a row of dc.

Notes:

This was made with Lion Brand Mint Ice Cream Yarn. I'm determined to use up more yarn on hand on projects that don't have specific yarn requirements. These two A-Line dress projects were a great chance to use up some yarn that I had intentions for at one point but have never used so it is time for them to become productive and move out.

The dress requires an I hook and the shoes a J hook with the lighter yarn.

I finish the back and around the front in sc closing the back with a snap.

Ken Swim Trunks

I was up bright and early Saturday morning for my water aerobics class after finishing Ken's swim trunks Friday night.

I contimplated trying the swim trunks from the Margaret Funk booklet but after realizing the size 10 thread was too large I was not going down to size 20 thread for swim trunks and thus returned to Leisure Arts out of print Honeymoon Wardrobe leaflet 2132 that I'd started using last year.

Notes:

This was made with Baby Bernat Big Ball Sport yarn blue and white and a 2.5 tulip hook.

Contrasting color changes in row 2 and lasts for 2 rows. I missed this some how.

These shorts join later than I expected despite making them before. They close in the back with a snap.

Chelsea Critter Empire Dress

I discovered last year that Char Caywood's Calico Critter Mom Empire dress does fit Chelsea and Stacie with some minor adaptations. I have limited patterns for Barbie's sisters so I'm always thrilled to find something unexpected. You can purchase the pattern here.

This is made with size 10 thread.

The White is Aunt Lydias and the multi-colored is from a box of Artiste Thread smaller sample sized cones that I buy for these smaller doll projects. I love the color blends that they don't seem to sell as individual larger sized cones and they provide great options for small projects and trims. I love being able to reach into the box and come out with different options for the doll projects.

Notes:

This was made with a 1.25 mm hook.

Chelsea needs more length than the Calico Mom so I repeat row 6 until it reaches her knees before doing rows 7 and 8. A new note for this year is to remember to turn after joining the added rows to continue the pattern texture.

I finished the back and added a snap to close. Last year I finished around the neck. I would do that for future projects.

Our Generation Purple Dress

I am fortunate to have a rather large collection of crochet patterns for the 18 inch dolls so I don't have to repeat every pattern every year to get a decent wardrobe for the three female 18 inch dolls I set out to dress each year. I have some favorites and must do's for each donation round but others surprise me that they haven't been seen for a bit.

This is one of Adoring Doll's patterns that can be purchased here.

My schedule this year of rotating through the dolls on a regular basis has led me to dig deeper into my 18 inch doll binders and it is fun to see patterns that haven't been out in a while. This one was made for the My Life doll back in 2021. After looking at my notes and with a weird mistake to start the skirt I made a few changes for the Our Generation Doll.

For my own notes for future years, I've started to make many of the larger doll patterns especially in sections. In this case I started with the skirt, made the shirt, and jacket later and finished off with the accessories. This allowed me to start this project in between finishing off last weeks smaller doll projects.

Notes:

Shirt:

I started the project with the pink shirt and the suggested H hook. I followed my directions from last project not to join which requires 3 buttons instead of 1.

Skirt:

The skirt was made with an I which changes to an H hook as the pattern suggests just with different hooks.

I mistakenly started with the Red Heart Super Saver Amethyst yarn. It is supposed to be white at the top with a bottom trim of purple.

I made it that way for the My Life doll previously but I wasn't crazy about the long patch of white against the purple.

The white wedged between purple just worked better for me and I'd do that again for future projects.

I started with purple changing to white in row 5 and then changed back to purple as the directions suggested.

Jacket:

I used the suggested H hook for the jacket.

On my copy there is no line space between row 2 and 3 and I kept trying to use row 3's stitch count and figuring I'd made a mistake. I circled the correct count but an extra note here hopefully will remind me not to make this mistake.

I followed the jacket directions as written. This is one of the easier jacket patterns for me. My only suggestion for the future is to ss around the arm openings as this helps keep the fingers from catching.

Shoes/Socks

The shoes and socks required all three colors and a G hook. I made both shoes first, finished them off and then added the socks.

Scarf/Headband:

I made these after finishing the jacket and I just circled a note on the pattern to remind myself that neither are made in purple. I was half way through a very pretty purple scarf when I saw the picture and realized I had just continued on with the jacket colors without thinking.

I used Red Heart Super Saver Turqua for both items.

They both require a g hook.

Skipper Poncho and Pants

This poncho pattern is one of Michelle Ratman's that is currently unavailable. She does sell quite a few Barbie style poncho patterns on Etsy but I purchased this one a few years ago and found it works well for both Barbie and Skipper.

The pants were made using an out of print House of White Birches leaflet Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 inch Fashion Dolls skiing pattern. A note to myself the Barbie pattern fits Skipper well, the Ken pattern is required for both Barbie and Ken with a few row additions.

Notes:

The poncho was made with the Red Heart Unforgettable Candied yarn I had left over from the Lil Cuties Mermaid project.

I've slowly stocked up not just on Tulip Etimo hooks specifically the red for my lighter weight yarns or yarns like Unforgettable which tend to catch and tangle more easily. I'm still not a fan of them for traditional worsted projects but I've noticed a difference using them for my under 4 weight projects.

I used the 2.75 mm hook which is the C equivelent with the Knit Picks Palette yarn for the pants. While the Barbie pants fit Skipper better I still need to add rows to get the length correct. Not sure if this is because of a change in fiber or the original Barbie this was designed for was different.

When I made this previously for Skipper I used Shine sport and needed a larger hook for the head opening. With the Unforgettable the E hook worked well for the whole project.

16 Inch Baby Doll A-Line Dress

I feel very fortunate to have found a copy of the out of print newsprint Baby Doll Fashion's to Crochet by Margaret Funk. They've been several patterns that have expanded the donation wardrobe for the 16 inch Baby Dolls.

Notes:

This dress pattern is from that book. The shoes are from Darski's free Peachy Keen pattern found here. The headband was made chaining the distance around the doll's head and doing a row of dc. I tried experimenting with other options but it was all too bulky.

This is made with Lion Brand Ice Cream Yarn Grape and an I hook for the dress and the headband. The shoes require a J hook with the lighter yarn.

I finished the back and and the front with sc adding a snap to close. I also finished the arm holes with sc to make them a little smoother.

My plan is to make a second A-line dress for the second 16 inch baby donation doll soon. I made this dress previously in solid colors I like the striped yarns better.

Our Generation Boy Pajamas

When I decided on the nightwear challenge last year finding something for the Our Generation boy led me to an 18 inch doll girl's Christmas Pajamas pattern sold here.

The pajamas pattern she has for the boy look more like a summer t-shirt and shorts. Not that many of us haven't use those for night wear but I wanted something that looked like night clothes for the donation.

I made notes last year that I actually turned the pattern around and found it easier to close the onsie in the back with a snap and add a panel with buttons for show in the front. I continued with that this year. My goal is to make clothes as simple as I can to put on and take off for small hands. The snap in the back was easier to make work. I also continue to find for what ever reason the onsie sits better on the doll back to front.

Notes:

This was made with Red Heart Super Saver Light Blue and White. As I mentioned in last year's post the Caron Pounder color I really liked for this outfit was discontinued.

I did not include the hat that comes with the pattern.

A note to self the length of the legs seems to change each year. I have a note from both years about how many rows I need prior to adding the white trim. Use them as suggestions and try it on to see how the fit looks. I needed more rows this year than last and that could be me or the difference between the yarn I used.

While I still have a significant number of swimsuits to make I believe I just have the Rag Doll's nightgown to complete for the 2026 challenge.

Calico Critter Mom Party Dress

This is one of On a Calico Day's Patterns that can be purchased here.

I've been working on the Calico Critter projects as they are quick projects to work on as I'm making the larger more complicated doll patterns. I finished the pants for the Our Generation Boy and the top section for his PJ's and stopped and made this as one completed project.

The longer more complicated projects are important for the donation but there is something mentally relaxing about having something completed and ready to go in a donation bag without multiple work sessions.

Notes:

I tried an experiment that was semi succesful. The 1mm hook was too tight for the top this year so I used the 1.5mm hook. I would transfer to the 1mm hook for the skirt for future projects. I used the 1mm for the trim.

This is made with size 20 thread.

The neckline needs to be reduced as a result of the skipped stiches to create the arms. I've thought about reducing the arms but haven't tried it yet.

Our Generation Boy Doctor

I made this for the Our Generation Boy donation two years ago and decided to bring it back into the rotation.

This is one of Adoring Doll Clothes 18 inch Girl patterns that can be purchased here. It also includes a lab coat but having tried and failed to make it work I've stuck with the scrubs.

This was actually the last picture I took as I finished the main outfit Saturday night and didn't realize until I took the first picture and posted it that I'd forgotten to make the mask. So I stopped working on my post, finished the mask and took another picture.

Notes:

This was madw with Red Heart Super Saver Turqua. For my own notes for future projects it took almost a skein to finish the project. I used a little Red Heart Super Saver white for the mask. The bottom picture is actually one of my notes for this project.

I've always had trouble with shirts that require sewing the shoulder seams together unless there is only one place for the seem to happen. Sure enough this is shirt two as I sewed the seems incorrectly the first time after convincing myself that my first instinct was wrong on where the shirt should be seemed. This picture of the second shirt was a hope that it would remind me next time why the shoulders form the way they do when the seem is made in the correct place.Notes:

Notes:

Pants:

My previous notes about the pants were correct. I needed an H hook and 36 total rows from top to bottom appears to be a good row count. Still playing with tie. 90 chains not enough 120 is a little long. Perhaps 110 next time.

Shirt:

I needed an H hook for the shirt too. The sleeves need a G and the pocket an f.

The short front edges should attach to the outside back edges not the inside ones. I tend to think this and then become certain this is wrong thus the multiple shirts. thus the reason for the picture.

Mask:

H hook for the mask and a D hook for the ear loops.

Hat:

I used an H hook for the hat and I was pleased with the fit with no additional rows.

Shoes:

The shoes were made with the suggested G hook.

Ken Ski Outfit

This is from another House of White Birches newsprint leaflet Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 inch Fashion Dolls from Margaret Funk. I've made this set previously but it didn't make it into the 2025 donation.

Notes:

This was made with Knit Picks Palette Fingering Yarn Rainforest Heather and Custard.

I took advantage of their summer sale to stock up on Palette for my doll projects as my color selection was running low. Until my next order arrives I'm lacking in pant colors.

I've been experimenting with the different sized hooks available to me through my Tulip purchases to see if I can get better fits for some of the doll projects.

I'd previously used a C hook for the pants. This time I used a 3.0mm hook with a wider elastic band as the previous elastic was prone to not staying together. I'd stick with this hook size for future projects.

The sweater used the same 3.0mm hook as the pants. I make two major changes to the sweater. I do one large stripe rather than two small as I found the stripe was lost doing a single row. I also do not decrease the arms at the bottom as I found Ken's hands weren't going through the sleeve. I do ss the sleeves and the pant bottoms to decrease the catching that happens as the outfit is taken on and off.

I had made a note previously about using an e hook for the hat. This Ken has suprisingly wide molded hair and the bigger hook makes the hat fit over his hard head.

16 Inch Baby Doll Summer Dress 2

This is the second summer dress for the second 16 Inch Baby Doll

It is clear since I make it frequently that this is one of my favorite patterns for the 16 inch baby dolls. It works up fairly quickly and I like the way it looks, the ease of getting it on and off, and the ability to make it with different yarns.

This comes from an out of print House of White Birches newsprint leaflet Baby Doll Fashions to Crochet by Margaret Funk. I have noticed this newsprint leaflet and a couple of the fashion doll leaflets popping up for sale if you decide it is something you wish to seek out. I'm on my second copy of this one, although I preserved what I could of the first copy after my now 3 year old puppy decided newsprint made for a delightful chew when he was just a baby himself.

The dress is a 16 inch doll pattern from this book. The hat is adapted from the Bell hat pattern for a 13 inch doll also from this book. The shoes are my go to free shoe pattern from Darski's Peachy Keen pattern found here.

Notes:

This outfit was made with Lion Brand Ice Cream yarn Parafait.

To get this to fit the JC 16 Inch Baby Doll I started with an E hook and repeated row 5 once. Thus rows 3-6 follow the original directions for 3-5 moving each row directions down one. For the original row 6 now row 7 that starts the skirt I moved to a D hook to decrease the skirt size as it was too large with the e hook.

I started the directions for the 13 inch Baby Doll Bell hat using an e hook and increased the rows prior to creating the brim to account for the larger 16 inch baby doll head.

Using lighter yarn for the shoes requires a J hook to get them to fit.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Swimsuit

The Lots to Love 10 inch Baby Doll was next on my swimsuit list.>

This is a Baby Steps pattern that includes directions for the Lots to Love 10 inch Doll. You can purchase the pattern here.

The version I have has a cover picture of the Baby Steps doll not the Lots to Love doll. I always add this because I find myself thinking there must be another pattern in my binder for this project and there is not.

Notes:

At one of Knit Picks sales I found their Curio size 3 thread and added to my color options. The main color of the suit is size 3 Curio pistachio. The contrast color is Lizbeth size 3 Pastel Petals.

I really like the green for this project.

I used an f hook for everything but the shoes which required an e hook.

Lizbeth was used for all the trims.

A note for future projects I'd consider not doing the trim between the ties next year. I liked the solid green but had made it with the trim previously so decided to go forward. In the future I might drop that trim.

I did finish the legs this year.