My Life Pilgrim

My now adult nieces were the ones that introduced me to the American Girl dolls and they always seemed to like the historical stories that went with the dolls.

I've always tried to include some historical themed clothes with the 18-inch dolls I donate. In the past I've used Darski's free We Gather pattern for my Pilgrim costume. You can find it here. This year I wanted to try Adoring Dolls pattern which can be purchased here.

This pattern was easy to follow but for my own notes I did make some adjustments. First I used an I hook instead of an H as I found the dress was a bit tight. I also added a few rows to the torso prior to joining as it was hard to get the arms into the arm holes when I joined it as suggested. Even remaking with I hook did not change this challenge but the added rows did. This could just be a factor of my guage and these notes are for my use when I make this pattern again.

I love the boots for this pattern and will definetly be using them with other 18-inch doll patterns as they work up quickly and easily and fit well. The bonnet was slightly disappointing and I ended up reworking it as I do with the We Gather pattern. I will continue to work mine and at some point do need to write down the pattern so I have it for my records.

I ended up adding a few rows to the apron again could just be my guage to make it the length in the picture. To make the ties more secure I chained 40 and then crocheted across the top of the apron chained 40 sc into the chains across the top again and then into the chains at the other end. When I do this again I'd ss not sc into the chains. It would make for less bulky ties.

I'm getting closer to my donation date and have been shopping the holiday sales settling on some of the Lil Cutesies sets for my Christmas package. I've decided along with the dolls and accessories I purchased I'm going to try to put together a wardrobe including some accessories using patterns I make for the donation dolls. With this in mind I'll likely be wrapping up the donation project soon to have enough time to finish my Christmas items. I want to make sure they have quite the wardrobes.

Of course the donation project never really ends once my Christmas projects are done it will be time to start working on Doll Donation 2022.

I've already got many of the dolls purchased for next year. I managed to pick up Barbie the same time I found the Lil Cutesies Christmas gifts and I purchased a few of the same doll so I should be good for a few years without having to look for a new model. I also picked up another couple of Chelsea dolls as I'm hoping to do better with her outfits if I start earlier. Still need Stacie, Skipper, and Ken. I know the dolls I want for the first two but am waiting on price. Still haven't found a replacement Ken I like as they discountinued the farmer I used this year. That leaves me with the JC Toys - Lots to Love Babies 14" Doll that I haven't found at a price I like. I also still need the 2 JC Toys - La Baby16-inch Baby Dolls which with all the supply chain issues could be challenging. I've been remarkably blessed so far. These may just be something I end up buying after Christmas.

American Girl Pilgrim

There are some outfits I try to include every year in my donation and others that rotate around as I get new patterns and have to decide what to include and what I don't have time to make. I try to include as many of the holiday outfits as I can each year. When possible I try to get them done before Christmas or right after as they seem not to get finished if I wait until Spring.

This year I dived into the Pilgrim outfit shortly after finishing my Christmas scarf presents. This is an adaption of Darski's We Gather Together pattern found here. Every year I promise myself I will write down the changes I've made and then I remember it doesn't work out that easily. I took pictures and I work through the pictures slightly differently each year.

The sticking point this year was buttons. I just don't enjoy sewing buttons. I put it off for several days and finally finished sewing them on on Tuesday. It isn't a complicated process, just not the part I enjoy. I've started on the Mrs. Claus outfit. The hat is almost finished. Then I'll adapt this same pattern to make Mrs. Claus' dress. Hopefully I'll have that finished so I can get the Christmas party dress completed before Christmas.

Another change I made this year to the Pilgrim outfit was using off white for the hat, apron, and trim. A friend's sister passed away and he offered me the yarn she left behind. Most of it is off white in various brands. It's good quality acrylic and I'm determined to honor her by finding ways to use it in my donation project this year. Next up I'm thinking of using it in a doll sweater I make every year. I've got quite a bit of it, so you'll see it popping up. I think it is a great way to honor her memory.

American Girl Pilgrim

I finished the first doll outfit for the 2014 doll donation in time to show it off for Thanksgiving at my house.

This is based on a free pattern found here. I've made this pattern so many times that I've adapted it and it looks a bit different from the original. It is the basis for my Mrs. Claus outfit and my Halloween witch, too.

I didn't get the time to make this one for the 2013 donation, so I wanted to make it a priority to get it completed. Working on it while preparing for Thanksgiving felt right. I have since finished the Santa Hat for Mrs. Claus and have started on a holiday dress. I like a break between repeating a pattern. While the dress is slightly different for Mrs. Claus, it's nice to work on something that is completely different in between. My goal is to finish all the Christmas themed outfits before Christmas and then hopefully turn to other types of outfits. I usually reach a point where I have to stop crocheting doll clothes and work on amigurumi's or some other type of crochet for a while. I am hoping to build up a stash before that happens.