Chelsea Cinderella

I originally purchased Sweet Silver Creations' AG Mini crochet pattern set with Chelsea in mind. I had adapted some AG mini patterns from a different designer and though these would be a good match.

I hadn't had much luck with her Kelly 6 inch patterns when I tried ages ago. I was tempted to try again as I have more experience now and access to multiple sizes of thread but while I was able to buy a single AG Mini pattern first and then buy the set, there wasn't a similiar option for the Kelly set. The Cinderella pattern is available here for purchase. She also has a complete set for the mini's here.

After making Skipper and Stacie's dresses in size 10 thread with a 1.8mm hook for Skipper and a 1.25mm for Stacie I had hoped when I reduced the thread to size 20 that I wouldn't have to go below a 1mm hook. Not the case.

Notes:

I used size 20 thread from Creative Yarn Source and after experimenting discovered the .75mm hook was the right size for the project.

I've bought a considerable amount of yarn and thread over the last couple of months to replace or stock for some of the smaller dolls but there are always holes in my inventory. I did not have light blue and I believe the contrast yarn may be their turquoise. It was that or white. I am not scheduled to order more thread from them for a few more months.

With the .75 mm hook I did not need to increase the number of rows to get the bodice to fit as I had to do for Stacie and Skipper. Like the other two dolls though I did have to decrease at the neck to get the neck to fit the doll.

For the skirt I did rows 1-14 as written. I then completed rows 21-22. This gave me the floor length the pattern required.

The headband was more challenging with the smaller thread and hook. I'd consider adding an additional row the next time I make this.

The collar is challenging as it really shouldn't be wider at the neck but adding a closer without it being wider is difficult. I think I may add a row next year and see how it looks because the snap at the neck is really difficult to use.

Chelsea Swim Suit

The weather this spring has been rather wet and cold. When it does warm up its been humid. What better way to change the attitude than to think of swim suit weather and so I begin my annual swim suit doll donation project.

Notes:

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

With some adjustments this pattern will also fit Stacie so I hope to get her swim suit completed for this year as well.

I used size 20 Creative Yarn Resources I believe bright yellow and Lizbeth Tropical Punch for this project. I decided it was time to change up the colors I used for this project.

For my own records the Lizbeth came from Handy Hands as my variegated supply is getting low and I'm going to need to restock in the not too distant future.

This outfit was made using a 1.25mm thread crochet hook.

A note for future projects, I need to reduce the initial stiches for the crotch as it does not sit well between Chelsea's legs at the current width.

Chelsea Critter Empire Dress

I've been pleasantly surprised to discover with a little adaptation some of the Calico Critter Mom patterns will fit Chelsea. I'm always thrilled when I can get one pattern to fit multiple dolls. I'm currently experimenting to see if I can get it to stretch just a little more to fit Stacie as sadly I have few patterns for her and finding ones that I can adapt for her is a great blessing.

Notes:

As with the Calico Critter project I wrote about before I continued with size 10 thread for both colors. The odd part was the Calico bodice was huge on Chelsea. She needed a much smaller width but a longer length.

I used a 1.25 mm hook for Chelsea.

I repeated row 6 of the pattern until the dress reached Chelsea's knees. I then did row 7 and 8.

I've started Stacie's dress so we will see if it works out as I hoped. Sometimes while something looks good on Chelsea it doesn't quite work for Stacie. If it works you will see it here.

Chelsea Critter Party Dress

Mostly when I crochet late at night trying to finish something the outcomes are not always great. However, sometimes I make interesting discoveries.

As I was finishing the Calico Critter's Mom Party Dress I happened to grab the Chelsea doll by accident and tried the dress on her. Clearly the dress was too short but oddly the dress was not too tight. I took a closer look at the dress and realized it could be a top for Chelsea or with some work I could actually get it to work as a dress. I just needed to make the skirt section longer.

Notes:

This was made with size 20 crochet thread and a 1mm hook.

I didn't count the extra skirt rows I just kept trying it on the doll until I reached the point I wanted to add the trim to the bottom.

Like the Calico Critter I had to decrease the top section to keep the straps from sliding off. Again it would be worth exploring the arm chains.

I am curious to explore more Calico Critter patterns for Chelsea options.

Chelsea Summer Dress and Hat

I've been working on adapting Petite Doll Designs American Girl Mini patterns to fit Chelsea. I've found with work the patterns will fit. I thought I'd found a standard hook size for her patterns but this one required some decreases at the bodice to get it to fit properly. I think I'd go with a smaller hook the next time.

You can purchase the pattern here.

Notes:

I used a 1.25mm hook with size 20 crochet thread. When I make this in the future I'd consider a 1mm hook.

The skirt is long and I'd consider removing rows 6-7 when I made this again. It isn't supposed to be floor length.

I did a sc followed by a decrease around the bodice and arms to tighten the top as it was too large for the smaller Chelsea. This might not be as big an issue with a smaller hook.

Chelsea Block Dress

A while back I started picking up 6 inch doll patterns from Petite Doll Designs for the Chelsea Doll. It wasn't until someone posted about the patterns in an American Girl Doll forum I asked if these would fit Chelsea not making the connection since the designer's name hadn't been posted. Sure enough I never realized I'd been buying American Girl mini patterns not actual Chelsea patterns but they work.

With some adaptations I can also get them to work for Stacie which is awesome since I have so few patterns to fit her. I discovered that when I made the coat following the directions as written and Stacie had a coat and I never got back to making one for Chelsea. Learning from that mistake I started with the adaptations I learned from previous mistakes and not only finished this outfit but have started on Stacie's outfit for next week.

You can purchase the pattern for this project here.

Notes:

I used size 20 crochet thread and a 1.25 mm hook for this project.

Since I didn't understand the directions for the armholes I chained 1 skipped 10 stitches for each armhole and continued the directions as written. I had to fudge the skipped and continued stitches on the pattern to come out even but it worked since I was not clear on how the arms were supposed to be created as written.

I sc around the armholes to finish when the dress was done to make them cleaner using decreases to fix some areas that were in need of shaping after the pattern change.

I changed the last row to follow the pattern of 4 rather than increasing. I tried the increase but it made the dress too bulky for Chelsea. In the future I might just try the 4 rows it is a bit longer than I had hoped.

The directions call for a close tie but I used the directions to finish the back and neck and used a snap to close the top of the outfit.

I followed the hat pattern as written.

I tried the shoes but opted not to make as they were just too big and bulky even with the smaller thread. I've found crochet fashion doll shoes a tough task.

Chelsea Summer Play Set

I try to balance getting some of the accessory projects finished with getting some clothing items done early in the donation months. One thing I've tried to do in recent years is try to start of the year making sure I get something done for each doll as it is easy to fall behind when you have nothing done for one doll and the year is a quarter gone.

I'm balancing a few challenge projects with some simple clothing projects I tend to include each year to get something in each doll's bag.

I found this to be a quick and easy pattern for Chelsea once I adapted the pattern.

In past years I've made this a full length dress but with this color I really liked the shorter look.

Notes:

You can find the free pattern here.

This pattern is the base for the Chelsea dress but do to the differences in dolls I've made significant changes.

The pattern calls for size 30 thread I use size 10 for Chelsea with a 1.8mm thread hook.

I follow rows 1-4 of the pattern as written with the changes in thread and hook size.

Following row 4 I continue row 4 for an additional 4 rows joining after completing 8 rows.

I changed the pattern's written row 5's V stitch to 2dc ch1 2 dc instead of dc ch1 dc I kept the skip stitch in place.

The dolls are different sizes and I never counted the skirt rows. I continue until the dress fits passed the doll's knees.

To close the back I use a snap after finishing the back with sc.