16 Inch Baby Doll Summer Christmas Dress

This is the last of the Christmas outfits I need for 2026 and I think I have enough of this yarn for next year's outfits.

The dress for this outfit is the Summer Dress pattern from the out of print newsprint House of White Birches Baby Doll Fashions to Crochet. The hat and shoes are from two different free pattern sets. The shoes can be found here and the hat here.

Notes:

To get this to fit the 16 inch baby doll with this yarn I used an e hook for the entire dress not changing to a D for the skirt as it would have been too tight.

As I mentioned in the post about the other 16 inch baby doll Christmas dress this is a sport weight metallic yarn of unknown origin. It is lighter than my baby weight sport yarns.

I repeat row 5 once thus changing the row numbers all the way down. I add skirt rows to get to the length I want. This time I added a sc trim to the top and arms. I used a sc skip 1 5 dc in the next for the bottom trim.

I need a J hook for the shoes with sport weight yarn. I used a G and f hooks for the hat.

Calico Critter Brother Christmas Overalls

With this Christmas outfit complete I need just one more for the 16 inch baby doll and all will leave with something to wear for Christmas.

This is a pattern set available for purchase here that has a pattern for the sister and brother Calico Critters.

Notes:

These are made with size 20 crochet thread and a 1mm thread hook.

I reversed the colors I used for Dad and having added the trim like I did with Dad chose not to use the buttons.

The pants legs are finished with a round of sc green and followed by a ss row.

16 Inch Baby Doll I Feel Pretty Christmas Dress

The two 16 Inch Baby dolls are some of the last Christmas outfits I need for the 2026 donation. I don't have specific Christmas patterns but I decided to take some classic patterns and use them for this project. This is Darski's free I Feel Pretty pattern found here. The shoes are another of her free patterns found here.

Notes:

The green yarn is a sport weight metallic yarn that was given to me a while back and I don't remember where it came from sadly. I tried using it on Darski's Green Christmas Dress for the 18 inch doll a few years back and it proved to be too light and ended up making an outfit for the Glitter Girl. I've not seen anything online similiar to this yarn.

The red is old Red Heart Sport and the white Bernat sport baby yarn.

I used an H hook for the dress. There is a correction for row 5 that requires a start of 9 dc not 8.

I did the first white contrast row where suggested, but after seeing the look of the red chose to add the additional length rows I need for this doll and end with the contrasting red color at the bottom.

Regarding the panties a note to self legs are formed in row 7. The red yarn was not great for making waist tie so I left it off.

Hat requires a G and F hook. I need 50 chains for hat to tie.

I used sc trim for neck. The arms had a sc to clean them up and then a sc chain 3 for decorative purposes.

With sport yarn the shoes need a J hook to fit.

Calico Critters Dad Christmas Overalls

Sadly I don't have many patterns for the male critters. I did discover one after the donation last year that I haven't tried but the overalls are my tried and true for the boys.

This is a On A Calico Day pattern that can be purchased here. It includes a pattern for Mom and Dad.

Notes:

I used size 20 thread and a 1mm hook to get these to fit.

There are several options for the pants. I can never get the full length legs to fit so mine are always the shorter legs and I choose not to add the cuff. This time I added a red trim to give it a holiday feel using sc around the top and surface stitching the bottom of the pants using a chain 1 between stitches.

I looked at adding buttons to this set of overalls but found with the contrasting colors it was too much.

Ken Christmas Caroler

I was able to track down links for the out of print free Ken Caroler pattern. Page 1, 2

While I'd made Barbie previously I'd never made Ken. The original pattern gives Ken a Christmas green coat and hat. It is a festive outfit but having already made a Santa outfit for Ken I was hoping for a more winter look that he could use to carol with Barbie but also might work for other winter play fun. Therefore I chose blue and black as my primary colors with some red highlights.

As I was cleaning my yarn stash I found a crate of Red Heart sport yarn and I am going to be putting it to use for projects like this one this year. I'm also hoping to replace the colors I finish off with Hobby Lobby's sport as it has a similiar weight.

Notes:

I used the suggested e hook for this project.

All the yarn except the hat was Red Heart Sport. I learned from making holiday yoga skeleton hats using Ken's holiday patterns that I need worsted 4 yarn so the hat is made with Red Heart Super Saver Black and an e hook.

The first thing that surprised me as I started this project is the coat is not a traditional coat but more of a tunic that attaches a cape to it.

As with Barbie in order to give the arms room to fit into the holes I did not join the first three rows and then used a snap to close the opening.

I followed the directions as written except I crabbed stitched around the hat edges and surfaced stitched the red trim around the hat.

I also followed the same directions for the book that I used with Barbie sewing the book together.

Having found the original pattern link I went back to look to see if I'd lost the directions for Ken's pants but I couldn't find any. I'm still playing with my directions because I don't love the crotch but this is what I did for this pair of pants.

Cut an elastic to fit Ken's waist.

Sc around elastic 24 stitches

Dc around for 3 rows

Split for legs dc in 12 stitches chain 3 and join

10 rows of 15 stitches

sc around

ss around

I'm thinking about trying the next pair of pants I make without the chain 3 to see if they sit better.

Finally I couldn't resist a picture of the two of them together caroling. I never know how the toys are distributed but I do like to think of the Barbie's heading out together.

Barbie Christmas Caroler

This is an old out of print pattern that was always free. Page 1 is available here. Page 2 here.

My suggestion is if you are interested in this pattern save it and print it as the last time I tried finding it I couldn't locate it. This time I almost missed it. I'm still trying to locate a link for Ken's companion pattern.

I found these patterns over 20 years ago when I was looking for Barbie patterns for my nieces. I started thinking about them again when Barbie made it back into my doll rotation for the donation. With the addition of a Christmas challenge both Barbie and Ken have benefited from the older patterns. If all goes well Ken will be leaving with a Santa and a Caroler pattern. After all Barbie isn't going to go caroling by herself.

I didn't take as many notes in the past so I am getting more dilegent about documenting my work for future projects: Notes:

I used Hobby Lobby's Sport Yarn for the dress and Bernat Big Baby for the trim. I haven't used a great deal of their sport yarn but it is incredibly soft. The one challenge with yarn, especially soft yarn and Barbie are her hands that can be claw like when putting on clothes. Other than that I really liked this and will be looking to get more for other patterns from this designer that I haven't visited in a bit.

I had a note on the pattern from the original time I made this not to join until finishing the first 3 rows. That worked for me and I added a snap to close. It is really hard to get the arms through the arm holes without the extra space.

I'm using the same technique for Ken's tunic like coat for his caroler outfit. I joined after row 3 and continued as written. Again to make it easier to get the arms in and out of the dress for the straps I chained 6. Without this the arms are just don't fit through the holes.

I finished back with sc around the straps.

I chose to use Bernat Baby for the trim.

The bottom of the skirt is done with surface crochet remembering to sc between stitches. This is not a formal stitch instruction but the only way it works for me.

The upper trim is ss chain 3 ss across.

The neck is sc

The cape is trimmed with crab stitch.

Note for the future do not decrease on dress sleeves. As noted Barbie's hands catch on yarn so a little width makes it easier to get clothes on and off. I added a 2dc trim around the end of the sleeve to widen the sleeve and this helped a little.

I ss to one side of the book and chain the length of the side of the book on each side as this gives Barbie handles to hold the book. I sew the white pages to the black music cover.

I included this picture as a reminder that this hat only fits hair through the hole first. I put the tail through first and then pull it up on to head. It haven't been able to get it to fit any other way. I've thought about experimenting with leaving it open instead of joining as it would be easier for a child to get on and off.

Our Generation Green Christmas Dress

I found I still have one skein left of Bernat's Happy Holidays green glitter yarn and decided it was time to pull out Darski's free Green Christmas pattern found here.

Notes:

I realize I've never really made notes for this dress just a few casual comments along the way. For my own sanity here goes.

I used an I hook for the dress and a G for the trim and finishing the back.

I no longer have metalic white so I used basic white worsted. When I run out of metallic green I'm considering making it without the metallic yarn. I tried using a substitute I was given but it was too light weight for the project a few years back and the Glitter Girl ended up with an outfit from it.

This is a personal note for me chain one between each surface crochet stitch. No idea why but this works for me. In the past I've actually lazy daisy stitched the trim this time using the chain one I was able to make it work. I used fpsc technique for the ss as there are no sc and this has confused me for years.

I would actually consider using Bernat baby for the trim next time as the worsted is heavy with the chains. It looks fine for the surface crochet.

My Life Gingerbread Dress

This is another Adoring Doll pattern which you can purchase here. I believe I received both Gingerbread patterns as a set from my husband as a gift.

Notes:

Since I had both Gingerbread patterns I decided to make both of them for the two My Life donation dolls.

The patterns are similiar but different. If I make these for next year's donation I would use the first pattern's hat for both dolls. I had to take out the decreases on this hat pattern and it was still a little tight getting it over the hair.

Since hair ranges on the available dolls each year I try not to make anything too hard to get on and off. The first hat would work better for both outfits. That being said as someone who rarely enjoys repeating items I liked that this was a different take on the theme. The boots were different from the shoes and the dress works up well.

I used an I hook for everything but the trims. The face and bow were made with a g hook.

The brown is Red Heart Super Saver Caffe Latte. I finished off a huge ball of it after making the first outfit and it almost completed the dress. I've been trying to buy the Jumbo's when I can find them as they last longer for my doll projects. I was lucky to get a matching color as I didn't write down the color of the ball I had left. Thankfully if not the same as the unamed ball it was close enough that it allowed me to finish the project. The red and white are both likely Red Heart as I keep buying them when I run out but the browns seem harder to find and match.

I've been adding in the other yearly projects around the Christmas themed projects but promised myself no Valentine's outfits until every doll has at least one Christmas outfit to leave with for the donation.

Calico Critter Sister Dress

Mother and daughter have now entered the Christmas doll outfits for 2026. Sister is sporting a free shell stitched dress pattern that can be found here. The pattern includes directions for Mother and Sister.

I hope to include non-Christmas outfits for both using this pattern for the 2026 donation.

Notes:

One of the reasons for documenting these projects each year is to remember what worked and learn from the challenges. Last year I used a 1.25mm hook for Sister's dress and while it fit it was tight and it was challenging to fit the tail through the back opening. This was corrected this year with a 1.5mm thread hook.

This was made with size 10 crochet thread. This color has been discontinued.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Christmas Dress

I had been considering what pattern to use for the Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll's Christmas outfit. I saw a pattern for a Baby Steps doll and loved it for this challenge. I'd found previous patterns with patterns for both the 10 inch baby doll and the Baby Steps so I knew they were compatible with some adaptations.

You can purchase the pattern here.

Notes:

When I've purchased patterns listing the Baby Steps doll there have been separate directions for the baby doll as this one is more of a toddler doll. Thankfully I'm used to adapting patterns to meet my needs.

The pattern calls for size 10 crochet thread and a size 5 thread hook. This always throws me as numbered thread hooks don't transfer the way a G hook would on most patterns. I started with my closest guess but it was rather small and I ended up moving up to a C hook for everything but the shoes. I needed a 1.8mm thread hook for the shoes. They were huge with a C hook.

Note for dress I always struggle with working into ss, around, behind so where possible I try to give myself an opening. Round 2 of the dress requires ss but round 3 requires working behind ss. TO make this easier I worked the ss into the front loops of stitches of the previous row leaving the back stitch open for round 3.

I added rows 13-14 to red before adding white shell edging for length.

The panties fit as written with no adaptations needed other than hook size.

The designer suggests multiple options for trims and colors and I'd like to add at least one more dress from this pattern to the donation this year.

I love that it requires no snaps or buttons.

Calico Critter Mom Christmas Dress

The Calico Critters have entered the Christmas project with a dress for Mom made with Char Caywood's Empire Dress pattern available for purchase here.

Notes:

This was made with size 10 Aunt Lydia's thread. The variegated is no longer available.

I need a b hook to get this to fit the bunny.

I chose not to add trim to the neck as I have in the past as the Christmas colors would have been a bit overwhelming. I did reduce the arms this time decreasing around and then doing a row of sc on each arm.

I closed the back with a snap.

I'm thinking of adding a dress for my own holiday decorations.

My Life Gingerbread Outfit

I'm continuing with my Christmas themed projects for the 2026 doll donation. This is one of Adoring Doll's patterns available for purchase here.

Notes:

I used an I hook for most of this project. I'd consider using a J hook for the Vest as it proved to be a little small around the arms when joined. I used an H for the bow. I used a G for the buttons.

The white and red yarn are Red Heart Super Saver. The brown is either Red Heart or Caron Pounder Yarn. I didn't have a label for it and it was rolled into a ball after a previous project.

This suit is similiar to the Elf suit I made for the Our Generation Boy. The one note I'd make for myself is before starting the split for legs make sure to be at the back center. I had been doing this while doing other things and found my first leg was well off center and the leg needed to be frogged and redone.

I'm hoping to make the Gingerbread Dress for the other My Life Doll's Christmas outfit.

Lil Cutesies Christmas Dress

The Lil Cutesies doll is next up for a Christmas outfit. I went back to the Petite Doll's outfit I wrote about last week changing to Christmas colors and making the corrections in the skirt following the directions for a dc ch dc v-stitch to a 2 dc ch 2 dc v-stitch in the second row which makes for a puffier skirt.

The dress and shoes are made using a Petite Designs pattern that can be purchased here. The hat is again adapted from the free Barbie Santa hat available here.

Notes:

I've started to use size 3 thread for some of the smaller baby doll dresses as I'm fining them to be a bit large with the sport baby yarn. The red sport I have is slightly heavier than current baby yarn which makes it even less helpful for these outfits.

The white and red are Aunt Lydia's. The green is Thread Art. When I start buying thread again I'm going to need some darker greens in all numbers if I want to do the Christmas project again for next year's donation.

I did rows 1 and 2 skippped to 4

I join all rows no need to close back.

I decreased the panty rows down to 3 and this made for a better fitting panty. It reduced the width for the front of the panties but this was not a huge issue as they tend to be incredibly bulky in full.

Hat:

I needed a chain of 50 to get the hat to fit around the doll's head. Over the white base rows I reduced to the original count and the thread stretched quite well. I was then able to follow the pattern as written.

The pom pom continues to be the pattern I've used for all of these dolls and then sewn on to the hat. I've never been great at making traditional pom poms and these don't tend to shed.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Christmas Dress

This outfit was created adapting Amy Carrico's Springs Set for the 8 inch Baby doll and playing with Darsk's free hat pattern from Baby's first Christmas pattern found here.

Amy Carrico's pattern used to be available on Etsy but is still listed as being available for purchase on Ravelry here.

Notes:

After making the Spring outfit for the 2026 donation I decided to try this with size 3 thread as the red sport yarn I had was too heavy when I tried it.

Dress:

I followed the hook suggestions I used with the yarn and I found this worked for the thread. The first 2 rows with a C hook and finish with a B hook.

For this outfit I chose to continue to turn even after joining as I wanted a different look than the Spring dress.

Panties:

I'm continuing to play with the panties to get them to fit this doll as I find they are either too big or too small. So still a work in progress.

Shoes:

I used a C hook with the shoes and followed the pattern as written. Shoes fit well with thread.

Hat:

I used the brim from Darski's hat pattern. I may try to enlarge the Barbie pattern for the Lil Cutesies doll when I make her Christmas outfit. This wasn't quite the look I was hoping to make.

Rag Doll Christmas Dress

I generally don't make hats or headbands for this doll as her hair makes fitting them rather challenging. However this free 18 inch doll Santa Hat is designed to be oversized and thus fits over the doll's hair.

Notes:

Both patterns for this were adapted from free patterns. The dress is Darski's Dora Dress For February Dress found here. The hat is a free 18 inch doll Santa hat pattern found here.

Dress:

I use a K hook for the first 7 rows joining at the end of row 7.

For the skirt I switch to an I hook to the end of the dress.

In Row 1 to make the arms fit both dolls I need to chain 8.

However this creates and issue with the skirt so in the following row I need to evenly reduce by 8 stitches the number of additional chains added in the previous row prior to starting the pattern that will eventually establish the skirt.

Use a stitch marker to mark the decreases and increases. They are just easy to loose.

Don't skip the directions for finishing the top and the arms.

Hat:

I used the suggested I hook. The suggested yarns are no longer available but I used regular Red Heart yarn and still liked the outcome. I followed the directions as written. This is where I learned to make pom poms that I use for the other dolls.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Christmas Dress

This outfit puts the Lots to Love 14 inch baby doll on the map for the 2026 donation and gives me hope of sending off each doll with a Christmas donation.

This is an adaptation of Amy Carrico's Spring outfit listed for sale on Ravelry here. It also adapts the free Barbie Santa hat pattern I've been using which you can find here.

Notes:

Dress:

The dress, panties, and shoes are from Amy Carrico's pattern. The pattern includes a sweater and headband which I intead to use when I make this as a non-Christmas outfit to add to the donation later in the year.

I have an old big ball of Red Heart Sport Yarn in Red that I've been using for various Christmas doll outfits along with white Bernat Baby.

To make the dress fit I used a G hook for the first 2 rows switching to an E hook for the rest of the dress.

The final shell row of the dress was done in white to give it a Christmas look. The neck is finished in sc white. I used decrease rows with the red to finish off the arms.

The panties need to be worked to 32 stitches at both ends before joining. I play with this pattern every time as I add rows and then decrease to get the panties to fit over the diaper without being too big.

I use an e hook for the shoes following the pattern as written. These stay on fairly well.

While the pattern comes with a headband I wanted a Santa hat and decided to experiment with the free Barbie Santa pattern found here. Hat:

There are some patterns that are harder than others to adapt from doll to doll especially when the dolls are completely different body types. This Santa hat has proven to be a bit easier likely because it is a bit less complicated than something with more form to it.

I originally tried the white baby sport yarn with a larger hook but it was too tight. I moved to white worsted 4 yarn and an I hook and the bottom of the hat fit leading me to believe the pattern would work for this doll. I changed to an H hook for the red yarn.

Pom Pom:

Row 1: 10 DC into magic circle

Row 2: 2 DC in each DC from previous row

Row 3 Dc 1 2 Dc in next

Finish off weaving yarn through bottom of pom pom and pulling closed. Weave in starting end and use finishing end to sew on to hat.

Our Generation Boy Elf

Happy New Year!

I finished this outfit Sunday and moved on to a Christmas outfit for the Lots to Love 14 inch Baby Doll. My hope is all the dolls will leave with a Christmas themed outfit. Not sure how well that will go for the Calico Critters but I think I can manage for most of the remaining other dolls.

Notes:

This is Adoring Doll's Elf outfit that can be purchased here. It is shown with the Boy and Girl in red and green but the pattern is the same for both dolls. It is a jumper style pattern not a seperate pants and top outfit. While the shoes are separate the gloves are attached.

I believe the white and green yarns are both Red Heart Super Saver skeins.

The elf suit was made with an I hook and I followed the directions as written.

I used an H hook for the sleeves and the gloves. Even with the H there were some fingers breaking through I might go with an I the next time for the gloves.

I worked the first row of the collar in the back loops to get it to flop forward. I used the suggested H hook for the points I'd consider a G next time as they are larger than I expected. It might be that this doll has a bit of hair but I went up to an H hook and had to increase the stitch count and lengthen the hat to get it to fit on his head. I'd consider starting with an I hook and perhaps reducing once past the skull and hair.

The shoes worked up with an H hook. The only challenge I had was two different colors of green forced me to remake one shoe.

I would make this again for the boy doll as I don't have lots of Christmas options for him. This worked out well.

Stacie Christmas Dress

I finished two projects on Boxing Day this year. Stacie's first outfit for 2026 and a Sleeping Sack for the 16 inch Baby Doll.

I'm always thrilled when I can find patterns to adapt for Stacie as there are not a great number of patterns designed for her. This outfit was adapted from two free patterns. A free teen version of the dress I used for Chelsea's Christmas outfit found here. The hat is from a free Santa Barbie pattern found here.

Notes:

I used size 20 thread and a 1.25 mm hook for the dress. I had tried on the Santa hat I made for Chelsea on Stacie and found the adaptations worked for her so I used a 1.8mm hook with size 10 thread for the hat.

This is the only version of this pattern I need to use the overlap in row 11 to get the outfit to fit the doll. Without the overlap the outfit is too large. With Skipper and Chelsea the dress is too tight with the overlap. I'm not sure I've made this dress for Barbie but it is on my radar for this year.

I needed all rows to get this to length I wished. The final row of the pattern is a trim row and I chose to add white to make it more of a Christmas themed dress. The pattern does not have trim at the top but I added a sc trim in white again for the Christmas look.

I make the hat pattern as written with the exception of the pom pom. The one mistake I made this attempt came because I was working on two projects at the same time and one required turning after joining and this one does not. I need to pay closer attention as the hat looks better without the turns.

Pom Pom:

I crochet 10 dc into a magic circle and join. For second row I dc increase in each dc finish off and gather with needle and add to hat.

My hope is to use the teen version of this pattern to make non-holiday patterns for both Stacie and Skipper. I always like to find pattern that work up quickly that add to the donation wardrobes.

Skipper Christmas Dress

I am always excited to find free pattern that I can make to use for the donation. This is a free Barbie Santa Claus pattern you can find here. It required little adaptation to make it fit the smaller Skipper doll.



Notes:

I used Aunt Lydia's size 10 Atom red and white for this project with a size B hook.

I changed the directions for joining and joined after row 6 of the bodice using only 2 snaps to close the back.

Skipper is shorter than Barbie and flatter chested so I only did 4 rows of the white trim on top. I originally added more but it was too overwhelming for the dress.

This is designed as a Mrs. Claus outfit but I decided to leave it as more of a Christmas dress as I thought if you took off the Santa hat it could be used for other dress up play.

Glitter Girl Christmas Dress

I made a choice this year to add as many Christmas outfits to the 2026 donation as I can work out. Most of them will be posted post Christmas 2025 but since they won't be going to the children until the 2026 drive it won't be an issue. The dolls will be able to celebrate with the child on Christmas day along with the non-holiday outfits that always go with the dolls.

I started the Glitter Girl donation this year with her Christmas outfit. You can purchase Adoring Doll's pattern here.

Notes:

Other than not adding the pom poms I followed the pattern fairly closely for this outfit. I also chose to use a snap instead of a button. With the color changes it made finishing the back and adding the button hole the way I normally do less likely so the snap worked better.