16 Inch Baby Doll Linmary Knits Dress, Hat and Shoes

This is the final outfit I need from this free Linmary crochet pattern found here. The shoe pattern is from a different free set found here.

For this round with the 16 Inch baby doll I went with Baby Bernat Sport Yellow and Blue.

Notes:

As I continue to remind myself this pattern uses British crochet terms so as an American I need to translate the terms or the dress will have a very odd look.

These were my notes from the previous dress but oddly I had to make some changes to get something to fit.

Dress:

I used a G hook for the bodice and skirt. I added 5 additional rows and an additional contrast row to the bodice for length prior to adding the skirt. To help myself keep track I have notes on the pattern regarding the repeats as they are not written out and with multiple repeats and row changes for each repeat I lose track. I finished the neck and the arm holes decreasing both as I found them a bit big this time.

For dress 2 I went with an f hook as I found the g was just to big. Sometimes my guage does change.

Hat:

I used an e hook to the contrast rows and changed to a g hook at the contrast rows until the end. As with the dress I wrote out the repeats on the sheet to keep track of which row repeated each time.

I had to stick with the e hook for the entire hat as the second one I made is going to be a sun hat for the Our Generation Boy's Swim Suit set.

Shoes:

I've started experimenting using this pattern with the matching lighter weight yarn as I don't often have worsted weight in the same shades. To get the shoes to fit I need a J hook with Bernat Baby Sport weight yarn.

No changes to the shoes.

Rag Doll I Feel Pretty

Over the years I've adapted a number of different types of patterns to fit the Rag Doll. I'm not sure I've ever tried this dress for the Rag Doll although I've made it for the 16 inch Baby Dolls on several occasions.

This is Darski's Free I Feel Pretty Pattern found here.

Notes:

Unless I can find a replacement I'm likely done with the Rag Doll but just for my own notes I made this outfit with an H hook but I'd likely try a G hook as it is a bit roomy for this doll.

The outfit is made with Herrschners Worsted Baby Stripes and Worsted 4 solid colors.

My Life Hearts and Flowers

This is one of the first Valentine's outfits I make each year. It is a free Darski pattern that can be found here.

Notes:

I use a K hook for the first 4 rows of this dress as with my odd guage it is the only way I can get the dress to slide on and off. I use an I hook for the rest of the this pattern. I used an H for the the shoes. I returned to row 9 using an I and reduced last sc row of top.

Reminder to join all rows. I have made this dress so many times but for some reason I missed this one this year so when I make a mistake I add a note.

Stop when you finish row 9 and return to row 1. (I do a sc reduction row after row 9 but usually at the end after I've tried on the dress for fit.) Row 1 is the waist line not the top. Row 9 is the completed top not the waist. Return to Row 1 and start Row 10 to complete the skirt portion of the dress. I didn't read this note from last year and paniced when I needed the reduction row but I added it and all was well.

Another new note for this year is to read directions for Heart Cluster on first page. I ended up with a different path that worked but oddly reading directions works.

I use a different strategy for the flower and the rose joining. I changed the design to have the dress tie at the neck and use the flower to attach the tie at the front so it covers the attachment. This just works for me.

The shoes are from Sweet Silver Creations Sailor pattern that can be purchased here. I used an H hook as I had previously for the My Life Doll but when I make these again I would use a G hook. Gauge can be funny. These were a bit larger than I had hoped.

16 Inch Baby Doll Sunny Days

Another outfit finished for the 16 Inch Baby Doll made with Darski's free Sunny Days Pattern for the outfit found here and her free Peachy Keen pattern for the shoes found here.

Notes:

Dress:

I used a J hook for the bodice and an H for the skirt.

Row 5 should read dc in sc 3 dc in 5 not 2 or the count gets complicated.

I don't decrease for row 6 as I find the bodice gets tight.

Row 14 is listed but I've never had the directions and have always created them. I'm now recording them for future reference. sc in first ch 2 skip 1 repeat around.

I failed to make this note on the written copy of this pattern which I have since added but I find this pattern to be short. I need to add more rows prior to making rows 12 and 13 the finishing rows for the skirt.

I've always finished the arms but again finally recorded what I did as the look with the larger hook is unfinished. sc chain 2 sc around.

Hat:

J Hook for hat. I followed directions as written.

Shoes:

I hook. Followed pattern as written.

16 Inch Baby Doll Peach Baby Doll Nightgown

Many years ago when Mary Maxim stopped having the 15 inch baby dolls I stumbled upon the JC 16 inch baby dolls and started donating two every year rather than the single baby doll I had donated in previous years.

Over time I've been fortunate to add dolls and while the fashion dolls have cross over years where an additional doll goes while I start off with a new doll, the only other duplicate dolls are the My Life 18 inch dolls. I just end up with enough outfits for two every year. A kind friend at Crochetville has been donating additional My Life dolls and friends there donate enough clothing that those dolls leave extremely well dressed as well.

However, since I don't have specific patterns written for this baby doll when I find one I generally end up repeating it as if I'm making clothes for twins, despite the fact the dolls and all their clothing and accessories are likely going to different children. In order to keep it interesting for me I do try to alternate colors when repeating patterns unless a specific color is required.

I stocked up on Herrchners yarn a while back for my donation run this year. The nightgown is made with Worsted 8 Peachy and the hat with Worsted 8 Celebration Easter Yarn. While I try to buy only when I have a coupon their house yarns have proven to be a lighter, useful choice for some of my doll projects.

This is one of Darski's doll patterns that I printed at some point but it isn't part of the patterns still on Crochetville. She had her own site at one point and I might have found it there but sadly I can't share the pattern for the outfit.

For my own notes the hat is not included with the pattern and at some point I really should write down the directions.

Our Generation Boy Hockey Sweater and Pants

When possible I do try to recycle items into other outfits to stretch my donations. This was the test hockey sweater I made prior to making the hockey uniform because I had no idea what adjustments would need to be made and using one color with a bit of trim seemed a great option for figuring out the details of the sweater without having to manage color changes. I actually went back and finished this sweater after the hockey uniform and thus benefited from knowing I needed to stay consistent with the bottom stitches in order not to have shrinkage at the bottom of the sweater.

I used Darski's free Detroit Red Bunnies pattern found here for the sweater. These are the directions I made up for the hockey pants. I just added rows to the legs to get them to be full length for this outfit.

The pattern directions called for two strands of yarn and K hook. I used Red Heart Super Saver black and crocheted over a pony tail holder to give the pants an elastic waist to make sure they stayed on the doll. I continued crocheting in the round until I needed to split for the crotch making sure I had decreased the total number of waist stitches to 40 before splitting. Sometimes it takes more stitches to cover the pony tail fully. It wasn't as much of an issue with the double strands.

Row 1 sc around elastic band to cover it.

Rows 2-6 hdc in 40

Row 7 split for legs adding 3 chains to join crotch.

Rows 8-11 on each leg crochet around 23.

Shirt:

I didn't need to change colors but I did add a trim row of white to the torso and the sleeves. I reduced the sleeves with a hdc 3 hdc 2 together around. Then I followed with a row of sc trim and another with main color to decrease the sleeve size at the wrist.

Row 1: 2sc in 3 (1 sc followed by 2sc) until last 3 stitches, 2sc in last 3 stitches.

The stripes on the bottom of the sweater need to be hdc or dc. I chose sc and the sweater gets a bit smaller as a result. I would likely choose the hdc option to keep it even with the rest of the sweater.

Our Generation Boy Hockey Player

Back in March I asked some of my friends over on Crochetville to help me find patterns I could use with the Our Generation Boy doll for the donation. I was open to free or paid patterns but while I hadn't worked through my library of available patterns specifically for the male dolls, I knew my supply was limited. That's when people challenged me to think about how to adapt patterns to fit the male doll.

This is Darski's free Detroit Bunnies pattern which was designed as a hockey outfit for the girl dolls. You can find the pattern here. There are a number of sport patterns originally designed for the girls that I'm looking to adapt for the boy doll before he leaves for the donation. This was my first attempt.

Notes:

The skates were purchased from CR Crafts. So I can find them and buy them again they were listed as Skates - Ice - 2 5/8" Black Item 69151. You can purchase them here. I've not purchased many shoes for either the Our Generation or My Life doll. Making shoes for them has told me the My Life dolls feet are a bit larger based on hook sized required to get the crocheted shoes to fit. This is something to remember when ordering shoes for them in the future perhaps.

Hockey Pants:

When ever possible I avoid making the legs and joining. It just rarely works out for me so unless it's something like footed PJ's I try at all costs to avoid this method.

The directions called for two strands of yarn and K hook. I used Red Heart Super Saver black and crocheted over a pony tail holder to give the pants an elastic waist to make sure they stayed on the doll. I continued crocheting in the round until I needed to split for the crotch making sure I had decreased the total number of waist stitches to 40 before splitting. Sometimes it takes more stitches to cover the pony tail fully. It wasn't as much of an issue with the double strands.

Row 1 sc around elastic band to cover it.

Rows 2-6 hdc in 40

Row 7 split for legs adding 3 chains to join crotch.

Rows 8-11 on each leg crochet around 23.

Darski includes directions for suspenders for her uniform. I chose not to include them.

Hockey Hose:

This was Darski's wording not mine. I'm not an expert on hockey uniforms. I made one and then remade it as it was larger than I expected. I stuck with my original yarn choices although Darski mentions using baby yarn. The color options were not going to work for me with baby yarn.

I started making 20 rather than 25 rows of chain 4 ribbing. This helped it stay up on the doll's leg.

When I crocheted on top of the ribbing adding the suggested extra stitches I ended up with 26 both times so that seems to be the number.

Shirt:

I played with the colors a bit so I had to change some of the pattern to accomadate additional color changes.

I started with 2 strands of yellow as while this is a worsted 4 yarn it is lighter than the white and black. I also changed the directions to get the stitch count to work for me.

Row 1: 2sc in 3 (1 sc followed by 2sc) until last 3 stitches, 2sc in last 3 stitches. The stripes on the bottom of the sweater need to be hdc or dc. I chose sc and the sweater gets a bit smaller as a result. I would likely choose the hdc option to keep it even with the rest of the sweater.

I used snaps to close the shirt. I had planned on buttons but with the shrinkage at the bottom I finished the edges in blank and used snaps to close.

Helmet:

The helmet is worked in two strands of black and a K hook. I worked as written until row 7 when I needed to add increase rows because this doll needed a larger helmet before moving on to the fp sc of rows 9-10.

I found the shaping directions confusing so I marked the temples of the doll on the helmet and proceeded with rows 11-13. If you don't stop for these locations and turn you end up with a hat not a helmet.

I found the first side of the chin strap worked well I'd be more careful looking at the way the first one sits before placing the second one. I'd pulled out the helmet a few times to get the face to work by the time I reached the strap so I had less patience than perhaps was best for this type of project. However, hopefully with these hints I'm hoping my next attempt at the helmet will prove easier and I can focus on a better second strap joining.

16 Inch Baby Doll Nightgown

I'm not sure what happened to the link for Darski's Easy Dolly Nightgown for the JC 16 Inch Baby doll. As updates have been made to Crochetville over the years some things have not made the upgrade. Darski also listed some of her patterns on her own platform but most were also cross listed at Crochetville. So I can't give a link for this pattern unfortunatly. If I do find one I will update it.

This is a simple open nightgown pattern that ties in the back with a cute trim at the bottom.

I've been trying to dig into my stash to use up yarn that has been there way to long. The hat is made with no longer available Bernat Softee Spring Flowers. The nightgown is made with Herrschners Baby Fairytale. I hadn't purchased any dark pink from them in a bit so I wasn't sure it was still available until I checked the site but Fairytale is still sold.

I used a g hook for this outfit. It calls for a 4.5 which I have somewhere but not readily at hand. I tried the H hook but the nightgown was baggy so I went down to a G hook and was happy with the fit. After making the ties for the top I finished the back.

There is no pattern for the hat so I played with fp and bp stitches for the hat finishing with alternating 5dc skip 1 sc around.

I will be making a second nightgown for the other JC 16 inch Baby doll donation soon. I just need to choose different colors.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Sun Suit

This is the last of my projects for the Lots to Love 14 Inch Dolls from Darski's free Sweet Baby Mine pattern found here.

I realized as I checked my notes I'd only made this as a gift for the JC 16 Inch Baby doll. I'd never actually attempted it for the smaller doll so my notes were not as helpful as I'd hoped. That being said I'm not sure how helpful these notes will be as I tried some items I'll likely not have around for the next time I may this projects but I will write them as I'm never sure later what will help to know.

Notes:

This is made with Big Twist Bulky 5 in a color no longer available. I hadn't realized it was a bulky yarn when I pulled it out of my stash as it has the feel of a worsted 4. My experience with Big Twist is that while I love the color options it does tend to be a bit lighter than listed. If you know this going in and choose the right project options it tends to work out. In this case I wanted a bright happy variegated color for the project and the slightly heavier weight wasn't a huge issue.

In order to get it to fit around the waist I needed a J hook. In the future regardless of yarn I'd reduce what ever hook I chose prior to splitting for the legs. The chubby doll can have a waist challenge sometimes but once past the tummy the size reduces dramatically and things can get bulky.

The contrasting yarn is Red Heart Super Saver Spring Green. I used an I hook for the Suit and an H for the hat. The hat was made as written.

The shoes are from an out of print Amy Carrico pattern Spring Jacket and Dress. I used an e hook and Baby Bernat Sport Pink and White.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Sweater Set

Thanks to Darski's free patterns for the Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll I've gotten a good start on the donation bag for 2024. This is the sweater from her Sweetly pattern set found here.

In years past this sweater has come out large enough to fit the Rag Doll and the Lots to Love 14 inch Baby doll so this year after realizing I was headed down that path again I decided it was time to make changes and record them.

Notes:

I used Bernat Big Baby Sport Pink and Baby Baby. Sweater:

The pattern changes from a G to an F hook I stayed with the F hook for the entire sweater.

Row 1 as written.

Row 2 skip one skip one stitch between pattern directions this reduces overall stitch count making sweater less bulky and a better fit on the doll.

Row 3 dc in every dc 2dc in every chain space. This adds stitches back to original pattern but not nearly as wide as original.

Row 4 dc in 3 2 dc in next. Slows down increase from original pattern.

Row 4a as written with different number of total stitches.

Row 5 I had to fudge row 5 to make the numbers work for the armholes based on new number of stitches. I didn't record because it took me a few tries to make it work.

Rows 6-8 were worked as written based on the new stitch count.

Pants:

As I mentioned in previous posts I've been using my own basic pants pattern. I finally recorded the chains required for this doll's waist.

Chain 44 for waist. For this set I did a row of sc prior to finishing rest in dc. I would do that again it made for a better waist. I did not use elastic for these pants. I did a chain 3 and join to split for legs.

Booties:

I keep playing with the adaptation for this pattern trying to get the best fit but this is what I've been working on recently

Complete row 1-3 of the booties.

Row 4: sc in back loops around

Row 5: sc reducing 4 times at toe

Row 6: sc evenly

The headband is a work in progress. Still a little larger than I wanted. I'd likely go down to a D hook the next time. I did a row of sc to fit the doll's head and then crocheted around the row on both sides finishing with a sc chain 3 edging.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Sweetly Pants and Top

I've been working on a series of Darski's free baby doll patterns to fill the baby doll donation bags. The Lots to Love 10 inch Baby doll has two pattern sets to work from. This pattern comes from her Sweetly pattern found here.

While I haven't restricted myself from getting new yarn I've really been pushing myself to use up the older orphan yarns in my stash some of which seem to magically appear when I think I've used them all up. The yarn for the shirt is an old skien of A.C. Moore's sport yarn that I'd stocked up on before they'd closed because it was a good doll weight yarn. I am really trying to finish off these older skeins to reduce the look of a hoarding yarn room.

Notes:

For the top, I used the suggested F hook with the A.C. Moore yarn which is a slightly heavier sport yarn than the baby yarn I generally use with the baby doll patterns. I used one button to close the top in the back.

Another challenge I've given myself is to try some of the designs I've avoided over the years because the techniques bother me. So I did attempt to make the pants legs up rather than waist down using Bernat Baby Sport yellow. I found the legs were both tight and short so I changed to making the pants waist down as I always do and added a trim at the bottom of the pants. Sometimes it just isn't worth fighting with my preferences but I did try. I did not use elastic in the waist for these pants.

I keep playinng with the booties but this seems to be the best fit yet.

Complete row 1-3 of the booties.

Row 4: sc in back loops around

Row 5: sc reducing 4 times at toe

Row 6: sc evenly

I did a sc ch 3 around the top.

I thought I'd worked the the bonnet worked as written last time but this is actually closer to what the bonnet is designed to look like. Not sure I mind as this way the doll has two different bonnets.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Sweetly Dress

I've been trying to rotate through the baby dolls to make sure they all leave with wardrobes. I mentioned previously Darski wrote 2 pattern sets for the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby doll. This doll dress pattern is from her free Sweetly set found here. I used Bernat Big Ball Baby Sport in Pink and Baby Baby. Notes:

The suggested hook sizes worked for me.

The panties ended up a bit longer than I wanted as it took me an extra row before I could join the crotch. It works but I'd combat this by adding and additional row to the dress before adding the trim next time. I did row 10 inn a contrast color and I'd do that again for a future project.

I changed the shoes to make them fit better. I would suggest an e hook next time as I had to sew around the top to tighten them.

Complete row 1-3 of the booties.

Row 4: sc evenly

Row 5: sc in back loops around

Row 6: sc reducing 4 times at toe

The bonnet worked as written.

Lil Cutesies Nightgown

Darski created two free pattern sets for the Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll. The first she called BBL which is where this outfit came from and the second is Sweetly. Both pattern sets have nightgown patterns but I find one fits the Lots to Love doll better than the other. I guessed wrong and the Lil Cutesies doll ended up with a nightgown this year.

For future reference this is the nightgown from the BBL pattern made with a G hook. Since I will likely adapt it again for the Lil Cutesie doll I'd likely use an F hook the next time. I'd gone up to a G trying to get it to fit the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby doll in the back but it just wasn't working for me. I decided to see if I could save the time and resources invested by adapting it to the smaller doll. I'd never used it for the smaller doll and it with some adjustments the pattern fits. I just think the smaller hook would make it a bit less bulky.

Notes:

I believe this is made with Bernat Baby Big Ball Baby Baby. I've been collecting the sport yarn as I can find it and the colors seem to be disappearing. It's a great weight for the doll clothes. I don't always keep the labels once opened so I try to make a good guess at the colors. I prefer the variegated/striped yarns for some of the doll projects. It's not always easy to find a great selection so I'm hoping this line isn't being discontinued. I picked up a lone Lavendar at Walmart even though I didn't really need it as I noticed it was the last one they had and I haven't found it online.

As I mentioned above I used a G hook but I'd likely go with an f for a future Lil Cutesies nightgown. I'm working on how to adapt this for the smaller Lots to Love 8 inch doll.

To finish the outfit I did a row of sc around including the collar prior to adding the ties using the directions. I chained 30 rather than 20 for the ties. Mine tend to be short and I find them harder to tie. After I finished a complete sc around in pink I finished the pink and followed the directions for the ties changing from 20 to 30 chains. I decided to add a chain 3 decorative collar. I did a sc in first sc ch 3 sk 1 than sc in the next. This was done in the front loops of the previous row of sc. When I reached the end I finished with chaining 30 for the second tie.

The sleeves are also finished with a row of constrasting color sc and then an additional row of sc chain 3 skip 1 sc around.

I wanted a finish for the bottom I chose a sc skip 1 sc 5 dc shell in next stitch around.

My Life Rivulets

I discovered I'd missed this Darski pattern last year and wanted to make sure I included it again in this year's donation.

I struggled a bit with yarn thickness this year. I made this with left over Red Heart yellow yarn last year and had no issue. I started with Red Heart this year and the yarn wasn't heavy enough to hold the pattern. I tried a different color thinking I might have grabbed Joann's Big Twist which generally is lighter but having grabbed a skein right from the labeled package I was sure it was Red Heart I was struggling with and was some what confused as I had no problem the prior year.

Then I pulled an old Caron Pounder out of my stash and it was thicker than my current stash of Red Heart. No idea why but it was holding the format of the dress so while my intention wasn't to go with dark green for the dress, it was the only shade of Pounder I could quickly lay my hands on for the experiment. The white is left over Mary Maxim yarn from a baby afghan I've been slowly using up on projects like this one.

One thing I've started doing for myself is documenting more details of how I adapted patterns to get the outcomes on my blog enteries because I'm finding I come back to these and there is more room to document here than on my pattern sheets sometimes. I also find I take more time to clarify for myself here than I do on my quick pattern notes.

Notes:

I went with a Caron Pounder for thickness this year. I'll experiment further to see if I my issue with Red Heart can be adjusted. When I run out of the Mary Maxim yarn for trim I think I can substitute Bernat's Big Baby Sport Yarn which I always keep here for the baby doll projects.

I used the suggested I hook for everthing but the top trim. I used a g hook for the trim on the top as it tended to poof with the larger hook and the lighter yarn. I might use a g hook for the trim on the bottom next time as well as it got a bit bulky with the I hook.

Don't increase beyond four dc between the post stitches as the skirt gets to be huge. The last row is all dc before adding trim. I missed this and the trim sits better from dc row.

The bottom trim rows need to adjust for reduced number of increases.

After finishing the dress directions I finished the back and top of the dress with the primary color yarn before adding the white trim. This made for a cleaner back and made adding the trim easier. It also makes the arm holes look cleaner when completed.

Be careful not to split yarn changing from chains to dc for arm holes. The white yarn is soft but it needs to stay strong for the arm holes.

I need to do a V stitch in the end stitch of each end for each row of the shawl, not in the chain stitch. I struggled with this last year and caught the direction this year.

Last year I didn't make shoes for this outfit as I was crushed for time. These were made with an out of print pattern from Sweet Silver Creations.

16 Inch Baby Doll I Feel Pretty

The main part of this outfit for the JC 16 inch Baby Doll comes from Darski's free I Feel Pretty Pattern found here. The shoes are part of another of her free pattern sets found here.

Notes:

I used an H hook for the dress and panties. I used a G and F hook for the hat. The shoes are from the Peachy Keen pattern and I needed an I hook.

I used Herrschners Worsted 8 and Worsted Baby for everything but the shoes. The shoes require a heavier worsted so I used Red Heart for the shoes.

The hat doesn't list chains for the ties I used 30 and it was just a bit long I'd try 25 next time.

My Life Hearts and Flowers

It's almost February so time to think about adding some of the first holiday outfits to the donation for the year. Technically I can make the outfits any time during the year, since the drop off isn't until November or December but it just adds a little holiday cheer to making them around the holiday the outfits are intended to be worn. It also gives the child who receives the doll a chance to keep celebrating once Christmas has passed.

While I've made Darski's pattern available here, several times for some reason my brain missed a step and I had to pull it out and fix it so I'm going to add to my previous year's notes.

Notes:

I use a K hook for the first 4 rows of this dress as with my odd guage it is the only way I can get the dress to slide on and off. I use an I hook for the rest of the this pattern. I used an H for the the shoes. I returned to row 9 using an I and reduced last sc row of top.

This is the point at which I somehow missed a direction and the top section bubble ended up at the waist. I note this not for the general public but because having made this mistake once I am likely to make it again and I do read these posts each year before I begin the outfit again.

Stop when you finish row 9 and return to row 1. (I do a sc reduction row after row 9 but usually at the end after I've tried on the dress for fit.) Row 1 is the waist line not the top. Row 9 is the completed top not the waist. Return to Row 1 and start Row 10 to complete the skirt portion of the dress.

I've never needed this note before but better to have it and not need it than go down this road again.

The flower belongs lower on the waist but I rather like it up higher. I've experimented on where the ties go over the years and this year it was behind the neck. I would likely try the back again if not for the documented issues above.

The shoes are from Silver Creations Sailor pattern that sadly is no longer available.

16 Inch Baby Doll Summer Dress Parfait

I decided to work on the summer dress for the second 16 inch baby doll for my New Year's Eve project. I finished it during the Rose parade on New Year's day.

As I mentioned in previous posts the pattern for the dress is found in an out of print 1981 House of White Birches newsprint leaflet Baby Doll Fashions to Crochet by Margaret Funk. The shoes are from a free pattern set Peachy Keen found here. While I used another free pattern for the hat of the other 16 Inch doll I winged this one while playing board games on New Year's Eve. I don't have a written pattern for it.

Notes:

This outfit was made with Lion Brand Ice Cream Yarn Parfait.

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.

Some of you may recognize my go to shoe pattern. The shoes are part of a free pattern called Peachy Keen. I used an I hook and a ball of yarn from my left over pile of worsted weight yarn. Not sure of brand. I tend to repeat shoe patterns for the dolls when I find ones that fit because I find it hard to get crochet shoes to fit at times. So you will often see a rotation of a few patterns for the dolls. This is the only one I use for the 16 inch dolls as it is the only one I've located that fits the dolls and will stay on the feet.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Moses Basket

I mentioned last week I'd be focused on simple projects during the holiday week to continue moving the donation project ahead but to allow me to enjoy the holiday season. This project was completed over a series of appointments prior to Christmas and picked up at home during some down time. While I am commited to a better balance this year between accessories and clothes I am also realistic about what I can do during times like this and finishing something is a plus and far less stressful than worrying about what isn't going to happen.

While I stopped making doll carriers for the larger JC 16 Inch Baby dolls and the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll I still make them for the smaller baby dolls. While I've found substitutions for the larger dolls that I'm willing to purchase I haven't found anything in the smaller dolls' size and these actually work up fairly easily without much of a challenge to my hands. Most of the carriers/baskets start at the 12 inch doll size even when they advertise that they will fit the smaller dolls.

The Moses Basket/Doll Carrier pattern is part of Annie Potter's Sweet Baby Doy Layette and can be purchased here. With some adaptation it will fit the Lots to Love 8 Inch Doll and the Lil Cutesies Doll as well.

The blanket is made using a free pattern set for the 10 Inch baby doll found here.

Notes:

I used an H hook and Premier Puzzle Yarn Hangman Yarn for the basket.

The blanket requires a J Hook and I used some old baby sport yarn I've had on hand that I'm trying to use up. I do not have a brand for it.

I've had purchased a bunch of yarn for Prayer Shawls and I just haven't been making them. I made myself a promise if I'm not making projects I'm not holding on to the yarn forever. If I come back to the project I will buy yarn again, but I'm cleaning out my yarn where I can this year. Thus puzzle yarn for a doll basket.

I make my doll carriers a bit deeper by adding side rows. I prefer the doll not roll out when the child is carrying the doll so I keep measuring until the doll fits comfortably and I know I can put the blanket in with the doll without the doll being in danger of falling out.

Our Generation Let the Sunshine In

I'm continuing to try to rotate through the various donation dolls to make sure they all get a decent sized donation bag to leave with in November. While this set has several pieces it works up fairly quickly so it was a great choice to add to the Our Generation doll's donation. You can find this free pattern as part of Darski's Weatherby Set here. I used the swim suit pattern from this set for the Our Generation doll this year as well.

I tend to find shoe patterns from other sets and because I can make them work I keep using them. These shoes are from a pattern set I purchased from Sweet Silver Creations School Uniform you can purchase here.

Notes:

I used a K hook on the dress for the bodice and an I hook for the skirt. I used a K hook for the Bolero jacket.

I used an F hook for the shoes and reduced around for the final row to get the shoes to fit.

Last year I took these pictures for something that might be obvious to others but had me confused. I knew I'd made this jacket before but I couldn't figure out how it was large enough to fit the doll. The directions for the collar need to be completed prior to adding the arms. The collar increases the size of the jacket working completely around the outside of the jacket. It will eventually bend to form a collar at the top but it is not what one thinks of as working a collar at the top of shirt or jacket. I went back and used these pictures as I thought I might this year so I'm adding them again as I suspect I will be back looking for them again.

I'd only made this jacket once before and the notes I made said it was different but I didn't write down how. This time I took pictures for something that might be obvious to others but had me confused. I knew I'd made this jacket before but I couldn't figure out how it was large enough to fit the doll. The directions for the collar need to be completed prior to adding the arms. The collar increases the size of the jacket working completely around the outside of the jacket. It will eventually bend to form a collar at the top but it is not what one thinks of as working a collar at the top of shirt or jacket.

I have no idea how many more outfits I can finish before the deadline but what ever isn't finished this year will make it into the 2024 donation.

16 Inch Baby Doll Purple Summer Dress

I donate two JC 16 Inch Baby dolls every year and since there are no specific patterns written for these dolls when I find a pattern that does fit I tend to make duplicates over the course of the year so each doll gets one for its donation bag.

I mentioned in my previous post about this outfit that the dress and hat for this outfit come from a 1981 House of White Birches newsprint leaflet Baby Doll Fashions to Crochet by Margaret Funk.

I liked it enough and found it quick and easy enough that repeating it right away seemed like a logical choice. At this point in the year I'm all about finishing stuff about and getting it bagged because the November deadline will be here before I know it and I'll be on to the 2024 donation.

I've also discovered it fits the Rag doll really well so I'm hoping to finishing another one for the Rag doll as well as it would be a quick addition to her donation bag as well since she doesn't need shoes or the hat.

This is my go to shoe pattern part of the free Peachy Keen pattern set found here. I like including shoes with my outfits but it can be hard to fit shoes to dolls and they often fall off and get lost. I like these because with the strap I find they are more likely to stay on the doll's feet and less likely to drop off and be lost.

Notes:

This was made with Lion Brand's Ice Cream Black Cherry Yarn.

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 and increased the rows prior to creating the brim to account for the larger 16 inch baby doll head.