Our Generation Boy Merman

Having made Ken a Merman outfit it was always on my mind to try to see if I could get to one for the Our Generation Boy. I intended to make his after the girl's outfits were done but it worked out that his was next.

I purchased this pattern on Ravelry here. The crown is not part of the pattern and comes from the free pattern I used for the Our Generation girl which can be found here.

Notes:

This ended up with the boy as it took a great deal of experimentation to get the tail to fit the doll. As written I couldn't find a yarn to fit the stitch count. I ended up starting with a K hook and more stitches then needed and reducing to the original stitch count. What I'm trying currently for the My Life doll is I started with a K hook and more stitches and reduced to a J hook. Once I'm past the hips I want to slowly work my way down to the H hook as I found with this tail the increased hook size changed the shape and length of the tail.

I purchased Loops and Threads facets hoping to replace the harder to get Red Heart Unforgettable. The colors and softness are amazing and I will finish it off as not to waste it but I am going to continue to hunt down Unforgettable. This yarn breaks easily and that is not OK. I've never had a yarn that just broke off mid crochet like this one does.

I did try various brands of worsted 4 and none could come close to hook and starting stitch count to fit the waist of any of my 18 inch dolls. I think bulky might make it but it would look bulky.

The boy already has a golden crown for his prince outfit so I gave him a silver one for his Merman outfit.

Glitter Girl Butterfly Pant Set

As promised I'm using some of my final crochet time before the donation is due to get some casual clothes finished for the Glitter Girl. While I love her dresses I also think she needs some other types of clothes.

This was made using Pamela Yarborough's Butterfly Pant Set Pattern that can be purchased here.

Notes:

This was a scrap project made with left over Red Heart and Caron Pounder yarns. It's that time of year when it is so nice to be able to use up lots of left over skeins.

I made a modified version of these pants once before and for the Glitter Girl the crotch split comes to early so I had to add to rows prior to switching. However, the pant legs were long and to include the trim, which I didn't on previous attempt, I needed to reduce the leg count. I crocheted over a hair elastic to give the waist an elastic waist band. This also makes it easier to keep the pants from being either too loose and slipping off or too tight to pull up on the doll.

I used a G hook for the pants.

For some reason I seem to be struggling to attach straps. This is the second project that has made me crazy trying to get straps on and I've done them for years. I do prefer arm holes to straps but the directions were clear it shouldn't be a problem.

I chose not to have the shirt slide on and off as this can be challenging. I did not join and added snaps to close. This part worked well.

The shoes worked well with a 3.0mm hook.

The hat calls for a G hook I'd consider going down to my e hook as it is a bit large.

Skipper Red Riding Hood

In 2025 this was added to Skipper's donation bag in January. This year I made all the dolls Christmas dresses right after I dropped off the donation and here it is the end of October and I'm scrambling to get the last of the fairytale and fantasy outfits finished. No regrets. I love the idea of the children getting these dolls at Christmas having a special outfit for the day to dress up a new toy.

This is another of Mel Garcia Tello's patterns that can be purchased here. I'm hoping to have enough time left to switch and make the Bella dress for Skipper and the Red Riding Hood outfit for Barbie. I still need to make the AG mini Cinderella dress for Skipper to finish off her goals for the year.

Notes:

This is made with Knit Picks Palette yarn Celestian (blue), White, and Cherry. I used a D hook for the dress. I didn't change to a smaller hook for the skirt as I did in the past. I did use a G hook for the hood. I'd suggest a smaller hook for the hood section and stick with the g for the shawl section. The hood is large but the shawl gets too tight with a smaller hook.

My hope is to get to an outfit for the Glitter Girl doll and a mermaid for one of the 18 inch dolls next before returning to the Barbie family of dolls. It is a balancing match but I'm hoping to finish the year strong.

Stacie Cinderella

There are very few crochet patterns out there designed specifically for Stacie but thankfully many of Chelsea sized patterns can be adapted to fit Stacie. This is actually an AG Mini pattern that I purchased for Chelsea here.

Notes:

This was made with Aunt Lydia's size 10 Royal and Delft. I hadn't bought Aunt Lydia's size 10 in a bit as I have quite a stash and had a bit of a sticker shock as the price has gone up significantly. It used to take me years to make a dent in a cone of thread. These days I'm attacking certain colors and needing refills at an unanticipated rate.

To get the bodice to the correct length I needed to repeat row 11 to row 17 and then move to what was row 12.

For the skirt to be floor length Row 21 was continued to row 24 before going back and completing row 22. This is actually more rows than required for Skipper who is taller. I can only suspect it has to do with smaller hook size.

After experimenting with Chelsea's overskirt I made Stacie's as written and it worked.

Barbie Bella

My time is winding down to finish the 2026 doll donation and I'm focusing on finishing up some fairy tale/fantasy outfits for some of the dolls and a few practical outfits for the Glitter Girl. What ever is finished I am grateful as this has been one of my better years for completing items.

This is one of Mel Garcia Tello's patterns that can be purchased here. I've made Cinderella for Barbie already. I use a different pattern for Skipper. I hope to complete this for Skipper and Red Riding Hood for both Barbie and Skipper before the deadline.

Barbie's gown was made with Knit Picks for the first time this year. I got a wider skirt with Bernat Baby last year. I'm going to try an experiment with Skipper's dress to see if increasing the stitch count as I added rows changed the drape of the skirt. Neither Knit Picks or Bernat Baby are the suggested yarn for this project. Knit Picks is closer to the weight and color suggested so I'd like to make it work.

Notes:

I followed my suggestions from last year not realizing I had changed yarns. I used a 3.0mm hook for the bodice I'd try my D hook next time. It is a different Barbie version but I also think the change in yarn may require a larger hook.

I'd suggest a C hook for the neck trim. Just a reminder to myself so I don't panic the armholes are not formed until the neck trim is added. This gets me every time I clearly need a project note.

It is in the pattern but again reminder that bodice is not joined until after row 13. This is correct but it always seems late to me and I scramble looking for my note. It is now on the pattern and here to remind me when I review.

Thankfully, I followed last year's suggestion to order more yellow micro buttons as they were in my mini button container when I went looking.

I will add last year's reminders to not finish the back or add snaps until the top is finished.

Regarding supplies I would suggest having a full skein of primary knit picks color on hand for this project. I have enough left for trim for another project but I would need another full skein for Barbie for next year. There is a limited use for the trim color. I didn't note how much Skipper needed last year so I will try to take note of that when I finish her dress. I try to order my Palette when its on sale so tracking how much I need for specific projects is important.

I believe this was made with Canary and Saflower.

Our Generation Mermaid

The 18 inch dolls are next up for the 2026 Mermaid Challenge. I have a couple of different patterns to try. The first is a free pattern you can find here.

While I've liked some of the designs over the years with the free Yarnspiration doll clothes patterns I've not always had the best luck with making them. This was one of the first I've completed in a bit and required the fewest alterations to the pattern to complete it

I used Lavender Big Twist that has been in my stash since the days of Joanns. The blue and pink are Red Heart Super Saver.

To get the top to close with the lavender I needed a K hook and to change the starting chain from 34 to 45. I think if I made this again I'd experiment with what it took to close with suggested I hook as I ended up switching to an H hook for the tail as it was bulky.

Changing the original stitch count changed row 8. I needed to sc in the first 19 skip 2 sc 5 dc in the next sc and sc in the last 19.

At some point I realized to make the tail point I needed to get down to the original stitch count. This happened by reducing the tail count to the original stitch count before starting reduction for tail point. This happens between row 19-20. Then I returned to row 20.

I started the first fin sc into the back bumps of the chain. This made it so much easier to start the second fin. I sc the fin to the body and then sc around the fin to give it a more solid finished look.

The first two rounds of the crown were made with a K hook to get it to fit on the doll's head. I made the final row of the crown with an H hook so I wouldn't ruin the spikes of the crown.

Chain 40 for the ties sc in center crochet around sl join and chain 40.

Neither of my other mermaid patterns has a crown so I'd consider using this with those patterns. It will be interesting to compare the three to see which one I prefer. This is the only one piece set.

I'd also like to make a tail for the Our Generation Boy like I did for Ken.

16 Inch Baby Doll Sundress

As I mentioned in a previous post I've decided to devote the rest of my donation time to balance between where I still see some needs and projects I want to finish for me. This project for the 16 inch baby doll is about filling in gaps. There are so many accessories that get made at the beginning of the donation year that the number of outfits tends to be less than many of the other dolls. There are also two dolls to rotate through the baby doll crochet project slot creating a disadvantage. It is time to even that out.

This pattern is a free an oldy and one of my first for the larger baby dolls. While out of print it is still available through the Wayback machine here. It has been a few years since I have made this one and I love the dress and the hat but I really need to create straps that join as I go. That is the only part that makes me crazy about the dress. I hope to fix that for the second baby doll.

The shoes are my go to free shoe pattern from Darksi's Peachy Keen set found here.

Notes:

The dress and hat were made with a K hook, the shoes with an I. I found this yarn at my local Walmart and I picked it up thinking it would be perfect for projects like this one and for next year's snuggle sacks. I hope to pick up more as I like how it worked up. This is Red Heart Jumble Speckle Bubble Gum. It's nice to see something I bought get used quickly and not get lost in my stash. I still have quite a bit left to use as I bought the jumbo but it will be useful for the baby doll projects.

I always join after the first row and because of this I often forget to turn the rows. I really prefer the look when I turn. Mark the front. I will be working on a way not to have to sew on the straps. This never ends well for me. Took me several tries to get these lined up and sewn on correctly.

This dress slides on and off the doll easily and no snaps or buttons are required. The designer didn't join but sewed it together later.

Chelsea Cinderella

I picked up Sweet Silver Creations mini AG pattern set last year and I've been using it for Chelsea, Stacie, and in some cases even Skipper. You can purchase the individual Cinderella pattern here or the set here.

Notes:

To be clear these are not Chelsea patterns so I need to adapt them to fit. I've had more luck adapting her AG Mini patterns than the 6 inch Kelly patterns. I've tried both but the AG's were easier to fit.

I use size 20 thread from Creative Yarn Source and a .75mm hook for this dress. It is the smallest hook I need for these outfits. I was playing a little bit of thread chicken as I havne't ordered the Cinderella colors in a bit. I reordered over the weekend and believe I found a lighter blue I couldn't get the first time.

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. I did a sc 4 than decreased around the neck.

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.

I would not do the suggested additional chains at the waist as this made it harder to close and I needed an extra snap. I don't believe I did them last time but decided to try the directions to see what would happen.

I suggested adding a row to the headband and the collar and both worked better with an additional row. The snaps are tight even with the additional row for the collar and those are the smallest I have.

This year I followed the overskirt directions as written and liked how it looked. I plan on continuing this for Stacie and Skipper.

Glitter Girl Thread Shorts, Shirt, Hat, and Shoes

As I approach the end of this donation season I'm trying a different approach as I'm in a pretty good place with the donations this year with my new method of spreading out projects.

I stopped to look at where the needs are greatest among the dolls. Most have pretty good wardrobes. With some outside donations some have great wardrobes. However, some are lacking in certain areas of their wardrobes and that's where I want to focus some of my remaining time.

Then there is my creative time. I want to make some things I just haven't had the time to make this year and why not.

This project falls under the first category. The Glitter Girl has a decent wardrobe but almost everything is a dress. So before the season ends I want to add some casual clothes as one accessory kit is camping and that doesn't go well with some of her more dressy clothes. Along with this project I have a couple more thread and one yarn project I hope to add that will give her some casual play clothes as my Mom used to call them to go with her more dressy outfits.

This pattern is available for purchase here and also includes a pattern for pants that I'm hoping to include as part of her casual wardrobe.

Notes:

I purchased a bunch of Lizbeth size 3 variegated yarn a while back and found myself using the same colors again and leaving certain colors abandoned because I wasn't quite sure how the pattern would work up. I've decided it is time to attack these orphans and this project was the first outing.

The shirt is made with Lizbeth size 20 Wildflower Garden trimmed with Aunt Lydia's Fashion 3 white. The purple is Thread Art Size 3 Lilac which is only labeled 20 on the carton.

I followed the directions using an e hook through out the pattern. Since I plan to return to this pattern for the pants I'm thinking of decreasing the hook size to a D as they seemed a little large. I'd also use a D for the shoes. I've never worked with a Wellie Wisher doll so I don't know if those doll's feet are larger. The cap worked well with an e.

The shorts were long for me as written so I ened at row 12. This may change if I move to a D hook.

This pattern includes directions for shorts, capris, pants and a collar for the shirt to change the outfit.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Spring Dress and Jacket

I'm returning to Amy Carrico's Spring Dress and Jacket pattern for the Lots to Love 14 inch baby doll that can be purchased here. It was in the 2024 donation but somehow missed the 2025 donation.

Notes:

This is made with Bernat Big Ball Baby Sport yarn. The yellow striped is getting harder to find but it does make a nice contrast with the regular yellow baby yarn. It's nice to try something other than pink or lavender for this outfit.

The pattern calls for an e hook but I need to start the first two rows of the dress and the jacket with a g hook before finishing with an e hook.

The panties need to be worked to 32 stitches to fit this doll. Depending on the year I sometimes need to add additional rows and then decrease a little to make them fit. I also finish around the legs.

The shoes fit as written and this year using yellow I have more variety of shoe colors for this doll.

I finished under the arms. My note from my previous project suggested finishing the top as well and I'd do that next time.

The dress is closed with a snap and the jacket with a button.

Barbie Pilgrim

Over the years I've acquired quite the doll library but only in the last few years have I truly commited to seeing what actually can be utilized for this donation.

This pattern comes from Crochet World's 1984 Special Issue No.2 Crochet Wardrobe for 11 1/2 Inch Fashion Dolls. What intrigued me when I saw this on a used pattern site was the mention of the Pilgrim outfits. Ken's is designed for display. However, when I saw Barbie's I had hopes this might work.

Notes:

The pattern calls for sport yarn. This is one of those terms that can make you crazy in old patterns for a number of reasons. Even in 1984 there were a number of references to sport yarn that meant different things. However, today we have so many different types of yarn referrred to as sport that the word is sometimes less than helpful.

The outfit shown in the picture looked like the yarn was lighter so I started with heavier thread, moved on to fingering and found myself at DK. Even then while the dress was a bit bulky, the way the waist was formed made the dress too small for my current model. To manage this I decided to fall back to crocheting over an elastic for the waist ensuring that the waist would fit.

As a note for future projects I'd start with the elastic waist and fingering yarn. The Premier Basix DK was bulkier than I liked but it was the only yarn that was even close to fitting at the waist.

The suggested D hook worked for the yarn portion of the project. I used a 1.8 mm thread hook for the thread sections with the exception of the bonnet which I used a 2.0mm.

I changed the cuffs by joining and then sc to the dress.

Bonnet needed added neck rows to get it to fit this Barbie's hair so I continued to crochet until it fit the face of the doll. The bonnet is supposed to have 3 rows bend back over the bonnet. I sc first row into back rows and sc next two rows as written. This just makes it easier to get the thread to fold evenly. I added ties to the bonnet with I believe 30 chains. If this was being displayed the like of ties would likely not be an issue but since it is designed for play it needs to be tied down.

I have a third Pilgrim pattern for Barbie from Shady Line that I last made before this donation started. I may pull that out and see which pieces work best. I do like the bonnet and apron from this pattern. The collars would have worked better if the dress worked better.

Our Generation Boy Prince

I made this in 2024 for the donation but while I added some new items to his wardrobe last year this one fell out of the rotation. I wanted to get it back in for 2026.

This is part of Pamela Yarborough's Snow White three pattern set. However, you can buy just the Prince outfit here.

I've been assembling the pieces of this outfit between other doll outfits over the course of the last two weeks. I find it easier to handle these projects with multiple pieces tackling them between other projects.

Notes:

The outfit is made primarily with Red Heart Super Saver. I knew from last year I needed a lighter yarn for the yellow trim so I went with Herrschner's DK yarn that was in my stash using a G hook. This was a much neater look than using worsted 4 for the trim.

I use an I hook for the one piece pants and shirt. After reading last year's notes I added three rows to the pant legs as I do not connect the boots to the pants. This makes it much easier for little hands to get the outfit on and off. If this was going to be a make and display I'd consider doing as written but tucking the pants into the boots works fine and means a child can put the clothes on and off.

As my guage can vary I make the boots first using a g hook. This allows me to test the length of the pants to make sure they are long enough to tuck the boots into the pants. The added row I suggested from last year worked well.

Two other changes relating to the boots were that I changed all brown yarn to black in this pattern. To allow the pants to tuck into the boot tops I crochet the first round of the cuff in back loops so it will bend over top of the boot.

The belt was also changed from the pattern to make it easier to get on and off the doll. I used a K hook and chained 50. I chose not to join but use a snap to close in the back as sliding it on and off over multiple layers is more challenging. If it was a one time display situation it wouldn't be much of an issue but if a doll is going to be changing than simple is better.

I needed a K hook for the Tunic and as mentioned above used DK yarn and a G hook to finish around the edges.

Having just resupplied my red I decided to go with red for his cape using a K hook. I would stick with that next time. I liked the look. Just a note for future projects the chains reattach to the sides of the cape. The directions are there but for some reason this puzzled me this time. My previous notes suggested using a G hook for the black sections of the cape I would suggest doing that next time as well.

If you want the crown pattern you will need to buy the Snow White set here. The crown pattern comes from the Evil Queen's pattern. I've been using it for the Prince as I've yet to get to the Evil Queen.

I used an M hook to get the crown to fit over the rather puffy hair of the Our Generation Boy. I did not use the suggested red trim.

One more personal note because this always panics me my copy is the complete set double sided so the Prince pattern is tucked in with Snow White and the Queen and can not be separated out like I've done with some of my other sets. When I look for this pattern again look for the set not a single pattern.

Glitter Girl Spring Petal Dress

It has been a few years since I last made this pattern and I continue to debate about the best fiber for the job. I was waiting on a shipment of Knit Picks once again so I decided I'd try size 3 crochet thread. It worked, but like the baby yarn I tried previously still not the flow I was hoping to find.

You can purchase the pattern for this outfit here.

Notes:

In case I decide to go this route again and as a gauge for thinking about how much Knit Picks Palette I'd need I used a little over one complete container of Aunt Lydia's size 3 warm rose for this project.

Unlike the previous time I made this I was able to use a D hook for the entire project.

I used the two suggested buttons for this outfit. I will sometimes substitute snaps for ease of use so I've been trying to get better at noting which patterns I use snaps and which ones I use buttons. It makes repeating the pattern for a future donation much easier.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Dress, Kncikers, Hat, and Shoes

This is one of Petite Creative Designs patterns for a 9.5 inch baby doll that with a hook change works for the Lots to Love 10 inch baby doll. You can purchase this pattern here.

Notes:

I have notes on the pattern so I'm pretty sure I've made it before but I didn't see it listed when I searched the blog for it. It may be because it was made for a different doll.

This was made with Caron Super Soft and a E hook. I am not a huge fan of Caron but I do end up with a supply for certain projects. When it doesn't get used up I make a point of trying to find uses for it as it isn't something I tend to grab for intentionally. It has to be a planned attack.

The dress has the last round repeated three times. Using Caron I only repeated twice before ending off. I finished the arm holes to give it a neater look, reduce the arm hole size and to keep the ends from catching.

I added rows to the hat to give it a deeper hole.

I'd consider using a different lighter yarn for the knickers. This yarn was too heavy. While matching is cute white would even work as it is a baby outfit to avoid the bulk of the heavier yarn.

The booties worked well with this weight and hook size. I thought they'd be big but fit well.

Calico Critter Sister Swimsuit

This is officially the last swimsuit I need for the 2026 donation. I wasn't sure if this would adapt to the smaller doll but it worked out. You can find the free pattern for the Mom Critter here.

Notes:

After making Mom's suit I decided if I was going to use this suit long term I needed to change the top. The bottoms work well for both Mom and Sister but the top wasn't a great option for either. I let it go for Mom but I decided to work some changes for Sister.

This was made with Herrschners size 10 thread and a 2.0mm hook.

For this version I did chain 24 as suggested and followed Row 1.

Row 2 sc 7 chain 5 skip 1 sc 7 chain 5 skip 1 sc 7.

Row 3 sc in each sc and chain finish off sewing in all ends.

Close with snap in the back.

I followed the pants as written just with different fiber and hook.

Calico Critter Sister Party Dress

This is the sister version of this dress made from one of On a Calico Day's patterns that can be purchased here.

Notes:

I needed size 20 thread and a 1mm hook for this outfit.

Reading my notes from last year I had to make some changes. This year I must have read directions differently because dress fit as written.

My Life Cinderella

Since I donate two My Life dolls each year I try to keep the donations balanced. Some years I will do different princess dresses and this one will go to the Our Generation Doll. However, this year I'm hoping in the final push I can get more princess outfits done for all three of the 18 inch girl dolls. I'm hoping to get a start on the Our Generation Boy Doll's Prince outfit soon.

You can purchase this pattern here.

Notes:

I used an I hook for the dress and an H hook for the overskirt.

To make adding the overskirt easier I crochet row 9 of the skirt in the back rows allowing me to add the overskirt in the front rows of row 9 later.

I used a G hook to sc around the overskirt and for the sleeve edging.

I used an H hook for the headband and the suggested g for the choker.

The shoes are from the school uniform pattern which can be purchased here. This is my standard shoe pattern when there is no shoe pattern and buckle shoes won't work.

Lil Cutesies Drop Waist Dress

This is a new pattern I was gifted for the 2026 donation. You can purchase the pattern here.

Notes:

This was made with size 10 thread and a 2mm thread hook. The pink was Thread Art, the white Aunt Lydia's and the striped Herrschners.

I added a ss row to the bottom of the skirt to try to get it to stop curling and this seemed to help. I love the look of the pleats but mine curled.

My first attempt at the bonnet was a problem because I missed the note in row 9 where it reminds you to mark the neck opening and no longer work in these stitches. I make this note to remind myself the next time as once I followed this direction the bonnet worked up nicely.

There are directions for adding some decorative buttons to the dress and shoes. I opted not to add these as they were less practical for play time.

The panties and shoes worked up easily and could be added to another thread outfit that needed them.

Ken Pilgrim

This is an old free Ken pattern that can be found here. I used the boots from Annie's Fashion Doll Crochet Club's Old World Santa and Mrs. Claus FC43-01 but I'd go back to the original shoes and socks version next year.

I wanted to play with this outfit as the original was hard to get on and off. Some changes worked not as much and still others need some thinking.

Notes:

I used an e hook for everything but the hat.

I used worsted weight grey and black for this project likely Red Heart Super Saver. The white was Bernat Baby. The grey finished off a left over ball which is always a proud moment in my doll project.

The original project joins the jacket making it challenging to get on and off. I changed the coat to be closed in the front with snaps and this adjusted how the collar was made. I'd add a belt to this outfit next time like the one the Our Generation Boy has for his Pilgrim suit.

The pants start with an elastic waist and therefore could be made with a lighter weight yarn. They look and feel heavy with the worsted. I'd think of using a lighter weight next time and adjusting stitch count to match the fiber.

I wanted to try Santa's boots but I'd go back to the old pattern for the shoes and stockings.

Still playing with the hat as the brim is wider than I wanted but the width of the opening had to be wider for this Ken's head to fit. A work in progress.

16 Inch Baby Doll Swimsuit 2

This is the last of the regular doll swimsuits I need to make for 2026. I'm going to experiment and see if I can adapt the Calico Critter Mom pattern to fit the Sister but I consider the Calico swimsuits to be bonuses to the challenge. They were not on my radar when I started this challenge for the year.

This was made using a no longer available 18 inch doll pattern from Stephanie Dygerty.

I am pleased to say the pink is from a ball of yarn in my this yarn really must go pile and I'm thrilled to say only a small amount is left. I do try to attack the left overs over the course of the donation projects.

Notes: I need a K hook to get this to fit the 16 Inch Baby Doll. I used a g hook for the trim.

Since I wanted to use more pink, I did not change to the contrast color for the brim.

I chain 40 for the swimsuit ties.