Skipper Bella Dress

I took the lessons I learned from making Barbie's version of this dress into making Skipper's dress.

Notes:

This was made using a Mel Garcia Tello pattern I purchased here.

This time I waited until I had the Knit Picks Pallete yarn in both colors to complete the outfit. While I was able to complete Barbie's outfit with yarn on hand having the same fiber made for a better fit.

I did read my notes on the Barbie outfit before starting so I used a C hook for the whole outfit. I need to try this on Barbie to see if it fits as well as I expect it will when I make this for next year.

I also followed my note about waiting to add snap until contrast yarn was added to the bodice. I also waited to finish the back until adding the contrast. When both were completed I added the closing snap.

Note to self I need to order more mini buttons. This was my last yellow one.

Skipper Red Riding Hood

I failed to include the link for Mel Garcia Tello's pattern to purchase in my previous post about making this for Barbie so I'm starting with it so I don't forget to include it. The pattern can be purchased here.

I've been so pleased to find so many of Barbie's outfits either fit or with minimal changes can be made to fit Skipper since there are limited patterns for Barbie's sisters available to crochet.

Notes:

I didn't need to make many changes from Barbie to Skipper for the outfit to fit but I did fix the mistake I made on the Barbie dress section.

I used the same Knit Picks Pallete colors for both Barbie and Skipper. Skipper's Bodice is smaller so I used a D hook for the bodice and a C hook for the skirt. While making Barbie's dress I had made the decision not to join the dress until I reached the skirt closing the top with a snap.

This did require me to go back to my notes about the straps I made for Barbie. The pattern for the straps comes after the bodice is written and there are two rows. You can do them without finishing off if the top is joined. However since I made rows I needed to stop after the first row finish off and start row 2 from where row 1 started. I actually read my notes this time and the straps look much better with this change.

After making Barbie's hood I tried it on Skipper and found it fit well so I used a G hook for Skipper's hood as well. I had experimented with the suggested smaller hook but it was too small for both dolls.

Skipper's bent arm is a bit challenging when anything covers her arm. I did find the hood didn't sit as well on it as I'd have liked but overall I'm pleased with her latest outfit.

Barbie Cinderella

This is the last of the three Mel Garcia Tello patterns I purchased and you can buy this one here.

Since I already adapted another Cinderella pattern for Skipper I plan on using different colors and making this as a ball gown to add to Skipper's donation at a later date.

Notes:

I used a D hook for the bodice, sleeves and the waist trim. I changed to an E hook for the skirt.

As with her other patterns I chose not to join the dress until I reached the skirt using a snap to close the top. This version did not require any changes for the sleeves because of this choice.

I finished the back with sc to make a clean closing and to make it easier to add the snap.

I played with the sleeves and the trim at the waist and it required the smaller D hook as to not make them too buly.

This dress is made with Knit Picks Pallette yarn.

Chelsea Cinderella

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

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

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

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Barbie Red Riding Hood

I bought the three set fairy tale pattern set and only attempted the Red Riding Hood outfit last year. I had intended to make it for Barbie last year but it fit Skipper better and she went off with the outfit and I never got back to the dresses.

When I tried this previously I made it with size 3 thread. I wasn't comfortable with the fit but I went with what I had. It was one of the reasons it didn't fit Barbie well. This year when I placed my Knit Picks order for Pallete I made sure I had the yarns I needed to complete the rest of the fairy tale outfits for both Barbie and Skipper.

Notes:

As I mentioned above this outfit was made with Knit Picks Pallete yarn.

I did keep the color choices I made from my previous Skipper project. The original pattern uses red for the dress and the hood. I wanted a dress that might be more useful when not being used with the cape so when the bodice was completed with white I changed to blue for the skirt.

I needed an E hook for the bodice and used a D hook for the skirt. I changed the directions to not join until the bodice was finished as I found it was hard to get the dress on and off without leaving the bodice open and using a snap to close rather than having it be a complete slide on and off dress.

Note to self because I don't join the bodice when I go back to make the straps the first row should be done as written and finished off. Since it isn't joined I need to start from the same side. I didn't do that with this and had finished off the edges before I realized my mistake. In order to have the right side showing it needs to be started again rather than returned.

I needed a G hook to get the hood and chained 31 for the ties as I found them too short to tie as written. The rest worked as written.

Barbie Bella Dress

I picked up three fashion doll fairy tale outfits from Mel Garcia Tello last year and only ended up making the Red Riding Hood outfit for Skipper. This year with a fairy tale theme forming across the doll donation I decided it would be good to tackle the set. You can purchase this outfit here on Ravelry.

I had hoped I had both colors in Knit Picks Palette but ended up using Bernat Baby Sport which is a heavier yarn for the contrast on the top and bottom. I'd like to make this outfit for Skipper and am looking into getting the two colors I need from Knit Picks prior to making.

Notes:

The bodice required a C hook and I used a D hook for the skirt. I'd consider using a C hook for both in the future.

Note to self do not add closing snap until finishing upper part of dress. I did use a snap rather than velcro. I've never liked velcro and yarn. I needed a mini button for the top.