Kits for Kids Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

Notes:

I finished this and the nightgown for Kits for Kids on the same day and am preposting them as they fit on the blog. I am past the deadline as I prepost but I am hopeful I met it. If not these will go right to 2027.

You can find the free pattern for this project here. This was made with Herrschnerrs Worsted 8 Baby Stripes Sweetie Pie.

I need an F hook to fit this doll.

A reminder traditional worsted is too large. I thankfully continued with the skein I used from the last sack so this wasn't an issue but these are my page notes for these projects so it is wise to keep the reminders posted.

I posted on the last snuggle sack for this year and then I found out this project had a more aggressive timeline than I'd realized so no more predictions that I won't need more for someone else.

16 Inch Baby Doll Nightgown

This is another one of Darski's free patterns found here.

Notes:

This is made with Herrschners' Worsted 8 Ligonberry.

The hat is still a work in progress made with Herrschners Baby Worsted Stripes Goldfish and an H hook. It is a blend of back and front stitches finished with a sc skip stitch 5 dc shell around.

I did 4 rows for the arms and finished with a sc chain 3 around the arms. I finished the back and neck before adding the closing chains. I then used the sc chain 3 across the neck.

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.

Lil Cutesies Nightgown

It was almost November before I finished the Lil Cutesie nightgown for the 2025 donation. It feels amazing to be preposting about it in January!

This is the only one of the baby dolls I don't use Darski's Sweetly pattern for the nightgown. For what ever reason her free BBL pattern fits the Lil Cutesie doll better. You can find that pattern here.

Notes:

I read last year's notes that suggested an E hook rather than an f and this worked out well. I would suggest following the directions for additional increase stitches. I fear I missed a couple of these. I would not the next time I make this.

I work at avoiding repeating colors when possible but not a fan of the Ice Cream Lemon Meringue for this project. I've used it for some of the 16 inch dresses and liked it but not a great fit for this smaller project. I had been tempted to repeat Tutti Frutti and I'd go back to that for next year. It was a fun look.

This pattern has directions until row 8 and then make it as long as you want. I stopped a row before the length I wanted and did a sc skip a stitch 5 dc in the next stitch shell to finish the bottom. When complete I finished the back before chaining 30 for the neck closure. This year as I was going across the neck I'd alternated back stitch and front stitch hdc for a little different neck finish rather than the sc chain 3 I've done in previous years.

I also decreased and finished the arms with sc and then added an additional row of sc chain 3 skip one around for a better arm fit and a little decoration.

Lots to Love 10 inch Baby Doll Nightgown

I realized I forgot to add a link last year. This is made using Darski's free pattern set Sweetly found here.

Notes:

To get this to fit the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby doll I used an F hook and Baby Bernat Sport yarn. Reading my previous notes I remembered to return to the baby yarn for this project.

I followed rows 1-17 then completed rows 33-37.

I finished the back and then did the ties as suggested making mine 30 chains.

I finished the arms and added a sc chain 3. I did not attempt longer arms as this sometimes can make it more challenging to get the outfit on and off.

I believe I used Darski's BBL for the Lil Cutesies doll but I will be back with the Sweetly pattern for the Lots to Love 14 inch Doll.

16 Inch Baby Doll Diaper 3

Each year I donate two 16 inch baby dolls. This requires duplicate sets for the crocheted diaper bag items. Each of the baby dolls gets two diapers. The first doll's diaper bag items are complete for 2026 and I've started on set 2.

I am loving the Christmas projects but I learned from last year that it is important to get these other projects completed as well. Therefore on Sunday after completing a section of another Christmas doll outfit I decided it was time to make another diaper for the diaper bag.

This is my go to free pattern found here.

I used a J hook for the diaper and they are closed with snaps.

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 Linmary Dress

I had started this in yellow but realized it was too big and I hadn't used back loops for the bodice. After having completed this outfit with the back loops I'm not pulling out the other project, I'm going to pick up where I left off and use it for the other 16 inch baby doll. I can see why the pattern works in back loops to add texture but for the amount of effort required the outcome hardly seems worth the effort and the contrast colors don't work as well.

Notes:

The bodice of the dress required an e hook for this doll and a g for the skirt. I likely could have tried an f with the slightly heavier Bernat Baby Softee Baby Yarn, mint that was the primary color for the dress. The contrast is Big Ball Baby Bernat Sport white.

I hope to get one more outfit from this pattern for the other 16 inch Baby doll, the yellow one I mentioned and then it can go back into the large baby doll pattern binder until next season.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Sweetly Top, Pants, Bonnet, and Shoes

I've finally finished working with Darski's free Sweetly pattern set for the Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll which you can find here.

Notes:

I used Bernat Big Baby Sport Yarn for this project Lavendar and Baby Baby.

Bonnet: Follow directions as written with sugggested G hook.

Pants: I always make my pants top down when I can. I used an f hook chaining 44 for the waist. Mine are made with double crochets until pants are long enough from waist to split for crotch. I chained 3 and joined at back and then completed each leg individually.

Shirt: I used a g hook rather than the suggested f.

Shoes: I'd made several booties for this set so I modified the pattern to make Mary Jane's for this set.

Lil Cutesies Moses Basket

Happy New Year to all. I hope your New Year is getting off to a great start.

I finished off another category of donation items before the New Year and that was a great way to start.

Having finished the Lil Cutesies Moses basket I'm done making them for the 2024 donation.

I no longer make them for the larger baby dolls as working with three strands of yarn on the larger carriers proved hard on my hands. For those of you interested there is a wonderful free pattern here. The pattern is not complicated and it makes a solid carrier but after a decade of making two a year my hands starting saying no. After 2022 I started purchasing substitutes for the larger dolls.

For the Lots to Love 14 Inch Doll I've been buying the Manhattan Toy Stella Collection Soft Fabric Baby Doll Bassinet and Carrier for 12" to 15" Baby Dolls. I tend to shop for price so I've purchased it from Amazon, Christian Book.com and oddly this year from Barnes and Noble for the coming year as they had the best price. I had no idea they would carry it. There are lower and higher priced items on the market. I try to strike a balance in my donation budget.

When I was making these baskets it took my 3 skeins of Caron Pounders to make sure I didn't run out before the project was finished. I figured what I was paying for yarn would translate close to what I was willing to pay for a replacement cost with a bonus I'd released my time for other doll projects. While I could save money by buying the cheaper stuff they don't last and these are the families the least able to replace a toy when it breaks.

The Manhattan carrier wouldn't fit the larger JC 16 inch baby dolls so I hunted for something bigger. Again price was a factor. I was looking for something within the replacement range of what I had been making previously. I settled on June Garden Cozy Dream Doll Bassinet - Baby Doll Portable Carrier on Amazon. This one doesn't go on sale as often but still falls within my price goal at full price. However, it did drop to just over $18 in Novmember when I was able to get two for the 2024 donation.

Now back to my final Moses basket of the year.

Notes:

Yarn:

Basket: Homespun Aster

Blanket: Lion Brand Baby Soft (3) Dusty Lilac

I used a G hook for the basket with the heavier yarn and an H for the blanket as the J hook made a rather large blanket for the smaller Lots to Love 8 Inch Doll and I wanted to correct that with the Lil Cutesies project.

The basket is part of Annie Potter presents Sweet Baby Layette pattern set and can be purchased here.

The blanket is part of a free pattern set for the 10 Inch Baby doll BBL found here.

16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack 2

At the beginning of the donation cycle I try to balance making the accessories with getting the clothing started for the new donation year. Last year I pushed a bit harder on the accessories and as a result fell behind on clothing so this year I'm trying to make sure while I finish off the extras early on I also make sure at least one new outfit gets in each week as well.

The snuggle sacks were a great new accessory added to the baby dolls last year from a free pattern found here. This has become my latest appointment waiting project. I got most of this completed while waiting for an appointment and finished it off later when I got home.

Notes:

Red Heart Stripes Polo

J Hook

Add rows until doll fits before completing final row. I've never counted how many additional rows are required for the JC 16 Inch baby doll. I always go by fit.

On to the Lots to Love 14 inch Doll as I'm done with the largest of the baby doll snuggle sacks for 2024.

16 Inch Baby Doll Bib

Every year I try to knock off these small diaper bag items early in the year. The bibs are a quick between project or a short time project so they often get worked off early.

This is part of a free pattern set that includes the bib, a jar, and a spoon found here..

I send the donations off with the Melissa and Doug Time to Eat Feeding Kit because there are just certain items that add more play value than I can create with crochet.

The food jars aren't stuffed for play value but without stuffing they create challenges. I've tried making them but the lids are really hard to keep on the jars and the crocheted utensils are not nearly as fun as the ones that come in the kits. I'm honest about what works.

While the kit includes a bib it is designed for a slightly smaller doll so while it isn't an issue with the feeding items as a few inches in length, head and neck size aren't as big a deal with the feeding items, it can make a difference to the bib fitting around the doll's neck. So I always make one for each of the three larger baby dolls. It can't hurt to have an extra since stuff gets lost and I know at least this one fits the doll I bought.

That being said this pattern is also not designed for a larger doll so I've adapted it to fit the larger JC 16 inch baby doll.

To get this bib to fit the larger doll I've made the following adjustments:

Start with a chain 16

Continue pattern for 20 rows

Row 21 do row 11 neck shaping

Chain 40 stitches for ties

Reminder to myself since I forgot last year, this bib is a bit large even without adjustments for the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby doll. Needlecrafts Shop's Sweet Cuddles 971016 leaflet is a better fit and I should pull it out to use for the smaller doll.

Good news with the Black Friday sales I have the feeding kits put away already for the 2024 donation!

16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Snack

I was working on getting the Barbies sorted on Friday, but on Thanksgiving this Snuggle sack came to life as the first item for the 2024 doll donation. I found these free baby doll patterns along with the free sleeping bags for the other dolls last year and I loved being able to add them to the donation. This was the perfect project for working on when I had a few moments here or there or when we were home for a bit and I finally sewed in the ends Friday night.

You can find the free pattern here. This is intended for a slightly smaller doll and I need two for the JC 16 inch baby dolls. I use a J hook to get the width to be comfortable and then just add a few rows for the length. I've never counted I just keep sliding the doll in until it seems like it fits befote doing the final finish row.

Notes:

J Hook

Red Heart Retro Stripes

I'm pleased to have finished my inventory of dolls and items on hand for the 2024 doll donation. I have ordered most of what I need for 2024 and ordered the one doll I'm missing Saturday. I've also been building up the 2025 donation as I find deals. One of the advantages of having an inventory is it does allow me to wait for deals. I can sometimes wait for specific dolls rather grabbing the only doll they have in stock. This allows me to focus more on making items and less on shopping for the dolls I need.

16 Inch Baby Doll Sunny Days

There are some doll patterns I seem to get to each year for the donation and others that seem to pop up every few years as I spend more time on one doll than another. I hadn't made this outfit in a few years and it seemed time to bring it back for the donation. This is one of Darski's free baby doll patterns you can find here. The pattern doesn't have shoes so I went back to my favorite shoe pattern for this doll part of another free Darski pattern Peachy Keen found here. Notes:

I used a J hook for the top of the dress and an H hook for the skirt. The hat needed a J hook, too but I used a G hook for the ties. The shoes work up well with an I hook for me.

I was able to finish off a ball of white left from previous doll projects. Always a plus on my war on stash left overs.

I've contacted the school regarding the donation deadline but they are just starting to get organized and as of yet haven't put that plan in motion. So, I still have time to finish off some outfits before I need to start boxing the stuff for the drive over to the school.

16 Inch Baby Doll B & B Sweater Set

I finished off another outfit for one of the JC 16 Inch Baby dolls. This is made using Darski's free B and B Sweater set found here. I made a note on last year's post not to put a button on the top that I clearly didn't read. I'm putting it back on this post because it looks better without the top button and when I make this again I will want to remember that hint.

I used an I hook for the sweater and shoes and followed the directions as written. I would skip the top button when I make this again as it is just too tight at the top. I'd also considering adding a couple additional rows to the length of the sweater before doing the bp stitches as it was a bit shorter than I remembered from my previous attempts. I used Joann's Big Twist Yarn this year which is a bit lighter so it could have resulted in a smaller sweater.

I tend to make my pants from the top down so last year I wrote the directions and I post them just so if I lose the pattern, which I've been known to do, I can refer her for directions. This year I had to do a row of sc 2 dec sc for 2 rows when I was done as the pants were loose at the top. I will check the chains next time and perhaps reduce if the pants are loose before fininishing.

Pants:

I used an H hook

Ch 56 and Join

DC for 7 rows

Split evenly for legs chain 4 and join.

DC 2 DC dec around leg

sc chain 3

Repeat for other leg

This year I again started with the hat pattern from the free pattern set Mon Petite Chou found here. After fininishing the formation of the hat I went to a chain 3 front post dc in first stitch, hdc in next stitch around. I did that until hat was at a length I was happy with for the doll.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Top with Leggings

To keep the donation project engaging and interesting each year I try to add new projects that are patterns I haven't tried before. Sometimes these become new favorites and sometimes not as they can be far more complicated or time consuming than I normally delegate for a donation project. However, each is a chance to try something new and I am always grateful for the opportunity.

This in one of Linmary's free doll patterns found here. As with many baby doll patterns it wasn't designed specifically for this doll so I had expectations I'd need to make adjustments.

A 10 inch baby doll isn't always the 10 inch baby doll you happen to be working on at home. The first sign I had of this was checking the gauge. The gauge I found for the suggested hook with the yarn I indicated the hook size would be too large. Going down a size got me closer. However, as it turned out the suggested hook size with the actual doll I had was correct because a 10 inch doll is not always the same size as another 10 inch doll.

I knew from the beginning the pants would be more challenging because the doll in the picture had longer straighter legs than the chubby Lots to Love doll. This meant I'd need to reduce the rows for the legs. I tend to make my pants from the top down joining and splitting as I go.

There are lots of patterns that make them flat and join but these are not my favorite as it is hard to tell how they will fit until after you've finished the "outline" prior to sewing them together. I found that to be the challenge with this pattern and I likely won't use this pant set again for that reason. I found it was time consuming to put the pants together after making sure I'd make the corrections to make the pants short enough to fit the Lots to Love doll. I was glad I accepted the challenge and completed it but it just isn't a practical use of my time when the other method is quicker for me and I can move on to other projects more quickly. I may even be able to reproduce the texture and have a better fit because I would know exactly when to stop before adding the trim.

This has given me an idea to try something like this for next year. It would be easy enough to make these pants top down and I have several "top" patterns for this doll that fit better than this one that would give the doll a top and leggings outfit.

16 Inch Baby Doll Green Sundress

I donate two JC 16 inch Baby Dolls each year and that requires me to repeat certain patterns to make sure both dolls leave with enough clothing and accessories for a good donation.

As I mentioned in a previous post last week this is a free Sundress pattern I originally started making for a no longer available Mary Maxim 15 Inch Baby Doll that I used to donate in the early years of this donation. I started hunting for patterns that would fit that doll and when I graduated to the 16 inch doll it wasn't a huge adjustment to get the same patterns to fit the slightly larger doll.

While the original blog is no longer online for this free pattern, you can still access the pattern through the wayback machine here. The pattern includes the hat and the dress. I use Darski's baby shoe pattern for all my 16 inch baby doll outfits found in her free Peachy Keen pattern here. It is one of the only patterns that seems to consistantly fit the doll and stay on.

Since I find myself repeating patterns I do occasionaly find myself playing a bit with them. In this case I added a sc chain 1 sk 1 trim for the hat and the bottom of the dress.

This was a great chance to attack more stash yarn. I didn't finish off the green ball but it is significantly dented. The yellow was also another left over ball. I'm hoping to continue finishing off left overs and yarn that has lived to long in my stash as the donation projects continue.

16 Inch Baby Doll Sundress

This is probably the oldest and most consistant of my donation patterns for the 16 inch baby doll. Technically I have "older" patterns, some antique but I found this one when I was first starting with the 15 inch baby dolls and have used it consistantly since then.

Sadly the blogger has disappeared from the Internet but you can still access the pattern through the wayback machine here. The pattern includes the hat and the dress. I use Darski's baby shoe pattern for all my 16 inch baby doll outfits found in her free Peachy Keen pattern here. It is one of the only patterns that seems to consistantly fit the doll and stay on.

I was excited to finish off another ball in my collection of left overs, although it didn't quite finish the whole outfit. I had to start a new skein to finish off the hat and to add the shoes. However, it is always great to see a ball gone. I have a green ball eyed for the copy of this dress I need for the other 16 inch baby doll. While I still have to stock up on colors I go through consistantly I like to target yarns that I bought and never used each year and now that I have my left overs in a bin I like to use them up as well.

Notes:

This pattern was designed for a smaller doll so I've had to work on hook sizes to get a good fit over the years.

I use a K hook for the dress joining after the first row. I used an H hook for the hat and an I hook for the shoes. I do have to make the straps a bit longer but I play with that every year so I didn't record a strap length this year.

16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack 2

The snuggle sacks were a nice accessory to add to all the baby dolls this year and this is the last one I need for the 16 Inch baby dolls.

This is a free pattern you can find here. In order to make it fit you will need to add rows before doing the final finish row. It's easy to measure the sack on the doll as you go to make sure the size fits. I went with a J hook for the larger doll as it makes it a bit easier to get it in and out of the sack. The I hook works but it is a bit snugger. It all depends on how you want it to fit.

This was an odd Red Heart Skein I picked up and I haven't seen the color often so I thought it best to write down should I wish to find again Red Heart Super Saver Color Block Iris Bouquet.

16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

I've been slowly working my way through the baby doll snuggle or sleep sacks as a new item for the doll donations this year. I have one more to make after this and I should be good for the year.

After making one for the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll I tried it on the JC 16 Inch Baby doll and it was clearly short but the fit was close. I found an old skein of Red Heart I'd picked up prior to COVID at a Church sale and it felt lighter than the ones I'd previously used for this project so instead of an I hook I went with a J hook and the fit was good.

You can find the free pattern for this project here.

Notes:

With the lighter yarn I did go up a hook size and it might have worked with an I hook as well. I plan on going back to an I hook with more modern Red Heart Yarn for the second one I need for the donation.

While I had to add rows for length I didn't need to change the stitch count for width by using a larger hook.