Barbie Graduation

One of the reasons I got started crocheting many years ago was to make doll clothes for a family member who is graduating from high school this year. Barbie clothes in particular where hard to find in the stores and I struggled with making clothes for her Barbies and then moved on to her 18" dolls which I frankly found easier to work on as at that point thread was not my friend.

The color washed out a bit in the picture but it is navy blue and the yellow represents the honors achievements from her high school. She's graduating from an Agricultural (Aggie) High School as a Vet Tech and will be going on to college for Pre-Vet. I found Barbie Veterinarian Doll and pulled out an out of print Annie's Fashion Doll Club Graduation Gown pattern FC40-03 to make the gown to go over it.

In the past thread has been a really tough challenge, but this spring I have had more success with thread than yarn. I started with a ami graduation owl and just couldn't make the poor thing come together. Barbie was my back up plan. While I was concerned the bent arm might be an issue getting the gown over it, the arm was wide enough there was no problem. The dog was attached to the Vet outfit with a plastic elastic like material, I used that to attach the dog to the gown. I followed the directions for the hat and tassel, merely using multiple colors for the tassel.

Now for my adaptations. The pattern called for a paper diploma. I figured this would rip long before I ever delivered the doll so I chose to crochet one in white thread and tie it with a bow of yellow chained thread. I also created a loop of yellow chains to attach the diploma to Barbie's hand so it would stay on. The honors sash was created by increasing dc to the width wanted and then decreasing back down to a point when the length had been achieved. DH found the parachute cord at Walmart and the tassels for the honors cord at Michaels. Unfortunately, he had to get multiple cards to get two matching colored tassels. Since I wanted the gown to be removable so the Vet outfit could be shown off I didn't sew the doll into the outfit as suggested but used snaps. I also didn't need to make the slip because I bought a dressed Barbie. The gown is see through so if you make it you will want to use the slip, make an outfit, or what I did, buy a clothed doll for the project.

Graduation Bear

I still have more Easter Projects to post, but for those planning ahead I thought I would share my graduation bear project.

This was one of the first amigurumi patterns I tried. For those of you who would like to see the free pattern you can find the pattern link for the bear in the Graduation Links. Look for the Lion Brand Bear link.

The gown is not in the Lion Brand pattern. I made it up by chaining the distance around his neck and increasing outwards as I went along. I do not have a written pattern. It was my first experiment with clothing and no pattern. I wanted an outfit that could be removed so the bear could be dressed in other clothing later. I found a few sweaters at one of the craft stores that fit. I also did not sew the hat to the bear. It is pinned with saftey pins in the crochet holes so the hat could come off at a later date and be replaced with other outfits. The pattern does call for it to be sewn on. It is obviously the choice of the creator.

After this picture was taken, I did add the graduation tassel and the honors scarf when I was able to discover the appropriate colors. One of the fun things I am enjoying about crochet is adding the personalized details. My Mom is going the Build a Dog route and is knitting the gown using a bear pattern and using her knitting skills to make it more personal by adding the school colors and the honors regalia. This is something that just was not an option before I learned these skills. I would have to beg a relative to do it for me.

For those looking for a knitted bear graduation pattern this book may also be available at your local library.




The photo is my personal property and not to be reused without written permission.