Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Swimsuit

I started off the year with two all doll projects in mind. Every doll would leave with either a sleeping bag or a sleep sack and each would have a bathing or swimsuit. I finished the first project and the second project got a little stalled but I made a list of outstanding dolls and I'm picking up the project again.

This is one of Char Caywood patterns and it can be purchased here. The pattern was designed to fit the 8 inch and the Lil Cutesie doll so you'll be seeing this pattern again.

Notes:

This was made with a mix of three sizes of size 10 Crochet thread. When it comes to the dolls I've been looking primarily for colors so I don't mind mixing brands. From Artiste I believe the yellow is Gold Dust and the variegated is Blossoms. Since the Aunt Lydia's yellow was open I'm not sure of the color but I believe it might be Maize.

I used my Tulip Etimo 1.75mm thread hook for this project.

I changed the trim at the top to a sc chain 3 skip one as it was bulging a bit with the pattern suggested trim. I've made it before with the suggested trim but each time is different and this just fit better this year.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Doll Spring Dress

I have this Amy Carrico pattern in a couple of different baby doll sizes and I love the style and that it has several pieces that gives the child options to use with other outfits. This set does that and is easy to make. Sadly Amy's patterns are kind of available on a hit or miss basis. I tend to buy when she has anything new as soon as she lists because she isn't always selling. When I tried to link this pattern she didn't have any baby doll patterns for sale currently. If that changes I'll try to update the blog entry.

I used Bernat baby yarn for this pattern with a C hook for the upper part of the dress and a b for the bottom. The rest of the pattern was done with a C hook. I've not had great luck with the baby headbands so I decided to play with a hat. There is no pattern as it is still a work in progress.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Doll Snuggle Sack

I've been working on doll accessories to start the year.

I adapted the free sleep sack pattern for the Lots to Love 8 inch doll by changing yarn and hook size. You can find the free pattern here.

Over the years when Herrschners has sales and shipping deals on their yarn I've picked up various types of their house brand yarns for doll projects. The yarn tends to be "lighter" weight than suggested and I find I can get color options available for the smaller dolls not available in traditional "baby" yarns. I used their Worsted 8 Baby Yarn in Watercolors for this project with an f hook to get the sizing right.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Moses Basket

I've been committed to finishing off the accessories early in the year to avoid any last minute crisis when I realize I never made ... It helps to rotate the projects. Some projects are quick and easy and good for certain quick moments. Others are harder on my hands and a break between them is always welcome. However, as long as I keep rotating them in until they are done I will feel better knowing I'm better placed for this year's donation.

This is the second of three of the smaller moses baskets I need for the donation. I still need to make one for the Lil Cutesies Doll. With a larger head I'm going to make a carrier between the size of this one and the large Lots of Love 10 inch doll as that one was too large.

This moses basket is made using a pattern found in Annie Potter's Sweet Baby Doll Layette leaflet that you can purchase here. The blanket is a free pattern set for the Lots to Love 10 inch Baby Doll found here.

Notes:

As these patterns are designed for a slightly larger doll there are some adjustments required.

I used a g hook for the Moses basket and added more rows to the bottom of the basket.

I will continue with the smaller hook and add additional rows for the Lil Cutesies doll as the H hook made the basket too large for the doll and this basket was a bit tight with the larger head. I will test the sizing as I go along but this was close so I think a few more rows should make it comfortable without worrying about the doll rolling out. I also add rows to the side of the basket for the same reason.

If you want to move the doll or store it in the carrier having it constantly roll out is not a great plan. For this reason I don't add a mattress to the baskets. It makes it more likely that the doll will roll out.

For the blanket I experimented with hooks and using Red Heart Ombres Anemone I used an F hook with the suggested number of rows