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.

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.

Skipper Red Riding Hood

I've always been a huge fan of traditional tales and I love adding doll clothes or amis when I make them to connect books with toys for kids. I have some outfits for the larger dolls but until recently I had nothing easy to make for the Barbie fashion doll family. I have some older patterns but they are more complicated and while I do want to conquer them someday, this year is devoted to finishing items and getting them into the doll bags.

I found a series of traditional tale patterns on Ravelry designed by Mel Garcia Tello. You can purchase Red Riding Hood here.

This pattern is designed for Barbie but the suggested yarn is not one I can find. Therefore I decided to experiment with Aunt Lydia's Fashion Crochet 3 Thread in Scarlet,White,and Blue Hawaii.

Notes:

I used the suggested 2.5mm hook for the dress. The pattern creates the dress in solid red to match the cape. I decided I wanted a more traditional peasant dress look and went with a white top, changing to blue for the skirt portion of the dress. The dress fit Barbie but it was snug getting it on and off so I decided to see if it was a better fit for Skipper, thus making this Skipper's outfit.

I plan on trying the peasant dress with a larger hook for Barbie at another time. I also think this dress would work for Skipper without the fairy tale theme. She can always use some dresses. Especially ones that are easy to work up.

The cape is made with a 3.5mm hook and again I think this was small for Barbie while a good fit for Skipper. One change I would make is I'd likely not slip stitch the ties for her cape. While it protects the ties making them stronger it makes it too bulky to really tie the cape well.

I think I would try an f hook for the cape when I make it for Barbie to adjust to the change in fibers. I plan to stick with the Crochet thread for the project. I think the cotton is a better choice than other fibers for this project.