My Life Swim Suit Doll 2

Swim suits or bathing suits are one of the more common 18 inch doll patterns and I have acquired quite a few patterns over the years which allows me to rotate them around and not have to do the same ones each year. This one was one of my firsts and sadly is no longer available. Along with the suit, hat, and towel seen here the pattern also has a beach ball and rubby ducky floaty which with time constraints I chose not to make this year. The pattern was created by Stepahine Dygert and if it becomes available again, I'll add the link.

My gauge has been odd this fall. I needed a J hook to get this to slide over the doll. I went back to an f hook for the accessories and the hat fit the head fine. The other items were less sized based so the f hook was fine. I might consider an e hook if I make the pail again with acrylic rather than cotton yarn.

I did try this on the JC 16 Inch Baby doll and the fit is good so this might also be the second baby doll swim suit as well. It works up quickly and it keeps the sorting a little easier when the clothes aren't identical in the donation bags.

My Life Bathing Suit

Every year I try to challenge myself to go through the doll pattern binders and pick out a pattern I have never made or one that I haven't made for a while to challenge myself.

Long after I was at the teach yourself to crochet kits I came across Boye's I Taught Myself To Crochet 18" Doll Clothes kit and picked it up. I passed on the Boye hooks and the other accessories have long since been absorbed or disposed off but I put the booklet in one of the 18 inch doll binders thinking I'd get to the patterns at some point.

I would argue most of these patterns are not in the category of teach yourself. I've been doing this for a few years and there are a couple of places where better directions and pictures would have been helpful in the shaping of the swimsuit.

The pattern comes with a bag and a beach blanket. I chose not to add the additional accessories as time is a factor. I have St. Patrick's Day and Easter outfits to make. I've got to read the directions for an afghan and of course there are always more doll dresses to make.

Notes:

I ended up using an e hook with Aunt Lydia Size 3 Crochet Thread, White,Blue Hawaii, and purple.