Stacie Sleeping Bag

While this is posting towards the end of May I'm writing it the first weekend of May on a wet rainy Sunday.

Wet rainy days are great days for bargain hunting which honestly is the only way this doll charity stays functioning.

I looked at my Amazon doll wishlist today to find the 16 inch Baby dolls on sale and stocked up.

I've been struggling to decide what to do about restocking the Glitter Girl dolls as my reserve is low and nothing was speaking to me. The prices have been high and price is important if you want to reach more kids. However, today they had one doll that fit the style of doll I wanted and was about 1/2 the price of the other dolls in the category. I was also able to replace my current model which sadly is out of date and will not accurately model for the current dolls. I hadn't realized that until I went looking for a new doll.

On to the current project. As I post this at the beginning of May I now only have two more sleeping bags to make before the doll donations. Both are Chelsea dolls and going to two different donations. This is a huge weight after last year discovering I had forgotten them in the fall.

Stacie is now the only fashion doll that uses the free Beanie Sleeping Bag pattern found here rather than a combo of the fashion doll and Beanie shells. Her bent arms make the wider sleeping bag a better choice. I experimented during Kits for Kids with using a Calico Critter pattern for Chelsea and I will use that for the next two Chelsea sleeping bags I need.

Notes:

This was made with Herrschners Baby Worsted Stripes a 4 weight yarn. Note to self do not use anything bulkier than Herrschners for Stacie's sleeping bag.

I use the suggested I hook.

Once the pillow and pattern are established I stop counting rows and close when the sleeping bag easily ends over the doll's feet.

Skipper Sleeping Bag

As I mentioned on Ken's sleeping bag post I lost track of some of the accessory projects last year and ended up scrambling to finish them in the fall.

I looked back at Skipper's sleeping bag post and it hit on Halloween last year. Since I prepost it might have been earlier but still I like getting these projects in the donation bags early in the year. Having them waiting in the fall wasn't going to work for me this year.

It is the first weekend of May as I prepost and Skipper's bag is ready to go. This leaves me with Stacie, and two Chelseas to finish the donation year.

This bag is made using a combination of two free patterns from Suzie's Stuff Blog. The first is her Fashion Doll Sleeping bag found here. The texture comes from her Beanie Bag Sleeping Bag found here.

I use the fashion doll pattern to establish the pillow and width of the pattern. The shells come from the beanie pattern. I find sc the entire sleeping bag to be a rather tiresome project. The shells make it work up faster for me. I also like the textured look.

Notes:

This was made with Red Heart Ombre Violet. I'd use this again for Skipper if I had it on hand.

I need an I hook to get this to fit Skipper.

Once the pattern is established I stop counting rows and follow the pattern until it covers the doll's feet and then I close the bottom of the bag.

Ken Sleeping Bag

I'd taken a break from Aztec Wishes doll clothes to make the deadline for Kits for Kids. When I came back I wanted to work on some larger doll clothes to give my hands a rest.

I haven't given up on that goal but I also realized I can't abandon the accessories or I'll be scrambling in the fall to finish off items that got forgotten. Looking back at last year's projects this sleeping bag was posted early November. Not something I wish to repeat.

The only sleeping bags remaining are the Barbie ones. With this I still need Skipper, Stacie and 2 Chelsea as I will need one for the Shoebox donation, too.

This is a free fashion doll sleeping bag pattern found here. I like the texture from the beanie bag pattern also on the same site found here so I combine the patterns.

Notes:

The yarn for this bag is Red Heart Super Saver Stripes Latte Stripes.

I use an I hook for the sleeping bag and once the pillow is made I stop counting rows. I continue to crochet until I can close the bag over the doll's feet with a little room at the bottom.

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.

Operation Christmas Child 8 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

After I finished scrambling to complete last year's donation I joined a few online groups and started to think about how I could blend what I was already doing for Aztec Wishes with what I wanted to offer for Operation Christmas Child.

One of the suggestions for the younger girls is a baby doll and I have a supply of Lots to Love 8 inch dolls for my Aztec Wishes donation so this seemed like a start for a younger girl box. I have experience with dressing the doll so it will be a matter of what I can fit into the box.

For my own notes this year while shopping for Operation Christmas Child at Hobby Lobby I found dipaer bag kits that would work for the smaller baby dolls for Aztec Wishes. There are lots of accessories and I removed one bottle for this donation. There are additional bottles for the bag going to Aztec Wishes so the one missing bottle shouldn't be an issue but it does solve my issue of finding a bottle for this size doll that has no liquid.

This is a free pattern found here.

Notes:

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 had just brought home so very pretty striped yarn and wasn't thinking when I started this only to realize it wasn't going to work. I frogged it and pulled out the Baby Stripes and had no issue.

This is the last of the snuggle sacks I need for 2026. I'm hoping to add a bassinet to the shoebox donation after I finish the ones I need for Aztec Wishes.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

I'm still working my way through the sleeping bags and snuggle sacks for the dolls. I'm hoping to finish them by Spring and move on to the baby doll bassinets. Up next is the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll.

You can find the free pattern here.

I am done with the snuggle sacks for Aztec Wishes for 2026. I am hoping to add one for an 8 inch baby doll to an Operation Shoebox project for this year. I'm also hoping to make some Chelsea clothes for a second box.

Notes:

This was made using a J hook.

The yarn is Red Heart Super Saver Stripes Favorite Stripe.

Glitter Girl Sleeping Bag

For years I've used Adoring Doll's camping set sleeping bag for this donation.

I've just never been a fan of the mummy sack sleeping bags. My brothers had the down ones for deep winter camping and of course it was all I had available when I needed a sleeping bag and I found them horribly confining.

Last year after finishing the mummy sack I promised myself I'd look into adapting the free 18 inch sleeping bag pattern for the smaller doll and here we are with a new sleeping bag.

Notes:

This was made adapting a free 18 inch doll pattern found here.

The only change I needed to make was to use a G hoook. After establishing the pattern I don't count rows I measure length against the doll before closing the bottom and that is what I did for the smaller Glitter Girl.

This was made with Red Heart Super Saver Bonbon print and required slightly over one skein to finish. I leave this as a note as it is significantly less than the other dolls but still not a single skein project unless it is a jumbo skein.

Rag Doll Sleeping Bag

This is the last of the large doll sleeping bags I need for 2026.

I'm working on adapting this pattern to use with the Glitter Girl as I've never been a fan of the mummy sack sleeping bag pattern I have for her.

You can find this free pattern here.

I still use the K hook for this doll I just use fewer rows stopping when the bag covers her feet leaving room to close it.

I believe this is Red Heart Super Saver Polo Stripes Yarn.

Our Generation Sleeping Bag

With this sleeping bag finished all the 18 inch doll sleeping bags are complete. I just need one for the Rag doll and then I'm on to the fashion dolls and little critters. I still need a sleep sack for the Lots to Love 14 inch baby doll.

Notes:

This is a free pattern found here. You can also find patterns for the fashion dolls there as well.

I use a K hook to make this fit the 18 inch dolls.

The yarn for this one is Red Heart stripes Baby Rainbow and I need 2 skeins to make it fit.

My Life Sleeping Bag 2

This one was primarily made in January during the Patriots playoff game against Texas. I finished it the Tuesday afterwards and started one for the Broncos. I find it is best to have something easy to workon whether watching football with DH or at appointments when I'm waiting.

Notes:

This was made with Red Heart Stripes Parrot. I use a great deal of Super Saver for my doll projects. It comes in lots of colors and it is on the affordable end of yarn for my projects.

This was the first time in a very long time I got a bad skein.

Almost every brand has joins but these joins fell apart. The yarn also had a streak of brown that ran through the yarn making it look dirty. I cut out and rejoined around it but it was disappointing as I use striped yarn for many of these donation projects. I just pulled a pair from my stash that I had purchased from Joann's ages ago and that set is clean. Hopefully this is not going to be a new issue.

This is made with a free pattern you can find here. There are patterns for several sizes of dolls available there.

I need a K hook to get this pattern to fit the My Life and Our Generation Dolls.

Our Generation Boy Sleeping Bag

I try to post only one sleeping item per week regardless of how many I finished.

This was actually my New Year's Eve project. I started it at an appointment the day before. Worked on it during a game night on New Year's Eve and finished it up New Year's Day. I started the next one and worked it until I reached the shell section for my next appointment as it is easier to travel when the project is at this point then starting from the pillow section on the road.

I am working to fufill my promise of having these finished early in the donation cycle.

This is made using Suzies Stuff free pattern found here.

In years past I've made it a goal to use up yarn in my stash where possible. This year it is less of a goal and more of a need as I can't indulge my yarn buying habit. I had used this same skein of Red Heart Ombre Cocoa last October to make the boy's sleeping bag. Not sure there is enough for another 18 Inch doll but it might work for Ken.

I need a K hook for this project.

16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

With this second 16 inch Baby Doll Sleep Sack complete I only have one more to make for the Lots to Love 14 inch Baby doll. Next up however is a sleeping bag for the Our Generation Boy doll. I finished all the Sleeping Sacks easily enough but never got to the sleeping bags last year. I am determined not to be making sleeping bags in the fall next year.

Notes:

You can find the free pattern here along with sleeping bags for both the fashion dolls and the 18 inch dolls.

I use a J hook to get this to fit the 16 inch baby dolls.

This one is made with Red Heart Ombres Jazzy.

As I tend to use these and the sleeping bags as traveling projects a reminder to myself to start and get to row 7 before taking this project out once established this is a very relaxing project that requires minimal monitoring. The earlier rows require more attention which can make it less useful for my needs.

I do not count rows once the pattern is established but determine it is time for the final row which is a trim row when I've tried it on and it is big enough.

16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

This was actually my Christmas Day project. I started it as a travel project and finished it Christmas night.

I had forgotten that unlike the sleeping bags this pattern takes until about row 7 until you have a easy pattern to follow while having a conversation or not having the brain power to concentrate which is what I try to establish for a travel project.

The rows prior to that aren't hard but the stitches used change and you have to be more mindful which can be more challenging when you are looking for something to keep your hands busy but not require a great deal of focus.

With that in mind I finished the second snuggle sack for the 16 inch baby dolls to row 7 and left it for my next appointment.

Notes:

This is a free pattern found here. There are two sizes of the snuggle sack and various sleeping bags I use for this project.

To make this fit the 16 inch baby doll I use a J hook.

This version was made with Red Heart Ombre Violet yarn that was left over from a previous project. It felt like it was a little lighter than some of the other Red Heart Striped Yarns I've used for the sleeping bags.

Once passed the establishing rows I don't count rows for the snuggle sacks. I keep trying them on until they fit and then do the final row.

Lil Cutesies Sleep Sack

I had targeted the one of the 16 Inch Baby Dolls to be the next travel sleep sack projects. However, I was cleaning up and found a collapsed skein of striped Red Heart yarn and while rolling it decided why not just use it and another sleep sack was finished for the 2026 donation.

As I said December was a busy, productive month for getting stuff done for the next donation year.

You can find the free pattern here.

Notes:

I need a G hook to get this to finish the Lil Cutesies doll.

I want to make one more of the small sleep sacks to put in an Operation Shoebox donation with one of the Lots to Love 8 Inch dolls next year. It should fit in with the bassinet I make for the doll. If it doesn't I have another sack ready for 2027.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Sleep Sack

December turned out to be an appointment month which allowed me to finish off another sleep item for the donation a little less than ten days before Christmas.

This is a free pattern you can find here.

Notes:

I used an I hook for this project.

I add an extra row before the final row for this doll.

The yarn is Herrschners' Worsted 8 Baby Stripes Pastel Rainbow. I found this yarn works a little better for the smaller dolls than the Red Heart yarn. I still use traditional worsted for the larger 16 inch baby dolls.

My Life Sleeping Bag

I vowed last fall I'd finish the accessories earlier for the 2026 donation. I really didn't enjoy rushing to finish them at the last minute.

A couple of appointments and some Christmas movie viewing made this one move along quickly.

Notes:

This is made from a free pattern found here. You can find sleeping bags for the fashion dolls there along with snuggle sacks for the various sized baby dolls.

I use a K hook to make this fit the 18 inch dolls.

I believe this is Red Heart Super Saver Bright Stripe. I often pick skeins up at Walmart for the sleeping bag projects.

Barbie Sleeping Bag

I finished the 2025 Barbie Sleeping Bag right before Halloween and it posted in early November. I finished the 2026 one before Thanksgiving and its posting in early December. I'm targeting these projects so they don't end up being rush jobs at the end of the donation season. That wasn't how I wished to finish the year but it did give me an idea of how to multi-task and do the projects I most enjoy while still getting the other items done as well.

This is one of Suzie's free sleeping bag projects found here. I combined it with her Beanie bag one found here for the texture. The original pattern uses only sc and while effective is a bit dull to make. Adding the shells makes the project a bit more enjoyable and adds a nice texture to the bag.

Notes:

This project requires an I hook.

It is the same skein of yarn I used for the 2025 sleeping bag and I think its Red Heart Perfect Pink.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

I found myself at the end of last year rushing to finish the sleeping bags and challenge projects so this year I'm trying to weave them in as I go so I finish clothing and accessories in a bit more of a balanced manner. So don't be surprised to see some of the end of last year's projects popping up at the start of the 2026 donation project. I don't want to see them at the end of 2026. I'd rather be adding more fun clothing items.

Suzie's Stuff blog has been my go to for the sleep or snuggle sacks for the baby dolls and the sleeping bags for the other dolls. The free patterns make great accessory items for the dolls. You can find this pattern here.

Notes:

I used an F hook to make this for the smaller 8" doll.

I used Herrschners Worsted Baby Yarn color Tiara.

My notes from last year indicated I needed more Herrchners yarn and thankfully I was able to stock up on yarn and by accident it is the same color as last year. I tend to grab a skein and go as these are my travel projects.

My Life Sleeping Bag 2

It is time to celebrate as I've finished the sleeping bags for 2025.

Notes:

I was in Walmart to pick up some other items. My husband normally does the Walmart runs so I treated myself to a trip down the yarn aisle and picked up some Red Heart Favorite Stripes Yarn as I've started to run out of options for sleeping bags. I prefer the multi-colored yarn rather than the solid for these projects as it keeps them a bit more interesting.

You can find this free pattern on Suzies's Stuff Blog here.

I need a K hook to get this pattern to fit the My Life Doll.

My Life Sleeping Bag

I am in the home stretch for the 2025 donation. This is one of the last two sleeping bags I need for the donation. After the sleeping bags both My Life Dolls and the Our Generation Doll, and the Rag Doll need nightgowns. Thankfully I've started all of them. Then one My Life Doll and the Our Generation Doll need Swimsuits and the 2025 donation will come to an end as I take a break for some family stuff I need to do and then ramp up for the start of the 2026 donation.

This is a free pattern found on Suzie's Stuff Blog here.

Notes:

I use a K hook for the larger sleeping bag pattern.

This is a heavier weight Big Twist Yarn that I bought ages ago and never was able to use up. It is a bit scratchy and sheds. I am determined to use it all up rather than waste it so this was a great way to eat a bit of yarn. It still didn't finish it off.