Our Generation Sleeping Bag

After finishing off the Calico Critter family's sleeping bags I decided to jump to the larger dolls as those bags take a longer time. I finished off this one last week after several appointments brought me close to the edge. I finished it off at home as I need to make sure it fits the doll before closing the end. Measurements are wonderful but I like to see it fit before finishing it off. I started another large doll one and already have the pillow section completed.

This is a wonderful free pattern that can be found here. She has multiple sizes of sleeping bags and also has free patterns for the baby doll sleep sacks I use for the donation on her site as well.

Notes:

This was made with Red Heart Super Saver Deep Teal Ombre with a K hook.

With this one complete I have one more for the Our Generation Boy, 2 My Life Dolls, and the Rag Doll to complete with this pattern. The Glitter Girl uses a different pattern from Adoring Dolls.

16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

With this I celebrate the completion of another category of doll projects for the 2025 donation. All the baby doll snuggle sacks are now complete.

I was able to complete this one while sitting in a meeting of crochet friendly people in mid February. I find it much easier to concentrate with a crochet hook in my hands if it is a simple project that doesn't require serious focus. The snuggle sacks, sleeping bags, and doll blankets have filled this mission for me over the years.

Notes:

You can find the free pattern for this snuggle sack here. There are also free patterns for smaller sizes and sleeping bags on the site as well.

This was made with Red Heart Ombres Deep Teal. This didn't stripe as well as some of their other ombre colors I've used for this project. Not sure I'd go with this blend again although I would use it for one of the sleeping bags.

16 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

These snuggle sacks worked up quickly this year. I finished this one at the beginning of February but just got around to posting it now. This free pattern was a great find as they are easy to make and add a nice accessory for the baby dolls.

You can find the free pattern for the larger baby dolls here. There is a pattern there I use for the smaller baby dolls along with patterns for sleeping bags I use for the other dolls.

Notes:

I use a J hook for the sleeping bag.

I follow the pattern but keep measuring the doll for length as this pattern was not designed with this doll in mind. As the length gets close I add the final finish row.

This was made with Red Heart Super Saver Color Block Iris Bouquet. I rather like this yarn for this project. Colors tend not to last forever but I would buy this again for these types of projects.

Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

With the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack I have to move to Suzie's Blog larger free doll pattern found here.

This leaves me with just the 16 inch baby doll snuggle sacks and the sleeping bags to make for the 2025 donation.

Notes:

I used a J hook and Red Heart Stripes Retro Stripe for this project.

As with all these sacks I try them on as I reach the end to check for length.

Lil Cutesies Snuggle Sack

With this project complete for the Lil Cutesies Doll it leaves me with just the three larger baby doll sleep sacks to finish for the 2025 donation. It means this pattern can return to my small baby doll binder for the season. You can find the pattern here.

Notes:

I used a G hook with what I believe to be Red Heart Ombres Sea Coral Yarn that was in my stash. I've been trying to use up yarn on hand for these projects.

I've moved yarn and hook into my travel bag to start the Lots to Love 14 Inch Baby Doll Sack. It would be nice to have the last three finished before Spring.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

This was my travel project for December. I like a simple project to work on that helps me pass the waiting time and still feel like I'm getting something done. This was supposed to be a project for the Lil Cutesies however, I grabbed the wrong hook for my travel. I realized my mistake and just decided to make it work for the Lots to Love 10 Inch doll instead. When I realized I had the I hook instead of the G hook in my bag.

Oddly enough when I looked at last year's project notes, I used the same yarn last year for this doll. I used Red Heart Striped yarn for these projects so I tend to grab what is close to hand. This tends to be a common color in my stash. Clearly more common than I realized to have used it for the same doll two years runnning.

Notes:

This is a free patterns from Suzies Stuff you can find here.

As mentioned I used an I hook for this project.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

I added snuggle sacks for the baby dolls a few years ago. Suzie's Stuff Blog has free patterns for a few different sizes along with sleeping bags for other dolls that I also use for the donation. 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.

I did not need to add rows to get this to fit the doll and since it was a new skein I didn't have issues finishing it. I am reminded that it is time to order more Herrchners yarn as it is my go to yarn for the smaller baby dolls.

My Life Sleeping Bag

The My Life dolls are on the board for the sleeping bag challenge of the doll donation. I am down to two more sleeping bags required for the 2025 donation. I need one more for the My Life dolls and one for the Glitter Girl.

These make great travel, waiting, sitting projects when you don't have time to read patterns but you do want something to keep your hands busy.

I usually try to finish the pillow section as it requires stuffing and counting rows. Once beyond the pillow I try to get it to where the pattern forms and then I find it is ready for a travel project. I don't bother counting rows, although I still mark the start of the row and count shells to make sure I'm on track with the pattern. I just try it on my model doll as I think I'm getting close to it being long enough to finish it off.

I got this one close to being done and put it aside this weekend while at a cookout. I didn't want it to be too long and was able to finish it off when I got home. I have another one started for the last of the My Life dolls. As I mentioned before I worked the pattern until it repeats and now it is an easy travel project ready to take with me when I'm in need of something to keep my hands busy.

The Glitter Girl pattern is slightly different as it is from Adoring Dolls and formed some what differently. I've only made it once so we will see if it is useful for a travel project.

Notes:

This is a free pattern you can find here. I used Red Heart Super Saver Ombres Violet for this bag and I would use it again for next year if they are still selling it. The color worked nicely for this project.

I need a K hook to make this work for the 18 inch dolls.

Barbie Sleeping Bag

I'm quite excited to be able to see the end of the sleeping bags for the 2024 donation.

With this bag the fashion dolls all have their sleeping bags. I have three more to make for the 2 My Life Dolls and the Glitter Girl and I will be done with the bags for the year. It is a fun accessory to add to the donation and not terribly difficult to make. I just like finishing off the projects that go across multiple dolls as early in the year as possible. It prevents me runnig into the November deadline.

The free pattern for the sleeping bag can be found here. This however does not include the shells. The directions for the shell version work easily on all the sleeping bags but are found on the free Beanie sleeping bag variation found here. I like the texture the shells produce and it breaks the boredom of constant sc rows.

Notes:

I used an I hook with this sleeping bag.

Hunting through my stash I came across some Red Heart Ombres Jazzy that had the pink shades I wanted.

I don't count rows for these bags I keep a doll in my travel bag and keep measuring the doll in the bag until it feels like its a good fit.

I have started making a note on my phone about how many shells I'm supposed to have in each row as I found when I was making the Rag Doll I added shells. It wasn't as much of an issue with this bag but I still have the note on my phone so if I need to count it is there for future sleeping bags.

I have another round of appointments coming up so I need to get another one started before I head out. I prefer to get the pillow made and sealed before it leaves the house as the pillow has to be stuffed. I do have a closed pocket in my project bag with stuffing just in case I need to work on the go but it isn't my favorite way of working these projects on the go.

Rag Doll Sleeping Bag

I started out with the intention of making this sleeping bag for one of the My Life Dolls but soon realized that the opening was slightly smaller than I'd intended and it was a better fit for the Rag Doll.

I normally use an I hook for the Rag Doll sleeping bag but since I already had started and almost finished this for the My Life doll I reduced the rows and finished it off for the Rag Doll with a K hook. I will need to measure it earlier on the My Life doll when I make the next larger one to make sure I have the right fit.

This is a free pattern found here.

Last time when I was figuring out what I had left to make for sleeping bags I left out the Glitter Girl. So as it stands I still need two My Life bags, one for the Glitter Girl, and one for Barbie for the 2024 donation.

Our Generation Doll Sleeping Bag

I did real well at the start of the donation year getting all the baby doll snuggle snacks completed. However, I seem to have stalled on the sleeping bags for the non-baby doll donations. Last week seemed like a good chance to get this project restarted finishing one I had started as a travel project.

Notes:

This was made with Caron Ombre Salmon yarn and a K hook rather than the suggested I.

You can find the free pattern here.

I have 2 to make for the My Life dolls, one for the Rag doll and I believe Barbie is the only fashion doll I still need to make a sleeping bag for this donation season. I'd like to get them finished so I could start some of my other yearly projects like the bathing suits.

I got the pillow section done for the next My Life doll so hopefully that will get some momentum started for this project.

Skipper Sleeping Bag

I'm slowly working my way through the sleeping bags using them as my travel/waiting/appointment projects. I've been rotating between the Barbie family and the 18 inch dolls and it was time for Skipper to have hers.

Every year I try to finish off balls or small skeins not yet made into balls left over from previous projects. I don't remember the brand this particular yarn came from but it was used on several different projects before being finished off for Skipper's sleeping bag. The yarn has an odd striping pattern and it had some large patches and other small ones. It was a bit of a game of yarn chicken and I did end up adding some purple to the bottom to finish off the sleeping bag when I lost the game. However, it was worth it have another partial skein turned ball finished off.

This is a free pattern for a fashion doll slepping bag found here.

I used an I hook for this project and wished I had read my project notes from last year as I wrote it needed to be 12 inches long but not knowing I had previously measured I ended up carrying Skipper with me on my various outings.

This makes a great travel/waiting project. I had it almost complete after my last outing and decided to finish it off Sunday night so I could start on one for one of the larger 18 inch dolls. They are less great as travel projects when they get to the end as you have to be more careful about not making them too long and then finishing them off. It is easier to travel with a project that is past the pillow stage where it needs to be stuffed and before you reach the toes where you have to start being careful as to where to end. That's when I tend to pull it out of the bag and finish it off. I still have a few more to make so I will have travel sleeping bags for a little while longer.

Ken Sleeping Bag

These sleeping bags are great travel projects. Ken's made waiting for several appointments much more relaxing as I was focused on finishing a project and not on how much time I was waiting or anticipating the appointment itself.

Last year was the first year I added sleeping bags to the donation so I didn't do much experimentation. The fashion doll sleeping bag pattern found here uses row upon row of sc's to make the sleeping bag. There is a Beanie Baby pattern that has an option for two sets of patterns. You can make the traditional sc option or it offers a shell pattern that I've used for the smaller fashion dolls. I decided to experiment and use the shell pattern with Ken's sleeping bag to give it a bit more texture. You can find the directions for the shell stitch version here.

Notes:

I started out with the fashion doll pattern completing the pillow and the first established sleeping bag prior to switching over to the shell portion of the Beanie pattern.

For this sleeping bag I used Red Heart Super Saver Fall and an I hook.

Once the pattern is established I no longer count rows. The doll travels with me and I measure as I think I'm getting close prior to closing at the bottom.

I had a ball of yarn I can't identify left over from a previous project that I set up for my next travel project. The pillow section is done and I've started the sleeping bag portion leaving the rest for my appointments. This one is slated for Skipper.

Our Generation Boy Sleeping Bag

This was my travel project through most of January for various appointments and I finally finished it during the Super Bowl sewing in the ends during the final moments of over time.

Since I'm preposting this I'm sure I'll have another one started and in my travel bag for upcoming appointments. It's a great waiting project as it engages and distracts the mind a little more than a simple repitition of one single stitch over and over but no so complicated that I find myself pulling out rows when I get home because despite the stitch count being correct, the item still isn't right.

Last year I used Latte Stripes for the boy doll's sleeping bag. This year for something different I went with Red Heart Jumbo Stripes Sutherland Stripe. I like both choices and would use either again for this project.

This is a free pattern you can find here.

Notes:

I use a K hook for the 18 inch dolls.

I don't count rows once the pillow is finished and the basic pattern established for the sleeping bag. I measure it against the doll. I believe this is around rows 23-24 which begin to repeat to end at that point.

Stacie Sleeping Bag

Another sleeping bag off my list. I decided to start with the Barbies as they are the quickest to finish off. Stacie was an opportunity to use up some Caron Simply Soft Ombre Rosewood.

Just a note to myself for future projects, Simply Soft is not the best choice for the fashion dolls for this project as their hands get stuck in the yarn. If I had enough it likely wouldn't be an issue with the larger dolls, but it was constantly snagging on Stacie's hands.

This is a free pattern you can find here.

I don't count rows once I'm past the established pattern for the shells. Since this is designed for a Beanie Baby I do need to make it longer. I just continue until it fits the doll and finish off. This year it is slightly longer than required but it also aids with the doll not getting snagged on the yarn.

There is a free pattern on the same site for fashion dolls but with Stacie's hands out as wide as they are I find the wider Beanie Baby bag is a better fit for getting her in and out with minimal snagging.

Chelsea Sleeping Bag

I needed a small travel project for a rare Saturday appointment. These often come with wait times so I thought it best to have a small travel project.

I was able to fit Chelsea in one of the pockets of my project bag along with my regular crochet tools as I need to measure as I go with this project as the pattern is designed for a Beanie Babie and isn't quite the right length for Chelsea. It is easy enough to adapt by measuring the length against Chelsea and adding rows until her feet are covered before closing the end.

You can find the Teanie Beanie free sleeping bag pattern here.

Notes:

I ended up using the same left over ball of purple I used last year to make the sleeping bag.

I hook

This is the beginning of the sleeping bag project for the non-baby dolls. I'll be alternating the sleeping bag with other accessory and clothing projects. This week I'm hoping to finish off the last of the bibs I need and hopefully get one more diaper finished before beginning another clothing item. In that way I'm hoping to get back to that balance I had before the holidays hit of working on accessories and clothing so all dolls leave with a wardrobe along with accessories.

I did pick up clothes at Dollar Tree for Chelsea so she will have some clothes, but I always like the dolls to leave with hand made items when I have the time to make them. The Dollar Tree items are more of an insurance policy and for times I just don't get to the smaller dolls or extras because most girls love extra doll outfits for their fashion dolls.

Lil Cutesies Moses Basket

Happy New Year to all. I hope your New Year is getting off to a great start.

I finished off another category of donation items before the New Year and that was a great way to start.

Having finished the Lil Cutesies Moses basket I'm done making them for the 2024 donation.

I no longer make them for the larger baby dolls as working with three strands of yarn on the larger carriers proved hard on my hands. For those of you interested there is a wonderful free pattern here. The pattern is not complicated and it makes a solid carrier but after a decade of making two a year my hands starting saying no. After 2022 I started purchasing substitutes for the larger dolls.

For the Lots to Love 14 Inch Doll I've been buying the Manhattan Toy Stella Collection Soft Fabric Baby Doll Bassinet and Carrier for 12" to 15" Baby Dolls. I tend to shop for price so I've purchased it from Amazon, Christian Book.com and oddly this year from Barnes and Noble for the coming year as they had the best price. I had no idea they would carry it. There are lower and higher priced items on the market. I try to strike a balance in my donation budget.

When I was making these baskets it took my 3 skeins of Caron Pounders to make sure I didn't run out before the project was finished. I figured what I was paying for yarn would translate close to what I was willing to pay for a replacement cost with a bonus I'd released my time for other doll projects. While I could save money by buying the cheaper stuff they don't last and these are the families the least able to replace a toy when it breaks.

The Manhattan carrier wouldn't fit the larger JC 16 inch baby dolls so I hunted for something bigger. Again price was a factor. I was looking for something within the replacement range of what I had been making previously. I settled on June Garden Cozy Dream Doll Bassinet - Baby Doll Portable Carrier on Amazon. This one doesn't go on sale as often but still falls within my price goal at full price. However, it did drop to just over $18 in Novmember when I was able to get two for the 2024 donation.

Now back to my final Moses basket of the year.

Notes:

Yarn:

Basket: Homespun Aster

Blanket: Lion Brand Baby Soft (3) Dusty Lilac

I used a G hook for the basket with the heavier yarn and an H for the blanket as the J hook made a rather large blanket for the smaller Lots to Love 8 Inch Doll and I wanted to correct that with the Lil Cutesies project.

The basket is part of Annie Potter presents Sweet Baby Layette pattern set and can be purchased here.

The blanket is part of a free pattern set for the 10 Inch Baby doll BBL found here.

Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

After finishing this snuggle sack for the Lots to Love 10 Inch Baby doll I'm done with snuggle sack donations for 2024. I will be moving on to sleeping bags for the Barbie family of dolls and the larger dolls. I still have a Moses basket to finish for the Lil Cutesies doll and one more bib and two diapers for the JC 16 Inch Baby Doll before I will be done with all the baby accessories for the 2024 donation.

You can find the free pattern here.

I used an I hook for this doll.

The yarn is Red Heart Stripes Polo.

Lil Cutesies Snuggle Sack

Last year I lost a yarn chicken race with a ball of yarn I thought had enough length to finish the Lil Cutesies' snuggle sack. This time I faired better with a Red Heart Super Saver Retro Stripe left over skein. I still have a ways to go to finish off the skein and I have more in case I finish it off on another project.

You can find the free pattern here.

Notes:

I used a G hook for this project.

This was one of my pre-Christmas projects and when I made this I didn't have a row counter with me. I just kept making it until the item was long enough for the doll at which point I completed the final finish row.

Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby Doll Snuggle Sack

I'm still commited to balancing accessories with clothing but during the Christmas holiday and break I'm giving myself an out to take on simple projects to continue working on the donations but taking on realistic items that require minimal focus and trying on items, etc. That leaves me primarily with the accessories. It's a good chance to finish off some of the items that need to get finished and I can get back after the New Year to my promise of a balanced approach to accessories and clothing.

I've finished off the snuggle sacks for the larger dolls so I decided to start off with the smallest of the baby dolls the Lots to Love 8 Inch Baby doll. You can find the free pattern here.

This was a new item for the donation last year and I'm thankful I wrote notes for each size of the smaller dolls to adjust this pattern as I'd completely forgotten when I came back to start them again for this year. To keep the tradition going and for anyone interested I'm posting my notes again.

Notes:

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

I used Herrschners Worsted Baby Yarn color Tiara.

I did not need to add rows to get this to fit the doll and since it was a new skein I didn't have issues finishing it.