by Rachel Fahnel

Created on: May 28, 2009

I am not terribly good at reading patterns, and I know I am not alone in this respect. I still want to crochet, as well as sew and knit, clothes for my cousin's dolls as it is a fun and often money-saving hobby. What am I to do? Make up my own patterns.

I have worsted weight yarn on hand most of the time, and it makes a sturdier, easier to pull on and off little garment. It is possible to make an attractive, strapless dress for Barbie or one of her companions with a small ball of yard no bigger than a tennis ball. You also need a size F crochet hook, a tapestry (blunt-ended, big eyed yarn) needle, a small amount of sewing thread to match the yarn, and some cord-type elastic.

Chain about 20 stitches, or enough to slip over the doll's hips and bust snugly. Join to make a chain and single crochet around, testing to make sure the dress is not too snug and not too loose. Keep going and going around until the dress is as long as your sensibilities think it should be. Most of mine end up below the knees.

When you reach the back of the dress, keeping track of the round by where the yarn tail is from the first row, go into the second to last stitch, catch the loop, then go into the last stitch and catch another loop, and crochet them both together. Cut the yarn long enough to weave in the end-at least five inches, since you can always cut it shorter but you can't cut it longer!

Thread the tail into the tapestry needle and stitch it into the body of the dress, weaving it so it can't be seen from the front. Snip it close to the dress. Weave in the tail at the top in the same manner.

Thread the tapestry needle with cord elastic and start at the back, where you just wove in the top tail, and make a knot in the end of the elastic. Use the sewing needle and thread and secure it into the knot, then stitch the elastic knot into the inside back of the dress, just low enough so it can't be seen from the right side.

Sew the cord elastic into the top of the dress in back stitches, stretching the elastic a bit so it will keep the top taunt enough to stay up and not reveal more of Barbie than should be revealed. Remember to keep checking so the elastic cannot be seen from the right side.

When you make it around the whole top, make another knot and sew it into the first one. In fact, you don't even have to clip the sewing thread, just poke the needle into the dress and leave it attached while you backstitch the elastic in.

Now try it on Barbie again. You can add small buttons or bows to the center front or around the hem, or even off-center at the hemline. Just do whatever you think is cute. It is hard to mess this little outfit up, and it would even be a good project for a little girl to make on her own. You can do several in different colors, and it's possible to make a sash as well with a single chain or a piece of ribbon. Attach it either on the sides or, if you intend to put on a button or small pretty as a belt buckle-like application, stitch it right in the center front. This dress works up especially nicely in variegated yarn. Some will work into a descending stripe pattern all by itself.

I hope you have success with this pattern. My cousin liked this addition to her doll's wardrobe and I'm sure your young friends will as well.

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