My latest recycled crafting project involves these two baby dolls. I got these dolls at my local thrift store. Both dolls just needed a little cleaning and a new outfit. I crocheted both dolls a new dress and hat. Buying these used dolls was very reasonable. One was only 99 cents and the other $1.99 but with new outfits, they have a new life and look great. They both will be going to my local woman’s shelter for some little girls to find joy with a new baby doll.

Here is a closeup of the hat. I worked one round in white yarn and then did white trim by working a slip stitch in the final round. You can click on any of the photos to supersize them.

I used this doll dress and hat pattern for both outfits. I crocheted using a H (5 mm) hook with worst weight 4 ply yarn. My dolls are 12 inches tall and I did a little modification on the neckline and straps as outlined below.

My modifications:
I chained 38 stitches at the beginning. (40 for fatter soft dolls). After row 12, I joined and worked in the round with the right side facing out with a ch 2 at the start of each round from this point. I only worked 17 rows/rounds and finished off my dress with trim by working slip stitches for my final round.

My straps were done wider and with a higher front yoke to cover my doll’s chest a bit more. This was done by attaching the yarn 2 stitches from the front side edge with right side facing. Sc across the front to within 2 stitches from the other side edge. Chain 1 turn and work Sc’s back across the front yoke area back to the beginning where you started. Depending on the height you want for the front yoke, you can either do just one row or two rows before beginning the first strap. Ch 1 turn and work Sc in only the next for stitches for the strap. My straps are 5 stitches wide including the turning chain. I worked my straps about 12 rows long. Check your fit to see if the strap is long enough for your doll. Attach to the back of dress with Sc’s to secure strap. My back strap edge was attached at the 4th stitch from the back opening. (See photo below)

Attach your yarn to other side of the front with right side facing and repeat the steps to make the strap for the other side of dress.

I added stripes to the blue dress set by working a different color of yarn on the second from the last Dc round of dress and then doing slip stitches for the trim with the same color of yarn as the stripe.

Recycling these thrift store dolls has been really fun and I can only hope some of the joy that they have brought me can be passed along to some little girls out there.