Summer Play Set for Amelia Thimble

I've been working on some rather small crochet projects recently, for a very tiny ball jointed doll called Amelia Thimble. In case you aren't familiar with her, at a mere four inches tall, Amelia lives in a sewing box, has a button studded bed, a dog named Rags, and a new friend called Izzy. Created by Joe Petrollese, Amelia is available from the Wilde Imagination website.

I wanted to share the pattern for one of Amelia's little crocheted outfits with you. I warn you, crocheting in a decent scale for a doll this tiny requires fine thread, small steel hooks, and may cause some serious eye strain! Still, if you have the patience for it, it can be a little addictive! The basic set can be varied to make different outfits. Shorten the pantalets to make bloomers. Use a different stitch pattern for the top, or lengthen it for a dress. Have fun, and by all means, let me know what you've made!

Crocheted Summer Play Set

For Amelia Thimble

by Charla McGuire Neal

Copyright 2012

Size 30 Crochet Thread (I used DMC Cebelia)

Size 11 Steel crochet hook (1.1 mm)

Pantalets

For waistband, cut a piece of 1/8" elastic to just fit around Amelia's waist. Butt the ends together, or overlap just slightly, and stitch by hand, OR, if you can find one of the clear or pastel colored latex ponytail holders in the right size, they would be ideal. (Blaxx, Goody, and Vidal Sassoon all make them.) I've tried using them, but the size I've found either have to be knotted to fit, which is less than ideal, (the knot leaves a bump, and the extra bit of band folded against the main band is awkward to crochet over.) Doubling the band works, kind of. The band will go around Amelia's waist, but is a *very* snug fit, and makes the pantalets difficult to get over her feet and knees. That's why I've pretty much gone back to the 1/8" elastic for the ones I've been making.

Note: Every row of pantalets is worked in the same direction, from the outside, without turning when you start a new row.

Row 1: Work 26 sc over the elastic ring, join to first sc with a sl st, ch 1, do not turn.

Row 2: Sc in every sc around, join, ch 2 (26 sc, not counting beginning ch st)

Row 3: Dc in every sc around, join, ch 2.

Row 4 & 5: Same as above, but at end of row, ch 5.

Row 6: Skip 1st 13 sts, join ch to next st with sl st, ch 2. Working one leg at a time, DC in same st as ch 2, then in each of remaining 12 dc. Work one dc in each of the 5 ch sts dividing legs, join and ch 2

Row 7 & 8: Dc in each dc, join, ch 1

Row 9: Sc in next 2 sc, sk 1 st, sc in next st, repeat to end of row, join, ch 2

Row 10: Sc in next sc, (*ch 2, sc in next st,) Repeat from * to end of row.

Break off, and work in ends of thread. Join thread at back of bloomers, and work second leg same as the first.

Sleeveless A Line Top

Bodice: Ch 29

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook & each ch across, 28 sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Sc in 1^st 4 sts, ch 4, sk 6 sc, sc in next 8 sc, ch 4, sk 6 sc, sc in last 4 sc.

Row 3: Sc in each sc and each 4 ch sts across. (24 sc)

Row 4: Sc in each sc across, ch 2, turn.

Skirt:

Row 5: Skip first sc, dc in 2nd sc, ch 1, dc in same sc, (V stitch made,) sk 1 st, Work V st in next st. Continue across row, skipping one stitch and working a V stitch in the next, working 1 dc in the last st, ch 2, turn.

Row 6-8: Work 1 V stitch in the center of each v st across, working 1 dc in top of turning ch, ch 2, turn.

Row 9: Repeat last row, ch 1, turn.

Row 10: Sc in every dc and ch st across row, ch 1 at end of row, then turn and sc up the side of the back. When you reach the sc rows of the bodice, ch 1, (buttonhole made,) sc in the end next 2 sc rows, ch 1, (buttonhole made,) sc in top row, break off.

Reattach thread at the neck edge of opposite back side, ch 1, sc along side to bottom of skirt, working over the end threads. At the bottom of the row, ch 1 and join with a sl st to the skirt bottom.

Work in loose ends of the thread. Sew two 2.5 mm pearl beads to right side of the back, across from buttonholes.

This pattern is posted for your own enjoyment. You may share the link freely with your friends, but please do not post the pattern anywhere else without my express written permission. Thank you!