My blog and jewelry web pal, Jean Yates from Snap Out of It Jean! There’s Beading to Be Done, collects those cool Blythe dolls, and because I’ve been looking for smaller items to crochet, I am a doll lover (have a few Madame Alexander dolls from way back when), and I’d like to work on my crochet skills I attempted to make her a few clothing items for one of her dolls. I crochet, how shall I put this? very organically, which is another way to say I just sort of wing it a lot.

I thought this experience might teach me to pay attention. I even tried to write down what I was doing now and then, but then I got into the project and sort of just “did it.” I looked at a few Barbie doll outfits, but I’m just so bad at following directions. That is horrible to admit because I write them all the time, but I just can’t seem to bring myself to do something step by step. I sort of get the gist and head off into la la land.

I looked all over the web trying to find measurements for Blythe, but this must be some top government secret because other than say her body was about the same size as a Skipper doll, that’s all I could find. As luck would have it, I happen to have my old Skipper doll and dug her out, so she was my model, at least for the top and skirt. The hat, well, I just totally guessed. I’d love it if anyone knows the dimensions of Blythe’s head. Hats would be so easy to make, just a big ol’ circle!

So, here is Skipper, and cut her some slack because obviously Gwenny (pictured at the top) has a little more curve to her hips and a much better hair brush handy!

I may try to make some more pieces. I have a few ideas, and they were actually pretty fun to make. I just wish I could remember what I did so that I could improve on what I already made. For example, I had a heck of a time with the velcro that holds the pieces together. (The buttons are just decorative.) I think also that the skirt, which is supposed to be a kind of wrap around to the side design, is too bulky for what I was thinking.

Here are some other images of Gwenny totally rockin’ this outfit, and you can find more pictures of her and Jean’s other styling dolls here and here.