10 Crochet 18-Inch Doll Clothes Free Patterns
An 18-inch doll goes everywhere with her owner, so she needs more than one outfit. Crochet is a great way to build that wardrobe. The pieces are small, they use up leftover yarn, and you can match the doll’s clothes to the child’s favorite colors.
Here are 10 free 18 inch doll clothes crochet patterns we opened and checked. You will find full outfits for school, bedtime, the beach and dress-up, plus a poncho you can make in two sizes, one for the child and one for the doll. These fit American Girl-size dolls and other 18-inch dolls.
18 Inch Doll Clothes Crochet Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Worsted weight acrylic yarn (#4)
- DK or sport weight cotton yarn
- Crochet hook set (3 mm to 5.5 mm)
- Small buttons and sew-on snaps
- Locking stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- An 18-inch doll stand for fittings
1. Swimsuit Cover-Up
Photo: Crown Country Crochet
This is one of the easiest doll garments you can make. You work simple rows of double crochet, fold the piece in half and whipstitch the sides, leaving room for the arms. Knotted fringe along the bottom gives it a beachy look. Make it in white cotton for summer, and it is done in one sitting.
- Designer: Crown Country Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: DK (#3) cotton
- Hook: 3 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. My Love Doll Clothes Set
Photo: Jennifer Renaud / A Crocheted Simplicity
A cute four-piece set: a heart sweater with short or long sleeves, pants with a belt, and a headband topped with a tiny crocheted heart. It is made in worsted yarn, and the post has step-by-step photos for each piece. It is a sweet gift for Valentine’s Day or a birthday.
- Designer: Jennifer Renaud / A Crocheted Simplicity
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G) for the sweater, 5 mm (H) for the pants
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Back to School Outfit
Photo: Elaine Phillips / ABC Knitting Patterns
Three pieces for the first day of school: a cardigan that laces closed with a chain, a skirt worked in rounds with stripes in three colors, and a little backpack with a drawstring and straps. It uses fine cotton yarn, so the pieces look neat and tidy on the doll.
- Designer: Elaine Phillips / ABC Knitting Patterns
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Fingering weight cotton
- Hook: 3.25 mm (D)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Walking the Dog for Dolls
This playful set turns your doll into a dog walker. You crochet a coat and accessories for the doll, plus a little crocheted dog to go with her. Kids love sets that come with a “pet,” so this one is great for gifts. The free PDF download has the finished sizes.
- Designer: Red Heart / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Red Heart Soft (see pattern for details)
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Dollie Cowgirl Partner
Photo: Red Heart / Yarnspirations
A full cowgirl outfit for an 18-inch doll, ready for a rodeo or a costume party. The extras list includes buttons, a belt buckle button and beads for the hat, so the finished look has fun little details. It is rated easy and uses Red Heart With Love yarn.
- Designer: Red Heart / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Red Heart With Love (see pattern for details)
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Abby’s Dolly and Me Poncho
Photo: Pattern Paradise
A loose, lacy poncho with a drawstring at the neck, worked in an easy three-row repeat. The pattern gives a child size and a doll size, so the girl and her doll can match. The designer used a larger hook than the yarn label suggests to get a soft, open fabric.
- Designer: Pattern Paradise
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering weight
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Hawaii Outfit
Photo: Crafting For Christ Designs
A bright vacation outfit for summer play. It is made in worsted yarn with a G hook, so it works up quickly from your stash. This one is a free Ravelry download, so you will need a free Ravelry account to save the PDF.
- Designer: Crafting For Christ Designs
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free Ravelry download
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Retro Jumpsuit
Photo: Teresa Alvarez
A stylish one-piece jumpsuit with a retro feel. The designer made it as part of a summer of doll clothes for their daughter. It uses sport weight cotton, and the pattern comes with a written pattern and a photo tutorial, which helps a lot with the shaping.
- Designer: Teresa Alvarez
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport weight (#2)
- Hook: 3.25 mm (D)
- Price: Free Ravelry download
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Bedtime for Dolls
Everything a doll needs for a sleepover: a nightgown, bed socks and a floral headband. It closes with three small buttons. It is rated intermediate, so it is a good next step once you have made a few simpler doll pieces.
- Designer: Red Heart / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Red Heart Anne Geddes Baby (see pattern for details)
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Olivia Doll Outfit (Skirt, Top and Hat)
Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
A coordinated skirt, top and hat for an 18-inch (45.5 cm) doll. It is rated Intermediate+, so it is best for crocheters who are comfortable with shaping. Lion Brand offers it as a free download.
- Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: see pattern
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First doll outfit ever? Start with the swimsuit cover-up (#1). It is just rows, a fold and a few seams.
- Want a full outfit in one pattern? Try the My Love set (#2) or the Back to School outfit (#3).
- Making a gift? Walking the Dog (#4) comes with a little crochet pet, and kids love that.
- Want to match the child and the doll? Abby’s poncho (#6) has both sizes.
- Ready for a challenge? Go for Bedtime for Dolls (#9) or the Olivia outfit (#10).
FAQ
What size yarn is best for 18-inch doll clothes?
Worsted weight (#4) yarn with a 4 to 5 mm hook is the easiest choice and works for coats, ponchos and sweaters. For lighter clothes like swimsuit cover-ups and summer tops, DK or sport weight cotton looks neater. Always check the pattern’s gauge, because doll clothes have very little room for error.
Do crochet patterns for 18-inch dolls fit all 18-inch dolls?
Most fit the popular 18-inch play dolls, but bodies differ a little from brand to brand. Some dolls have wider waists or thicker arms. Measure your doll’s chest and waist, check the fit as you go, and add or remove a row if needed.
How much yarn do I need for an 18-inch doll outfit?
Usually very little. A simple top or skirt often takes less than one small skein, and many pieces are perfect for using up scraps. Bigger sets with a coat or a crocheted pet need more, so check the yarn list in the pattern first.
Pick one outfit, grab your leftover yarn, and your doll will have something new to wear this week.