Evening Wear April 1984

This week's pattern comes from the April 1984 issue of Crochet World. The issue has at least 35 patterns in it ranging from sweaters to bookmarks. ​The Barbie pattern is an evening gown and wrap made with Luster Sheen yarn in Crystal Pink.

This Barbie looks like a mid 1960s version with the bubble cut hair. Interesting choice for a 1984 magazine.

The other materials needed are; a size 7 steel crochet hook, 2/3 yard of 1/4" pink ribbon, 3 small snaps, 1 small hook and eye for the wrap closing, small craft flowers for the waist.

I have all of these things but not in pink and since I'd rather use up what I have I went with Luster Sheen in Bluette and a white ribbon for the waist. Luster Sheen has a chainette construction so it's pretty easy to crochet with but not that great for making a fringe. The pattern gave a gauge that I tested and matched before I started.

The directions fit on one page of the magazine along with the photo so this seemed like it would go pretty quickly and easily. The dress is worked from the waistband down and then from the waistband up. There was only one issue I had with the pattern. I love when patterns have a stitch count at the end of the row. In this case, that would have made this a little easier to check as I was going through the pattern and it would look more like the photo.

Here's the finished version that Susan* is modeling vs the original:

You can see that somewhere there was a mistake in the increases or I misread it. When I realized that it was wrong, I decided I preferred my version. I added a felt flower button on the waist instead of the roses and decided to skip the wrap. Susan didn't come with any shoes so I made some out of foam, crochet thread and beads. They're kind of wobbly and come off easily but they'll work for now.

Rating:
Is the pattern easy to understand? Yes
If there is a gauge, could I match it? Yes
Does it look like the photo? Not really
Did it fit Susan? Yes
Did I enjoy making it? Yes

​This pattern gets a 4 out of 5.

*Since we can't keep calling her Spa Barbie, I named her Susan Pearl Anderson (SPA).