How to Make a Bikini for a barbie size doll

When I was in California for the birth of my second granddaughter, I was able to fulfill a promise I had made a year ago.  My oldest granddaughter needed bathing suits for her Barbies,  apparently, you can’t just buy them. When I was little, all Barbies came in a bathing suit and you later purchased outfits for her. Now Barbies are dressed for various activities or careers such as a doctor or going to a ball.  So sadly my granddaughter’s Barbies has nothing to wear to the pool or the new Barbie Jacuzzi.  I allowed everything but this promise to get in the way until  I returned to California this Thanksgiving and we made every single Barbie a bikini.  What my daughter and I didn’t realize is that my granddaughter had 17 Barbies.   It took my daughter and I the entire three weeks but we made every single Barbie a bikini.  Of course several of the 17 Barbies were Disney Princesses (my granddaughter loves the Princesses).  So around her Barbie pool, you can see Snow White, Cinderella or Ariel in an awesome bikini!

Here are 15 of the bikini clad Barbies and Princesses!   My granddaughter was playing with the other two.    Look, even Tinkerbell can swim or sunbath.

Bikini Pattern:
1/4 ounce main color for bikini, 1/4 ounce white or second color for trim.  Size 2  knitting needles, size B crochet hook.

Bottom:   Begin at back waist with MC cast on 12. Work 2 rolls ST st.  Continuing in St st, dec 1 st both sides next and every 4th row 3times in all (6 sts rem) Work even for 7 rows. Inc 1 st both side next and every other row 3 times (12 sts), Bind off.  Trim:  with white or second color, chain 30 with crochet hook, sc along back waist chain 30 for tie. Repeat for front waist.

Top: Bra Cup (make 2)  Beg at lower edge with main color, cast on eight.  Rows 1, 3, 5, 7 Purl
Row 2: K3 (inc 1) twice, K3
Row 4: K3, sl 1, K1, psso, K2tog, K3
Row 6: K2, sl 1, psso, k2tog, k2
Row 8: K1, sl 1, k1, psso k2tog,k1
Row 9 P2tog twice
Row 10: K2tog, end off
Trim, with white or second color, chain 30 for tie, work 5 scs along bottom of bra cup, ch 1 work 5 scs along bottom of second bra cup.  Cha 30 for tie, fasten off.  Next with white or second color, chain 30 for tie, attach to top neck edge of bra, work 6 scs along one side of neck edge of bra,sl st in center chain, work 6 scs up other side of neck edge, ch 30 for tie fasten off.