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Kirstendollface

The Kirsten doll.

The Kirsten Larson doll was released in 1986, along with Samantha Parkington and Molly McIntire. They were American Girl's first three Historical Characters. Kirsten was officially archived in January 2010. A Special Edition version was released for the 35th anniversary in 2021, with a similar version rereleased in 2024.

Doll[]

  • Kirsten's hair initially comes styled in two looped-up braids. A tutorial on restyling the hair can be found at Bean Bunny.
  • Eyes: Light Blue

Meet Outfit[]

Kirstendollfull

Kirsten with Meet Kirsten.

Kirsten's meet outfit is of the style silhouette of the mid 19th century and of practical design for farm wear rather than swifter moving city fashions, often of printed calico cloth with simple trims. It is symbolic of the start of her new life on the American farmland. Kirsten spends much of Meet Kirsten wearing more traditional Swedish clothes and she receives the dress as a "new" outfit to change into at arrival; it is a dress that her older cousin Lisbeth has outgrown.

Dress[]

Light blue mid-century prairie-style calico print day dress; long sleeved puffed bodice and skirt gathered to waistband. Print is medium cornflower blue background with red flowers with yellow accents and dark green stems. White high collar. Dropped sleeve shoulders. Cuffs are both of print and white trim. Bottom has a tucked up fold to simulate the growth tuck dresses of that era had to allow dresses to lengthen out as children grew. Velcro closure at cuffs and center back.

The pattern of the print has varied slightly over the years; older versions have a more random scattering of the flowers while newer version have them more closely lined up in noticeable rows and lines.

Apron[]

Striped cotton textured waist-tie apron. Pattern of cream with red stripes that alternate between grouped dashed lines and solid lines. Square pocket on the left side.

Pantalettes[]

White cotton pantalettes. Elastic gathered waist. Cuffs are trimmed with white eyelet lace with groupings to appear as small flowers. and dots.

Stockings[]

Thick striped knit knee high stockings. Horizontal thin brown and dark yellow stripes.

Later versions are of thinner knit with thicker striping of more grey tones and have added elastic at the tops to help hold stockings up on ankles.

Boots[]

Brown boots. Soft sided with a soft sole. Two holes at front with brown knotted laces.

Hair Ribbons[]

Two woven-cloth blue hair ribbons.

Meet Accessories[]

Kirstenmeetacc

Kirsten's Meet Accessories.

Bonnet[]

Red gingham print sunbonnet. Front bill with slight interface stiffening and gathered back with slight overhang and matching ribbon ties.

Spoon Bag[]

Cloth waist spoon bag. Muslin center pocket-bag with red and blue bias cord sewn on sides to form loops at top for blue waist tie to be corded through and fridge at bottom. Front has applique design of blue geometric shape and red heart over. Decorative embroidery has 1864 and two dots in blue on heart and blue has three abstract flowers around heart and K. L. on lower corners in red.

This is based on the Swedish kjolsäck or loose pocket.

Spoon[]

Wooden spoon.

The first version has a rounded knob at end of handle; later versions have a straight handle.

Necklace[]

Amber-colored heart pendant on a thin brown ribbon cord. Gold latch into loop closure. The books state this is a parting gift from Kirsten's grandmother, Mormor.

Kerchief[]

Cream handkerchief. Embroidered with red lines and Xs in blue thread.

35th Anniversary Edition[]

Kirsten35thAnniversary

35th Anniversary Edition.

For American Girl's 35th Anniversary, Kirsten Larson was rereleased as a limited edition bundle. The bundle includes the doll, meet accessories, the first edition parchment style of Meet Kirsten, and an older-style box (modified with visibility window) for a total cost of $150. This bundle sold out in August 2021.

Unlike standard dolls sold at this time, Kirsten has neck strings. The doll has multiple minor changes in the outfit. The dress is of a slightly darker shade than the original dress and slightly thinner fabric; The dress skirt has the American Girl oval plastic logo tag on the right front hem; the apron is of a slightly lighter weave; the second version of the stockings are being used; the pantalette trim is different; and the boots are slightly lighter in tone. The doll also has a darker blue eye color similar to other dolls instead of the original light blue.

The box has "The American Girls Collection" written in white text with an illustration of Kirsten centered below it. The words "Kirsten Larson's 35th Anniversary Collection" are written near the bottom of the box.

One of a Kind Edition[]

OOAK-Kirsten

One of a Kind Kirsten.

A one-of a kind Kirsten designed by Carly Cushnie of Harlem's Fashion Row, was auctioned on eBay from September 23 to 26th, 2021, with all proceeds donated to Girls Who Code. The auction initial starting price was $300 and final auction price was $2,400.

The doll was dressed in a blue gingham flared dress and straw fedora hat with matching gingham band, her amber necklace, and the shoes from the World Traveler in Ireland outfit.

In coordination with the one-of-a-kind dolls, American Girl released the American Girl Collector Tote, which has an illustration of the first six historical characters in their modern outfits.

2024 Re-Release[]

KirstenClassicDollFull-2024

2024 Release.

A similar version to the 35th anniversary version was released in May 2024 for a cost of $150; in June 2024, the cost increased to $160. This version does not have neck strings. The version of Meet Kirsten in this set is also in the parchment style, but it has an updated "America in 1854" section. The 35th anniversary stock images were reused for this release; however, the 2024 version comes with a newer, thinner version of the classic mold that gives Kirsten a slightly different appearance.

Like the anniversary version, this doll comes in a maroon box with a visibility window and "The American Girls Collection" written in white text. However, unlike the anniversary version, the box has a stock image of the doll and book in the center. An illustration of Kirsten is in the bottom left corner, and "Kirsten Larson Doll, Book, and Accessories" is written in white text at the bottom.

2024 Holiday Release[]

Kirsten-2024StLucia

2024 Holiday Release.

In November 2024 a holiday limited edition version of Kirsten released for a cost of $230 as Kirsten's Surprise Holiday Collector Doll and Book Set. The set includes a Kirsten doll, the complete Saint Lucia Gown, the Saint Lucia Wreath, standard meet pantalettes, a copy of Kirsten's Surprise, a unique box, and certificate. No more than 3,000 dolls were produced.

Dress Like Your Doll[]

KirstenMeetGirls

New Prairie Dress

The matching outfit was available for children with various components:

  • New Country Dress: $75 (later increased to $78)
  • Amber Heart Necklace: $25 (later increased to $28)
  • Pantalettes: $18
  • Petticoat: $20
  • Prairie Boots, available in black or red: $55 (later increased to $68)

These were released in 1987 and all phased out around 2000.

Mini Dolls[]

A Kirsten mini doll has been available since the debut of mini dolls in 1995. There are three versions with her meet outfit: the Pleasant Company mini doll, the Mattel mini doll, and the 2016 mini doll. She is the only American Girl character whose mini doll still has her classic meet outfit. Although her outfit was not changed with the start of BeForever, the mini doll's body was changed from a cloth body to vinyl. Her mini was briefly unavailable from 2014 to 2016, when it was re-released. The doll remains available.

Pre-Mattel and White-Bodied Doll Differences[]

  • White bodied Kirstens have a white muslin cloth body; both Mattel and Pre-Mattel Kirstens have matching cloth bodies.
  • White bodied Kirstens have coarser, thicker hair that is a lighter shade. Pre-Mattel and Mattel Kirstens have darker blond hair.
  • The clipped hairs are more sparse in Mattel Kirstens; however, White-bodies Kirstens have less long hairs in the back.
  • Mattel and Pre-Mattel dolls have lighter blue eyes.
  • Pre-Mattel and White Body Kirstens have softer, light brown to brown lashes. They are longer in White Body Kirstens.
  • The Mattel Kirstens have slightly thinner bangs.

Trivia[]

KirstenPrototype

Kirsten prototype sketch.

  • Images released in 2021 for the 35th anniversary revealed that Kirsten's meet outfit was not changed much from the initial overall design.
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