Downsizing baby dress patterns?

[tress29]

I've seen many gorgeous baby dresses that I'd love to make for my niece's (and my) dolls.  Is there an easy way to downsize them?  Substitute worsted wool for fingerling?  Change from an H hook to an E or F?  While I've been crocheting scarves and afghans for years, I'm new to clothes... 

 

Thanks for any tips!

[magiccrochetfan]

how I would do it: experiment with smaller yarn/thread and the corresponding size hook.  Find a pattern that gives you a gauge (stitches and rows per inch), and the dimensions of the finished garment.  then figure out how big the doll dress needs to be, and so what your gauge needs to be.  then you can play with yarns until you achieve that gauge.  then you can use that yarn and hook to make the pattern and it will turn out the right size.