Making Dolls

Making dolls has long been a favorite hobby of the young and old alike. There are so many types of dolls to make. Some are very simple, like the basic yarn dolls that people’s grandmas made for them. Others are more complex, with porcelain heads and arms and stunning outfits. But whatever your skill level, making dolls is a great hobby and it’s even better when you share it with someone special.

There is just something so special about a handmade doll, but making dolls needs not be difficult. Below are the instructions for a basic yarn doll.

Making dolls out of yarn is simple. Take a piece of cardboard the length you want your doll and wrap the yarn around it, making big loops. When your doll is as full as you’d like, tie a small piece of yarn at one end of the yarn loops and cut through the yarn at the other end of the cardboard. You should have something that looks like a tassel now. Approximately one inch from the fold in the top, secure with a rubber band to make the neck. Separate 10 to 15 strands of yarn on each side to make the arms and secure about 1 inch or so from the neck to make the wrists.

Secure the yarn with another rubber band 1 inch from the neck to make the waist and then split the remaining yarn in half and secure each half with a rubber band to make the legs. Trim excess yarn and dress with scraps of lace or fabric. Making dolls like this is a great hobby for a rainy afternoon, or they can be donated to a local children’s hospital to help the children feel better.