Yarn Dolls

This is a quick way to make little yarn dolls.

I learned to make these in 1st grade from a friend's mom but I was never happy with the arms (or lack of hair) so I am also including a second version.

This is an inexpensive, fun and easy project for little kids to make with very little clean up.

I will add a quick reference PDF for each version. Version 1 requires two loops of yarn. Version 2 has easier hair options.

• Yarn
• Scissors
• Cardboard/Cardstock

Optional

• Ribbon
• Yarn Needle

Cut a piece of cardstock 3.5 x 5.5 in for version 1

Cut a piece of cardstock 3.5 x 9 in for version 2

Wrap the yarn about 25-30 x around the length of the 3.5 x 5.5 in cardstock

Separate the yarn from the cardstock

Use a bit of yarn to tie a knot ~1 inch from the top of the loops

Set aside for now. We need to make the arm loops next

Wrap the yarn 20 times around the width of the 3.5 x 5.5 in cardstock

Remove loops of yarn from the cardstock

Open up the loops of the body into two equal parts.

Place the arm loops between the loops of the body.

Take a small piece of yarn and tie a know around the body just under the arms.

Optional: Use a yarn needle and secure the arms to the body. I have never needed to do this, but you can if you want to.

Take 2 small pieces of yarn and tie them about ~ 0.5 in from the body to form the elbows of both arms.

Tie a piece of yarn just under ~ 0.5 in from the elbows to form the wrists

Cut the loops at the ends of the arms

Oops, I cut the bottom loops too. This is optional for a free-flowing dress or if you want to form legs

Sometimes I want a nice clean edge, sometimes I want something a little messy, other times, I don't cut it at all

If you want to give the doll legs, separate the loose yarn below the waist into two equal parts

Tie a knot about 0.5 inch from the bottom to hold the legs together.

Trim the bottom of the legs as needed

Decorate the dolls as you wish or consider making smaller versions using the same method.

This is my favourite way to make these. The arms are less stiff and hair is built in

Take the 3.5 x 9 in cardstock and wrap 20-30 loops of yarn around it

Like in the first version, separate the yarn from the cardstock

Take a small piece of yarn and tie it around the loops ~ 5 to 5.5 inches from and bottom. This will be the top of the head.

Tie a small piece of yarn ~ 1 in below the last tie. This will shape the head

Take about 5 loops of yarn from each side of the body to form the arms

Sometimes, the loops get tangles. It will be easier if you cut the loops of yarn at the bottom before separating the arms

Take two pieces of yarn and tie around the arm as close to the body as possible.

This will be the shoulders.

Form the elbows and wrists in the same way as version 1

Tie a piece of yarn around the waist and you are done.

If the hair is misbehaving, simply spray it with a bit of water, shape it and allow it to air dry

Now that you have the basics down, get creative and decorate or modify you doll.

• Try different kinds of yarn
  • Bulky thick yarn is my favourite
  • Twine makes creepy little dolls
• Ghosts are easy: just tie the yarn at the bottom and at the end of the arms. Cut eyes and mouth out of black cardstock
• Braid the arms and legs
• I know you can make a better witch. Mine looks like a frog with a hat :)
• Make some accessories. I made a broom with twine loops to a bamboo skewer and a paper hat ( I would recommend felt, I just didn't have any)
• Add some ribbon at the waist
• Make some curly yarn for hair
  • Wrap yarn around thin bamboo skewers (or pencil)
  • Tie it at both ends to prevent it from slipping
  • Soak in water for a minute
  • Remove from water and allow to dry
  • Remove yarn from bamboo
  • Use as hair