How to braid and tie a modern yarn doll...

A finished modern yarn doll using
three techniques to complete.

       Handcrafted yarn dolls have been around for over 100 years in American child environments. Although very popular with little ones, these are not highly prized by any collectors for reasons other than sentiment, as far as I know.
       Parents may like to include their little ones in the process of making the doll  for entertainment on a rainy day!
       This modern version of a yarn doll craft combines braiding, pom-pom and tassel making methods altogether. The doll can look quite different with alternative yarn textures, color and types as well. You might prefer the prairie one located at my older teaching blog instead.

Supply List:

• 3 yarn colors for hair, head, and body
• scissors
• hot glue gun and hot glue

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Braid yarn for legs 16" long from body colored yarn.
2. Braid yarn for arms 12" long from body colored yarn.
3. Cut 10" lengths of yarn for the torso from body colored yarn.
4. Tie the braided legs from the mid point of the braid to the mid point of the torso hank of yarn clippings.
5. Fold over the hank on top of the leg braids and tie at the waist. 
6. Now trim the yarn torso tassel to the length of the dress that you prefer.
7. Tie the braided arm piece to the top of the tassel.
8. Now make the flesh colored pom-pom any color you like and then thread and hot glue it to the top of the braided arm lengths. 
9. Wrap the yarn hair around the palm of your hand and clip. Tie this hank to the top of the pom-pom head. Secure it further with hot glue. 
10. Tie a decorative yarn bow about the doll's waist
11. Glue on more tiny pom-poms or beads or buttons for trimming the dress.

Left, the braided 16: arms. Center, I used a block of wood to wrap the torso yarn hank about and
 cut it off. Right, see how thick the yarn is for the torso.

Left, the torso hank before clipping. Center, after clipping the hank. Right,
the order of the doll yarn body placement.

How to wrap a yarn pom-pom from scratch. Use any flesh color your prefer.

Left, the pom-pom tied to the top of the torso/arms. Center, the braided arms being attached.
Right, the pom-pom head attached to the top with yarn tie and hot glue.

Left, the yarn hank of hair is tied to the top of the pom-pom. see front. Center, the back of the 
doll's head prior to cutting, arranging and gluing it in place about the pom-pom heard. see back.
Right, the modern yarn doll is finished with a bit of trim.

Yarn pictures illustrate how to make
tiny yarns dolls for gifts.

       The smaller yarn dolls pictured just right would make lovely party favors or are suitable for stocking gifts or tree trim at Christmas. The basic plan is the same in all the dolls. It is the finishing trim that varies, and you can plan those details different in each one. 

1. Cut two cardboards. The one for the body must be 3" long. The one for the arms must be 2" wide.
2. Wrap the yarn for the body around 24 times and the yarn for the arms 12 times. Make the arms a different color. 
3. Tie the yarn for the body in a bunch by slipping a piece through the tops of the loops. 
4. Then slip the yarn off the cardboard. 
5. If you wish, put a little ball of cotton at the top and tie it in place to form the head and throat. 
6. Then slip the yarn for the arms off the cardboard and pass it in through the body yarn to form the arms. 
7. Tie the wrists and then the waist line. 
8. If you plan on having legs, the body yarn is divided and either tied at the ankles or wrapped with yarn. 
9. If you plan the skirt, just clip the yarn of the body at the bottom. 
10. Decorate the dolls with crocheted or felt hats, embroidered features, aprons, and shoes. 
11. The dolls can be made of raffia or even crepe paper if yarn is not available. 
12. The raffia dolls are quite substantial but do not quite have the color contrast or the flexibility of the yarn dolls. 

More Crafts Made Using Yarn:

• Yarn Butterfly Pins
• Vintage Yarn Pet Poddle 
• Chickens made using yarn pom poms...

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