The comfort and entertainment provided by worry dolls has been around for centuries.It can be therapeutic to make them on your own, and it is a fun craft for kids of almost any age to do.You can make your own worry dolls in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors.
Step 1: Put a pipe cleaner in half.
The easiest material to make a worry doll out of is pipe cleaners.If you want to have 2 equal sides, fold the pipe cleaner in half.Most of the pipe cleaner will get covered up by yarn, so you can choose whichever color you want.Children may not be able to twist the pipe cleaner on their own if you make a worry doll with them.Allow your child to decorate each doll's body.
Step 2: Make a loop around your finger.
You can drape the folded pipe cleaner over your pointer finger.To hold the loop in place, use your other hand to twist the pipe cleaner directly underneath your finger.Your doll's head is created by this loop.
Step 3: Pull the pipe cleaner into place by bending it toward the loop.
Take a piece of the pipe cleaner that is hanging down and bend it to keep it parallel with the loop you just made.To keep it in place, twist the end of the pipe cleaner.The first bend creates the arm for your doll.
Step 4: To make the arms on the other side, do the same thing.
The arms are even if you bend the other side of the pipe cleaner at the same length.You will have 2 arms sticking out and a pipe cleaner hanging down.It is okay if the arms are not completely even.Try to make your doll look like you.
Step 5: Take the excess pipe cleaner and twist it around.
Pull the 2 sides of the pipe cleaner together and twist them around to make a body.If you leave the excess ends untwisted, your doll has 2 legs.The twists on the doll's body need to be tight so that they don't fall as you decorate it.Cut the legs with scissors if they are too long.
Step 6: To make hair, tie 6 in lengths of yarn around the top.
10 to 12 strands of yarn or embroidery thread can be cut.Let the excess flow down the back of the doll if you tie each strand in a knot.If the hair is too long, cut it with scissors.If you use a wooden peg instead of a pipe cleaner, tie a few strands of yarn or thread together and glue them to the top of the peg to make hair.Glue the pom poms to the top of the doll for fluffier hair.If you want to make a head wrap instead of hair, cut a 1 in length of fabric and fold it into a triangle.Attach the triangle to the doll's head.
Step 7: To make the face, Wrap a length of yarn around the loop.
Pick a yarn or thread color that you want to use for the face of the doll.Hold one end in place at the bottom of the loop and cut out a strand that is about 15 cm long.Wrap the rest of the yarn around the top loop to make the doll's face.Adding yarn or thread to a wooden peg is optional.If you want to, you can keep the wooden part bare.
Step 8: The yarn should be Glued in place.
If you run out of yarn or thread, you can use a dot of hot glue to keep the strand in place.To make sure the strand dries, hold it down for 30 seconds.If you are making this craft with a small child, use the hot glue gun yourself, and don't let them touch the glue until it's dry.
Step 9: The yarn should be around the torso to make a shirt.
You can choose what clothes your doll wears.Attach the end of the strand to the doll's neck.Attach the end of the strand to the doll's torso with hot glue.
Step 10: Wrap yarn around the legs.
Hold the end of the strand under the doll's shirt to cut out another strand.Wrap one leg up and the other up for pants.Wrap the strand around the legs at the same time.Glue the end of the strand together.There are a couple different dolls that are all wearing clothing.To make a flowing skirt for your doll, cut out a 3 in circle of fabric and then poke a small hole in the center with scissors.Take the skirt off the doll and put it under the shirt.To make a dress, cut a 5 in (13 cm) circle of fabric and poke a small hole in the center.Take the skirt up to the doll's arms and put it under the armpits.
Step 11: Use a permanent marker to draw a face on the doll.
To finish off your doll, use a black marker.They can comfort you in times of worry if you give them a smiling face.You can use glitter glue or fabric markers to make your face more colorful.If you are crafting with a small child, you may need to draw their face.