Day 72 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms- I have always loved making dolls.
I am a dyed in the wool upcycler, so using upcycled things in my doll making is really important to me.
My ‘Rosie Recycle’ dolls are ‘pin dolls’ that have pins on the backs of their heads so they can be hung on a curtain, worn on a lapel or hat, or pinned to bag or backpack.
Their bodies are jointed from the neck so they ‘dance’.
I love them 🙂 They are so much fun to make!
When I wrote the instructions, I didn’t include lucet cords, but the Rosie Recycle dolls can definitely be made with lucet cords as well as spool knitters.
Day 43 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms- I just fixed the face of a Well Well Well Doll
I was not happy with the original face of this Well Well Well Doll –
I like the big oval, but the first version of the face felt lost in it.
I did quite a few drawings to find one that felt right for the doll and settled on this one.
Now, I am content with this version of the doll because the features of the face stand out from the background embellishments and the expression reads clearly.
When you’re making a doll, it’s a really good idea to audition lots of different elements.
Sometimes, it can take time to figure out precisely what isn’t working.
Ask yourself a lot of questions- Is the shape a problem? Is the placement of the features an issue? What does the expression communicate and are you okay with that? Are the colors right? Is there enough contrast or not enough? Is something missing that needs to be added? Is there something that is extraneous and needs to be removed? Feel free to change what doesn’t make your heart sing.
Need help with drawing faces? I made a video to help with that:
The pattern for the Well Well Well Dolls is available in my etsy shop:
Hmm, someone messaged me asking me what I was doing with my 100 day project andwhy?
Well, first- I have adored spool knitting since I was a little girl.
Spool knitters feel innocent and sweet and oh, my word! Those feelings are desperately needed nowadays!
And, second: Some Family stuff: My nephew, Kieran is autistic and is really good at doing woodwork with his Dad, my brother, Jonathan. (@distinctivewoodworking) who carefully mentors him with the lathe.
So, bringing those elements together: We decided to co-create some nifty stuff, and it’s kind of challenging but inspiring & wonderful, too!
(BTW I’m working on tutorials on how to make upcycled spool knitters, too, because that feels important).
I’m having a blast designing vunderbar goodies for spool knitters & exploring intriguing small looms!
The 1st spool knitter in this series is my wish for us all:
May you be well
May you live in Peace.
May you be happy,
May you be safe
I find her very comforting
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Of course, this project is also about making stuff with spool knitters.
These Simple Tiny Spool Knitted Angels are quick & easy. I love them.
When I was a little girl, I adored one of my grandmother’s best friends, Mrs Wall, who was kindness incarnate. She was the perfect Granny, exuding comfort, sanctuary, and gentleness. She taught me crafts from her childhood, which made them a precious legacy. I was thrilled when she taught me how to make ‘Yarn Babies’.
When I was designing Tiny Angels for the Weaving Kindness Project, I decided that they needed to be made using wrapping and stitching and not weaving as an homage to darling Mrs Wall, and all the kind people who make the world a better place.
Happily, I have figured out how to use the ‘Yarn Baby’ technique on the Kindness loom.
I am thrilled with these Tiny Angels.
They’re less than 2 inches (5 cm) tall with my signature ‘Hugging Arms’.
I’ve designed two variations- one with a skirt and one with legs. Their wings are shaped like the infinity symbol.
It’s so soothing to make small things that bring a feeling of connection and community.
Making small Kindness treasures to bring comfort and hope can be incredibly healing.
That’s what the Tiny Kindness Angels are all about. I hope that you’ll make lots of them as gifts of compassion and kindness for yourself and for the people in your life.
We are all in this together, and are not alone on our journey. May we all, like Mrs Wall, but each in our own way- weave a legacy of kindness, compassion, generosity and healing love.
The link to buy the pdf pattern for the Tiny Kindness Angels is:
The Kindred Spirit Dolls are sweet little beings that are meant to be a comfort and a delight to you as you make them.
And then, if you choose to give the Kindred Spirit Dolls to your family, friends and fellow travelers, they will carry your good wishes and kindness that are woven into every stitch of these precious little dolls!
The Kindred Spirit Dolls are small- not quite 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall so they can go everywhere with you.
Because the Kindred Spirit dolls have Noreen’s signature hugging arms- they are ready to give a hug at all times, and they can also hold onto small things, too.
The Kindred Spirit Dolls have optional wings, made by following the instructions for the Kindness Butterfly in the video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A11F11Lsp8 that is then stitched to the back of the Kindred Spirit Doll.
Their hair can be made in many ways. They all have embroidered bangs and side wisps, and if you like the simplicity of the ‘Pixie’ style hair, then don’t add any extras.
But, if a more elaborate hairstyle is your cup of tea, then feel free to add twisted topknots and braids or ponytails and fringes.
I hope that the Kindred Spirit Dolls will bring happiness, comfort and good feelings into your life!
The links for all the Weaving Kindness projects, videos, how to’s & etsy shop ordering info is at:
PDF FOR STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS SHOWING HOW TO MAKE A UNIQUE KINDNESS LOOM
This PDF of Step by Step Instructions shows how to make a Kindness Pin Loom. It’s the instructions for you to make the loom, not the finished loom. You’ll make your own unique one of a kind Kindness loom using these instructions purchased from my etsy shop.
3– Video tutorial: How to weave a square on the Kindness Loom by Noreen Crone-Findlay
All over the world, red is a color of celebration, so to celebrate all the ways we as humans enjoy the turning of the seasons and the connection to the Divine, Lily Doll has a new red Celebration dress.
The links on the Mirrix site to order the kit are:
For this month’s project for the Lily Doll woven on the Mirrix Chloe loom, I designed a teeny tiny book, because after all…. books are treasures, right?
This month, I designed a Shoulder Bag to weave on the Mirrix Chloe Loom for the Lily Doll as part of the Lily Doll Project- a co-creation with Mirrix Looms.
It’s a VERY tiny purse, just perfect for a 6 inch tall woven doll to carry her wee Teddy Bear and other little treasures!
Here are the links to order the kit and the PDF- Happy Weaving!
Tottie Talks Crafts Blog 