How to Make Hairstyles for a Puppet Using Yarn

Yarn hair adds character to your puppet.

Hairstyles can help bring a puppet to life, instantly adding character to her. Whether you are making a soft puppet or a hard puppet, yarn hair will give her an extra something without extra effort. Although it is helpful to have some previous sewing skills, knowing how to sew proficiently is not necessary to make a head full of hair for your new puppet.

Things You'll Need

• Puppet
• Yarn
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Tape
• Metal knitting needles
• Water
• Cookie sheet
• Oven
• Glue
• Straight pins
• Needle
• Thread
• Water

Instructions

1. Determine the length of the puppet's hair and what kind of hair you would like your puppet to have. If you would like your puppet to have shoulder length hair, place the tape measure on the puppet's shoulder, move it over the puppet's head and then to the other shoulder. Record this measurement.

2. Measure your yarn with a tape measure and place the yarn on a flat surface. If you would like to create a hair part for your puppet, use a scissors to cut the yarn in half (or in one third to make a part). If you make a part, place the two pieces together — using tape along the center of the part — and stitch them together, using a simple running (in and out) stitch over each piece of yarn until they are one unit.

3. Curl your yarn, if desired, by winding yarn around metal knitting needles the size of the desired curl. Tie the yarn tightly around the end. Wet the yarn with water and place the yarn on a cookie sheet. Cook the yarn in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 to 5 minutes. Let the yarn cool. Pull the yarn off the end of the knitting needles or unwind the yarn.

4. Place glue all over the puppet's head and place the hair on top; let the glued piece dry. Alternately, you can pin the yarn in place with straight pins; then, use a simple running stitch with a needle and thread to keep the hair firmly in place; after you complete this step, remove the straight pins. Do this along the part or the middle of the head and 1 to 2 inches from the middle of the head — from the crown to the back of the head.

5. Trim the yarn so that the hair is even.

6. Make a bun by twisting the yarn at the base of the puppet's neck and then rolling it clockwise until it becomes a bun. Sew a running stitch through the bun to the head to make it stay or place glue underneath the bun and stick it to the head. To add embellishment, use a jeweled stick pin to hold the bun in place instead of sewing or gluing the bun in place.

7. Braid on either side of the head or down the back and secure with a piece of yarn the same color as the yarn used for the hair. Do this by tying a simple knot. Make it festive by adding colorful bows or barrettes with silk flowers or gemstones.

8. Make the hair frizzy by unravelling the yarn until it becomes fine and "frizzy."

References

• Lavendilly House; Doll-Making Instructions: Hairstyles; 2010
• Almost Unschoolers; How to Curl Yarn for Doll Hair; 2009