How to Make Yarn Loop Rag Doll Hair

Making yarn loop rag doll hair lasts longer than loose yarn pony tails, but it takes a bit longer to do. You also need to be familiar with hand sewing in order to make the yarn loops look even and tight. This hair is made using a version of a back stitch which is frequently used in embroidery patterns. Before making the hair for your rag doll, you will need to have the doll completely assembled and stuffed.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Assembled and stuffed rag doll 1 skein of wool or acrylic yarn 1 sharp crewel needle with an eye large enough for your yarn Thimble Scissors Fabric chalk

1. Use fabric chalk to mark the back of the rag doll's head starting at the back of the left ear so that it extends as a horizontal line to end behind the right ear. Make parallel lines at 1/4-inch intervals going down towards the neck, tapered like real hair. Make more parallel lines at 1/4-inch intervals going up towards the forehead. Make these lines to follow what would be a natural hair line.

2. Thread a sharp crewel needle with a piece of yarn that is 18 inches long. Do not double the yarn. Just allow a couple of inches to double over near the eye of the needle where you will hold it to sew. Make a small knot at the end of the yarn.

3. Insert the needle into the fabric at the far left side of the chalk line at the top of the rag doll's forehead. Bring the needle up 1/8 of an inch to the right of the original hole. Do not pull the yarn all the way through. Pull it almost all the way but leave 1 inch of yarn to make a loop on the outside of the fabric. Reinsert the needle into the original hole. Pull it through so that there is a neat backstitch but also the loop of yarn left showing. (You may find it helpful to hold the loop down with one thumb while pulling the needle back.)

4. Bring the needle up through the fabric 1/4 of an inch to the right of the second hole leaving another inch of yarn to make the second loop. Hold down the loop while pushing the needle back into the second hole. Repeat this over and over again until all of the hair has been made. The chalk lines will be covered with neat looking backstitches. Each backstitch will also support a loop of yarn hair. Add ribbons or barrettes if you are making a girl rag doll.

Resources

• Free Pattern for a Rag Doll