How to Make a Tassel Doll

This doll can be made in an hour or two, in any size you like. Make larger versions to give as gifts and make tiny versions to use as holiday or gift box ornaments.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Beads
• Felt
• Glues
• Sewing Needles
• Threads
• Yarns
• Scissors
• Scissors
• Markers
• Markers

1. Choose 75 yards of medium- or heavyweight yarn to make an 8-inch doll body. You'll also need half as much yarn for the hair.

2. Follow the instructions in 'eHow to make a Tassel' to make the doll's body. The card you use to wrap the tassel should be 8½ inches long and the yarn should be wrapped 140-150 times.

3. Tie off the top of the tassel with the same color yarn used for the body. Lay the completed tassel down onto a flat work surface.

4. Separate a portion of the yarn from each side of the body of the tassel for arms. Leave enough yarn in the body so that it remains full.

5. Tie a piece of yarn midway down the length of each separated group of strands. Make sure that each tie is tight and secure. Cut the yarn ¼ to ½ inch below each tie.

6. Tie another piece of yarn around the center of the tassel body for the doll's waist.

7. Divide the body of the tassel in half from the bottom. The division should extend to the point halfway between the bottom edges and the waist. Tie off each half of the tassel ¼ to ½ inch from the ends.

8. Cut the hair yarn into 8-inch strands.

9. Take groups of three or four strands at a time and center them on the doll's head. Use a needle and thread to stitch the strands to the center of the head to form a part line.

10. Apply successive groups of strands to the doll's head so that the head is covered from the chosen hairline to the back of the neck.

11. Make the doll's face by gluing on tiny pieces of felt for the eyes, nose and mouth. You can also sew on tiny beads to make the eyes and nose.

12. Gather the yarn at each side of the doll's head and trim the ends if necessary.

13. Braid both sections of the yarn or simply gather each section into a ponytail. Tie off each braid or ponytail with a piece of ribbon or yarn.

Tips & Warnings

• Make the yarn strands for the hair by wrapping the yarn around the same card you used to make the tassel. Cut through the yarn along each edge of the card.
• Match the thread's color to that of the hair yarn.
• Use thin markers to draw on the doll's facial features.

on 3/10/2006 Leaves from silk flower arrangements make great wings.