How to Make Knot Dolls

Create knot dolls from dried cornhusks.

Perhaps one of the simplest methods of doll making is the knot doll. Knot dolls involve creating a doll's head, arms and legs through a series of knots tied in a material like yarn or cornhusks. When completed, knot dolls resemble historic rag dolls. Creating a cornhusk or yarn knot doll is a relatively easy project, perfect for a mother-daughter craft project. Try making a doll from both yarn and cornhusks, comparing the workability of both materials.

Things You'll Need

• 13 feet of yarn
• Scissors
• 20 dried corn husks or tamale wrappers
• Bowl
• Warm water
• Twine
• Pipe cleaners

Instructions

Yarn Doll

1. Begin by cutting the yarn into sections for various doll body parts. Cut a 6-foot section for the head, body, and legs. Cut a 4-foot section for the arms. Cut five pieces, each 6 inches in length, to tie knots in the various sections.

2. Wrap the 6-foot section around your hand to make it easier to work with the yarn. Do the same for the 4-foot section of yarn.

3. Take the 6-foot loop of yarn and turn it lengthwise on the work surface. Twist the yarn from 2 inches from the top to create a ball for the head. Take one of the 6-inch pieces of yarn and tie a tight knot to create the doll's neck.

4. Tie the 4-foot section of the yarn horizontally around the doll's neck to form the arms. Tie a piece of 6-inch yarn about 1/2 inch from the end of each "arm" to make a wrist. Clip the ends of the arm to make a hand.

5. Separate the remaining string in the body into two equal sections to create the legs. Tie the remaining two pieces of 6-inch string 1/2 inch from the bottom of each "leg" to create an ankle. Clip the ends of the legs below the ankles to form feet.

Cornhusk Doll

1. Soak the cornhusks in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them. This step makes it easier to work with the cornhusks.

2. Cut twine into 20 pieces, approximately 10 inches in length. Tie the twine into an overhand knot at the top.

3. Trim the cornhusks to between 8 and 10 inches in length. Place the knotted twine between eight corn husks and tie with twine just above the overhand knot.

4. Wrap two pipe cleaners in corn husks to create the arms. Secure with twine on either end. Roll up four more cornhusks, two for each arm, and braid them with the pipe cleaner. Take the twine and cornhusk combination and peel the cornhusks away from the knotted twine. This is like peeling a banana. The twine will serve as the doll's hair. Tie a piece of twine just under the head to make a neck.

5. Stick the arms through the loose corn husks and tie twine tightly just below where the arms are inserted. Braid together the remaining corn husks to create the legs and tie off at the ankles.

References

• How to Make Yarn Dolls
• Corn Husk Dolls