Monday, August 5, 2019

Bead and Dowel dolls revisited


About a year and a half ago, Joyce and I collaborated on a doll design that used wooden beads for the head, dowel rods for the limbs, and a very simple crocheted body.  The doll was about 5 1/2 to 6 inches tall, and a nice, slender companion to Hitty.  You can find the pattern here:

Hitty bodied peg doll

Some Facebook inspiration got me interested in making a tinier doll, that could stand on her own.  So now, I have another pattern to share, for this little bead and dowel mite.  She stands (on her own!) right at four inches:

Tiny bead and dowel doll

The pattern includes, hopefully, all the tools you will need to make this doll.  In addition, there are patterns for four different wigs made from fingering weight yarn and a size B crochet hook:


And three different outfit plus a sunhat, made with size 8 perle cotton and a size 6 steel hook:


You can use the nightgown bodice or the camisole to make a sundress, and I have some other ideas for outfits in the making.  Here is a list of what you will need to make the doll.  This list looks long, but these are pretty simple tools and supplies.  Hopefully you can get them at your local hobby shop, or if not, they are available online:

Materials, for the doll: 
-An exacto knife for very minimal shaving of the wood dowel and spools
-Small saw and miter box for sawing the dowel rod pieces
-Pin Vise (tiny hand drill) for drilling the dowels to string the limbs to the body.
-200 grit (fine) sandpaper for minimal sanding
-Black paint for eyes and boots
-Pastels in shades of pink for blush
-Modge Podge to seal wood pieces
-Glue
-Toothpicks for painting eyes.
-20mm (3/4inch) wood bead with at least 3/16 inch hole
-One 12” long ¼” diameter dowel rod for body support, arms and legs (will make one doll)
-Two ½ x ⅝ inch spools for boots
-Strong craft thread for jointing the doll’s limbs
-Four  ¼ inch buttons for jointing the doll’s limbs
-Size 3 crochet cotton to make the body
-Size B crochet hook.
-Embroidery needle that will fit through the holes drilled in the dowel rods.

-Craft or carpet thread.


I'll end this post with my favorite picture. I love making dainty undies!

11 comments:

  1. These are all so cute. I have enjoyed seeing them again. :o)

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    1. Thank you! I've had great fun making them again :-)

      warmly,

      Beth

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  2. They are both so cute. Well done.
    Greets Sofie 😊

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  3. Oh, my goodness, they are adorable. You bring the dolls to life with the sweet clothing and the little touches.

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    1. Thank you so very much, Dorothy.

      warmly,

      Beth

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  4. I am a new follower. For quite some time I have been interested in peg dolls and have a few yet to dress, so I was so happy to find your blog. I've been reading many of your posts and will surely find that many are very helpful in my passion for the small dolls. I've made bigger dolls, now I want to try a smaller version.

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad you found me here! Hope some of the posts help to fuel the fire of your passion for small dolls. I am a true believer :-)

      warmly,

      Beth

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  5. ooh she's pretty. Lot o eye candy here....

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