Hello Dolly! Crafted Pals for Creative Minds
The tradition of dollmaking is so so special. For many of us, our first encounter with handcrafts and the creativity they inspire was through the dolls we were given as children. And continuing the generations-old practice of creating playmates for the children (or grown-ups!) in our lives is one of the best ways we keep the flame of imagination alive.
One of our very favourite doll creators is Sally Nencini, who lovingly knits each of her wonderful characters in her studio in Norfolk, England. We’ve just received some more wonderful things from her, including super wonderful Lambswool Dollys. These gals in gingham were inspired by Sally’s own love for Clothkits dolls during her childhood in the 1970s. They come in three colours and their outfits can cleverly convert from a dress to a top and jeans. Sally also creates wonderful animal dolls, including bears, bunnies, a birdie, and a sweet tabby cat.
If you’re looking to turn your own hand to dollmaking, we have two great guides that will help you get on your way. Edward’s Crochet Doll Emporium contains a mix-and-match suite of patterns for different doll elements that can be mixed together to make hundreds of different characters, from astronaut to zookeeper. Make them to look like your favourite sportsperson, make them to look like the kiddo in your life, or just make tons of them to play together! Once you have the basic shape down, the customisation options through hairstyles, clothing, and accessories are nearly endless!
Quick Knit Baby Toys is a collection of 20 charming stuffed toys that are perfect for the littlest hands. Using a very clever method each one is knit flat and then rolled, stuffed, and stitched into shape, with options to add elements like clothing once it’s all stitched up. These come together super quickly and use such small amounts of yarn that they make perfect stash-buster projects. You could even add a Baby Bell at the stuffing stage to make these toys into rattles!
If you’re looking for a bit of guidance as you get started crafting your own dolls, we have a space open on Julie Arkell’s February Creature Workshop. Julie’s workshops are always among the fastest things to sell out when we release new dates, so it’s super exciting to have the opportunity to join!
Folk Decorations Trio Embroidery Kit
With the holidays on the way we have a sweet Folk Decorations Kit you can get stuck into with your embroidery needle. This kit from Sewyeah includes everything you’ll need to create a pink Matryoshka doll, a teal gingerbread house, and a red Dala horse to bring a sweet air of festivity to your home. The finished ornaments also make great gifts or gift toppers as well! With wool felt printed with an easy-to-follow design, an instruction booklet (including stitch guide), needles, threads, glass beads and reclaimed sequins, you’ll have absolutely everything you need to get crafting.
Whether you’re looking to keep your phone, keys, and wallet together in your handbag or you’re looking to organise some heftier notions, you can’t go wrong with a Swarm pouch. These canvas clutches designed by Leslie Oschmann are sturdy and oh so wonderful. We have just restocked the Chaffinch Pouch, with a reproduction of a painting silkscreened on both sides. There are so many little touches that make this pouch just wonderful to have around, from the leather zipper pull to the Dutch wax print lining. We’re so happy to have it back!
Enjoy!
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