Five years ago, I started making waldorf-inspired dolls with my company Brambles & Blossoms. I only had 4 little boys at the time and longed to make them soft, cuddly dolls to be their best friends.
My very first dolls were ones I made for the first four of my boys, but my fourth son, Oaklen, ended up with two somehow! I have since spent years and years making dolls, and have made many for my own seven children. I absolutely love how I can work on making these sweet babies while I homeschool my children.
My favourite dolls I’ve made have been based on my micropreemie daughter, Norah, who was born at 26 weeks.
I often get asked how to make a waldorf doll, and I have tutorials and patterns available for purchase here. But I am going to do a free tutorial and pattern on how to make a 12″ doll right here! This pattern is my very first pattern I developed 5 years ago, yet still love to use today.
I am giving this away for free so that other mamas can make their little ones best friends too. And I would LOVE to see your finished creations! Please send me any questions or photos of your creations to me at my Faith & String facebook page right here.
I am going to write this tutorial out along with a downloadable pattern as I go, over the course of a few posts. So here we go!
The first thing we need to make is the doll head! This is the most difficult and the most important step. I will be showing photos from a different doll head (so the head in the photos is smaller than the one you are making), so be sure to follow the measurements in the instructions rather than looking solely at the photos!
Step 1: rolling the core
You are going to be making the core of the dolls head. My kids call these the “brains”. My sweet Oaklen used to adore talking to the doll brains and telling them all sorts of adventurous stories, then telling me it was making the dolls memories for their new home.
Isn’t this just the sweetest thing ever? It is one of my fondest memories <3
So to get started you need to begin rolling a strip of wool that is about 2-3″ wide. You will be rolling it to be a little larger than a golf ball. I aim for approximately 7-8″ circumference.
Once you have a general ball shape that, begin wrapping it with cotton string, leaving a tail available to tie off the string at the end.
Once you have wrapped the ball in all directions, tie the end of the string to the tail that you had left out.
This is your core. I cannot stress enough how firm this needs to be. Make sure it is rock hard! This is what gives the strength to your head! If it doesn’t feel firm, untie it and start fresh. Ideally it will be 7-8″ around. If it measures less than 5″ around, untie it and start fresh by adding more wool. If it is larger than 9″, you will want to untie it, remove some wool and tie it again.
Step 2: wrapping the core.
This step requires more wool, as you will wrap the core you just made in more wool to form your doll’s head! Your final head should measure approximately 12″. So you will want to start by wrapping the core firmly with wool, like you did with the core, until it measures approximately 10-11″ around. I literally sit on the floor to make my heads, pushing all of my body weight onto the head as I roll it to be sure I am getting a firm head. Make sure to be wrapping in all directions to give it a nice round shape!
Once you have a firm ball measuring 10-11″ you will want to place layers of wool over the head, gathering it at the neck. Place layers over your ball, gathering it at the bottom of the head, until your head measures approximately 12-13″ in circumference. I realize that 13″ is larger than you want it to be, however once you place your gauze or sock over it, it will reduce to the perfect size! The head below is much too small for this size of doll, so be sure to measure!
Once you have the right size of head (again, not to beat you over the head I swear! But make sure yours is around 12-13″), tie around the neck you formed with a piece of cotton string.
Step 3: Covering your head
The next thing you will need is either a piece of cotton tubing (measuring about 12″) or a small white cotton sock. I buy my cotton tubing (along with all my other doll making supplies) here, from my friend Natalie over at Bear Dance Crafts. If you have tubing, you will want to sew across the top and turn it inside out to form a sock like covering. If you have a small white sock, just leave it as is!
Gently, pull your sock or your tubing over the head you created and re-tie your neck line. (again, note this head is WAY too small for this size of doll). Measure your head again and make sure it measures somewhere around 12″ in circumference now.
Step 4: Tying the head
You will now need more of your craft string or in a pinch you can use unflavored dental floss for this part. You will start by tying a length of string across the center of the head, forming your eyeline. Tie this quite tight (I go around the head twice before I tie), so it forms an indent.
The next tie will be done vertically, forming a chin and cheeks.
Your ties should be tight and knotted well. At this point, you can clip the string from the vertical tie, but leave the string from the eyeline (the horizontal tie) long.
Now you will need a needle and thread to sew your ties in place. Thread a needle, so that the thread is doubled, and sew an “X” on both sides of the head where the two ties cross to keep them in place.
Now, you will need to carefully pull the back of the eyeline down, so that it is at the neckline. Doing this will make a smooth round back of the head. Go slow, as this is not easy, and you may want to use a chopstick or an unsharpened pencil to aid you!
Once you are done this step, it is probably a good time to measure your head again, as the tying should have reduced its circumference to somewhere between 11.5-12″. This is a perfect size.
It’s time for the fun part! Now, we get to form the doll’s nose!
Step 5: forming the nose
To start, take a sharpened pencil and lightly draw a circle where you would like your nose to be.
Next, using your thread and needle, begin going across the nose, underneath your pencil mark, from one side to the other (make sure you are catching wool!). Continue to go around in alternating directions until you have hit all points around the nose. The photos below will help explain this step!
Once you have gone to all sides of the nose, pull the thread tight, which will gather your nose. Tie it off.
Now, snip or bury your threads and your nose in complete! Time for the very last step in making your doll head!
Step 6: Covering your head with skin fabric
Now you will need the cotton interlock that you will use as your doll’s skin. I like this cotton interlock, but you can use any knit as well, such as a white t-shirt that is dyed in coffee or tea!
Take a square of your interlock and fold it so that it is right sides together. Place your doll’s head you just made with the nose facing the fold. Using a light pencil or disappearing marker, trace around the head.
Once you have traced the head, using a stretch stitch or a tight zigzag, sew just inside your line.
Now you will cut around the line you drew, and then turn the piece inside out, so the right side is showing.
Carefully slip your skin over top of your head, like you are pulling on a sock. It should be snug over the face! Once its pulled snugly over, tie the covering at the neck with your craft string. Your head is complete!
Come back to learn the next part and download your pattern!
In the meantime, please visit me over on my facebook page Faith & String, and feel free use that facebook page to message me any questions so I can help you in your doll creations!
Annalee says
February 23, 2016 at 6:32 amI’m so excited to make this! Will you be posting a supplies list so we can get them all at the same time? 🙂
faithandstring says
February 23, 2016 at 10:18 amYes! The supply list is the next post! I am so happy that you are going to try making one!
Anne says
February 26, 2016 at 2:11 amThank you so much for this post. I have been trying to find classes but this has encouraged me to have a go
faithandstring says
February 26, 2016 at 11:16 amI am so happy! You will love it!
Maria Eugénia says
March 15, 2016 at 9:17 amHi, from Portugal!
I was looking for tutos for Waldorf dolls and i must say you that yours are the BEST!!! Thank you!
Now i want to make one to offer to my grand-niece. I’m sure i will be abble to do with your help.
Maria Eugénia
Vetter says
March 15, 2016 at 2:15 pmHi From Switzerland thanks so mutch
Judy says
March 17, 2016 at 11:44 pmGreetings from Manitoba, Canada! I have been wanting to try making a doll for quite some time but didn’t have a clue how to start. Thanks so much for sharing your process and expertise with us. I am so excited to give this a try!
claudia parra says
March 19, 2016 at 5:02 pmClaudia do Brasil muito obrigada muito bem explicado e bem feita
Alev says
March 27, 2016 at 7:44 amI should make it as soon as possible. I hope that I can manage it. Thank you
Marlyn says
April 26, 2016 at 2:25 pmWonderful tutorial. Thank you for sharing and such wonderful pictures.
Caroline says
May 3, 2016 at 8:55 pmLovely tutorial! I used to be a home school Mom for 11 years. Wonderful time and wished I could learn how to make a Waldorf doll.
Thank you, soon grandchildren will arrive and lovely to have one or two perfected by then.
Linh says
May 4, 2016 at 9:58 amI love it, thanks
kimmyjoy says
June 16, 2016 at 3:32 pmI♥♥♥♥♡♡♥♥♡♡♥♥♥♡♡♡♥♥♡♥♥♥ it so much☆☆★☆☆★☆★☆. Bless you and your children may you think of more ideas to share with us. Enjoy yournlife and also how do I download the thingy ma bob^_^.
Jan says
September 16, 2016 at 6:21 amHi from England,
I wanted to buy a mixed race doll for my granddaughter who is Anglo- Indian and can’t believe how difficult it is to buy one in this country. I found your info on google and am looking forward to making a doll who looks like her. Thank you so much.
Christine Petersen says
July 17, 2016 at 9:46 pmThank you for sharing your story as it has touched my heart. I lost a little girl at about 18 weeks. One day when I was sorting and cleaning toys, I had come across a doll that was approximately the same size as the child I held in my arms. I put it with the other items the hospital sent home with me. We named her Alyssa Mary.
We ended up having a boy a couple years later. A few years ago (senior year) he asked about her, so I took out the items and we sat and went through them together, including the doll. As he held the doll in his hands, it brought him to tears, just to realizing how precious life is.
I recently took an interest in making dolls and I really like your idea of making a doll as a comfort and reminder. God gave us an angel, that for a short time on earth, we held in our arms. My other children did not get the opportunity to hold her so I have always used the doll as a visual. What a clever idea that you had. And thank you for sharing very personal pictures. For they show the love and tenderness upon this earth.
I love your doll.
Tara says
July 17, 2016 at 11:03 pmHi, thank you for making this. I’m just starting out, thinking of making these adorable dolls. I only hope that mine, might be as beautiful as yours . From the UK.
Melody says
August 12, 2016 at 8:46 pmI’m really excited to buy our supplies so my 8 year old daughter and I can start working on some of these. She’s going to love it! We are wondering what type of yard we should buy to get hair like the first doll with the Olaf shirt. We love that texture. I’ve been looking at supplies but I’m not sure what we should get or what it’s called. Thank you for this tutorial and your help!
faithandstring says
August 13, 2016 at 8:14 pmHi there! I found it on etsy, you would need to search “handspun yarn” and you will find it! It is unfortunately quite pricey, usually $30-$40 per skein – but it is beautiful!
Janice says
September 28, 2016 at 3:38 amHi from New Zealand… Many Thanks your dolls are just gorgeous I have orders to make one for my Granddaughter 🙂
Mel says
October 3, 2016 at 10:07 pmHi from NZ.
So excited to have found this, I was looking at your toddler doll pattern and it recommended basic Waldorf skills which I don’t have as I’ve never tried. Now I feel I can try this version first then move onto that toddler pattern.
Deborah says
October 9, 2016 at 4:32 pmThank you so very much. Now I can attempt to make a waldorf doll.
Nicole says
November 7, 2016 at 9:13 amThis might be a dumb question, but I have never made a Waldorf doll before. This pattern is to make a 12 inch doll. The head is also supposed to be 12 inches round? So the head is as big as the rest of the body? I just want to make sure I am doing it right.
faithandstring says
December 6, 2016 at 11:13 amThe head circumference ends up smaller once tied! But yes, the circumference is large 🙂
Wilna says
December 6, 2016 at 6:41 amWilna from south africa.
Thankyou so much for sharing tutorials.*
Was looking for pattern for a while.i am so excited to try this.
You have a wonderful family!you are so blessed.
Goodluck for plans you have for your future!
Regards,
Wilna
Blewing says
January 8, 2017 at 11:28 pmAfter a month of searching for dolls, I finally decided to make one. Your tutorial is clear and easy to follow.
I’m nearly done the head, and am looking forward to completing the whole project!
LILOU says
February 1, 2017 at 11:55 pmC’est adorable. Comment faut-il faire pour avoir la suite des explications ?
Bonne journée
Jenni says
February 27, 2017 at 11:01 amHi,
Thank you so much for the tutorial! He directions are quite clear and I can’t wait to get started. I plan to make a 16″ doll and was wondering what circumference the head should be. If a 12″ doll has a head that begins with a 12″ circumference does it stand to reason a 16″ doll would need a head that starts as a 16″ circumference? Thank you for any advice you can offer.
Kathleen Wagner says
March 28, 2017 at 10:53 amI also had four little boys and then a girl, also homeschooled them, and also like making dolls and toys. We must be related!
Judy Will!!son says
March 29, 2017 at 9:08 amDo you have to use wool, What can I substituted. Thanks for any suggestions you have.
Papierkram says
June 27, 2017 at 10:23 pmdas Tutorial ist fantastisch. ich werde auch eine Puppe machen. Vielen dank dafür.
Ganz liebe Grüße Beate
Rjohns says
July 30, 2017 at 6:08 pmWhen my almost 2 year old daughter wakes up from her nap I will give her this lovely doll I just finished! Thank you so much for you me easy to follow tutorial. Such a gift to give to some random internet strangers. Love from Alaska!
Mary Hale says
November 19, 2017 at 6:22 pmthank you for this tutorial i do better with written tutorials then i do with youtube you tube is too fast to keep up with
Marianne Chandler says
December 9, 2017 at 5:33 amHours of searching on the internet and here I found how to make a Waldorf doll. Living in a small town in South Africa, it is difficult to buy books and material. On Pintrest most people are too mean to share patterns. May God Bless you for your unselfishness. Lov you.
Kind regards Marianne from Phalaborwa, Next to the Kruger National Park, South Africa
Anne Vrana says
January 13, 2018 at 4:21 pmMany years ago I made two Waldorf dolls for my daughters and now they are in their 28 and 30 and still love those dolls. I will soon be a grandmother for the first time and look forward to offering my grandchild a doll as well.
Thank you so much for posting and sharing your knowledge and love for these beautifully crafted dolls.
Anne
Montreal, Canada
Barbara says
March 19, 2018 at 10:17 amThank you so much for those tutorial. It’s really helpful
Barbara, Poland
Maria says
April 6, 2018 at 3:38 amJust finished a doll but face does not appear cute like many ive seen, any suggestions. Perhaps something to do with placement of eyes and nose?
April says
April 6, 2018 at 8:28 pmHello!
This is a wonderful tutorial and thank you!! Could you please share with me the rest of the tutorial.. part 2
Thank you!
Lyn Preston says
April 8, 2018 at 9:25 pmHello from Australia.
Loved your generosity at sharing a pattern and tutorial is so clear.
Am looking forward to making a few dolls for my new grand daughters as the commercial ones are not nearly as beautiful.
Thank you so much,
Regards
Lyn
Mary Shelden says
May 17, 2018 at 8:21 pmI just found this lovely tutorial! Where do I get part 2 and whatever follows?
Louise Booth says
May 19, 2018 at 10:29 amhi what handspun yarn did you use for the hair on the boy doll with the olaf tshirt?
I’ve searched etsy and there are alot of this type of yarn.. can you attach a link to the one you used? also how much do i need for this size doll?
thanks