Craftster user carrieme of Sew Very Carrie made a Waldorf-style doll using items from the dollar store. Today’s the first day I’ve heard of Waldorf dolls, and this Craftster post is the second mention I have come across of them!
Look at the dolly’s adorable socks and mary jane shoes!
Project Estimate for doll:
- 1 pair trouser socks $1
- 1 pair pink tights $1
- 1 bag cotton balls $1
- 1 skein acrylic yarn $1
Doll total: $4
Project Estimate for clothes:
- 1 baby onesie
- 1 baby dress
- 1 plastic bead kit
Clothing total: $3
- Here are some nice instructions for making a Waldorf doll.
- And some more instructions for forming the distinct Waldorf head.
9 Comments
Rachel
Oh how cute! I’ll be adding this to my toddler gift guide!
Kathy
Too cute!!!! That is pretty talented with dollar tree items.
Alexandra
This is amazing! I’ve got to link. :)
jonah
great idea, however, isn’t the idea behind waldorf dolls to use all natural materials?
cottons, wools, great… not so sure about acrylic, plastic…aren’t the dolls supposed to be filled with wool?
just curious if the design is being used for traditional waldorf play?
Kimberly Sullivan
The original concept for Waldorf Dolls was natural materials, but I also think the started back in a time when synthetics were not available. I think just using these easy to get supplies is very good. A Waldorf inspired doll of our day and age!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldorf_doll
winterscrow
So did you make the doll also? This one is Super cute! and the Dollar Tree items makes it like 100% x’s more AWESOME!
sal
Hi the doll is cute! Where can I find a free pattern for the dolls body so I can make one for my little girl, since I’m on a fixed budget.
Sasha
Yes, the point behind Waldorf dolls and all Waldorf items is that they are all natural – it gives them a sort of living presence and is healthier than synthetics. More important than the exact design of the toy is that it is simple and natural. These dolls were not originally called Waldorf dolls, they were called after the lady who designed them (can’t remember her name, sorry). However, you can find natural materials at the dollar store. You can find cotton T-shirts to make the dolls body with rather than tights and you can dye them as needed with Rit. While cotton won’t give the doll the warmth that wool gives, it is a fraction of the cost, so cotton balls are a good alternative if you can’t afford wool and don’t have an old sweater. You can always leave the doll bald and put a hat on its head like a baby to avoid using acrylic yarn until you can afford the wool – add the hair later as the doll “grows up”. 100% cotton baby cloths are available everywhere, sometimes at the dollar store even, so the clothing should pose a problem in the way of Waldorf-ness. And of course, glass buttons and natural beads are available at the dollar store from time to time as well, so you can easily replace the plastic bits as you wish, or leave them out all together. This person, I believe, was making a doll out of dollar store items only for a blog about dollar store only items. You can even use scraps from old clothing to replace the synthetic bits (I used one of my husbands old T-shirts and dyed it, and an old wool sweater for stuffing)
All in all I have to say this is a great starting point for an inexpensive ACTUAL Waldorf doll. Definitely a great toy if you are not running a Waldorf home but want a nice doll. . . And the shoes are absolutely perfect, my son’s doll will definitely be getting a pair of these soon.