The big project that I undertook right after the Christmas holidays was making a doll for Quinn. I had found a kit at the Waldorf School store that utilized a knitted body.

Somehow this seemed much less intimidating then doing a fully formed body. Basically, the head would be the only form challenge - everything else would be stuffing knitting which I learned from the animals I knit a while back.

Halfway through knitting the body for Quinn’s, I decided I wanted to make one for Tyler too. That part was fun because I could ask Tyler was color he wanted and whether he wanted a boy or girl. The answers were “green” and “a boy - just like me”.

Since Tyler knew I was making him a doll, it was fun to share my progress with him. The reason the title to this post is “bulbheads” is that I showed Tyler the dolls when I had the head connected to the body (which had a torso and legs and the time, but no arms). Tyler said they looked like bulbheads.

And yes, the heads did look like lightbulbs. I was a bit dismayed thinking “Great, they will forever be known as “bulbheads.” But the next thing I knew, Quinn took the doll out of my arms saying, “baby” and gave it a hug. Nevermind - it was going to be fine.

I finished the dolls and they turned out better than expected. I did so many things that I had never done before: sewing the seams of a knitted fabric, forming a doll head, making doll clothes, sewing and inseam on pants, and sewing hair on a doll to name a few. Mistakes were made and all is not perfect with them, but I can tell you that I put a ton of love into these creations and I think that is what matters.

I am more than satisfied. I won’t say the dolls are a huge hit with the kids right now, but I expect that as their doll play grows as they age, the dolls will get played with more. And I do admit to getting a little grumpy if a doll is getting mistreated. “No Tyler, I don’t care if it is pretend play, we don’t throw the doll around!” :-p

Even if they end up sitting somewhere untouched - I still derived so much satisfaction from this project and am really glad I took a leap and tried something new. Not to mention that I completed this project which took 6 weeks and pretty much every spare minute I had.

I wish I had taken more pictures showing all the steps involved. It is really fascinating to see how they come together. And finally, here are the finished products!!