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Phone: 847-425-9708 | Email: info@itachicago.org
Phone: 847-425-9708
Email: info@itachicago.org

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Institute for Therapy through the Arts

Create. Grow. Heal.

Crafty Corner: French Knitting Doll

May 5, 2020 by ITA Staff

This craft can be completed in 20 minutes and is suitable for all ages and abilities – please note that while this craft is easily accessible, knitting with this doll may require a higher level of motor skills and dexterity. 

French knitting is a much simpler form of knitting. By further using a doll, this type of knitting is much more stable as the yarn is held by the doll instead of your hands, or tiny needles!  

Once you have learned the skill, French knitting can be a great way to keep your hands busy and stop yourself from nervously picking at and damaging your skin or objects around you. 
Check back soon for our next blog post to learn how to French Knit!

A colorful handmade French Knitter

You will need: 

  • A toilet paper roll 
  • A glue stick 
  • Tape 
  • Scissors 
  • 4 popsicle sticks 
  • Decorative paper/ stickers/ stampers/ markers (or whatever you want to use to decorate your doll) 

Craft supplies sat on a white fabric cloth

Step 1

Apply a small amount of glue to the bottom three quarters of your popsicle stick. Stick this to your toilet paper roll, ensuring the final quarter is left above the roll. 

A glue stick being used on the end of a popsicle.          A popsicle stick glued to one side of a toilet paper tube, with the ending poking off slightly.

Step 2

Repeat this step with the three remaining sticks, ensuring the sticks are placed at equal distances around the tube. 

Popsicle sticks glued to the outside of a toilet paper tube

Step 3

To secure the sticks further, wrap a layer of tape around the tube, over the sticks. 

A person gluing popsicle sticks to the side of a toilet paper tube

The following steps are optional.

Step 4. 

Measure and cut the decorative paper to sit below the base of the sticks on the tube. 

Toilet paper tube with popsicle sticks and a sheet of yellow paper underneath

Step 5. 

Apply a layer of glue to your strip of paper and wrap the paper around the tube. 

Toilet paper tube with popsicle sticks, with yellow paper rolled halfway around the tube.        Toilet paper tube with popsicle sticks and yellow paper wrapped around the bottom half

Step 6. 

Using colored markers shade sections of your white labels. 

colored squares drawn onto white sticker labels

Step 7. 

Place your stamper over the colored section and stamp out your chosen shapes.  

A heart stamper over the yellow colored square

If you don’t have a stamper, cut out shapes with scissors or use any pre-made stickers or decorations that you may have lying around the house. 

Stick your stickers on and you’re done! 

A colorful handmade French Knitter

These cute knitting machines are often little dolls. To switch up your design, add googly eyes and paint on a smile and clothes.  

For instructions on how to knit with your newly made doll, keep an eye out for our part 2 of this French Knitting series.

Be sure to share your photos with us on social media by tagging us.   

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Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA)
1316 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 425‑9708
info@itachicago.org

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