Classic Waldorf Dolls. They have simple bodies--a trunk and legs together without clearly defined feet, arms at reach out and a head. They typically stand up better than they sit down, but if stitched carefully at the top of the legs, they can sit.

I only recently started making Classic Waldorf Dolls. I have to say, they are fun to sew and they have charming character. I use the patterns in the book Making Waldorf Dolls by Maricristin Sealey.

I made Douglas, shown above, simply because I have been collecting fun doll clothes made by Bamboletta for a for a while now. I was planning to purchase one of their 15 inch Sitting Friend dolls but boys that size have been few and far between. So I decided to make a doll myself. Douglas is wearing all Bamboletta clothes except for his shoes (and undies)!

I was reading about hair styling in the book mentioned above. It said you can create curls by knitting yarn, dampen the knitting and let it air dry and then undo it. That sounded like fun!

I decided to just use straight yarn on the lower two layers of the hair and put the knitted curls on just on the outer third layer. It gives Douglas a cute, sort of un-tidy, free-spirited boy look!

Here he is sitting. I managed to sew in decent leg folds on this doll.  He's wearing clothes made by the Bamboletta Sewing Mamas! (I made the shoes). NOTE:  Notice the difference in his hair in these two photos. The first humid day we… — Here he is sitting. I managed to sew in decent leg folds on this doll. He's wearing clothes made by the Bamboletta Sewing Mamas! (I made the shoes).
NOTE: Notice the difference in his hair in these two photos. The first humid day we had, Douglas lost most of his curls! I used merino superwash yarn and it just relaxed in the humidity. Next time I think I'll use yarn that felts and smaller needles than the #10 US needles I chose this time!

Douglas in the crab apple tree wearing the red overall shorts and firefighter T shirt I made for him

Clementine is the another Classic Waldorf Doll I recently made. She is smaller at 11 inches. If you have never made a Classic Waldorf type doll, 11 inches is a great size to start with. it is easier hold and sew a smaller doll. And the finished doll is a great size for a child to take places.

I used heavy weight loose mohair boucle yarn by De Witte Engle for her curly hair. Unlike most of my dolls, I only used one type of yarn for her hair. I love how it turned out!

Here area a couple more photos of Douglas in his Bamboletta made clothes taken at the beginning of May when it was still chilly. He is one super cute little dude!!