Uthando Project

PATTERNS

To help new dollmakers get started, we can provide a complete doll making kit, containing all the things you need to make a doll (except for the filling).

We sell these kits at low cost, or groups can make up their own kits. For sustainability, we like to use donated (but new and clean) fabrics, buttons and wool, except for the doll body material, which we have to purchase.Our patterns are sorted according to the techniques and purpose.
 

Sewn

Classic Sewn Uthando doll

It works best to make this doll’s body of stretch, knit brown fabric, stuffed to feel firm, but not hard. Click on the heading to see a picture showing the stages of making a doll. You can also look closely at the examples pictured in our Gallery to give you ideas. There are many more fabulous examples in our book “100 DOLLS, COUNTLESS HEARTS” which may be purchased from our shop.

Download the classic-sewn-doll (JPG) pattern (in two parts).  Top | Bottom

Simple Doll
Download the Simple Doll Pattern, a simplified Uthando doll. Simple Doll Pattern

Knitted

One piece Alusa, girl or boy doll
The Alusa Knitted Doll is mainly knitted in stocking stitch, but you may prefer to highlight knitted-in clothing with garter stitch. Clothes may be knitted separately or indicated with change of colour.

Download the pattern and tutorial to make a knitted one-piece Alusa doll. One-piece Alusa doll

Two piece boy doll

The Uthando Project needs lots of boy dolls. This Knitted Boy Doll is approx. 33cms high. You’ll need brown wool for skin, black wool for hair, and bright colours for knitted-in undies or other clothing.

Download the Knitted Boy Doll Pattern.

Sunbeam two piece for beginners

This Sunbeam knitted doll is a very quick and simple pattern, suiting beginners and children. It takes one ball of yarn (a little more if knitted in garter stitch). You can knit separate clothing, or use coloured wool to ‘knit in’ the clothing. These dolls are given to small children, so should not have beads or buttons sewn on.

Download the Sunbeam Doll Pattern.

Crocheted

Crocheted doll

This cheerful crocheted doll has a very friendly face. You’ll need 8 ply yarn in brown for the skin, plus two contrasting colours. Made on a No 3.50 crochet hook, unless using different ply yarn.

Download our Crocheted doll pattern.

Crocheted hand puppet

A simple child size hand puppet as a variation on the knitted pattern.

Download our Crochet hand puppet pattern.

Accessories

Shoulder bag – knitted

It’s wonderful for a doll to have a shoulder bag filled with spare clothing, and we have a number of shoulder bag designs which you can experiment with.

Download our Shoulder Bag Designs.

Doll’s clothing

Kay Daw’s knitted doll clothes

Download Kay Daw’s Basic knitted dolls’ clothes patterns for a skirt, top, sleeveless top, pants, Jacket and tee-shirt.

Minimum-sew doll clothing

Download the Minimum-sew doll clothing pattern and guide to make a top, skirt, pants, and dress.

No-sew doll clothing

Download the No-sew dolls’ clothes patterns to make a circular skirt, no-sew jacket, flip-over top, one-shoulder tie dress and vest with shoulder seams (a tiny amount of sewing).

Animals

Monkey – knitted

This knitted monkey pattern was devised by Uthando volunteer Anne Bell. You’ll need a single ball of 8 ply wool, in dark brown or monkey colour (or another fun colour), plus a small amount of lighter (contrast) for feet, hands, face and ears. Use 4 mm needles. We have been told that these monkeys are very much appreciated by the boys who receive our dolls.

Download the Knitted Monkey pattern.

Zebra – sewn

This zebra can be made in any kind of striped fabric.

Download the Zebra pattern.

Lion – crocheted

This charming crocheted lion is based on a crocheted ball, and can be made in many colour options.

Download the Crocheted Lion pattern.

Hand puppets

Girl/boy knitted for large and small hands

These puppets will be used especially by counsellors helping children, so think about this as you create the character of your puppet. The face might be sad or angry, not always happy.

Download our Knitted Hand Puppet pattern.

Elephant hand puppet

Wraps

Doll and child wraps

It is very nurturing for the child to wrap up a doll, and for this we suggest making a Doll Wrap. Children love to play out games of ‘real life’. Carrying a doll on their back is what their mother or older siblings do with a baby, and the Child Wrap is designed for this.

Download our Doll and Child Wraps patterns.

BALLS

Knitted ball – one piece

This Knitted Ball is made in one piece; the pattern makes a cross shape which becomes a ball when you sew the edges together and stuff firmly. You can be creative with different colours or textured wool.

Download our Knitted Ball in One Piece pattern.


A listing of all our patterns, complete with photos, can be found here.

Uthando Project