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.