A raffia doll is a beautiful decoration for a country style home, or one that is decorated primarily with natural materials. Hang it over the kitchen sink, tuck it on a living room bookshelf or attach it to a wreath for the holidays. This raffia doll is easy and quick to craft and is a wonderful project for children. Make several for inexpensive teacher's gifts or keep a few on hand for family, friends and unexpected housewarming gifts.
Instructions
1. Remove the whole roll of raffia from the pack. Unwind the hank and lay it flat. Divide the hank in half. Remove one strand from one half and set the half aside. Wrap the removed strand around the center of the remaining half. Cinch the strand tight and tie it into a knot.
2. Lay the length of the tied raffia hank on your work surface. Place a 2-inch Styrofoam ball over the knotted wrapped strand. Fold one side of the hank over the ball and match it to the other side. Grip the raffia ends tightly under the ball. Spread the strands of raffia on the ball so that they cover the ball. This will create the doll's head. Attach a twist tie around the gathers for the neck. Remove another strand from the extra raffia hank and tie it around the twist tie to cover.
3. Divide the extra raffia hank in half. Set one half aside. Measure down 6 inches from one end on the remaining raffia half. Wrap a twist tie around the hank at this measurement. Place the 6-inch end in a drawer and close. You want the drawer to hold the raffia. Be careful to not close the drawer to tight or it may cut the raffia. Divide the length of the raffia into three sections. Braid the sections until the braid measures 10 inches long. Tie a twist tie around the raffia at the end of the braid. Remove the raffia from the drawer. Trim the loose ends 1 inch from the twist ties.
4. Divide the raffia strands, below the head of the doll, in half. Place the braided raffia, horizontally, between the halves, for the doll arms. Position the braid close to the neck and center the arms. Place the separated raffia together and grip it tightly below the arms. This is the doll's waist. Wrap a twist tie around the gathers. Take another strand from the hank that was set aside. Wrap the strand over the twist tie and knot.
5. Hold the doll up and trim away the excess raffia 12 inches below the waist. This is the doll's dress. Cut a 6-inch length of 1-inch-wide gathered eyelet ruffle. Wrap the ruffle around the neck and overlap on the back of the doll's neck. Trim the ends and hot glue to secure. Cut a 24-inch length of 1/4-inch-wide ribbon. Wrap the ribbon around the doll's waist and tie a bow on the front of the doll. Cut a 12-inch length of 1/4-inch-wide ribbon and tie it into a knot. Apply hot glue to the bow knot and attach the bow to the front of the ruffled collar.
Tags: twist around, raffia hank, strand from, 4-inch-wide ribbon, another strand