My Scrappy Doll Prototype – I’ve named her Vermi’ (as in Vermicelli)
Last April 2025, I was itching to do something different. It was months before Tour de Fleece would begin, and I was looking at an endless supply, of leftover yarns – all balled up with nothing to do. As I was wandering through Facebook posts, I started noticing some clever fabric dolls kept popping into my feed. They were made entirely of fabric scraps, but I felt the same could be done with my yarn scraps. (Facebook Group: Scrappy Girls Club if you’re interested) I had already gathered similar colors together for a failed attempt at crocheting large baskets to hold my leftovers. I couldn’t get the ever expanding, crocheted base to lay flat…and it really bugged me. The pattern called for using a US-N crochet hook, and up to 7 strands of different weight yarns. I started, and re-started, several times – then ripped everything apart!!
I kept thinking about those scrappy dolls, I’d seen. I thought, why couldn’t I make a Knitted version of the Scrappy Doll. The yarns I used, were mostly hand dyed, and created lovely marled blends. I wanted something that knit up fast, as I might decide to sell the little buggers, later. I grabbed a US-15 circular needle and cast on a bunch of stitches, then set about knitting round and round. Excellent TV knitting. When my knitting reached a certain point, I switched up my yarns to imply a division of head to torso. Then continued on, close to the end, of that particular bunch of yarn.
Now, I have been knitting for almost 60 years, and I have discovered some tricks. One of the best, when ending a tube, that’s going to be sewn anyway – is the 3 needle bindoff. Huzzah!! Worked like a charm. I decided to use the edge loops of the bind off, as a way to latch-hook, colorful fibers in place to imply hair. I was able to find a use, for some recent hand spun yarns I created, that were never likely to be used otherwise.
Close up view. I used a crochet hook and fingers, to essentially latch hook a wad of cut fibers, into each loop of the bind off edge. A little tedious, but I didn’t want to search for my latch hook.
With the hair completed, Vermi’ needed some facial features! For her eyes, I quickly crocheted 2 circles, with some of the coordinating fibers I had near me. I used 2 safety eyes, for stuffed animals, to poke through the center of my crochet pieces. (Note: if I would ever sell one of these, or give it to someone, I would sew or glue the crochet edge down.) Next, I grabbed my jar of old buttons. I went to an antique store in Holland, Michigan a couple years ago, with good friends; and bought some inexpensive bags of interesting buttons. I saw this button that looked like it was made of spaghetti. I thought, it would make a perfect nose, and a good memory of times spent with friends.
Close up of eyes, spaghetti button nose, and an embroidered mouth.
I couldn’t think of anything cute for her mouth, and didn’t want to take anything away, from that perfect nose – so I stitched a mouth with thick yarn. From there it was time to tackle the legs, and arms. I decided to knit them as i-cords. I cast on about 6 stitches for arms, and 8 for legs, so they were substantial enough: yet wouldn’t require stuffing. I tied the knots to make Vermi’s hands and feet.
At this point she looked good enough, but my creative juices were still flowing. I played around with some wooden beads, I remember purchasing, while visiting my parents in Arizona. I attached the beads, to some (drapery hardware) pieces for cafe curtains, to make her dangling earrings. Since I was on a roll, I used variegated worsted knitting yarn, to make more i-cord for a necklace. I saw the beads and got the idea to knot them in place. Necklace done.
Upper torso embellishments created by Capi Puszcz
I’m not going to bore you with all my sewing techniques. I attached everything using yarn tails – when possible – and by whatever means achieved the look I was going for! I stuffed this gal with a small ready made pillow form. Then, I sewed up the bottom cast on stitches, attaching the legs securely as I went by them. I thought about giving Vermi to my mother for her memory-care room, but was afraid it would walk away, or something worse might happen. So, I’ve kept “Vermi” (in Italiano no asterisk) in my craft space, as a Memory Doll. She’s too sophisticated to be referred to as “Scrappy” now!
I’ve been making Scrappy Doll bodies, with more of my stash…I’ve tried to streamline the process to keep my hours as few as possible. Even so, I would need to charge more than most craft show audiences, would be willing to pay. ($100-$125+) I wonder if I should consider galleries that specialize in fiber art pieces? Let me know what you think? I am open to any ideas you may have.
Capi
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I am really excited to announce, after 4+ years, we were able to get our domain “TheYarnAndUs” back again. I have learned a few things, in the process. Mostly, protecting things I’ve created from unscrupulous people who use media as their playground. I intend to make sure I credit myself, on original things I create – especially when I share them on FFS blog posts or social media. Here’s an interesting thing I recently discovered – when searching the term: “ArtFelt Paper.” The FFS article I wrote, about experimenting with art felt paper (too many years ago to matter) is a majority of what information pops up. It’s pinned worldwide! I couldn’t believe it! It shows other people’s names, with my photos! Nowhere does it mention my name, my business’s name, or worst of all – credit feltingandfiberstudio.com who I wrote the article for.
This all brings me to thank Ruth Lane, for the additional work I put her through this week, to make sure this blog post is written, using theyarnandus.com as our WordPress presence. Brian and I, have had some challenging years, but no matter what the future holds: we are proudly united as TheYarnAndUs.
We think she’s beautiful and some of the methods you used very clever. It’s obvious that you loved making her. She would make anyone smile 🙂
You are right to consider Vermi not suitable for the memory-care room as she certainly would ‘walk away’.
Unfortunately the selling cost of handmade items is often more than a lot of people are prepared to pay at craft fairs but galleries can command a decent price as most of their customers appreciate the work and cost of items on display. Some sellers on Etsy get a fair price for their work – especially when the photos are good and they explain the work done to make the item.
It’s very upsetting and infuriating when your work is stolen by others – we know – it’s happened to us a few times and you often hear of others suffering the same.
It will always be so – there are many dishonourable people out there!
I have a few tourist destinations in mind, that get loads of seasonal visitors. I think foot traffic is the secret to selling unique (whimsical) fiber art pieces. You have to catch the eye of that one special person, who can’t leave your creations behind!
Capi
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I think Vermi is great too (especially as I can’t knit for toffee!) Things that look good do tend to grow legs. I used to have on my desk a Archimedes screw test piece of metal work which my husband made as part of a fine engineering course. It was just fine as a “fiddle piece” to play with when I was thinking. That walked too. I never did find out which of my colleagues liberated it.
I agree that it is rare to find a customer willing to pay a reasonable price for artisan work. I suppose the only thing to do is to factor in the enjoyment you get for doing the work in the first place and consider that to be part of the price.
Ann
Ann, I totally agree. In the subsequent versions, I decided to decrease the size, a bit, to make less knitting time. I found super-chunky readymade icord, for knitted blankets, to save time knitting the limbs. I recently knitted a prayer shawl for a sick friend facing brain surgery. I’m glad I did it for her, but it took a lot of time away, from other projects that needed my attention. Maybe a better idea is to make these dolls, as time permits, and give them to friends for whatever comfort is needed. 👍 Probably a much better way to go! Less stress too!
Capi
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Vermi is really cute. I have no knitting skills at all, but this process looks fun.
When I had my gallery, art dolls were a very hard sell. If you sell them, make sure they have a good story (for example the story of emotional support chickens). The story is really helpful to sell anything. Perhaps you could cut down on details?
Thanks, Ruth. I learned another thing today: how to create a copyright symbol on my iPhone. I had no idea it was sitting in amongst all those emojis I never use! You’re the best! 😍
Vermi is a lovely unique happy creation and I’m sure any of your friends in difficult circumstances would be delighted to receive one.
Very sadly, particularly with social media, any creation we present to others online is open to dishonest pilfering by unscrupulous individuals. At one time such stealing would have been local now it is global and it is galling.
Again sadly, there are no simple solutions, but you have made me think.
A cute way to use up scraps. I am glad you got your domain name back. Just so you know when I google Artfelt Paper the links go strait to your blog post here. Even when did a search on Pinterest a link to this page was all that came up. I am sure it has been repined many times. Google and probably Pinterest too show you what they think you want to see so it is often very different person to person. You can request pictures be removed from Pinterest.
I’m fairly sure the algorithms, don’t know what to make of my interests and searches. I have always befuddled people, in the ways I think about things. (I’m realizing Neurodivergence is part of my genetic makeup! 🤔) I supposedly have a high IQ, although I’ve never felt it’s been of much use to me.
Maybe it’s how, I come up with imaginative ideas, that others seem to be interested in? I’m curious about possibilities, and if that’s my contribution to the world, so be it!
Capi 🤓
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Hi Capi,
Vermi is a cute gal! I love the way you were able to use some of your beautiful art yarn for her hair.
It was a good choice to hang on to her – you would be kicking yourself had she gone walkable in the care home. This is always the problem with art work – sticky fingers can see it disappear into the ether and there’s not a damn thing you can do. I think its an issue with a lot of artists, including myself.
It is so so difficult to price pieces. A real dilemma – does one undervalue thereby making the work attractive but at the same time undermine both one’s own hard work and that of one’s competitors …… I see it often.
Lovely work with beautiful yarn. Lobe the spagetti nose too.
Helene
Thanks, Helene! I’m glad you enjoyed my gal, Vermi. Yes, pricing is a strange thing, especially when you a service like Etsy to sell your products. They have fees for all sorts of things, and often it’s difficult to figure out how they’ve done the math. It’s always a surprise when my taxes are due!
Vermi is adorable, Capi – I can see your creativity pored into the little guy!
As for having credit stolen, it really sucks. I’m glad you’ve put a strategy in place to get proper recognition for your work, and I’m *really* glad you managed to get your domain back!
13 thoughts on “My Knitted Scrappy (Memory) Doll”
We think she’s beautiful and some of the methods you used very clever. It’s obvious that you loved making her. She would make anyone smile 🙂
You are right to consider Vermi not suitable for the memory-care room as she certainly would ‘walk away’.
Unfortunately the selling cost of handmade items is often more than a lot of people are prepared to pay at craft fairs but galleries can command a decent price as most of their customers appreciate the work and cost of items on display. Some sellers on Etsy get a fair price for their work – especially when the photos are good and they explain the work done to make the item.
It’s very upsetting and infuriating when your work is stolen by others – we know – it’s happened to us a few times and you often hear of others suffering the same.
It will always be so – there are many dishonourable people out there!
Thanks Ladies!
I have a few tourist destinations in mind, that get loads of seasonal visitors. I think foot traffic is the secret to selling unique (whimsical) fiber art pieces. You have to catch the eye of that one special person, who can’t leave your creations behind!
Capi
I think Vermi is great too (especially as I can’t knit for toffee!) Things that look good do tend to grow legs. I used to have on my desk a Archimedes screw test piece of metal work which my husband made as part of a fine engineering course. It was just fine as a “fiddle piece” to play with when I was thinking. That walked too. I never did find out which of my colleagues liberated it.
I agree that it is rare to find a customer willing to pay a reasonable price for artisan work. I suppose the only thing to do is to factor in the enjoyment you get for doing the work in the first place and consider that to be part of the price.
Ann
Ann, I totally agree. In the subsequent versions, I decided to decrease the size, a bit, to make less knitting time. I found super-chunky readymade icord, for knitted blankets, to save time knitting the limbs. I recently knitted a prayer shawl for a sick friend facing brain surgery. I’m glad I did it for her, but it took a lot of time away, from other projects that needed my attention. Maybe a better idea is to make these dolls, as time permits, and give them to friends for whatever comfort is needed. 👍 Probably a much better way to go! Less stress too!
Capi
Vermi is really cute. I have no knitting skills at all, but this process looks fun.
When I had my gallery, art dolls were a very hard sell. If you sell them, make sure they have a good story (for example the story of emotional support chickens). The story is really helpful to sell anything. Perhaps you could cut down on details?
There’s a lot of stolen content out there. I should add copyright ©️ to all my photos but somehow I don’t take the time. Glad I could help out to get your post up.
Thanks, Ruth. I learned another thing today: how to create a copyright symbol on my iPhone. I had no idea it was sitting in amongst all those emojis I never use! You’re the best! 😍
©️🥰
Vermi is a lovely unique happy creation and I’m sure any of your friends in difficult circumstances would be delighted to receive one.
Very sadly, particularly with social media, any creation we present to others online is open to dishonest pilfering by unscrupulous individuals. At one time such stealing would have been local now it is global and it is galling.
Again sadly, there are no simple solutions, but you have made me think.
A cute way to use up scraps. I am glad you got your domain name back. Just so you know when I google Artfelt Paper the links go strait to your blog post here. Even when did a search on Pinterest a link to this page was all that came up. I am sure it has been repined many times. Google and probably Pinterest too show you what they think you want to see so it is often very different person to person. You can request pictures be removed from Pinterest.
That’s good to know, Ann!
I’m fairly sure the algorithms, don’t know what to make of my interests and searches. I have always befuddled people, in the ways I think about things. (I’m realizing Neurodivergence is part of my genetic makeup! 🤔) I supposedly have a high IQ, although I’ve never felt it’s been of much use to me.
Maybe it’s how, I come up with imaginative ideas, that others seem to be interested in? I’m curious about possibilities, and if that’s my contribution to the world, so be it!
Capi 🤓
Hi Capi,
Vermi is a cute gal! I love the way you were able to use some of your beautiful art yarn for her hair.
It was a good choice to hang on to her – you would be kicking yourself had she gone walkable in the care home. This is always the problem with art work – sticky fingers can see it disappear into the ether and there’s not a damn thing you can do. I think its an issue with a lot of artists, including myself.
It is so so difficult to price pieces. A real dilemma – does one undervalue thereby making the work attractive but at the same time undermine both one’s own hard work and that of one’s competitors …… I see it often.
Lovely work with beautiful yarn. Lobe the spagetti nose too.
Helene
Thanks, Helene! I’m glad you enjoyed my gal, Vermi. Yes, pricing is a strange thing, especially when you a service like Etsy to sell your products. They have fees for all sorts of things, and often it’s difficult to figure out how they’ve done the math. It’s always a surprise when my taxes are due!
Capi
Loving how this boosts my daily game skills! Artist Guesser Soundmap
Vermi is adorable, Capi – I can see your creativity pored into the little guy!
As for having credit stolen, it really sucks. I’m glad you’ve put a strategy in place to get proper recognition for your work, and I’m *really* glad you managed to get your domain back!