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.
