I recently joined a group on Ravelry called “Comfort Doll Knitters and Crocheters”.  The group knits or crochets Duduza dolls (comfort dolls) which will be distributed by Heart for Africa to children in Swaziland.  Heart for Africa “is a faith-based non-profit 501(c)3 charity.”  They “provide self sustainable homes for orphans and vulnerable children in Africa”.

Their goal for 2012 is to collect 10,000 dolls, most of which will accompany a pair of shoes for the children.  Some dolls will be sold to raise money for the El Roi home for abandoned babies in Swaziland.

These were actually easy to make.  You knit them in one piece, and shape them after you’re done.  They stand only 7″ tall and they’re about 3″ wide, and they don’t require much yarn at all.  I had fun with the little girl’s hair, thanks to Susan B. Anderson’s you-tube tutorial on Twisted Loop Stitch.  I had never done that stitch before and I giggled at the result!  The flowers were embroidered with #3 crochet cotton, using the lazy daisy stitch, with a french knot in the center.  The patterns for the dolls can be found here.

Although making the 10,000 dolls myself would help put a small dent in my stash, for now I’ll just be sending off this little couple.  I’m hoping that they bring a wee smile to the hearts of the children who receive them, and I hope they feel the love that went into every stitch.

“A”


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