PEG DOLLIES

A fun one to do with the kids, you can go all out and give these dolls the most fabulous outfits. Alternatively, stick to traditional colours so they sit well with your existing decorations.

YOU WILL NEED

A selection of paints Paint brushes (the smaller the better) Wooden clothes pegs Glue gun Wooden beads Mini screw eye pins Ribbons, chunky wool, string etc. for scarves, hair and to hang

Bradawl (or tapestry needle)

TO MAKE

❶ Squeeze out some coloured paint in a selection of colours. Then, holding the peg doll at the rounded end, paint a pair of trousers and some shoes or boots on to each peg. Leave to dry.

❷ Paint the peg doll’s top half in another bright colour and the face in a flesh tone. You can place the pegs around the outside of a cup while you wait for them to dry.

❸ Use a hot glue gun to glue on a small wooden bead to the top of some of the pegs. Then paint on the hair with a small paintbrush. Leave to dry.

❹ With a fine paintbrush, start adding details to each peg – trims on the trousers, fur-topped boots, buttons and pockets.

❺ Using the tip of a fine paintbrush, dot two eyes and a little mouth on to each face.

❻ Apply a little of the hot glue to the doll’s neck, then wrap a length of ribbon or wool around each to create a scarf. You can have them as long or short as you like.

❼ Tie some string or wool around where the bead meets the head and tie in a little bow. Trim the ends to neaten.

❽ Using a bradawl or a tapestry needle, make a small indent in the top of the peg. Place on an eye pin and screw in. Feed some string through and tie in a knot to create a hanging loop.