how to make a yarn doll

My daughter learned how to make yarn dolls on a class trip last week.This old fashioned craft couldn't have been more well received, since she's currently devouring the entire Little House on the Prairie series. These "are just the kinda dolls Laura and Mary would have made", she excitedly told me. And thus began a weekend of doll making. Right from the get go she barely needed assistance, and her pride in this new found independence led her to ask if she could teach "how to" to all of you. This was a first. She's definitely asked (as has every family member at one time or another) "are you  gonna blog that, Mama?" But never has she asked to lead a tutorial... of course, you know what I said!  My daughter varied her yarn but remained true to the number of pieces for each doll. I think you could easily add some more strands for a plumper doll, but wait.... this is HER tutorial. Here we go...
body: 8 pieces of yarn cut to around 14"
arms: 6 pieces of yarn cut to 6"

And here's doll #3 Her name is Suzanne, and she's already had the honor of being toted around on errands and was even invited up for bedtime.

Note #1: I tried to stay true to her words, and hope that the photos will help with clarification... if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Note #2: You can split the "dress" yarn in half and tie knots around each side to create legs for a gender neutral doll or "boy" doll.