Directions for Making String Yarn Puppets

Yarn Puppet Head

• Cut two pieces of thin cardboard to form 8-inch-by-13-inch rectangles. Tape the two rectangles together on the top and bottom (shorter ends). Select a suitable color of yarn and wrap it around the rectangles about 150 times, creating 13-inch loops. Slide an 8-inch piece of yarn between the two layers of cardboard and bring it up to the top. Tie a knot, securing all the loops together at the place that will become the top of the puppet's head. Remove the cardboard and place a 3-inch Styrofoam ball below the knot you've just tied. This gives your yarn puppet a firm round head that can't be achieved with yarn alone. Arrange the yarn so it hides the ball completely. Tie a knot with another piece of yarn directly below the ball to form the neck.

Yarn Puppet Arms

• Fold one of the pieces of cardboard in half and wrap yarn around it 75 times. Slip the yarn off, lay it flat and tie each end (about 1 inch from the end) with a small piece of yarn. Slip this piece through the middle of the body to form two arms of equal length. Tie a piece of yarn below the arms to form the waist. Then cut the loops at the end of each arm to form the hands.

Finishing the Puppet

• Cut the loops at the bottom of the puppet. Separate the yarn strands into two equal parts and tie each an inch from the end to form the legs and feet. Add features to the face such as large googly eyes and a small curved piece of red chenille stem or pipe cleaner for the mouth. Make some clothes for the puppet if you like.

Stringing the Puppet

• Cut two 10-inch pieces of thin dowel rod for control bars. Attach a 16-inch piece of string or yarn to the top of the doll's head and tie the other end to the midpoint of one of the dowels. Place the doll on your work surface with the attached dowel above it, string fully extended. Cut a piece of string for each hand long enough to attach to the dowel and leave the arms hanging down. Tie the hand strings to each end of the control bar attached to the head. Attach one foot to the end of the other control bar using strings long enough to keep both control bars at the same level and have the feet in standing position.

Using the String Yarn Puppet

• Adjust the strings so they are even, if necessary. Tuck coins in the lower arms and legs for a bit of added weight and smoother operation of your string yarn puppet. Make up a play, song or game to show off your new yarn doll puppet.