A half-Asian Waldorf Doll

In the Waldorf tradition it is common to make a doll for your own child that resembles them in hair, skin and eye colour. But when I set out to make a Waldorf doll for Eleanor, I had a really hard time finding good pictures of dolls with appropriate Asian-shaped eyes. Most of the commercial and Etsy options had horrible little slits for eyes and looked like racist caricatures! Eleanor is also half Asian, so her look is very unique.

I purchased a kit from Joy's Waldorf Dolls and it was both fantastic and easy! Unfortunately it appears as though she isn't selling individual kits anymore but I am sure there are other options.

I chose the light brown wavy hair to match my daughter's. It's also mohair, so while it looks a bit crazy it is the only option that is brushable! I just freehand embroidered the eyes, first outlining the shape in running stitch and then filling in using a satin stitch, just as you would for a traditional round eye.

Here's a closer look at her face:

I completed the project in about 4 evening's work. It was very easy and rewarding. Although she doesn't really care for it over her other toys at the moment, I am really happy to have created an heirloom for her.