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Toilet Roll Doll: Restore and Repurpose Dolls

Updated on December 18, 2016
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Laura Brown
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Laura likes retro, vintage, old things. Choosing to preserve or repurpose is her dilemma - can't change your mind once started.

Usually made as crochet or knit. I think the furry doll is a creative change.
Usually made as crochet or knit. I think the furry doll is a creative change. | Source

I remember these from my Grandmother's house, in the bathroom. She knitted her own from patterns that have disappeared along with most of her stuff after her death years ago. I don't know how to knit (I learned to crochet on my own) but it would have been nice to have some of her old knitting patterns. Sometimes I see interesting or unusual patterns in the thrift store but I don't buy them. I don't knit after all.

I have yet to see a vintage pattern for those old toilet roll cover dolls. That's how I started writing about them today. I'm seeing what I can turn up online.

I can find an endless supply of the little dolls at thrift stores. They are abandoned by children everywhere, so it would be a good way to recycle/ repurpose some of them. You can pick and choose from weird blue hair colour to a weird blue skin colour and the standard human shades of brown colours too. The only thing that matters about the doll is her height and width. She can't stand too tall and tip over inside the toilet roll. She also needs to be the right width to fit through the centre of the cardboard roll from about the waist down. Mainly her legs need to be inside the roll as the skirt of her dress covers the toilet paper roll - that leaves her above the roll from the waist up.

I guess you could properly call them toilet roll cosies, or toilet roll toppers too. I never found out what my Grandmother actually called hers. I always enjoyed seeing them though. She never made one for me, that I can remember. Maybe she just thought they weren't really anything special. But, they were.

Not the usual toilet roll doll. But, proof that something old can be made new, and creepy.
Not the usual toilet roll doll. But, proof that something old can be made new, and creepy. | Source

Toilet Roll Dolls Help Themselves to Chocolate

Toilet Roll Dolls Perform Some Juggling

Available in orange, purple and blue as well.
Available in orange, purple and blue as well. | Source

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      Barbara 16 months ago

      I would love to see some knitted patterns for these toilet roll holders

      I cannot crochet thanks

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      sharon 2 years ago

      I am looking for somewhere to buy the dolls. Can you help me please. Many thanks Shaz

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      Mrs blake 3 years ago

      where can I buy the dolls

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      michele smith 3 years ago

      You can convert knitting patterns to crochet patterns they have conversion charts I've not tried it before

    • That Grrl profile image
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      Laura Brown 4 years ago from Barrie, Ontario, Canada

      There are several patterns listed in the post above. Free patterns.

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      luke 4 years ago

      The stiches you talking about is not understood and we want patterns not only pictures

    • That Grrl profile image
      Author

      Laura Brown 5 years ago from Barrie, Ontario, Canada

      @PegKnits - It could go either way with the legs. If the doll had legs they were handy to stick through the centre of the toilet roll. If there weren't legs the skirt would have to be a tighter fit to keep the doll from falling off.

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      PegKnits 5 years ago

      As I remember, these dolls had not legs to worry about- they were just the top 1/2 of a doll.

      Glad someone appreciates them. It's a lost art that can stay lost for me.

    • That Grrl profile image
      Author

      Laura Brown 5 years ago from Barrie, Ontario, Canada

      That's when I used to see them too. Pretty rare now, but they are still out there.

    • DommaLeigh profile image

      DommaLeigh 5 years ago

      oh my god I haven't seen one of those since I was a child!

    • That Grrl profile image
      Author

      Laura Brown 5 years ago from Barrie, Ontario, Canada

      Funny how seldom I see them now. They were such a cute idea.

    • Better Living profile image

      Better Living 5 years ago

      lol...I love those old bathroom companions. ;)

    • That Grrl profile image
      Author

      Laura Brown 5 years ago from Barrie, Ontario, Canada

      It's amazing what you can find when you get looking for something unique and interesting.

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      kerrie 5 years ago

      They look useful I loved them eating chocolate it was halareus :-)

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