How to make a simple angel

Well, I managed to keep myself going all weekend and then on Monday night it all caught up with me and I went to bed at 9pm. I don't know how I kept my eyes open until then actually. So after a few early nights and mornings when I haven't had the need to finish things off I feel great - really refreshed. Time and space to get on with our christmas now and I need to get on with making my christmas cards. I haven't put much thought into that one this year so I'm going to redo a theme I did two years ago - I'm sure no-one will notice.

Aside from tidying up my workroom after all that activity I've listed my things on etsy (and sold some already) and I just wanted to tell you that Ruby and Lucy are looking for a new home too. I sold a lot of things at the fair but big dolls was not what the folks around here wanted this year. So if you're interested click on the Etsy link on the left - they will make someone a lovely present.

Last night was our making evening and Amber started knitting something with cables in it - I can't say what incase certain people read this, Raj made his christmas cards and Rohan was patiently working away at his dishcloth - I wonder who that's for?  All done with a bit of arguing about whose turn it was to chose the next christmas song - that is until I lost it with them all and then we had a nice, calm evening.

Each christmas I make another host of heavenly angels but these are much simpler than the sewn ones. If you'd like to try them you will need some roving  (I use merino or merino/silk) and some gold thread. If you're in the UK you might try Moral Fibre for some - she's also got some kid mohair which might be nice.

So take a piece of roving about 16 ins long and pull it apart longways so you have two 16ins long bits and tie a knot in the middle of one. The other piece is for the arms and wings:

Double the knotted one on itself and tie off the head. Leave a good long piece of thread dangling:

Take the other piece of roving and pull apart in the middle so that you have two 8ins peices. Put one aside for the wings. Take the other 8ins piece and pull apart longways so you have two 8ins pieces - are you still with me? Take one of these and twist it in the middle and then double it over and hold tight and tie off a hand:

The twist is captured in the hand. Now take the main body part and place it head down on the table and lift up the back and place the arms in the middle like so: (a stone is holding down the top part).

The arm pieces are quite long so I place then in an upside down L shape - my finger is holding down half of the arm otherwise it would stick out in front of the other arm -so you want it to become part of the skirt. Do the same with the other arm and then take the wing piece and place that on top of the arms.

Excuse my wrinkly hands - I never knew they looked like that! Anyway, put the other half of the body over the wings and arms (the bit that is sticking up on the top of the pic) and turn the whole thing around and hold it tight under the arms and wings:

Now take that piece of dangling gold thread and go back and forth over and around the angel, crossing over the chest and back and under the arms to secure it all. Then come back to the neck and tie it to the other end of the gold thread that tied off the neck. Thread a needle with it and take it through the top of the head. Fluff out the wings and the skirt and voila:

You can make them in any colour you like (I prefer them white actually) and I think they look lovely hanging off a branch over the table, the nativity, over someones bed even. They make a nice gift too. As usual if I haven't explained it very well do email me.

Next time I'll show you how to make these stars which look really in the window - ours have been up all year). So get yourself some kite paper ready.

Do my windows need cleaning or what?

Comments

[Tara]

How funny, I just did a search for "Waldorf Doll" and your dolls popped up first! I had to come to your blog to tell you how absolutely gorgeous they both are! If only I had the funds, I would snatch one up for my daughter in a heartbeat.

By the way, I completely forgot to respond to your comment about my wall hanging so long ago - yes, they are entirely needle felted. I don't use any pre-made backing, just a layer of natural to secure things, and then various dyed fibers to "paint." I am glad you like them!

[Mae]

Who has time to clean windows when they are busy creating all these wonderful, beautiful things!

[bettybettybirdbrain]

What is kite paper?

[plainandsimple]

I am definitely going to have a go at this angel...but perhaps next year!Nice work, as alsways, Simmy.

[Lori Seaborg]

Oh, goody, I'm so glad I found this post today (thanks to cheekymama2005.blogspot.com, who is sending her readers this way today). We have an Angora goat that someone dropped on us last year, and so far I only just collect her fiber and keep it in a bag til I know what to do with it. Her Angora would make wonderful angels. Thank you so much for taking the time to type this tutorial up!

[Meryl]

we now have a heavenly host thanks to you! I spent yesterday on it and we now have one big white angel (maybe Gabe?) and 5 little coloured ones. I think they'll look tops in my little girl Lorien's room afterwards- I don't think I could bring myself to put them in a box for a year!

[MCMilker]

Your angels are so beautiful! I can never get mine to look so pretty. They are usually a bit lopsided. I'm going to write a post about them this week. Mind if I use your pictures?

[florence]

Thanks for the explain !!!
Your little angel is very cute !!!

[pascale]

absolutely fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!many thanks

[Helen]

Thankyou so much for this! We're spending the afternoon crafting for Christmas, and I don't think I'd have stayed sane without your tutorial. So thankyou- for all your inspiration.

[kristin Co]

Cette ange est de toute beauté !
Bravo !

[kristin Co]

Cette ange est de toute beauté !
Bravo !

[Sonja-Maria]

Your angels are so beautiful!
So thankyou- for all your inspiration.

[Julia]

Thanks so much!!

I tried out a mini one...as I had a "little" mistake mistake with my rule...well, better said...I haven´t had my morning coffee and my brain where still miss anywhere...; )

But It is the same one measuring the half!! : ))

[Morris]

Your site has really inspired me to make my own dolls. I have bought books with simple drawings in them, but they make me feel as if they would be very hard to try, but your site with the photographs have really helped me to see that it is much easier to do. Thank you so much for such a beautiful site. Could you possibly post some photos of how hair can be made for the Waldorf dolls. Thanks again.

[nicole (frontier dreams)]

so sweet! I just learned how to make these.

[Myndy Kinzie]

Thank you so much....I've been wanting to make these for so long now & just made one right now in the dark with my husband sleeping beside me with only the light of my computer screen. Your directions were fantastic & I'm so excited to leave this beautiful angel on the mantel for my kids to see in the morning. Thanks for the magic.