DIY Recycled Thread Spool Knitter Barbie Scarves (Ken too) -Kids or Adult Craft

When I was a kid, my Grandpop would make little handheld circle knitters from a recycled wooden thread spool and four nails. A low tech craft that kept kid's hands busy for hours:@) Especially since my G-Mom-D had oodles and oodles of yarn. These thread spool knitters make a long thin round coil, anywhere from 1/4" up to 1/2" wide depending on the type of yarn used and how loose you keep your stitches. They are perfect as a scarf for Barbie and Ken. In honor of football season starting back up, I made one in Philadelphia Eagles colors for Ken, and I think he's representing his team well! 

No hem team tank top for Ken free pattern.

Can koozie from pencil grips.

The thread spool knitter:

Try to use nails with very small heads.

Nails at 12, 3, 6 and 9 (as if looking at a clock).

Peel paper away from hole on both ends.

I won't re-invent the wheel explaining how to use it,

there's a link HERE, and plenty of videos on-line.

Basically you push the thread through the hole (loose end hanging from bottom).

Wrap yarn around the nails close to spool,

wrap yarn a second time higher on the nail.

Using a knitting needle pull bottom yarn up over top yarn, and over/off of nail.

Keep going around in circle, pulling bottom string to get the finished rope through the thread spool.

Yarn around the nails:

Coil or rope coming out of the bottom hole:

I added fringe to the ends of Ken's scarf.

You can glue pom-poms on too if desired.

The Dollar Tree yarn I used for Ken's scarf:

I was tickled a few weeks ago while nosing around Pinterest. I saw an Apple Pie Knitter. Yep, a marketed kit for kids that came with yarn, a plastic circle knitter that had 16 pegs, and it was scaled to make Barbie dresses! Ebay says they date to the early 1970's. That might explain why I wasn't familiar with them as a kid, just a little later than my (first) Barbie phase😉 I see there's a Peach Pie one too. Mattel, if you're reading this, I really think it would be fantastic to ~update~ and bring back this cute, interactive craft kit! 

There are several Round, Circle, Loom, or French Knitters on Amazon, Walmart and on-line.

But as close as I can tell, none are scaled for fashion doll clothes at this time.

In closing...

While I acknowledge that it's August and ~hot~ outside, 

I also know that we need projects to keep the kids busy while out of school!

This simple idea might help😎

✂Make something just for fun and have a happy day!

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Dollar Store Velour Look Pumpkins -Barbie Size 1:6 Scale

Please believe me when I say we here at DIY Barbie Blog are well aware that it's summer and we're just entering into the hottest month of the year... ~But~ you have to buy it when you see it, and Dollar Tree has some great 1:6 scale pumpkins for Barbie play and doll house decorating:@) Velvet and velour pumpkins have been all the rage for years, and Barbie says the trend isn't going anywhere soon. So... I picked up a pick of three pumpkins, in various sizes, at DT when I saw it. 

Barbie with the largest pumpkin, 

approximately 2 1/4":

And the smallest pumpkin,

approximately 1 3/4":

Important tip:

Don't try to pull the pumpkins off of the pick,

it's best to cut them off of the wire instead.

Grab it when you see it, and...

Stay cool😎

Mini Brands Series 4 is Out! Barbie Size Food and Props

I'm not sure about the release date (I think early July 2022?), but I wanted to mention that Mini Brands Series 4 is at the stores! As of this writing, Target seems to be the major retailer, although Amazon does offer a three pack, and I think Walmart's stock isn't too far behind (lots of Zuru boxes on carts waiting to be put on the shelves). What's different about this series? They have what they call Frozen Moments props! The ball I bought came with this ~amazing~ bowl of ice cream and Hershey Syrup bottle. It looks like Ken is treating himself to a snack:@)

They also have a bottle of ketchup pouring onto a cheeseburger... 

I'm thinking that one would be pretty cool too!  

Everything that came in my ball:

And of course there are lots of other items too.

This display is light blue:

Fun stuff folks😉

🍨Grab it when you see it and have a happy day!

Barbie's Shark Week 2022 -Jello Waves of Fun #SharkWeek

While it's never easy to find the date until it's upon us (for some reason?), it looks like Discovery Channel's Shark Week will start on Sunday, July 24th. And for this year's contribution... We have Barbie swimming in a sea of blue and green Jello Jigglers, with white Cool Whip foam, as ~cue the music~... The shark stealthily comes into view. 

My doll is a Wilton cake topper,

and the shark is a rubber finger puppet from Walmart.

My dish is vintage milk glass,
I thought the fun edge would be a wink and nod to waves breaking and splashes...

Barbie says enjoy watching the shows!

Previous Shark Week Posts: 2020 & 2021

~Make something just for fun and have a happy day🐟

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Barbie Disco Ball Ornament Light Fixture -Christmas in July

Every year as the holidays approach I start looking for Christmas ornaments that are about 1:6 scale and make fun props for Barbie's world. These little mirror disco balls are the last item I have to post from my 2021 Dollar Tree purchases. I hot glued three into a circle (the middle), and then one on top and one on the bottom. A pin holds them onto the chain. This makes a fun 1970's type hanging disco ball light fixture. 

I added it to Barbie's computer corner/work station in the livingroom.

The extra light, sparkle, and whimsy, are welcome during the -l-o-n-g- work day😉

Custom Barbie for President t-shirt from Etsy shop Kosmo Kouture.

Will she run in 2024???

I like it and think it works in the room...

Although I may use a longer chain in the future?

But no matter what changes I may make,

Barbie seems to be smitten😎

7/23/22 Update -Chain lowered, pic taken in natural light:

The ornaments I started with:

~Make something just for fun and have a Merry Christmas in July🎅🌴

18" Doll Toys for Barbie's World -Props and Play

I look at the My Life 18" doll toys every time I go to Walmart, and keep thinking a lot of those items are more 1:6 scale for Barbie's world. The farm to table set caught my eye right away, I knew it would be a good addition to Cousin Rube's farm. It was reduced $3, which made it less than a Barbie play set, so I picked it up. Here Rube and Reenee show how great it looks...

The scale, corn, carrots (tomato plant above) and cabbage are perfect!

What came in the pack:

The cash box can be used for anything, and the wood look crate is great.

Peppers and peaches are large, but can be used as store props.

The eggs are large, but I'm thinking about making a sign that says 'duck eggs' and using them.

Berry box will work, have you seen the size of some New Jersey blueberries?!?!?

And I just ~had~ to have the tomato plant:@)

Another set that's pretty much perfect is the pizza oven.

I know Mattel has a Barbie pizza set,

but I think this one is a better scale.

(Barbie added as example for size.)

The pizzas, tools, plates, and about 90% of everything is a good 1:6 scale.

I haven't picked this one up (yet)😉

But I do think a brick wood fired pizza oven does work well with Rube's farm theme.

Reenee says,

think outside of the pink when looking for Barbie props, 

eat your veggies...

And have a happy day😊

Barbie 1:6 Scale Plants from Dollar Tree Floral Picks -Easy Craft

As soon as I saw the fall floral picks they were putting out at Dollar Tree I knew they'd make great 1:6 scale plants and greenery for Barbie:@) The little trophies (and house background) are from DT too. I also think the urns would look great spray painted white or black, and I may be headed back for an orange pick for fall... Start with the wire stem, you can make the plants as tall or full as you'd like by adding branches. This outdoor one has four of the little sprays on it.

And the indoor one is wispier, and only has two sprays.

I added some clay to the inside of the urns,

a little recycled stryrofoam would work too.

Simply stick the wire stem into the filler.

After making two planters, I still have three sprays leftover.

World map background and Barbie statue are also from Dollar Tree,

I spray painted the mermaid lightly with white.

The pick I bought:

Lots of colors to choose from.

Orange and purple would be great for Halloween,

and of course pink always works in Barbie's world:

And the trophy party favors I started with:

Barbie says, make something just for fun...

And have a happy day😊

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Barbie Quick & Easy Summer Crafts -Free Patterns & Tutorials

So the kid's excitement of school ending in June, and the anticipation of July 4th festivities has passed, and I'm guessing you may be hearing "I'm bored" right about now:@) I thought I'd put together a hodge-podge of easy Barbie craft ideas, most are no sew, and several would even be good group projects for a birthday party or sleepover. I'll add lots of links in case you want to see more, and you can always stop by my Pinterest Board to see every post from the blog, 420 pins as of this time. Or maybe let the kids scroll through the board themselves, they can pick out a project or two that catches their eye. 

I'll start with the easiest idea,

this No-Sew, No-Hem Sundress literally comes together in seconds.

And I love that we're recycling an old tank top!

All projects with the dress label can be found here.

Here are links for two more tutorials for no-sew tops, a Handkerchief Top and Swing Top:

All projects with the No-Sew label can be found here.

Another inexpensive craft idea is using balloons...

How to make a Barbie Top or Chelsea Halter Dress:

All posts with the balloon label can be found here.

If your girl is a little older and wants to learn to sew,

I have a picture tutorial showing how to make a Barbie Dress from a 6" Square of Fabric,

or a cute little Pillow Case Type Dress with Ribbon Tie:

And of course Barbie is all about the accessories😉

Some of my favorite projects are recycling things headed to the trash bin,

into something fun and useful...

And pretty!

How to make a Boho Handbag and a cute Unicorn Headband:

Click to find everything with my recycling label and headband label.

And if there's a Barbie in your life, 

there's probably a Ken too...

No-Hem Tank Top and Long Shorts/Bathing Suit patterns:

All posts with my Ken label can be found here.

There you have a few ideas folks, 

just a little something to help the kids fill some time and stay busy.

Make something just for fun and,

Have a great summer😎

Barbie & Ken Say Happy 4th of July 2022!

 Barbie and Ken relaxing in the solar fountain in my garden...

The wind blows it around:

Barbie wishes she had plastic hair like Ken😏

Pic of the water spray...

My poor cell phone camera may never be the same😉

Barbie says don't forget the sunscreen...

And we hope you have a nice place to cool off too😎

Happy 4th of July Everyone-enjoy!