Stuff I’m Digging: Rag Dolls

My two favourite childhood dolls were both rag dolls. There was a small one named Sally (who I still have, badly in need of repair, in a plastic bag somewhere) and there was a larger, red-haired one named Marigold after the doll on Polka-Dot-Door, of course. She disappeared mysteriously during one particularly intense spring clean. Don’t think I didn’t notice!

That’s Marigold from the Polka Dot Door on the far right with the blonde chick.

Irene also loves her rag dolls. She doesn’t mother them the same way she does her baby dolls or cuddle with them quite as much as her stuffed animals. They’re more like companions for tea parties and pretend grocery shopping. They’re guests at her restaurant and pupils at her school. They are sweet and innocent playmates that don’t quite understand why Barbie’s so stiff all the time.

That’s two knit dolls with Hasbro Upsy Daisy in the middle.

But all of Irene’s rag dolls have been gifts. What else is on the current rag doll market, I wondered.

MGA Entertainment sent me one of their Lalaloopsy dolls, Sahara Mirage,  for review and we love her. The story is she is a rag doll come to life with her very last stitch. The dolls take on the personalities of the cloth they are made from. The only thing, of course, is that the doll is actually made of plastic. This means she’s not great for cuddling with, but she can be wiped down. Plastic or not, she flops around very much like a rag doll and has taken her place alongside the real ones. Retails for around $35

The other really nice rag dolls on the market come from Corrolle and are completely plush and soft and cuddly. These would be great for toddler to snuggle with and then grow into the idea of more imaginative play. We don’t actually have one of these dolls, but from what I can see in the store, it’s top notch. And for $40+ it should be.

But perhaps your best bet is to keep your eyes peeled at craft sales and stores and to browse Etsy for something handmade. Bonus points if you can make one yourself, with love.

Any rag dolls on the market that I’m missing? Any craft store or Etsy recommendations? Please share in the comments.