18-inch doll - How to Make A Doll Jump Rope

Let's have some fun spool knitting!

This tutorial will teach you how to make a spool knitted jump rope for an 18" doll accessory. This is an easy and enjoyable craft for kids of all ages!

Spool knitting is also known as corking or French knitting.  It's done with a tool known as a spool knitter, also called a Knitting Nancy or French Knitter.

Our instructional video and written instructions will guide you in using a spool knitter to create a basic knitted cord for a doll jump rope.

Typically, there are four pegs on the spool knitter, and all four are used when spool knitting.  However, in today's tutorial, we will use only two pegs to create a narrower cord.

A nice aspect of this project is that you can use up leftover yarn from other projects.

This jump rope is perfect for any 18" doll, such as American Girl, Our Generation, Journey, Playtime by Emmie, My Life As, and New Adventures Styles dolls.

Learn more about making a jump rope doll accessory by watching our video by clicking the link below or continue reading this post, complete with photos and step-by-step instructions.

INSTRUCTIONS for making a jump rope for a doll

STEP 1: Thread the yarn through the spool knitter

Begin by inserting the end of the yarn through the center of the spool knitter, from the top to the bottom, until the yarn comes out the bottom. Leave a yarn tail of about three or four inches hanging out of the bottom.

Step 2: cast on stitches

Hold the spool knitter in one hand.  With your other hand, start wrapping the working yarn around the two pegs. 

Hold the tail of the yarn at the bottom of the spool knitter securely.  Place the working yarn between the two pegs.

Then wrap it around the front of the left peg in a counterclockwise fashion. Next, bring the yarn across and wrap it clockwise around the right peg.Continue back across between the two pegs and wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the left peg again. This creates a figure-eight pattern between the two pegs. 

Step 3: Knitting the cord

Once the yarn is wrapped, bring it across the front of the first peg.

Using the pick or hook, lift the bottom loop up and over the peg so the stitch drops into the center of the spool knitter.

Wrap the yarn clockwise around the right peg, and lift the bottom loop over the peg.  Always work counterclockwise around the left peg and counterclockwise around the right peg.

As you knit, gently pull down on the yarn tail at the bottom to tighten the stitches and pull the cord through the center of the spool knitter.

Continue knitting until the cord measures about 30" long.

Step 4: cast off

When the cord is the desired length, lift the loop from the last stitch you made and place it on the other peg. This peg now has two loops.

To cast off, with the pick or hook, lift the bottom loop and pass it up and over the peg.You now have one loop on the peg.  

Step 5: tying off the yarn

Cut the yarn, leaving a 4" tail. Carefully remove this last loop from the peg.  Thread the yarn tail into the loop and pull it tight to form a knot.For extra security, make one more knot. Repeat the same process on the other end of the cord.

Step 6: Attach the handles

Take the bead or spool (as was used in this tutorial) and thread it onto the end of the cord. Tie a small knot to hold the jump rope handle on the end.

Using craft glue, add some to the yarn where the handle will be.

Then, push the bead or wood spool up the string to the glue so it stays secure and doesn't slide away from the knot.

Repeat this process with the bead or spool on the other end of the cord.Finally, trim any extra yarn with the scissors.

Your doll's jump rope is finished and ready to use!

Other accessories for 18" dolls on our site:

• Knit Doll Scarf
• Miniature Coloring Book and Crayon Box
• Beaded Necklace
• Doll Backpack