Got Worries?

Make Newspaper Dolls to

Catch Them
Whispering your fears to these little dolls made of rolled newspaper might help you
sleep better.

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Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

By Christy Harmon
Oct. 31, 2020

There’s a lot to worry about these days. With Covid-19 cases rising, the new
darkness of standard time and the election taking place in a few days, everyone
could use an extra outlet to release some anxiety. It’s the perfect week to turn your
newspaper into a handful of worry dolls.

Worry dolls, or muñecas quitapena, originated in the highlands of Guatemala, and

legend has it that if you whisper your worries to these tiny dolls before bed and put
them under your pillow, your worries will be gone when you wake up.

They are traditionally made out of wood or wire and decorated with fabric and
other materials. It’s easy to make your own version of these humble tiny dolls with
a little bit of newspaper and a few things from around the house. Keep them safe in
a homemade envelope or a small bag. Who knows, you may even sleep a little more
soundly getting all those extra worries out before bed.

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 Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
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What you’ll need:

 Newspaper
 Scissors
 White glue
 Colored markers
 Colorful embroidery thread or string

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Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Step 1

Cut about a two-inch wide strip from the newspaper, from the bottom of the page
up to the center fold. Cut off one-third of the strip you just made, then cut that
horizontally into two long rectangular pieces. You should now have three small
pieces of newspaper. This is what you’ll use to make two worry dolls.
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Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

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Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

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Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Step 2

Using the toothpick, roll the largest piece of paper up tightly around it (but not so
tight you can’t pull it out). Put a small amount of glue along the end and finish
rolling. Gently take out the toothpick and cut the paper cylinder in half. These will
be the two body pieces.
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Image
Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Step 3

Follow the same steps of rolling and gluing the two smaller pieces of newspaper.
These will be the arms. You should now have four small newspaper rolls all
together.
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Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

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Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Step 4

Using the toothpick, make an indentation on both of the larger “body” newspaper
rolls one-third of the way from the top. Put a small dot of glue in the indentation
and place one of the smaller “arms” on top of the glue, perpendicular to the body
and push down gently.

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Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Step 5

Crumple up a tiny piece of scrap newspaper and glue to the top and let it dry. Once
set, trim the arms a bit shorter so you have a lowercase “t” shape. You now have the
base for two worry dolls.
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Step 6

Now it’s time to decorate! Use a marker to color the hair, face, arms and body of
each doll. The head and arms should be one color, and the lower body part another
color. Make sure to switch up the colors so your dolls are each unique.
Image

Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

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Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

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Credit...Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Step 7

With your embroidery thread or string, wrap an “x” shape around the arms and
body, leaving a tail piece unwrapped. Continue wrapping around the arms and
body until the newspaper underneath is covered.

Step 8

Tie the thread in a knot with the tail piece, trim excess thread, and poke the strings
under with the toothpick to hide the ends.

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