Good knitting karma - a review and giveaway!
March 31, 2011
We all love to have good karma, so why not carry around a charm that bestows great knitting karma on us AND is adorable too!
I happened across these Kamibashi dolls while browsing in a gift shop while I was on vacation last December. They first caught my eye because they were cute (yes, I have a very strong radar for cute things!), BUT also because I could tell they were hand crafted and looked really unique. And then, I found that one of these dolls was specifically for knitters and I fell in love!
Turns out, there's a whole great story behind these dolls too.
"Kamibashi" means paper bridge in Japanese.
Apparently, a husband and wife team, both university teachers who were living in Kyoto, discovered this craft of making string dolls and decided to create and bring a whole line of them into the U.S. through many boutiques and online. Their creative execution of them is really well done!
The dolls that I discovered are part of their "String Doll Gang". Their Kamibashi.com site sells the full selection (over 100 different dolls, including special holiday ones!). The site also has a lot of other great hand crafted charm-like products.
Ok - back to the String Dolls in particular. . . love them! They are a "Gang" of 2 to 3" tall dolls hand crafted in string and fabric. Each has a truly unique character and purpose. They can be used as key chains, bag charms, for collecting, etc. The ones shown above and that I fell in love with are called "Purl". Her mission tag says, "Purl makes sure that you never drop a stitch." How awesome is that!
So, we (thanks, Natalie, who helps me out with stuff like this!) contacted Chris at Kamibashi, and he kindly sent me some to review and giveaway.
I'll be keeping the black-haired one, as it looks most like me. The others are equally well made, super detailed, and just so sweet.
Don't you just love them? I hardly need to "review" them, as I was already sold on them when I noticed them at the gift shop. You can see the wonderful detailing in the photos here. They are just so charming.
I will add that the Kamibashi company has a lot going for it too. They are hugely creative in all the dolls and other charms that they make. Read this page: http://www.kamibashi.com/artists/stringdolls/, and you can see the whole process of how a string doll is conceived and born! AND they use fair trade practices and employ women in the rural areas of the North of Thailand to hand make each of these dolls.
There are so many other String Doll designs, it will be hard to select your fave. Here's a snapshot of part of their site, and this is just the String Doll Gang page.
"Lady Liberty ensures that you have a warm welcome wherever you go"
"Cupcake reminds you to savor the sweet moments in life",
"Titus the Tiger teaches us that we are all unique individuals who deserve respect."
And so forth! You'll just have to visit them at www.kamibashi.com to see all that they have! Oh - and did I mention that these string dolls are only $10 each?
OK, enough of my raving, and now for the giveaway details. I will be giving away 2 Purl Kamibashi dolls at the end of April.
To enter this contest, please do ONE or BOTH of the following:
1) Leave a comment on this post by 9pm PST, April 30th, 2011. Tell us what you think of these dolls and which one is your fave. ONE comment per person, please.
2) Post in the Ravelry.com discussion announcing this giveaway by 9pm PST, April 30th, 2011. The discussion is in the SweaterBabe.com Fans Group at: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/sweaterbabecom-fans. ONE post per person, please.
(If you are not yet a member of Ravelry.com, consider joining! And please join the SweaterBabe.com Fans Group in Ravelry.com too!)
I'll randomly choose 2 winners, each to receive one Purl doll. Sorry - I will be randomly selecting which hair color doll to send the winners. Dolls can only be sent to U.S. and Canadian addresses. Thanks!
And thank you, Chris and Kristen, the founders and owners of Kamibashi.com, for sending us these dolls!
May 16th Update: AND the winners are. . . Lu R., who commented here on 4/19, and Mary, who commented here on 4/2. You've both been emailed and the "Purl" dolls are on their way! CONGRATS!!
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 11:12 PM in Giveaways and Contests, Product Reviews | Permalink
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Comments (147)
those are really cute and i just love the little redheaded purl
Posted by: ragan | March 28, 2011 at 08:00 PM
These are gorgeous! I love that I can match my friends' personalities to different dolls, I'll definitely be buying these soon. The purl doll is gorgeous - and as a natural brunette with red hair (at the moment anyways!) I'd love to win either. Thanks for the chance to win.
Posted by: Muireann | March 28, 2011 at 08:44 PM
Oh my gosh! I don't think I have ever seen anything so cute! I love Purl, but I also love "Old Bella" who makes sure your life is filled with fun folks and wild times! How great! I would love to win Purl.
Posted by: Jennifer Lucas | March 28, 2011 at 09:14 PM
Seamus the sheep is very cute!
Posted by: Angela | March 28, 2011 at 09:32 PM
I have never seen anything like these. The purl doll is beautiful as well as Cirene the butterfly. Stunning! I would love to win a string doll. Thanks for the opportunity to win one.
Posted by: Lynda | March 29, 2011 at 02:44 AM
Not surprisingly, I simply love the little bat guy near the middle. These are adorable. My cute radar is also very active, and these set it off in a big way.
Posted by: Batty | March 29, 2011 at 06:53 AM
OMG! How adorable are these! I'll have to run over to their site and droll (got a cloth ready to clean up my keyboard!)!
I love the little blond!
Thank you so much for sharing these with us! I'm a "cutie" lover too!
Posted by: June | March 29, 2011 at 08:19 AM
Too cute for words! I actually have Little Prince!! Read my post on Ravelry to near the story....who knew!?! I could sure use Purl's charms!
Posted by: Phyllis | March 29, 2011 at 08:14 PM
I love them! I have a roller-skating one, but a knitting one would be right up my alley (surprising, right?). Purl on!
Posted by: Debbie | March 30, 2011 at 09:57 AM
There's just no way to pick a favorite. Of course, Purl would be that special secret friend in the knitting basket - there to commiserate with you when you've discovered that dropped stitch 4 rows down. Maybe she'd tell you the secret to fix that stitch you knitted when you should have purled. We can all use a pocket-sized friend from time to time.
Posted by: Theresa Pearson | March 31, 2011 at 05:28 AM
OMG! ALL of the dolls are adorable! I want them all!
Posted by: Leyla Navab | April 02, 2011 at 07:57 AM
Those are adorable! Seamus the Sheep is awfully cute, but I don't know that I could pick just one favorite!
Posted by: Michelle T | April 02, 2011 at 10:26 AM
I absolutely love the black haired one!!! she's so cute i love all of them sooo much. i really need the luck of the charms since I'm a teen knitter and tend to make mistakes!
Posted by: deanna | April 02, 2011 at 10:38 AM
OMG, these are just so adorable! My fave is cutie is Purl! :D
Posted by: DeAnne | April 02, 2011 at 10:38 AM
I love these dolls - they are so very cute!!! My favorite is the blond Purl :)
Thanks!
Posted by: Kimberly R. | April 02, 2011 at 10:38 AM
I need Purl to watch over me as I knit and protect it from kitty when I lay it down. What a fabulous creation. Thanks to you, Chris and Kristen for bringing these dolls home to all of us.
Posted by: Mary | April 02, 2011 at 10:43 AM
I like red-headed purl. :-)
Posted by: Sara | April 02, 2011 at 10:45 AM
All these little dolls are so adorable. Someone's idea certainly turned into a profitable creation. It is hard to choose which one to get, as they are all personable. I was looking for a Hairstylist dol, but didn't see one, so I'm going to settle for the "Purl" ones.
Posted by: Phyllis Fricks | April 02, 2011 at 10:51 AM
I've admired these for a long time...they are adorable!
Posted by: Cindy Smith | April 02, 2011 at 10:53 AM
I like the sunflower girl!
Posted by: Susan Sanders | April 02, 2011 at 10:54 AM
My nerd daughter would just LOVE Dr. Atom and Coral the scuba diver!
Purl is adorable and I think they would be great conversation starters about knitting if I wore her while "out and about". I look at everyone as just "knitters-to-be!"!
Posted by: Kelly Vriezen | April 02, 2011 at 10:54 AM
So precious! I received one as a gift years ago, but Purl had sharp plastic needles. It looks like they've switched to flat-tipped wooden needles, which won't get caught on things.
Posted by: Sarah | April 02, 2011 at 10:58 AM
I absolutely love the diversity of these string dolls and the slogans that accompany them are "spot on!" I can already see which ones i will buy for little Holiday gifts. Deborah
Posted by: Deborah Rboerts | April 02, 2011 at 11:03 AM
What wonderful creations!! These cute little dolls are very inspirational. I have some worry dolls that I have crafted for the little people in my life. My daughter has just learned the art of crocheting/knitting and these little adorable dolls would inspire her to continue learning. Thank you for bringing this craft to our attention.:)
Posted by: Susan | April 02, 2011 at 11:11 AM
They are too cute!! Hope one comes to live with me!!
Posted by: Devi leonardini | April 02, 2011 at 11:20 AM
I've loved these dolls since I first saw them at the games store my son goes to, but these knitting ones are my new favorites!
Posted by: Jenny | April 02, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Oh! Adorable! My favorite is The Enforcer... what clever use of findings. :)
Posted by: Linda Scott | April 02, 2011 at 11:27 AM
I think super cute is not even enough cute to say about these. I would see one doll and say that is the one I need and then one more would come up. I really like that they are helping out others also with the sale of their dolls and they are fair trade.
Posted by: L. Schulte | April 02, 2011 at 11:57 AM
These are simply wonderful - how do you pick a favourite?! Seamus the Sheep is my fav because he's like the sheep we have on our farm: cute and fluffy. Thanks for sharing these with us.
Posted by: Deborah | April 02, 2011 at 12:07 PM
They are adorable and I think that the brown haired one looks the most like me!
Posted by: Joan Siegel | April 02, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Too cute! It never ceases to amaze me how creative people can be. My fav is the knitter for obvious reasons. Thank you for letting us know about these dolls.
Posted by: Maureen | April 02, 2011 at 12:27 PM
I love, love, love dolls and I love knitting equally. But I sure could use some good knitting karma.
Posted by: Doris | April 02, 2011 at 12:43 PM
These absolutely adorable!!! I would love to win the blonde Purl for my 6 year old granddaughter whom I am teaching how to knit now - I was that age when my grandmother started teaching me! Traditions must be carried on! Thank you for the give away!
Posted by: Charyl | April 02, 2011 at 12:55 PM
I love the blond with pink knitting because I am blond and I love pink!
Posted by: Pamela Fertitta | April 02, 2011 at 01:19 PM
The dolls are great especially the Red Head which, of course looks most like me. =)
Posted by: Anne Perkins | April 02, 2011 at 01:25 PM
I love Purl! I also like Dr Atom and Chakra--I need all the energy I can get!
Posted by: Georgette | April 02, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Love these dolls. I have 3 already a devil, a pumkin and the queen of hearts. Did not know about the knitting gals, LOVE!!! Hope I win so I can expand my collection!
Posted by: Leslie | April 02, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Purl is just too darn adorable for words! I'd love to win any one of the them.
Posted by: Michelle Miltiades | April 02, 2011 at 01:54 PM
Not only are the dolls cute, but the sentiments are fabulous. There's something for everyone and for every occassion or event. What great gifts for personalized emotions or personalities! I was amazed when I looked up the Kamibashi site how the dolls are made and the intricate care taken with each one. What a great charm to have for knitting or anything else! I'd love some of these characters!
Posted by: Teri | April 02, 2011 at 02:14 PM
These are so cool! We have a few different Kamibashi dolls. My daughter loves them, but I never knew they made knitting ones! Thanks!
Posted by: Lisa | April 02, 2011 at 02:24 PM
These are just super-adorable, and obviously chock full of good knitting mojo! The little brown-haired one is my fave, as I'm a brown girl myself, but I never could resist a redhead either, and everyone knows blondes have more fun...
Posted by: Lynne Campbell | April 02, 2011 at 02:31 PM
I love that these dolls represent Karma! I am a flight attendant and could use good Karma on my trips! I love them all but purl or angel is cute.
Posted by: Shoshy Roback | April 02, 2011 at 02:41 PM
These are great!!!
Posted by: Denise Royal | April 02, 2011 at 02:51 PM
I am totally impressed by the creative energy that goes into creating these different dolls. After looking at the site, my fave is "Twinkle". They are all darling though, and I would be happy to own any one of them,
Posted by: Sandy Ho | April 02, 2011 at 02:59 PM
The purl doll is cute and Cirene the butterfly looks like something my niece would love. I love that the dolls represent Karma.
Posted by: Cathy | April 02, 2011 at 03:07 PM
I love the Purl doll, as it depicts me. I have long hair and you can usually find me with knitting needles in my hands. So I would love to win
Purl.
Be Well
Carol R
Posted by: Carol Roper | April 02, 2011 at 03:19 PM
It is so easy to fall in love with these dolls, and so hard to pick just one favorite! I love AstroNeil, Napolean, Little Princess, but my top pick is String Blade!
Posted by: Barbara | April 02, 2011 at 03:40 PM
These are too cute! I've always loved handmade dolls, and one depicting knitting is just an added bonus. Purl is of course adorable, but I also really love Isabelly in red/gold. Just darling!
Posted by: Allison | April 02, 2011 at 04:02 PM
One cannot be a knitter and not love Purl!
Posted by: Jan Walsh | April 02, 2011 at 04:32 PM
This little dolls or so cute,Purl in paticular. If I don't win one I'll purchase one. In fact I'll buy one now!
Posted by: Janice Van Arsdol | April 02, 2011 at 04:59 PM
So so cute! I like the stringasaurus and the little rollerskating girl.
Posted by: Alison | April 02, 2011 at 05:00 PM
LOve them all. Besides Pearl I like the one on the site called Twindkle who sprinkles enchantment throughout your life... how cute.
Posted by: Beth Duggan | April 02, 2011 at 05:16 PM
Hard to pick.
I would really like the Ganbare Bear - because of what it is supporting. But that is only going to be shipped until April 25th, which is before the end of the contest.
And I should want Purl - because of my less than stellar knitting. Not dropping stitches in the future would allow me to knit a lot faster (with less frogging).
But I've fallen for the Red Devil. So that's my final answer.
Posted by: Janey W | April 02, 2011 at 05:31 PM
These are sooooooo adorable, I want one soo bad and then my list goes on asto whom I can gift these adorable little creatures to. Hello credit card, got to get some of these. They truely make you smile and the different ones are so inspiring.gush! gush
Posted by: Jeanette | April 02, 2011 at 05:58 PM
I'm torn between Lola the Librarian and Purl(with brown hair).They are truly adorable
Posted by: Laurilee | April 02, 2011 at 06:16 PM
I love the tiger one because the face is so wonderful!
They are so wonderful and amazing, I'd love to have the tiger protecting my knitting
Posted by: Timber-Gray Draper | April 02, 2011 at 06:42 PM
They are so cute ! Simply love Purl because it never fails I lose a stich and always have to back track! LOL!!!!Maybe she can catch it for me next time.
Posted by: Char | April 02, 2011 at 08:27 PM
I have owned Warrior Woman for at least 5 years. She is an often-needed reminder to me to choose my battles wisely! I know she would love for Purl to come live at my house to keep her company! ... Cindy
Posted by: Cindy Ward | April 02, 2011 at 09:07 PM
Love the Purl Doll with the brown hair, shes so cute. I really nned someone to wath over my knitting so i'll stop dropping stitches!
Posted by: Pat | April 02, 2011 at 09:15 PM
These dolls are the greatest. I love the fact that they use mostly string. Who would figure out something like this while looking at a piece of string? That is so clever and creative.
My favorite, on the website is Seamus the Sheep. As a knitter, I have a special liking for sheep, and Seamus the Sheep is so fluffy and cute.
Posted by: Cyndi | April 02, 2011 at 09:17 PM
My favourite is Cirene the butterfly! too cute!
Posted by: Laurie Kivi | April 03, 2011 at 12:50 AM
I too have a very strong radar for very cute little things!! My favourite ones are Medusa and Purl.
Posted by: Catherine Lott | April 03, 2011 at 05:21 AM
I think it's a tie between Purl and hte Witchy Woman. They're all so cute it's hard to choose.
Posted by: Julie | April 03, 2011 at 05:59 AM
I collect butterflies, so I adore Cirene! But I also absolutely love Susie Survivor too! I'll definitely be ordering some of these - it seems like there's one to fit each of my friends!
Thanks for bringing this great product to our attention!
Posted by: Bethany G. | April 03, 2011 at 07:29 AM
I'm "slightly" obsessed with cute robots, therefor loving the KamiBot!
Posted by: Stockannette | April 03, 2011 at 08:43 AM
I love these knitting dolls! Naturally, I'd love to have the blonde, since I resemble her... I've been carrying Vincent (who looks like Van Gogh, complete with sunflowers in hand) to inspire creative genius for about a year now, and he's held up remarkably well on my battered keychain! :) A true testament to these dolls' workmanship.
Posted by: Caitlyn Alan | April 03, 2011 at 09:08 AM
I love those little dolls.. I have yet to get me one,so maybe this is my opportunity. They look like the perfect knitting companions. I never win anything ,so maybe I will this time.
Posted by: Maggie | April 03, 2011 at 09:16 AM
OMG!!! They look like so much heart and soul are put into each one!!! i love them all.
Posted by: LazyDaisy | April 03, 2011 at 09:31 AM
I wonder if they'll be using some of their profits toward relief for the stricken areas of Japan? These little dolls would make great package ties for your favorite knitter come the holidays, I can't believe how many there are to choose from....
anne
Posted by: Anne Pugliese | April 03, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Hey! you always manage to find the neatest little gadgets, fun things, useful tools, and just great items to make us crazy knitters smile! I love the
little blondie because she is knitting with my very
favorite color - PINK! Keep up the great finds!
Posted by: Deborah Mindick | April 03, 2011 at 02:18 PM
these are adorable! i love tiny handmade things like this..resembles amig!
Posted by: Stefi | April 03, 2011 at 05:26 PM
These are adorable and so clever! I love tabitha, the free spirit
Posted by: Louise | April 03, 2011 at 05:30 PM
These are SO cute!!! I love Tabitha, Pacho and Coral! I also love that they donate to various charities. Thanks for running this contest. I'd love to win one of the little Purl dolls... especially the blonde one!
Posted by: Krista | April 03, 2011 at 08:00 PM
I love them all but I think the Purl doll is my fav!
Posted by: Teresa Hemphill | April 03, 2011 at 08:21 PM
I like the little Cupid doll. Reminds me of my son who loved to make bows and arrows. He even fletched them himself with feathers he would find.
I think the cutest ones are Purl. She's adorable.
Posted by: Darlene in North GA | April 03, 2011 at 08:34 PM
absolutely love them!!!!
my fave is Lt. Ryder
as my hubby is in the ARMY
AND I have adopted several soldiers at www.soldiersangels.org
these would be wonderful to send to them!!!
awesome givewaway!!!
(and thanks for the gift ideas!!)
Posted by: Angelina Glass | April 04, 2011 at 08:29 AM
i have brown hair so i like the brunnette one!
i drop stitches all the time so one of theese would certainly be helpful!
Posted by: aleaclaire | April 04, 2011 at 10:17 AM
So cute!! Impossible to pick just one favorite. Great little gifts or package tie-ons.
Posted by: Ann | April 04, 2011 at 10:34 AM
So cute! I love Lola the Librarian!
Posted by: Adri | April 04, 2011 at 11:03 AM
They're really cute. Besides the three here, I like the big sunflower one and the parrot. I think I do truly have a bit more fondness towards the parrot.
Posted by: Beverly Elrod | April 04, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Can't wait to get a moment to spend time looking at all they have to offer.
I would love to get Purl just on name alone! I can use her help as I have some lace projects to start as bridal gifts and I'm sure she would ensure a great on-time outcome!
Posted by: TrailerTrash | April 04, 2011 at 12:04 PM
I could have used these on my last project! No fear though, I have at least 100 "want to do's" saved on my computer and a pretty good stash, so bring their little karma my way :-)
Posted by: Leslee Ramirez | April 04, 2011 at 02:27 PM
Too cute! I can't narrow it down to one - I'll be needing 3-4 of these cuties!
Posted by: Marilyn | April 04, 2011 at 04:18 PM
Oh my goodness they are all so cute. I love the little brunette. Mostly she most matches me. :o)
Posted by: Linda | April 05, 2011 at 06:13 PM
Absolutely adorable, love these!
Posted by: Pam | April 06, 2011 at 06:04 AM
These are soooo cute! Would definitely catch someone's attention when I am knitting out in public. And who knows, might actually inspire a new knitter!
Posted by: Lou Glaub | April 06, 2011 at 10:43 AM
I love the snowflake one! great for this neverending new england winter! :)
Posted by: Melissa Underhill | April 06, 2011 at 11:58 AM
I love this idea... each one of the Purl dolls is so cute! I would never loose my knitting mojo again! I love the red haired doll... but as my daughter is blonde, I am not picky. ^_^
Posted by: Tish Painter | April 06, 2011 at 05:26 PM
YOu can't expect one favourite- there are sooo many cute dolls there. My kids would snavvle Twinkle, Stringasauras and Kamibot but I think that the Moody Cow would be good for me! ;)
Posted by: Tas | April 06, 2011 at 07:31 PM
adorably cute!
Posted by: BJ Anderson | April 06, 2011 at 09:49 PM
I bought two for my kids last summer and I really regret not getting one for myself.
Posted by: Sharon | April 11, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Adorable dolls. I've never seen anything like them. I would love to own one.
Posted by: Juanita | April 12, 2011 at 06:01 PM
I'd never seen these before. They are too cute. I love the little angel. She is my favorite! I'm going to pick up a couple as gifts. Wish they has a nurse.
Posted by: Kris | April 14, 2011 at 09:39 PM
Oh! I saw a couple of these at a Otakon last July and I regretted not buying them. They are so adorable!
Posted by: Jasmine Hodges | April 16, 2011 at 01:57 PM
They are all very cute. I can't really decide on a favorite, but I do like Dr Atom and Coral.
Posted by: Carmen | April 18, 2011 at 10:19 AM
My favorite is Twinkle, because she has purple hair like me.
Posted by: Cindy L | April 18, 2011 at 10:21 AM
These are adorable. Off to the website for some shopping! The knitting redhead is my favorite, since knitting is my favorite pastime and I'm a red head!
Posted by: Beth | April 18, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Cute, cute, cute, cute!!! Who could pick just one?
Posted by: Kathy | April 18, 2011 at 10:28 AM
These dolls are really cool!! I would find it hard to stop at just one :)
Posted by: Josie Haynes | April 18, 2011 at 10:31 AM
Agreed on the cuteness factor. Had purchased one several years back as a gift for my daughter (I believe it may have been an angel, though cannot find her in the line-up) -- should have bought one for me too ...
Posted by: AnDy Horne | April 18, 2011 at 10:37 AM