Elastic string puller question

I’ve seen people use a myriad of improvised tools to string their dolls. A ribbon or string to loop onto the elastic, a bobby pin or pipe cleaner to thread through the doll itself, and forceps or chopsticks to grab the elastic or hold the loops in place. Personally I have always strung my 70cm guys with whatever was on hand. Seven years in the hobby and I’ve never even seen an actual ‘string puller’ ...

 

I'm not really sure honestly but I have this old one, from Luts, I got with my first doll. They stopped selling it and switched over to "assembly wire", which looks like it's just jewelry wire.
I think you could easily just get some cheapo wire from the hobby store and bend it in a tight U to hook the string. Can even look at the link to Luts for usage guide.

 

I use a shoelace on my smaller dolls and forceps + small metal hook on a string for the bigger ones. There's no one right tool, just be safe and don't poke yourself with an implement (and be careful of snapback!)

 

I use a very very small crochet hook, like for lace, or fishing line on a sewing needle. Both have been extremely effective for me, even when stringing mature tinies (my Dollzone Ivy is the most challenging, her channels are so tiny the sewing needle is all that will fit through some of them!)

You don't really need a SPECIAL tool for it, and stringing is not as scary as it seems at first. I promise.

 

I know some people use hemostats for stringing assistance.

 

Heh, I was a noob and bought one off of Volks website because I was preparing for my first doll.

But here is a restringing tool.

It did work well when I accidentally lost the elastic in a Granado when I was changing his hands to ball-jointed hands. I was slightly panicked before I remembered that I had that tool.

 

I actually recommend you using other things instead of string puller, such as sturdy rope. My finger had been stuck in it (the super cheap one) in the past, and it is definitely not a good experience. And it doesn\t work with larger size doll, since the elastic is much ticker.

 

I use a circulair knitting needle, and some metal wire to pull the string. Depends on size of the doll.
I had no s-hook..

 

This Big Boy 1/2 90 cm Angels of Dreams Bo old body, was harder to string. I had to give him double strings. You se the circulair knitting needle is used again. And some crochet hooks. I use what I have at home.

 

I had to wire her, otherwise she could not hold her poses.

 

If you use a long loop of wire, you can wrap the ends around a chopstick or wooden spoon handle to pull on. Otherwise if you want the actual tool, these from Dollspart Supply are quite sturdy.

 

Thank you for posting this, I am compelled to check this out too since I normally use a shoe string as well and thought of checking out stringing tools!