Master Corporal Mark “Izzy” Isfeld (August 14, 1962 – June 21, 1994) was a Canadian soldier and United Nations peacekeeper. He served as a combat engineer with the Canadian Armed Forces, specializing in the dangerous task of removing landmines.  

While serving in peacekeeping missions in the 1990s, MCpl Isfeld was deeply moved by the suffering he witnessed, especially among children who had lost their homes and possessions due to the conflict. Mark told his mother that kids in war zone didn’t have a childhood. He showed her a photo he took of a doll in the rubble of a house that had been bombed and said, “a little girl has lost her doll and a doll has lost her little girl.” Carol decided to create small dolls that her son could carry in his pockets and give to the children he met, as a gesture of peace and comfort. “These dolls became known as “Izzy’s Dolls” and later “Izzy Dolls.”  Tragically, Master Corporal Isfeld was killed by a landmine on June 21, 1994, while on a mine-clearing operation in Croatia. Despite his untimely death, MCpl Isfeld’s legacy of compassion lives on through the Izzy Doll Initiative, which continues to provide handmade dolls to children in conflict zones and areas affected by disaster worldwide. He is remembered not only for his brave service and sacrifice but also for his kindness and the comfort he brought to vulnerable children.

Carol Isfeld was the mother of Master Corporal Mark “Izzy” Isfeld. When Mark was serving as a peacekeeper in Croatia and witnessed the hardship of children who had lost their toys, he asked Carol to knit small dolls for him to give to them. These became known as “Izzy Dolls.” After Mark’s death, Carol and her husband, Brian, dedicated themselves to continuing his vision, crafting, shipping, and promoting the delivery of Izzy Dolls to children in need through Canadian soldiers. Carol was recognized as the National Silver Cross Mother in 2000, and together, she and Brian were awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (civil division) in 2006 for their humanitarian efforts. Carol passed away on August 15, 2007, and Brian on January 20, 2008.

No, Izzy Dolls must never be bought or sold. The Izzy Doll Initiative relies entirely on the generous contributions of volunteers who create these dolls as an act of goodwill in memory of Master Corporal Mark and Carol Isfeld. Selling them would contradict the fundamental charitable principles of the initiative, which aims solely to provide free comfort to children in need. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in upholding the integrity and charitable nature of the Izzy Doll Initiative.

We’re delighted you want to contribute to this comforting cause to honour the memory of Master Corporal Mark Isfeld and his mother Carol. Here are some resources where you can find Izzy Doll patterns:

The Official Izzy Doll Initiative Website: https://www.izzydoll.org, is your primary source for recommended knitting and crochet patterns, available for free in our “Patterns” section.

The Official Izzy Doll Initiative Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/izzydolls/, is where we share new pattern links, updates, and helpful tips.

Yes, absolutely! Creativity and variety is encouraged as long as completed Izzy Dolls are lightweight and approximately 13 to 16 cm (5 to 6 inches) in height.

• Online Crafting Communities: Platforms like Ravelry and Pinterest have users who share their adaptations of Izzy Doll patterns. Search for “Izzy Doll pattern” on these sites. 

Izzy Doll Facebook Groups: Members within online Izzy Doll Facebook groups often share links to patterns they have used or adapted. Feel free to ask if you’re looking for a specific style.

We love that our volunteers share their inspiration and the patterns they’re using to create beautiful Izzy Dolls in memory of Master Corporal Mark Isfeld. To ensure we respect designers’ rights and give proper credit, here’s the best way to share patterns you’ve found online:

• Share a Link to the Original Source: The most helpful way to share a pattern you’re using (that isn’t your own creation) is to post a direct link to where you found the pattern online. This allows others to easily find the pattern from the original designer’s website, blog, or sales platform. This method ensures the designer receives proper credit for their work and can potentially gain support through their site.
• Mention the Pattern Name and Designer: When you share photos of your finished Izzy Dolls made with a particular pattern, please feel free to mention the name of the pattern and the designer if you know it. If you have a link, including it in your description is even better!
• Share Your Own Original Patterns Directly: If you’ve designed your very own unique Izzy Doll pattern, we absolutely encourage you to share it directly with the group! We love to see the creativity within our Izzy Doll Facebook communities.

By sharing links and giving credit, we create a supportive environment that respects the hard work of pattern designers while still allowing everyone to discover new and inspiring Izzy Doll patterns. Thank you for helping us maintain a community that values creativity and proper attribution!

• Yarn: Double Knitting (DK) weight or something comparable works best.  If using a worsted weight use smaller size 2.75 mm needles to keep the dolls small.
• Hook/Needles: 4.5 mm hook for crochet or 3 mm needles for knitting
• Polyester fibrefill for stuffing
• Yarn needle
• Optional: Yarn or embroidery floss for faces or details

Izzy Dolls are lightweight comfort dolls, originally designed to fit in a soldier’s pocket for distribution to children in war-torn and crisis zones. All Izzy Dolls distributed through the Canadian Military resemble humans. Completed dolls should be approximately 13 to 16 cm (5 to 6 inches) in height. For safety reasons, please do not use any plastic buttons or metallic pieces as they could be choking hazards. Please use a variety of natural skin tones (light, medium, or dark brown, black, white, cream, or pink) to ensure that all children feel represented.

Yes, official Izzy Doll Initiative distribution efforts through the Canadian military focus only on Izzy Dolls that resemble humans. 

While other versions can be included in donations through local channels, the primary focus for official distribution remains on Izzy Dolls that resemble humans. This is to honour the original intent behind the Izzy Doll Initiative whereby Izzy Dolls were meant to replace dolls that children had lost due to conflict or crisis, providing comfort and a sense of normalcy in incredibly difficult situations. We encourage you to prioritize making Izzy Dolls that resemble humans to stay true to Master Corporal Mark and Carol Isfeld’s vision.

It’s up to you! While some of the Izzy Dolls created by Master Corporal Mark Isfeld’s mother, Carol, didn’t have eyes or mouths to symbolize a silent keeper of children’s secrets, we now encourage you to be creative and add simple, friendly faces using embroidery with yarn or floss. A smile can make the doll feel more like a comforting friend. Remember to keep features soft, safe (no small, hard parts), and use natural skin tones for human-resembling dolls to promote inclusivity. Read more on our blog.

Yes! Let your creativity shine! The idea is to make the Izzy Doll soft and lovable. Please prioritize making Izzy Dolls that resemble humans to stay true to Master Corporal Mark and Carol Isfeld’s vision. Clothing can be made in all styles and colours and variety is encouraged! Long hair, short hair, braided hair, no hair, skirts, dresses, shirts, pants, hats, bonnets, or the traditional UN blue beret and soldier uniform are all welcome! Please use a variety of natural skin tones (light, medium, or dark brown, black, white, cream, or pink) to ensure that all children feel represented.

Absolutely! The principle is very similar to the regular knitting pattern. A kind lady sent us a link to this tutorial video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPJwjgItrZ8 Just remember to make the dolls about 6” tall, with no sharp, hard, or abrasive parts. Faces should have natural skin tones and can be embellished with yarn or embroidery floss.

While not mandatory, we strongly encourage you to include a tag featuring the Izzy Doll Initiative logo and website (https://izzydoll.org/). This simple addition allows those receiving an Izzy Doll to learn the powerful and heartwarming story of Master Corporal Mark Isfeld and the legacy of comfort your creation represents.

For your convenience, printable tag sheets are available on the Izzy Doll Initiative website, making it easy to add this important piece of information to your lovingly crafted doll. Sharing this story helps ensure his kindness continues to inspire.

Thank you for your generosity! There are many ways to ensure your Izzy Dolls reach children in need of comfort effectively. We recommend the following:

• Connect with Local Charities or Services: Consider partnering with local hospitals, police forces, fire halls, women’s shelters, community centers, schools, or libraries.
• Direct Donations to Partner Organizations: Contact details for our partner organizations can be found on our website: https://www.izzydoll.org.
• Drop-Off at Registered Collection Points: Find a list of registered collection points on our website: https://www.izzydoll.org.
• Help Expand Our Network: If you know of a charity in your area that would be a good partner, please encourage them to contact us at info@izzydoll.org so we can add them to our list of trusted partners on our official website.

Please consider including tags featuring the Izzy Doll Initiative logo and website (https://izzydoll.org/). This simple addition allows those receiving an Izzy Doll to learn the powerful and heartwarming story of Master Corporal Mark Isfeld and the legacy of comfort your creation represents. Izzy Doll Initiative Tags are available to print from our website.

We are currently working to establish a network of ‘collection points’ across Canada. Stay tuned!

“Carol’s Angels” is a special recognition for individuals who have generously donated 100 or more Izzy Dolls. This significant contribution demonstrates a deep commitment to the initiative. If you have reached this milestone, we warmly invite you to share your story and complete the online form available here: https://izzydoll.org/en/news/join-carols-angels/. You will receive a certificate via email, and we will celebrate your contributions on our Facebook Page. Thank you for your incredible support!

While our official website (https://www.izzydoll.org) and Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/izzydolls/) provide curated information about the Izzy Doll Initiative and Mark and Carol Isfeld’s legacy, they don’t offer an open space for community discussion, sharing and questions. Facebook Groups such as this one serve as wonderful extensions to the Izzy Doll Initiative, allowing for connection and support among those passionate about creating Izzy Dolls.

That depends on your location and preference! There are many Izzy Doll Facebook groups. The ‘Izzy Dolls (Private Group)‘ is a worldwide group with active and kind Admins focused on creating a safe space. You can also find groups based on location or specific interests. While we can’t monitor all groups, you can reach out to info@izzydoll.org with specific questions.