You guys might have picked up on the fact that I’m not much of a kid person. I’m not anti-kid or anything, and I love my nephews and nieces to pieces, but kids just aren’t part of my landscape at all, and have almost never factored into my knitting. Lately, though, I keep seeing pics of simple little stuffed toys so utterly and irresistably charming I find myself wanting to knit them! It is way too late for this to have anything to do with any biological clock — save your comments! Plus I’d have a hard time not keeping them for myself:
TOP: Winston the Walrus by my friend Ashley Yousling of Woolful is the debut pattern under the Little Woolens brand, her collaboration with Annie Rowden. I’m eager to see where they go with this. (Look at @homesweethomestead’s sweet pic of her Winston. Aww!)
MIDDLE: #41 Stuffed Rabbit by Australian Country Spinners for the Fall issue of KnitSimple. Pictured are a pair knitted by Elly of Garment House — the little faces she’s given them are even more adorable than the original.
BOTTOM: Buddy by Susan B. Anderson comes with a cute owner, Ben, and his cute, tiny knitted wardrobe. Gotta love the leash.
And I wish I knew the origins of the rabbit seen here. If anyone knows, please clue me in!
.
PREVIOUSLY in New Favorites: House socks redux
http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/bunny-pattern.shtm
Knit a rabbit from a square
These are so cute! Do not knit toys myself, a lot of work. May have to give in.
I asked about that knitted bunny too but didn’t hear back yet so I knit a similar looking rabbit from here : http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/bunny-pattern.shtm ( after a donation ;))
mine is at ravelry : http://www.ravelry.com/projects/loopology/knitted-bunny
http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/bunny-pattern.shtm
“Make a bunny out of a square piece of knitting. Use for teaching beginner knitters or transforming your own knitted swatches into cute “
Soon to be on my needles…
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mr-bakery-bear
Cute! I love knitted toys, especially the Purl Bee Hedgehog which is really quick and easy. I don’t have kids, so if they are not given away, toys end up stuffed with catnip for the cats who think everything is for them anyways. ;)
have you seen tiny owl knits “woodsy association” fingerless mitts? something for the kid in all of us – I’m made the entire set – two pairs for each of my daughters and “the badger” for me! too cute – check it out http://tinyowlknits.wordpress.com/patterns/the-woodsy-association/
A friend of mine knits bears for the Mother Bear Project, an organization that sends knitted bears to children affected by AIDS in Africa. She gets pictures of her bear with its new owner.
I just found Louise Walker’s “Faux Taxidermy Knits” which is both hilarious and adorable!
I can’t believe @Erica beat me to the PurlBee Hedgehog comment. Supercute! Another of my favorites is this tiny pig. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chichester-the-pig (Can’t seem to find my photo of the one I did, with a curly tail made of wired embroidery floss) and this bat http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boo-the-bat. Of course, there is my all-time favorite charity knitting: http://www.motherbearproject.org – which allows anyone to knit or crochet little bears to their hearts content, sending love out into the world, whether they have children in their lives or not! The Mother Bears are such an easy knit, great for using up oddments, and carting about in one’s purse – plus you can personalize them in so many different ways to meet your knitting style (most of my bears wear skirts, or shorts – after all – most of Africa is warm!). Founder Amy Berman is my neighbor, so I know the great work the group does is real and legitimate!
I’ve been seeing a lot of these stuffed toys coming up on Pinterest lately, they are adorable! I love that most of them come with their own little outfits – cable cardigans and shorts – to dress them in.
I’ve been giving those knitted bear’s out in the ER for over 10 years. All with a unique look. All by the same knitter. So lovely for the kids.
I love this post! Toys can certainly be for adults too! I have made more than a few for adults and decorations. I had a special obsession with this pattern for a while because it’s so fun to use scraps for little striped clothing and made a set in Santa suits for Christmas: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTkate.html
I see nothing wrong with indulging your inner child and making a toy for yourself
Ha. Glad to know I’m not the only kidless person with an attraction to little knitted animals. I haven’t knit one yet because I’ll probably become obsessed and be able to star in my own reality show about how to decorate your home with knitted bears.
I just knit a Brambles Bear (http://www.ravelry.com/projects/heylucy/brambles-bear) for my niece, and was very tempted to keep it for myself. I will probably knit another to keep. I love little softies like these, they don’t take long, even if they can be a bit fiddly.
The rabbit ones is so cute! I’ve got to get my hands on that project for a simple, quick gift. LEAVE NO BABY UN-KNIT!
Oh… I have a soft spot for stuffed, knitted toys and don’t see why they can’t be made for adults, too – we do have a right to cute, soft, fun thingies!
My personal favourite is the bunny pattern by Julie Williams: (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bunny-girl-in-a-dotty-dress). Not only is it producing a perfectly well shaped bunny (!), but the pattern is remarkable detailed with lots of information and photo-tutorials. She must have spent a lot of time in preparing it!
I also really like Alan Dart’s toys – the man is very gifted.
Only downside to toys is that they take a great deal of time to make…. but it’s usually fun time, so it’s OK.
Pingback: New Favorites: Slouchless beanies | Fringe Association
Pingback: Blog Crush: Woolful | Fringe Association