Bears and Boots

I love teaming up little novelty baby booties with a matching toy. Together they make a lovely gift for baby showers and a good way to show off the knitting prowess!

These teddy bears are knitted in DK yarn on 4mm needles and measure 9 inches (23cms) in a sitting position.

The clothes are removable. The little duffle coat is knitted in garter stitch on 3.75 needles and is a perfect snug fit.

As with all little teddies they can become addictive to knit, here is one with a yellow duffle coat.

The booties have a single rib cuff with plenty of stretch to be comfortable around little ankles, the sole measures  4.25 inches (11cms) with plenty of stretch to fit babies up to 6 months and beyond.

They can be knitted with a jumper instead of a duffle, this one has a comfy cabled polo neck, which again can be removed for washing. Another idea would be to knit one with a jumper incorporating the baby’s initial.

I’ve recently knitted a teddy bear to go with a little girl’s shoe and hat set.

This little bear was knitted in a chenille style yarn which was hard going to knit with, but worth the effort as it produced a soft cuddly toy. The hat and shoes were knitted in a matching soft creamy yellow.

No matter what you knit if you add a little bear with it it becomes an irresistible little gift!

 

Bianca Bunny and Friends

Who can resist a bunny in a little dress and cardigan? Even when knitted from the same pattern each one has their own character, so cute and homely and a wonderful gift to make.

Bianca

Bianca is made from a lovely creamy white yarn and dressed in a pretty yellow and turquoise dress, with a navy cardigan.

 Evie

Evie is knitted in a fawn colour with a turquoise flecked dress and yellow cardigan.

Lydia

This one is dressed in pink and blue. Great way to use up small amounts of leftover yarn in your stash.

What little girl could resist a ballerina bunny…..

…..complete with ballet wrap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here Come the Girls!

Next to rabbits my favourite thing to knit are dolls. They take a bit longer and you can agonise over getting the face and hair just right but it can be so worth it when you have the finished result.

All the above dolls are 13 inches (34 cms) tall and all knitted in DK including the clothes. You can have a free reign with styles and colour combinations which add to the fun of making them.

I love the self patterning yarns which give a fair isle effect, it certainly takes away the hassle of carrying different strands of yarn at the back of your work which for me always plays havoc with the tension.

I do prefer to make the dolls with a knitted scull cap for the hair which is firmly attached to the head, and on to this can can be added plaits, ringlets or loose strands of yarn.

I do expect my dolls to be played with and feel confident this way the hair will always stay in place and not come away if the doll is lifted up by the hair.

You can also have fun making little accessories to go with the dolls, such as bags, little teddy bears and even knitted dogs.

They all add to making the doll unique and increase the play value, or even the collect ability as not just children love to receive dolls!!