Thursday 31 July 2014

Oliver

Now, these are not scraps, these part balls are a kind gift from a lady who has just finished my crochet classes. She gave them to me after she had finished a baby blanket for her grandchild with a thank you card. It is the softest baby alpaca you can imagine.


What to do with such a quantity? I went to the library last week with the twirly girlies and spotted this book.


It is full of the most classic, gorgeous bear patterns.


I fell in love with Oliver, he is beautiful and luckily quite small so I cast on immediately. I have enjoyed making him over the week in little snippets of time in the sunshine.


After a little sit in the garden I had this little pile of limbs.


One evening I stuffed and sewed. I can make neater seams with the stocking stitch side showing so I went for that.


Now for the crucial and deal-breaking part of making any toy, an endearing face. (I'm sorry to report that Baboushka went out in the cull)

Here is Oliver all finished and happy. 


I am saving this toy for my present box for when a baby is born. I have made the limbs very secure and used thread for the face, no beads. I might also put him into our local show in the knitted toy category in the Autumn.

Do you make toys? 
It is hard to get just the right pattern don't you think? 

Jo xxxx







19 comments:

  1. They are adorable, I especially love Oliver, he is very cute and very much like a traditional teddy bear. Have you seen Mrs and Mr Bakery Bear, they are gorgeous knitted teddy bear patterns. Also Mary Jane Tearooms have just released some new doll patterns that I immediately bought as they are super cute too.

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    1. Those mary jane patterns are gorgeous and I had never heard of them before so thanks for the link. Jo x

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  2. Oliver is lovely and I bet he is really soft. I agree a toys face is the make or break. I've made quite a few fabric dolls for my little girl, I really enjoy making them. Sarah xo

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  3. I don't make knitted toys very often but did make bride and groom bunnies last year that I adapted from an Alan Dart pattern. He has all sorts of fantastic animals and his patterns are immediately downloaded via an email so no waiting for the postie to arrive. I've purchased the graduation bunnies for when my daughter finishes Uni.

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  4. What a beautiful little bear, a great gift for a new baby. I have just bought the Cath Kidston rag doll book, it is also a kit so just needs to be made up but all the patterns are there to make one from scratch as well as all the outfits. I am trying to get all the wedding stuff out of the way then I would like to give some toys a go.

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  5. He has the cutest face... I bet he'll be hugged a lot too.

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  6. Oh Oliver is adorable!
    Marianne x

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  7. Aw, he's just gorgeous, Jo! You would definitely love Edward's Menagerie too. Happy weekend, xx

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  8. Oh he is just so adorable, well done.
    Hugs,
    Meredtih

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  9. Oliver is very cuddlesome Jo, and such a happy smile on his sweet face! Yes, I started my crochet journey making little Amigurumi friends and loved the little cuties! xoJoy

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  10. Oliver is supercute and his brothers teddy bears are adorable!

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  11. Oliver is charming :) ......I was sorry to hear of Baboushka's fate... xx

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  12. Oliver is ever so cute, well done. I can't bear all the small bits and pieces when making toys and have searched for toy patterns that are knitted in one piece. My favourite is Jacopus, a monkey designed by Annita Willschut. Here is my Ravelry link http://www.ravelry.com/projects/ChristinaMaya/jacobus. I have also found a Amigurami pattern book (knitting) with animals and vegetables. It is by Hans Singh. Here is my Loch Ness Monster from the book http://www.ravelry.com/projects/ChristinaMaya/loch-ness-monster. Again, it is knitted in one piece. I think I might make a toy, I am a bit fed up with socks just now. Thanks for inspiring me once more. Cx

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    1. Some great links there Christina, thanks. All in one piece you say, that does sound tempting. Jo x

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  13. He is beautiful! He will be loved by whoever is lucky to receive him.

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  14. What a sweet bear! Chrissie x

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  15. Ooh I love him!! How perfect for a new baby-he will be treasured. He is very vintage looking and the little face is adorable. A great way to use those lovely pieces of soft wool xx

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  16. He is a real cutie Jo! What a great present for a new baby. xx

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