Knitted Toys - from a nana with love

Ever since I bought Jean Greenhowe's Knitted Toys book from the charity shop and gave it to my mum, she has gone into overdrive on knitted toy production. Now, instead of bringing a cardi or jumper per weekly visit for one of the little ones, she brings a variety of cute, cuddly characters.

Mum is the first to admit she is learning as she goes and not all of her efforts have yielded the greatest of successes. Some of her toys would certainly never be awarded any sort of safety standard and have had to be designated 'top shelf ornamental status' lest they prove choking hazards... and her baby white mouse does actually look, to my eyes, much more akin to a super absorbent tampon rather than a twitchy whiskered rodent.

Joking aside, I absolutely adore her little creations made with love and can't help thinking that there is enormous potential there to customise with a bit of imagination.

I have dabbled with knitting at various points in my life (mostly during pregnancy) and do find it surprisingly relaxing. My mum has very generously agreed to share not just her wool and needles but her time and patience to be my knitting mentor as I attempt one or two creations of my own. As with most things, finding the time to dedicate to it is difficult so my progress is painfully slow. I have been practicing technique on a tiny little fish that only takes minutes to produce and have been so delighted to see my daughter playing fantastically imaginative games with the freaky family I have made (one in particular bears far too close a resemblance to a penis!).

I was so enjoying the knitting experience that I went out to buy my own set of needles and a ball of wool to practice with when mum and her many coloured oddments were not available.

I took my 3 year old daughter with me to buy the wool. I selected a lovely soft, neutral grey and asked her what she thought of the colour. She took it out of my hand, said "That is not good" and put it back on the shelf. She then selected a shocking pink ball, placed it in my hand and very emphatically stated "That is good".  Who was I to argue?!

What does the pink fish top right remind you of?!

Magpie Monday - Knitting

My Knitting Pattern Radar did not fail me last week as I browsed the Charity Shops. I was so pleased to spot this Jean Greenhowe book of Knitted Toys.

I know my mum has a small mountain of wool oddments left over from the equally mountainous collection of jumpers and cardies she has made for her grandchildren. I thought this would be an ideal way of using up some of those oddments and putting a big smile on the faces of the grandchildren who would benefit from something a bit different from the usual offering from their lovely nana.

The book was unpriced. I would happily have paid £2 for it so it seemed like a fantastic bargain when the cashier asked for only £1.

I have to confess that the scarecrow featured on the front cover did not appeal to me greatly. However, flicking through my latest acquisition over a cup of coffee back home uncovered a treasure trove of inspirational ideas within the covers.

This collection of "Witty Knits" has some fabulous little Hallowe'en characters that would make perfect decorations for that time of year when the veil between worlds is thin...

... and my Christmas tree will be jollier with the addition of some of these festive cuties.

I am not an accomplished knitter like my mum but I'm not afraid to have a go and I know the basics of casting on and off, simple plain and pearl stitch and increasing and decreasing. Looking at the patterns, I felt confident that some of them would be well within my ability.

I gave my mum the book and she was predictably delighted. I also mentioned that  I would love to have a go at some of the simpler designs myself under her watchful guidance.  The next time she visits, she has promised to bring wool, needles and the patience to help me if I get in a pickle (which I undoubtedly will). I can't wait to get started.

I have told my mum that she absolutely has to make this toy as a tribute to the days my dad served as a Coldstream Guard.

Spot the difference!