Animals for Christmas

Hello there! Happy New Year, although that already feels like a long time ago. Thank you so much for your comments on my last post. I felt rather overwhelmed by your honesty and kindness, and to think that this blog brings a small bit of happiness into your life makes me feel inordinately touched and pleased. 

I have been meaning to show you the toys I crocheted Bella and Angus for Christmas, but time and winter light keep conspiring against me and taking photos has been challenging. But they are delightful little critters, and I am really happy with how they turned out. 

Both patterns are from the absolutely brilliant Edward's Menagerie which I cannot recommend highly enough. I made the chimpanzee for Angus, and he has been named Charlie. If his left arm looks a little wonky in that picture, I blame the dog, who I caught playing with Angus's soft toys. Luckily Molly doesn't shred them, just tosses them around.

And this is Kiki the Koala, for Bella.

I will admit that making the children handmade gifts does add a certain amount of pressure to my Christmas preparations and I would certainly make life easier for myself by not bothering with things like this. But I like doing it, they don't really take that long to make, and it pleases me that my children still ask for and enjoy receiving a toy which I have made. Who needs free time anyway?

How cute are those fat tummies? My tummy looks a bit like that at the moment since my daily mince pie habit is still ongoing. 

I crocheted these animals using Drops DK (I forget exactly which one) and a 3mm hook, so they are quite little compared to the dog and polar bear I made last year, which are virtually the same pattern but worked with thicker yarn and a bigger hook.  I much prefer them smaller and think they are rather adorable in their dinkier size. I also really like the matt effect of the slightly rough woollen yarn on the two I made this year. 

The faces are definitely the trickiest part of these animals and it's very hard to get them looking symmetrical, but I think the wonkiness adds charm and character.

These photos tickle me. They look like animal mug shots, or maybe passport photos.

I had to hunt these animals down from the children's beds where they currently reside. They are much loved and cuddled which makes me glow a bit with maternal pride.

I am putting together an overview of all my makes from 2016 which I will share with you over the weekend, and I'm really happy to add these two to the list.

I hope everyone is well and adjusting to life and routines after the Christmas break. We are all back at school and work but it hasn't been too painful so far - it's Friday tomorrow, after all.