Don’t be alarmed…

…I know you’re not used to this from me anymore.

But, well…I’ve been knitting. I know! Remember when I used to do that all the time? I’m up to it again. Maybe because it’s cold outside. Maybe because there’s a new baby on the way. Maybe because the kiddo is into wearing stuff I make for him right now, as long as it’s dark blue. I should probably now show you photos of the kid in his matching hat and mittens, but I don’t have any for you and he’s at preschool right now. Soon.

In the meantime, I have donkeys and pigs for you. Yes, donkeys and pigs.

Those of you who’ve been around since the time when I actually knit with some regularity were expecting socks, right?

There’s a parent work-hour requirement as part of enrollment at the kid’s preschool. I managed to wrangle the very best work-hours of all, knitting some toys for the classroom. See? Donkeys and pigs. I’m going to make some hens and roosters, too.

animals1

animals2

The patterns are from Freya Jaffke’s Toymaking with Children. Cute patterns, and quick and easy, but to be honest some of them are rather badly written. I had to make a few leaps and assumptions that a beginning knitter might not be able to make. If you do check out the book, know that going in.

I didn’t think the kid would care much about them, but he’s really into them, so I’m going to make some for him as a hanukkah gift. And then maybe a couple to set aside for the baby, and then a couple for the niece and nephew… These little animals are kind of addictive. On the other hand, it’s been so long since I’ve made socks that nearly every handknit sock in my drawer has a hole in it. Maybe the animals for the kid and the chickens for the school, and then some nice cozy socks for me. And then a sweater for the new baby. And THEN some more pigs and donkeys and chickens. And maybe that horse pattern…

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14 comments on “Don’t be alarmed…
  1. How can garter stitch become such lively little creatures!? Brilliant!

  2. susan says:

    Wow, what cute little farm creatures! May have to check out the book for myself.

  3. xina says:

    oooooo!!!! I want a pig!!!!

  4. Riin says:

    Such cuteness!

  5. Knittripps says:

    I love them! I think there is something about multiples of animals…

  6. Lizbon says:

    Those are freakin’ adorable. A little Noah’s Ark on your table.

  7. Norma says:

    OMG, they are SO CUTE! I’m wearing the socks you made for me right now. They are my bonafide FAVORITES.

  8. Sharon says:

    very nice, good to see the knitting bug has returned. I must admit that I don’t knit as much as I did a year or 2 ago, but I am hopeful that the motivation will return again!

  9. Kristy says:

    Ha! I’m currently making knit animals to raise money for my daughter’s waldorf preschool. I’m using “Knitted Animals” by Anne-Dorthe Grigaff – it’s really – with really sweet patterns.

  10. Lee says:

    Those little animals have lots of personality! Very cute.

  11. jodi says:

    Goodness, these are sweet. I especially love the little pigs.

  12. Natalie says:

    De-lurking here to say those are so stinkin’ cute–you should be proud of the little brood. You could put a little jingle bell inside one for the baby!

  13. Mary says:

    Those are adorable!! And I agree with Knittripps that the more you have clustered together, the cuter they are!

  14. Sarah R says:

    Cute! And if you did the donkeys in black and white you could have zebras! And if you did one in white with a sparkly mane and tail and a horn (hmmm…how would one do a horn?), you could make some little girl ecstatic with a unicorn!

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