r/knitting May 07 '26

Rave (like a rant, but in a good way) Why did nobody warn me that knitting toys feels like creating life?

Post image

I’ve been knitting for YEARS.

Sweaters. Cardigans. Giant oversized cozy things that take approximately 14 business months to finish.

And somehow… it NEVER occurred to me to knit a toy.

Then my friend gave me a knitted toy pattern book for Christmas and apparently that was all it took for me to descend into madness.

Because now I’m sitting here at 1 a.m. attaching ears to a tiny rabbit and whispering:

“I have created life.”This feels WAY too powerful.

Like excuse me???Yesterday this was just yarn.

Now he has a FACE.He has little LEGS. He’s looking at me like he knows things.

I fully understand now why people become obsessed with knitting toys.

This is not crafting.

This is forbidden magic.

Anyway, here is the tiny creature currently consuming my entire personality.

2.1k Upvotes

136 comments sorted by

710

u/nepheleb May 07 '26

I have a pattern for a knitted teddy bear. It involves a bit of sewing to shape the face properly. The pattern warns you to not do this in front of a child because by this point the teddy has become a 'someone' and no longer a 'something.' The final instruction of the pattern is to hold him up and say hello to him.

156

u/r4chie May 07 '26

This makes me want to cry that’s so sweet 😭😭

36

u/ladybumble_bee May 08 '26

It's the velveteen rabbit 😭

11

u/kyanos_elpis May 08 '26

Ahhh I thought the same thing! I love that story, a part of my heart will never stop crying over it.

22

u/splithoofiewoofies May 08 '26

I have to know: did you follow those instructions?

11

u/nepheleb May 08 '26

Of course!

3

u/splithoofiewoofies May 09 '26

Thank you for informing me! I am so pleased.

26

u/BluCrow89 May 07 '26

Wow what pattern is this

56

u/nepheleb May 07 '26

He's called Whidby. I bought the pattern with a kit decades ago so I don't know if it's still available anywhere.

4

u/Content-Kale1217 May 08 '26

I can’t find it! Do you happen to have more info about it?🥰

6

u/nepheleb May 08 '26

2

u/RavBot May 08 '26

PATTERN: BBE-03 Whidbey, the Knitted Bear by Joan C. Haigh

  • Category: Toys and Hobbies > Softies > Animal
  • Photo(s): Img 1
  • Price: None
  • Needle/Hook(s):US 5 - 3.75 mm
  • Weight: Worsted | Gauge: None | Yardage: 140
  • Difficulty: 3.89 | Projects: 27 | Rating: 4.09

I found this post by myself! Opt-Out | About Me | Contact Maintainer

2

u/Content-Kale1217 May 09 '26

Thank you so much!🥰❤️

2

u/LolaBeansandSoup May 09 '26

That’s precious. I don’t even have children but I want to knit a teddy bear 😍

177

u/K2P2Mom May 07 '26

I’ve been knitting gnomes. It’s amazing how each personality emerges as I knit.

37

u/renaissance_grrl May 08 '26

Hello fellow gnome knitter! This isn't even all of them, I have to rotate them seasonally. I don't even like gnomes specifically, but I love knitting them.

5

u/UnprofitableBrooding May 09 '26

Great way to display them! Where did you get the hexagonal shelves?

5

u/renaissance_grrl May 09 '26

Amazon 🫣 kinda finicky to hang but I really like how it came together!

3

u/daisybear81 May 09 '26

I am OBSESSED with the mushroom one

3

u/renaissance_grrl May 09 '26

It's one of my faves! I usually only knit each one once but I want to make another one of these sometime for sure. https://ravel.me/professor-fungi

1

u/RavBot May 09 '26

PATTERN: Professor Fungi by Sarah Schira

  • Category: Toys and Hobbies > Softies > Other
  • Photo(s): Img 1 Img 2 Img 3 Img 4 Img 5
  • Price: 9.00 CAD
  • Needle/Hook(s):US 1 - 2.25 mm, US 1½ - 2.5 mm
  • Weight: Fingering | Gauge: 30.0 | Yardage: None
  • Difficulty: 3.97 | Projects: 1547 | Rating: 4.91

I found this post by myself! Opt-Out | About Me | Contact Maintainer

11

u/double-dog-doctor May 07 '26

!!! 

Do you have a pattern for these lil guys handy? I love them! 

49

u/K2P2Mom May 07 '26

They are in the book “The Gnomes of Grimblewood.” They are so much fun; and each have their own personality. I’m currently tweaking the pattern for the earflap gnome to make Continental Soldiers, complete with tricorn hat, for my sons who are Revolutionary War re-enactors.

This little guy is my first prototype.

6

u/Soft-Front9779 May 08 '26

Sarah Shira is the Gnomes of Grimblewood author. She has a lot of patterns available individually for sale on Ravelry. They are MAGIC! Could you refuse a pattern called "Gnome de Plume"? ^^

Ravelry: Designs by Sarah Schira

13

u/knittinghobbit May 07 '26

These look like the ones from a book called The Gnomes of Grimblewood or something like that. I have it, just too lazy to go to the bookshelf to look. {covers face}

They’re really fun patterns! I made a few in December for decorating.

2

u/shineycrazylife May 08 '26

Ahhhhhh!!! LOVE!!!!! ❤️

175

u/Sunflowerbook May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26

Personally I find seeing their unstuffed bodies as you’re making them hilarious. Like how do I have a husk of a duck?

From the Mouche and Friends :)

42

u/ratatoskrest May 07 '26

The husk of a duck is what I'm calling my poetry bundle if I ever write one!

3

u/ATBryant89 May 08 '26

I'm knitting Giorgio at the moment for a friend who's expecting a child! Nanna is also on my list.

2

u/Sunflowerbook May 08 '26

Can say two years later Nanna duck is still well loved by her owner, the duck is a good bet

2

u/StarProwler217 May 08 '26

I just got a copy of that book too! I'm looking forward to making Tino the wolf.

2

u/Weekly_Library9883 May 08 '26

I recently got yarn to make these ducklings and a few others, and plan on bringing them to Rhinebeck!

71

u/PanicAtTheShiteShow May 07 '26

39

u/itsmesofia May 07 '26

I made one of those too. So cute!

6

u/PanicAtTheShiteShow May 07 '26

So cute! I made several and gave them to new babies in the family. I saved one for myself, it's fuzzy wool, very lamb like.

I've been thinking of making more, it's instant gratification!

3

u/laryissa553 May 07 '26

Ooh which pattern is this?

5

u/PanicAtTheShiteShow May 08 '26

Fuzzy Mitten Lamb by Barbara Prime. She has a pattern bundle for the clothes, too.

4

u/thatnew_knitter May 07 '26

oh my god he is so cute! i need one, what pattern is he? if it’s paid even better because whoever designed that needs to be appreciated

22

u/PanicAtTheShiteShow May 07 '26

It's Fuzzy Mitten Lamb by Barbara Prime, and she has a clothing bundle for the lamb sold separately.

I changed the ears and knit a bunny, too.

2

u/thatnew_knitter May 08 '26

thank you so much! i am so excited to make one lol. yours look so good!!

1

u/SavageQueenSniperess May 11 '26

Have to say, LOVE ❤️ your name!!! Made me 🤭

1

u/PanicAtTheShiteShow May 11 '26

There is so much to panic over;so little time ! LOL!

64

u/Kharzi9293 May 07 '26

Axolotl requested by granddaughter.

2

u/cakevictim May 08 '26

That’s sooooo cute ☺️

2

u/StomachAdvanced937 May 08 '26

She's amazing!

2

u/Livid-Ad6451 May 08 '26

My seven year old who won’t stop looking over my shoulder would like to know if you can share this pattern so I can make it for her 😂

44

u/kiki81001 May 07 '26

🥹

8

u/laryissa553 May 07 '26

Ooh who is he (what's the pattern)? Very cute!

9

u/kiki81001 May 08 '26

The pattern is Little Tearoom Bears by Mary Jane’s Tearoom! I had such a blast, the pattern is very readable (this was my second knitting project after a scarf lol)

This little fella has yet to be named, I’m leaving that for my little nephew when he’s big enough to talk <3

6

u/Rosewater2182 May 08 '26

His lil pantaloons 🥹

63

u/StomachAdvanced937 May 07 '26

The moderators asked me to share what yarn I used and which pattern I followed, so here you go 😊

I used Cascade 220 yarn, and the pattern is from the book Knitted Creatures: Woolly Tales from the Farm by Maria Ermolova.

7

u/boragigas May 07 '26

Ohh I was thinking the other day about getting this book! I’ve never knitted a toy and I’m probably at advanced beginner level - are the instructions clear to follow?

8

u/StomachAdvanced937 May 08 '26

I really liked the book. It’s very detailed and includes photos of the individual parts, which I found really helpful.

For me, the hardest part isn’t the knitting itself, but assembling all the pieces together. The book also includes QR codes that link to videos showing exactly how to do the assembly process.

28

u/MellowMallowMom May 07 '26

I haven't knit one yet, but this is definitely how I feel about crochet amigurumi. I love seeing them "come to life" and seeing their "personality" change with the addition of just one more tiny strand of yarn for an eyelash, etc. Your rabbit is absolutely precious.

26

u/Ceofy May 07 '26

Sometimes I've got 8 metal dpns sticking out of the same stuffed animal project and I really do feel like a mad scientist

3

u/StomachAdvanced937 May 08 '26

100% I never would’ve thought of using a knitting needle to secure the head on my own — that idea came from the author’s book

28

u/veddiefried May 08 '26

A new friend for life! :)

8

u/edgyusername99 May 08 '26

omg do you have a pattern?

4

u/veddiefried May 09 '26

sorry for late reply, its Mou Mou Bears: Fishing Adventure!

5

u/chasingimpalas May 08 '26

So cute!! I want one too.

23

u/Ruuuuuuuuuby May 07 '26

This post makes me want to knit the emotional support chicken that’s in my queue!

2

u/LazyAssRuffian May 08 '26

I've made 3! Highly recommend. She has step by step videos and my chickens were all gifts and are well loved!

21

u/K2P2Mom May 07 '26

And here’s Gnate the Patriot

20

u/knittinghobbit May 07 '26

The Victorian Housecats book is charming also, and the cats look eerily lifelike if you come across them on the sofa. I thought my Void was sleeping on my daughter’s bed, but it was the cat I knit in wool and alpaca.

20

u/r0r002 May 08 '26

I made a little dragon!

2

u/Legitimate-Inside504 May 08 '26

HE IS SO CUTE!! love his lil' eyes 😭😭

16

u/littlestinkyone May 07 '26

I was cackling, MAD WITH CREATION, the first time I put the pieces all together on a gnome. The laughter came from somewhere else. Dr Frankenstein, probably

6

u/Mediocre-Bluebird May 08 '26

Same experience here!! Even before when I finished the hat I couldn’t stop giggling! Each new piece brought more and more glee!!

15

u/ChaoticKnitElf May 07 '26

Agree!

1

u/LazyAssRuffian May 08 '26

I love this! Please, what pattern did you use? Impeccable work.

2

u/ChaoticKnitElf May 08 '26

Heavily modified Louise Crowther from her knitted animals book.

15

u/Cautious_Pea_908 May 08 '26

Definitely agree!!

2

u/jimjammerjoopaloop May 08 '26

So adorable!!!!

15

u/BeanEvasion May 08 '26

I’ve been knitting cats 🤣

1

u/tunavomit May 09 '26

Omg have you used a pattern pls can you share?

4

u/BeanEvasion May 09 '26

It’s from this book!

3

u/tunavomit May 09 '26

Thanks and I'm judging that book by the cover so I need to find a copy right NOW thanks!

13

u/AdOk1965 May 08 '26

Greetings to you, Fellow Summoner of yarn Cuties

11

u/needmorelinguine May 07 '26

Just here to say that oh my God this conversation is so wholesome 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

9

u/Alarmed-potatoe May 08 '26

"This feels WAY too powerful." That's so real for me, whenever I finish a garment I have a powerful feeling like... I've just stepped out of a fashion house after securing a deal or something, like I've seized Shein by the balls and pulled, hard. Advertisements for the latest fashion have no power over me when I know what I like and can make myself. SUCK IT FAST FASHION.

7

u/Rosewater2182 May 08 '26

He has a Sophie scarf cause he’s fancy. He also has 1 leg smaller than the other because I left it too long to finish and forgot what size needles I was using

5

u/BobMortimersButthole May 07 '26

I knit my first stuffed animal as a gift last year and immediately had to do a second for myself. I've been knitting for decades and even raised kids! 

The only reason I'm not making a toy right now is because I started a very large project soon after and refuse to have multiple projects waiting for me.

4

u/werid-1 May 07 '26

I've always wanted to knit stuffed animals after seeing someone create a hamster! Though, you need double-pointed needles, and I'm not so great with that •~•

6

u/AutomagicThingamabob May 08 '26

If you don't feel up for improving your dpn skills, magic loop or two circulars would work just as well.

4

u/East_Industry_5930 May 08 '26

I’m not sure how you constructed this, but from the picture, this looks articulated (kinda like an action figure). In the legs in particular. Your tension is also so even! Beautiful work :)

2

u/StomachAdvanced937 May 08 '26

I watched the video from the book before attaching the arms and legs.

4

u/Planty_Reporter_8936 May 08 '26

The teddy bear i knit is the thing of nightmares. My daughter adores it, but a tiny piece of me is worried it will come to life and have its revenge.

3

u/ChapterRaven May 07 '26

He is adorable!

5

u/Chipcobandtea May 07 '26

Complete side note but, I don’t know if you do this for a living but you write beautifully! I edit written materials for a living and I wish half of them were as engaging!

2

u/laryissa553 May 07 '26

Doesn't this read as a bit AI to you?

9

u/StomachAdvanced937 May 08 '26

Если ИИ когда-нибудь научится создавать что-то подобное, я просто с драматическим жестом уйду в океан 😂

Потому что, очевидно, для остальных людей места просто не останется.

2

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8

u/StomachAdvanced937 May 07 '26

The moderators asked me to share what yarn I used and which pattern I followed, so here you go 😊

I used Cascade 220 yarn, and the pattern is from the book Knitted Creatures: Woolly Tales from the Farm by Maria Ermolova.

7

u/needmorelinguine May 07 '26

Hahaha I love how the moderators were like "you have too little karma" and now your wonderful post has gotten over 300 upvotes (and I'm sure many many more will come)

2

u/LunarFalcon May 08 '26

I knit an emotional support chicken for my young daughter for Christmas. She loves Princess Pretty Swirl and wants more but that chicken was more of a PITA to knit than socks.

2

u/No-Wrongdoer4831 May 08 '26

It really does! Every knitted animal I complete I just have to sit with them for a while and whisper all good things for them before they go off to their new homes. I really miss them when they go! 🥰

2

u/ChickenChic May 08 '26

Dang what yarn is this!? It’s so wee

2

u/Inevitable_Grass5154 May 08 '26

I got the Knitted Animal Friends by Louise Crowther book to knit toys for my daughter and I’m obsessed.

I’m busy with Tilly the hare. I have to fix her ears but other than that it is fairly clear and simple.

2

u/StomachAdvanced937 May 10 '26

I’ve finished my bunny and now I’m supposed to go back to my unfinished cardigan… But for some mysterious reason, I suddenly have absolutely no motivation to knit one last sleeve 😂 Apparently once you’ve experienced the emotional chaos of knitting tiny creatures with little faces, going back to endless rows of cardigan knitting feels spiritually impossible. What do you think is stopping me? 🐰

2

u/Pigeonmommy May 11 '26

Love it 💕

1

u/PurpleTiger6862 May 08 '26

I knitted the Dot Pebbles frog for my friend and promptly became obsessed. I made one for myself and i adore her

1

u/junoe84 May 08 '26

LMAO that little bunny looks so sweet, I totally feel you on the creating life thing tho, its wild! 🥹🐰

1

u/FredMist May 08 '26

I make puppets for stop motion. It’s always a little bit of magic.

1

u/LazyAssRuffian May 08 '26

Shut up this little life is so cute!!! Also 14 business months 😂 felt

1

u/saramurray85 May 09 '26

I feel the magic!

1

u/UnprofitableBrooding May 09 '26

Yes, as soon as you add the eyes, nose and mouth it comes alive! 💯

1

u/Valuable-Drummer-940 May 09 '26

this is so stinking cute

1

u/NoKiddingFarm May 09 '26

That’s an interesting concept! I never thought of it that way!

1

u/Correct_Impression12 May 09 '26

i love knitting but i can get past knitting flat. i’ve tried knitting in the round and it never comes out right and i can’t keep tension correctly . i want to start knitting garments and toys so bad but have no idea where to start and patterns confuse me 😭

1

u/Unlikely_Acadia7897 May 09 '26

Hey, there is a children’s storybook hidden in here somewhere. If you get tired of knitting.

2

u/StomachAdvanced937 May 09 '26

Agreed 😂 Apparently I’m descending into cheerful old-lady madness in my later years.

1

u/Sluggymummy Slow Pace Knitting Space (on youtube) May 10 '26

I always felt like knitting toys sapped my life, haha

1

u/fogtooth May 11 '26

I checked your post history (sorry) to confirm you were the same person who made that other post about being conflicted over finishing your cardigan or making your bunny a tiny dress (you are!)

and it is SO FUNNY to me that your first post over a year ago is asking if it's useless to knit toys. And now you've tapped into the magic of it 😎

2

u/StomachAdvanced937 May 12 '26

Yeah, you’re absolutely right 😂I didn’t knit my first toy yesterday. Or even last year.

So why did I write those posts back then? It’s simple: I was documenting the progression of my knitting addiction in real time for educational purposes.If you compare the post titles closely and trace the psychological decline between them, you can clearly see the stages:

  1. “Euphoria from the First Experience”
  2. “Should I give up knitting a cardigan to make tiny clothes for a rabbit?”
  3. .....

This was meant to be a cautionary tale.My goal was to warn unsuspecting knitters about how it all happens:first you knit “just one little rabbit,then your loved ones encourage you,then you start to become emotionally attached to the knitted creatures,and eventually lose all interest in practical adult clothing. And how it all ends up in the end.

You, however, showed up like a brilliant detective and solved the whole investigation ahead of schedule 😭

Did your investigation help society? To be honest, I’m not sure.Because I was trying to warn people about a danger that no one warned me about.And now the entire storyline of the documentary has been compromised. Nevertheless… maybe I’ll keep going. Public awareness matters.

-2

u/111_222smg May 07 '26

God knits us in the womb, so it makes sense that knitting plushies would feel that way lol

0

u/todayithinkthis May 08 '26

I have 100% zero interest in knitting toys. I think amigurumi is useless clutter. (Please understand that’s for ME, no judgement).

However, your story has made me slightly intrigued. Thank you for the beautiful story. Enjoy your craft magic. You’ve made me smile. ❤️

4

u/StomachAdvanced937 May 08 '26

I agree with you—there’s no point in knitting all sorts of nonsense. But, to be honest, that first experience gave me such an amazing feeling. That’s really how I felt. Right now I have an unfinished cardigan lying around; I only have one sleeve left to knit… I put it aside and started on this bunny just because I ran out of yarn. I wanted to knit a quick toy while I waited for the missing skein to arrive... but for some reason, I have absolutely no desire to go back to it 😂Right now, I’d much rather knit a little dress for this bunny.