My feeble attempt at knitting.

Anyone who has hung out in the blogging world for long will have noticed that there are a lot of very talented knitters out there. Sadly, I am not one of them! As an enthusiast of self-sufficient living, it makes sense to me that I should try to make some of my family's own things--clothing, toys, etc. But every time I try to sew or knit anything, it just doesn't work out the way I had envisioned.

One recent project was a knitted teddy bear I made for Jasper. 

I got the instructions from Melanie Falick's book, Kids Knitting (there is a link to it at the left if you care to look). I like this book because it gives project instructions in English, rather than in knitting language (which I can't seem to grasp). But maybe I took the casual tone of the instructions too seriously. The book specified bulky wool, but I couldn't find any in a colour I liked, so I got a worsted wool instead--I figured it would be okay if I got smaller needles. I pictured the teddy bear just being smaller than the one in the book--but since the instructions said things like "knit garter stitch for about four inches" that just didn't work! I ended up with a legs and body that were long and skinny--when I sewed the two halves of the legs together I had to fold quite a bit of leg under.

And then there is the problem of his lumpy, misshapen head and crooked ears...but I guess it doesn't matter. Jasper likes him, which is all that matters. I did learn some things from doing this project, and I hope next time to do a bit better. :)

Comments

[Marilyn in NM]

I think your teddy bear is really cute! When my kids were little (now 30 and 32...ugh) I knitted and crocheted a lot of their toys and sweaters. Some good some not so good but it always seemed like the ones I was most embarrassed of were the ones they loved the most. It's that "mommy" feeling they get from your creations and knowing that you made it for them. I love your effort and just keep practicing, it does get easier and better.
Marilyn in NM

[the quiet homemaker]

I love him! He reminds me of the teddy my Mum knitted for me as a child (more than 36 years ago!) and when she sewed him together, his head was facing sideways. She thought he was a disaster, but I loved and cherished him. In fact, I still have him! Don't worry about perfect knitting, it is the gift of love and time that matters most, and the homespun, rustic charm makes it special and unique. :)

[Deb]

I linked over from Simple Homeschool because I can't resist anything Knitting!

Anyway - he's cute! Actually, he looks like an heirloom you unearthed from a trunk in Grandma's Attic.

[Kara @Simple Kids]

I think your bear is adorable and his ears give him charm :-) It sounds like Jasper knows a wonderful thing when he sees it.

That matters a lot more than perfection (thank goodness, or I'd have to abandon knitting myself! LOL)

[Lindsay]

Now that is a most wonderful bear!! So adorable :)

[Amanda Madrigrano]

i love that teddy bear! i find it has a much more natural look to it than what most people can sew or knit. I myself would love to learn how to knit things like this!I think you should be very proud, because you get to say, you MADE this, with YOUR hands. I bet that must have been a different level of happiness and fulfillment for you to experience.