If you start now you will have plenty of time to knit some adorable animal toys as gifts for children or those who are still young at heart! I have a confession to make, I’m a big fan of crochet and knitting has always been outside my comfort zone. This year I have been determined to push my boundaries and up my knitting skills. I’ve been trying some of the patterns that have made my list and I’ll definitely be working my way through the rest (but maybe not all before Christmas!). I hope you like my selection of toys to knit this Christmas and it gives you lots of inspiration to pick up some knitting needles and rest your crochet hook.
This post does contain Affiliate links.
The Viral Frog
I made this frog from Dot Pebbles Knits on holiday in France a few years ago after seeing it on Instagram and it has continued in it’s popularity. The frogs that people knit seem to all be living very enviable lives. The pattern is really clear with lots of pictures for the more complicated parts. If you add in the mohair yarn it makes your frog nice and fluffy. I love that you can now get a pattern for a kitten in a frog suit – just iconic! The designer of these gorgeous patterns is Claire Garland, who, according to her Etsy ‘About’ page, named her shop Dot Pebbles after the first doll she designed. You can find her on Instagram @dotpebbles_knits – where you can see lots more of her beautiful creations. I’ve added the reindeer pattern to the links below as it’s a very wintery animal. I also love the rabbit – any animal dressed up in clothes is so sweet.
Shop for the Frog pattern:
If you don’t have any suitable yarn or don’t have time to shop around for yarn then you can buy kits from Knitted Home London. This is a great time saver and you know that the yarn will work perfectly for the pattern.
If you’ve run out of time completely but still want to pretend you knitted something (I won’t tell if you don’t!) then they also sell completed toys.
The Little Cotton Rabbit with a Big Wardrobe
In my mission to improve my knitting skills I have recently started using the patterns from Little Cotton Rabbits . The patterns are designed by Julie who began Little Cotton Rabbits in 2003 when she knitted a small rabbit for her daughter. I have made a basic 9″ rabbit (they come in 2 sizes) and a dress and shoes. I have also been practicing lace style knitting in mohair (not for the faint hearted!) by making toy scarves with a free pattern which you can download from Ravelry. Knitting toys and their clothes has really been helping my knitting skills and teaching me to read the patterns correctly. I still make lots of mistakes but it’s the learning that is important and no-one is examining them too closely (not like on Game of Wool!). Julie also has a blog with lots of useful knitting tips and yarn advice which is helpful for beginners. The instructions have been really clear (so I can’t blame them for my mistakes!) with photos for more complicated parts of the process and recommendations for instructional videos for different stitch types.
As well as rabbits there are patterns for a squirrel, horse, bears, mouse, mole, dog, badger, pig (in a sailor suit!), lamb, ram, monkey, fox, deer, elephant and cat. Something for everyone I think! What I like is the variety of clothes you can make for the animals. I haven’t started them yet but the jumper/ sweater patterns include lots of different styles and techniques which I’m looking forward to learning.
Shop my favourites:
And their adorable outfits:
The Fluffiest Penguins
I had to include these adorable fluffy penguins from Kristina Tsvikevich’s Etsy shop. I haven’t tried making it yet as it is knitted in the round on five, then four needles. I have found knitting in the round a challenge as a relative beginner but if you are a more experienced knitter then you should be fine. The bunnies and the bears also look sweet. If you follow Kristina on Instagram, her photography is beautiful and very atmospheric.
The Cutest Reindeer and Teddies
As we’re coming up to Christmas I had to include some more reindeer patterns, a classic teddy and their festive outfits from Gray Bear Akswokrat on Etsy. I have bought the Gingerbread pattern as they just look so festive and fun. It has clear instructions and photos to help with making it up. It is knitted flat so more beginner friendly, I can’t wait to make a couple. As they are only 10-12 cm high, they would also make pretty tree decorations.
I hope you like my little selection of adorable toys to knit this Christmas and that you make the time to knit a special gift for someone special.
