Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Like an Elephant in a China Shop

Sorry, I just had to!

Elijah is finally off the needles and ready to be gifted into a new home.

I'm loving his cute little tail:

Pattern:  Elijah by Ysolda

I have always had a soft spot for knitted toys.  Now I have to decide which one to knit for my baby first.  Elijah is in contention, but so is this little guy from Debbie Bliss
Teddy Bear by Debbie Bliss

What do you think?

22 comments:

  1. Make the elephant! Unexpected and adorable.

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  2. Knitted toys are the absolute best- even people who aren't that fussed about handknits go crazy for knitted toys! I vote the garter stitch bear- he looks very comforting. but maybe the smaller Elijah is better for the first year, when your little one's hands are very small?

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  3. I like the elephant. Something kinda quirky about it. :)

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  4. Definitely the elephant! He's precious.

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  5. I really like the elephant. But I'm also knitting thought the itty bitty toy book and there are loads of very cute knits in there. Like the Giraffe and the bunny. My boys love all of the toys I've made from the book. Oh and the squishees are a complete hit. The 5 month old grabs them easy and chews on them and the 2 year old loves throwing them because they are safe to throw inside.

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  6. Another vote for Elijah! Every kid has a cute teddy bear, but how many have an adorable knitted elephant? Jen

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  7. Debbie Bliss patterns tend to have a painful amount of errors. Elijah seems like he'd be a much smoother ride.

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  8. You could do Sophie or Otto by Ysolda - I love the way Elijah is written up and I bet these other toys are written in a similar way :)

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  9. You've made both of these little guys, so you'd whiz through either pattern I'm sure! I love Elijah. I want to make one for my Lauren, maybe in a different color (just to be... um, different :). I have never knit a stuffed animal though... are there any tricks to it that one should know about? What other colors could you see Elijah knit up in? Although the color you used is pretty perfect for him. What yarn and color did you use?

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  10. Personally, I love both. And would probably knit both, eventually, but if you're asking which one to knit first, then I would go agains the flow and say the bear. Every baby needs a teddy bear, and then when the bub is a little older, you can jazz up his/her world with the elephant :) Those are just my thoughts!

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  11. Both are sooo cute, but I would have to say Elijah. My sister is due with her first baby in December and I am definately going to knit Elijah for Little Bit since the nursery is themed "zoo animals".

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  12. My grand daughter has the Elijah I made for her as a newborn and she still sleeps with it every night. There is something special about that elephant!And the pattern is very easy to follow!

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  13. Adorable! You simply have to make both!

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  14. I really want to knit the elephant for my little girl. There is a read and wonder book called "Grandma Elephant's in Charge." I am drawn to this matriarchal character - she is nurturing and wise, strong and wild. My son has a small stuffed tiger that used to be his father's - another ferocious and beautiful animal. In fact I have recently started making up stories about his tiger and how he can grow 100 times bigger with the snap of a finger and my son can jump on his back and they can chase away the imaginary monsters and ghosts that have been plaguing my son at bedtime. I haven't seen a knitted tiger but that could be super cool too. Whatever animal you choose remember to create a persona along with it - a story your child can attach to and grow with so that the toy is not just cute and special because you made it but also truly meaningful to your child.

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  15. I have been assigned (by my family) to take over my mother's knitting of our all time favorite new baby toy - a pink pig with a curly tail! So cute, my son has one, of course. So far Mom is still knitting (at 85) so I have not had to fulfill that role but one day...
    Knit the toy that most tugs at your heart. And know your baby will select their own favorite no matter what you do!

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  16. I really like both as well but the elephant looks like its a softer yarn. At least in the pictures.

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  17. i'd have to say the elephant...but i'm partial because when i was a kid i had a stuffed elephant that i named elliot.

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  18. the elephant is adorable! perfect for a little girl or boy. your little one will love it.

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  19. Make both and more. As a mother with an almost 4 year old, I never tire of knitting him toys. I doubt that you will tire of making things for your bundle.....

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  20. I've been wanting to knit that teddy bear, but I think Elijah has just bumped him from the top of the list. Definitely Elijah first!

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  21. I just have to say, I love your blog. I am originally from Milford, I think I am right around the same age-ish as you, and I love to knit so I somehow feel we are connected even though we have never met! :) Anyway, I wanted to post because I have made two of the Debbie Bliss bears for my nieces and it is a quick little pattern to make up. I like the elephant though too so it's a tough call. Good luck with the knitting and the pregnancy - my husband and I are crossing our fingers and really hoping to be there soon!

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