All summer we have absolutely loved seeing your toy photos - thank you to everyone who sent them in!
Toys are such special projects - they can be full of fun and character or quite emotional projects that bring comfort to the maker and to the recipient. We had a real mix of photo submissions that came to us over the last couple of months, some that made us laugh and others nearly made us cry. Prepare for a roller-coaster of emotions as we share the lovely photos and stories! At the end we reveal the randomly selected winner of the £25 WOTE Gift voucher.
Creative C.
Hello,
I am sending two photos for the toy photo competition,
Both of these I made on a whim without a pattern. I saw them in my head and just crocheted away until they came to life for me. The first one is my travel bunny. He’s quite small and travels in my pocket when I need a bunny-(buddy)- for confidence and the second is my fruity banana, he’s a dandy fellow who as you can see loves to have his photo taken and insisted he posed for a million photos until he was happy with the one you see there. He’s so appealing. Tee hee.
Jim M.
My mum bought me the Knitted Wild Animal Friends book for Christmas (while I was in the shop with her, but somehow I didn't notice). She wasn't sure if I would be interested in knitting any of the patterns, and was pleased when she heard I was enjoying knitting the lion and wanted to do more. I've now borrowed (permanently) her copy of Knitted Animal Friends and I'm making the racoon.
The lion and his clothes are made from cotton yarn, with little buttons for eyes and... buttons. I used some wire to pose him with a raw steak, which I imagine is his favourite food, because he is still a lion. However, we can obviously tell from the way he dresses he is sophisticated and civilised and so he uses a plate and cutlery.
Annie P.
These are my little super heroes on their way to Torbay Hospital League of Friends.
Meredith L.
One of my daughter’s favourite bedtime stories, so a crocheted llama llama red pyjama was a must No pattern to recommend I’m afraid as it was freehand.
Judith R.
I made this for my Dad many years ago as his present from the Christmas tree. I will never forget his face when he opened it and said 'Did you make this?' 'Yes' 'Especially for me? 'Yes'
Scarecrow sat in his study until with the passing of time he has come back to live with me and is a constant reminder of my Dad ♥️
Rachel B.
I really enjoy making toys - it started with the Nautilus for my sister's baby when she was pregnant, and since then I have made the Hermit Crab, Anteater, and Dinosaur/Crocodile (no-one is quite sure) for my little nephew. I really love making toys and amigurumi!
Carolyne D.
I crocheted this chimp who is now named Chutney in 2023 for my partners 50th birthday.
I taught myself to crochet in May of that year so he was my first big challenge.
Sheena Gilpin
Here’s my octopus I crocheted a few years ago. I used Sirdar Country Classic Worsted in Fern, Melba, Toffee and Royalty (purchased from you, of course 😉) I hope you love him as much as I do - I have a bit of a ‘thing’ for octopuses 🐙 ❤️
Susan T.
Felt Up
Felt finger puppets, made in QLD Australia. 🙂 I display these in an amazing local shop Make & Mend Agnes Water that showcases locally made products, and also has an amazing in house seamstress that does the best clothing alterations (she also makes beautiful crochet toys).
A few months ago I was in Groningen in the Netherlands and joined a knitting group. One of the participants had the most adorable mouse on her pocket. I had to get the pattern but it was only available in Dutch! I made it work deciphering the instructions (my Dutch is very minimal).
Only later did I find the pattern on Ravelry in English.
Di C.
Those are just a small sample. I give a lot as gifts to family and friends. At present I am using up all the scraps I've got on a blanket for winter. Then I can justify getting some of your lovely hand dyed wool for scarves for Christmas gifts this year this year.
The flowers I crocheted for my Aunty Lily's 100th birthday. She was really pleased with them and still has them aged 101. I made them with 4 ply cotton crocheted around very thin wires. The stems were thicker wire wrapped with the same yarn.
Jane O.
Here’s my mum 5 years ago surrounded by some of the toys she knitted, she’s still knitting everything and anything and is now 88, and knitting is like an extension of her arms, she knits everyday almost. The photo was for my daughters A levels and she had to look serious.
Lorraine C.
So some of my toy makes
The chickens are called Cheerful Chickens. They are designed to be held in your hand to help manage anxiety. I'm currently making them for The Mooring crisis cafe in Exeter.
The Elephant was for my niece.
The teddies are for The Buddy Bag Foundation. I committed to one a month throughout last year. They provide rucksacks to children going into care. You often have nothing of your own at this terrible time and the bags provide toiletries, books, teddies, a game, pens and pencils, make up, period necessities, hand made blankets and comforters all varied to suit child's age and needs.
Jean P.
Please enjoy lovely Harriette the sloth basking in the glorious sunshine. She’s enjoying her summer holidays at the moment and talking a welcome break from causing mischief in a primary school book corner.
Tami S.
My first knitted toy, a chicken. Knitted in memory of my brother who I recently lost and who meant a great deal to me.
Judith T.
I thought I'd make a dragon - pattern by Megan Lapp from her mythical creatures book
Tasha M.
I worked through this whole book of amigurumi ocean animals and this was the result! They were so fun to make, they all turned out really cute, and we all had a play with them to bring out our childish side! Now they all live on my yarn wall in my room.
Marie A.
Hallo, I'm Johannes Mouse. I love going on cycling camping holidays. Here are some of my holiday photos.
1 in my sleeping bag
2 cake from Limburg, Holland. Delicious!
3 somewhere along the way
4 is it almost dry yet?
5 my spot on the handlebars.
6 my laundry needs to be done too
7 arriving at the campsite.
8 reading comfortably in front of the tent.
9 and back home with all the luggage.
So, now you know a bit about how I go on vacation. And you can imagine I always take some knitting with me.
Marie Anne and Johannes Mouse (here with his friend Alphons Pig searching a good bike route)
Jane M.
I visited the shop when I was staying with my sister in Devon and saw the animals in the window display. I asked about the books and after many hours here are some results. At present the bear is in production and I hope to extend the family further.
Renata C.
This is Mufasa he was made as a birthday present for my younger twin daughter to encourage strength and courage so she feels protected. Since then he accompanied her on travelling adventures and medical appointments.
Elizabeth N.
Beverley H.
My collection of guinea pigs, not quite keeping up with the 14 real ones I had growing up 🤪
Masie C.
My daughter Macie (13) taught herself to crochet two years ago and now makes all different things… she even makes herself some clothes and bags.
Here are a few of her creations 🩷🪼🐸🧸🍓🍋🐓🐳
Christine A.
One photo shows the original knitting pattern which my mum used many years ago (can't possibly say how many) to knit a Little Miss Lucky for me when I was a child.
This is my first attempt at knitting something with hands. I hope you like her!
Jess N.
My first knitted toy! Made this for my husband's niece. Pattern is Bo Bunny by WYS in the suggested yarn. Just used plastic eyes instead of stitching them 💜
Crochami C.
Just finished making these three little cutie daschunds!
Liz A.
Two sleeping baby dragons 😊
Aren't they all incredible! We have drawn a randomly-selected winner to receive a £25 gift voucher. The winner is: Jane O.
Thank you so much to everyone who submitted a photo!