The Solution to the Giraffe Problem is a Bunny!

On Friday morning, our new niece arrived in the world, and everyone is doing great.

I've resigned myself to the truth that my the cute knit giraffe will be a "big sister gift"  for our three year old niece. So, my solution to this giraffe dilemma is a bunny!

Giraffe and Bunny

I know. You're thinking that solving the problem of having to give away one cute stuffie to the not-intended recipient by knitting another cute stuffie that will be just as hard to give away is madness. You would be correct. But I can't help it; nieces and nephews seem to have an occult power over me. It seemed like a good solution as I cast on. Oh, and I also knit a baby blanket.

Anyway, this is the floppy bunny from Itty-Bitty Toys by Susan B Anderson. After the giraffe, the bunny was quick and easy to knit up.

Here he/she is on the matching baby blanket that I knit during Sandy.  I love the too big feet, paws and ears. I think they give the bunny a baby-like look. I made a few style changes like making the ears perky instead of floppy and placing the arms and legs a little differently than the pattern. I think this gives the bunny a sillier look that I like.

Isn't he/she sweet?

Now that I've learned to knit pompoms, I'm putting them on everything.

I love the pompom tail

A few notes on the blanket.  It's a free Bernat pattern called the Wave Stitch Blanket. I knit it up in Cascade 128 Superwash Chunky yarn. It is super soft, machine washable and the pattern knit up quickly and easily. Overall, this was the perfect bang for the buck project for a gift.

And, giving credit where credit is due, Phin gave me the best Christmas gift for blocking knit projects.

Play room/nursery school floor mats

They link together in all different configurations, are waterproof and I can pin to them. They are also easy to stow away when not in use. Oh, and they were MUCH cheaper and larger than blocking mats. This blanket is 37" x 45".

Baby blanket being blocked.

Anyway, my three knit gifts have been wrapped so that I can't see them or have second thoughts about giving them away.  Phin is (reluctantly) dropping them at their new home today. I've promised to knit him a hippo or cow as compensation, although I have a feeling it may end up being both in the end.

SO hard to give these cuties away!

It seems like there is a mini baby boom happening among my friends and family. So, there are sure to be more baby items to follow. 

I hope you all had a crafty weekend, too!