Lachie’s bunny (and a hat)

While visiting our grandson, Lachlan, in Victoria, I popped into the local craft shop, Periwinkle Patchwork, for a sticky-beak, as you do. With babies on the brain, I picked up a copy of Edward’s Menagerie by Kerry Lord and now have fantasies of crocheting enough animals to stock a zoo (or ark).

I started with the first pattern in the book: ‘Emma the Bunny’.

I think I need a little practice on sewing faces, but not bad for a first go.

The book says about 60 to 100 grams of yarn are needed for a toy this size, but I made everything except the tail and facial features from one 50-gram ball of Rowan felted tweed. (The colour is ‘maritime’.)

I found a scrap of cream Totem in my stash for the tail.

I have already started on a second toy, a hippo, using heavier yarn. The first was in 8 ply (DK), and the second will be in 10 ply (aran), so it should turn out larger.

Next time, I hope to be a little improved when it comes to sewing faces and remembering to leave markers in to show where the animal’s cute rounded tummy is. Otherwise, I think I totally nailed it!

Nailed it! It looks like the picture in the book.

Lachie already has his bunny in his possession, and I am sure he is giving its ears a good suck.

Something I have had a lot of practice at is knitting the ‘Mason’s Hat’ pattern. This is my third version of it.

This pattern has a wide brim to keep ears toasty, and the ribbing keeps the hat securely on its wearer’s head.

Because of the deep brim, it uses a little more yarn than many hat patterns.

I like the shaping in the crown of this hat pattern.

My husband has never before asked me to make him anything, but he asked for a hat. I had squirreled away enough navy Debbie Bliss Donegal luxury aran tweed yarn before it was discontinued at my shop, so I made the hat with that.

Now, my husband and his son-in-law have matching hats in grey and navy. They went camping this weekend in wintry Victoria, so I am sure they came in handy.

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