4-Legged Creatures
Posted Wednesday 10 June 2009 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,Beginner project, bunny, cute, dog, free, glove, handsewn, knitted, pattern, re-use, recycle, sock
I previously linked to a free pattern for a chipmunk softie made from the “Happy Gloves” book by Miyako Kanamor. Miyako also published a book called “Sock & Glove“, which provides step-by-step instructions on how to turn socks and gloves in to lovable softie characters.
You can now find the free pattern and instructions for the dog AND the bunny from the book on the Martha Stewart website:
{image credit: Martha Stewart}
Great step-by-step pictures and instructions. And a clever way to recycle socks and gloves of course 
Find them here: Glove Animals via Martha Stewart.com
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Posted Wednesday 20 May 2009 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,cute, elephant, free, pattern
Fabric designer Michelle of Cicada Studio offers for free the pattern for this plushie elephant:
{image credit: Cicada Studio}
Note that only the pattern template (in pdf format) is supplied, not the step-by-step instructions, so this project may be more suited for those with softie-making experience who will be able to figure out how to put it together. If in doubt, you may be able to contact Michelle and ask for some guidance.
Find it here: Harry Elephonte Plushie by Cicada Studio
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Posted Thursday 23 April 2009 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,baby, Beginner project, cute, elephant, free, pattern
Here’s a quick and easy, cute elephant softie to whip up on a quiet afternoon:
{image credit: Quilttaffy}
Instructions and pictures are very clear and super easy to follow and Quilttaffy suggests that you can also insert a little squeaker into the softie. Template is downloable in PDF format.
It’s over here! Animal Friend Tutorial by Quilttaffy
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Posted Thursday 9 April 2009 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,Beginner project, bunny, cute, easter, free, pattern, rabbit, softie
Here’s another simple bunny pattern that you can personalise to your heart’s desire. Plus, you can make two different bunnies from the basic pattern:
{image credit: Revoluzzza}
Brought to you by German softie-maker, Revoluzzza, you will find clear step-by-step instructions, downloadable template and helpful accompanying photos.
Get it here: Let’s sew . . . RevoluzZzionary Easter Bunnies by RevoluzZza
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Posted Thursday 9 April 2009 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,Beginner project, bunny, cardigan, cute, easter, free, jumper, pattern, re-use, recycle, softie, sweater
‘Tis the season for bunny-making with Easter just around the corner. Here’s a an easy one to start with and you get to re-use pre-loved sweaters!
{image credit: Kayte Terry}
The step-by-step directions are excellent with online links to specific stitches mentioned. There is no template - you just draw freehand the bunny shape to your liking. Also included are instructions on how to make a pom-pom tail. Too cute!
Find it here: How to make a softie bunny from recyled sweaters by Kayte Terry (via Craftzine)
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Posted Tuesday 31 March 2009 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,cute, donkey, free pattern, mule, softie
Apologies for that unplanned absence! it’s great to be back here and sharing more softie goodness with you.
Let’s kick it off with the most sweetest donkey softie I have ever seen, made by one of my favourite softie makers Myra Masuda, published in the book “Softies Only a Mother Could Love“:
{image credit: Penguin Group}
The project is brought to you by Etsy’s The Storque. You can also download the full project sheet (in addition to the template).
Find it here: How-Tuesday: Make a Donkey Softie
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Posted Friday 14 November 2008 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,Beginner project, elephant, pattern, softie, Wool felt
Craftster member Meshell shares a free pattern and instructions on making this wool felt elephant:
{image credit: Meshell}
Instructions are easy to follow and pattern is in a jpg format (to save pattern, left-click on the image and select “Save image as”, then choose where to save your image on your computer. Enlarge image to desired size before printing out).
Details here: Wool Felt Elephant by Meshell (on Craftster)
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Posted Tuesday 11 November 2008 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,mice, mouse, pattern, remnants, scraps, softie
Make these charming mice using fabric scraps/remnants!
{image credit: Esprit Cabane}
Brought to you by Esprit Cabane, the free pattern is in jpg format and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. A good one for Beginner softie-makers - it only requires that you understand the basic softie-making steps.
Find it here: Fabric Remnant Mouse by Esprit Cabane
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Posted Wednesday 29 October 2008 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Embellishing, Tips-n-Tricks, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,amigurumi, baby, beads, bunny, infant, method, pattern, rattle, softie, squeakers
I recently received an email from Karyn regarding rattles, bells, and squeakers for handmade infant softies. Her question was more about suppliers and in my limited experience, it has been rather hit and miss. I have found rattles and bells at my local Spotlight but no squeakers. If you have any recommendations for suppliers (online or in your local area) of rattles, bells and squeakers that you can insert into soft toys, please do leave them in the comments!
Her email did trigger a related subject in my mind and that is: what is the best method of inserting rattles and bells into soft toys? This is especially important when making softies for infants but safety is key no matter what age the recipient is.
I found this excellent method on Origami Snail’s website for rattles/bells. She uses either a bell or some beads, fishing wire, and a small plastic egg-shaped container.
{image credit: Origami Snail}
She writes:
“To make the rattle you will need a small light hollow plastic container that can be separated into halves (I used the toy container from a Kinder Egg although I am sure that you could get some kind of purpose made thing), a bell or some beads (I re-purposed a few links from a jingly anklet I had around), 8 inches of strong gauge fishing line, and a needle.
Take your bell or beads or what ever and string them on the fishing line such that they hang in the middle of the length. You will have two lengths of line either side.
Poke two holes at the top of one half of your container. Thread each length of line through a hole from the inside and tie a tight knot on the outside of the container so that your beads or whatever hang down.
Make sure that when they hang down on the inside that they have room to move and won’t touch the other end of your container when you put it back together. If they do then it won’t make as nice a noise, especially if you use a bell.
Put the container back together and your rattle is done.”
I would add that the final step is to tape around the plastic container to ensure that it stays shut.
By the way, she also has a free pattern for a very cute amigurumi bunny baby rattle, which incorporates the rattle described above, available here.
If you’ve got any tips on inserting rattles, bells and squeakers, please feel free to leave those in the comments too.
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Posted Wednesday 22 October 2008 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,cute, Dinosaur, knitted, softie, tutorial, yarn
Thanks to Jade for the link to Jennifer Thurston’s cute and cuddly knitted dinosaurs:
{image credit: Jennifer Thurston}
Each dinosaur only requires 1 ball of yarn. Instructions are in downloadable pdf format.
Get it here: Knitted Dinosaur Softies by X-treme Knitting
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