Monday, February 15, 2010

Aunt Millie's Bear

My Aunt Millie ( well, really my Dad's Aunt Millie, so she's my Great Aunt...wow!) collects dolls. She asked me to make her a teddy bear a while back and i guess i forgot, until she reminded me. (Aunt Millie may be a tiny little thing, but her size is deceiving...she's a powerhouse!) So i thought this would be a perfect time to try out making a jointed bear using thread and buttons for joints.
I knit him out of natural, undyed white wool. As you can see, i need to work at this, but practice will make me better at this i am sure...And maybe i should use a little less stuffing...Look at the belly on this guy!

7 comments:

Archie and Melissa said...

hi mare!
oh my gosh! aunt millie will love him!
he is perfect and i love the buttons you chose!
xoxoxo
melissa

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

I have a great Aunt Millie, too!
I think he's a great bear. He should have a nice pot belly.

I noticed your link to the Mother Bear project. I was just looking into a similar project that gives stuffed toys to children who are taken into protective custody. I hope I will be able to make some toys for one of these good causes. I need more practice with toy-making though.

Mare said...

Thank you Melissa and Julie! I have always admired the mohair bears with the jointed arms and legs, so i thought i would try the thread and button joint option...I'm hoping with practice i will get better at it. I have a few bears knitted up and ready to stuff, so we will see.
Julie, both Melissa and i make bears for the Mother Bear Project. Melissa actually sends her bears to Africa and has photos of the children holding her creations! I have sold a few of the bears in my daughters shop, The Paper Sparrow and donated the money i got from the sales. They can always use money for postage as they ship bears out to Africa all the time. I have no doubt you will make fantastic toys for whatever project you decide to work with, as your work is beautiful! Honestly, i think we, the creators of the toys are much more picky and critical of our work than the children who receive the toys are. They are just so happy that someone cared enough to make them a gift...Please let us know what you decide to do!

Paula said...

Oh Mare- he is adorable!! I think the buttoned joints are neat... very old-timey looking. your Aunt Millie will love him, I'm sure!!

Mare said...

Well thank you Paula! I hope she likes him...

Sketching with Dogs said...

I love Aunt Millie's bear, he looks so sweet and old fashioned with the buttons on his joints. Aunt Millie will be delighted!
Lynne

Mare said...

Thank you Lynne! I'm making more jointed bears this week. I'll be sure to post them! I appreciate your comments...