My friend Jenny gave me the book “Itty Bitty Toys” by Susan B Anderson and I was immediately inspired to make all the things. I began with the cat that turns into a mouse and back again. It’s such a clever pattern and I just used whatever wool I had in my stash.

I allowed Miss G to look through the book and choose my next make and she chose the penguin. This delighted me as I love a nice penguin and it was a straightforward make.

Once again I used whatever I could find in my stash and getting the tension right was a bit of a challenge. The penguin’s beak turned out to be a bit short so I crocheted a piece round it. Its eyes make it look slightly malevolent and it’s definitely giving the cat the side eye!

Miss G absolutely loves this penguin. The first part to be made is the white body and she was walking round clutching it, even though it had no personality, looking a bit like a sausage.

Once I had finished it, she squeaked with joy and hugged it, fed it, and patted it to sleep on a cushion.

I try to keep favourite things at my house but there was no question, this one was going home with her!

She also chose the snake, which is striped. I used some scraps of self striping sock yarn, but had to add other bits and pieces in. I stitched a piece of elastic along its length to give it the curl, and this allows me to wind it round things which I found quite fun.

and being a snake it set about tormenting the other stuffies, especially Buzzy the sock monkey!

The snake has also been well received with lots of hissing. I thought about teaching Miss G about onomatopoeia but you’ll be pleased to know I have desisted!

Next up to knit is a Santa, so I’ll be well prepared for Christmas.