In my Encourage Better Podcast Season 3 Episode 1, I shared a bit about this little project. If you haven’t listened to it yet, I would love to invite you to hear more by heading here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1319800/12639719

I began the episode by acknowledging the lapse in connecting with you, Dear Knitter. The last years have been challenging, and I am finding my way forward. I hope you will continue to extend grace to me as I find my rhythm.

A fun project that helped me rediscover some enthusiasm is one I just completed at the start of April. You may be familiar with Susan B. Anderson, a delightful designer, teacher, and entrepreneur. Her company Barrett Wool Co sends out emails that are my kryptonite. And I am not mad. I ordered her Swaddle Pals kit, and once it arrived, I got to work creating Leo.

Leo will be adventuring off to meet a small human in Hawaii and I hope they become fast friends, like Calvin and Hobbes. I fully enjoyed each stitch of this pattern. Susan B. is clever in the way she creates little critters, and she invites knitters to follow her through clearly written patterns to recreate the same adorable stuffed friends. Images support knitters through this process, and if you need more help, video tutorials are linked within the pattern. I especially enjoyed watching the video on creating the lion’s face. I watched it three times, not because I couldn’t understand the process, but because what she was doing was enjoyable!

Leo had a clever construction, as many of her patterns share. He was knit from his bottom to his head, with arms, legs, tail and ears knit onto him by way of picking up stitches from the body. Once complete there is little finishing work, zero applying appendages, just a meditative application of his mane that I smiled my way through.

I have had the pleasure of taking a few of Susan’s classes before, and in each one relating to making toys, she says the magic happens when we stitch the face. The little knit we have made comes to life as eyes, nose and mouth are fashioned. She is right. Suddenly there is a personality within the yarn and poly-fil by way of a few French knots and stacked stitches.

The pattern includes directions for a lion, a bear, a kitten and bunny, as well as a swaddling cloth to knit for them (hence the pattern name). I haven’t yet created the swaddle. I am too busy knitting up the bear.

Leo was created using sport weight yarn from the kit, Poundcake for the body, arms, legs, ears and tail, and Earthen for the main, plus I added a tiny tip of it on the tail. He has the gentlest sounding rattle insert that was included in the kit. At the present time writing this the kits are not available, however the rattles are sold 4 for $2 in her mercantile shop. There is also the option to be contacted when the kits are back in stock.

The knit was thoroughly enjoyable, and I would love to extend that opportunity to you. Simply share below your thoughts on the podcast that went along with this post (click here to listen if you haven’t). I will choose 3 comments on April 22nd, 2023 to send a copy of the Swaddle Pals pattern. I firmly believe knitting one of these little pals will brighten your day!

Thanks for keeping me company as I share my making adventures!

PS. If you look carefully in this picture, you will see another project I will be sharing in the next episode!