this project was knit for my Uncle Ray in Wales. the teddy is from a pattern i purchased in Oswego, NY State many years ago. the pattern's designer is Idle Hours, FL. and the instructions are for a cat, teddy and bunny. i started to make these toys as gifts for family birthdays. the toys are made with any furry yarn. i designed the sweaters using yarn from my stash and swiss darned, [aka duplicate stitch,] the recipients age onto the sweater. the first ones were knit when members of my family in wales turned 75 and 80. when my Uncle Ray turned 80 last year, we had recently moved to vancouver island and were busy with renovations and my knitting patterns were tucked away in a box. this year i am more organised and was able to make Ray a belated gift. his sweater reads 8T1 as his age this year is 81. pics of more sweaters and a bunny will be featured on my next blog.

it's been a long time since i last blogged but i have done lots of knitting whilst travelling around lovely vancouver island. these dog coats were one of my projects. my sister asked if i would make them for her friends' chihuahuas. she gave me a sample coat which was way too big for the little dogs and i used it as a guide. the yarn is wool from my stash. some of it is Peer Gynt DK. the coats were taken home to Wales by my cousin Jill who was here on a visit and my sister has notified me that the coats fit well. in the future i'd like to make larger coats for our friends' dogs.