Knit Toys for Charity
Knit toys are perfect charity donations
If you've never knit toys before, you're missing out. Not only is it a lot of fun (plus it's a huge break from all the other patterns you've ever tried - guaranteed!), it fulfills a part of your inner child you probably didn't even realize was crying out for attention. It is, trust me.
Knit toys are awesome for another reason, though: they make fantastic charitable contributions. I love to make a knit toy and drop it personally to a patient at our local children's hospital. They are so excited to get a gift from a stranger, especially when they learned you actually made it. I always bring along a set of needles, because most of the time, they want to learn how to knit themselves.
So whether you're sitting on a stockpile of knitted toy patterns or just starting out with this knit toy business, here are some awesome free patterns to explore.
Free knit toy patterns
1. Mini Alien
This is a really great toy for older kids. Even teenagers get a kick out of his campy, ironic creature. A sixteen year old boy might not want a teddy bear, but he can certainly appreciate a bright green alien starting at him from the bedstand. Kids of all ages like these, actually -- and they're fun and very easy to make.
If you know kids at the age when they start losing teeth, you'll get a kick out of Mervin the Molar -- and so will they. This awesome knit toy features a pocket to hold newly lost teeth, giving the tooth fairy a quick and easy way to find a child's treasure -- especially in a strange room with a strange pillow.
You can adapt free knit toy patterns to suit your mood, but personally I like this little guy the way he is. He's particularly valuable to kids who might be in the hospital and missing their pets. You can give them a way to feel less alone and have some fun, all through the gift of knit toys. Yes, toys -- these are so easy, you won't want to stop at just one.
4. Robot
This knitter kindly made an awesome robot knitting pattern available for free. This is the quintessential gift for little boys, and many girls too. I've made these for charity, for birthday presents, and "just because", and they always meet with far more excitement than those silly plastic robots you get at the store.
5. Flying Snake
This knit toy doubles as a frisbee. Not only is it a cute and cuddly animal to snuggle at night, you can whip it around your head and send it flying, and it's stuffed beanbag head will pull it back to earth. Actually, I might make one of these for myself.
Hopefully you feel inspired -- get out there and knit toys right now!
