Like many of us, I feel blessed to be but one thread in a vast familial web of very fine makers. Here I am back in the day with my gloriously kitsch Grandma, who crocheted sunhats out of bread bags, and did tapestries such as this lovely Mona Lisa:
When we had a baby I didn’t really get the whole soft-toy thing. I must have understood it as a kid, but as a new mum, people (a certain sister in particular) would give me yet another teddy and I’d think, ‘oh god, another completely pointless toy made by some sad Chinese person’ (maybe they’re not? Maybe they all have a magical fun time all day?).
But then … how old would he have been? … RR started talking to these soft characters and treating them like ‘real people’. He would talk to them so seriously, so earnestly! And it was so, incredibly, deliciously sweet!
I admit I’m still known to sneak away surplus fluffy bunnies to the op shop, but nevertheless there is quite a population taking up residence on the end of RR’s bed.
May I introduce you to…
Green Bear, made from an old rug by Nonna. Green Bear and Pig arrived at our house on the day we brought RR home. Green Bear is the soft toy supreme, he has real Bear pedigree. Useful for doing green (playdough!) poos in the potty when toilet training. Happy to get dressed in silly clothes. Doesn’t mind his lovely tummy being used as a pillow.
Pig. Made by Aunty Pu. Nuff said. Also handy as a neck pillow when RR won’t share his!
Eliump. Made out of a sock by Mum. For me. I used to love ‘feeding’ him potato chips into his little mouth.
Nanna Pat Bear. Made by Nanna Pat. My Nanna and her mother, Nanna Bix, had a little cottage industry going for a while making these ‘BerBix’ bunnies:
The Beebee’s own family is rapidly expanding too, including this lovely bunny knitted by Nonna. I love the cheeky tail!
They’re part of the family, homemade with love by some of our other favourite family members.
The Beekeeper’s Wife
