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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Bananas in Pyjamas

A recent invitation to a birthday party for a one-year-old sent me back to my knitting books - ones that I haven't looked at for a while. I initially thought I'd use the occasion to try out the knitted Meerkats, but decided a one-year-old might be more attracted to something from the book of knitted toys from ABC programs.

I made quite a lot from this book a few years ago, but had never made the Banana in Pyjamas - so it was a no-brainer. The book is out of print, but a few copies appear on eBay and Abebooks.



The Banana (B1) is knitted in two pieces - front and back,  You knit the trousers first, knitting sideways, then cast off and rejoin the yellow at the waist edge. A very simple and clever design.





You add a little bit at the top for a stalk and embroider the face. The pattern suggests button eyes, but I wanted to reduce the danger to a one-year-old from buttons.




The feet are crocheted in. Even I, who does not read a crochet pattern, managed this!










The coat is knitted in one piece from side to side, with rectangular sleeves inserted and a roll collar added. It is very, very simple and clear.







Veronica and Niamh helped me stuff him, and I did, in the end, add buttons to the coat.

I then made the teddy bear that belongs to the Banana, and made, for good measure, a sleeping bag for the teddy.



This was a fun present to make. There is a hat for the one-year-old and a bag to hold the gift - coming in the next  post.


5 comments:

margaret said...

this is fun, i am sure the little one will love it

Katherine said...

Love those nanas in jamas as Grace used to call them lol. Now that was a long time ago!

JennyPennyPoppy said...

They all look so cute! You did a great job of knitting all of them :)

Monica said...

My goodness, what a fantastic design. I'm sure it was well appreciated!

Jillian said...

Thanks Girls. Yes, it's a great design - very simple with instant gratification - from the knitting and from the recipient!