Breeding one square bunnies

We've embarked on a journey that has only been shared with a handful of people closest to us. I'm not really just sitting around at home doing nothing but knitting. I'm actually studying- doing a diploma in Child Psychology in preparation for a career change. After many years thinking about it, we've decided to become Foster Carers. We completed our initial training last weekend, which is a prerequisite before you can officially apply. It's taken 9 months to get to this point, and will take at least 6 months if not more before we get approved. So, while we wait for the assessment process to be completed-I'll keep busy knitting.

On to the knitting then shall we? Our last charity stall was very successful. We were left with very little stock by the end of the day. The braided balls, and bunnies were very popular with the school kids. I've started building up stock for the next fair, and this time I've made sure to take some pics of the completed bunnies. In addition to the bunnies I've done a few snowmen. I hear you sniggering. It's never too early to start preparing for Christmas!
I've also conjured up a couple of critter key chain charms, a cat, and a couple of bangles. When I tire of knitting for the stall, I've got jumpers and teddy bears to knit for our church outreach to Nkhoma hospital in Malawi. If I've got time in between the studying and foster care assessment I'll probably squeeze in a critter or two for my Etsy shop, and maybe an occasional blog post 😝

Cute Critters

In-between all the reading and knitting, and there's been a lot of both happening, I thought it was time to do a little writing. Or should that be sharing? I do so to encourage people to get out there and become involved in their local community. If I’ve mentioned this before, sorry ….

I go to a weekly get together with other like-minded knitters, crocheters (those people who crochet?), and stitchers. Not only is it fun to get out the house for a couple of hours, but it’s also great to be able to assist those struggling to read a pattern, or occasionally to get some help from them in return. I think the best part about the group is its mission to donate the proceeds of selling our finished goodies at local fairs to various local groups. I was also delighted to learn that some of our ladies taught the local Brownies group how to knit last year. They all did some squares and joined them into a blanket that they use to play ‘hide the brownie’ with. Not sure what that entails, but it sure sounds fun. The photo they sent in to thank the group showed them all holding up the blanket. It was a pretty impressive blanket.

Not only have I been busy doing my own stuff, which I’ll share in a bit, but I’ve been busy creating stock for our group’s next fair coming up end of May. I finished a batch of ‘one square bunnies’ at our session today, which have turned out really cute. I didn’t take a pic of the completed brood before I handed them in, but I did take some in-progress ones. I’ve got an idea to do a ‘one square’ chicken, which I’ll share once I’ve done it.

As for my own stuff, I’ve added 3 new critters to my pin cushion collection. So, in addition to the existing tortoise, ladybird, spider, octopus, sheep, and hedgehog, I’ve now done a cat, pig, and panda, which had been put up on Etsy. I’ve had a suggestion for a dolphin (but it’s just not the right body shape to fit in), a frog, and a dragon. I think I can do the last two, but I sure would like some more suggestions. Feel free to add to the list. I’m all ears ;-)