Let's make it by hand-knitting: children's toys. Cute ideas.
For babies and toddlers who’ve just started walking, you naturally worry about toys because of the risk of choking or injury.
That’s why I recommend hand-knit toys.
When you knit them yourself, you can freely choose the size to suit your child, and toys made with wool or cotton yarn are soft, so they can play safely.
In addition to classics like rattles and balls, this article also introduces ideas perfect for early learning.
You can find the necessary tools and materials at 100-yen shops, so give it a try!
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[Let's make it by hand knitting] Children's toys: cute ideas (1–10)
A toy that makes puff-puff sounds ♪
Yarn and knitting needles are conveniently available at 100-yen shops and the like.
The yarn sold at 100-yen shops is often acrylic, but acrylic tends to be more colorful, which might actually make it more suitable for toys for small children.
If you knit a capsule-shaped piece with two colors of yarn, stuff it with cotton, and place a squeaker in the center, it works well.
For safety, use a relatively small crochet hook and stitch tightly so there are no gaps, preventing the cotton from being pulled out.
It’s also a great idea to make several in different colors.
Changeable shapes! A toy made of wire and yarn
Using leftover yarn and wire—the kind used for the stems of artificial flowers, which you can even buy at 100-yen shops—you can make a toy.
It’s not quite knitting in the traditional sense; you’ll use a simple, loom-like tool to make it.
If you don’t have that tool, you can use a fork or any two-pronged utensil as a substitute.
Thread the wire through the center and knit the yarn around it to cover it.
Be careful with the wire tips and make sure to finish the ends securely.
You can shape it in many ways, so you’ll probably want to make several.
mascot costume
Amigurumi made by knitting yarn are very cute, and they feel great to the touch, too.
Here, let’s try making an amigurumi dressed in a costume.
It’s adorable, yet uses fewer colors, and because the seams are less noticeable, it’s recommended for beginners.
Since you’ll be sewing the parts together, try to keep the tension of the yarn as consistent as possible for paired pieces like the right and left hands so they end up the same size.
For the spherical head, do your best to achieve as smooth a finish as possible.
[Let’s Make It by Hand-Knitting] Toys for Children: Cute Ideas (11–20)
Miffy rattle
How about handmaking a cute crocheted “Miffy rattle” for your baby on the way? Miffy is a classic character for baby items! Since it’s crocheted with cotton yarn, it’s soft to the touch and safe for babies to handle.
You’ll crochet the body, face, and ears in that order, and finish by adding the eyes.
The face is hollow, so you could customize it by putting a bell inside.
Enjoy making it stitch by stitch with lots of love!
Cat finger puppet
Let me introduce a cat finger puppet you can knit with just a small amount of leftover yarn.
This puppet is worked in one continuous piece, and you add the tail, ears, and limbs as you go.
The eyes and nose are embroidered, so there’s no need to attach additional parts later, making it a great project for beginners.
Try knitting cats in various colors—if an adult uses them like a puppet show, little children will be delighted.
For babies, it can be dangerous if swallowed, so be sure an adult puts it on and plays with it for them.
donut
Let’s try making some cute, delicious-looking mini donuts with crochet! They can work great as baby toys or decorative accents.
The loose, chunky stitch pattern is the key feature, and it’s easy enough for beginners.
You can change the donut size and color scheme, and even adjust yarn thickness to create donuts that fit your taste.
Even if knitting feels intimidating, crochet is an easy way to start—so go ahead and make some donuts your little ones will love!
Bear rattle with a wrist strap
This is called a wrist rattle, and it’s a rattle you wrap around a baby’s arm.
The rattle has a bear face on it, which should delight babies.
It would be appreciated not only for your own child but also as a handmade gift for a baby shower.
Since it’s small, even beginners with little knitting experience should be able to make it by carefully following the instructions.
Why not give it a try, regardless of gender or age? We recommend using cotton yarn, which is gentle on the skin and less irritating.