Celebrate the Holidays with Kevin the Carrot

I’m not British, so I hadn’t heard the story of Kevin the Carrot until reader Nicola Riley sent me her pattern for one.

Apparently Kevin is the star – along with his carrot family – of a television spot for grocery Aldi, and he’s so popular that he was made into a plush doll just in time for Christmas.

Only trouble was, the toys were so popular they sold out in hours, and enterprising shoppers have been trying to sell them on ebay for many, many times what they sold for in the shops.

If you’d like to get your hands on a Kevin, you can make this homemade version, complete with his little scarf. The pattern is worked flat and seamed, and he’s pretty small so you can probably make him with bits of yarn you have around the house.

The pattern retails for £2.50, or about $3.45. And it’s cute even if you have no idea who Kevin the carrot is.

[Photo: Nicola Riley.]

When my daughter was in early elementary school we were at Joann together (RIP) and she picked out some variegated pink and white blanket yarn for me to knit a blanket for her bed. Now probably 10 years later, it’s one of her favorite possessions. I note this because the blankets we give to little ones might seem simple on the surface, like something they need to keep warm, but they can turn into so much more.

Take the Pocketful of Love Blanket from Purl Soho. On the surface this is a pretty but also easy to knit blanket for a little one. It’s worked in garter stitch stripes using sport weight yarn (the sample is a superwash wool, but this would also be nice in cotton or a blend) and available in a crib or small throw size. Though of course because it’s garter stitch, it’s pretty easy to make it any size you want.

But what makes this blanket extra special is the little details. The slip stitch selvedges and I-cord bind off give it a crisp look that’s perfect with the garter stitch of the body.

And then there’s the pocket.

This is a big pocket. At 10 inches wide and 12.25 inches tall (that’s 25.4 by 31 cm) for the crib size and 12.75 by 14.25 inches (32.4 by 36 cm) for the throw, you can easily fit a favorite stuffed animal, toy or book into the pocket.

I love how even though it uses the same striped garter stitch pattern as the blanket, it’s stitched down so the stripes run the opposite way (horizontal when the blanket stripes are vertical), though of course you can match stripes if you’d rather.

I think this blanket has the potential to be greatly loved by the little one its given to, and by the knitter look for an easy, pretty baby blanket with a little extra useful twist.

Grab the free pattern from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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