easy knit toys?

[monkeyma]

Does anyone have any recommendations for either online patterns or a good book for relatively easy knit toys? DS is 14 months and I'm wanting to make him a few more little things for Christmas. Balls and play food were coming to mind, but I'm really just looking for something age appropriate that we'll get some use out of. We don't have any knit toys at the moment. 

I feel like he's hardly getting anything compared to other babies his age I know. So far we have a rainbow of silks I dyed from dharma trading, a wooden car "track," and two little drums. I don't just want to get him things for the sake of getting them, but it's so hard not to feel like I'm skimping on him, since I'm the only mom out of my friends that isn't getting an abundance of things for their LO.

[coyotemist]

Duofiberworks has great stuff  http://www.duofiberworks.com/tutorials-free-patterns/

Knitted owl, and see the sidebar for Frosty and Flossy patterns, and a kitty

http://forrestdweller.blogspot.com/2010/10/knitted-owl-pattern.html

Different owl

http://knitgirl2008.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/owl/

[coyotemist]

Another cute one if you have access to Ravelry

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/honey-a-free-bee

[honeybunmom]

You will be so glad when he gets older that you stuck to your guns and didn't go over board.  Believe me!  I gave into just about every impulse for what I wanted to give my daughter and have been working hard at pruning a developing sense of entitlement.  Plus, you'll delight in seeing what your child can create play out of!    And, thankfully, we still do have those moments in our house.

At 14 mos (and beyond), I really think that soft, oversized balls are a great way to go.  Add a bell inside and make it jingle.

ETA:  If you're on ravelry, there are 57 pages of free knit toy patterns to choose from.

[monkeyma]

Thanks! I'll have to check out ravelry. I've heard of it, but should really join now that I'm knitting again. 

Thanks for the encouragement about gift giving, too. It's hard for me to keep my focus with all the outside influences. I can't imagine once he's old enough to say what he wants.

[teamsalem]

If you knit the body of the "Elephante" pattern by Susan Anderson, it makes a really nice ball.  I'm knitting a couple for my babe as stocking stuffers.  But, agreed, there are TONS of awesome free patterns in Ravelry.  Also, don't go overboard just because other people are!  At 14 mos, they are usually more interested in the wrapping paper, so less is more.