Teddy Bear's Picnic

Did you know that 10th July is Teddy Bear's Picnic Day? Well no, nor did I until I had a message from Carl at Bijou Basin Ranch in Colorado, asking if they could use one of my patterns in some kits they were selling to mark the occasion. Bijou Basin is a family owned Yak ranch which sells high quality Yak fibre and yarns. I've never knitted with Yak wool but I'm assured that it is soft and warm.

The pattern they are using is my Teddy Bear Stripes, although their bears will be knitted in one colour. Here's my original teddy bear (striped and otherwise) ...

... and here is the sample bear, knitted with the Yak wool ...

Isn't he lovely? He looks very cuddly. If you would like to buy a kit to knit your own teddy bear, you can order one from Bijou Basin for $25. They are kindly donating a percentage of the price to the charity I support. the Children's Liver Disease Foundation, for which I am very grateful. You can read more about the kit, including helpful tips on knitting your bear on the Bijou Basin Blog and share photos of your finished bears on their Ravelry Group. You've got to love a group that has 'For the Love of all things Yak' under the title, haven't you?

From Colorado Yaks to an English Dance Band in the 1930s ...