Showing posts with label giraffe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giraffe. Show all posts

Monday, January 27, 2025

Sophie la Girafe Baby Teether Review

sophie la girafe teether
Discover the iconic Sophie la Girafe Teether who has been making babies happy since the 1960s!
As a newish grandmother, I was recently introduced to Sophie la Girafe. I had heard of Sophie before but never seen her firsthand. Sophie is a worldwide phenomenon. She’s been carefully handmade in Paris, France since May 25, 1961, and because she is handmade, no two are exactly alike. Since the 1960s, over 70 million Sophies have been sold. That is one successful toy.

See for yourself how Sophie is made in this short Youtube video from the maker:


And here's a longer video, which gives a more thorough look at how the toy is made but more importantly, a very good description of how and why this toy is good for your baby. It demonstrates babies in action with the toy, exactly as I saw my grandson use her. Note that the first part of the video is not in English but the second part is.


Sophie is made from natural rubber, which is soft, flexible and lightweight and therefore feels good to handle. She is painted with food-grade paint, which is perfect for babies who are teething. I watched my six-month old grandson during his visit last week and was amazed at how much he enjoyed handling and yes, chewing on Sophie. 

Sophie’s giraffe form is perfect at providing many places for your baby to grab hold of as well as cram into his or her mouth. Think ears, legs and neck. I cannot think of another word that is better than cram because that is exactly what a baby will attempt to do with her. Better, of course, that whatever your baby is trying to put into his or her mouth is a safe item like this teether.

Sophie also emits a sound when squeezed that the company calls “a mischievous and legendary pouet." When your baby hears that sound, he knows Sophie is around.

Care is easy. Just wash Sophie with soapy water and a damp cloth. As my son learned, Sophie should not be submerged in water. The company also says not to sterilize Sophie. 

Sophie comes packed in a few different ways so you can gift something as simple as this amazing teether in the typical giraffe format or you can gift a teething ring, a double-handled cup, a plush toy, a bath time toy, a blanket or a gift set. There is even a line of party supplies so that you can host a Sophie-themed party. Check out all of the items that are available in Sophie’s complete store here on Amazon.

In case you are wondering why Sophie is a ‘girafe’ and not a ‘giraffe’, it is because the word with the single F is the French spelling of giraffe.

I feel perhaps a bit disloyal when I add that this teether is also available as a deer and a camel.

Love your babies!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

MORE BABIES:




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, March 4, 2017

Easy Crochet Critters Pattern Book Review

Easy Crochet Critters Pattern Book Cover
Vanna's Choice: "Easy Crochet Critters" is a crochet pattern booklet from Lion Brand Yarn. It is part of the Leisure Arts Little Books series.

Easy Crochet Critters has patterns for ten (10) Amigurumi designs.  I have made each of the animals in this booklet; some of them several times.


Each critter can be crocheted with 4-ply worsted weight yarn using a size G crochet hook.  


The pattern booklet lists the finished size of each animal, but this can vary depending upon the size of the crochet hook you decide to use (I often use an F hook) and whether your crochet style is looser or tighter.

Each animal is completed with fiberfill stuffing and safety craft eyes (or embroidered eyes, if desired).  Other features, such as nose and mouth are usually embroidered with a small amount of yarn.


Lion


Crochet lion looking at the pattern book he was created from
Little Amigurumi Lion

Little Lion, pictured on the cover of this booklet, is a roly-poly ball of fun with his embroidered face and crocheted mane. He hardly ever roars and is usually a quiet playmate for a child. He measures a roly-poly 4 x 4 inches when finished and stuffed. 


The lion I crocheted from this booklet I named Luke.  Luke the Amigurumi Lion makes a perfect Roly-Poly Plush Pet!  Mine measures about 5" x 5" - as tall as he is wide - and is a plump 14" in diameter. 
Toy lion in crochet
Crochet Lion on Etsy


He's perfect for fans of zoo and jungle animals and gets along well with other plush animals in the toybox! 


Giraffe



Giraffe pattern and toy giraffe looking at the book
Little Amigurumi Giraffe


This Little Amigurumi Giraffe turns out so sweet with such a cute face. I made mine in yellow with orange spots.  The pattern for little giraffe states he stands 8 inches tall.  Mine came out a bit larger with the body 5 inches long, plus his little tail, and he stands 9" tall.


A Plush Toy Giraffe in Handmade Crochet
Jellyroll Giraffe on Etsy

I named my version of this little giraffe, Jellyroll. This handmade plush toy sweet little giraffe got his name from the fact that instead of 'shoots and leaves', his favorite food is a big plump Jellyroll. 

He also loves children and would prefer to live in a child's playroom instead of outside with all those tall giraffes since he's only about 9 inches tall (if you count the horns on top of his head).




Seal



Toy seal looking at the pattern for him in the crochet pattern book
Little Amigurumi Seal
Amigurumi Seal is quick to make with the head and body crocheted in one piece, then the flippers crocheted and added after.

Since this is a plush animal, it can be made in any color you desire. 

Baby Harp Seal in crochet
Baby Harp Seal
I made this one in white to be a baby Harp Seal.  His finished size is about 7 inches from the top of his nose to the back flippers.

While Harp Seals can grow to over 5 feet long and weigh between 115 and 180 lbs.  This little crocheted replica is only 7 inches long and sits 5 inches high, weighing about 2 ounces . A much better size for a child to cuddle :)  Harp Seals have a white coat at birth to help them blend in with the ice and keep them safe.

Walrus



Crochet walrus and walrus pattern in crochet book
Little Amigurumi Walrus
 Another sea animal in plush is this little walrus.  The walrus pictured in the book was crocheted in brown yarn.  When I lived on the California Central Coast, I saw a walrus with a mottled or speckled looking coat, so I made my current crocheted walrus using a brown & tan variegated yarn to represent this speckling look. 

I named my plush toy walrus Wendy, a wonderfully winsome Walrus who will wind her way into your heart. :)

Wendy Walrus is a soft yarn toy who measures 7 inches long and about 4 inches wide (not counting her flippers). She's filled with a soft new fiberfil. Wendy Walrus would love to have a cuddle and a hug from a child who loves sea animals.



Ready-Made Crochet Critters


Ready-Made crocheted critters and the pattern book they were created from "Easy Crochet Critters"

The giraffe, lion, seal and walrus crocheted critters shown here are all handmade by me. The giraffe and lion and are currently available in my Etsy Shop Coastal Crochet Crafts. The seal and the walrus have sold, but can be recreated upon request.


Many More Plush Animals to Crochet


Image of the crochet critters from the book Easy Crochet Critters Pattern Book

In addition to the finished giraffe, lion, walrus and seal crocheted critters showing off for you here, this craft booklet also has patterns for a small elephant, an amigurumi hippo, a cute little monkey, a small alligator, a snowy owl and a plush penguin. 

 There are a total of ten (10) Amigurumi plush animal patterns available in this booklet Easy Crochet Critters!



The Easy Crochet Critters Pattern Book


Easy Crochet Critters Pattern Book back cover
Vanna's Choice: easy crochet CRITTERS

Besides the pattern instructions for all ten crocheted critters, the back of the booklet has general instructions for abbreviations used and hints and tips for finishing your creations.  Basic stitches and techniques are also included.

Published in 2009 for Lion Brand Yarn Company, this inexpensive little pattern booklet will give you many  hours of crochet pleasure and a whole menagerie of cute plush animals.

Where to Find Easy Crochet Critters:




Crochet Critters on Blogs:


Posts Featuring Some of These Crochet Critters

The little amigurumi giraffe and lion show off in my Plush Stuffed Animal Zoo blog article on my Etsy Blog Crochet Crafts and Cute Critters.

Two Seals and a WalrusTwo Seals and a Walrus
The cute amigurumi seal and his friend the plush walrus are featured in my blog post Two Seals and a Walrus ~ Plush Marine Animals in Crochet.



For more reviews of crochet crafts, check out Review This: Crafts.

 
*Easy Crochet Critters pattern booklet is Reviewed by Wednesday Elf





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


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