Every crocheter knows that when a baby arrives in the family or in a circle of acquaintances, the first thought of a person is, oh, it's good! So what should I make as a gift? Because this hobby entails that we tend to look at everything from this point of view, so the arrival of a baby is no exception. However the many samples on social media and the Internet rarely include or draw attention to what should be paid attention to in the case of toys made for children under 3 years of age. Unfortunately, despite the good intentions and kindness, I saw a lot of toys on social media that were intended for babies, but I immediately listed the risk factors in myself, why I wouldn't dare to give them as a gift. That's how I want it with the article to shape the attitude of the crochet community a littlethat What is important to pay attention to when making toys for babies and toddlers?. Since the article turned out to be a bit long, I will share it with you in two parts. The length also shows how important this topic is, so please take the time to read the article.
Photo: Own (Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev)
What should you pay attention to when crocheting a toy for a baby? - Part 1 continuation
Aspect 2: Yarn quality control
This aspect almost rivals the importance of the question of eyes. Eyes are ranked number one because they pose a health/survival risk. Regarding yarns, as I wrote before, the most important what must be taken into account is the OEKO Tex Standard 100 rating, because if it does not have this qualification, the yarn you are using is definitely not recommended for babies/toddlers. „OEKO Tex Standard 100 became known with the motto "Trust in textiles". and is now the most widely used voluntary certification worldwide, an examination and certification system developed for textile raw materials, semi-finished and finished products, clothes and the accessories used on them (threads, buttons, zippers, Velcro, labels, etc.) and compiled according to human ecological aspects. It prescribes the still permissible amount of chemical substances in materials used in the textile and clothing industry, which do not pose a danger to the human body."
So if we are buying yarn for a project that we know is going to be a baby, it is definitely worth taking this into account. It's not enough to look like cotton, because it is natural and certainly does not harm the baby, while polyester yarns are completely rejected due to their unnatural nature. In each type there is one that has this important qualification and we meet one that does not. If the yarn has the qualification, it is usually indicated on its label, since the manufacturers are also proud that their product can be used safely.
In addition, there are many conscientious and thorough game makers, who exclusively with this a qualified yarns, only from materials of natural origin and mercerized yarn are used. What is the essence of mercerization? During cotton dyeing, the cotton fabric shrinks and thickens under the influence of alkali, and its strength and dye absorption increase. The consequence of this is that if it gets wet again, the textile retains its color, it does not let go, so it is ideal for babies, as they put everything in their mouths, and with this yarn the dye does not dissolve under the influence of saliva. In addition, it has the advantage that, due to its strength, the game is a keeps its size better, and does not stretch out during long use.
THE here are some non-exhaustive examples: Among the cotton yarns, the most popular brand for amigurumi making in Hungary is a Schachenmayr Catania yarn, which not only has the OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certification, but is also a mercerized yarn. However, it's still worth checking your label, because the brand couldn't get this certification every year, and then the particular logo didn't appear on the label. Among cottons there is also the Drops Paris also has the qualification, it is a slightly thicker and stiffer yarn, but it is also good for making amigurumi. In addition, the Himalayan Dolphin Baby, although it is a polyester yarn, it has this certification, and recently it has also received the TÜV certification, which fully shows that it can also be used for children's toys! So it's always a good idea to check the label of the yarn you're currently buying or on the yarn manufacturer's website, and don't routinely buy your favorite yarns if you're making them for babies.
Photo: Own (Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev)
Photo: Own (Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev)
3rd aspect: Filling material
The filling material issue is important again in my opinion, less important from the point of view that in the best case, the child does not directly encounter the material. When choosing a filler, it is worth choosing one that antiallergenic, so it can also be suitable for the smallest children. I personally a I usually buy polyester balls, there are several kinds of quality, like that you have to experience which one is better. Unfortunately, appearances are sometimes deceiving. I ordered from several places, at different prices, while one was beautiful white, the other was grayish in color and in principle made of the same material. However the quality differences they work well here as well, since I found that the nice white one had plastic pieces, which shocked me and made me not want to buy it again, while I couldn't find this in the gray one and the figure could be shaped better with it. So, looks are sometimes deceiving.
Also I have seen such solutions in various crochet groups, advice that the cut off yarn ends are stuffed into the figure's body or stuffed with pieces of material. I always read these with astonishment, because I don't think either is a very good solution, mainly because of the consideration of my points outlined above.
Aspect 4: Quality of crocheting
It's a nice thing if you want to present someone with a self-made toy, or if you want to create something lasting for your unborn baby. However, the quality of crocheting is extremely important when it comes to toys for babies, i.e. what the final product will be like. If someone can't choose the right yarn and the best matching needle, and is still at the beginning of their crocheting adventure, it may be much the game becomes more relaxed, the filling material is visible during filling, i.e. he did not manage to crochet it tightly and permanently enough. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to discourage expectant mothers and grandmothers from making anything for their unborn baby, but I would like to draw attention to the fact that it is not necessarily best if we want to give our first project as a gift. It also own experience and by passing this I would like to prevent that don't make the mistakes you did as a beginner, as an inexperienced crocheter I committed it.
The first bunny I made for my nephew, which I made based on a paid pattern, turned out to be very loose. This wasn't even noticeable when it was finished, but also during use, as the yarn started to stretch, the eyes became more and more loose, especially in the parts where the toy had to be stuffed. And of course, with the elongated yarn, the holey eyes greatly deteriorated the overall effect of the bunny's appearance over time.
The first bunny I made for my nephew, which I made based on a paid pattern, turned out to be very loose. This wasn't even noticeable when it was finished, but during use, as the yarn started to stretch, the eyes became more and more loose, especially in the parts where the toy had to be stuffed. And of course, with the elongated yarn, the holey eyes greatly deteriorated the overall effect of the bunny's appearance over time.
The appearance of the filling material is not only an aesthetic problem, but if it gets outside the body of the toy, it can also carry the risk of suffocation., because babies still don't choose what they put in their mouths or what they don't.
If you still want to make something for your unborn baby or grandchild, but you have only just started crocheting, I recommend that you make something for him first, e.g. a little blanket. Not only will you end up with a practical piece that you will probably love, but the as you practice crocheting, your method will become tighter too. You can make anything for practice and when you see that your short sticks are tight enough, you can start making the amigurumi you want for the baby.
Photo: Own (Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev)
You thought it was final
I hope you found it useful my article on what to pay attention to when making a game for children under 3 years old, and I trust that by sharing my own bad experiences I was able to convince you why it is better to make them according to the aspects I listed. Of course, I did not want to offend anyone with my article, however I think it is important to keep children's interests and health protection in mind when making toys. Good intentions, kindness or love here or there, a children's interests come first.
Sources:
Samples shown in pictures: Teddy bear crochet pattern; Plush Deer crochet pattern; Bunny Lovey Crochet Pattern
