Episode 20 - Toft-tastic!

Welcome to another episode on my Knit365 KZbin channel - thanks for dropping by. In this episode I share my love for ‪@TOFT_uk‬ and all things Ed’s Menagerie - it’s the reason I learnt to crochet!
This is not a sponsored video just a huge Toft fan sharing love and inspiration.
Find out more about Toft here:
* www.toftuk.com
Also please check out my brilliant crocheted teacher Gaëlle:
* gaelleinwales.com
You can also find me on Instagram and Twitter:
/ welsh_tenor
/ welsh_tenor

[@katesimms6291]

Thank you. Now I know what Toft is and you and my daughter, a fan of yours, have inspired me.

[@georgina4866]

Yeah, I feel you - I'm also a knitter who can crochet. I just don't really "look" at crochet patterns for the same reason you mentioned. If I crochet something once in a while I just jump straight in and if it works out like after the first few rows/sections/whatever, I stick with it and if not, it just becomes a yarn ball again 😁 I do not crochet things to wear mostly, I do amigurumi and such stuff. So the menagerie really intrigues me.. my biggest/largest crochet project so far was a complete crocheted nativity scene for my cousin, his wife and the new baby when they moved in their new flat several years ago. Such a lovely book I found for that and it was a lot of pieces (every animal, every "person", the little Jesus etc..)! But fun! Still I didn't feel the urge to crochet for a long time after that haha In the meantime I also crochted 3 squeaky ducks, those were kits complete with wool, stuffing and the squeaky thing to put into. A princess themed duck, a tourist duck and a superman duck, all gifted. I like the idea of those animal print patterns you can use on any of those accessories in the current edition and want to make a full zebra set on day 🦓 But I really admire the giant 🐯head! How cool is this, close to Moraig (hope the spelling is correct)! As you mentioned all those patches I remembered I had one of those too and that plan sounds fun. So I just checked - mine is Estella 😃 So you could just send me yours, right? 🤣 And I'd be done haha Bit of knitting in here as well: today I wound some skeins for a new Stephen West project - the Speckle & Pop will be my next shawl 😎 Wish you happy crafting and a good insurance hehe edit: are those all? www.ravelry.com/patterns/periodicals/toft-quarterly of course always 1 or 2 behind, but you can see the olders ones nicely and tell which ones you are missing

[@santosrivera724]

I heard of you through another Toft lover on KZbin but I can't remember her channel name but I believe her name is Jeanette. She speaks wonderful things about you and you love of Toft. Ive been convinced to give Toft a try. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Keep up creating and sharing it only gets better.

[@SofiaSanchez-io5xy]

I didn’t know about Toft before finding your channel. Now I really want to make one of these toys!

[@kristymcmillan7481]

Ah, now I know that you crochet right handed - I wish I could! A lovely video… and I now have a little kit to make my first level one creation!

[@trishathomas4543]

Hi Martyn, What a fantastic boss you had! Fabulous collection. I’ve done a couple of Emmas, I usually find toys too fiddly, and quite honestly the grandsons are drowning in soft toys here and at home. Having said that, I’ve just finished a bear CAL with Alex from My Yarny Corner podcast, and that was supposed to be for Grandson3, but he’s too young for the safety eyes, so I’m doing another with embroidered features! It’s small, but I may do the Toft Bear also - now see what you’ve got me into! I’ve managed to regain my Instagram account ( hacked a bit ago), deleted it and created a new one. I’ve started following you, so look forward to seeing yarny goodness on there too. Take care

[@sandrarhule5354]

I'm like you ,a knitter , who crochets too! I could only do granny squares , till I came across Amigurumi TOFT animals.I taught myself to knit and crochet a eight year old.

[@maggieedberg574]

Thanks a lot, your menagerie is very cute 🤗

[@sueholubeshen9960]

I had the same issue when I learned to knit. My Beppe(grandmother) tried to teach me to knit .she was the left handed one...I had to have a reason to learn too, for me it was being pregnant with my first son.. love watching your eyes light up while showing your makes

[@knit365blog]

A good reason is all we needed to push us in the right direction!

[@deb2529]

🙋🏼‍♀️I am one that you inspired to learn to crochet. I love Toft! I have made 4 animals so far. I am one to put the patches on the bag and like you I store my Tofty yarn in the bag. My husband is a lot like Mark prodding me to make more animals. I made the cable handwarmers from the winter quarterly and I have some yarn coming from Toft for one of the Serengeti hats. Thanks for the video it was wonderful

[@debbiewigen805]

Love, love, love your collection and your enthusiasm! It’s always so much fun to see what you’ve made and what inspires you…(which then inspires me…so thank you!)

[@pip-woollycwtches]

Hi. They are fab and the ram is my fav. But they need a dragon!! A red 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 welsh dragon 😉 xx

[@sandrarhule5354]

I love TOFT too !

[@debraitaliano4831]

Morag is my favourite 😍

[@jackyteague6509]

A great video Martyn! My favourite has to be the Edinburgh ram, his face looked so cheeky!! Loved Morag too and look forward to seeing her head on the wall!! (sounds awful but I'm sure you know what I mean) Your enthusiasm is catching!! Have a great weekend!

[@tracyedwards3354]

Wow Martyn, you really are something with the wool! X

[@soravann4250]

You have inspired me! I’ve bought Emma the bunny! I haven’t crocheted since I did an edging on a knit blanket. And before that all I ever crocheted were yarmulkas as a teenager. They did have intricate color work designs though. Hopefully it will come easily! Thanks!

[@joannek5107]

What fun Martyn. You've gotta have a passion. Love the podcast, and your story. You get their faces perfectly. I've made a few of the easier animals, so really impressed with yours.

[@sandrarhule5354]

Emma , was my first one too!

[@summerking8659]

What a wonderful collection you have - they look fantastic. Can well understand how your youngest niece would have the best time playing with all of them :-)

[@marycase5473]

Just discovered your podcast, Martyn. Terrific collection of handmades!💜🧶

[@knit365blog]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting Mary!

[@ChemCath]

I hope you made the lemur! It looked cute!

[@nicolekerslake5533]

so inspiring!!

[@jinnyedge6180]

I loved seeing the animals - they are beautiful. I am a newbie crocheter and this has inspired me to maybe look at the books… Julia

[@blumillmk3854]

Hi Martyn, one again a fantastic video. I am glad to see your enthusiasm for Toft, a brand that I adore and love. I too cannot stop making their wonderful animals.

[@natalieburns3355]

Hello Martin, it’s now nearly December 2021, & I’ve been watching your older videos. My mum (76 ) is amazing at crocheting, but is ALWAYS doing blankets for charity. This year (& after watching this video) my Mum will be getting her first TOFT project for Christmas… I’m hoping this new project will inspire her to step out of the blanket world and into something new and for her to keep !!! Thank you for this video, it’s going to broaden some horizons !!!! Natalie, Newcastle, Australia 🇦🇺, xxx

[@emmaswartz6653]

Hi Martyn, awesome collection, I’ve just finally got the hang of crochet, I started with a company called “The Woobles”, from here in the US, they don’t have as many patterns as Toft, but for a beginner they are good, off to check those books out, have a great week and happy making.

[@irene10991]

Another great video Martyn! Thanks for sharing and can’t wait to see your giant Morag and Lionel lemur!

[@maiseymay1969]

Wow Martin your crocheting is amazing I love all of your animals - what a talented guy.

[@CastOnCalamity]

The loops and the hair and the fleece texture. I love them. Awesome.

[@Mochicchino]

♥

[@debraitaliano4831]

Hello Martyn , your collection is gorgeous,if you ever feel like a little pallet cleanser , check out the book , Hello my name is Amineko by Nekoyama not going to lie they may be a little addictive ,I’ve made dozens, even though they are all made the same , they all manage to take on a unique little personality of their own,my very first one even though a little wonky is my favourite 😻 and I think 🤔 I may dip my toe into the world of toft 😬😍thank you for sharing. Debra ,Sydney Australia 🇦🇺

[@audreycastelton2655]

Love this video of you sharing your Toftastic journey. Wow! Like you I'm a knitter who crochets aswell. I have dabbled in amigurumi previously but Kerry's Toft menageries and objects always looked far more complicated, so thank you for demystifying. Will defo need a Toft project in my to do bucket! Can't wait for your next showing of a Toft project👍🌈🐨

[@barbarapregger8526]

I do love your crochet creatures. It looks like you really enjoy making them.

[@sarahadams6881]

Fabulous video, I’m glad Toft shared it so that lots of people can see your work and journey. I have subscribed and will have a watch of the rest of your videos ☺️

[@georginabird9354]

Brilliant , love all this , have you seen on you tube ,(it’s all in a nutshell , ) she is amazing , she shows you left handed crochet as well as right handed crochet , I’m left handed and have been crocheting for 63 years and I have become a new knitter , and as you say always a sock on the go , at the moment I am crocheting Wild Animals , but I’m loving all your toft , so will go take a look , but I think they might be too expensive for me , but thank you for sharing and see you see soon ,stay safe xxxx

[@brittapettersson5151]

Favourites: Morag, the Edinburgh-sheep and the winter wizard.

[@pauladylan5388]

Thank you for this lovely episode. I love all your crochet animals!! :0)

[@celestedouville2529]

Your collection is so impressive! I felt the same way about a collection when I discovered Rebecca Danger's patterns when my kiddo was an infant. I think she has 3 standard bodies and then riffs off that. I am unsure how many of the different creations I made - at least a dozen. He still travels with at least one of them (he's 12 now).

[@teresahammett2200]

Love the animals!,, Just signed up for the Dye Club. Thanks!,

[@sandrataylor6507]

You're amazing! I wish I had come to crochet sooner and would have given these a go. Sadly my fingers won't work well enough to do amigarumi but I can enjoy watching you.

[@user-iz1un2gl1e]

How inspiring! How do I find Gail on KZbin?

[@forthefunofknit5322]

Hi Martyn… loved it ALL!… I have not started crochet yet but ….. umm….. bought the books cause I want my own menagerie!!! Question… how did you get access to the Christmas crochet along… does toft send out an email for sign up or do I watch for an IG post?… planning ahead 🥰🇨🇦(Linda)

[@zabaglione]

I feel like this is going to be a featured collection on Antiques Roadshow in about 50 years' time. I thought the wizrd was Moses at first glance! I'm a crocheter who can knit but amigurumi are my downfall. The crochet part is a breeze but I'm hopeless at the sewing bit. I actually have to ask other crocheters if I want a toy!

[@ashfieldguild]

What a fab little menagerie 😍 I looked up the lobster patches on eBay, woweeeee! 😮😮😮 Didn’t Toft start with alpaca yarn? No alpaca to crochet though? Look forward to seeing what else you create 😁

[@susandent3611]

Oh dear - Edwards menagerie Dogs came home with me from the library - but doing a buy nothing year I might have some odd coloured creations. Thankyou??

[@michelledraughn5994]

I’m trying to learn to knit. Any KZbin videos you found helpful?