This week I’ve finished off a new knitting pattern, for sale in my shop – meet Bayley the Gardener.
He’s very busy in the garden at the moment sowing seeds to grow lots of carrots.
He has a pair of red dungarees, a yellow neckerchief and a green waistcoat, which he can take off when he gets hot.
He is knitted in lovely British DK wool from Jamiesons of Shetland, but any DK yarn would work well too.
This is why his name is Bayley: When I was young, I used to watch The Herbs, which was a children’s programme about a group of characters who lived in a walled herb garden. You can still watch it on YouTube.
My favourite character was the gardener, who raked up the beds and tidied the lawn. I thought his name was Bayley, and was most disappointed to learn years later that it was Bayleaf – obvious really as he lived in a HERB garden. Anyway I felt as if I had lost one of my favourites, so I created my own Bayley and he his free to tidy up my garden as much as he likes!
Don’t forget to enter the giveaway on last week’s post here and see what everyone else has been up to over on Handmade Monday!
Happy Easter!
About madebyewe
Hello, and welcome to my blog, where I talk about the ups and downs of running a crafty business, knitting and life. I learnt to knit when I was a child in the 1970s. I think my Mum taught me, though it may have been one of my Nans. Both Nans were great crafters and my Mum knitted, when she had time.
My childhood was full of wearing Mum's warm and cosy handknit jumpers to school and playing with yarn by the fire, making presents for my family and clothes for my toys.
When I grew up, I started a business designing children's handknitted jumpers. Now I spend some of my time desgining gardens, as well as designing knitting. The garden design business is well established; the knitting design business is just starting out.
I love the rhythmic quality of knitting, the feel of woolly yarn in my hands and the way a project grows beneath my fingers. It is relaxing and productive at the same time.
I especially love vintage knitted toys and the quirky simplicity of the patterns. They were often made in times of austerity, when money and supplies were short, but the desire to create something fun inspite of this, shines through.
I am a supporter of the Campaign for Wool, supporting the British wool industry, and using British yarn for my kits. Where would we be without fields of fluffy sheep to admire? Baa Humbug to acrylic!
madebyewe 
Bayley is so cute! I love that first picture where he has the little basket of carrots! Mich x
I used to watch The Herbs too! I know exactly who you mean by Bayleaf. I think Bayley must have learnt a lot of his gardening skills from Bayleaf!
so many fans of the Herbs – how great!
Bayleaf the Gardener, Parsley the Lion and Dill the Dog – I remember them well! Bayley is adorable too!
I love Bayley – and the story behind his name x
Great photo’s, great story and Bayley himself is just fab. Happy Easter. x
Looks like Bayley is dressed ready for any future snow. Love the story behind his creation.
Never watched the herbs too dolls, boo hoo! but I love Bayley his clothing is just right for the garden
I love how you give your creations characters, job well done 🙂
thanks, Happy Easter!
I love his basket of carrots, they look fantastic. Bayley is just great… he is one bunny I would welcome onto my vegetable garden 🙂
me too, especially if he does lots of tidying!
Bayley i great, I love his tiny carrots! I also loved watching The Herbs and Mary, Mungo and Midge (now that dates me!).
Jo x
that;s the cutest easter bunny!
Awww! I love his little removable waistcoat !
LH
x
If he’s any good at gardening I wonder if he might like to come and help me? 🙂
I think he’s too busy eating carrots at the moment – sorry!
Bayley would be most welcome to come visit me and help me out in my nightmare of a garden :). He’s adorable x
Bayley aka Bayleaf looks wonderful in his red dungarees. The carrots are a brilliant finish.
Hi,
I just found your blog – that is one adorable knitted rabbit!
thanks, your felt brooches are lovely too
I think even Mr McGregor would allow him into the cabbage patch!