The Tale of Horsey

Many years ago, I’m not sure when, The Daddy Monkey’s Babci (“babci” is Polish for Grandmother) made for him a little stuffed red horse.  It became his lovey when he was a small child.  Over many years, Horsey (as he came to be called) was dragged everywhere and became quite dirty and worn.  His mother decided one day that it was time for Horsey to go, and so Horsey did.

Years later, the memory of Horsey still alive and well, Babci gave me the pattern for Horsey, along with the materials to make a brand new one, identical to the original.  The Daddy Monkey and I were very young, and freshly married with little money.  I don’t remember for what occasion I made Horsey, but I did, and he was well received by a fully grown man.  He still roams our house; sometimes in our home office with The Daddy, sometimes finding his way into the kids’ room.  He’s starting to get a bit worn and loved himself.

Remembering that last year’s kitty has become The Boy’s most beloved stuffed animal (“because he’s filled with your love, Mom”), I knew it was time to make him a friend. Using the Original Horsey as my inspiration, I set out to make a new one.  This one is made from an old wool sweater of mine that I felted in the wash.  The mane and tail are from the infamous yarn stash, and the button eyes and wool stuffing were from my stash.

Of all the stuffed animals I have made over the years, and there have been many, this new Horsey has to be by far my favorite.  All of the components–the colors, the softness of the fabric, the perfect squishyness of the stuffing, the warmth of the wool, and his sweet, sweet face–combine to make the perfect Horsey.  I simply cannot stop touching and admiring The New Horsey.

Hopefully the New Horsey and the Old Horsey can be friends.  I would hate for the Old Horsey to think he’s being replaced.