I admit that I have a little problem, you see I have quite a bit of yarn and roving laying around the place.  Now I placed most of it that wasn't put away in lovely baskets, so that it would look nicer.  This worked for sometime until my little angel became the Yarn Pillager. 

My little Viking is 8 months old, and he is fascinated with yarn.  As soon as he hits the floor he's scooting his little tail end over to the yarn and roving baskets to do a little plundering.  So all the yarn and roving is now put out of sight and the place looks neater but more drab.  My little guy keeps looking and looking for his favorite thing, the yarn and roving baskets.

Inspired by his fiber attraction, I thought why not make him a little toy to have for his very own?  It is simple to make, requires no gauge swatch, no thinking, no specific yarn or size and best of all, it pleases the little yarn snatcher quite well.

To begin grab a few left overs, and this and that balls of yarn in the brightest and fun colors you can find.  Different colors and textures make the most interesting combinations.  Try for variety.  Cast on enough stitches to make a sizable square, of say over 4 inches across.  Knit in any pattern you want, using combinations of knit and purl to avoid curling.  I used two by two rib, garter stitch, one by rib, and seed stitch.  I would use a nice tight gauge so that little fingers don't get caught in the holes. Change colors every four rows or so, and if you like you can try the following method.  Take new color, knit first stich in old color in the front loop, then the new color in the same stitch through the back loop, then pass the old color over the new color and continue to knit.

Leave nice long tails when you change colors, as you will use these later for tassels and attaching toys.

Once your piece is the size you want, bind off in whatever method you like.  Now you should have all sorts of long pieces coming off the sides of the thing every which way.  Sew some teething toys on your square wherever you like.  I broke the ring that held these little keys, and sewed them on securely using the extra tails.  The last corner I had to use a separate piece of yarn.  Go through several times, then bind off with a good solid knot to hold it on tight.

Now fasten each of the threads hanging off with a few others with a good tight overhand knot to make a sturdy tassel.  Be sure to tie a small knot in the end of each individual yarn also, so it will not become unraveled and possibly choke the little one.

The Yarn Pillager loved the toy and was so happy to have his very own yarn to pillage freely.  I hope your little ones enjoy these too.