Sssss.... It's Millie

Amidst my year of projects, I've had to detour a little this weekend to knit a few baby gifts for a baby shower (twins) that I'll be going to this week.  I love knitting baby booties -- they're so cute and so easy to make -- but I wanted to make something else that could help decorate a baby's room and be a little whimsical.

(Millie the Snake)

Teddy bears are lovely as are little duckies, foxes, and kittens.  But I wanted to knit something a little more unusual for a baby's room and came across this adorable snake pattern.  I used bits from my stash and so didn't follow the pattern exactly in terms of its striped design but somehow, I love its two-toned head and its bright blue body.

The pattern also calls for the snake (I've called her Millie) to be filled with beans which I think is such a great idea but since Millie is for a newborn, I filled it with stuffing. The upside to stuffing it is that it's squishy and cuddly.

I kept Millie on the short side (oh, I hope the parents don't think it looks more like an eel than a snake) but I wanted her to lie easily in a crib or on a shelf.  I definitely plan to make another one, next time filled with beans and a touch longer so that it can curl up. And, finally, in Chinese culture, the snake is wise, charming, and represents good luck, all things I wish for these new babies!