Childrens Plush Toys // Wool and cotton // Hand-crocheted in Kenya // Animals + Dinosaurs
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Childrens Plush Toys // Wool and cotton // Hand-crocheted in Kenya // Animals + Dinosaurs
Description
🧸 Hand-Crocheted Plush Animal Toys – Made in Kisumu, Kenya
Lovingly crafted by Jane Mary`s Group of women artisans in Kisumu, near to lake Victoria in Kenya, these hand-crocheted plush animal toys are made using local, organic wool and cotton fibers, dyed with natural and AZO-free colorants. Each toy is a soft, sustainable companion—perfect for children, nurseries, or ethical gifting.
Each is between 25 - 37 cm tall when sitting (exact sizes are displayed in the individual variants)
The Swahili names for these soft toys are:
- Zuri - meaning "lovely" - a common dog`s name
- Kijani – (the stripey dinosarur) - Kijani meaning green
- Fiki (the friendly dinosaur) – from “kirafiki”, meaning friendly
- Toto (the baby dinosaur) – from “mtoto” for baby
- Mara – from “simbamarara”, meaning tiger – “simba” is already taken, meaning lion
- Pamba – meaning wool - a great name for a sheep!
But you can call them whatever you wish! 😊
🌍 Product Features
• Origin: Handmade in Kisumu, Kenya by skilled crocheters
• Materials: 100% organic Kenyan wool and certified organic cotton from East Africa
• Dyes: Natural plant-based and AZO-free dyes ensure safety and eco-friendliness
• Designs: Includes animals like giraffes, lions, hippos, monkeys, and more
• Size: Varies by animal (typically 15–30 cm tall)
• Care: Hand wash or gentle wool cycle; air dry only
💚 Why You'll Love Them
These plush toys aren’t just adorable—they’re woven with purpose, bringing joy while supporting sustainable craft and community empowerment.
Specifications
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Hand-chrocheted with organic wool & fibres
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Lovingly created with purpose by Jane Mary & her team in Kisumu, near Lake Victoria, Kenya.
How this item was made
🧸 Hand-Crocheted Animal Toys – Kisumu, Kenya
Lovingly made • Ethically empowering • Playful and purposeful
These delightful hand-crocheted animal toys are crafted by a dedicated women’s group in Kisumu, a vibrant lakeside community near Lake Victoria, Kenya. Each toy is a labour of love, shaped stitch by stitch using traditional crochet techniques and locally sourced cotton yarns. Designed to bring joy to children while supporting women’s livelihoods, these toys are soft, safe, and full of character.
🧵 How They’re Made
- Each toy is crocheted by hand using cotton yarn, often dyed with natural or AZO-free colourants.
- Artisans work in small cooperatives, sharing skills and stories as they create animals like giraffes, elephants, lions, zebras, and hippos.
- Eyes, ears, tails, and other features are stitched with care, ensuring durability and charm in every piece.
- The process provides income, independence, and community support for women in Kisumu.
🌍 Ethical & Empowering
- Your purchase directly supports women artisans, helping fund education, healthcare, and economic resilience.
- Made with eco-conscious materials, these toys are free from synthetic stuffing or harmful dyes.
🎁 Uses & Benefits
- Safe for children: Soft, non-toxic, and free from small detachable parts—ideal for babies and toddlers.
- Educational play: Encourages storytelling, animal recognition, and imaginative exploration.
- Decorative charm: Adds a handmade touch to nurseries, playrooms, or ethical gift baskets.
- Mindful gifting: Perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or anyone who values craft with a cause.
📏 Specifications
- Size: Varies by animal (typically 20–35 cm tall)
- Materials: Cotton yarn, wool, natural dyes
- Care: Hand wash or gentle wool cycle; air dry only
- Colours: Earth tones, safari hues, or playful brights depending on artisan style
These toys aren’t just playthings—they’re stitched stories of resilience, creativity, and joy.
