🧸 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.