My four-year-old nephew Cameron has a stuffed duck that he carries around everywhere. Lately Toronto has been suffering from a cold spell requiring lots of bundling before going outside. About two weeks ago during the morning bundling routine Cameron expressed to my sister that he was very very worried that Duckie didn’t have a hat, scarf or mitts and he was going to be very cold. He was insistent that Duckie get some winter clothes.

I got wind of this story and told my sister I could knit Duckie up a hat and a scarf. She got back to me with insistence from Cameron that Duckie also needed snowpants. How the heck do you knit a stuffed duck snowpants?? My solution was to make leg warmers that snap on. For good measure i included a letter saying how i consulted with the Director of the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research at Ducks Unlimited Canada who was a leading expert on Mallards in North America. The expert explained that ducks tend to get cold on their heads, necks and legs but they have an insulating layer of fat and down that kept their core warm. I explained that his expert opinion was that snowpants were unnecessary as long as Duckie had a hat, scarf and leg warmers. We’ll see if Cameron buys it!

Jan 3/2010 UPDATE! Almost a year after sending Duckie’s outfit and I was amazed that my nephew still had all the pieces. His winter ensemble also includes a sweater purchased by my mom. Here’s a new pic of Duckie playing trains.