Since the profits from Tear Buddy pattern sales are donated to the eye cancer research, this pattern is not included in any Winterberry Studio Store discounts. Thank you for understanding.

My Tear Buddy journey began in February 2014. I had recently been diagnosed with eye cancer. While sitting in the waiting room, I heard the cries of a small child receiving dilation drops. I thought about what it would be like as a child experiencing all of the tests. It would be terrifying! Suddenly I imagined the washcloth I was knitting turning into a bunny. Thus, the Tear Buddies were born.

At this time, over 400 Tear Buddies have been created and given to children visiting the Ocular Oncology Group at Wills Eye in Philadelphia. A portion of the pattern proceeds will be donated to the Eye Tumor Research Foundation. If you would like to be involved, see the information at the end of the pattern.

Children gravitate to Tear Buddies. They are just the right size for little hands and are easy to clean. An ideal baby gift or present for a young child.

Yarn: 100% Cotton worsted weight - bright colors that appeal to children. I used a vareigated yarn for the bottom and a coordinating solid color for the upper body and head.

Needles: US 5 and US 7

Construction: The Tear Buddy is knit flat. The head and ears resemble a plus sign once knitting is complete. The head is folded in half and seamed down each side. A cotton ball sized poly fill is stuffed in the head prior to stitching the back closed.

Skills: cast on, bind off, knit, yarn over, knit front and back, knit 2 together