I don’t know why I love moose, but I do. I mean, I don’t want one for a pet or anything, but they are awfully cute!

My husband (then my boyfriend) and I went to Colorado 15 years ago, so I could “meet the parents” who were vacationing there. We stayed just inside Rocky Mountain National Park. There were a lot of firsts that trip–my first time on an airplane, my first time west of the Mississippi River, the first time meeting my inlaws, my first time in real mountains.

Not my first time seeing a moose.

As hard as I looked, there were no moose in Estes Park that year or any of the places we drove. (This year, many vacationers–in laws again–saw moose in Estes Park.) My desire to see moose started a small moose collection. Though I don’t know where most of those collectibles are, I knew I had to have this moose.

I mean, it’s a moose AND it’s crochet AND it’s crazy colored.

The first time I saw THIS moose, it popped up on a Facebook ad. I clicked, and it never left my mind.

So, after my birthday in March, I took my birthday (ironically/not-so ironically from my in laws) and purchased the kit.

This pattern, as well as other crochet animal heads, are the creation of Hadar Kaplan of Manafka Mina. They are beautiful, colorful and whimsical. I received my kit straight from Israel.

The packaging was beautiful. It came with the a hook, needle, and eyes in a cute little hook case. It came with the eclectic frame and felt to finish the project–everything I needed to put it together. For some reason, other projects came first. I was a bit intimidated by my assumed complexity of the project.

The truth is, the pattern is so well written, it’s actually not intimidating at all. I would put the skill level at intermediate. If you’ve been crocheting for a while or have experience with amigurumi, you’ll find it very easy to follow. It also didn’t take nearly as long as I thought. Within three days, my project was done.

I haven’t named him yet, and I haven’t hung him on the wall (yes, he IS going on the wall. Front and center. When you walk in the front door, he’s the first thing you’ll see). He’s not perfect. His antlers are a little droopy, and if you look closely you’ll see mistakes here and there.

But I love that he’s not perfect. Neither am I.

Thank you Manafka Mina for this beautiful, fun pattern!

(Oh no! I just clicked on her facebook page! There’s an elephant head. Hide my credit card!)