Tear Buddy Ellie

**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.** Ellie is the first of the At the Zoo Tear Buddy series. 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. The Tear Buddies can comfort a child, wipe tears away and are easy to clean. At this time, over 200 Tear Buddies have been created and given to children visiting the Ocular Oncology Group at Wills Eye in Philadelphia. A portion of the proceeds from each pattern is donated to the Eye Cancer Research Foundation. If you would like to donate Tear Buddies, see the information at the end of the pattern. Tear Buddies make wonderful baby shower gifts as well. I include one in every baby gift that I give - they are a hit at every shower. Several of my friends give them to small children who are sick or in the hospital. It’s a quick and easy last minute gift. This pattern has been test knit for accuracy. Please let me know if you encounter any issues along the way. Thank you. **Skill**: Beginner Knit, purl, yarn over, cast on extra stitched, bind off extra stitches **Yarn**: 100% cotton worsted weight. I use variegated and solid or 2 colors to give the Tear Buddy interest. 2 balls should make 2 Tear Buddies. **Needles**: US 7 and US 5 (or US 6 and US 8) **Gauge**: not important for this project