This Week’s Make: Army Truck

Every so often, a project comes along that feels like adding a new chapter to a story I’ve been telling for years. This week’s make — my Hand‑Crocheted Army Truck — was one of those special pieces. It was a request from a friend who has been slowly building a collection of crocheted vehicles that represent the ones he’s driven throughout his career. I’ve already made him a fire engine and a St John Ambulance, so this army truck completes the trio. Seeing all three together feels like stitching a little timeline of his life in yarn.

This is the first time I’ve made the army truck, and like many first‑time makes, it came with a few challenges. There were moments where I had to pause, rethink, and adjust — but that’s part of the magic of handmade. Every stitch teaches me something new, and every new design leaves me with tiny ideas I’d tweak or refine next time. That’s the beauty of growing a repertoire: each piece becomes a stepping stone to the next.

The truck itself is sizeable, measuring around 29 cm long (about 11.5 inches) and 23 cm tall (about 9 inches). It has a lovely presence to it — sturdy, structured, and full of character. I love how these larger makes feel in the hands: soft yet substantial, playful yet display‑worthy.

I’ve also developed a crochet pattern for the army truck, and I’m genuinely excited to see how other makers interpret it. I can already imagine versions stitched in classic greens, deep khakis, sandy neutrals, and even full camo. There’s something so fun about watching a design take on new life in different colours and different hands.

Adding a new make to my KiwiCuddlies collection always fills me with a quiet kind of pride. It’s another story I get to tell, another character I get to bring into the world, another piece of handmade joy that might one day sit on someone’s shelf, desk, or nursery dresser. This army truck now joins the growing family of vehicles I’ve created — each one stitched with care, nostalgia, and a little bit of whimsy.

Here’s to new makes, new challenges, and new stories woven into yarn. I can’t wait to see where this army truck design leads next.

Cheers, Esma