1
Tristan
“So adorable!” I sighed dreamily as I turned my project around. Excitement bubbled inside me as I checked to ensure everything looked good before fastening off and cutting the string. My fingers squished the soft material, testing the stuffing’s firmness. It was a bit too floppy, so I added more polyfil to my newest creation.
After adding more stuffing and several hugs and squishes, hepassed the test, and I cut the yarn and began closing him up so his insides stayed… well, inside.
Since I started crocheting, I’ve made all sorts of different plushies, but this one was by far my favorite. The dragon’s soft, red body complemented his orange wings and cute little snout. He sat perfectly in my lap and was the perfect size and firmness to hug tightly against my chest. He was perfect. I was almost tempted to keep him for myself, but he was part of the inventory I made to sell at the local craft fair the following week.
Once he was all finished up and ready to go, I placed him next to me on the couch and stretched. The soreness from sitting hunched over had caught up to me.
I first learned to crochet when I was just eight years old. The soft yarn and repetitive motions, watching as a string of yarn slowly became something else entirely, had always given me a sense of fulfillment and peace. It was amazing… but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt like heck after doing it for hours.
“That is so cute!”
My body jerked in surprise as my best friend’s squeals filled the room. Ellery and I had been roommates for five years. We met in an online group for littles and quickly realized we both had an intense love for all things crafty and adorable.
“Sorry… I’m so excited, I just finished my last project for the day and wanted to see how yours was coming along.”
“It’s okay, Ellery, I was just lost in thought, and you spooked me.” I loved Ellery’s enthusiasm; hearing them get excited and express their passion for the things we created always broughtme such joy. They just happened to be louder when expressing their excitement than I was, but I loved it.
“I just finished him and got him all ready for the fair… I kinda wanna keep him, but I shouldn’t.” While I always loved the creatures I made, it’s rare for me to become attached to a specific one. I could’ve made one whenever I wanted… but this one felt special.
Ellery plopped down next to me as I finished putting all my supplies away to make more room. “There’s always a chance he won’t sell, and if he doesn’t… I say you keep him. He’s adorable and cuddly.”
My back protested as I relaxed against the couch, pulling Ember into my arms, and hugged him tightly. Shoot. I accidentally named him. Now it’s going to be even harder to let him go.
“I highly doubt he won’t sell… he’s absolutely adorable and so soft.” My chest tightened at the thought, as I sat Ember in my lap and stroked the soft orange spikes that ran down his head.
“Did you finish that tutu you were working on?” Ellery bounced up and down on the couch, clapping their hands.
“I did! It’s so pretty and sparkly. This one is more of a long princess skirt. The tulle should hit just below the knee, depending on the person’s height.”
Grinning widely, I swayed side to side, holding Ember against my chest. “I can’t wait to see it. I’m sure whoever buys it will love it. Your work is always so pretty.”
We had both been working more hours than usual, as we were busy crafting items to sell at the fair and fulfilling our site orders,leaving us with little free time. Most of our work was custom-ordered, so it was a nice change of pace to create things we had designed with a broader market in mind.
We started our online shop a few years ago after we both spent the night complaining about our jobs. We both loved our hobbies and the joy they brought us, and we wanted to share them with others.
I loved making soft and cuddly stuffies and blankets, while Ellery enjoyed designing and sewing the prettiest dresses and skirts. We were a perfect match. While we catered to everyone, regardless of age or gender, our main customer base consisted of other littles like us. We had both experienced how hard it was to find things that resonated with our little sides and fit us as adults.
In the beginning, I crocheted scarves and hats, but as I grew older and embraced my little side, finding stuffies and blankets that were both the right size and material became a challenge. Adult designs always looked so dull—I hated them. So, I decided to make them myself. Now, I could create whatever I wanted, adjusting the stuffing’s size and firmness to my liking. It was perfect.
Ellery faced the same issue, but even more so. Their little side loved all things purple and sparkly. As a non-binary person, Ellery wore clothing made for both women and men. Still, even so, the market for sparkly purple garments that fit their masculine frame was practically nonexistent. So they had done the same and learned how to do it themselves.
And now, not only do we have all the cute stuff our little selves could ever want, but we also get to provide those items for otherlittles who struggled to find things made for them. It was perfect and gave us a sense of fulfillment we never knew we needed.
Life was great. I had a fantastic business with my best friend and all the plushies I could ever want… if only I had a Daddy.
With a sigh, my thumb drifted to my mouth. I’ve always had an intense oral fixation; my thoughts were always going so fast, so when things got too overwhelming, the soothing rhythm never failed to help me slow down.
My thoughts halted when Ellery scooted closer to me on the couch, leaning into my side. “We’ve both been working hard for the fair… I say we should have a little night! With pizza.” They smiled brightly, wiggling as they waited for my answer.
My thumb left my mouth with a wet pop. The promise of little time quickly pushed my worries farther away. Ellery always knew what I needed. I felt so lucky to be their friend.
“That sounds great! I’ll order the pizza, you grab the coloring books and stuffies!”
Ellery stood up and curtsied in my direction, obviously trying not to giggle. “As you wish, Prince Tristan.” I jumped up from the couch, bowing before them.
