Busily working their way through farmland and gardens is that long-established Cumbrian company of Messrs Hills & Digginson, a mole and vole partnership, committed to digging tunnels through the soil, whether they are needed or not. This diminutive pair comes prepared with spade and shovel, and since you need no more than 8g of each shade to knit them you may have suitable oddments in your yarn stash if you do a bit of digging. They would make a good gift for a gardener, or groundsman, or someone who is passionate about their lawn and may have been paid an unexpected visit from this enthusiastic couple.

Get dug in and knit a couple of soil-shifters

You will need: Of Hayfield Bonus DK, 100g balls: 8g each in Dark Grey Mix 790, Walnut 927, Chocolate 947, Flesh Tone 963 and Bottle Green 839, 4g each in Orchard 904 and Black 965, and 2g in Silver Grey 838; 4g of brown tweed DK yarn; 2g oddments of dusky pink, golden brown and red DK yarn; 18in (50cm) length of white DK yarn; 18in (50cm) length of gold lurex yarn; pair of 3mm (no.11) knitting needles; stitch holder; 35g of washable toy stuffing; long tweezers; plastic drinking straw; double-sided sticky tape; dark grey pencil; clear adhesive; hair spray.