Kreecher feature

Genetic engineering reaches the toy world in the form of Manhattan Toy’s Kreechers Klub – cuddly pillows with a decidedly mixed heritage.

Created by University of Minnesota professor Richelle Huff (with help from her son, Walker), the Kreechers have mixed DNA from cushions, teddy bears, jumpers and scarves – anything, in fact, that is cuddly, soft and colourful. The result is a line-up of 10 wild-looking characters that should appeal to boys as well as girls.

After being created in a laboratory, so the story goes, the Kreechers project was closed down and it was only when a handful of the mutants escaped (in a camper van, no less) that they came to our attention.

Some of the Kreechers look angry, some look sleepy and some look borderline insane, so there should be a Kreecher that appeals to everyone. Each character also has its own background story. Herman (main picture), for instance, is made from sweaters, scarves, ‘flea market samples’ and a ‘missing hamster lab mascot’.

Joining Herman are (starting at the top left) Eugene, Stanley, Beatrice, Mildred, Hank, Irene, Floyd, Blanche and Walker.

The Kreechers range from 29cm to 38cm high and are priced around £19.99 each.