Ah, what a sweet Giraffe!

The last week I have taken advantage of the abundance of sit and wait time to create another Christmas gift. This one is called Not so Itty Bitty Giraffe. I bought an online course and pattern for this from Craftsy. I thought, since I enjoy making toys so much, I would benefit from listening and watching an expert. I did learn a few new techniques, so it was worth the cost of the course (which I bought during one of the 50 % off specials, and that made it even more attractive!) This is a BIG toy, compared to the others that I have made. All of my cats are very suspicious of it, and they will just sneak up to it and give it a sniff before backing away. Perhaps cats don't like giraffes? :D

I used Bernat SuperSaver yarn, in cameo for the main colour and grape for the contrast. Not real giraffe colours, of course, but the world would be a very dull place without splashes of unexpected colour. I may make another in rust with dark brown contrast, and open eyes. For this one, I did as the pattern and video explained. For most things I will follow the pattern for the initial project and then go my own way on further creations. This pattern is also seamless, which was great. The entire project was worked on double pointed needles or circular needles. The smaller things, like the tail and horns were a bit tricky on the double pointed needles, but as they were so short, it went quickly.

This is before the face and spots were added. You can see how BIG this one is!

And this is the finished giraffe. All that work tired her right out! 

I thought I would be a rebel and make open eyes, but once I did the trial eyes as instructed, I could not take them off as she was so cute. And so, she is a sleepy giraffe!

I had fun with this project. I used my own pompom maker invention for the needed pompoms. This is really just the straight part of a wire coat hanger, cut off and folded over into a U shape. I needed 1 inch pompoms, so I kept the arms of the U about that distance apart, and held them that way with an elastic on one end. Then I wound they yarn around about 30 times, tied the middle securely (I found a great way to do this on the video that I did not think of), slid it off of the wire and cut the loops. Viola! A pompom with no fiddling with cardboard (which I find often buckles or is hard to slide the yarn off of still in the needed position to do the securing into a pompom).

Da Zebra

When I set out on my monkey business, I found myself with patterns for a zebra, lion, giraffe and puppy as well. Now, of course that meant I would be motivated to create these little guys as well.

My first obstacle was finding eyelash yarn. I know they make this, but after scouring 3 yarn stores I have yet to find any. So, as a problem solver, I decided that any fluffy yarn would do and so purchased a skein of black boucle for the mane and tail of the zebra and some beige tone something for the lion and giraffe. The lion and giraffe are still in the project list so I am not sure what it is exactly that I bought at the moment! :D

I eagerly set out to follow the pattern for the zebra, only to find myself in yarn knot distress as the body took shape. And that, my friends, was using a variegated yarn instead of the black and white stripes called for in the pattern. I found a small skein of black, white and grey variegated sock yarn in the $1.00 bin as I was looking for the eyelash yarn and ever a resourceful shopper, I thought that might just work instead of doing it in the "real" stripes. I digress, back to the yarn mess .... The pattern called for a small ball of the eyelash (boucle for me) on each end of the row, then some of the black or white (variegated for me), then plain white for the tummy, then once you got to the head, some plain black for the face .... and all of these little balls (8 of them) being worked on fewer than 30 stitches. I was forever untangling yarn and twisting yarns together for the colour changes .... AUGGGGHHH. Husband looked at the mess as I was working it and he could not believe how I kept anything straight in it at all. In addition to that, it was not a straight stocking stitch nor a garter stitch. Sometimes the good side was supposed to be stocking stitch for the tummy but purl side showing for the body, and I was totally confused with which stitch I was supposed to be doing for the different parts ....

Shawl? Mini poncho? Reading cuddler?

I am not sure what to call this one, exactly. My shawl idea did not pan out. I started 3 different patterns and was not happy with how any of them were going, so tore them out to start fresh. Audrey brought some patterns over that she found from her learning to knit period many moons ago, and I found a few things there that tweaked my interest .... and so the new project was born! It is officially called "Pretty in Pink" from a Coats and Clark pattern (a free one if anyone is also interested in this idea) I did not make it in pink so it needs a new name for mine .... I think it is something that would be handy to wear on those days when it is not cold enough to turn the furnace on, but cool enough that you want something on your shoulders (like a shawl). I can envision it being worn while snuggled into a favourite chair to do some reading. I used 3 skeins of Bernat Softee Chunky in Terra Cotta Mist for this. I love the colours in it! I took about 380 yards with a tiny bit left, and I also made it 6 stst longer so the last pattern before the bottom border is longer than the pattern called for. I would make this again, in different colours, I believe. Husband is not sure it looks like something I would wear, and perhaps he is right, as it looks like it would make a great gift for someone who likes to read! But if it does end up in the gift basket, I will definitely be making one for myself as well. It is hard to take a picture of myself modelling the project with the tablet, but nonetheless, here I am!

I found out about a wonderful place to purchase yarn in Listowel and they have a tremendous sale on this week. I wish my schedule would allow for a day trip there so I could stock up (I know, I don't really need to stock up anymore, but the deals are so GREAT!). The flyer of the sale is here .... Alas, I don't think this week is going to make that possible but I will keep it in mind for future reference. Mary Maxim's is also having a tent or inventory sale this week so that one is close enough that I can pop out to that one afternoon to see what their sale is like!

Amigurumi Fish

I joined an amigurumi group in Revelry, I believe I mentioned, and there is a monthly CAL (crochet along). The project for this month is a fancy fish, and so I got the hook out and found some neat sparkly purple at Len's in the $1 bin (someone had taken the label off of it, so it was pretty much ruined so far as selling for regular price). It took me the day to make it. I did not like the way the pattern was presented, so that was one of the things I learned in creating this one. It was not a written pattern but was just charted. If it was not for the pictures that were presented along with the chart, I would have been lost. I am sure that is partly because I am not really much of a crocheter. I also learned how to make the fins as part of the main body without making them and then attaching them so that will be a time saver for future projects for things like mouse ears or such. I do find a written pattern easier to follow. Nevertheless, the fish turned out quite well. The problem is now, who needs a pretty purple fish? LOL I am not sure why my links are not showing up as live anymore, but this is the site for the pattern. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/20g-crocheted-fish

Hints and tips

Just a few random ideas that may help fellow knitters. I have a very unique set of knitting needles, as I have some from my own knitting days in university, some from my mother, and some from my grandmother. Who knows what size they really are in todays patterns? So, I had to break down and buy a needle size guide, which has proven to be of great use in getting the right size. I tend to use the mm measuring system now, but patterns that I still find give a number and I am never sure if the number is US or UK, and they are quite different. You also have to use your common sense! (It also irritates me that some patterns give some dimensions in metric and other directions in the pattern in inches ... they should be consistent!) I rarely worry about the gauge, but some people are real sticklers for that, I know. I figure, if I knit it, someone somewhere will be able to use it! I have gotten more serious about the gauge in making things that must be a specific size though. I use a cardboard wine bottle gift tube to store my needles in, and it is great! You can get these at the dollar store if your friends have not gifted you with a bottle of wine lately! I have been tempted to buy a real set of needles, that I have seen in the stores, but that is not a real need as I do have most of the sizes I need, and a knitting needle is a knitting needle! I did buy a new set of bamboo double pointed needles, as the ones I have are only 6 inches long and I needed some 9 inches long. I did not find any in that length but did find some 8 inches, so I bought those. The bamboo needles are light to use, but I am not sure I like the feel of them. The stitches do not slide as easily along them as you are working. But, they will do. Perhaps that is the point of bamboo needles, to keep slippery yarns from sliding off so much? The circular needles I just keep together with an elastic. Another handy tip is to use a ruler (again, go to the dollar store to get the longest and thinnest ruler you can) to keep track of the rows. I hate marking up the pattern with marks to see how many rows I have done. I put a large size paper clip on the ruler and move it along as I knit, so I can keep track of the rows or repeats. Saves keeping a pencil handy. For pattern repeats or decrease/increase rows that are not obvious, I use some buttons to keep track, kind of like a shot tracker for golf. If I have to increase or decrease every 3 rows, for example, I will put 3 buttons on the table beside me and just move 1 at a time as I work, then when they have all been moved, I do the necessary row and then put the buttons back where they were to start again. It works for me! (Cat owners, beware .... the cats will try to knock your buttons to the floor to play hockey with when you are busy knitting, so find a place that is not too tempting to put the buttons as you work! :D ) When making things like booties or legs or arms for the dolls, I like to knit both at the same time, on longer needles. That way, I only have to count the rows and pattern changes once, and it also ensures that both are indeed the same size when you are finished. Even 1 row too many can make a noticeable difference on these smaller pieces. I wind a small amount of yarn into a small ball to do this, and keep it from unravelling while I work by keeping an elastic around it. There are probably other things I do that are part of my own method. Don't we all invent our own little ways of doing things when we do them often? Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

I have been a busy little knitter this week, but some things I can not show or tell you about just yet as they are a surprise for someone! I have joined a few groups in Ravelry, and one of them is a group of Canadian knitters who do a swap every month. I read about the previous swaps and decided I would join in this month to see if I enjoyed that idea. So far, it has been fun! I have knit some things to send to my swap partner and have one more thing to finish before sending in the mail to her this week. Oh, the theme of this swap was the alphabet so we have to send a minimum of 3 things with a $20 value that start with the first letter of our partners name. The person we send to is not the person we receive from, so it is a way to build friends from around the country. My partners name starts with M so that is what I am working on! :D

I have also been busy with day trips this week, might as well enjoy summer while it is here. But, I have finished Puss 'n Boots, and he is a very handsome fellow! I think I will make another of these just for the fun of it!

Maggie wanted to read the story too!

I also started on a shawl for myself and got a good start on it, but then decided I did not like it as the bottom edge keeps curling up. I think it will do that even when it is finished as it was a cresent shape shawl so the rows kept getting longer. I have another pattern that I will try instead with it. I don't normally like to take things apart, but thought it was a waste of the yarn (and a very pretty yarn it is too) to finish it and then never use it. It is Bernat Softee Chunky, in Terra Cotta Mist. Very pretty blend of browns, rust and a little black. It looks like a fall colour to me. I will let you know what I end up making with it. I am thinking of making the Allegro shawl but without the back seam in it. www.freevintagekinitting.com/shawls/allegro-shawl-pattern.html I think that will work ....

A Little Monkey Business

I have been monkeying around, honestly! :D At the sale, my neighbour mentioned an upcoming baby shower where the theme is monkeys. And so, I was off on a monkey pattern finding quest. Most of the knitted monkeys did not appeal to me ... limbs way to long, mouths seemed to be huge, with very intimidating grins on them. I wanted more of cute little monkey for a baby. After browsing many many patterns, I did find 2 that were suitable. I decided on a pattern book called Safari, by Sarah Gasson. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/safari-3 As it includes a pattern for a lion, zebra, giraffe and elephant, as well as the monkey, I have no doubt these animals will also appear in my animal collection! This is the other pattern I found that appealed to me and it is a free pattern so it may appear on the needles one day as well since I have saved it in my library. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/monkey-8 I have 3 of the little guys finished now, and they are pretty cute. I made the first one true to the pattern, but when it was finished, I thought it should be a little larger, so I used bigger needles and an extra 3 stitches in width and 2 extra rows in the body and head for the next monkey, plus I made the ears 2 stitches larger. Husband and also the home nurse thought the smaller one was cuter, so I guess that one is the winner. Monkey number 3 is more like the first monkey but with a few little tweaks ... The biggest change is using a size 4 needle, which increased the size a little to make me happy! I do not see the need for all the shaping in the arms and legs as they are so small you can not really see the shaping in the end. I have also gotten better at keeping the change of colour stitches snug. The pattern called for a pipe cleaner to be put into the tail to give it a monkey shape, but I thought that was a poor idea if the toy is going to a baby, so I just did my own tail thing. I used short rows to give it a few turns, then on the first 2 I also gathered the seam slightly so it is a bit curly and might hang onto something. I tried putting a bow on to give a little colour splash but it did not add anything to the monkeys, so instead I played around with making a banana for him to hold. The class on short row knitting paid off for me as that is how I shaped them. I still have some tweaking to do on the banana pattern, but it is coming along. The bananas are still a little big for the monkeys, but they are just hungry little guys I think! I seem to be getting quite a bit of knitting done while the Olympics are on, as that keeps me sitting in front of the tv more than is normal for me.

Monkey number 3 with the puppy from the Jean Greenhowe book. The puppy has his own little bone to chew!

I wonder which little monkey Jan would like?

The cats wanted to meet the monkeys during their photo shoot! The puppies head can swivel around, which is a different feature. It is perhaps not as secure as being sewn tightly, and I do attach my parts very securely! But, I ran more threads through to hold it than called for so I think it will prove to be a good pet for someone!