The Felted Gecko

This was a project that, for someone who has no time to knit, went very, very quickly. I would suggest that unless you are a dyed-in-the-wool dpn user you should ignore the part of the pattern instructions that suggest using dpns for this project. Use whatever method for knitting in the round that suits you best. I usually knit with 2 circs but didn't have a second circ on hand in the right size and whipped out my trusty dpns. For the body it wasn't much trouble but when you get to the legs it can get pretty fiddly. Just an FYI on that.

However, it was an easy pattern to knit. Later this week I hope to show you one of my tweaks, which is my favorite way to work short rows. There are a lot of them in this pattern in order to make the lizard body seem to be moving, and so knowing my easy, invisible short row method makes those far easier to do.

After he was knitted I put him into a zippered pillowcase and threw him into the washer to felt. When he was finished felting I blocked him by stuffing the body and head with two plastic grocery bags until he was dry.


The next day it was time to put in his eyes. This toy isn't going to a child, so I felt comfortable using attachable eyes on him. In fact, the eyes attach very firmly and would be almost impossible to pull out but I leave that choice to your discretion--you can always needle-felt or embroider eyes on instead.

First, get an idea of where you want the eyes to go by placing them in the head.


Move them around until you feel like the placement is going to work for you. Because Noro Kureyon doesn't felt 'hard' for me like all other yarns do I was able to follow a column of sts on either side to place them equally, although it doesn't look like they are equal in this photo.


Once you have the eye in place turn the fabric inside out and push the plastic ring firmly down over the shank of the eye stem. The eye stem has ridges on it that ensure that the ring cannot be pulled off of the shank--so once it's there, it stays. Be sure you have the eyes where you want them before you do this as there is no going back. The ring has a greater diameter than the eye does, this is why I feel it would be near to impossible to pull out afterward.


Now it's time to stuff him! I have made many stuffed animals over the years and for the first half of my stuffed animal career I was never happy with the results of stuffing - the toys were always lumpy. Then I met Elizabeth Wells through our Old Pueblo Knitting Guild. Elizabeth is the expert of knitted and stuffed toys, trust me. She makes wonderful knitted dolls and stuffed animals. So I grilled her!

Elizabeth advises that you buy the most expensive toy stuffing that you can. Toy stuffing is not very expensive anyway and it comes in bags that may look smallish but hold enough for many, many toys and will last you for years. So it is worth doing it right the first time. Get the good stuff, there is a difference.


Next, Elizabeth told me, shred the stuffing before you use it. Pull it all apart rather than stuffing it in in great wads.


Here I stuffed the tail, legs and head before stuffing the body. Pack it in well, slightly over-stuffing. As you sew the seam shut you may find that you need to add more stuffing to the toy.


Here he is with his seam sewn shut. Because his stitches are still visible I was able to mattress stitch him together.


And here he is finished...


But wait! Is he really finished? I don't think so!

Next time - decorating the felted gecko...

Odds and Ends

Am I a trendsetter, or what? Last week I talked about starting holiday knitting now, before the panic sets in. And then the summer issue of Knitty came out,and what do they feature? A whole host of Holiday Headstart patterns. Did I tell you or did I tell you?

One of the patterns that caught my eye especially was the Deadliest Crab. I'm a Cancer so I just really fell for this one, and I printed the pattern out right away. Then my husband came up with a great idea - knit it in Noro Kureyon. Hmmm... I was going to use stash yarns, and as we all know, any Noro in your stash is never without a preordained purpose, which meant that I had to buy some Kureyon in order to make the pattern. Gee whiz, what a shame.

But when I got to Kiwi and starting taking a look around at all the great new things in the shop (more on that later), I saw this great pattern from Fibertrends for Gotta Get A Gecko. I mean really, a match made in heaven. Felted lizards, and Tucson. We all need one, don't we?


I just have to make one. So the crab may be on the back burner for the moment, but the gecko is next on my list. Lynn was making one out of the yarn called for in the pattern, Tussock by Naturally. She tells me that it is a very fast project for her so far.

Lynn also wanted me to let you know that Berroco yarns are back. Unfortunately my camera battery decided to give up the ghost right after I started taking photos, so some of them will have to wait for another time. But one I leapt on right away was Berroco Sox Metallic. Each 100 gram ball has approximately 380 yards, enough to make an average pair of socks. The fiber content is 73% Superwash wool, 25% nylon, and 2% other - which I take to be the magical sparkly bits. Because boy, does this yarn sparkle! I'm looking forward to making these! Kiwi also has Comfort Sock, 447 yards with a 50/50 content of nylon and acrylic; and Sox, 440 yards with a fiber content of 75% Superwash wool, and 25% nylon.



Another great Berroco yarn in stock is Seduce. This stuff is gorgeous, and will make the most wonderful summer tops. Seduce has 40 grams per skein, and 100 yards. The fiber content is 47% rayon, 25% linen, 17% silk, and 11% nylon. It has a wonderful shimmer and the knitted fabric has wonderful drape.



Summer projects, holidays projects, great yarns and patterns. Life is good.

Knit Ahead

Every year around the first of July I like to start my holiday knitting. This is a hold-over from the twenty-something years that I worked in the salon industry. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve was an unending madhouse of 10 hour days and no time to think. Because I actually prefer to enjoy the holidays rather than watch them rush past in a blur, I got into the habit of starting my shopping and preparations for the next year's holidays on January 2nd. If I see something that I know someone on my list would like, I buy it and tuck it away. By the time the holidays roll around I usually have 3/4ths of my holiday shopping done, I have as much of my food shopping for my holiday party finished as is possible before Thanksgiving. This is not to say that I don't add to it all at the last minute, just as any normal human does (ask my husband) but trust me, I am a lot less crazy before the holidays this way than I would be otherwise.

If I plan to do any holiday knitting - and let's face it, I always do - then I begin my plan at the start of June. Begin with your list of special people that you like to knit for. Make sure that these are people who are going to appreciate your handmade gift. We have all heard the horror stories of the intricate, painstakingly knitted lace tablecloth sold at a yard sale for 5 bucks, or the Christmas stockings Granny made for each of her grandchildren that were given to Goodwill by the daughter-in-law. If I give a knitted gift to someone who does not immediately genuflect before me, then I cross them off of my knitting list right away. No point in wasting my time, money and talents again on those who don't appreciate what I am really saying when I spend 30 hours making them a $25 pair of cabled alpaca socks. Their lives and mine are happier when I just give them money or buy something from the mall. These people cannot be converted.

Once you have your list, start to think objectively. Can you really knit pullovers for 15 people between now and the holidays and not make yourself crazy? Maybe not all of them need something as involved as a pullover? Maybe not all of them need to be on the list? Remember: Quality beats quantity any time. Be ruthless in paring your list - they'll never know that they were crossed off or downgraded to an easier project in consideration of your available time and desired level of sanity.

Next I like to come up with a theme. One year I knitted mittens for everyone - felted mittens, fair isle mittens - in rainbows of colors and neutrals so that everyone in each family could pick out their favorites. Pack them up in a beautiful little basket and you have an unbeatable gift. The last two years I have knitted socks for everyone, and last year I added sock monkeys for my two sisters from the sock yarn leftovers that resembled my sisters in uncanny ways. One of my sister has knitted beautiful hats and scarves for everyone.

Think small and portable. Something that you can keep in the car for those times when you have to wait at the doctor's office, in line at the PO, school Mom at the playground, car-pooling and waiting for kids. Even just a few rows at a time are a few rows more than you had, and you'll find that your projects will be finished before you know it. Another advantage of small projects is that you don't have time to get bored - before you know it, your project is finished. It also enables you to buy a luxury yarn for your project that is a splurge, which makes the project more special - and more fun for you to work on.

If you set yourself a reasonable schedule of so many gifts knitted or crocheted per month, you can keep on track and avoid getting too far behind. I try to concentrate on one person per month, making and/or buying for that person in their birthday month, for example.

Knitting ahead also allows you time to track down a special yarn, getting your local yarn shop to special order the right yarns in the right colors for you.

Do you know a really clever knitter or crocheter? Are you afraid that they will scorn your less-than-expert efforts at making them a gift? Take heart, no one loves a hand-knitted gift more than a knitter does. No one else knows exactly how much that says. They aren't going to be picking apart your technique, and if they are the type that you suspect actually will, then get them a gift certificate to their favorite local knitting shop. They'll be over the moon at your thoughtfulness. Want to make it more personal? Buy them a special yarn for the type of project that you know they love to make - colorful sock yarn or luxurious lace yarn. That way they not only have the pleasure of opening your gift, but also the added hours of enjoyment making up a project that still comes from you.

Don't wait until November rolls around before you get started on your gift making process. Trust me, the holidays will be so much more pleasurable for you if you can sit back, relax and enjoy them with a smug smile, knowing that your gift knitting is finished.

Have You Met the Veggie Room?

There are many knitters today who - for various reasons - prefer to knit with yarns that are not based on animal proteins. If you are a vegetarian knitter, one who knits with strictly veggie-based yarns due to preference or even allergies, then you probably already know about the Veggie Room at Kiwi Knitting. If, however, you haven't wandered back to check out the Veggie Room and its treasures - or haven't done so recently - then you're in for a treat. Being a devoted wool knitter, I don't talk here on the blog as much about the vegetable-based fibers that are to be found in our wonderful room. But recently, for various reasons, I have been exploring the wonders of this Ali Baba's cave of non-protein yarns, and finding some gorgeous treats here.

The photo above shows just a fraction of what is to be found there - wonderfully dyed skeins of Cotton Stria from Manos de Uruguay. This is a delightfully soft and resilient cotton with a charming squiggle to the yarn. I have to admit that I don't know what gives it its squiggle, but I have used it in more than one project and it knits up smoothly and evenly, in a rainbow of beauty.

Diagonally across the room from the Stria are shelves full of King Tut Cotton, a classic stand-by of cotton yarns. Kiwi also stocks a sumptuous range of colors here. On the standing racks next to it are the lovely Louet Linen yarns. These are wonderful to work with, with a slightly stiffer hand as you begin kitting that softens up as you work, and then relaxes and drapes gorgeously after the first washing. If you have been part of the dishcloth/washcloth craze in knitting and crochet and have only been using cotton yarns for your creations, then you ought to indulge yourself with a bit of linen.



The shelves to the right of the King Tut cotton hold a melange of assorted yarns in a number of fibers, some conventional, some not so conventional. In addition to having some really pretty cotton or linen blends and natural, undyed cottons in an amazing range of soft colors, did you know that Kiwi carries yarns made from bamboo? Corn? Soy? Even milk! Bamboo yarn has a sheen reminiscent of silk, and an incredible drape. Corn and soy can resemble cotton. Kiwi even carries a sock yarn, Tofutsies, by Southwest Trading Company based here in Arizona, made with soy fibers. For you crocheters, Kiwi has a nice range of crochet yarns suited to delicate traditional lace work.



And if - even though some would say you would be spoiled with choice - you just can't find your perfect color among the King Tut Cotton, then just turn around and take a look through the Tahki Cotton Classic. Cotton Classic is another tried and true stand-by of a cotton yarn, also available in a multitude of colors.



Now, this is by no means a perfectly comprehensive list of all that is to be found in the Veggie Room. So come by, take a look and think about patterns such as baby clothing and blankets, washcloths and dishcloths, intricate lace doilies and cool summer garments for yourself.

On a personal note, last week I traded this view:



For this one:



If you and I have talked much, you probably know that I grew up in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York State, Hyde Park, to be exact. All my siblings and their families are still in the area, and two weeks ago my parents - who live here in Tucson and spend their summers up in Montana complaining about the cold weather - made one last car trip back east to spend time with the rest of the family. Everyone was there except me. So a week ago yesterday my husband surprised me with tickets for me to fly back and spend time with the whole family.

Oddly enough, while you here in Tucson were having cooler and rainy weather, we had gorgeous weather of the kind that you forgot summer could have. I spent most of my time with one of my sisters, and we visited several of my favorite spots (she is always very good to me that way) or sitting and knitting (me) or reading (both of us) in her back garden. There is something so charming about being in a village where the library is right across the street! My ideal situation.

I returned this past Monday, and started summer school classes on Tuesday morning. And I happily report that I have a 4.0 for my spring semester classes.

So I hope that whatever you may do this summer - going on a trip, relaxing at home, or spending time with your loved ones either way - that your summer brings you the kind of special moments and irreplaceably wonderful memories that my trip afforded me.

As you know, I don't get to Kiwi Knitting as often as I used to, certainly not as often as I would like to. (The good news is that I can see the end of the semester from here.) So when I go in on alternate Friday mornings for Knit Dr, I make a point of bringing my camera along and searching for things in the shop that are new to me. It's always great fun to make a new discovery and get turned on by a new yarn, new tools or a new technique. My last trip to Kiwi uncovered so much exciting new stuff that I'm going to have to break it up into two entries.

In the main room I found new projects from the book, Knit One Below. Lynn tells me that the book is on order, I would imagine that it is back in the shop by now, and I'm looking forward to giving it a good perusal this coming Friday. I think I'm going to have to take it home with me.

I'm sure you remember that I showed you a scarf and a vest project using this technique a few weeks ago. Now look at these cute baby booties, and this adorable bonnet! What baby wouldn't stand out in a crowd wearing these? Don't these just say, 'Someone who knits loves me'? I'm going to have to search out a baby that needs a set of these.


I'm also really taken with this tank top. On my body it would have to be a bit longer, and have wider straps (okay, and be a bit wider, as well), but those would be easy tweaks to make. I really love the way that the stitch pattern shows off the color changes of the Noro yarn. This done in some Noro cotton would be just the thing for summer. The chevron pattern would be very flattering to a number of body types.


I also espied this new yarn from Linie 5, called Corafino. It is 50 gms and approximately 191 yds of superwash goodness, with a content of 60% merino and 40% polyacryl. Lynn has a ton of gorgeous colors on hand, and they are really soft and delicious. Also look for some new colors of the Cascade 200 Superwash.


The thing that struck me the most, however, was the bags. There are new knitting bags, project bags, tool bags, sock project bags, gorgeous baskets - everywhere you look! Starting with a beautiful knitting bag from Della Q, with a matching tool case.


Della Q for a knitting needle case, leaning against a Lantern Moon basket bag...


Namaste and Chica, with Della Q hiding in the background...


More Namaste - there's a messenger bag in light blue...


Silk bags from Lantern Moon...


And a basketweave bag, also from Lantern Moon.


Now I don't know about you, but I'm a firm believer that a girl can't have too many knitting bags. The very concept defies the laws of physics. In fact, I'm beginning to suspect that they are like purses - they need to change with the seasons and go with your shoes! :-D

Now if only I can make my husband see the wisdom of that...