Pattern: Otto, by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft Baby DK
Needles: 3mm (US 2.5)
Otto is finished -- I am now two toys down and one to go... this gift is definitely going to be late, as the baby they are destined for decided to put in an early appearance.
After knitting the body and limbs, I went back and shortened the nose up a bit (I took out the last three straight knitting rounds and just left the decreasing rounds. I also did shift the stuffing around to round things out a bit more. That made a great deal of difference. Unfortunately, I didn't get quite as much stuffing in there as I thought, and my embroidery skills are still a bit lacking, so his nose did not really the way I would like it to be. I think I really do best when I avoid needlework on knitting projects. Lucky for me that Elijah only has French knot eyes to worry about!
But even with his slightly less than perfect nose, I think he now looks more like a polar bear than a strange, mutant polar anteater.
I under-stuffed him just a little bit to make him an easier grab for little hands. Also, the legs are joined to the body differently than Sophie's were, and if I'd stuffed them a lot, sitting would have been hard for my Otto. I think if I were to make Otto again, I might close the bottom of the toy the same way Sophie was closed and attach the legs in that manner, too, as I prefer the look of that and it would prevent Otto from having those little wrinkles around his middle. And what self-respecting polar bear wants love handles?
As with Sophie, this pattern was very well written and easy to follow. I do like that she took the time to link to references for things such as the cast on for the head and the French knots (which I always forget how to do), and her images make picking up stitches for the limbs a good deal easier than if she just provided text and left it up to my imagination.
I think Thursday will be casting on day for Elijah -- and I'm looking forward to it. Which surprises me a bit, since every other time I've worked on toy projects I get tired of the fiddly bits and just want them to be over.
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft Baby DK
Needles: 3mm (US 2.5)
Otto is finished -- I am now two toys down and one to go... this gift is definitely going to be late, as the baby they are destined for decided to put in an early appearance.
After knitting the body and limbs, I went back and shortened the nose up a bit (I took out the last three straight knitting rounds and just left the decreasing rounds. I also did shift the stuffing around to round things out a bit more. That made a great deal of difference. Unfortunately, I didn't get quite as much stuffing in there as I thought, and my embroidery skills are still a bit lacking, so his nose did not really the way I would like it to be. I think I really do best when I avoid needlework on knitting projects. Lucky for me that Elijah only has French knot eyes to worry about!
But even with his slightly less than perfect nose, I think he now looks more like a polar bear than a strange, mutant polar anteater.
I under-stuffed him just a little bit to make him an easier grab for little hands. Also, the legs are joined to the body differently than Sophie's were, and if I'd stuffed them a lot, sitting would have been hard for my Otto. I think if I were to make Otto again, I might close the bottom of the toy the same way Sophie was closed and attach the legs in that manner, too, as I prefer the look of that and it would prevent Otto from having those little wrinkles around his middle. And what self-respecting polar bear wants love handles?
As with Sophie, this pattern was very well written and easy to follow. I do like that she took the time to link to references for things such as the cast on for the head and the French knots (which I always forget how to do), and her images make picking up stitches for the limbs a good deal easier than if she just provided text and left it up to my imagination.
I think Thursday will be casting on day for Elijah -- and I'm looking forward to it. Which surprises me a bit, since every other time I've worked on toy projects I get tired of the fiddly bits and just want them to be over.
Too cute!
Hi Theresa,
I hope you don't mind if I tell you that I am not seeing your pictures in Bloglines any more, and when I come to your actual site, I have to 'left mouse click and show picture'.
Anyway, Otto is seriously cute!
Very well done.
My mom used to make small stuffed animals (sewn, not knitted), and I remember her polar bear pin cushion had a decidedly rat-like quality. The poor lady had to live with us calling it voodoo rat all the time! Compared to that, yours looks positively ursine.
Very cute!
I also wanted to let you know that your pictures are not showing up in my Google Reader feed as well. I don't mind clicking through, but thought you might want to know that something wonky is going on.
Oh -- he's cute!
Adorable. I am sure your knitted toys will be a hit.
Your Otto looks great! Good luck with Elijah, he's fun.
I am looking forward to seeing your new toy in the works.