Quinn the Long Rabbit
A gangly knitted rabbit
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Dear Knitting Cabbage Heads,
Once upon a knitting pattern the lovely Claire Garland released a different rabbit pattern. Now I happen to love the initial rabbit pattern and I was a little perturbed to think of my darlings being ousted. The pattern was gangly and odd looking. I bought the pattern as I tend to do (Claire’s prices are always incredibly affordable), expecting it to languish for a very long time and never be knitted. However, as is normal for me when presented with change, I gradually got used to it and after a couple of false started I cracked on.
That pile of yarn seems minute but it was a bigger piece of knitting that the second photo that was ripped back. That’s what knitting on 1.75mm needles does.
I have realised I must do something weird with my knitting as a some of my critters have had slightly twisted heads. I did a lot of research and read a few blogs and I’m not doing anything that is easily resolved (i.e. I haven’t a clue how it happens) so I took a lot of care to be very slow and intentional and concentrate on not pulling the shape sideways. It seems to happen more when I’m extra exhausted with my MECFS.
This seems ‘better’, maybe? It’s often hard to tell until they are complete. Maybe it’s just them being quizzical.
Anyway this Knitted Ones seems to knit up just fine. I started on the arms which are different from the frog arms, 4 fingers instead of 3 and each one wired. I might try this on the frogs one day. Not the neatest of fingers I will practice more, but very expressive.
Now I spent an inordinately long time making a right hash of adding the arms to the body. My brain just went to mush, it’s not like I haven’t already added hundreds of arms to frog bodies. It wasn’t really different. But after at least 5 attempts and a fair bit of exasperation and so,e under the breath swearing I finally managed it. And Quinn seemed pleased.
Legs he needed legs. And then ears. The legs are loooong. Hence the name Long Quinn. I make other rabbits and their proportions are different so I decided to call this pattern the Long Rabbit. I was relieved adding the legs. My brain worked this time and I remembered how to do it without any hassle at all.. His ears just made his face. And look at that little tail, isn’t it cute? It has been mooted that he looks a little like David Tennant, and I get that - swagger and style. I love how the personality begins to shine through. Those ears are wired as well. He actually really reminds me of a book I had as a kid, and also read to my children a lot when they were little. Mr Rabbit and the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow illustrated by Maurice Sendak. If you get a chance give it a read.
Whilst I was dithering over clothes, choosing, making, and blocking them - Quinn had a bit of play with the shoes. He got hold of a fair amount probably the most he could carry in those arm and had a whale of a time.
What a time was had, so many shenanigans, so much merriment and a laughter. Long Quinn has quite the personality. Which are your favourite shoes? Pose?
Next clothes. Finally the smock I was making finished drying whilst blocking, for a thin yarn it took a long time, and I could sew it up. A lovely pointed collar and some ribbing detail near the bottom. He rather liked it. The froglets liked it too. I believe that part of the story he is telling the froglets was ‘over the mountains high and rivers wide, they travelled onwards.’ He had them all quiet enthralled.
Lastly I made him some trousers and a bowtie for his collar. I think he looks really rather dapper. Look at those ears waggle as he chats.
I took him to see the other rabbits before his journey. They did a rabbit height chart - Quinn is definitely the tallest. Then they had a photo opportunity with all of them. Little Rabbit was a bit shy initially but soon came round.
Long Quinn is off to the USA and whilst I was sorting out all his travelling bits and bobs he lounged around waiting for me. He’s such a cool laid back dude. I will miss having him around.
And so that’s all folks. Till next time, Tx
Froglets🐸, other animals🐇🦊🦡🐭🐘🦏🦎🦥🦧etc, and other miniatures are (or will be) available from me on here (message me). You can also find them at My Website. They are considered collectibles, are unsuitable for under 14s due to the wires, are not CE/UKCA tested (collectibles do not need to be), and are therefore priced as such. Also contact me here if you fancy something you see or don’t see, I’m always open to suggestions. I do have ME/CFS and making and photographing them etc all takes a lot of energy and is a very slow process. I do knit to order too, but be aware a froglet with a jumper takes up to a week for me to make on average. The smaller they are the longer they take as they are more intricate and fiddly. Thank you muchly.
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I love his name...Quinn the Long sounds very Viking 😍
And I love Little Janey's quizzical air. She is overdue an adventure...must tog her up for Going Out to Lunch on Friday 🙄
I adore your creativity and fun. And making your own friends to play with. How do you make the shoes??