Something a Little Different - catching up with meeting Newt, Mouse, Guinea Pig, Chicken, and Dormouse.
The extension of the tribe a little more.
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Dear knitting people,
(I have been using patterns by Claire Garland @Dot Pebbles Knit) for most of these little animals. She has a fab Instagram account.)
I have four little additions to introduce properly to you. In the order they were knitted. First of all Mouse.
Mouse nearly didn’t happen, she was a near disaster and ended up on the trash pile for a short while. Whilst trying to rescue her eyes to reuse I couldn’t get them out and decided to give her a second chance.
What really bugged me was those feet, so clumpy and inelegant and nothing like the pattern, and the incredibly upward gaze. So I literally just chopped those feet off and knitted different ones, I undid the stitching around the chin and tried to pull the shape down into a better position. I was quite pleased with how she turned out eventually. Even added whiskers. I think she might be a Matilda. I have seen her tail ‘up’. It might undo that as I can’t get a jumper on her. Or might just make a scarf.
Next came Dolly the chicken. If you follow me over on Notes or Instagram then you may have seen her a lot and she featured in the most recent advent of ‘the gang’. I didn’t do any making of pics and so Dolly took to the window ledge everyone get photos taken on once already mainly finished. The original pattern had this more laid back tail and I added loads and loads of extra feathers. After that I made legs and raised that tail up like the Pekins in the background of pic 3. She is great for the others to go for rides on, and they take advantage when ever they can.
Then a Guinea Pig. I don’t like the real thing. They squeak in a way that I don’t like. My friend at secondary school had one and brought it to school cos it wasn’t well and it gave birth in the middle of a history lesson, leaking amniotic fluid and gunk all over me and bit me. And I got into trouble for messing up my school uniform. Blooming Guinea Pigs, nice to look at, but not for me.
Shall we move this on. Then came the dormouse. This was so sweet, one of my favourite little rodents. Never seen a real one, never had one bite me, nor give birth in my lap. Always good reason to like someone. The pattern said to sit her on a pear, but I made a nest and a little blanket instead as that seemed more her ‘thang’. No name as of yet.
And lastly in this parade of glorious knitted beings, Faulkner the newt. Knitted whilst my eyes were very much deciding that single vision was passé and double was the new fashion. I battled very, very, very, slowly on and managed him and his little tank top. His arms are tiny so a jumper would be a little pointless, bless his cotton socks.
So that’s me signing off for now, as hats far too many words and pics today; till next time. If you have any suggestions for photo opportunities for the tribe, names, or any ideas for other animals you’d like to see let me know below. I do post updates on Notes more regularly if you want more regular updates. Look out for an adventure next time.
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Oh Tam, they're all absolutely gorgeous! And you've told such wonderful stories of their creation - a real treat of a post. *happy sigh*
The dormouse curled in the nest is so sweet. And of course, I got a good laugh from: "Never seen a real one, never had one bite me, nor give birth in my lap. Always good reason to like someone." Isn't that the truth? 😁