Purple Hedgehog!

Today we spotted something quite unusual in the plum trees in the yard.

Wait do hedgehogs even climb trees? I guess purple ones do. She seemed to be a big fan of flowers, because next thing I knew she was in the front flower bed, smelling the hyacinths.

Many thanks to Salvbard for his help documenting the habits of the elusive purple hedgehog.

Pattern: Huggable Hedgehog (FT228) by Debbie Radtke

Pattern Source: Fiber Trends (bought at Wild & Wooly ~2005)

Felting Yarn: Rowan Magpie Aran & Ruby Rubycampus

Novelty Yarn: Jo-Ann Sensations Cello in color 07

Yarn Supplies: Woolcott (closed), Cheer Wool (in Hong Kong), & Jo-Ann Fabric respectively

Needles: US 10 - 6.0 mm

Eyes and nose were embroidered with some embroidery floss from my stash in a color that coordinates with her hair. I am so happy with how she came out after felting, embroidery, and stuffing. (Pre-felting pictures viewable here.)

I probably should have gone another needle size up at least. Although the hedgehog's underside felted well, her back which has the carry-along of the novelty yarn still has some stitch definition despite my efforts. I had read in several Ravelry projects that people wished that they had gone down a needle size or two as this project just barely broke into a second ball of the novelty yarn. I can tell you from experience now, that going down the needle size you still need to go into the second ball. So it is better to just use the recommended gauge or consider using a finer yarn if you really want to use a little bit less of the novelty yarn.

Even so, this turned out larger than I was expecting for some reason. You would think the finished size listed in the pattern would have been a clue. I would love to make another one of these in fingering weight, since I think it would be tiny and adorable!

Praying Mantis

Another Ravelry clean up post! I loved knitting this project. It made me want to knit everything in the book it is found in. Hansi is so clever!

Pattern: Praying Mantis by Hansi Singh

Pattern Source: Amigurumi Knits

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft and Sirdar Snuggly DK (doubled)

Needles: US 6 - 4.0 mm

The only reason this one has been listed as "in progress" for a year is that I wanted to do something better for the wire in the limbs. Initially I tried the pipe-cleaners as suggested, but they were far to flimsy. Then I replaced them with florist wire, which is much stiffer (and a better length). But he still could not stand up! Looking through the internets, people seemed to find that using a wire coat hanger worked best, but I did not have a ready source. As this stuffie has moved out though, he is as done as he is getting. And I have to say I still love him!

Pre-felting Hedgehog

Seriously, I have no way to express to you how utterly obsessed I have become with this hedgehog. I flew through the body.

Next thing I knew the rest of the body was done was well and an afternoon was gone. The short rows were super addictive.

Good thing I have a friend who is willing to lend me use of her top-loading washing machine. I appreciate our front loader's efficiency generally, but for felting hers is much better.

A Confession

I have a confession to make. I bought eyelash yarn, something I had never done before, not even during the height of the novelty yarn crazy.


Why? Because I was suddenly struck with a desperate need to make felted hedgehogs... I have had the Fiber Trends pattern to do this in my pattern stash for years. (Ahem, approximately 2005?) It even sat patiently in my Ravelry queue for years. Then this month, it was a need that could not be denied, and the only thing that sat in my way was a complete and utter lack of appropriate novelty yarn. Problem solved!

Winter Tomato

Is there anything sadder than grocery store winter tomatoes? Particularly with the cold, dark days I have been thinking longingly of produce not yet in season.

I have also been fairly enamored with the idea of making knitted food toys for my nieces recently. I have no idea where this urge came from, but it is fairly pernicious. Adding to my daydreams of fresh produce, I finally got around to starting to make some toy food.

Pattern: tomato by Hansi Singh
Pattern Source: Amigurumi Knits
Yarn: Lion Brand Woolease in Rancho Red & Caron Simply Soft in Dk. Sage (both discontinued colors)
Needles: US 6/4.0 mm

I bought this book last year after falling in love with most of the contents (except the lantern fish, ugg!), but this is the first thing I have actually made from it. The construction is a bit different than I think I would design, but they are quite clear. I was so excited after having finished this that I immediately cast-on another project from this book.