About a month back, I sent this picture to Nora's daddy...
... and asked him it it's something she would like. It's the
Unice Unicorn hood, and I think its so stupidly adorable, it almost makes me want a kid. Thankfully, I have Nora to knit for instead!
Her dad said she'd absolutely love it, but she'd love it even more if I could make it a giraffe instead of a unicorn. She went to the
African Lion Safari this summer and fell in love with the giraffes.
Of course, I can modify almost anything, and unicorn-turned-giraffe isn't that hard... it's just an extra horn and some spots. So a couple weeks ago, I ordered the yarn from
Yarn Canada (love the free shipping and prices in Canadian dollars - transit time was decent too.)
The pattern calls for Lion Brand Thick and Quick.... but I'm ashamed to say, I got sucked in by the Bernat Blanket instead
It was slightly cheaper, and had the colours I wanted. Plus is had the bonus of no real wool content (no chance of washing mishaps, or itchiness). I am regretting that decision a little.
The yarn is a super-bulky chenille. And I always forget I HATE knitting with chenille. It sticks to the needles (and itself), it has no give, and it's murder to get an even tension with. The pattern is knit on 10mm needles. I ordered a pair of inexpensive plastics ones with the yarn... but I could barely get a row knit with them. Between the plastic needle and the sticky yarn, it was just all kinds of frustration.
In the end, I gave in and went down a couple sizes to my Knitpicks Harmony 8mm. The yarn slides a little better on the wood, but my tension still sucks.
I think the garter looks MUCH nicer in the Lion Brand yarn. This just looks like a pile of egg noodles... but c'est la vie. This yarn is stupidly soft, which Nora will love. And she's not going to care about tension when she's running around as a giraffe.
Thankfully, it's knitting up VERY quick. The hood is done (as you can see), and I've already started on the scarf/pockets. Then it's just ears, horns, spots and fringe. I may even be able to finish it this weekend.
6 comments:
SOFT (and fun) are the operative words in this case. Nora is going to LOVE being a giraffe!
I am so glad you posted this. Daughter has asked for the Knit Picks kitty pouf pillows in thick yarn and since the Knit Pick yarn was so expensive I've been looking around for alternatives. I better stick to wool.
Adorable! Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
I do the same thing. I love the softness of chenille and then hate working with it. I love your creativity and i know it will come out perfectly! She'll adore it.
So cute! I love working with Thick and Quick yarn and chunky monkey crochet hooks but big knitting needles just make me mad. LOL! She is going to love it though and that makes it all worth it!
What fun to make all of these adjustments for such a serendipitous pattern!
Can't wait to see what you come up with!!!
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