Elephant 2.0

We all have knitted something for someone and wondered, considering the amount of time and love put into it:

1. Will it get used?
2. Will it be taken care of properly?
3. Where will it be in a year or two?
4. Does the recipient know anything about this item?

Well, I have to say that, knitted items given to my daughter and her family, can be answered with a resounding "YES" to all of the above.  (But, #3... doesn't get answered yes or no, you say?)

The answer to number 3... when you make something for a little girl, a growing up girl, that's a difficult one.  And I'm happy to say that most things get passed on to special friends, or end up back at my house.  

This is the story about pullover turned elephant, which I have to call 2.0.

My idea has been in the back of my mind, but it's fruition was greatly influenced by my visit to Shetland, and Burra Bears.  It gave me the confidence to attempt this:

2.0

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Celinas-Mor/patterned-pullover

2017

2012

Here she is: 3-½ years old, and sweater worn until she was seven! We had to pry it out of her hands...

I realize now the expertise needed to make a truly quality stuffed animal,  plus... OMG! How do you throw away the leftovers?  (Solution: I haven't.)

How to avoid confusion?

Answer:  Don't put things down.

Have you ever knitted something part way?  (No, I always finish a project before starting something new.)

Have you ever looked at your list of "hibernating" projects (on Ravelry-- what a sobering list) and decided to finish something?   (No,  I always finish a project before starting something new.)

Have you ever looked at a half-finished project and thought, "What the...?"  Where was I?  This doesn't look right! #%#@$^&#**  Why didn't I mark where I was in the pattern those many months ago? (Oh, yeah,  I always finish a project before starting something new.)

It took me awhile, and I wasn't interested in something new, and granddaughter is arriving soon, so I picked up the pieces, and... BRILLIANT!  There was a sticky note on the pattern indicating an approximate starting point...whew!  Could have been a melt-down.

Will it be assembled in the next weeks?  Hmmm, experience tells me it is unlikely!!!

First cast on December 22, 2011, when I knew my granddaughter wouldn't be near for Christmas.  It's all different this year!

Make 2

What's wrong with this picture? This is an example of "make 2" and the shocking realization and re-counting where it could have gone wrong... And which one is correct? Answer: The larger one. It's the body of Robert, the bear.

Two pieces for body of bear: Seams down middle front and back.  Darts at top for shoulder shaping.  Darts at bottom for bottom shaping.

I sat stunned as I put them together to admire...  I knitted the one on the right first, then up to the top points on the one on the left.  Really, I had compared them earlier, but... it wasn't until late in the game that I saw the difference.  I counted each one, several times, and found that I had skipped a section and mis-counted on the first one.  No worries.  Except:  (1) This is a trial for a class I would like to teach in March.  How frustrating for knitters who don't knit all the time!  I guess it tells me that I'll try to keep everyone on the same page, doing the increases and decreases at the same time, etc. to avoid having to count and re-count. (2) What if there had been only "one" of these?  How many other projects are crazy WRONG? LOL
How to avoid these mistakes?  Suggestions are welcome. Maybe lots of markers are necessary to keep track of progress.  This is a learning experience for me!

Finishing and Starting

Halie's Slippers:   HEART this pattern

Felted Slippers  by Midnattsol from Midnattsol's Blog

Starting a bear:

Robert by Sandra Polley from The Knitted Teddy Bear

Pretty adorable already!