(almost) FO: Sam Simian

Get away knitting.

Usually I take socks and a larger project, socks for the car and the larger project in case I finish the socks.

This time--as much as I was tempted--I left the sock yarn and needles at home and only took one project, Sam. That meant no knitting for the car. Torture I tell you, torture! So I offered to drive part of the way and we listed to an audiobook and I survived.

Sam had my undivided attention and with *a lot* of sewing, stuffing, and weaving in ends, Sam went from this


to this.

Sam Simian

Pattern: Sirdar's ITV Digital Monkey
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease, 180 Forest Green Heather and 403 Mushroom
Needles: Inox 3.25mm/US3
Ravelry project page

Alterations: Monkee Maker's mods for the face, slightly longer legs, 2 color ears, and beans. 3/4 of a pound of white beans for his hands, feet, and bottom. :)

He celebrated his birthday yesterday too! lol

Although I consider him to be 99.9% finished, he's doesn't agree.


Sam sans eyes

He's not going to be happy until he gets his eyes... and that's not going to happen until I can spend some time with embroidery floss and felt at home. Patience Sam, patience.

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

Today is a challenge because we're experiencing record temperatures. I managed to find something that I want to wear that I won't roast in.

Early Spring socks
Project details on Ravelry

Stay cool.

Yes, I am knitting

I'm knitting. Really, I am.

I've spent most of my time on a project I can't blog about. (Don't you just hate that?) But that project is finished and I'm putting the finishing touches on the pattern. No more about that for a while.

I've also been intrigued by 007, so much so I've decided to knit one myself. What's a 007 you ask? Are you familiar with the ITV Digital Monkey? No? What about the MonkeeMaker's blog? 007 is her monkey who has all sorts of adventures. He's such a character, you can't help but fall in love with him. Here's the first installment of 007's latest mission...

Meghan and I were discussing 007 and his adventures... and then she found the monkey pattern. The free monkey pattern. Then she found the Monkee Maker's mods for 007's mouth. That same evening I received an email from the MonkeeMaker. It was a sign I tell you, I had to knit a monkey!

But it was going to have to wait because I was determined to finish the project-that-shall-not-be-named. Meanwhile Meghan started a 007 KAL on Ravelry.

Who was I kidding? I couldn't stay away. I joined the KAL, pushed my project aside and cast on San Simian.

Now there's a reason why I don't knit a lot of stuffed animals. Sheldon was an exception, but I'm really not a fan of the fussiness of sewing together, stuffing, and assembly. It's so much more tedious than finishing a sweater.

Sam was knit very quickly. All of his parts are done. All of his parts were done last month.

Blog readers, meet Sam.


Sam Simian

I hope to have him in better shape soon. Until then, here's looking at you kiddo.

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

I'm wearing

Vogue Knitting Flame Stitch Cardigan
Project details on Ravelry


Primavera socks
Project details on Ravelry

New music!

Treat your ears to new music from the Roger Steen Band--you can access the songs from the player on their MySpace page. The tracks have guest appearances by Bill Walker and Prairie Prince.


The Roger Steen Band

Roger, Hank, David, and Dave will be playing at El Rio in San Francisco on Saturday night. I'll be there... how 'bout you?

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

I'm wearing

Crystalline Lattice socks
Project details on Ravelry

Kristi is the best!

Kristi was nice enough to go to a Maggie Casey book signing with an armload of books and get 3 signed for me.



She packed and shipped them and when I opened the box, I was greeted by this lovely surprise.

Yarn Wench Merino

It's beautiful, thank you Kristi!

3 books? One for me, one for a podcaster who is learning to spin, and another who is spin-crazed. As Maggie says, spin the yarn of your dreams!

ETA: Check out Kristi's sock pattern Froot Loop, a Spring Knitty Surprise.