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New York Jogging Bear

Found in: Teddy Bears

Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style in Nutmeg, Dusk and Vanilla

Needles: Sizes US2 and US4

Gauge: Didn’t measure

He just needs a little iPod. This was made for my friends who moved to California last week. I will miss them, but I know this guy will help them keep NY in their hearts.

Knitting was straightforward except for the little jogging pants. Since my gauge is always off from what the pattern states on these stuffed toys, I have to improvise when making the clothing, and some times it works out better than others. As for these pants, the crotch was too short when I finished them (you could call them low-riders, or perhaps “plumber pants”). Instead of frogging and starting over, I just picked up stitches from the top and lengthened that part. Aren’t I clever! Or lazy, whatever. Point is, they are finished now and look cute - and he’s not complaining, anyway.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the intarsia on the hoodie is different from the pattern. I changed the font and added the “I heart.” (It originally said “BEAR N.Y.”)

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Very soon…

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down. That’s actually not true - I like rainy days. But at least this isn’t a rainy Monday. Yikes. Did you guess I was making another bear? No? Well, then you were wrong. But wait, because not everything about our friend has been yet revealed (remember, this is a “surprise” for someone). For the time being, we’ll leave him here in the window, to silently contemplate the sky, the street, his life and meaning thereof. He can’t wait to get eyes so he can see all the crazy people down there in Brooklyn.

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More flowers to brighten your Monday. Enjoy!

I don’t know how most people deal with their ongoing knitting projects - probably put them in some sort of project bag, or in a drawer or box or something organized and semi-tidy. Me, I just throw them on what has become the “knitting chair,” all in a big pile. Obviously calling me organized would be a mischaracterization. My poor little Ongoing Knitting Projects, they were getting all tangled and mashed up. Certainly, no way to treat them. Good old 99 Cent Store to the rescue with a hanging basket-thing. Now I can pretend the UFOs are little birdies, perched up high, singing out the window as they long for open blue sky.

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What the….?

O.m.g.! It’s a bodiless head! (Cue Godfather music)

I promise, this will be done soon so I can get on to more interesting pictures.

Just got a yarn order from Knit Picks - mostly Merino Style and Palette. There’s so much I can’t fit it all in the picture, and suddenly I feel like I’ve been very extravagant. But it’s Knit Picks! Inexpensive, beautiful yarn, how can you go wrong? I am building up quite a stash, but actually every bit of yarn I buy is intended for something specific. Really!

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Not much knitting going on besides the little suprise gift I’m making. Soon, it will all come together into a recognizable shape, but until then…

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It’s yucky weather right now, but it does make pretty things grow. Here are some pics from April and May at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Hope everyone is enjoying spring wherever you are!

Since it’s Mother’s Day weekend, I thought I’d share a gift my mom gave me when she was here visiting. I have her to thank for my interest in things crafty - she helped me learn to sew when I was younger, and her mom taught me to crochet. Nowadays, mum is a fantastic quilter - this is my favorite one she’s given me so far. It’s so quilty! (I’m trying to convince her to do a quilting website to show off the rest of her creations…)

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Another piece of the mystery gift in progress. I was knitting this on the train yesterday, leaning against the doors, when a man approached me with the question “How ca’ you sew a sweater standing up when it’s summer?” I honestly didn’t know how to respond to that, so I didn’t. Because he was drunk, he didn’t seem to mind and a moment later became occupied with falling on another passenger.

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For some more spring enjoyment - a real-life money tree! Let’s see if it works. This is the first thing I’ve really tried to keep alive (besides my cats and sea monkeys, of course). One week and counting - so far so good.

Yes, I must be a pathetically slow knitter to have to post in-progress pics of little socks. But there you have it. As of yet, I can’t say that I’m a converted sock-knitter. I mean, it’s okay and all, but I guess I’m just not that into socks in general to get excited about having another pair. Maybe I’ll stick it out for a couple of pairs and see if it grows on me…

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The socks will have to wait, however, because I’m making some last-minute gifts. You can guess what this might become, but I’ll have to keep it somewhat secret until I give it to its intended owner.

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Just as an aside, I had to share my amazement: I got a set of crochet hooks when I started the Irish dress, and the smallest size, (size US 13/14), is UNBELIEVABLY tiny. I mean, I know that there are people who crochet tiny little lace with tiny little thread, but this is ridiculous.