November 7, 2005
I received a great note from Sarah Cooley this morning with a couple of hints for creating a bit nicer elephant. Following are her observations. Thanks Sarah!
I sewed up the outside of the elephant according to the instructions,
and had the legs meet in the middle. Things were getting pinched, so
instead of just seaming up the bottom of the animal, I knitted up a
tummy panel, about 8 stitches wide by about 14(?) rows long (really I
just stopped when it looked right). I inserted it behind the front
legs, sewed along the sides of the tummy panel and the pre-existing
edges, and in front of the back legs. That way, the elephant came out
with straighter legs (although not perfect, definitely more
realistic)and I could make the belly fuller. I also filled my trunk
with less stuffing so it was a little flatter and more prehensile - not
so phallic! (I learned from your comments!)
This is what I’ve been working on for the last couple of days.
Kind of an elephant
Front side
Elephant, rear
I had high hopes for this but I really don’t know if I want to try it again. Myria thinks this guy is cute, in an abstract, semi-elephantine sort of way, not being elephant directly, but embracing and suggesting elephantness. That may be, I guess - but that doesn’t make for a good toy.
Toys are tough, you know? If I’d thought about it beforehand before just diving in, feet first, I would have realized that something with that kind of topography wasn’t going to be easily rendered in a half-page garter stitch pattern :) Four legs, body, head, trunk,ears and tail - I’m certain it can be done and done well, but either this isn’t the pattern or I’m not the girl to make it.
Yes, I’m disappointed, can you tell? LOL…
Okay, enough of that. The unsatisfactory Landscape shawl (remember that?) that I made a while back has joined the Christmas gift list. I know someone who will love it and I have the pattern and the yarn to make it again (in a more reasonable size for me) sometime in the future. That makes me feel much better about making it. It’s a lovely pattern, even if this first iteration didn’t work out very well for me, but the shawl won’t be wasted and will go to someone who will definitely enjoy it :) So it was a success after all!
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ROFL...phallic trunk...oh, Robbyn. Embracing the inner elephant...I’m dying here.
I think the elephant looks just fine. Granted, the ear placement could use an adjustment, but over all, the elephant kicks butt. Honest! Besides, knit/crocheted toys are meant to representational, hence you succeeded in that goal.
Glad the Landscape shawl will go to a good home...’cause it really is lovely.
Bron - Heheh - glad to have brightened your morning :) All things considered, I’m kinda fond of the misshapen little fellow - I’djust like him to be less misshapen the next time!
OMG!!!! I think that is the cutest elephant I have ever seen stiched up!!! Ears? well, I agree with above, but heck- it gives him personality. Where did you get the pattern? Any donkeys in the future? ;}
I’m chimming in here with the same. That is the cutiest elephant I’ve see! You just want to give him a big ‘ol squeeze! My son collects elephants and I though of him when I saw it. He says it’s cute;)
~DAWN
PJ - The pattern is linked in the post. It’s not complicated, but it’s definitely a bit casual :) Thanks for saying he’s cute :)
Dawn - Thanks to you too. Maybe I’m looking at him wrong? Maybe I need to have my glasses adjusted :)
I am shaking my finger at you, dear Robbyn! The elephant is adorable!! Especially the face. And the trunk. And the ears. You leave him be! :-)
oh, that is the very epitome of elephantiness! i am a collector of all things elephant and he looks quite wonderful- a most personable little fellow indeed- does he have a name yet?
i have several bunnies and teddy bears sorta made here that just never got to the ‘sewing up’ stage-all those parts!
shh, let’s not even tiptoe into shawl-land-
stay happy-
Ryan - LOL! It’s a funny thing. Myria thinks he’s as cute as the dickens and since you all seem to agree, I guess I must be wrong :) I am going to move the ears up though :)
Barb - I’m glad you like him and no, he doesn’t have a name yet. Someday I have to introduce you to Amelia Peabody, my claret velvet bear that has been everywhere with me - including the hospital and on cruise ships :)
i would love to make miss amelia’s acquaintance- such a proper new england name too-
your elephant has been such a hit that i am anxious to see what will be next in the toy menagerie- maybe a pig? (miss m here would be so proud!)
stay happy-
Barb - Ooooh - a pig sounds like real fun! Maybe after Christmas I’ll have to explore this menagerie thing :) I can already envision how to do the curly tail!
My secret pal got me a kit for a knitted sheep, but I’ve been hesitant to try it for the seaming involved. But now I see how cute your animal is, I may go ahead with it for a christmas present.
Laura - You Have to post a picture when you do. I’m kinda keeping my eye out for a sheepie to do :)
