Kathryn Ivy

February 15, 2008 - Posted by Alice Schnebly

An Unusual Valentine

Squarey.

Project Specs
Pattern: Squarey
Pattern Source: Unusual Toys to Knit by Jess Hutchison
Finished Size: About 13" across body, armspan is 25"
Yarn: Patons Classic Merino Wool, 200 yds That’s Pink, 50 yds Winter White, 50 yds Petal Pink, and a few yds That’s Red, 150 yds Cascade 220 Wool in Magenta (#7803)
Needles: US7 Denise Needles, US7 Bamboo DPNs
Date Started: 2/10/08
Date Finished: 2/14/08
Modifications: Knit in the round, changed gauge and size
See it on Ravelry

Squarey, an Unusual Toy.Meet Sweets, the cute Squarey that I gave to Camdyn for Valentine’s Day. I worked on her up until the very last minute and actually added the mouth and did the seaming yesterday morning! Camdyn knew I was knitting her a surprise so she was excited to receive her present. It seems like she really loves it too, and has been carrying Sweets around (and laying on it) quite a bit since I gave it to her.

I’d been wanting to knit Squarey for a long time. It’s such a simple and cute idea I knew that Camdyn had to have one. This was also a great project to use up partial balls of worsted weight wools that I’ve had laying around for quite some time. I decided on some Project Spectrum-y colors and just went to it. I changed up the distribution of the colors and also made it look like Sweets was wearing pants and a striped shirt. I think the duplicate stitch heart adds a cute touch without being over the top.

I made quite a few modifications to Squarey along the way. The original pattern calls for a gauge of 4 stitches/inch. I knew this would produce too loose of fabric for the yarn I was using, and the pillow form would definitely show through, so I opted for a tighter gauge of 5 stitches/inch. The pattern is also written to fit a 12” pillow form. Since I only had a 13” pillow Camdyn’s Valentine.form on hand, I ended up casting on 130 stitches, which is significantly more than the original pattern. I also cast on more stitches for the arms and legs. I knew I had to knit this project in the round. There really seems to be no reason to do two flat pieces and seam them together later. I think I’d go crazy, and I’d probably still be knitting too since my purling is drastically slower than my knitting. Once I achieved my desired length, I kitchenered the top stitches together. It was so simple and fast! If I knit Squarey again, I would do a provisional cast on to eliminate the seam at the bottom as well. I also picked up stitches for the arms, once again doing away with some more sewing.

A new technique that I had never used before knitting squarey, was traveling jogless stripes, a method I read about at TECHknitting. I can say I will never go back to doing stripes any other way. I used it on both the body and on the arms and the color changes between stripes are nearly invisible. I absolutely love how much better it looks! I suggest you check it out if you plan on doing a project with stripes any time soon.

As always, adding facial features was difficult for me. I think I had three different mouths before I settled on this little smile. My present from Kenny. Meet our new puppy, Jackpot.I also added some wool felt behind the safety eyes to give her a cute bright eyed look. Although it’s difficult, I think it’s always fun to add the faces to toys. It really gives them so much personality!

I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day! I know that I did. Kenny gave me a super cute surprise. Meet Jackpot, our new Chihuahua. He’s such cutie and so full of energy. I’m excited for Rufus to have a playmate, and we’re all excited to have a cute new addition to our family!

Squarey close-up.


 

Comments

  • February 26, 2008, 9:42 pm - Suzanne (foofanagle.wordpress.com)

    OMG. I love squarey. The little heart is so perfect.

  • February 24, 2008, 8:53 pm - Haley (http://www.tales-of-a-knitting-mom.blogspot.com)

    this is SO adorable. love it!

  • February 20, 2008, 10:02 am - Lauren (http://kittensandknittin.blogspot.com)

    That is a super cute toy!

  • February 18, 2008, 6:14 pm - Shannon (www.minervaturkey.com)

    What a sweet valentine. I love it! I really need to get my hands on Jess' book.

  • February 18, 2008, 11:59 am - Alicia (www.ponyknit.blogspot.com)

    Adorable Valentine! Looking forward to more Jackpot photos! Congrats!

  • February 18, 2008, 9:37 am - Katie (http://grevillea.wordpress.com)

    I love this pattern and I LOVE your Valentine's take on it. So cute!

  • February 17, 2008, 8:15 pm - Leslie (www.whatastitch.blogspot.com)

    Oh, I'm in love with this. Too cute!

  • February 17, 2008, 9:48 am - JulieFrick (http://www.fricknits.typepad.com)

    I LOVE your Squarey! I did mine in the round, too, but that little heart is such an amazing touch...I may have to do another.

  • February 17, 2008, 2:53 am - tiennie (http://tiennie.com)

    How sweet!

  • February 16, 2008, 7:18 pm - Wiggley aka Mozart (http://twoguineapigs.blogspot.com)

    Oh.... Winter's in July so this will make a good winter bedding for us! Will hint to Mum... It's lovely, this knit piece of yours!

  • February 16, 2008, 4:31 pm - Kim (http://thekniterella.blogspot.com)

    Super cute squarey! I'll hide the pics from my kids or they will be lining my queue for themselves.

    So...the Malibu it is? Either way I think you will be so happy - the Namaste bags rock. What color are you thinking? Don't forget to post your photos!

  • February 16, 2008, 3:16 pm - Rachel (www.happycollegeknitter.blogspot.com)

    Uh-dorable. Seriously.

    Sweets is, well....sweet!

  • February 16, 2008, 2:30 pm - Madge (http://knitdevil.blogspot.com/)

    Two cute additions to the family! Great mods with Sweets, esp. the wee heart and striped top/pants ensemble. And pink! Love me some pink.

  • February 16, 2008, 12:24 pm - Priscilla (www.stepanians.blogspot.com)

    Sweets is too neat! Great job and it looks like your little girl likes her!

  • February 16, 2008, 11:21 am - mai (http://www.morningstar113.com/blog/)

    oh my goodness, that is too cute! i love the heart you added!

  • February 16, 2008, 8:37 am - Heather (http://theaddknitter.blogspot.com)

    What a fantastic Valentine pal for your little one! He is so cheerful.

  • February 16, 2008, 1:48 am - Emily (www.ehirschklau.blogspot.com)

    That is the cutest thing ever. :)

  • February 15, 2008, 10:56 pm - Julia (http://moontea.typepad.com)

    Wonderful mods! I am definitely following them when i knit Squarey...he's been on my list for awhile, and now I'm inspired! Knitting in the round...brilliant, and I love how you thought of doing the felt behind the safety eye, it makes for such a different look. I just love those bright colors too!

  • February 15, 2008, 10:07 pm - whitney (http://whitknits.wordpress.com)

    I love your pink Squarey! I've had Jess's book forever now and still haven't knit anything from it I'll definitely have to come back and look at your mods when I knit my own Squarey someday.

  • February 15, 2008, 7:03 pm - Octopus Knits (http://octopusknitting.blogspot.com/)

    Squarey is so cute (and oh my gosh, so is Jackpot!).

    Love Grace's Endpaper mitts, too : )

  • February 15, 2008, 6:18 pm - jenny (http://bcjennyo.livejournal.com)

    My daughter saw Sweets and died of the cuteness. She said, "Mom, when are you going to make me one of those?"

  • February 15, 2008, 5:36 pm - Claire (www.justclaire.blogspot.com)

    Awww. I'm in love with Jackpot!!

  • February 15, 2008, 4:55 pm - theLady (www.theladyknits.blogspot.com)

    awww, the whole story is so cute!

  • February 15, 2008, 4:46 pm - Oiyi (www.oiyi.blogspot.com)

    Your Squarey is awesome! Great Valentine colors.

  • February 15, 2008, 4:30 pm - Adrienne (www.adriennenixon.com)

    TOO CUTE!! I love the "itty bitty" heart!!

  • February 15, 2008, 4:28 pm - weenah (http://weenah.vox.com)

    too cute for words!, i will have to remember your modifications as well!


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