Project Specs
Pattern: Pile-able Pups designed by Anna Hrachovec
Pattern Source: Mochimochi Land Shop
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted 50g (105 yards) each Pale Khaki, Dark Earth, and Pink Frost, 24" scrap of Black for face
Needles: Clover DPNs size US 5
Date Started: 5/10/09
Date Finished: 5/17/09
Finished Size: Each dog is 5.5" long x 3.5" tall x 4" wide
See them on Ravelry!
I had the pleasure of test knitting Anna's newest pattern which was just released just yesterday. I think it turned out to be one of her cutest designs yet! The only other pattern of hers I had knit before was Butterfull, but her designs always seem to end up in my queue. Pile-able pups seem like they'd make a great gift for babies or toddlers since they're soft and squishy, just about the perfect size to grip and toss around, plus they're stackable!
The pieces of the pups are easy to knit but make sure you leave yourself time to complete all of the finishing work! Each pup is made up of 8 pieces, the body, two ears, four legs, and a tail so quite a bit of seaming is involved. Usually I'm not a big fan of seaming but I found it to be good practice on honing my finishing skills. I thought it was straight forward as to what should line up and where to place all of the limbs. When seaming the body, I found it easiest to leave a long tail after binding off the final flap, then using that tail to sew the short end of the body closed as well as one of the longer edges. You're left with one long edge open allowing you to embroider the face with ease before you stuff the body. This way you can make sure the ends are really fastened tightly which is something I'm always concerned about, especially if I'm making a toy for a toddler. I also found her seaming tutorial helpful and definitely worth reading especially if you're a beginner.
I made sure to stuff each of the pups really full (it definitely seems better to slightly over-stuff them) to make them super soft and squishy. They really don't have a problem stacking even if they're slightly rounded because the legs keep them sturdy. Yes, I used Malabrigo again but I just couldn't resist working with these colors! I made these with my niece Jojo in mind, wanting to get a head start on my Christmas knitting. Her new bedroom is painted in shades of pink, green, and white so I thought these little guys would go well in there (not that a 2 year old cares about that sort of stuff).
Comments
i agree they are great - i just bought the pattern - i never buy patterns but this time i had to:)
I just found your site and I love it! Your knitting and photography are so lovely! These puppies are so cute! My daughter would love to have one for Christmas. It might have to go on my knitting list :)
Oh my goodness, those are so very, very, cute!!
ah these are so sweet!
I found you via Leah at Yarn Ends
hope you don't mind if I shamelessly promote my <a href="http://lettuce-eating.blogspot.com/2009/06/shameless-promotion-but-it-is-for.html">latest blog post</a> which is shamelessly promoting a new crafty charity project - please read it and if you feel able help advertise (or contribute in any other way) that would be FAB
Adorable!
Oh my goodness, I can't believe you're already thinking of Christmas knitting! On the other hand, these are so adorable and I bet they will be a much-loved gift :).
Fantastic!
These are beautifully done! And I love the colors you used.
This are so cute!
Love your color choices! Thanks for sharing your tips regarding seaming and such - I think this is my next knit and it's good to have that info!
So. Frickin'. Cute.
these are so cute! love the neapolitan colors. i feel like you must've knit these up pretty darn quickly cause i just got the email announcing them like last week. i gotta get crakin'
Oh my, I want to drop everything now and make a pile of them!! Adorable!!
I love them! I do love Anna's patterns, though.
They're beautiful! Thank you so much for testing.
These are so adorable! I love those colours.
SOOOO cute!!! I am not a dog person but I LOVE those!
OMG! The puppies are adorable!
Super cute! Oh, those little puppy butts. :-)
The pile of puppies in those luscious colors makes me think of scoops of Neapolitan ice cream.
oh my these are adorable!!
Those are SO adorable!! I love their little tails, their little ears!! Great job!!
OMG Alicia's SO right, I'm craving Neapolitan, too now!
Super cut pups, and spot on color picks - love them!
Those are adorable! The colors are making me crave neopolitan ice cream. :)
Add Your Comment