Pattern: Knitted Animal Friends by Louise Crowther (Arlo)
Materials: Scheepjes Stonewashed – Coral (x2), Moonstone (x1), and Brown Agate (x1). Scrap of black fabric for nose
This project was something I was really looking forward to. My mother-in-law gifted me the Knitted Animal Friends pattern book for Christmas and I was immediately smitten by the adorable dolls I could make.
The instructions were easy to follow, and had me try my hand at intarsia – a colourwork technique that involves two or more colours of yarn that are knitted into the work separately from each other, rather than carried through like in fair isle. Arlo the Squirrel was a great introduction to intarsia as it’s only required in a small patch on the head and a large even space on the belly.
My original plan was to knit clothes for him, following another pattern in the book. Namely a set of overalls. Unfortunately, I was bested by the fiendish dungarees so I decided that he was better off naked.
The pattern also called for button eyes, but since the doll will be a gift for my friend’s baby, I decided to embroider his eyes instead.
I am so excited to send this squirrely guy off to his new home. Farewell, little friend!