hippo correction #2

I feel like a dumb-arse. I keep telling myself that even experienced knitters make mistakes. Heck, I have published pattern books with mistakes in them. But it doesn't make me feel much better for selling you a pattern with problems. I put it down to poor note-taking and too much hurry. I will try to do better for you in future.

Here's the correction:

Mouth
Knit mouth with pink yarn.
Cast on 7 sts. P 1 row.
Next: k1, m1, k5, m1, k1. (9 sts) P 1 row.
Next: k1, m1, k7, m1, k1. (11 sts)
Work 5 rows in st st.
Next: skpo, k7, k2tog. (9 sts) P 1 row.
Next: skpo, k5, k2tog. ( 7 sts) P 1 row.
Next: k1, m1, k5, m1, k1. (9 sts)
Work 5 rows in st st.
Next: skpo, k5, k2tog. (7 sts)
Next: skpo, k5, k2tog. (7 sts)
Next: p2tog, p3, p2tog tbl. (5 sts)
Cast off 5 sts.

Please note that you need to cross out the third to last row (the faded one), as well as changing the stitch counts.

There is another spot in the head where my directions aren't wrong, but they might be a bit confusing:

Next: k8, k2tog, k4, skpo, k8 (22 sts) P 1 row.
Next: k1, m1, k4 - place these first 6 sts on
holder, k2, [m1, k1] nine times, k1, k4, m1, k1 -
place these last 6 sts on holder.
Break off yarn. Attach yarn to sts still on needle.
(21 sts) This next part makes the nose.

I think I wrote it this way to keep track of which stitches are for the top of the nose, and which ones are for the jaw. If it's less confusing for you, write in k5.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is the last of the mistakes.

For any new patterns, I will definitely ask people to test-knit them for me. It might mean the patterns take longer to release, but hopefully there won't be mistakes in them. If you want to volunteer, leave a comment. When I need people, I will select 2-3 of you, and contact you by email.

- EDIT -
Murphy is out to get me... one more little change, and hopefully, please God, let this be the last one! This is in the instructions for the head, right at the bottom of the left column on page 3:

Work 4 rows in st st.
Next: skpo, k7, k2tog. (9 sts) P 1 row

hippo correction #1

Someone found a small mistake in the hippo pattern, in the instructions for the leg. I haven't written out the full instructions, but you should be able to locate this section in your pattern. You will find the correct stitch count in bold:

Next: P 3 rows.
Next: k2, skpo, k15, k2tog, k2. (21 sts) P 1 row.
Next: k5, [k2tog] twice, k3, [skpo] twice, k5. (17 sts)
Work 7 rows in st st.

The original pattern was off by one stitch, which hopefully is a small enough error that you won't be too upset with me. I really do need to find some test knitters, or even proof-readers. None of my knitting friends are interested in making toys, so I've always just relied on myself to check my patterns, and hope I don't make too many mistakes.

I'm planning a big post for tomorrow with a bunch of photos about what I was up to this weekend. There were no eggs and only one bunny, but there was chocolate ice cream and lots of fun!

ready for sea-faring adventures!

The Pirate Hippo pattern is now available in both my Etsy and Lulu shops. It took me a little longer to get ready than I thought. I needed to take new photos, and I tried to include lots of detail in the instruction. This toy is more detailed than any before, and I hope I included enough instructions so you can make everything without too much trouble. There's even a pattern for the sword, which should print out to scale, so you can just cut it out and use it for tracing.

The only part I'm really worried about is how you attach the feathers to the parrot. I even included little photos that should make it clearer, but if you're still not sure, it's basically like making a hooked rug. (I couldn't even find any tutorials on the web to link to, not a diagram to be had!) If this doesn't work for you, you could try using some green or blue felt for the wings and tail. I really love how mine turned out, and I want to make bunches more to give to my friends, with pins on their feet, so they can ride around on your shoulder :)

Now it's back to knitting other toys. I've had a nice break over the last couple days, getting this pattern ready. Although, I do really enjoy designing and writing new patterns. There's something so satisfying about it, like turning in an assignment you know you've done really well.

and the winner is...

Eva is the winner of the super cute spring bag and pattern! Yo ho ho! I've already sent you an email about the prize, so make sure you check your inbox, Eva :) Now I have to start calling the hippos Esmerelda and Ol' Scurvyshorts, instead of Girl and Boy. Kind of funny, though, that Ol' Scurvyshorts in fact has none (maybe because they were so scurvy?). Esmerelda likes to tease him by calling him Henry, which only his mother ever called him, and only when he was really naughty.

I was feeling generous when drawing names this morning, and decided to choose two more lucky winners, who both get a copy of the new Pirate Hippo pattern. This would be Jacqui and euphoria7. I've already sent you both an email about it, and I hope it makes your day a little brighter :)

As for which pattern I will be writing up, the tally put the girl hippo a few votes ahead. So the Pirate Hippo pattern will have the smaller mouth, and slimmer arms and legs. The pattern will of course include instructions for the parrot, eye-patch, and belt. I will also try drawing out a pattern for the sword, if I can get the scale right. Then you can just print it, cut it out, and trace it to make swords for your own pirates! I should be able to get the pattern ready by tomorrow afternoon, as I'm sure many of you are eagerly waiting for it to be done. The contest winners will get their patterns first, then I'll list it in both my shops.

This has all been a lot of fun for me, and I will definitely be having more contests in the future. So if you didn't win this time, there will be other opportunities. I hope you all enjoyed my husband's little story about the pirates. All I asked him for was a story involving pirate names, and that's what he came up with. So perfectly silly and funny :)

comments and eyelashes

So many nice comments! I guess you guys like the hippos :) I am glad. The idea just came to me last week and I decided to act on it before I got too busy. I had been thinking on and off about designing an elephant, but there are some really nice elephant patterns, and I wanted to do something different. Suddenly I could see the hippo in my head, and it just made me happy! Although, the mouth was something that just sort of happened on the way to another idea, but I love how it looks.

Okay, enough gushing.

And what's with the naughty comment about the boy hippo? Ah well, we're all adults here, right? and it did make me chuckle. In my mind they're like kids playing dress-up, as one commenter said, and I tend not to see such things :) You've all thought of such awesome names, I can hardly wait to see which ones get picked! I did want to mention that the final pattern will be such that you can make your toy a boy or girl, I just made one of each because I like to be fair.

Have I ever shared how I make the eyelashes? It's very simple really. I use a strand of black heavy-duty thread, and knot it securely around the back of the eye, then trim it to the length I want. They stay on pretty well if the toy is just for display, but I'm not sure if they would stand lots of playing. I guess you could just replace them if they come off.