I'm always left with partial skeins of yarn after some of my bigger projects, and I refuse to throw them away or make friendship bracelets out of them. (I made hundreds when I was little) So I thought that they would be perfect to use for improvisation (using the crazy ideas that you wouldn't even think to with good, brand new yarn) purposes.I hate following patterns. (That's why I haven't attempted a sweater this year, but I will soon) Sometimes it's just too many rules. I like making a swatch, figuring out the gauge measurements, and treating it almost like a sewing project with knitting as the fabric. (Something with which I'm more familiar.)
Unfortunately, I'm not a super experienced knitter. (I've been knitting about 2.5 years or so.) Sometimes, my little sketches turn into the cutest, most awesome knitted contraptions that go beyond my expectations. But sometimes, they turn into a stinking pile of crap that is waiting to get frogged.
If you notice, very few of my projects end up on here even though I knit all the time. It would traumatize young children to see the extreme mess ups.
I fell in love with this little monster that I created. It took about 3.5 hours to make. (Gotta love large yarn) I also got to feed my new obsession with these type of eyes that I have been making. I dig the smiley eyes! Cute!
So on to the Smiley, Jelly Bean Man:
How did I do it?I basically knitted two baby 'boggans (toboggans or beanies) and left off the bottom bands. Then, I sewed the bottoms together most of the way with the same yarn. Then, I stuffed the sucker with an insane amount of Poly-fil before I shut it for good.
For the face, I took some old white yarn I had, and I knitted two congruent triangles. I then (whether you 'eye-ball' or use graph paper is your choice) stitched the eyes on the triangle with the black yarn.
Next, I took the the black yarn (a new strand) and sewed the top two sides of the triangle on the, Then, I took the white yarn and sewed the bottom of the eyes on. This is the hardest part, in my opinion, because the eyes are easier to get crooked than straight. (I just say it makes it look more authentic and home made, or something better sounding than just 'crooked.')
Then, I took an old brown yarn and knitted a 3inch square swatch. Then, I took a handful of Poly-Fil and rolled it into a tight ball and placed it in the middle of the swatch. Next, I took a strand of the brown yarn and sewed the corners and sides shut (in a 'X' type manner) until it had the shape of the nose that I wanted. Finally, I took the strand I have hanging off the back of the newly sewed nose, and I used it to attach the nose onto the Jelly bean face.
Finally, I tucked all my stray strands into the middle of the bean. I then just beat the snot of it (fluffed it), and sat him (yes, it's a boy) on the table for all to admire.
Now, there are a few different variations that I could have done.
One: When sewing the 'boggans together, I could have stopped halfway. Then, I could have sewed the eyes and nose on from the inside, and then stuffed the bean last. I did the other way because very rarely do I draw and mark stuff out, so it is easy to line up the eyes when it's already stuffed. Easier to eyeball anyway.
Reworking the peach trebuchet,
Jenn
