We have achieved Alligator...

[neotoma]

Is this not the cutest thing?

It's an Alligator Scarf, made from a Morehouse Merino kit. Hopefully, my nephew is going to love it, or at least wear it.

And it looks like I will be teaching a workshop on it for beginning knitters locally -- Morehouse Farm was quite happy to allow it, once Isaid that I'd have every student buy a kit.

Now, I'm working on a Baby Alligator for the baby nephew ...and wondering if I could give anyone in my family a Rat Race that they would actually wear..?

Comments

[marinarusalka.livejournal.com]

That's so cool!

How does it feel when you wear it? I remember you commenting at one point that the wool wasn't quite as soft as you'd hoped.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Well, I ripped it out, went up a few needle sizes, and said 'screw the gauge', and that helped a lot. You get two skeins in the kit, and that's a *lot* more than you need.

After blocking it, I spritzed it with spray-in hair conditioner; that's my standard treatment for scratchy wool. It's not supersoft the way Malabrigo or Lorna's Laces is, and not something I'd classify as Merino by touch, but it's not bad. About the level of the finer side of Romney wool, I think.

If you are sensitive to wool prickles, I'd use the wool that comes in the kit for a practice/donation piece, and buy softer wool for your personal scarf.

[marinarusalka.livejournal.com]

Spray-in conditioner sounds like a good trick. I'll have to try it sometime.

I've been eyeing the gecko scarf pattern on their website. It's just so darn cute.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

I've actually found it tricky to find spray-in conditioner at the local store, but it is available (just buried behind all the *other* hair-care products) and extremely useful when working with animal fibers.

They do have a *lot* of cute patterns -- and most of the critter scarves seem to be garter stitch, so VERY easy.

PS. Are you on Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/) yet?

[marinarusalka.livejournal.com]

Not yet. I was late jumping on the bandwagon, so I think it'll be a while before I get my invite.

[gizzi1213.livejournal.com]

The eyes on it look fantastic against the red shirt!! Love how they seem to glow.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

The eyes are empty spaces, not buttons. That's my shirt that you're seeing through them. And Saturday was a glorious day to take photographs, as you can see her and in the shoe photos.

[gizzi1213.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know they are not buttons, that's why I said it looked great against the shirt, the red seems to glow through the green 'gator.

Hope your nephew loves it. Mine would have, if he had an aunt talented enough to actually knit!

[nugatorytm.livejournal.com]

Would it be possible to knit in some large beads for the eyes, or sew a couple in once the scarf is finished?

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Why would I want to?

The Dragon Scarf (http://www.morehousefarm.com/KnittingKits/Scarves/Dragon/) pattern does that, and I think it looks bad.

[nugatorytm.livejournal.com]

Well, I didn't mean you, per se, but if anyone had a mind to do it?

And the slit-eyed beads do look bad on the dragon scarf, but I wouldn't use them, I'd use something like a jewel-type bead instead.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

You could probably do that, with the leftover yarn even, if the bead hole is large enough.

[clara-swift.livejournal.com]

That is so cute. Al most makes me wish I *could* knit :o)

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

This is really not hard. It's basic knitting, with no purling, cabling, or yarn forwards.

[clara-swift.livejournal.com]

Sadly, even basic knitting is beyond my skill.

::shame faced::

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Well, if you really want one, I'm sure we could work out a trade.

[clara-swift.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Let me know your price....

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Generally, it's three times the price of the yarn for a simple pattern like this, and I don't do acrylic -- I believe I can get nice kettle-dyed Malabrigo worsted wool (http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/yarn/worsted.html) for the alligator for about U$21. I'd ask you to pay the shipping too, because international express is kind of pricey.

Let me know if that works for you.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Or, you know, a trade of equal value. There's got to be something I can't get easily that you can -- we'd just have to agree on something.

[clara-swift.livejournal.com]

Well, have a think and let me know if there's anything you need from the UK. Then we can strike a deal :o)

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... there are a few CDs I'd like that don't seem to be easily available in the US.

Malinky (http://www.malinky.com/) -- any of theirs.
Cass Meurig (http://www.cassmeurig.com/) playing a crwth.
Any good local band that does mostly traditonal folk songs, especially one singing The Black Fox/Hunting the Devil (http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiBLACKFOX;ttBLACKFOX.html)

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's brilliant!! Love the rats too :)

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

The rats are *very* cute. But I think it's a scarf that you'd have to be very sure of the recipient...