Holiday Gnome

[wickedgoodknitta]

When I saw these goofy guys on line, I just had to make them. This is my first knitted toy, from Alan Dart. I'm generally happy with the way it turned out, with a few small exceptions:

1) The polyfill is showing through where I didn't sew it well enough (note the left mitten) or knit too loose/stuffed too tight. Not sure which.
2) While his little cap is whimsically crooked in the photo, I'm not sure it will stay that way. I used an excess of hairspray and starch (note him drying on the board), but it still doesn't have the stiffness I hoped for.

Any advice on either of the above is welcome. I'm hoping to do two more between now and Xmas. It was a rewarding project, because each piece knits up quickly, so I felt like I was getting somewhere quickly.

Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night!

[IHeartMstrChief]

What about carefully inserting pipe cleaners? That way it would maintain shape and be adjustable.

Just a thought. Not sure how you would keep it secure unless you use more than one about the inside of the hat.

Wonderful work by the way! Very cute!

Kudos!

[mochaxlight]

IHeartMstrChief said it for me! Maybe just stick it in the top of his head. I'm not too sure about how the hat and head are connected though - knit in one piece, or is the hat removable?

[subliminalrabbit]

OMG i love this!!!

for the hat, hmm...  i like the pipe cleaner idea, or you could always unbend/rebend a paper clip!  or clear glue (which might give it a shiny sheen, which you may not want.)

[teargardenparty]

too cute!

[wickedgoodknitta]

IHeartMstrChief said it for me! Maybe just stick it in the top of his head. I'm not too sure about how the hat and head are connected though - knit in one piece, or is the hat removable?

The hat is knit separately and then stitched onto the head. I think a pipe cleaner will work. I will try it on the next one.

Thanks for the help and comments.

[le_coiffeur04]

SQUEEE!!! The Alan dart gnomes!!!!  I saw these in a UK knitting mag a few years ago but it didnt have the pattern. Could you post a link to the pattern please? I'm gonna go dig thru my magazines and try to find it.  You did a GREAT job, yours is soooo cute! He is perfect and I love his beard. Your awesome!

[DeadGirl]

Very cute!  I made this gnome too, but while I didn't have any problems with the stuffing, I completely gave up on the whimsically crooked hat. It's a cute idea, but I couldn't make it stay that way either! Too bad I didn't think about using a pipe cleaner...

[wickedgoodknitta]

SQUEEE!!! The Alan dart gnomes!!!!  I saw these in a UK knitting mag a few years ago but it didnt have the pattern. Could you post a link to the pattern please? I'm gonna go dig thru my magazines and try to find it.  You did a GREAT job, yours is soooo cute! He is perfect and I love his beard. Your awesome!

I got my pattern from Irresistible Gifts to Knit, which doesn't seem to be generally available in the U.S. anymore. (I picked mine up on ebay for a premium, but it wasn't too bad and I couldn't resist.) However, here is a link to Alan Dart patterns, including the gnomes. There is a cost to download, but it doesn't seem too unreasonable.

http://www.alandart.co.uk/pages/products

Good luck!

[le_coiffeur04]

Thanks for the link. He has so many cute patterns I HAVE to have. Thanks again!