I've been home for over a week now, but I just haven't had it in me to update the blog. But here goes!
As always when I travel, I had lots of knitting time. Not as much as usual, because I was travelling with some colleagues on this trip, so I was generally socializing in the evenings instead of sitting alone in my hotel room. But that still left long plane trips, waiting in airports and long drives.
My first FO for the year is something that I started just a few days before leaving on my trip, and didn't even blog about. This is Sheldon the Turtle, who will become a gift for a colleague's baby:
Isn't he just the cutest thing ever! This is a free pattern from Knitty.com. And contrary to my usual M.O., I didn’t change a thing in the knitting of this pattern – I even used the yarn (and colours) specified! I don’t know that I’ve ever done that. The yarn is Shine, which I had included in a recent Knit Picks order.
Okay, so I did make one change. Since I made this for a baby, I embroidered the eyes (with a little help from my guru Nancy, since my embroidery sucks, and I swear, there's nothing that woman can't do).
The picture above was taken in my hotel room in Durban, South Africa, where I was attending the Africa Conference on Sanitation and Hygiene. I think Sheldon was trying to find his way to water
Maybe if he could get the door open, he could sneak out
Ah, there's the ocean! If only we weren't 10 stories up.
I used just under 1 skein of the main colour (I have 7g left) and less than half a skein of the shell colour (I have 27g left). Which means I only need to buy another ball of the main colour, and Sheldon could have a twin.
I highly recommend this pattern. The finishing is a bit fiddly, but the result is so worth it, and the instructions are very well written. And the best thing about Sheldon? If he's getting a little warm, or if he's wants to "slip into something more comfortable", he can shimmy out of that shell of his…
And be free!
A nekkid turtle. How cool is that?
I'll be back soon with another FO to show, and some new WIPs.
19 Comments
Welcome back! I love the way he seems to be smiling. What a great toy.
Welcome home! Sheldon is awesome – and yes, I think he needs a twin.
That picture of the beach kinda makes me want to cry.
Love Sheldon! That is one lucky baby to have such a cute and cuddly pal. =-D
Welcome home! Sheldon is absolutely adorable…I love the way he can come out of his shell.
Nekkid turtles… *snicker*… didn’t know this was an x-rated blog…
Nekkid turtle… that’s hilarious!! Love the picture of him looking out over the ocean!
Sheldon is beautiful, and you’re a riot! you brightened my day. What lucky friends you have.
Too cute — he’s been on my to-do list forever (well, just about forever.) Welcome back!
Adorable.
Welcome back!
How cute! Sheldon reminds me of Ysolda’s stuffies…
Great to see that you’re back!
Leanne Sheldon is the cutest turtle I have ever seen.I understand his longing for the warm waters of the ocean/beach. Keep up the great work kiddo
Your cuz
Awww! Sheldon is beautiful! I love turtles and hedgehogs…you keep inspiring my next knits…thank you!
Sheldon is super-cute.
What a fantastic place to go for a conference. I’m a little bit jealous.
Hey Leanne! Hope to see you soon at a knit night!
I love the picture of him looking out the window.
Sheldon is adorable. He has just found his way on my to do list.
Sheldon is so cute!!
Oh I ADORE Sheldon! And what a wonderful adventure he had. I just love how he can get nekkid if need be.