FO: Monkey (no, not the socks)
Posted By Laura on August 25, 2007
Pattern: Monkey from The Bumper Book of Knitting (Simply Knitting)
Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic shades 817 (Bear) and 828 (Feather)
Needles: Size 4mm straights
Well, Badger was spot on with what the bits and pieces were from my last entry. It was the monkey from Simply Knitting.
I hated this knit 
David really liked this monkey when I picked up the book eons ago. And I thought he was quite cute. However, it was a really fiddly fiddly knit. There were 21 pieces to this monkey and if I was designing the pattern, I would’ve thought that this was too many. It started off alright, but as soon as I was getting to bits that I would’ve done in one piece but were done in 3, alarm bells started ringing.
The yarn is delicious to work with. I love it and have used it on many ocassions in the past. And will use it again in the future. As for the pattern itself, I was wholely disappointed. The leg is done in 3 pieces (the leg itself and 2 pieces of foot) when it could be done in once piece and in the round, so that there is less seaming at the end. The same for the arms. I could also say the same about the face piece too.
The amount of seaming was ridiculous. And I dislike seaming. The odd bit is fine, but I really detest seaming teeny tiny pieces together. It looks messy. For me, anyway. And monkey looks messy too. (The picture doesn’t help as it is a poor picture too.)
Although, saying that, it hasn’t turned out as bad as I thought it would. The eyes, nose holes and mouth are sewn on using DMC cross stitch floss and I think that it finishes it off nicely.
I won’t be making Monkey again, I don’t think. Stranger things have happened though. If I was to make him again, I would alter the pattern beyond recognition. Saying that, Monkey will be loved and looked after well here. Bless ‘im. How could anyone not love that cute smile?!
Right, back to the sweater, methinks.
Don’t I get any points for saying “Monkey”? Honestly, all these animals stick together! This is so not fair!
Hmmmmm, a little point. Badger did get the whole hog, though :p
Hurray for me and my ability to remember every knitting pattern ever!
Monkey does look lovely, although I’ve heard other people complain about how many bits he comes in. Are you going to design a little wardrobe for him now? I think he’d look just dandy in a smoking jacket and cravat.
Cute monkey! I know what you mean about being fiddly, I’ve got a half knitted pirate somewhere…
From the last photo, I can see why it’d be fiddly. But the final result is sooo cute!
He’s adorable! Definitely looks worth the trouble but I agree about the pieces thing – why seam when you can knit in 1 piece?