Friday 25 July 2014

Stanley Spider



Meet Stanley the Spider. Each year I try to make a toy mascot for the class that I have been working in at school. First there was Caterpillar Class, and they got a caterpillar and a butterfly. Next year was the rather daunting job of making a cricket for Cricket Class. And finally this year the delightful Spider Class. 




I was going to try to knit a really realistic tarantula, but I couldn't find the right wool. That may come later. So Stanley is just your average sort of spider. He is quite easy to make. The body is knitted on two needles and in one piece. I thought that buttons would make cute little feet, although you could use beads. He is hung on a long piece of elastic thread, which has a big black bead on the end. 

I was delighted that my one little ball of Rowan Fine Tweed wool (25g) was perfect to make two Stanleys, I haven't managed to take photographs of Stanley II yet, though he looks almost exactly the same.  Although I am sure other makes of wool would work well, I really liked the texture and bumpiness from using this brand.


Stanley is looking a little glum I know, and that is because he has found out that from next year the classes are going to all change and be named after biblical trees. Perhaps it is just as well, as the prospect of knitting a Firefly was worrying me. Spider Class will become Palm Class, and I will be in Olive Class. I'm not quite sure how that is going to work as far as knitting class mascots is concerned.

So farewell to my lovely Spiders, and if you want to make a similar toy you will be able to find the pattern in my shop later tonight.




23 comments:

  1. These are amazing mascots! What a shame about the name changes, an olive won't be nearly as fun...Chrissie x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sad to change the mascots to trees! Poor Stanley!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love those creations, absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
    Sharon
    Here is my snapshot

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am astonished each week by your ingenuity and ability. I think you could turn your hand to anything.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ooh, while I don't like creepy-crawly things, these are really cute! Thanks for sharing...and here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

    ReplyDelete
  6. They look amazingly real... but also much cuter than the real ones. Must be difficult to do them. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Easy? Somehow I don't think so! Your creations are amazing, both in your inspiration and execution. I'm awed.
    My Saturday Snapshot post features CAFES.

    ReplyDelete
  8. As always I admire your patience and creativity :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your creativity. I also adore the photo of the wildflowers on your header. Thanks for visiting my blog this week, too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. He's very sweet and boo to boring class name changes, we went from different countries to phase-wide colours with a number - very dull.

    ReplyDelete
  11. omg how cute is he!! hate spiders but this one can have a cuddle! we have greek alphabet :( x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hehe oh he's fab! I look forward to seeing your knitted olives next year! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  13. The spider is so cute, although he looks a little sad x your previous critters look absolutely amazing too xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. He is adorable!! I want to be in the spider class! xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Stanley is so sweet and what a lovely idea to do mascots. Olive is definitely going to be a difficult one, unless you do lots of black and green olives with eyes perhaps.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a great idea! I love his little feet, and the cricket is delightful.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Brilliant. Loving all your creepy crawlies... especially Stanley.

    ReplyDelete
  18. LOVE LOVE love! The spider and your other critters are adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Stanley (and all your mascots) look adorable!
    Thanks for visitng my blog and have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete