Chameleon Knitting Pattern

I have been busy test knitting my new pattern. Trying to get these little fellows made while there are still some beautiful leaves left on the trees. 

 

This pattern uses a lot of my usual techniques. There is some icord knitting - this time with purl, to make the chameleon look more like he has scales. Some short rows to get the curves, and also a lot of sewing up. I have also done something that I haven't tried before, and inserted a pipecleaner in the tail, to get the curl, and some short lengths of pipecleaners in the legs to get them to bend realistically. So not an easy make, but I am really happy with the end result.

 

 

 

Bit of a dilemma with the photographs - should I get the chameleons to stand out or blend in?

The other interesting thing has been looking for wool which would work well. The very bright wool of the second chameleon was just some I had in my stash, but I think I love the top and bottom chameleon best, which was made from Hayfield Spirit Shade 0415. Actually bought this wool, but it came in lots of shades, and I think even if I made another one from the same ball, it would look completely different. I also went with the green wool, as I thought it would be interesting to see how hidden a green chameleon would look in green leaves. All the wools used are DK. I am keeping my eyes out for a suitable bluey wool, and feel I may have one more chameleon to make.

The pattern for this chameleon is available on Ravelry, Etsy and LoveKnitting. 

I have been slightly obsessed with these creatures, for another reason, which I will tell you about later in the month. 

Chameleon

I am busy working on a new pattern, and have returned to sort of thing that I do most - quirky little creatures. Do you like Mr Chameleon? 

I think I am nearly there with the pattern, but this is just a peek, as I realised I have not been posting very much at the moment. 

I am still at the testing and photographing stage. Tricky with a chamelon, as I really should find somewhere very colourful to put him, so you have no idea he is even there!

Turtle Project

Once in a while someone shows me a project made from one of my patterns which is really special, and they allow me to feature it here.

 

 

This was the case with Lori, from Louisiana, who contacted me a few weeks ago about the finished size of my Tortoise pattern. She had found this beautiful turtle shell in the woods, and decided the time had come to make a body for him. As you see the shell is stunning in itself, but now Cecil has a body too.

Lori had to slightly adapt the pattern for size, and as you can see has done a wonderful job. She has made a body, which she has carefully slid into the shell, which is one piece.

Doesn't Cecil have a wonderful expression on his face. Thank you Lori for letting me share your project here. 

I love to see when knitters have used my patterns, especially for an unusual project. It makes designing a pattern really worthwhile to see it being enjoyed.

Lizards

I've been knitting a few more lizards from my own pattern. They may make some people recoil, but I love these little creatures, and they remind me of Noel, our pet lizard who has now departed from this world. 

They are knitted from sock wool, and I like the randomness of the wool, which means that they never turn out exactly the same. They are fairly easy, although perhaps after my fourth one I am bound to say that. They are knitted on just two needles, with a bit of icord knitting and short rows to give the curve on the body. You can also click on the lizard picture in my sidebar to find the pattern on ravelry. Though if you are not a knitter there are a few lizards for sale in my Etsy shop. I think they would make great stocking fillers.

I had quite a lot of trouble finding safety eyes that were small enough. Well what I mean is I couldn't find anything even close in the shops, and had to order them online. Then after all that I found I already had a pack in my work box, left over from another project. Duh. I do think the shiny eyes bring the little lizards to life.

Lizard

Wild Lizard Photo Taken in France

My latest knitting pattern has really been a labour of love. I have interspersed some photographs I managed to take of a lizard in the garden in France on my recent holiday. It seemed such a coincidence to be sitting in a garden with real lizards as I was knitting mine.

Several years ago my son pestered and pestered for a pet lizard. I was not too keen, but have to say from the moment we got Noel, the green anole lizard, I was completely captivated. We had him for several years, but he unfortunately passed away last winter. 

What I really liked about him was the way he moved. He would stalk his prey (small crickets) around his tank, and moved in such an intelligent way. And when he was happy you could really tell, as out would pop his flaming pink dewlap (a small piece of skin at his throat).

This is a fairly straightforward knit. I used two double-point needles, as there is some icord knitting. I tend to use double-points for a lot of my knits now as they are conveniently short. The body of the lizard is knitted in two pieces, so there is some seaming, and the legs are knitted separately and have to be attached. I tried other ways, but this seemed to give the best result. I used craft eyes and beads, but if you are going to give this to a small child it is probably best to sew the eyes with wool.

These sample lizards are for sale in my Etsy shop.