Friday, 5 July 2013

Monkey Business


I have finished my Baboon Pattern, and placed it on ravelry. It has been a bit of a slog, but three baboons later I have the final version. The nose was lengthened and then shortened. The shoulders were made narrower. The neck thicker. Ears added. I could continue ....  

Then off down the garden for the photoshoot.  I do think my neighbours may genuinely think I'm a bit mad. "She's arranging woolly things in her trees again!"


This pattern has been a real learning experience for me. I am happy with the final result, but this toy is not an easy knit. Well actually that isn't true. The knitting is really quite straight forward, but it is the construction that is tricky.  The pattern has photographs and diagrams to help. The head is made of five different panels. I really had to try to balance keeping it simple, but also getting the end result right.



If anyone does knit him I would love to see your finished baboon. Although any double knit wool would work, I do love this Sirdar Escape DK, and the variation in colour makes it perfect. I found some for sale at Black Sheep Wools.

So I guess this is the final word on baboons or mandrills for now. Or should I say the bottom line!


I'm have put these two baboons in my Etsy Shop for non-knitters.



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47 comments:

  1. Gertie4 July 2013 at 12:47

    Well done on getting your pattern finished.

    You have every right to be pleased as they're really cute. I love the cheeky photo of his bum!! xx

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  2. Max4 July 2013 at 20:43

    Cheeky bum indeed! It's wonderful!

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  3. K5 July 2013 at 10:55

    Well done, chicky-boom. Wow.

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  4. katiemetzroth5 July 2013 at 13:07

    wow! Great job on the baboons - and your fairies are super cute as well!

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  5. Anonymous5 July 2013 at 16:57

    Oh my goodness! He is amazing!! I would buy him in a heartbeat!

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  6. Martha Eskuchen5 July 2013 at 19:07

    How wonderful but that does look like a lot of work. I sort of collect monkeys and this would make a colorful addition!

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  7. Unknown6 July 2013 at 01:50

    Those are adorable! I know I wouldn't be able to do something like that... a credit to you!

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  8. Christine Harding6 July 2013 at 04:30

    That is amazing - they are beautiful, and there must be so much work in them, especially as the proportions and details and everything all look so perfect. They really do look like baboons. My Snapshot is at http://goo.gl/s0KyN

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  9. Laurel-Rain Snow6 July 2013 at 05:55

    Adorable! And placing them in the trees is fun and creative. Hope the neighbors got an eye full! lol

    Thanks for sharing. Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

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  10. WonderWhyGal6 July 2013 at 06:17

    This might be might favorite pattern of yours.

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  11. Unknown6 July 2013 at 07:25

    These are just too cute! So accurate too. You are amazing!

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  12. Sharon Galligar Chance6 July 2013 at 07:40

    Just adorable! P.s. Got my little fairy girl and she is peeping over my computer as I type! Thanks so much!

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    Replies
    1. Ginx Craft6 July 2013 at 10:03

      So glad she got to you safely and you like her. It felt very funny sending her on such a long journey!

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  13. westmetromommy6 July 2013 at 07:58

    How adorable! I love the colorful tush!

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  14. AllyB6 July 2013 at 08:09

    So much fun! The faces are great and the rainbow behind makes me chuckle. Great job. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

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  15. Of Wool and Loveliness6 July 2013 at 09:26

    Oh my that is one cute baboon! Love the colors. My kids would freak out. You are very talented to be developing such a complicated pattern.

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  16. Unknown6 July 2013 at 11:48

    Congrats on finishing the pattern. Simply adorable and I love the details in the face :)

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  17. Anonymous6 July 2013 at 13:53

    These are so lovely and cute! Wooly baboons. Love them. Thanks for posting! ;)

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  18. LisaS6 July 2013 at 14:39

    Very cute baboon you have there! Well worth the work I'd say ;) -And great jungle shots...

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  19. Susan Lindquist6 July 2013 at 18:57

    How cute is that ?!?

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  20. gautami tripathy6 July 2013 at 20:06

    You are SO creative. My mom loves to look at your creations!

    Here is my post

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  21. Anonymous7 July 2013 at 08:28

    What a cute baboon! Wonderful work.

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  22. Anonymous7 July 2013 at 08:36

    The best artists are rather mad, aren't they? :-) You have far more patience than me for knitting fun creatures, but I love seeing your photos of them. They're adorable!

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  23. Anonymous7 July 2013 at 10:27

    Very cute baboons and love the colourful baboon bum!!

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  24. CatkinJane7 July 2013 at 11:02

    Love the photography, well worth the possibility of neighbours thinking you're a bit mad (my neighbours are probably convinced I am!)

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  25. Auntie Shan7 July 2013 at 11:32

    *WOW*! just... WOW!!

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  26. Anonymous7 July 2013 at 11:41

    The perseverance paid off. They are lovely. mad or not your photos are really great. Well done. :)Good job the weather has warmed up nicely for them! ;)

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  27. Louise@ElsieMayandBertha7 July 2013 at 11:45

    Well done on finishing the pattern. The baboons are fab, and I love the colour of the bum! I can't wait to see what you come up with next for you to photograph down the garden!
    Have a fab week!

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  28. Fiddly Fingers7 July 2013 at 12:32

    I think this must have been a real labour of love! What a fantastic result you achieved in the end though :)

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  29. Unknown7 July 2013 at 13:45

    Hahaha, this will be the most bizarre comment I've ever posted but what a cute face and bum!

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  30. Ali7 July 2013 at 14:10

    The detail on the face is amazing. You must be so patient. Great photos of the baboons out in the wild.
    Ali x

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  31. Free Spirit Designs7 July 2013 at 15:28

    hehe :) this is so fun! you have got the shape and colours of the face just right and i love the colourful bum! x

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  32. Joy7 July 2013 at 20:18

    That is so cute! Both the front end and the back end are just perfect!

    Joy's Book Blog

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  33. Lucy Blossom8 July 2013 at 03:56

    What a great idea to take pictures in the 'jungle' that is at the back of your garden - it really suits your baboons!

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  34. Christmas Pie Crafts8 July 2013 at 06:05

    What a fabulous 'bottom line'! Your work is lovely and I love to see the various places your 'star' has been posing in. Hope you have a good week.

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  35. Jumble Tree8 July 2013 at 11:58

    Perfect setting for your photo shoot! They're brilliant. Love how you've done the face, and such a glorious bottom!

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  36. Lilly's Mom9 July 2013 at 10:35

    This is the cutest pattern ever! I love how you did have face. Soooo talented. Have a wonderful week.

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  37. Anonymous9 July 2013 at 12:36

    12 pages is a lot of instructions. The finished baboon looks great though so all that reading will be worth it :-)

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  38. Sylvia10 July 2013 at 09:07

    Fun toy!

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  39. Christine N10 July 2013 at 10:46

    That baboon totally rocks. Great job!

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  40. Kim10 July 2013 at 17:42

    Well done on your funny little guy--I admire anyone who can design a pattern!
    *smiles*

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  41. Miss Muggins11 July 2013 at 05:50

    Oh how funny. Love the bottom!

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  42. Anonymous11 July 2013 at 06:39

    wow, you're truly talented! thanks for sharing on craft schooling sunday!

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  43. Leonie12 July 2013 at 00:56

    So cute and so clever! Love these little guys!

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  44. Carrie12 July 2013 at 11:59

    So adorable!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!

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  45. Anonymous13 July 2013 at 04:58

    Wow! It is great, I love his tail and his face!

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  46. HannahW16 July 2013 at 09:44

    Your baboons are adorable! Thanks for sharing with us at Eco-Kids Tuesday! I hope to see you again today! http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2013/07/eco-kids-tuesday.html

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