I had big plans to unveil my first every knitted toy today. Unfortunately the Hedgehog had other plans.
The knitting went fine. Actually, the knitting was spectacular. It only took me a couple of days to get it done. I started on Saturday and I was done on Sunday night.
Well, I have to admit there was a small misstep when I realized I didn’t have a contrasting yarn for his little paws. I managed to dig out some Noro Kureyon in a decent enough shade to rectify the matter. I’m not completely happy with the results, but this is just a minor detail.
The felting was a little nerve-wracking. I hadn’t felted anything in a few years, so it was like my felting cherry grew back and I was a felting virgin all over again.
At one point, the back wasn’t felting at the same rate as the front so I had to agitate by hand. That was not fun. Shelly, who was on the phone with me offering up support, can attest to that fact. A true friend appreciates colorful cussing in times of distress.
Still, it turned out all right in the end. Here’s Mr. Hedgehog in all his felted glory.
He looks pretty good right? Except for the fact that he’s a faceless hedgehog and all, everything looks like kosher. Until you turn him around that is.
When I turned him around, I found this.
I have a balding hedgehog. There are big swathes of scalp showing here, there, and everywhere. Believe me, it looks even worse in person.
It’s all my fault really. Instead of using the eyelash yarn Sue offered up, I insisted on another. I should have known that when you blatantly ignored the wisdom of your LYSO, you anger the knitting goddesses and end up with crap.
There is a remedy. I have some eyelash yarn left and I’ve been sewing it in. I cannot describe what a painful and tedious process this is though. I worked on it for hours yesterday and what do I have to show for it?
That’s only the top of his furry head. I haven’t even reached the halfway point. I figure this is my punishment for being a cocky-assed knitter with an attitude problem.
I’m afraid that I’ll also run out of yarn. This is a problem because I’m using two different eyelash yarns and I have no idea where to get more of the one with the snazzy copper glints. I bought it years ago from who knows where and the ball bands are missing. I see this as more punishment from the knitting goddesses. I can take it though.
No pain, no gain!
Never give up! Never surrender!
Some might question my sanity at this point. My reply is, “What sanity?” That went out the door after the first two hours of sewing in the eyelash yarn from hell.
I will have a fuzzy hedgehog. Even if it kills me.*
Bald is beautiful? I think not.
*You know, this might not just be my crazy talking. This might also be the after effects of watching “300” this past weekend. Boy, did that movie rock.
September 12th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Oh its looking great with the extra eyelash sewn in— I love the colors!
Keep at it – it will be worth it!
September 12th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Rogaine for hedgehogs is what I think you need girl! I didn’t know they could get the mange! Bald is really not beautiful in this case. I know you will persist in adding “fur” until the poor little guy looks normal. Good Luck and good sewing!
September 12th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
My sister says it’s a hedgehog weave!
September 12th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Cute, Cute!
September 12th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Oh lord, Opal! You’ve gone and started Hair Club for Hedgehogs! Poor him. Poor you :o(
September 12th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
i admire your perseverance – if it was me, mr hedgehog would be an ufo….i love the color you chose for his fur – i can’t wait to see him with his face and full head of fur! i think i’ll actually be at the meet-up tomorrow – crossing my fingers….
September 12th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Three stars for stick-ti-it-iveness!! I think I’d have chucked him and started over.
September 12th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Um, wouldn’t it be quicker to just knit a new one?
Mmm, Gerald Butler, another Hot Scot :)
September 12th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
By Grabthar’s Hammer… you will have a furry hedgehog!
September 12th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
He’s so cute though! I totally love that. The blue hair rocks.
September 12th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Maybe you should have just let him be a middle-aged, balding hedgehog! Very cute though….
September 12th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Your hedgehog is looking very cute! It will be worth your efforts. PS if you are going to MJ tomorrow and have a few odds and ends of roving, please stuff it in your bag, you bag ho, you (wink)
September 13th, 2007 at 12:39 am
He’s cute – and so many celebrities today do have hair weaves….
September 13th, 2007 at 1:37 am
Aw, poor balding hedgehog! Sewing in the eyelash, what a pain!
September 13th, 2007 at 2:34 am
I see he’s joined the “Hairclub for Hedgehogs”. Hope the stash holds out so he can get the full treatment.
September 13th, 2007 at 4:10 am
LOL! Oh, poor girl – to have such a tedious task all because you angered the knitting gods.
But just think how devoted the little guy will be when you’ve finished him, knowing that you took such painstaking time with his creation!
I think he’s adorable, Opal, and I love his colors! What are you going to call him?
Oh, and another Galaxy Quest fan! I get such a boot out of that film :)
September 13th, 2007 at 5:23 am
OH geesh. Thanks for the warning…I’m going to be making 3 of these guys for my 3 DGSs for Xmas.
And I’m virtually a felting virgin (I’ve done two bags – and not well).
:(
September 13th, 2007 at 5:37 am
Poor bald Hedgy. I think I used Lion Brand eyelash on mine, and did not have a similar problem. However, I didn’t stuff him enough and now he’s starting to sag.
September 13th, 2007 at 6:44 am
“my felting cherry grew back”
you naughty girl
Someone already made the Rogaine comment, so I will leave that suggestion out of the suggestion box.
Honestly, if you hadn’t said anything, I would not have known. Of course, you have seen the picture of Mr. Penney….
September 13th, 2007 at 8:09 am
You should have felted him in Rogaine! He is cute:)
September 13th, 2007 at 8:53 am
At least it is a cute balding hedgehog…
September 13th, 2007 at 10:45 am
That is the cutest toy!!! I’m glad you have found a way to conquer the baldness issue and I’m sorry it is so painful. It is worth it because what you have done so far looks very nice. I know you are slogging through, just to get it finished, it will be a darling toy.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Hey Opal!
Love that Manos, waiting for some good ideas. BTW, how do you get your profile picture to come up when you comment? If it’s a quick answer then great, if not it’s okay. Just wondering.
Cute little hedgehog.
September 14th, 2007 at 8:56 am
Hmmm. My comment yesterday seems to have gone lost in the ether.
As with many things, we are our own worst critics. If you hadn’t had mentioned it, I would have thought it was supposed to be that way. Of course, from one look at Mr. Penney, you will know I have a certain affection for bald things.
September 14th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Awww, what a cute, cute little hedgehog this is – even though he’s balding, LOL ;) I especially love his little paws, such a pretty contrasting color – and those blue hair rock! Do you already have a name for this adorable little thing?
September 15th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Testing
September 16th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Felting cherry? Balding hedgehog? Woman, you are causing me no end of amusement this evening. I don’t mean to laugh uproariously at your expense, but you’ve put an amusing spin on all this. I love the blind hedgy’s little turquoise paws, too. Precious. As for the Bee Fields shawl? It is so gorgeous! I LOVE that you can see the bees in the openwork.
September 17th, 2007 at 11:04 am
You will excuse me if I die laughing here. Why didn’t you just knit a little wig?