I pulled out an old UFO the other day, in the form of a half knit Yule Gnome. And half knit is being overly generous. I’d only knit the body last year before I had to put it down to make something more important. However, I really wanted to have it for this holiday season. Getting another languishing project out of the UFO box was an absolute bonus.
Over the course of a couple of evenings, the pattern came to life. It really doesn’t take a year to make. Really.
The Jultomtar & Teeny Tomte pattern is available from Alan Dart’s website for download and includes 3 sizes plus a mini tomte. They are well written, however all the pieces are knit flat individually then seamed and sewn on. Although I’m not keen on seaming, it is something I can do well and if I just bust through the lot I’m usually able to finish the project without it languishing a year. Or another year, in this case.
I chose to do the large sized gnome in cream and white. I think he’s adorable. I think he’ll also need company next year. My husband suggested grey and red for the next one.
The details:
Cast on: November 28th, 2010
Completed: December 13th, 2011
Pattern: “Yuletide Gnomes (Jultomtar & Teeny Tomte)”: by Alan Dart
Size: Large
Needle: US 2½ – 3.0 mm
Yarn: Hayfield Bonus DK in white and oatmeal, about 25g total (70m)
Patons UK Diploma Gold DK in natural, about 25 g (60m)
Sirdar Foxy in white, about 10g (8.0m)
The only change I made was to double the foxy (fun fur) for the beard. The pattern calls for 6mm needles, where as Foxy recommends a 4mm needle. To compensate, I knit the beard on 6mm needles with the yarn held double.