kniteracy | Christmas Presents, and Knitting Teddy Bear Jumpers (Reply)

I got lovely gifts this year from J and G, a beautiful stuffed puppy dog and a cool t-shirt with a monster on it. From the ESDs, I got a membership to the 2009 FilkCon (J got one too!) and a copy of Billy Bragg's The Progressive Patriot, which I've wanted to read for some time. F found me a historical novel that looks like a great read,

khaosworks sent *SQUEE* a copy of the Mamma Mia DVD, and

janewilliams20
sent the sweetest little bear ever. He can be popped in the microwave to soothe achy bits, or so his little note tells me, although I should not let him share the microwave with a curry.

My New Bear!
From friend janewilliams20, this is a little microwaveable bear who is filled with lavender and other good things. He is a sweetie.

My New Puppy!
From G and J, here is my huggable cuddly little puppy dog. He is very hugable.

My New Bear, in the jumper I knitted him tonight
As part of my prep for a miniature jumper class I'm teaching at iKnit London, I designed and knitted this jumper tonight. It's constructed in traditional shirt style, but without a gusset. It was knitted in the round, in Wensleydale Aran, on 4.5mm addi circulars. I worked in the round to the underarm, knitted both sides flat to the shoulder, used a three needle bindoff (we'll graft in class, since the three-needle bindoff creates a ridge I don't like), picked up stitches for the sleeve, and knitted each sleeve down in the round. No seaming or sewing was necessary. :-) I used basic design notes from Priscilla Gibson-Roberts' KNITTING IN THE OLD WAY, with some research from other places. Mostly, I worked it as a standard percentage sweater and made it up as I went along.