Beet by Norah Gaughan (Berroco, #274 comfort dk booklet)
Berroco Comfort DK, 50% Super Fine Nylon, 50% Super Fine Acrylic (178 yards / 50 g per ball)
0.22 balls of color 2760 "Beet Root"
0.16 balls of color 2730 "Teaberry"
0.48 balls of color 2761 "Lovage"
0.34 balls of color 2762 "Spruce"
US 3 (3.25 mm) bamboo dpns
US 5 (3.75 mm) Knitpicks Options circular needles
I recently knit Norah Gaughan's wonderful beet pattern. I'd been wanting to knit it since she previewed it on her blog back in December, but a really cute photoshoot (complete with a slew of fresh vegies) rchrispy staged for her tasty looking beet pushed me over the edge.
I used the recommended yarns:
...and made only one real change to the pattern. After knitting, I threaded pipecleaners into the i-cord stems of the leaves, extending them up behind the central vein of each leaf. I then basically acted like I was starting the stem instructions again, picking up 64 stitches around the edges of the stem on the back of the leaf with the circular needle, knitting 32 stitches, and then doing the bind off as specified. This effectively concealed the pipe cleaners, which I poked several inches into the stuffing in the root part before attaching the leaves.
Unfortunately, the pipecleaners don't actually support the weight of the leaves very well, and they make the leaf vein parts of the stems look a little more bulky than might be desired, so I'm not sure if I would recommend this modification to others. If you do decide to use pipecleaners in this (or another) project, I would recommend first bending the ends back on themselves (as I did), forming a little loop, so you don't end up with sharp wires protruding from your knitting.
All in all, I think the beet came out pretty cute, and I'm almost certain that I will be making it some company in the future... maybe some carrots, a leek or green onions, and (if I can figure out how to do it) some cauliflower would be nice : )
I'll have to keep an eye on the beet, though. It seems to have a soporific effect on Bug - you might say it induces a cat-atonic state, as evidenced in the following series of photos:
To be sure, it does not appear to have this effect on all cats. Lyla (the sweetie I'm currently cat-sitting for) clearly is not amused with the beet:
...nor is she knocked out by it. Meanwhile, Moana simply wonders how it tastes....
Hmmm.... It must contain a Bug-specific sedative.
28 comments:
Bug, Moana, Lyla, and the beet are all very, very cute.
awwww...cute!! Beet is Bug's new love! He sure is taken by Beet!
awwww...cute!! Beet is Bug's new love! He sure is taken by Beet!
LOVE the beet!!!
Of course you must know, I am Bug's biggest fan. Has he done a photo shoot yet that hasn't sent me into fits?
I wonder how my bunny would like a beet. I think it might be too much for his little brain. Beets, after all are one of his favorite foods.
So now I'm kind of obsessed with an all-handknitted fruit/veggie centerpiece. I have a gorgeous bowl to put it in.
This turned out so cute! And Bug cracks me up.
You know I've never really had a desire to knit veggies or any foods, but these pictures are so cute and makes me want to knit one. The photos are all excellent, as usual.
Hehehehe...lovely beets. You make them look better than the one on the website.
Heehee! Bug truly is one photogenic cat! Cracks me up every time. And Moana is just gorgeous (and hungry?).
Anyone else get a minor nipple-esque vibe from the bottom of the beet? Or maybe it's just me?!
If anyone could make a knitted vege gorgeous---it would be you!Just lovely :) And how adorable is that Bug?!?! :0) I am wondering about that heather Undulating Waves project over there on the right? I just am drooling over the fiber chosen.... details?
Thats fabulous. So funny the effect it has on bug!! Did you fill it with catnip?!
Bug and the Beet! How cute are the both of them.
Very cute! :)
I can't say I've ever felt a desire to knit a vegetable -- until now. Those pictures of Bug and the Beet (hmm, that sounds like a sitcom!) are priceless!
how cute! a knit beet. never would have thought i would want to knit a beet but this one could very well win me over :)
Have you considered knitting a beet curtain?
haha, how cute! I love it.
Ha! fun!
Such cute photos!! I adore that pattern.
knittymuggins
Exactly what wildtomato said. Perfect knitting and pictures -- as always!
LOL... I love that Bug.
We just got a play kitchen for my daughter Kaya and I've been thinking about this pattern!
It's totally awesome! Great job.
Cutest thing I've seen in a long time!
Yum, my favorite vegetable!
I hope the ASPCA doesn't complain that you beet your cat.
*runs away giggling*
"Soporific" is a most excellent word. I think I first encountered it in "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter.
Oh, dear Bug! What a sweetheart.
Most fabulous beet ever!
The bunch of beets is fantastic! I love the stems, I think the pipecleaners add a nice touch. And Bug + beets = too much adorable for one person to handle.
those beets are great!
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