I haven't taken photos along the way while making Hermione, as the process was much the same as the making of Horace, but she came from a pattern by Heidi Bears. This post is going to be mainly pictures, in part because I was left speechless while constructing her front legs - I made an almighty muck up of following Heidi's instructions, and it took a few hours to locate my error (I had confused 3 motifs that Heidi's pictures showed ALL in blue and orange) and made the most bizarre looking shoulder growth... Hermione appeared to be shaped as though she was wearing a power suit with enormous shoulder pads, a la Dynasty (c. 1987). I'm pleased to say that I am laughing about it now, but at the time, the air turned blue!
I wanted a bright colour scheme, and boy, did I find one...
I've used Stylecraft Special DK yarn in cream, aspen and jaffa. I bought the jaffa and thought, Oh My! I'll never use that yarn - it's far too bright. But used in small quantities, I think it can be very effective.
I'm pretty speedy at making the African Flower motifs now.
So, without further ado, here is Hermione.
I had another serendipitous find in my handmade bead collection - the ones I made myself - and just happened to have made one in orange and turquoise. I never realised I was so keen on these colours! Here's a little close up of Hermione's bottom so you can see it properly. (Sorry Hermione, rather personal!)
I already have my orders to make another hippo and another elephant for birthday presents to my niece and nephew. I will be working on them during the summer - in between my many other planned projects. Something tells me this summer my fingers are going to be very busy!
I look forward to seeing your feedback about Hermione. I read all your comments and love receiving them. I've also managed to add two ways to follow this blog - up at the top right hand side of the page is a "join this site" button, and down here near the comments box there's a "subscribeby email" option. Now you have no excuse to miss a post xx
Horace is about 50cm long, Hermione is about 60cm long (nose to tail). Pip is coping with our new house guests remarkably well. I was a bit concerned that he might rather, shall we say, fancy them? But we've had no inappropriate advances. In fact he seems content to ignore them both. He is a very good respecter of property. He plays with his toys, chews his own bones (and paws) and leaves my shoes, yarn and doorstops alone. He does however have a bit of a cruch on my furry hot water bottle though!
ReplyDeleteI love Hermione! She's gorgeous - and that tail is fabulous (I did cover one eye so it wouldn't look like I was peeping).
ReplyDelete