Would so appreciate any help/tips and advice if you have created any of Jean's lovely knitted toys, I personally haven't knitted any yet, but wish to do so, and just thought you may have some suggestions you have found out, perhaps shaping, yarn etc. It states on the patterns that you knit with 2 strands of 8ply together, is that really necessary? or just the one normal strand be ok? And you knit the one strand of 8ply with a 3.75?
As I say, would so appreciate any thoughts and experiences, many thanks.

beebb3 - 2021-06-15 22:12:00

Absolutely follow the instructions - it’s so it worth for a good result and don’t skimp on the stuffing. My mum knitted lots of these and they really do benefit from being firmly stuffed.

Edited by sarahb5 at 7:49 am, Wed 16 Jun

sarahb5 - 2021-06-16 07:49:00

My mother, an expert knitter, made one of the toys from one of the Jean Greenhowe books. Her comment was that the patterns have pieces that could be knitted as one instead of two fiddly bits and then joined together. I can't remember the pattern but it had ears, so four identical pieces were knitted instead of two with shaping to make the front and backs together.

She always looked to make pieces that were bigger to knit, easier than tiny fiddly pieces and then with fewer joins. Once she had done these adjustments she would turn them out en masse for fairs and as donations.

shanreagh - 2021-06-16 08:39:00

I have knitted many many of Jeans toys.

I have done them all in a single strand of 8ply, unless its something like hats and a few other parts.

I stuff mine firmly so they will stand easily.

One tip I started doing years ago was the leave a good length thread when you cast on for sewing up with.

And yes Shanreagh that's something I have done too..

Jeans Patterns are very well explained. She was still producing patterns into her 80's I think it was.

Have Fun Beebb3 and holler if you get stuck.

popeye333 - 2021-06-17 14:16:00

Thankyou all so much for your help and advice,much appreciated. I went onto You Tube and there are some videos on there of the legs, bodies etc, so thats a big help. Not used to knitting in rounds, but saves that seam etc. Might have to visit the op shop for 4 of the same double pointed needles lol, pattern say 3mm, so guess 3 n a quarter be fine too with the 8ply, just keep the knitting slightly tighter I guess. Gosh I remember my dear old Gran knitting sox back in the day with the 4 short needles!

beebb3 - 2021-06-17 15:11:00

Just follow the instructions, I used to knit and sell them, they all turned out pretty darn good, her patterns are great

rainrain1 - 2021-06-17 16:27:00

The best fun to knit are those.
The Christmas crib ended up in Austria , greatly admired

lilyfield - 2021-06-17 17:33:00

lilyfield wrote:

The best fun to knit are those.
The Christmas crib ended up in Austria , greatly admired

My mum knitted that as a raffle prize for her church’s Christmas fair.

She also knitted numerous snowmen in various sizes - some of them would be 30 or more years old now but I still have a set she knitted for my family with gold or silver hats and scarves which my children insist on being on display every Christmas.

sarahb5 - 2021-06-18 08:04:00

The art is in the stuffing, sewing up and finishing so take your time there. I have seen some made by beautiful knitters but finishing was dreadful spoiling the whole project.

lindyjack - 2021-06-19 22:56:00

Turned out a treat! Easy to follow instructions, made the Toybox Snowman, but in lots of different colours. Pattern free on her website. Did try knitting with the 3 dpn needles, good video on You Tube, but nah, got lost at the beginning, needles crossing over etc lol, so decided to just knit with the 2 dpn needles, and took special care in stuffing and face placement, soooo cute, quick and easy. I ended up using 3.25mm needles, pattern calls for 3mm with the double knitting yarn, turned out fine. Great way to use up lots of colours too. Highly recommend giving it a go if you are a newbie like me, slightly addictive lol. Appreciated all the above comments.

beebb3 - 2021-06-26 00:11:00

Glad you liked it Beebb3.

I forgot to say I use a blunt darning needle to poke between stitches and pull the stuffing to the knitting to make it firmer.. Just eases out the Collagen lol, the bubble look lol

popeye333 - 2021-06-26 09:18:00