Friday, December 10, 2010

Elves, Gnomes, Wizards, Trolls, Santa + Leo Tolstoy - A New FREE Pattern for Holiday Knitting from Kristin to YOU!

I've been busy as a little elf. And what have I been making?


Another Christmas Gift from me to you!

Grab your No. 10 needles, your odds and ends of Julia (or any feltable worsted weight wool) and go! Knit in the round, the little guys begin with i-cord and then are worked completely in the round. I felted them in my washing machine and then embroidered the eyes and noses. For the beards, I used raw washed wool from our sheep. If you don't have any handy, use a thick single ply (like Lopi) and unspin the yarn to turn it back into fluffy fiber.

Now these might look like Christmas ornaments (which is what they started as) but after living with them and photographing them, I decided that they have all-season appeal. Perfect little finger puppets for Harry Potter and wizard fans. They make awesome toppers for a wine bottle that you are bringing along to a dinner date, don't you think?


Call them what you may - elves, trolls, gnomes, Santas.... But while I was making them, I watched the movie The Last Station with Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer. Do you know what? The little guys started looking just like Leo Tolstoy to me.

Here's Christopher as Leo.... You see? Don't they look just like him?


So there you have it - Little Leo Tolstoys, Santas, elves, or whatever for you and yours! You've still got time before the holidays to whip up a few! From me to you. Have fun! And Happy Holidays to YOU ALL!

Available through Ravelry here for members.
For all of you who are not Ravelry members, click on the Download Now link below!


download now

15 comments:

Elizabeth D said...

These. Are. Wonderful.

eight feet said...

I guess that answers the question of what to do during the impending blizzard tomorrow--these are awesome and will make great gifts. Thanks so much, Kristin!

knitalatte said...

So so cute! Yes, I see the resemblance to Tolstoy too...

Kathy said...

Totally charming and remarkable! Thanks for the free pattern. I think they are a must make! Now, to find the time...

Auntie Shan said...

Oooooo! WICKED! :-D

But don't you mean VODKA Toppers..? Da?

Anonymous said...

hi Kristin ~
Merci Boucoup !
These are fantastic FUN little characters. I work at a Waldorf school & wanted to give the children some kind of Holiday gift, these are perfect !
We may have 10 inches of snow tomorrow, so staying home and knitting these sounds grand !
Thanks for your generosity.
Happy Holidays ~
Shell ~

Heather said...

I absolutly love them!!

Zenitude said...

Those are so wonderful Kristin. I will take advantage of next few days off I have to knit a few for gifts we will be giving away to good neighbors. Thanks so much!

Dianne@sheepdreams said...

You have perfect timing! These are the perfect, fun little handmade item to add to packages this year. I've had "The Last Station" for ages. These cute things and our impending snowstorm will motivate me to finally watch it! Thanks for sharing.

Sarah said...

Love them!

grammynan said...

Kristen, Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Make a little guitar, and they're ZZTop!

Cinderellen said...

I ran across this picture of Lev many years ago and have been looking for it ever since - Leo Tolstoy in a Lawn Chair seems as odd, and for the same reasons as Christ in a Bowling Alley! I hope you don't mind that I shared this picture over on Facebook so I would not lose track of it again!

Unknown said...

Thank you... these look like so much fun!

Sharon themadknitter said...

Thank you for the great creatures. They will make great projects. Perhaps I will put a few on my Kristin postcards hanging in my craft room. You know how we groupies are, its Kristin, Kristin. Not to scary you ha ha

I did see The Last Station and I agree with your observation. Good movie.
Happy Holidays to your and your family.

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