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Mr. Foster Sock Monkey...

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At 12:20am on August 8, 2009, wendy said…: Hi Louise,
Cheryl's directions for the mouth were a real godsend weren't they? I didn't understand the pattern at all when it came to this, and was most unhappy with the 1st mouth I did. So I used Cheryl's directions, and even though it took 3 tries to get it right, am glad that I re-did it until I liked it. Funny, the second little monkey's mouth was so much easier. Go figure! What has Seymore been up to lately?

At 10:26pm on July 24, 2009, wendy said…: Oh Louise, he turned out so cute! Really, really cute! I have not really liked the pattern for his head, but after seeing Sailor Sea Monkey, I think I must do one according to the pattern. He is really smashing looking. And here you were worried that his pants wouldn't fit. You should be so proud of yourself! He doesn't look like he would be hard to knit, but he has been full of surprises. Wendy

At 9:59am on July 24, 2009, wendy said…: Hi Louise,
Well I certainly hope you are feeling better now. This is not a fun time of the year to not feel well. I really like the idea of glass eyes. That will look very unique. You are right to not sew any eyes on, I love the feel of this yarn, but have found it pills like crazy. My DD Mr. F has been so man-handled (or should I say woman-handled?) that he is a regular fuzz ball! I am really looking forward to seeing him in his sailor suit with beautiful glass eyes. Now to ponder just what color those eyes will be.....

Take care of yourself!
Wendy

At 6:54pm on July 23, 2009, wendy said…: Hi Louise,

Just checking in to see how you are doing with your Mr. Foster. I got the impression you were done with him by a comment I saw posted the other day. Did you finish him? Any pictures yet? How are the clothes coming along? Looking forward to seeing your finished Mr. Foster! Wendy

At 10:56am on July 11, 2009, wendy said…: Hi Louise,
I have heard of Merrickville. We went to Ottawa once when I was little, around 4. I remember it because my little sister was 1 and went to the bathroom all over my mom when we were watching the Guard ceremony out on the parade field. She'd kill me knowing I just told you that! Just after I wrote to you earlier, my husband was online looking at airline deals, and one came up for Canada, Banff and Lake Louise in particular. He loves these two places very much. We used to travel there all the time in Sept. until our kids had to go and spoil things by starting school. Who knows, maybe we'll go back in a year or so, now that they are in college. My grandfather was originally from England too. He moved to Canada sometime after the Boer War but before WWI. Although he fought in WWI for England in the Cheshire Regiment I do believe, so I am not completely sure on the dates. I'll have to check with my mom sometime. Anyway, small world! Where about in England do you come from? I think all of Canada is pretty. So peaceful, clean, lots of friendly people, lots of diversity amongst people and geology. I don't think there is any place in Canada that I don't like!

Now on to the knitting aspect of things, Barb gave me a great pointer on stuffing the mouth. It is under the Share your pictures of Mr. Foster. Maybe page 13 or 14? She said she really stuffed the fluff in there to give his mouth so much character. It really does make a difference too. Cheryl's mouth instructions went right over my head the first time, but last Sunday, everything just seemed to click, and made perfect sense. It looks much better than the first time I did it. Dont' be afraid to really stuff him, you can always take it out and re-stuff him to your liking. As far as the sailor pants go, I have been concerned about the tail hole placement as well. Do they say to fit them to him? I have not looked at them, as I made my Mr. Foster greatly altered, and know nothing will fit him as written. Maybe you can leave the tail where it attaches to his body 'less' stuffed, there by giving you room to make it fit through the hole? Just a thought. I left mine a little "floppier" where it is attached. I also used floral wire, wrapped in floral tape, and then wrapped lightly with thinned out fluff, and finally wrapped with yarn (just to hold the fluff on) in my Mr. F's tail. That way my daughter can make him hang from things, and I really like the look of making it curly. Just gives him some more character.

As for the shirt, maybe Susan (noknitsherlock) has some pointers on this. She and Cheryl are great sources of knowledge. You can always "friend" Kerin and send her an e-mail about this also. Let me know how you make out on this. I am looking forward to seeing pictures of your sailor suit! Good luck and happy knitting!!!! Wendy
ps. I stepped away for quite a while to make breakfast for DD and her BF from college. Had an idea, why don't you put the pants on Mr. F and mark where the hole of the pants line up on his body. Maybe you can sew the tail on in a smaller square than called for. Just an idea. Let me know how things go. :)

At 7:48am on July 11, 2009, wendy said…: Hi, I just recently re-did Mr. Foster as I was very unhappy with his mouth. I had to get him done so I could use him at my daughter's grad. events, so he was not a complete monkey, but she did not care. She loves him in any form. Cheryl suggested finishing as much as I could, and then after everything was over to re-do him. I was so glad she suggested that, as I never thought of it, and was quite depressed when I realized I didn't have time to fix him in time for her party. Cheryl has been a real godsend! He is finished now, and I am much happier with his looks. I'm going to posts pics in a few days and then you can see the big difference.
I have not started any of the clothing yet, working on monkey #2, but have wondered how the new outfits were working out. Has it been easy so far? And have you noticed a difference working with cream colored yarn vs. colored yarn? I love the feel of the cocoa yarn, but wished it didn't pill so easily.
Where about in Ontario are you? My grandmother was born in St. Catherines way back in 1892. Her father was the 1st superintendent of the Welland Canal, so we traveled in Canada lots as a child. I love going there. Unfortunately we don't have passports, so it may be a while before we can go again. :( Take care, and good luck with your little monkey! Let me know if you figure out the security officer's top. Wendy