 It’s a robot. |
 It’s a ninja. |
 It’s a robot ninja! |
Shadow Master: Deadly practitioner of softness and cuddliness. Coming soon to a Christmas tree near you. (Especially if you’re a baby boy in Shelburne, Ontario!)
UPDATE: Well, isn’t it just like me to surprise everyone with a ninja robot without any explanation about why, when, who, how or whatever.
As you know, I’ve been making Jess Hutchinson’s knitted robots for a while now–they’ve become my default baby present (after the precious kimono) suitable for any occasion. Somewhere around the time we visited Steve, Jen and baby Griffin in Shelburne, I saw this wee ninja toy and somehow the two conflated in my sick and tiny mind. Thus, a robot ninja was conceived.
Now, I started it about a week and a half ago at the Wednesday night s&b at Lettuce Knit, and amused several people I’m sure by trying to knit at least part of the ninja in the round. In true Wednesday night s&b tradition, I came home and spent the hour before bed undoing everything that I had done while at the Wednesday night s&b. This pattern does not want to be knit in the round. As they say in IT–it’s not a bug, it’s a feature. The seams (and there are a number of them) give the little beastie structure, helping it keep its robot ninja shape. I did go so far as to do a three-needle bind-off at the top of the head, and later picked up four stitches in the centre to start the i-cord antenna. (Oh, and a double-strand colonial knot for the embroidered eyes.)
All in all, he turned out well–a huggably squeezably soft instrument of DEATH! (Shuriken and katana not included.)
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
pretty sweet!!! i bought the issue of Crafty: hoping the pattern would be in there… alas! no pattern
No, no pattern in Craft
That said, if you look closely at the photos of my robots and of Jess’s (you can go to my flickr page and pick the largest of the ‘all sizes’ options), you can pretty much figure out how to make one yourself–and even adapt the pattern to make your own unique robot.
I have the Unusual Toys booklet that she published (little did we all realize that it was a limited edition!)…I keep hoping she’ll publish a book with the robot pattern and her many others. Her designs are wonderful.
Ah, what a great adaptation of the knitted robot! I love it!
I’ve knit a couple ‘bots and have the yarn for many more, in particular a “giant” bot with Lion Brand super chunky Wool-Ease! Tee hee – everytime I make one, I think of new things to add and ways to modify. Definitely a fan.
Not sure if you’ve seen this yet,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jYa_rJyG18
My uncle is 6′ 4″ and a black belt in karate and he can knit like a son of a bitch. (But then again that half of the family are Newfies)
Love it, it’s the perfect Christmas present!
Jayne, not only have I seen that YouTube clip–I’m in the DVD it’s promoting! (Yes, I’m interviewed while knitting a sock in Allan Gardens.) Shameless promo: Real Men Knit is a great documentary on the subject of male knitters, including yours truly, and is rounded out with an interview with Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably, a history of knitting and a 20-minute knitting lesson giving instructions for a smart hat. I think it’s pretty swell
As for your uncle, I think we should nominate him for the Order of Canada.
Ha! Congrats on the cameo. I must get my hands on that doc. Maybe I should make a doc about my Newfie Ninja Knitting Uncle.
Love, love, love the ninja robot, David. You rock!
It looks just like you! It’s great but my heart still belongs to the sock monkey with the scarf.
This is one of the most original blog I’ve ever seen!
Congrats for your work1
Have a nice day.
Bety.
Hey David – your ninja has inspired me to take up the toy flag again. I love love love Jess’ book.
J
David,
I just found your site, blog–what ever it is called. (I am not computer savy). I love it. What a beautiful lace scarf. I bet your mom was very proud to recieve it. Keep up the great work!