FO Friday: By Request

Those of you who know me well are quite used to the fact that I rarely take requests. More specifically, I don't knit for hire in the sense that I will make you a sweater or (insert any handmade item here) for any sum of money. As most of you can probably commiserate, this policy is in place simply because I don't have enough hours in the day - I barely get enough time to make/design all of the things I want as it is!

However, when your young nephew mentions (well in advance of his birthday, might I add) that he'd really love a hand-knit Pikachu, exceptions must be made!

I used a free pattern which I designed several years ago when his older brother requested the same - back then, I didn't know how to crochet, and those were the only patterns I'd come across on Ravelry, so I decided to come up with my own knit version. It's knit with Shine Worsted from KnitPicks, which is an incredibly soft blend of pima cotton and modal. I loved the yarn, but it probably wasn't the best choice for this particular project because I had some issues with wonky stitches due to the unfortunate combination of this yarn with acrylic needles. I don't recommend that pairing for non-stretchy yarns with very little memory: wool is so, SO much more forgiving than cotton, acrylics and other synthetic fibers, and I would have done better to have either used a wool yarn with the acrylic needles, or used slick metal needles with the cotton/modal yarn.

All in all, he turned out well and the birthday boy was pleased. I'm counting this as a win!

LAST CALL!
Don't forget to enter my Superfine Merino Yarn giveaway which ends this Monday! Be sure to also check out my Sock Yarn Mini Skein Grab Bag sale over in my Etsy shop - there are just a few left, and the sale ends this Sunday, May 17!

Thanks for stopping by, have a crafty weekend!

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