Thursday, February 07, 2008

Meet Ellie!

I managed to finish this project before Melody was born, but I didn't have a chance to photograph it until now. The pattern is called Elijah, but since I knit a girl elephant, I had to change the name. My sister named her, Ellie the Elephant.

Another great seamless knitting project! You just have to make sure you are comfortable with picking up stitches and using double pointed needles. It's uniquely constructed, starting from the head. And then you pick up stitches for all the other body parts. It can get really fiddly at times. But it's worth it because you don't have to sew any parts together.
I wanted to make it extra special for Melody, so I duplicate stitched a heart on Ellie's chest. I think that it adds a special touch. I hope she will cherish this doll forever.
Ellie turned out to be 13 1/2 inches long since I used a thicker gauge yarn. Don't be deceived by the vase in the background. That vase is huge and sits on the floor.
Pattern: Elijah by Ysolda, purchased pattern here.
Yarn: Less than 1 skein of Caron Simply Soft "Orchid", A little bit of Caron Simply Soft "Grape" for the heart.
Needles: US 3 / 3.25 mm
Size: 13.5 inches long from head to feet
For Ravelry Users: Link to Pattern

42 comments:

Rebekah said...

So cute! The heart is a great touch and I can't believe that this is seamless!

Anonymous said...

I love this, it's adorable! And that last picture could melt even the most icy heart... the two of them look so sweet together, and they're even the same size. :)

Kirsten said...

Ellie is adorable!! I'm sure Melody will cherish her. The heart is a very sweet touch.

Susan said...

Beautiful baby! Very nice elephant. All the best to you.
Susan

Allegra said...

adorable elephant! and melody is so beautiful! she looks so snuggly!

Nanette Merrill said...

It is so cute and the purple is darling.

Baby darling, so darling.

rohanknitter said...

What an adorable elephant! I love the fact that it's seamless - what a plus!

Nanette Merrill said...

Sorry I couldn't find your email address to answer your comment on my blog . . .

Wafer board is construction board. Its only about 1/4- 1/2" thick I think and you get it any home building supply store like Home Depot. I think you could also use cardboard duct taped together though. But we had the wafer board in the garage. I just have the kids bring it in and put it on the counter and then when I'm done it goes back to the garage. You just have to have a smooth hard surfact and something that can get sticky.

Thanks for your comment. I hope this helps.

nanette

Yarn or Death said...

So cute! You'll be able to tell Melody about when she was the same size as Ellie. :)

Even though I'm told that crochet structurally makes more sense for stuffed animals, I love the look of the knitted ones. Maybe the grass is greener because I can't make them myself?

sUsAn said...

I love it! I purchased this pattern too and hope to make it for a friend who is due in May (she reads my blog so I will have to be sneaky!). You're little girl is precious!

Christy T said...

Oh my goodness!!! I love her! The heart is the perfet touch :) I think I'm going to have to try to make one for my best friend. Sooo cute!

Anonymous said...

So cute!

Anonymous said...

Look at that adorable sleepy smile on Melody! Too cute!

Ellie is great as well. I love the girly addition of a heart :)

Micki said...

Aw, they're best friends already! Too cute.

Rima said...

Super Duper Cute Elephant! My boyfriend loves elephants...in all shapes and forms.

In relation to your note on my blog, how is to self-teach sewing? I am planning to buy a sewing machine once I get back. Also, do let me know if you have suggestions/tips for buying sewing machines?.

Thanks and see you soon on blogland!

nova said...

So cute! I am knitting an Elijah for a friend's birthday, I love yours, I mean Melody's!

Anonymous said...

Ellie is gorgeous as is Melody!

Nettie said...

Ellie fantastic! The little heart really makes her unique.

Danielle said...

I love your Ellie the elephant. She makes me think of my great grandmother who collected elephants for years :)

Anonymous said...

Cuuuuute! Cute, cute, cute! They are the same size :o)

Jennie said...

So cute! both Melody & Ellie.

Knitterella said...

Be-still-my-heart! I love that Ellie. So cute!

I sware, your Melody is the cutest baby! I'm not just saying that either. Does Regis and Kelly still do the Beautiful Baby contest? If they do, you really should send some photos in!

Anonymous said...

The last picture made me laugh. I totally thought it was a tiny little elephant! Melody is gorgeous...congratulations!!!

(I really love her little smile)

Stephanie said...

Both Melody and Ellie are absolutely beautiful :) She always looks so happy and peaceful in her photos! Hope you all are well :D

Anonymous said...

So adorable! The heart makes it special indeed.
Melody looks beautiful!

Jackie said...

oh, Melody is smiling with cute Ellie besides her. What a beautiful photo !

schrodinger said...

I think I have to make him for a friend right now!! Too adorable. And what a beautiful picture of Melody with Ellie.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

I love Ellie the Elephant! She is just adorable, as is Melody.

You are so talented!

~Elaine~

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh Oiyi, I love little Ellie, but I'm in love with that little angel laying next to her!!! Look at that sweet face with a slight little smile that Melody's making!!! Just precious...these are the days...xxoo, Dawn

Anonymous said...

Thanks, I'm excited about my latest project. "Ellie" is a cutie! So is your baby!

Corrie said...

ellie is so cute...almost as cute as your own little bundle...who is so adorable! keep the photos coming...I stop by for my baby dose for the day!

corrie:)

Anonymous said...

I love elephants and Ellie is the most adorable! And what a brilliant knitter you must be to knit her!

teresa fsw said...

That is so adorable! Coincidentally, my daughter also has an elephant softie also called Ellie!!!

Amanda Jean said...

ack! that little ellie is so cute. especially love the shot with ellie and melody. precious!

Saira said...

That is just the sweetest picture. When Melody is older she won't believe that she was ever that tiny.

Vyvyan said...

I can always count on cuteness when I read your blog. I love the Ellie and the fact that it is seamless is very deserved of extra points (I hate hand seaming). I made up the Elephant from the Last Minute Gifts book but I like your's better. Lucky Melody!

joyce said...

both are so sweet and adorable!

turvid said...

What a beautiful baby, and the elephant, too. ;)

Octopus Knits said...

Ellie is fantastic, and she looks so pleased to be hanging out with a sweetly sleeping Melody!

Happy belated birthday (hope you're healing up nicely and getting a little sleep)! It's wonderful that the boys enjoy Melody - that's always a concern.

I'm going to have to look into that cool crochet ball!

teresa fsw said...

I've tagged you Oiyi! I'd love to know more about you.

Check out the rules here: http://buttnakedbaby.blogspot.com/2008/02/ive-been-tagged.html

Unknown said...

They are ridiculously cute. Love how Melody looks so happy next to Ellie.

Hearts and Crafts said...

This is adorable! The heart was a great idea! That makes it even more special! I love it!