Friday, January 09, 2009

A NYC Rat is moving to Oregon.

My knitting pal, Brooke, is moving back to Oregon. I wanted to make her something to remember her time in New York City. We both admire and love Ysolda Teague's toy patterns. So when the pattern, Mousie, came out, I knew it was the perfect thing to make for her.Now, if you have ever been to NYC, you will surely have seen a rat scurrying on the sidewalk or most commonly sighted, on the subway tracks and platforms. The pattern calls for fingering weight yarn which would make a cute little mouse. I used worsted weight and he ended up looking like a mouse on steroids. He is really more the size of a NYC Rat.The NYC Rat was a welcomed addition to our household in the beginning. But he got restless and started to cause some trouble. Climbing on my shelves and getting way too close to my new set of measuring cups. (Those were a Christmas gift from my sister. So cute!)And then he was terrorizing Napoleon! I realized that the NYC Rat was just lonely and wanted some company.After realizing that the NYC Rat meant him no harm, Napoleon got pretty chummy with him.The day of his departure finally came last night. It was the last knitting group meet up that Brooke would be attending before she left next week. She was happily surprised when she pulled him out of the bag.She named him Oscar. I hope that every time Brooke looks at Oscar, she will remember her knitting pals in Brooklyn, New York. Brooke, you will be missed very much. Good Luck!

Pattern: Mousie by Ysolda Teague
Needles: US 6 / 4.0 mm
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease "Grey Heather" and Vanna's Choice "Dusty Rose"

28 comments:

LadyTr0uble said...

Thank you for my very first comment on my blog :)

The mouse is absolutely delightful. I wish my bf's dog would behave around my knitted animals like your Napoleon. Mugzy has this obsession with gnawing on them!

PS-Melody is so cute, I can't see how anyone would be sick of seeing her in your blog.

Ulla V. said...

It's always sad when a good friends moves, and I love the idea of the rat you made her. I'm sure she will think about you every single time she sees it...

I adore the way the rat's ears look like and sitting beside your Napoleon it makes you wanna pick the little Oscar up!

You really made me laugh about the mouse on steroids comment... ;0))

Agnes said...

Oh my! This is too cute!

Julie said...

I feel like I missed out, I never saw a single rat or mousikin when we visited NYC last year. Clearly I need to visit again ;)

Kirsten said...

Adorable!!! I'm sure Napoleon will miss his new little ratty friend!

Jackie said...

Aiyo, so cute !!

Rima said...

More adorable by the minute! Especially love the tail.

Anonymous said...

OMG, do you REALLY see rats that large there?
i once saw a giant swamp rat climb out of this lake in a park by us and was freaked out cause it was the size of a small dog.

i love your idea to make him giant! I hope Mr. Rat loves his new home!

Anonymous said...

You're cracking me up. Again!

flanthrower said...

What a cute toy! I love it. My favorite picture is the one with Napoleon.

I have those measuring cups too. They're not the most practical tools but they sure are fun to display!

CynCyn said...

i wish i could deny seeing rats in NYC, but just like you say... subway tracks. maybe they are all secrets of NIMH rats.

yours/Brooke's is SO CUTE! You'll make more as toys for Melody, Napoleon, and Caesar?

priscilla joy said...

What a cute mouse, although it looks too much to me like a real one!

LittleCanoe said...

Thank you so much for the mouse/rat! I really love it! He's been sitting around the apartment, out of reach of Mr. Deegan, the cat. I will cherish it forever!
I especially enjoy the picture of oscar and napolean, so awesome.

Miss the knitting group already...

rohanknitter said...

Mr rat is adorable, what a great going away gift! Napolean looks like he's not too sure about him in those pics!

hetty said...

Oh! What a cute little rat! I love it! It's a really nice gift. Your friend will remember you always.

hetty said...

Oops! I almost forgot to comment on your measuring cups. Very unique! Your sister has good taste!

Anonymous said...

Oh, adorable! Both the mouse and your friend :o)

Jennie said...

Too cute!!!

Anonymous said...

Very cute!

Rebekah said...

That's such a cute idea for a NYC themed gift! The rat is adorable!

Anonymous said...

Very cute! What an original farewell gift.

Anonymous said...

I love Oscar! What a cute gift, and yes, a cute pattern.

Sam said...

What a great gift -- your NYC mousie is adorable. I bet your friend was thrilled :)

Christy T said...

too cute :)

Stephanie said...

ong. such adorable photos :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so tempted to buy this pattern now- It's adorable!

Corrie said...

oh brooke looks like a sweet gal so the mousie fits her perfectly!! I love the photos next to napoleon too...he doesn't look too impressed!

I nearly died of shock when I saw a rat in london ..they would run along the underground tracks and being a sydney girl I'd never seen one since year 8 science class! yuck!!!!

but yours is too cute!

Corrie:)

Octopus Knits said...

What a sweet gift! Napoleon looks like he warmed up to Oscar :)

P.S. I love your measuring cups!