Don’t be scared about the picking up stitches warning-Joan really is a great pattern writer and explains how many stitches to pick up where, so really, it isn’t as big of a hassle as picking up stitches CAN be-I didn’t mind…and I’m queen of hating picking up stitches! ;)

A test for the ever talented joansgarden! This guy is too cute, dd will love it! Her birdday is Sunday, and not only did I finish him in time, but I also made her a Walking Dead Daryl Jacket! :) The photo props are courtesy of dd’s long ago friend, Melo, for whom she lovingly used her hard earned money to purchase his little castle bridge and plants.

link to test thread

hours into it: 1.5 (.3 was because I had a moment of insanity).

Last pic shows my sweet girl with her little Melo. He was a painted turtle she rescued from the road… She loved that turtle so much. We help the turtles get across the road every spring…but this was her special friend. :)

OY I spent way too much time knitting today, but this little guy is so cute, you just wanna knit it till it’s done! :) Got the first top of the shell mostly completed, but have to end for today due to an eventful evening

hours in for the top shell in it’s entirety: 9

total grams for top shell: 31 g

total grams for bottom shell: 21 g

hours in for bottom shell 5

I’ve probably spent 40 hours on this-the head was a bit tricky for me, but joansgarden has added wonderful photos to the pattern that will help everyone out, so the I’m sure that the trouble I encountered will be no issue at all. What an adorable piece of work he is! :)

Definitely another dbird two talons up with this pattern-I gave it a strong medium on difficulty, as there are many techniques that are used-so a very new knitter may have a bit of difficulty-but there are so so many photos and instruction that really, even a determined newb would be able to figure it out-so don’t be scared of the higher difficulty-just don’t expect it to be a super quick and easy knit either. It was the perfect amount of challenging and rewards! :)