End result: Kept this for my husband’s Christmas. I bought the shield from ebay for a few pounds, varnished it and hooked the stag head onto it. wrapped it up in a posh box and told my husband he had to open it last becasue it was his main present…. thought he was going to end himself laughing. We all love it, it’s up in the hall and is a great talking point.

13.11.13 Finished, felted and delighted! Did the antlers in Drops Love 4, felted beautifully in a 40 degree wash. Have ordered an MDF shield from ebay, all of £4 including postage, perfect. Made the eyes with a circle of white felt and a black button sewn on top. Used white thread for the top two holes in the button and black in the bottom, meant to look like the light glinting.

If I did another stag’s head I’d be careful not to overstuff it before felting, I had to take a wee bit of stuffing out of this one to let the wool shrink properly. I’d also use the Drops love 4 for the head as well as the antlers. I’m already thinking about what else I can knit and felt with that.

BTW used 80m for the head and ears, just (just!) over 1 ball of the Drops Alaska. Thinking I could do another one out of the second ball if I use a different wool for the inner ear.

Another change, I ended up knitting the antlers on straight pins and sewing them up, was just too much effort on the DPs. This worked well, I stuffed them as I was sewing each bit up, the seam was almost invisible and after felting became absolutely invisible. Next time I’m planning to do the ears in two parts on straight pins, with a lighter wool for the inner ear. And maybe the head on straight pins too, with a seam under the chin and along the nose, which would help keep definition while felting.

11.11.13 Started this tonight but it’s another secret knitting project so can only work on it when I won’t be discovered. Came across this pattern when I was nosing about the finished projects of somebody who had faved one of mine, always think if someone faves a project it’s a good idea to see what they’ve been knitting because maybe you have similar taste. Anyway, enjoying the 4 pins and the technical challenge of this one, hoping to finish it tomorrow or Wednesday.