Zebra Puppet

Tracy / October 4, 2006

It’s “Works For Me Wednesday” hosted by Rocks In My Dryer.

Today, my tip is to unclog a hairspray nozzle with alcohol! Sometimes water just doesn’t cut through.

It’s a quick tip, I know, but it works for me!!

I’m happy to report this morning that as of yesterday, I am cavity free!

I absolutely hate dentistry so this was great news!! The dentist told me that since it had been so long since I had been, she was surprised to see how clean my teeth were….she doesn’t know that at home, we are obsessed with teeth! My children and I brush and floss often!! 🙂 That is preventive care that works!

Today, being Wednesday, means we roll out the newest finger puppet. I’m really pleased with him, so here he is…..

For those who don’t know, I’m making a set of finger puppets for my little guys for Christmas (we try to live by a few gift rules in our home…give quality gifts that don’t require batteries!). I have been making animals…I might try and make a person later so that my children will have a “Noah” for their animals. This was a suggestion by Darlene from the Heart Light Knit-Alongs group on yahoo.

I guess this one turned out O.K. ….I might still try and tweak the pattern a bit. For those who are sewing along, you can access the other patterns HERE, and the following is this week’s pattern:

Cast on 12 stitches (this will be loose on the finger but I was trying to accommodate Daddy hands that might want to play along!) …Leave a tail of several inches.

Row 1: K
Rows 2&3: K in black in ribbed stitch pattern (knit, purl, knit, etc.)

Rows 4&5: K in white in ribbed stitch patten

Row 6: K in black

Row 7: P in black

Row 8: K in white

Row 9: P in white

Continue in white until puppet measures 1 1/4″

Last full row: K2tog all the way across (knit last stitch)

Carefully slide work off of knitting needle and with a large eyed tapestry needle (or whatever big needle you might have…I had a plastic canvas blue one), thread yarn through all holes and pull tight to close on top.

You want the purl side to be facing out at this point. Using the tail that was originally left from casting on, re-thread needle and use this to stitch closed the finger puppet along the back. Secure tightly.

Turn finger puppet inside out.

Thread needle and take one stitch (leave tail dangling). Using the tail and loose thread now threaded through needle, tie a knot to secure to puppet. Make a twisted cord tail, tie a knot in the end.

Make two french knots from yarn where you would like to place the eyes.

The ears and nose are made from black…

Cast on 4 stitches, leave a tail.

Knit 3 rows

On the 4th row, k2tog all the way across and then bind off in the last row.

Try and shape two pieces into a triangle, and one shape into a circle. Stitch triangle ears on to either side of head. Remember that a zebra’s ears are folded in just a bit so when you are sewing them on, remember to account for this.

His nose gets stitched to the front of his face. Try not to sew it on flat to the front of his face but allow it to pucker just a bit.

His hair is made by drawing a threaded needle through the yarn from the top, tie, cut and comb it out, all the way down the back until you have the desired look.

That’s it!

This is what the back of the little guy turns out like:

Thanks Christy, for the idea to do this animal!

Prayer Requests

Please pray for Roberta who is having some post surgery “issues”.

Pray for a new project that I will be starting on Friday.

Pray for Paul, we found out this morning that he will not find out about the job promotion for TWO MORE weeks. UGH!

Today I’m Thankful For

Having my dentist appointment over for another 6 months!

Progress on Christmas presents that we are making.

The house is almost dried out from the weekend!

An evening out with hubby yesterday!

New shoes! Woohoo!

Tracy’s Task

Today, we’re working on our kitchen. We’re deep cleaning all our rooms now so that we can enjoy the holidays with no stress.

What I’m Learning

Am I the only one who is noticing a trend to de-feminize women? While I was out last night, I must have seen a dozen women who were so masculine that I wouldn’t not have been able to tell their gender if I had seen them from behind.

It’s a tragedy that women are so easily giving up part (a huge, important part) of what makes them beautiful, for the masculine clothing and hair styles that seem to be so popular right now!

Today’s Scripture Meditation

Ps 18:28-30
“You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”
(NIV)

Praying for His will in my life,


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