7.16.2009

Pattern: Manatee
For: Baylie
Yarn: 31 yds Cascade 220 in Charcoal Gray
Needles: US 5 Knit Picks Options
Etc.: stuffing, 2 7/16" buttons for eyes, black embroidery floss for nostrils
Timeline: started 07.13.2009; finished 07.16.2009

How cute is this? I knit it on smaller needles (for no reason other than the fact that I already had these tips on a cord). The shaping on this pattern was interesting, but I had an issue with the short rows. As written, the pattern didn't call for any wrapping or anything else, so my first attempt resulted in giant holes. I went ahead and redid the short rows with wraps, picking up an extra stitch to close any gaps. I also picked up around 12 stitches for the flippers instead of 8 to avoid getting any holes, decreasing down to 8 in the first row. It is pretty adorable, though, so it was worth changing the short rows.