Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Hatching a Dragon


Hi, Knitters,
I am hatching a dragon. That's right, he is hatching right off my needles and before my eyes. I made a video the other day of how I start thinking about shapes and features of my knit toy designs as I am working. 


Click here for my entire YouTube Channel! I have 49 videos posted and close to 1.3 million viewings.

I have mentioned on Facebook and Twitter that I am working on designing a dragon for Unicorn Books, the distributor of Opal Sock Yarn in the U.S. I have gotten a very enthusiastic response so far. I've concluded that people like dragons. Opal has come out with a new solid series for their fantastic sock yarn. The colors are wonderful and inspiring.


Click here to see the Opal Sock Yarn and Hat Bunny on my Ravelry Pattern Shop! (Each pattern can be bought separately or together.)

Unicorn Books (the country's biggest craft book distributor) will be selling the pattern in hard copy and download to yarn shops starting this June of 2013 at TNNA. Eventually, I will be able to sell the pattern in my own Ravelry Pattern Shop as a download.


I love this little friendly dragon. I feel like he is a youngster, possibly recently hatched from his dragon egg. He has a sleepy, just woke up look about him.

In fact, I am thinking about making an egg for him to hatch out of, not as a reversible but as a separate piece. Yes to that?


I've worked so hard on his wings. After much study of dragon images and debate I decided that the wings should match the body color. Since he is a young or baby dragon, I imagined his wings just unfolding for the first time. They are kind of sweet looking.


I still have his tail to knit on. I have left a good open tail space to work with below his spine.


The face isn't complete yet either and arms and legs are still to come. Maybe a tiny flame from his mouth? Not sure. I'm having a great time designing this friendly dragon. 

Here are a couple of things to note if you want to start thinking about making this dragon for yourself: 
- The dragon is knit completely in one-piece from the bottom up. There is no seaming or stitching on of parts. When you are done knitting, the toy is done!
- The Opal Sock Yarn is the Grasgrun colorway and is held doubled throughout the project. It goes quite fast held double.
- I am knitting on US size 5 dpns.
- The dragon is about 6-inches tall.

More to come very soon on the dragon front as I complete him......

One announcement I need to make is that I will not be attending the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. The coordinator contacted my publicist to say that the author book signings have been canceled. I am sad not to attend but hopefully another year! I think I am signing book plates for the festival to use when selling my books so you can still get a signed book.

On the good news front, I WILL still be teaching a workshop and having a book signing/meet and greet at the fabulous Fibre Space in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday, May 3rd. The workshop is from 5-7pm and the meet and greet/book signing is from 7-9pm!!

Here is the information for Fibre Space (fibrespace.com):
102 N. Fayette Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 664-0344


Enjoy your day and I hope you enjoyed this tiny look behind-the-scenes of my toy designing.
best, susie
p.s. The Ebb Cowl Knitalong is ending in one week!! There are 86 projects posted already, 344 queues, and over 1,000 favorites for the Ebb Cowl. Thank you everyone! Finish up and post your cowl if you haven't yet.

33 comments:

Betz White said...

He is so darn sweet! My son LOVES dragons (have you heard of the game/app called Dragonvale? You can breed and hatch virtual dragons!) and even had a dragon themed birthday party this last December when he turned 11.

I'm bummed you won't be at the MD sheep and wool! :( But your dragon is making me very happy!

Amanda said...

What a great dragon! He definitely looks new and sweet! We love dragons here too!

Amanda said...

My son loves dragons and that is an especially sweet one--his eyes are perfect for a hatchling dragon!

Barb said...

YES to the dragon egg!! This dragon is so cute. You really are one very clever, imaginative, creative & generous lady. Thanks so much!!!

redsoxgal5 said...

I LOVE the dragon!! Especially the wings, you nailed those perfect!!

Nickycarp said...

Adorable dragon, Susie! Just love him! He's got the most amazing face. Truly. momoffour

remmy said...

I say yes to the Dragon Egg. He is just too adorable. Looking forward to seeing him completed with arms, legs and tail.

Kristebee said...

Love the dragon! He's so whimsical and sweet! The video was a great add too. It is fun to see how you dream up these adorable creations. Thanks for letting us inside the mind of the knitted toy master! :)

Kriste

Lady Penguin said...

I think he is so cute and I think he definitely needs some "fire"! I can't wait for the pattern to come out, it will be a perfect knit for me since I was born in the year of the dragon!

RC said...

bummed you won't be at MDSW ;( wanted to get my books signed.

and OMG squeeeeee!! the dragon is awesome! yes he needs an egg-

btw, I am an experienced test knitter w/references and would be thrilled to test/sample knit toys!

rabiesonmyshoe on Raverly

Vicki Maynes said...

Oh, he is so cute! I think my kids would use an egg only if it was big enough to use as a bed for the dragon.
I love Opal's solid color sock yarn, but I can't find any place to buy it. None of my LYS carry it and I haven't found it on the Internet. Can an individual buy yarn from Unicorn books? I've looked on their site many times, but it seems that you need to be a shop owner to purchase from them. Great job on the baby dragon! When you were teaching, did you ever use the trilogy, My Father's Dragon? My grandgirls loved them and we read them out loud many times. I also used them with my Special Ed kids. Anyway, the main dragon's name is Boris. I think your guy needs a name!

Julie said...

I love that little dragon, he is too cute!!

knittykitty99 said...

he is adorable and a dragon is definitely a different knit. i would love to see an egg for him - my daughter loves eggs. i will knit this one for sure.

Cindy H. said...

I absolutely need this pattern when available!! It is adorable!
(I just now finished socks so I haven't started the cowl yet and missed the kal )
rav id arrowfeather

Deborah said...

Hello Susan,

I just love this little dragon!! I can see myself knitting it up and giving it to my little grandson with a story book. Maybe "Puff the Magic Dragon".
Looking forward to purchasing this pattern. Thank you for sharing.
Deborah

Anne said...

I am wondering if and when the pattern for the smaller opal sock yarn bunny will be available. I did the larger one and love it. I think I will like the smaller one even better.

Anne said...

I am wondering if and when the pattern for the smaller opal sock yarn bunny will be available. I did the larger one and love it. I think I will like the smaller one even better.

Debbie said...

I love this little dragon! It reminds me of the dragon on the cartoon, Jane's Dragon (I think that is the name). I've watched it several Saturday mornings when I'm knitting beyond the Today Show (haha).
I am so excited, I just got an email from Kristin telling me that I won your book from the giveaway on her blog!!!! Thought you would be happy to know it's going to a member of your Rav group, who found out about the giveaway on your blog!

Stefanie said...

I love how it looks so authentic. It's back ridge is so awesome!

Unknown said...

Wow, I can see that I have to make my husband a Red Dragon. He has played Dungeons and Dragons for over 30 years. I was going to embroider him one, but my eyesight won't let me work with that many shades of the same color. The Answer: KNIT A DRAGON.

Unknown said...

Wow, I can see that I have to make my husband a Red Dragon. He has played Dungeons and Dragons for over 30 years. I was going to embroider him one, but my eyesight won't let me work with that many shades of the same color. The Answer: KNIT A DRAGON.

Unknown said...

Wow, I can see that I have to make my husband a Red Dragon. He has played Dungeons and Dragons for over 30 years. I was going to embroider him one, but my eyesight won't let me work with that many shades of the same color. The Answer: KNIT A DRAGON.

Creative Design said...

How cute is THAT? I am partial to the snout and the formation of the eyes! Fire breathing for sure. I felted a dragon last year for a birthday present and when I added the fire, WOW! It also broke up all the green-ness.

Can't wait to see the finished baby d.

Sheila

Unknown said...

Love, love, love the dragon! You are a wonderful toy designer.

BListello said...

Oooooohhhh, how exciting. Here I am in the middle of doing my fourth Itty-Bitty Giraffe and my third Opal Sock Bunny and what do I see, but a Dragon in the making! Thanks so much for viewing the "process".

BListello said...

Oooooohhhh, how exciting. Here I am in the middle of doing my fourth Itty-Bitty Giraffe and my third Opal Sock Bunny and what do I see, but a Dragon in the making! Thanks so much for viewing the "process".

lulu said...

Wonderful and such a great design without finishing. With 2 boys, I am always looking for knit toys that are not always so cutesy! This is the one! When will it be available?

Tanknit (Julie) said...

This dragon does have a sweet face. Your instagram pic the other day where you ran 5 miles in Colorado inspired me. I hopped on the treadmill and ran 4 miles this morning.

Kelly said...

Your dragon is fantastic! I think an egg would be fun--perhaps just half of an egg, as if he had just hatched!

I am bummed to miss you in Alexandria. Fibre Space was my LYS up until just 2 weeks ago when we moved out of state! Old Town is wonderful; I hope you have a great turnout for the workshop and a great time!

Kelly

Carol said...

Ohmygosh!! this is way too cute to be a dragon. This will change the way history looks at dragons! :)

sally said...

Can there be such a thing as having too much fun? Such a dragon!!!

Emily said...

He is looking adorable!

Tonja said...

This is cool!