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Original poster

Crocheting a meerkat

32 replies

DutchOma · 18/04/2008 20:11

My daughter in law is being given a 'meerkat experience' by my son for her birthday. I thought I might like to knit or crocet her a meerkat and have found this pattern. Unfortunately I don't even begin to understand the pattern and haven't got a 'slicker brush' Any experts out there?

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 18/04/2008 20:14

LOL at the title. It sounds like a WI competition

Fabulous pattern though. I hope someone can decipher it for you.

ranting · 18/04/2008 20:18

A magic circle is a bit difficult to explain, you have to hold the yarn into loop, rather than make a slip stitch and then dc into the circle while you are still holding it.
The single stitches would be double crochet, the Americans call it single crochet.
If that's a clear as mud, I'll try and think of a better way to explain it.

ranting · 18/04/2008 20:20

Had a look at that pattern the whole way through and it's not difficult, it's just hard to explain.

Original poster
DutchOma · 18/04/2008 20:25

I'll have to give it a try later, I've found a website that seems to explain it quite clearly, but I need some yarn first so might go and have a word at the LYS. Birthday is not until 14th May, but I hae one or two other things to finish

OP posts:
Original poster
DutchOma · 18/04/2008 20:25

I'll be coming back to you at every step, you'll see. How do you ask for advice on Ravelry?

OP posts:
ranting · 18/04/2008 20:27

Am baffled as to what a slicker brush is though! Do you know Dutchoma?

ranting · 18/04/2008 20:28

Am on ravelry, am on mumsknitters under rantinghousewife, so if you get stuck, just send me a message, I'll be happy to help.

Original poster
DutchOma · 18/04/2008 20:33

No I don't, but looking at the pattern it looks like something you use with mohair wool. Maybe hobbycraft would know or maybe you could buy one on the internet?

OP posts:
vInTaGeVioLeT · 18/04/2008 23:34

wow - i love that meercat!!!

can i have a gold star please? a slicker brush is surely a teazel brush - which is a small wodden block covered with nasty looking hooky bristles!
buy it here

vInTaGeVioLeT · 18/04/2008 23:37

their website is s*@t but i used to work there and we definately sold them

Whizzz · 19/04/2008 09:11

I love this thread title - very surreal !

Original poster
DutchOma · 19/04/2008 09:14

Definitely gold star territory Vintage. And you are right about the website, I haven't found it. But I need to get eyes for the meerkat from Hobbycraft and will enquire about a teasel/slicker brush too.

OP posts:
BettySpaghetti · 19/04/2008 09:23

I have no idea how to crochet but I love those meerkats in the link !!

I might have to track down someone who can crochet one for me

Original poster
DutchOma · 19/04/2008 19:33

Wait till I've done mine Betty. I have had to buy 50 eyes and a packet of pipecleaners. Once I've done one I may not be able to stop. I got the bamboo yarn from the shop in Rushden, Hobbycraft had the eyes and the pipecleaners and the Paton's Spirit, but not the colour I wanted. The colours they had were £3.25 a ball. When I got home I ordered it from the Internet. They had the right colour at £1.99 a ball, £1.10 in postage so I was still better off.
Someone said I might get a teasel brush in a petshop, one that you brush angora rabbits with. What do you think?

OP posts:
Sadatthemoment · 19/04/2008 19:36

DutchOma - can I just thank you for making me smile. I love the thread title

BettySpaghetti · 19/04/2008 21:41

DutchOma -I love your name. My DP called his (Flemish speaking) Belgian Grandmother Oma so I always think of her when I read your name .

A pet shop sounds like a good idea for the brush. Or how about a suede brush? Did they not have any in Hobbycraft?

vInTaGeVioLeT · 20/04/2008 00:39

dutchOma - i may be able to get you one[teasle brush] on loan! my mum knitted an eeyore a while ago and i'm pretty sure she used one on that.

vInTaGeVioLeT · 20/04/2008 00:42

or get one here

vInTaGeVioLeT · 20/04/2008 00:45

probably need this too teddy tormentor! pmsl

Original poster
DutchOma · 20/04/2008 12:31

Thank you all for your support and messages. I have ordered a brush from Fred Aldous, thanks for the offer of a loan, Vintage, but I may need one on a permanent basis. Apart from which, it is expensive to send backwards and forwards.
I have NOT gone for the Teddy tormenter, I use the end of a wooden spoon if I can't use my fingers.

OP posts:
vInTaGeVioLeT · 20/04/2008 14:00

no problem - i'm so glad you didn't buy the torture weapon

my mum loves meercats - please let us know your progress and if it's easy {not that i can crochet!}

Original poster
DutchOma · 20/04/2008 15:11

Can your mum crochet? She's already got the brush

OP posts:
vInTaGeVioLeT · 20/04/2008 22:09

i think she can do basic stuff like joining blanket squares - she has carpel tunnel syndrome and the last knitting she did was pretty hard on her but i've downloaded that pattern for her might divert her from the fags

Fubsy · 26/04/2008 21:38

Slicker brushes are cheapest in pet shops, you can get a small one for a few pounds. I had one to get the mats out of my old cat's hair.

They are a cheap alternative to carders.

suwoo · 26/04/2008 21:45

LOL at the bizarreness of the thread title and your DIL having a 'meerkat experience'. If you do manage to create one of those meerkats, I would buy one off you- they are fab!