Greetings dear Unraveler’s!
If you are participating in The Great Mulch Watch… the garden beds still don’t have any new mulch. Sigh. I am not holding my breath for any mulch deliveries before Friday… so yes, I will likely have to weed a bit in the sauna that outside has become!
If you were anxiously anticipating the new Gnome Reveal… your wait is over!

Gnoddy with his big sister, Gniddy!
Here are Gniddy and Gnoddy all set to join the Gnome Village in the Big Blue Cupboard! Again, I circle back to the delight of Sarah Schira’s “Recipe Book” that makes modifying gnomes easy… and the “gnome parts” like noses and beards are all “interchangeable” so instead of the large round nose she used for her version of Gnoddy… I selected the small nose which was constructed exactly like the hands and hat top-knot… a small bit of I-cord joined together in a circle!

Hair attachment worked well!
Some months ago, I had an idea for Girl Gnome Hair… and the construction on Gnoddy allowed me to give it a try! The hat brim hides how I threaded a double strand of yarn around a knit stitch. It worked better than I imagined! I will absolutely be using this technique again!

Heading off to the Big Blue Cupboard!
I also made a knitting bag for Gniddy… cast on an odd number of stitches and then did several rows of seed stitch until I had a bag size I was happy with. Then I bound off all but three stitches, which became the I-cord for the bag. Sew up the two sides and voilà! A Gnome Knitting Bag!
Although I am plugging away on my green vest, I still have a ways to go before I can start the ribbing so what did I do… swatched for a new project! Ha! Yes, I am going to knit another Shakerag Top… this time with Kino Ito! Yep, the yarn I used in the great marled scarf! Kino Ito is available right now from Kay and Ann… and really, it is such lovely yarn to knit with! At this writing (Tuesday night) the swatch is not totally dry, but my gauge was spot on before giving it a soak and in it’s almost dry state so I cast on!
I am reading two books… one in my ears – John Boyne’s The Boy at the Top of the Mountain. And before bed, a Georges Simenon Maigret book – The Yellow Dog! Now this book was first published back in the 30’s but it came from Netgalley. I have never read any of the Maigret stories, so I thought… what the heck! And I am so glad I did! I am about halfway through the short book and loving it!
I also picked up the latest (and Pulitzer Prize winning) book of poetry: Marie Howe New and Selected Poems. I read a few poems a day over the past three weeks and she has given me so much to think about!
That is all I have for today, what about you? Have you been itching to start something new?
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I love your gnewest gnomes; you really are the gnome whisperer! From personalized sweaters to braids and her own knitting bag, these two will be very welcome in Gnome Village. A silk Shakerag also sounds wonderful. Here’s hoping the weather dries off enough for a mulch delivery but that’s not in the weather forecast for today or tomorrow. I do want to start something new- another pair of socks so I can see what the stripes look like!
Gniddy and Gnoddy, they ate so perfect! I love the hair and the knitting bag especially 😊
The gnomes are delightful as always and make such a great pair! I am keeping my fingers crossed that your gauge stays perfect after drying and that mulch comes your way soon!
Gniddy and Gnoddy are fabulous Kat! Your modifications are so spot on. I do love that Gniddy has a project bag! And her braids look wonderful. Earlier this morning I was looking at Kino Ito on the MDK site. I have yet to knit a Shakerag top, but it’s been on my “must do at some point” list. Now might be the time. Love the color you’ve chosen.
Maigret! Years ago both Colin and one of my brothers were reading the Maigret books. Did you know there was a TV series too? Not sure if it is still available anywhere.
Fingers crossed for your mulch delivery. Still wet/damp/misty here and the forecast into next week is for the mid-90’s. YIKES!!
Oh, wow, how cute are Gniddy & Gnoddy?!! I love the braids.
I’m trying to figure out how/when to mow (much needed) between the heat, humidity & rain that’s in the forecast! Sunday is the driest day in the forecast, but 95F!!! Yikes.
I love how they are holding hands, warms my heart! The braids are so sweet!!
I feel like I’m always itching to cast on something new. I think Brenda Dayne of Cast-On said the best project is always the next one. The gnomes are darling and of course Gniddy needs a knitting bag. Very clever indeed. Enjoy your new project. The yarn looks wonderful.
What great new additions to your gnome collection, Kat! I always love seeing your creations — and the braid is just genius! (Isn’t Marie Howe wonderful? And her new collection is just lovely — to look at and to read!) Best of luck with the mulch . . . and the weeds. XO
Gniddy and Gnoddy are adorable, of course! I love how you make each one your own and those braids are so cute and clever!