It is true that some yarn (however warm it may turn out to be) is just too prickly to wear on the skin or up around the neck. When I came across the Lopi Icelandic wool, I knew it would make me feel as warm as a wood stove if I knitted into a sweater. Icelandic wool is good for keeping you toasty and for that I love it. It is crisp and holds it's shape, but in the south the prickle-factor goes up. Here we look for fiber to wear against the skin. This particular day I didn't want to turn down the sweater route, instead I asked myself, "What could I make with this fiber - for this fiber?"
And that is why I made my first Teddy Bear -- there was no child or expectant mother in mind. It was solely for the fiber. This was actually the first time I have ever followed a pattern and I admit I had NO CLUE what I was doing. How was this odd octopus shaped spot of knitting ever going to become a bear? I continued to mumble this as I faithfully followed the pattern, until I turned it up-side-down, and inside out. Only then... yes! He just needs to be stuffed and I have a bear!
My bear is a little long-legged and his eyes pop out on his face, but he cheers me up every time I look at him in my parent's store. He really is the perfect sample for the yarn. Customers can poke him and squeeze his belly and some have even said that they want to make one too.
