Started knitting them in 2008. I could not believe that I finally found a pattern that I can modify into a gerbil. They don't look too bad.
Materials:
- Worsted weight best but I leave that up to you.
- Needles suitable for the yarn. I used 4-mm (US Size 5) diameter straight needles– this project is knit back and forth in row.
- Tapestry needle.
- Straight Pins to help put the gerbil together.
- Floss in the color of your choice for the eyes or get wiggly eyes to glue them on.
- Crochet hook. I used a size F.
- Something to cut yarn with.
- I think that’s all!
Directions:
- Get the bunny pattern at: Heartstrings Fiber Arts site.
- Garter or stockinette stich a square 4 or 4 1/2 inches.
- Follow the bunny directions on assembling the gerbil together..
- Make the ears by just crocheting a tiny chain and sew them on. It is trail and error on how many. It is pain to sew on,
- Use the crochet hook to chain a tail and make a tuft use spare strands of yarn.
- POOF! You have a gerbil. It will usually only take and hour or two to make depending on how fast you knit..
Update 07/27/2008
I have been using 4.5mm (US 7) needles with Stockinette stitch with a 4" square. The gerbil turns out much better. I have found a better way to make the tail look more fuller like a real gerbil. Cut 3 strands of the color you want the tail. Thread each one through the back of the gerbil. Then divide them into 2 strands each and braid them. Once the tail is as long as you like, tie it off. Cut off any excess but leave enough for the tuft. The tail turns out much nicer. At the gerbil show in May 2008, they were the hit of the show. I sold many but many of them were used as prizes and raffle items. I plan on having at every gerbil show I attend. I an even entering on at the local fair for handcrafted knitted toys.
Update 09/10/2008
Ear Improvement. Using size 3.5mm (US 4). Cast 4 stitches then immediately cast off in knit. Thread one end through the other end forming the ear. Sew in place. For those that hate crochet.
Update: 03/23/2010:
I got some homespun wool/angora yarn 3ply in a Craftster Swap. I went down a needle size (US 6). The gerbil came out wonderful. Much closer to a real agouti or nutmeg gerbil. Take a look.
News Articles that mention my knitted Gerbils:
New Hampshire Public Radio May 19, 2008 | Nashua Telegraph May 12, 2008 | The American Gerbil Show: What Our Pets Teach Us
Please send me pictures of your gerbils. I would love to see them. If you live near Nashua NH in May, there will be a gerbil show. I will be there selling my knitted rodent merchandise. See Pictures of my gerbil creations here. I tried to be as close to real colors as possible. I welcome suggestions! My knitted gerbils will be at the New England Gerbil Show on May 1, 2010 in Nashua, NH. I will also have my gerbil and hamster knitted necklaces that are featured at my Etsy Store.
April 6, 2010: My Knitted Gerbils appeared in a New York Free paper called amNewYork. It was under the Stuff Section. Found on Etsy. Here is the PDF.
I did start selling my knitted gerbils at my Etsy Store.
