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I'm another one that hasn't been on here in a long time and just got that spam email. I never understand what drives these people as nothing good can come from it.
Anywho, nice to see some familiar names and all the wonderful creations. I've turned to knitting and only now and then do I make a bear, and then usually in crochet. 
Wonderful work Manuela. I love them :clap: :clap: :clap:
Too cute Sophie. He looks a little anxious with big eyes and that "hug me" face. 
I have been away from bears for some time now, but good thing I checked in now. My 2 year old topic has been revived. Thanks for all the nice comments. I bought the booklet on pipecleaner bears from this website http://www.tinyteddies.150m.com/.
Oh my goodness, this is an amazing piece. I wouldn't sell him for the world if I were you Lisa. :clap: :clap: :clap:
I haven't been on here much the past months, because I have been seriously bitten by the knitting bug. Then I peek back in here and see these wonderful creations. Well done! I think I have th rabbit pattern or a very similar one, but haven't made it yet. I prefer to knit my bears in the round.
If I may give you a few tips on knitting critters. Perhaps you already know this, but perhaps not. I use a needle needle 1-2 sizes smaller than what I would normally use for the yarn, to get a really tight gauge and firm fabric (unless I want to felt it afterwards, which requires a loose gauge). For a good seam you need a firm selvedge, which means you need to make the first and last stitch of a row small and firm. In stockinette stitch it is best to knit the first and last stitch just like you do the other stitches, but pull the thread tight before the second stitch. In garter stitch you would lift the first stitch knitwise on each row, because the fabric is pulled in lenghtwise and knitted edge stitches would create a somewhat wavy edge. Sewing a good mattress stitch is second nature to you, so I don't need to tell you how to do that. On knitted fabric you sew one stitch in, i.e. between the first and second, or second last and last respectively. Don't pull too tight, because knitting has stretch and a very tight sewing stitch may cause puckering.
Lovely bear Sophie! I also adore the bear in your avatar. :hug:
Very nice bear! He has the same signature look that your avatar bear has. Well done!
Are they? :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
Sheesh, tried to read that to hubby, spit laughing on my screen :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
Looks like a red squirrel to me. Isn't there a hint of a bushy tail to the left between the boards? I love squirrels. That cheeze doodle is probably not the best food though 
Oh what a cute and pretty puppy Sarah! I'm sure he will be fine and I agree, its prettier without 
Happy happy birthday! Twice is better!! 
:hug: :hug: :hug:
I can see why he won Jane! Your apes are amazing. Big congrats! :clap: :clap: :clap: :dance: :dance:
I'm sure it'll be fine Ann. I haven't done a show, but what everybody tells it seems like fun. here are the :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: 
Chrissie, there is a book called The Doll's Dressmaker. I think it is out of print, but you can get copies on ebay, often from the UK. It explains pattern design for doll clothes and has some patterns. You can use the same instructions with bears, because its about measuring and adapting the shape of the garment to the shape of the doll/bear.
To return to my original question: In British teddy bear shops "single" loop means a straight = pre-crimped, narrow loop. I bought some and that's what they had. They are great, easy to insert and no risk of breaking by crimping . Looks like they are similar to the ones here at Intercal.
Wow Sophie! Doing the happy dance with you today. :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :clap: :clap:
Absolutely Sophie! I think he is one of your best bears and to me he looks high quality and unique. He reflects your style very well. I can't know about winning and I suppose that will be a matter of taste also. Which contest are you thinking of entering?
Very interesting. I always enjoy your reports Sophie.
Ohh, so beautiful I want to go too. Thanks for showing us.
Soooo? (I'm blonde) :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
Hi Jennifer, try waxing the thread. Get a small block of bees wax, pull the thread across it several times and smooth the wax on the thread by pulling it through your fingers/closed hand. This makes the thread slightly sticky and also prevents those pesky unwanted knots during sewing.
Are you asking about the knots in string jointing? I leave a tail of thread at the starting point, then when I come back again, I knot both threads, pull tight and double-knot again. Then I pull the tails through the body with my needle and snip off (pull while snipping so the thread ends will slip back into the body)
The Little Mermaid shot reminds me: my grandad was in the Submarine Corps when he was younger, and he told me that one night in Copenhagen they all got drunk, swam out to the mermaid ansd painted her green XD. They had to scrub her clean with toothbrushes the next day when their superior found out...
:crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
That mermaid gets stolen now and then too, but so far they have always found it and brought it back. You don't have to swim out btw, its just at the shore on a few rocks and people wade out to it or manage to use the rocks as stepping stones. It is apparently difficult to climb up to it though. Looked slippery.
Tami, I have a 75-300 mm zoom (actually a little longer on my digital SLR), but I was also rather close as these animals were just behind the fence. Zooming in makes the wire fence fade away and it was actually better to watch through my lens than with my own eyes. It was so much fun watching all these baby animals in action. The little lynx played with anything it found and even tried to stick its paw through the fence at all the cameras. There was a glass wall too and it suddenly reached up with its front paws and tried to get to the fingers of all the kids behind the glass. Too funny. There even were baby otters, but still blind and confined to the nest. We could see in through a glass window, but they were sleeping and it was quite dark.
