Many readers of my old blog will no doubt remember co-star, wonderful model and sometimes knitter, Giantmonk, my partner in craft and giver of all the cuddles in the world, absorber of sadness.
When I moved last year he was one of the things that I could not bring with me, and easily the one thing that I missed the most. I am not ashamed to say that I got a tad upset every time someone inevitably asked ‘but you have Giantmonk, right?’. No, I did not and I missed him terribly. Mr Awesome would listen and understand this, and didn’t mock me for it. He asked me a few times if I would get another Giantmonk. No, I couldn’t because it wouldn’t be the same if I bought myself another. A good amount of time had passed and I missed my Giantmonkey cuddles so much, when one day last week I walked into the bedroom and saw someone sitting on the bed.
He was holding (or chewing, I’m not sure, as it was in his mouth) a letter:
Dear Mimi,
I heard that you were missing my friend and cousin Giantmonk very much, so I wondered if you wanted me to come and stay with you for a while.
We used to play together when we were growing up, so I’m very good at giving hugs if you ever feel upset.
Of course, if I remind you of the other Giantmonk too much then you don’t have to keep me around; but I’m here if you need me.
Yours,
Giantmonk
xxx
One of my favourite things about the letter is that he uses a semi-colon. I have no idea what they do.
Giantmonk couldn’t be any more welcome here. He is full of all the cuddles and asked for only one thing, that I might make him his very own Giantmonk tank top, like the one he had seen a picture of Cousin Giantmonk wearing, taken in January 2010:
So, I had a look through a few part-balls of Stylecraft special DK I had and we worked out a nice colour palette of greens and browns, and I set about making Giantmonk a Tank-oo Top of his very own.
I absolutely adore knitting stranded colourwork designs, and I’m a lucky knitter that doesn’t seem to have any tension issues in this regard (which is a good thing as I was working with acrylic and so my knitting sins would not be all that easy to sort out with that branch of the dark arts known as ‘blocking’).
Hopefully Giantmonk will enjoy being even more cuddly in his super warm tank top and will get to show it off when he pops up on this blog once in a while. I wonder if he’s any good at modelling? Giantmonk, a classic Grattan’s catalogue pose, if you will? What about shielding your eyes to the sun as you look to shore on the deck of your yacht?
It’s a classic pose, and it looks as if he will be a fine, fine model. Welcome aboard, Giantmonk x
Yarn: Stylecraft Special DK
He looks very handsome. He needs a flat cap, you know.
I must be in an emotional mood today (or maybe I’ve got something in my eye) as your post made me cry! I know all too well the cuddling powers of giantmonks (I have 2 now – classic monk and back up monk in case classic monk wears out). What a lovely thing for Mr Awesome to do! New monk looks very cosy and stylish in his tanktop x
So cute! I love the sweater.
I pronounce this the cutest thing on the internet today! I could die of the cute. What sweet colors in his awesome tank top!
Aww, I wondered the fate of giant monk. I loved reading his and monkey’s adventures in your “world of monkey” blog. Tickled that his cousin is keeping good company with you. Also, his new tank is quite smart – nice job!
Awwwwww!
What a wonderful letter and a story full of love. How fitting to have a vest to reflect all that is special; and he is so handsome. I stumbled on your site this morning, and am quite glad I did.
<3
Oh my goodness these are too darn cute! Love those monkies and their colorwork vest!
The vest is too precious =D And I welled up a bit at the story, Mimi.
How cute is that x
Oh Mimi, you are made of win and awesome.
How funny..I was thinking of you the other day after I had read your latest blog post and I wondered what had happened to GiantMonk because I think I sent you some monkey themed things…did I? Or did I just dream this? I’ve done a lot of swaps and things…
I’m so happy you have a Giantmonk again! He is so handsome. 😉
OMG – that is is so darned cute! I think I’m in lurve!
I am so glad you let him stay and made him this wonderful sweater.
Mr Awesome is well named.
I love the sweater vest! Monkey looks quite dapper.
Just gorgeous! And witty too. I hope that his cuddles are indeed as cheering as they look like they should be. 🙂
Yay for Giantmonk’s cousin coming to be with you 🙂 I love the little tank top, such a great colour palette!
That note was super sweet and your color choices for the new vest look great! I hope everyone is happy in the new apartment. (sjn821 on Rav)
So lovely, I cried. And the tank top. just gorgeous.