I like learning new fiber skills. Sure, I made granny square afghans like all geeky kids in the 1980s, but I hadn’t crocheted much of anything since. Then Gist Yarn’s amazing team started a sister brand Zollie and I wanted to try one of their kits. Marty the duck was the one for me!
I knit a lot and I’m used to following patterns and of course searching YouTube for whatever weird abbreviation or odd stitch someone is asking for. Since my crocheting was rusty, I was off to a questionable start when one of the first skills was to make a magic ring. But then I realized I was not alone. This kit is not only gorgeous, it is not simply a kit. It is an online class that comes with all the materials and tools needed. As a maker of online courses, this presentation of a class seems like a genius idea.
I make online courses for a living. I love this way of teaching and though sometimes I get carried away and over-explain things, I want people to grasp the concepts and be able to apply them in their own tapestry weaving. I firmly believe that showing the step-by-step especially when learning something with so many hands-on components whether that is tapestry weaving or a new crochet pattern, is helpful. The set of videos that come with the kit over-deliver on that set-by-step instruction. They’re excellent examples of good instructional video. Thanks Zollie! (Please note I do not have an affiliate agreement with Zollie. I simply love this idea and really enjoyed this project.)
Marty had a few adventures along the way. When I was still making the head, my puppy Sal decided she was going to see how tough crochet is and unstuff what I’d done so far. Marty and his cotton skin didn’t even blink.*
Sal the dachshund puppy thought that unstuffing Marty’s head was so much fun.
I made a short video of the unboxing so you could see what was inside and because I was so excited about the project. These boxes are for people 8+ in age and I definitely qualify. I can’t wait to visit my nieces who are 10 and 12 next week so they can show me all the friendship bracelets they made with that Zollie box from Christmas. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to make a few myself.
The video below shows me unboxing the Amigurumi Duck box and some finished photos of Marty. He had an adventure with Sal the puppy as well. If you get the blog via email you can find the video on YouTube HERE.
Below Marty’s body is done, his face and wings finished, and the legs are ready to assemble. I love the Beam 3/4 cotton Zollie uses for this project. It is tough and I think will hold up to the 3-year-old who lives next door quite well! I’m going to have to make another Marty for myself but I’m pretty sure Gist Yarn can provide me with extra materials. There was enough of the foot and scarf colors to make another, so I’ll just need more of the body colors.
Online course in a kit
The kit comes with a little booklet that is full of excellent photos. There is a regular letter-sized pattern as you’d expect, but the booklet contains all the instructions along with indications of a video showing each step of the process. There is a QR code in the booklet that I used to access the videos online. I felt like this team had turned the kind of online classes I teach upside down a bit because they start with the kit as the product with online instructions added. This should be called an online class that comes with materials. The videos are clear and they demonstrate exactly how to do things using the project. But I learned many skills I can take to other crochet projects.
Marty the amigurumi duck from Zollie
Marty the amigurumi duck from Zollie in profile
I really wanted Marty to be a platypus but he is indeed a duck. Also the designer of the pattern is from Argentina and I’m pretty sure there are no platypus there.
I am pretty sure Marty is going to live with the adorable three-year-old who lives next door as soon as I’m done admiring him. I have enough of the scarf and feet colors to make anther duck, I just need to order more of the body colors. Now that I know how to do it, I want to make another one. Fortunately I know more kids who will love this squishy yet tough little guy. And I even know a few kids who are old enough to make their own. They’ll be getting Marty the Duck kits for their birthdays.
Chicken spotting at Myvatn in Iceland
Do you ever make toys? Many of you who have been following me for awhile know that I love to make Mochimochi Land critters, especially the chickens. I wonder if Marty will get along with the chicken crew?!
*Sal is wearing her onesie from her spay surgery. Turns out tiny dachshunds get the onsies made for cats. Don’t tell her. The dog ones don’t fit a long skinny puppy.