Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away there was a yarn shortage!

Barry (seen here with Walter Koenig and Data and Chekhov Meerkats) has a MeerTrekkie habit second to none, so when my local yarn shop told me that the "Star Trek command gold" yarn was discontinued, I told him of the emergency. I hunted around a few towns, but there was none to be found. 

Some months later...a package arrived from Barry! No, it wasn't yarn, it was entirely the wrong shape. It was... a book! 

Not just any book, it's a photo book detailing Chekov's mission: Kat Trek, the Search forYarn. 

As I started to read, my laughter got louder. Barry channeled his inner-Chekhov very thoroughly, the whole book is written in the broken Russian accent known so well by Original Series Trekkies.

Chekhov searched and searched. 

Chekhov bravely went to London and tried to use the transporter at Oxford Circus. The instructions were confusing. Standing on the right did not achieve transportation.

He discovered evidence of 20th Century alien visitors 

but the correct yarn was not discovered no matter how he set the tricorder.

Eventually I realised there was only one answer, and knitted Captain Benjamin Sisko, The Emissary to the Prophets. He consulted the orb of Prophecy and showed me where appropriate yarn might be found. He also suggested this was a job for a man, not a boy (sorry, Chekhov) so Captain Kirk boldly went on the next stage of the away mission.

Well done Captain Kirk - and thank you, Barry. 

You made me a very happy knitter indeed! Live long, and prosper. 

You wouldn't believe it - but there was still more in the parcel. 

A photo of the lovely Nichelle Nichols, signed for me with my name on it!!!

I have shared only a few of the 42 pages (it *had* to be 42, didn't it? answer to life, the universe and everything!) but if you've had fun, go find Barry on twitter and tell him! @CoachDriverBaz

MeerTrekkies are of course available in Etsy and Folksy, and if you take yours on adventures I would love to hear about it!!

Teeny tiny Star Trek stockings

I knitted each of the original series crew a tiny Christmas stocking for their party photo. If you're thinking it's time you rehomed Kirk, Spock, Scotty, Uhura or Bones then now is the time - the next time each of these crew members goes to a new home they'll bring their own exclusive stocking. Don't worry, they're VERY small so you won't need to put much inside! I only knitted the 5 stockings you can see, so when they're gone they're gone.

Trekkies at Etsy  or Trekkies at Folksy

5 Captains

Barry has been at the Star Trek 5 Captains convention, and has just sent me fabulous new photos!

This is Scott Bakula, aka Captain Jonathan Archer with his Meerkatted self and of course Porthos the beagle. Barry is wearing "convention crew meerkat" round his neck!

Avery Brooks, aka Captain Benjamin Sisko, the Emissary of the Prophets. 

His meerkat is holding the orb of Prophecy.

Kate Mulgrew, aka Captain Katherine Janeway.

Meekats available in Etsy and Folksy. 

Want to see the other convention photos? They're all here

If the crew member you desire is not currently in stock, just ask - I'll boldly knit.

New MeerTrekkie fan photos!

Barry has been at another convention and as always, has sent me photos of the meerkats meeting their humans! See them all here: FanPhotos

Here are the new pics:

Jonathan Frakes - Picard's number one, Will Riker. 

Mr Frakes is holding PicardKat, whilst Barry holds RikerKat.

Ethan Phillips, who played Neelix. Must have taken an age in makeup! 

He's holding KesKat, Barry is holding NeelixKat.

Thanks Barry!!

New Meerkat greeting cards

I really enjoy posing my meerkats for greeting cards, it's a great chance to explore the inner child!
I've only had a few each of these new designs printed, so if you're thinking one might be for you - grab 'em while they're hot. I particularly enjoyed giving the trekkies their party beverages!

They're on Etsy and on Folksy and of course I have other cards too, including a bargain bumper bundle, choose any 4 from the 7 designs shown below:

Etsy bumper pack   Folksy bumper pack

MeerTrekkie Burrow

You all know my friend Barry, who takes the MeerTrekkies to meet the humans (and aliens) from Star Trek, don't you?

His July event requires him to carry no less than three meerkats at a time - and his pocket just can't accommodate that many little paws so I thought I'd better make him a burrow.

I'll bet Scotty, Kirk and Bones never anticipated that. Come the day it'll actually be Tuvok, Riker and 7of9 snuggled up in the burrow...what can I say? Have fun Barry! 

In case you're wondering, yes that is my Original Series command sweater. And no, I won't be putting it on any time soon to show you! Live long, and prosper.

I've found my new indoor photoshoot spot

One thing I wanted when we moved was to have a place to take photos where I don't have to put everything away each time - and I think I've found it!

Our new house is partly open-plan with double height ceilings and a gallery - and that is *mine*!

This first shot was taken from my seat at the computer, you can see the gallery is above the kitchen. If you have very good eyes (and click on the photo to enlarge) you might be able to spot that one of myfridge magnets is a pic of the lovely Johnny Depp by Silja Erg!

 This is the view up the stairs - again, the eagle-eyed might spot my little flutterbutt by Sharona of Raisinlike

 Here is my set-up, below two windows which are great for watching the stars and by day give light from two directions. There's just room for my light box, tripod and chair. The little storage chests behind hold my stock - and Captain Picard is ready for his close-up.

 Looking down from the gallery to the main room, you can see the computer to the right where I sat for the first shot.

 And this is the view from behind the chair on the gallery, over the stairs to the balcony off the bedroom. Just look at that view!

I'm not *quite* satisfied - at the moment my light box is standing on one of my yarn storage boxes, I need to replace that with a small table. Getting there though! Here's Picard, straight from the camera without any photoshopping...

Not bad, is he? Maybe just needs lightening a little. "Tea, Earl Grey, hot."

I've almost been knitting :-)

Not a new character, but a redesign. You may have seen the photos of Barry accompanied by meerkats at Star Trek conventions? - well, the next one will be attended by the delightful Nichelle Nichols!

Uhura Meerkat was one of my first designs, so I thought I'd better have another look at her before she met her real-life counterpart.

I've added black trimming to her asymmetrical neckline and sent her to the hairdresser - isn't she lovely?

Available "knit to order" from Etsy, my other shops are currently "ready to ship" only, but I'm happy to transfer her on request.

For those of you who are still confused by the big strong man in the fan photos - no, it's not me, it's Barry. Do those hands look like they can knit tiny meerkats? Really?

Trek fun

New Meerkat Trekkie fan photos!

My friend and meerkat-collector Barry has been to another convention!

Here's Barry introducing Jennifer Lien to meerkats Kes and Neelix



Armin Shimerman meeting meerkat Quark:



Trekkie meerkats are available from my shops on Etsy and Zibbet

and there are even more MeerTrekkie fan photos on my fanpage

Live long, and prosper!

Which reminds me...did you know I bought a Tshirt from the wonderful Leonard Nimoy's Etsy shop? You don't want to see a photo, do you? Really? Ok then...

Star Trek and Monty Python in one, what's not to love?

More MeerTrekkies going boldly to a Star Trek Convention!

Barry is my best customer - he takes his meerkats to meet their real-life counterparts at SciFiCons!

Here are the latest stars:

Meerkats Chekov and Data meet Walter Koenig who of course played Ensign Pavel Andreievich Chekov



MeerTrekkies meet Brent Spiner who played Lieutenant Commander Data.


If you missed the pics of previous meerkats at conventions click here, and just in case anyone makes the usual mistake - no, I'm not the handsome tall chap with the meerkats. That's Barry. I'm short and female!

Star Trek Meerkats available from my shops at Zibbet Etsy or Folksy

Meerkats boldly going to SciFi Convention!

Oh my - I'm so excited!

Do you remember when I told you about meerkat-fan Barry who took Scotty Meerkat to meet William Shatner?

You don't?

Here you are then *click here to see the photo*

Barry's just been to another convention - and just look!!!!



Photo above is Barry with LeVar Burton, who plays Geordi LaForge in Star Trek TNG and of course his mini-me Meerkat.

Next is the very lovely Nicole de Boer who plays Ezri Dax in Star Trek DS9 - she looks as if she quite likes being a meerkat!



And finally - LeVar again, this time with 3 MeerTrekies: Dr Beverly Crusher, Geordi, and Ezri. Both humans look like they're having fun! I can't thank Barry enough for getting (and sharing!) these photos, it's almost like I'm really there!



MeerTrekkies available from each of my shops, links at the top of the page or click here

Scotty Meerkat met William Shatner!

Words fail me - but could you hear my excited squeal when my lovely buyer sent me this photo? THANK YOU!



Live long and prosper \\//__

Trekkie meerkats available here

Knit long and prosper

First of all - I'm sorry! I know I've been neglecting my blog, but I hope you'll agree it's been worth it. I've been busily updating and restocking all my Trekkies, and adding a few new ones. Why? Well, because it's been Star Trek weekend on TV and I've watched ALL the old movies. I am officially all trekked-out...at least until the next time.

Without further ado then...here's the Next Generation!



Back row: Worf, Data, Geordi, Riker
front row: Deanna Troi, Dr Beverly Crusher, Wesley Crusher, Captain Picard

Data has had an upgrade, I found some yellow shiny beads which look much better as his unusual eyes. Geordi's visor has also been upgraded - and young Wes is just adorable!

Seven of Nine has also been upgraded - I think you'll be able to spot her new "attributes" in the Voyager team photo:



Chakotay is certainly showing increased interest in her new "staff profile" but Janeway and Tuvok look less than impressed.



Still just two Deep Space Nine Meerkats, Kira and Dax (so much yarn, so little time...where have I heard that before?)




I'm an old-school Trekkie at heart though...so I'll leave you with my Original Series Meerkats. Live long and prosper! All *20* Meerkat Trekkies available from my Zibbet store.

He's thread, Jim!

Want a *free* "He's thread, Jim" card?



Sign up for my newsletter here to find out more...limited stock available so be quick!

This is …Bohemian Bear

Pride and Prejudice earrings

I made a new friend on Etsy Forums recently, and when I discovered she was a trekkie I knew I had to invite her over!

Favourite colour?

Pink. Or better yet pink + black. Black kicks it up a notch. (Can there be glitter?)

Nifty ponders...Yes, I think we can allow glitter!


Trek stickers
Favourite smell?

Chocolate. Not dark chocolate though. Believe it or not, eating scads of fatty/sweet dark chocolate won’t make you healthy no matter how many articles you read about it. Oh, sorry, was that a rant? :)

Favourite place?

Home. Surrounded by MY stuff, playing by MY rules.

Nifty: That's my girl!

Favourite sound?

My daughter’s laughter. It’s cheesy, I know, but there’s nothing better in all the world than knowing my child is happy.

Nifty has spotted your daughter modelling in your shop - she certainly looks happy in her work!


bunting

I usually ask what is your favourite way to spend your time, but I’m going to assume your answer is “watching Trek!”

Favourite Star Trek episode and/or film? Why?

The Next Generation is my favorite show. I grew up with that one. Picard will always be the epitome of a good captain.



Jean Luc Meerkat by Niftyknits

My favorite episode is actually from DS9, The Ascent, where Quark and Odo are stranded on a planet together.



Nifty's favourite episode, since you ask, is Trials and Tribble-ations. I'd never seen this "how it was made" before! There are 3 other youtube episodes but I'll leave you to find them for yourselves.



Favourite character: who would you most like to meet (or be)…and why?

Melora Pazlar from a DS9 episode (Melora). Her planet has very low-gravity and they can fly. Nuf said.

Nifty: Oooh yes. I seem to recall she spent some lowG time with Bashir...wonder what they did?

Favourite trek quote?



Favourite item in your shop of all time?

-Well, I *have* to go with this one. It’s so great. You can wear it to work and only Trekkies will know what it is. “regular” people just think it’s a cool brooch.
comm badge

Nifty's favourite bit from the item description: "Please note, that no matter how hard you smack your comm badge, Scotty you won't be beaming you anywhere. But I'm working on that issue!"

And getting serious for a moment – What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learnt so far that you’d like to pass on to our readers?

Having sold on eBay for several years (several years ago) I knew it wouldn’t be easy to start out again. It takes a lot of persistence. You have to really enjoy the creating AND the business side of it or you’ll just make it into a chore. If you don’t put your heart into your shop it will show. Hopefully one day my creative persistence will also feed and clothe my family.

Good luck with that...and live long and prosper!

You can find Kristi here, she has much much more than Trek fanware for you to admire (and buy!):
www.bohemianbear.etsy.com
www.bohemianbear.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/bohobear
www.facebook.com/bohobear

Red Alert!

"Red Alert! There isn't enough ribbon left for a replacement crew - set scanners to max!"

It was a meerkat emergency - I had exhausted the stock of ranking ribbon, and the local shop wasn't able to re-order. What to do?

Luckily, Captain Kirk was able to twiddle the knob on his communicator until he picked up some vibes from Overspill ... and we sent her an arm. (Well, we always thought that particular crewman was 'h'armless)



Armed with the arm, our trusty crewmate set off across the galaxy went to the wholesalers and came back with a very close match.



Logically, this means there will still be Meertrekkies for sale :-)

For customer service you can do no better than to try Overspill and her sister-shops. Live long and prosper, Cal!

Overspill
CarolineHardy.etsy.com
EnglishGentleman.etsy.com