Cheers all. I have to say, I don't know how long it would have taken me to think up if I hadn't seen the pattern online. I particularly like the fact that it's all knitted in - the 'skirt pimples' are bobbles done with a cable technique.
Just can't wait to see my friend's face when I give it to her. She is going to think I'm nuts. Just like when my supervisor challenged me to knit a 9 banded armadillo, and I produced it for him...