Stana's Critters Etc.
Knitted toys for children and more.
Jan 24, 2021
Corey, clue 2
Jan 20, 2021
Brunelli Wrap
These two photographs may seem irrelevant to the title of this blog post, but in a strange sense it represents part of the knitwear designer process. When I looked at the sky I saw these heart shaped clouds, and I had a camera in hand and was able to take a photo. In a way it was a luck that I looked at the sky at that exact moment and had a camera and was able to capture the clouds shape before it disappeared and changed its shape. If I looked at any other moment the heart shaped clouds would be gone and I wouldn't have these two photos. It seems that the same goes for submitting to a third party submission call.
My ideas are few of hundreds submissions that the editors look through for each submissions call and sometimes it needs a bit of luck and the right moment for an idea to click and be accepted.
Brunelli Wrap is a perfect example. It was rejected so many times that it felt like it's not worth it. Yet I kept returning to the sketch and swatch, and decided to knit a sample anyway. It was at that moment the pattern was accepted for a publication. Here is the post I wrote about the Brunelli Wrap after it was published in October Issue of Knotions Magazine. The rights to the pattern has returned back to me and I can offer the pattern to purchase on my Ravelry Designer Page, Payhip, Lovecraft website and you can also buy it by clicking on this button, which takes you to Ravelry:
Picture bellow is by Kellie Nuss for Knotions Magazine.
Thank you for visiting and reading.
Jan 17, 2021
Corey, clue 1
Jan 14, 2021
Corey, toy mystery KAL
In the picture you can see some yarn that can be used to knit Corey. For my original Corey I used the yarn in the middle, red as MC, black as C1, and the beige mixed with yellow as C2. This is only a suggestion and you can use whatever color you feel like. Corey will look great in any color.
Usually I have the toy mystery KAL only on Ravelry in my group. This year I would like to offer the opportunity for anyone to join and knit their Corey. I will have a thread for the toy in my group on Ravelry, and you can post pictures of the work in progress there, or on Instagram or FB. Just use a hashtag #stanascrittersetc or #stanascritters and I will be able to see the photos.
Traditionally I offer a coupon code to get the pattern for free on Ravelry during the toy mystery KAL. This year I will have the PDF file with the pattern on Ravelry for a purchase and the pattern will be periodically updated with the clues. The free option will be available here on my blog.
So here is the first step:
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, polyester fiberfill (small bag), two pipe cleaners (optional).
Gauge: 20 sts & 26 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch.
Jan 11, 2021
Toy Mystery KAL - poll results
So counting all of the votes from across the social media,
Toy number one: 17 votes
Toy number two: 9 votes
Toy number three: 7 votes
These results include votes in Ravelry group, here on my blog and everywhere else that people left a vote. You can see the Poll results from my group on Ravelry in the picture bellow, in case you are not on Ravelry.
So our first toy mystery KAL for the year 2021 is a toy number one. A pile of yarn on the left side of the picture.
Details for the upcoming mystery KAL
1. More details on the amount of yarn and material needed for the toy - January 14th 2021
2. Clue 1 - January 18th 2021
3. Clue 2 - January 25th 2021
4. Clue 3 - February 1st 2021
5. Final pattern - February 8th 2021
In my previous blog post about the toy mystery KAL I have included pictures of the previous toy mystery KALs. There were 24 toy mystery KALs , but only 23 finished toy pictures. I forgot to include Celeste, pictured bellow. In the pictures of Celeste you can see a different size and look of the toy, which is done by using variety of yarn weight and colors.
The yarn that will be in the details for the next toy mystery KAL is only suggested and you can use whatever color or brand of yarn you wish to use.
Thank you for reading.
Jan 3, 2021
Toy Mystery KAL
There are actually three knitted toys that can be made, and now you, the readers have to decide wich toy will be actually our next toy mystery KAL.
Jan 1, 2021
New Year , a bright new beginning...
What a year we have left behind. It will not be forgotten easily. I do not know what the New Year has in store for us, or what the future is going to be like. I can only hope and wish for more good days than the bad days and take each day one step at a time, and one breath at a time. This image, that I have taken two years ago, reminds me of the feelings I have about the past year and the year ahead. I do not know what is awaiting for me or anyone else ahead, and I know that sometimes it is not easy to continue for it just may seem to be too hard to go on and climb another step. But I also see the beauty that is visible only if we allow ourselves to see it.
Take one day at a time, one step at a time, one breath at a time.
I wish and hope that we all will be able to see the light even in the darkness.
Bellow is a picture of my grandmother's yarn. It may look like a bunch of leftovers and discarded old yarn, but in the second picture you can see that even these leftovers can be turned into something new and positive. It just takes time and it is done one stitch at a time.
Take it easy, be kind, and start small. One stitch at a time will in the end create something new.
We will have a toy mystery KAL starting soon. More details will be in my next blog post.
Stay safe and healthy. Thank you for reading.