Knitting Pattern for Voyager Sweater

Voyager Sweater

In January last year I started to make sketches for Voyager Sweater. It was an independent project, that I had to put aside whenever knitting work for a third party landed on my needles and desk. I have finished the sample last June. I started to work on the pattern in July and that part of the whole process took the longest. Originally I created six sizes. Then I decided to make additional sizing to make it available for more variety of knitters. The final pattern is available in twelve sizes. The sweater has two length sizes, and the sleeves are also possible to customize.

The pattern went through several TE readings and I have to say that my collaboration with Maggie of Midnight Purl has been fabulous.  Here is the link to her website.
https://www.midnightpurl.com/

The pattern has also been test knitted and the sweaters the test knitters made look amazing.

Voyager Sweater

I have to say this is my first knitting pattern for a sweater in 12 sizes. It has been a long journey, but the results are satisfying. You can purchase the pattern in my Ravelry store, on LoveCrafts, or by clicking on this button: 



I am already thinking about other sweater designs. This Voyager sweater has reignited in me the spark for sweater knitting. My first ever knitting project was a sweater, which I designed myself. After that I was knitting sweaters for many years until one day when I just stopped knitting sweaters. I was knitting everything else but sweaters for years. In the meantime I began my knitwear designer career as a self-publishing designer, also working with various yarn companies, and having my patterns published in various knitting book collections, magazines, and websites. In a way this Voyager Sweater is my way to revisit the beginning of my knitting experience. I love the process and hope to continue to create more.

My first sweater

Voyager Sweater

Some details about the sweater sizes and yarn:

Finished Sweater Measurements:

Sweater at bust: 32.5” (82.5 cm) [34.75” (88 cm), 37” (94 cm), 39.25” (100 cm), 41.5” (105 cm), 43.75” (111 cm)] {46” (117 cm), 48.25” (122.5 cm), 50.25” (128 cm), 53” (135 cm), 55.25” (140 cm), 57.5” (146 cm)}.

Length: 22.50” (57 cm) [27.25” (69 cm)].

Sweater Sizes:

For bust circumference sizes: 30.25” (77 cm) [32.5” (82.5 cm), 34.75” (88 cm), 37” (94 cm), 39.25” (100 cm), 41.5” (105 cm)] {43.75” (111 cm), 46” (117 cm), 48.25” (122.5 cm), 50.25” (128 cm), 53” (135 cm), 55.25” (140 cm)}.

Suggested Yarn: Cascade Yarns Eco Peruvian Tones, Bulky (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 478 yards (437 meters) /250g (8.75 oz) 2 [2, 2, 3, 3, 3]{ 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3} skeins (shorter length), 2 [3, 3, 3, 3, 3]{ 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4} skeins (longer length).

Yardage:

Shorter length:  835 y (764 m) [890 y (814 m), 930 y (850 m), 1005 y (919 m), 1060 y (969 m), 1115 y (1019 m)] {1155 y (1056 m), 1235 y (1130 m), 1290 y (1180 m), 1350 y (1234 m), 1405 y (1285 m), 1434 y (1311 m)}.

Longer length: 935 y (855 m) [995 y (910 m), 1040 y (951 m), 1120 y (1024 m), 1180 y (1079 m), 1240 y (1134 m)] {1290 y (1179 m), 1375 y (1257 m), 1434 y (1311 m), 1505 y (1376 m), 1565 y (1431 m), 1600 y (1463 m)}. 

Thank you for visiting.

PS: Since I have posted this pattern to Ravelry this morning, the pattern made it to page 2 of "Hot Right Now". That is awesome. Thank you for everything.

Knitting Pattern for Corinna Checker Blanket

photo by I Like Knitting

My pattern for Corinna Checker Blanket is in August issue of I Like Knitting Magazine.

Corinna Checker Blanket

In my yesterday post I was musing about deadline versus leisure knitting and this blanket is a perfect example of how the deadline knitting can be stressful.

WIP 

The day the yarn arrived from Cascade Yarns I have managed to burn my hand.  It was painful. However I had a contract and a rather short time to knit an entire afghan and I needed to include the fabric liner to hide the floats on the back and to make the blanket look really neat. 

I have calculated that I needed to knit about 5000 sts each day to finish everything on time. Somehow I have managed to do that and I shipped the sample to the magazine on time.  

Here are a pictures of the two layers being pin together and hand sewn. 

Checker Blanket WIP

 While I was still finishing the sewing the dog decided to test out the blanket. 

Checker Blanket

Thank you for visiting.

Knitting versus Deadline Knitting

I like to knit.

Playing with yarn

Ever since I learned how to knit I enjoyed the process. I have knitted all those years when knitting was not fashionable. My first ever finished project was a sweater. I actually unknowingly started my knitwear designer career with my first knitting project when I calculated the number of stitches to cast on and how many rows I needed to knit. I also used three colors and intarsia technique, without actually knowing how to cast on. My mom helped me with the cast on process, and I continued from there. I knitted the sweater and created an original design element, small holes in the place where the yarns should have been twisted around each other when I changed them. I didn't know that at the time. I finished the sweater, my grandmother helped me to sew the pieces together and made the crew neck around the neck opening. I had that sweater for years. Last year, when I visited my mom I found an old picture of me in that first sweater.  The picture was taken by my grandfather. He was an excellent photographer and writer.

First sweater

I kept on knitting all those years. I might have thought about knitwear designer career from time to time, but I never pursued that until few years ago. It was when a friend of mine mentioned the website Ravelry and I joined the knitting website when I realized that there is a possibility to be a knitwear designer. I was given the opportunity to share some of my ideas and projects, and I learned to write knitting patterns. I started to submit to various magazines and yarn companies and to my surprise my ideas were accepted. This whole thing is a work in progress and I am still learning.

Somehow my hobby turned into a part time job.  I can create and knit, and sometimes I earn some money. With the opportunity to have my work published by magazines, yarn companies, or in a various knitting books  the deadline knitting arrives as well.

Knitting is a leisurely process created one stitch at the time.
However when working under contract for a third party, knitting turns into a deadline knitting and the process is suddenly less of a leisure and more of a stressful event as the whole process needs to be finished on time and delivered to the third party by a certain date. Sometimes there is plenty of time to work out the pattern and knit the sample. Other times the process is more limited and has serious time constraint.

There have been moments when I am complaining about knitting. It feels frustrating, especially if something is not working the way it should, or if I make a mistake and have to rip out portion of my knitting and start over. Yesterday morning I emailed the finished pattern and in the afternoon I mailed out finished sample that will be published by a third party. Now I have to wait until the pattern is published to share the pictures of my work.

Today I spend my morning in the garden picking out the berries.

Berries from our garden

And because I like knitting, I already started to think about my next knitting project. But that has to wait, first I need to finish the final read of my Voyager Sweater pattern.

Voyager Sweater

Thank you for visiting.

Summer knitting games

Every year I try to have some fun games throughout the summer months hosted in my Stana's critters etc group  on Ravelry. This summer is no exception.
Summer on the go started June 17th and will last until the end of August. Join our group, post a photos of your knitting and enter the chance to win some fabulous prizes.
To start off the fun event I have created a coupon code for all of my knitting patterns. The coupon code is valid until June 21st midnight of EST. Enter the code summer  during the check out.

Aliens in PJ

The fifth Ami-along  is  another event that I participate in during the summer months.
Ami-along group on Ravelry is where the fun happens.  
The Ami-along begins with a sale event running from June 25th until July 8th. The coupon code for 25% off all eligible patterns, (more on this in the Ravelry group) is AMIALONG2019 
The official Ami-along runs from July 1st until August 31st.

Enjoy your summer, or winter for those in the Southern Hemisphere, safe travels and have fun knitting. Or just look up at the sky.....

This is what I saw few days ago from my window.

Heart Shaped Cloud

Knitting Pattern for Aliens in PJ

Aliens in PJ

Aliens in PJ
by Stana D. S.

Finished Toy Size: 6.5" (16.5 cm) tall.

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn.
Approximately 50 yards (46 meters) total for PJ (I used remnants of cotton yarn I had in my stash)
Approximately 30 yards (27.5 meters) of MC (I used Universal Yarn Cool Baby; 90% Cotton, 10% Nylon; 140 yards (126 meters) per 3.5 oz ( 100g);  Nr. 106 Green Monster)
Approximately 5 yards (4.5 meters) black yarn.
This is a great project to use up remnants of stash yarn.

Recommended Needle Size: DPN US # 5/ 3.75 mm (set of 5), or use your preferred needles for knitting in the round.

Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, polyester fiberfill (1 small bag)

Abbreviations: 
CC = Contrast color
DPN = Double Pointed Needles
K = Knit
KFB = Knit in front and back of the same st, it creates 2 sts from 1 st.
MC = Main color
R = Round, rounds
SSK = Slip st, slip st and knit the 2 sts together. This decreases 2 sts to 1 st.
st, sts = Stitch, stitches

INSTRUCTIONS:

Notes:
The gauge for this project is not important. The size of your alien may vary depending on the yarn and the needles you use. Make sure that your knitting is tight enough for stuffing to not to show through. Make stripes of 2 rounds in each color, or use up small remnants of stash yarn.
The Alien in PJ is knit in the round, starting at the bottom of the body. The eyes are knit separately and sewn on top of its head.

Body: 
With CC yarn and DPN, cast on 6 sts. Place the stitch marker, and begin working in the round.
R 1: Knit
R 2: KFB 6 times (12 sts total)
R 3: Knit
R 4: KFB 12 times (24 sts total)
R 5: Knit
R 6: (KFB, K1) 12 times (36 sts total)
R 7: Knit
R 8: (KFB, K2) 12 times ( 48 sts total)
R 9 - 22: Knit
R 23: (SSK, K6) 6 times (42 sts total)
R 24 - 26: Knit

R 27: (SSK, K5) 6 times (36 sts total)

R 28 - 30: Knit

R 31: (SSK, K4) 6 times (30 sts total). Cut off CC. Attach MC.

R 32 - 34: Knit

Thread the tail from the cast on sts on a yarn needle. Stitch through all of the cast on stitches, pull up tight to close the hole and stitch to secure. Begin to stuff the body with fiberfill.
R 35: (SSK, K1) 10 times (20 sts total)

R 36: Knit

R 37: (SSK, K1) 6 times, SSK (13 sts total)

R 38: Knit

Finish stuffing. Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, thread the end on a yarn needle. Pull the end through the remaining stitches on needles, gather up and close the hole, stitch to secure.

Eyes (make 3):

With MC yarn and DPN, cast on 9 sts. Place the stitch marker, and begin working in the round.

R 1: Knit

R 2: (KFB, K2) 3 times (12 sts total)

R 3: (KFB, K3) 3 times (15 sts total)

R 4 - 6: Knit. Cut off MC. Attach black yarn.

Thread the tail from the cast on sts on a yarn needle. Stitch through all of the cast on stitches, pull up tight to close the hole and stitch to secure. Begin to stuff the eye with fiberfill.

R 7: (SSK, K3) 3 times (12 sts total)

R 8: (SSK, K2) 3 times (9 sts total)

R 9: Knit

Finish stuffing. Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, thread the end on a yarn needle. Pull the end through the remaining stitches on needles, gather up and close the hole, stitch to secure.

Finishing:
Sew the yes on top of aliens head. Weave in ends.

Copyright:
This pattern was design and written by Stana D. S. Please acknowledge the author. Thank you.
 

June and three new knitting patterns

photo by Knitpicks

Strawberry Twist is another dishcloth pattern that I have created for Knitpicks.
The pattern is free and available to download on Knitpicks' website, link here: Pattern
or you can visit my Ravelry store and the link to free pattern is there as well.

Strawberries

This time of year I am rather busy in the garden. Everything has to be planted, seeds need to sowed, cared for, and it all takes time that has to be taken away from my knitting time. That is the reason why it takes me longer to post new knitting patterns.  Also knitting and designing  for third parties takes priority over the independent designing. But this week I have managed to publish two knitting patterns for hats.

Rayas Hat is knit in bulky weight yarn in two colors. The slipped stitch pattern allows you to work only with one color per round. The color combination is endless. To purchase visit my Ravelry store, or click on this button:

Rayas Hat

Neva Hat is another bulky weight yarn project. The pattern is completely reversible.
To purchase visit my Ravelry store or click on this button:

 

Neva Hat

Thank you for visiting.

Woodland KAL

During the month of June, into the first week of July I have a woodland animals and objects themed KAL hosted in my group on Ravelry.
It is a fun event with people knitting various knitting projects of animals, and things that can be found on your walk through the woodlands. The participants will have a chance to win one of my knitting pattern and the grand prize winner will select my next toy animal design pattern.

To start off this fun event I offer 25% off all of my woodland animals knitting pattern. More details are available in the thread in my Ravelry group Stana's critters etc.
Here is the link to the group:
Stana's Critters Etc
and here is my designer page:
Designer page

Here are pictures of some not all of the patterns that are eligible.

Mushrooms

Oriana

Ralph

Fredrick

Have fun knitting, and thank you for visiting.