#WhyIMake

Huggalufs

Last week I have received an email from LoveCraft about creating a blog post answering the question to "Why Do You Make?" By creating this blog post I am entering their competition for Blog Personality of the Year, 2019.

I do not expect to win anything. I know my blog is not one of those famous and fabulous, whose daily readers are in thousands or more, but still the question about why do I continue to create has been on my mind lately.

I am not a well known designer who's patterns are "hot right now" and knitted by many people, but I have been creating all my life. I realize each and every time I think about why do I continue to create that it is for the pure joy knitting brings me.  The minute I take those knitting needles and a skein of yarn I let go of other things, and concentrate on creating one stitch at the time.

I wish I could show what I have achieved to my grandmother. She was the person who taught me how to crochet and knit when I was a little child. At first I preferred to crochet, and embroider, but then when I was about thirteen or fourteen I picked up the knitting needles and started my first sweater. Here is an old photograph of me proudly wearing that first sweater.

My first sweater

 After I finished that first sweater I continued to create many more.
Growing up behind the Iron Curtains gave me the opportunity to be a designer without actually realizing it. We did not have access to many knitting magazines or fashion journals. The limited access to everything encouraged us to make our own clothes instead of going to a store and buy them. My mom and grandmother were really talented seamstresses and created most of my clothes throughout my childhood and teenage years. I tried to sew as well, but I was much better with the knitting needles then with the sewing machine, so I continued to knit sweaters, and other accessories without using knitting patterns. I would draw a picture of what I wanted the sweater to look like and then I would start to play with yarn. I would make a small swatch, calculate the numbers, and then I would knit.

After the Velvet Revolution, and the fall of the Berlin Wall world started to open up. Would you believe that it is thirty years since that wonderful autumn?! I wish I could be back in Europe for the festivities and attend the various celebrations of this anniversary.

Falling in love is a wonderful time. It can make you move across the world. Even though I left my country to live on another continent I took with me my knitting needles and I continued to created. For many years I knitted for joy, and when my child was born I started to knit toys. I knitted various toys, creating them based on my child drawings, other kid's drawings, or simply based on their requests.

Loopy, a monster based on drawing by my child

In March 2011 a friend of mine helped me to start this blog. The link bellow will take you to the very first blog post.
Welcome...

It was about the same time another friend of mine asked me to read and explain to her a knitting pattern she was working from. About the same time I was asked if I could write up patterns for some of my creations. I tried and somehow it made sense to other knitters and they could follow my directions.
It has been an interesting journey ever since.
I created a children's book using my knitted toys and my photography.
See the Monster Al book. I also used Monster Al and his friends for my Thesis project to earn BA in Creative Writing.

Monster Al and his friends

I also managed to collaborate and work with various yarn companies. I have had many of my knitting patterns published in knitting books, and on various websites. As of today there are more than 250 knitting patterns available. Not bad for someone who loves to create with yarn.
I continue to create one stitch at the time, enjoying the knitting process more than writing the knitting patterns.

Scraptastic Scarf and Cowl

Thank you for visiting and reading.

Blogging

Huggalufs

In a few days this little blog will have an anniversary. I have been writing here for eight years.
Frankly I didn't know what to expect in the first place. I started the blog with a help of my friend, and continued on the journey, unsure what to hope for. Somehow it stayed alive, survived and continues to exist. There were more visitors in some years then are at this time, but that was because of the free pattern for the Minions.

Minions

The Minions are not as popular as they were once. It is interesting how popularity changes with time.
It seems that what is hot right now changes faster than in the previous years.
Sometimes I long for the slower days of the past, when everything took longer and we were more satisfied with the finished results. In the present days of instant gratification it seems to me that there are fewer and fewer things that can bring this sort of satisfaction.

On a whim I have created a coupon code this past Friday valid through the weekend. I wanted to post about it here on my blog, but this weekend was one of those rare slow weekends when I had time to bake a bread from scratch, leisurely cook delicious meals for my family, and even knit a lot. I wanted to finish a wrap so I can give it to its recipient. I have the notes and will in time write up the pattern, though it's probably fourth or fifth pattern in line to be written up. I stayed away from the electronics most of the weekend, and therefore missed the opportunity to let know the readers of my blog about the promotion. So I have decided to create a new promotion, it's valid from today until February 28th, midnight of Eastern US Time.
It is buy one and get one free pattern. So for every pattern you buy you can receive one pattern for free. Use the coupon code in your shopping cart:
The coupon code is Blog

The patterns

Voyager Sweater

Everything takes time, especially knitting. You make your masterpiece one stitch at time.
Happy knitting, and thank you for visiting and reading my blog.

Gift away 2017

For the fans of my patterns I have a gift away for the next seven days.
If you are on Ravelry and member of my group you have seen the post about it by now.

For those who are not on Ravelry and still would like to have the freebies, the rules are very simple.
Starting at midnight (EST time zone) and ending 24 hours later a selected pattern is free with a coupon code.
For those who needs to check out the time zones:
https://www.worldtimezone.com/

Day One:
It's all about Huggalufs.
You can get the pattern for free on December 12th 2017, starting 0.00 (EST) and ends 23.59 (EST) Eastern Standard Time 
Coupon Code is Huggaluf 

Huggaluf

Day Two:
Lily of the Valley is my favorite flower and it's winter, therefore it's the Lily of the Valley hat.
You can get the pattern for free on December 13th 2017, starting 0.00 (EST) and ending 23.59 (EST)
Eastern Standard Time
Coupon Code is Lily

Lily of the Valley

Day Three:
It was cold this morning while I was hiking with the puppy, and all I could think about was big and soft and squishy and warm cowl to wrap my face to keep the blistering wind away, therefore it's Chunky Cabled Cowl.
You can get the pattern for free on December 14th 2017, starting 0.00(EST) and ending 23.59(EST) Eastern Standard Time
Coupon Code is Cozy

Chunky Cabled Cowl

Day Four:
Yesterday I was baking cookies and also I was decorating our Christmas tree, therefore it's Gingerbread Hearts.
You can get the pattern for free on December 15th 2017, starting 0.00(EST) and ending 23.59(EST) Eastern Standard Time.
Coupon Code is Xmas

Gingerbread Hearts

Day Five:
It's still cold outside and just for fun, I was thinking about Icicles and how much joy they can bring. Therefore it's Icicles.
You can get the pattern for free on December 16th 2017, starting 0.00(EST) and ending 23.59(EST) Eastern Standard Time.
Coupon Code is Ice

Icicles

Day Six:
It snowed last night. Outside the ground is covered with snow, the sky is blue and the sun is out. Just a perfect setting for snuggling under a warm blanket and read some books. Therefore Heavenly Soft Blanket.
You can get the pattern for free on December 17th 2017, starting 0.00(EST) and ending 23.59(EST) Eastern Standard Time.
Coupon Code is Warm

Heavenly Soft Blanket

Day Seven:
As I am thinking about my upcoming toy mystery KAL and holiday gifts, the pattern for Snowman and Penguin comes to my mind.
You can get the pattern for free on December 18th 2017, starting 0.00(EST) and ending 23.59(EST) Eastern Standard Time.
Coupon Code is Snow

Snowman and Penguin

I hope everyone will have a safe and happy holidays.

Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Huggaluf Pillow

These cuddly and soft pillows were inspired by my Huggalufs critters.

The pattern is knitted in the round, for my samples I have used Bernat Pipsqueek, but my test knitters have used different variety of soft and bulky yarn. You will need approximately 7 oz (200 gr) for the body and less than a ball for the hat. Also you will need small remnants of white and black yarn for the eyes and red yarn for the lips.
The pillow is approximately 14” (35.5cm) wide and 10” (25.5cm) tall (without the hat) or 26”(66cm) tall (including the hat)

Knitting Pattern for Huggaluf Pillow is available to purchase on Ravelry or by clicking on this button.



Thank you for visiting.

These toys travel.....

......to a new home.

This is a group picture of my first charity donation this year. I have learned about project Christmas in February for children in Pine Ridge in South Dakota on Ravelry at the RAM group.

I could not resist the opportunity to send some of my toys to a new home.

It is an adventure on it's own, to wrap the toys in a box and send them out, wondering what the people will think when they open the box and see the toys. All the possibilities that I can imagine. In reality I may never find out what the recipients think when they see the toys, I can just hope that they like the toys and will take care of them........

Thank you for visiting.

Hope Garden

I give away most of my knitted toys. Many of them are for various charities and I always wondered how much of a difference can one toy make. I never really knew the answer to this, until I saw a picture from Bonnie Jacobs of all the monsters she collected for Hope Garden. I have learned about her charitable collection of Monsters for Hope Gardens via Ravelry. I have sent few of my knitted toys thinking it's a nice thing to do. But it was when she posted the photo of her entire collection  that I have realised how much joy this can create. She delivered 83 funky, handmade and smiling monsters to the children.

The photo of the Monsters for Hope Gardens is by Bonnie Jacobs. The toys around are waiting for their new home and will travel soon someplace to share hope and smiles.

May all of you find the joy and love to share. Peace to all.

Thank you for visiting.

New Adventure

It probably took me few years of going back and forth in my mind. But finally, I made that leap of faith and jumped.
I have opened my Etsy store

Stana's Critters etc.

It's a work in progress. I am not sure what will happen next, but it sure will benefit everyone.
I will design more knitted patterns, the toys will hopefully find new home and I hope to have happy customers. In the process I might make some money to buy more yarn, which I would use to make more toys for the charity purposes.
Thank you for visiting.

Huggaluf Pillows

These pillows are perfect for hugging.

It's kind of a new as well as revisited pattern.
I was inspired by my Huggalufs. Also I wanted to make a pillow to take with you on a trip, or just play around in the house.

The pattern will be available soon.

Thank you for visiting.

Pictures of some of the charitable donations

These toys travelled all the way to Michigan to be adopted by children in foster care.

These toys travelled all the way to Belgium to be adopted by children via Poekie project.












There are other toys and hats and baby blankets that have been already shipped somewhere else. I always hope that the recipients will appreciate the toys and will take care of them. It is something that I might never know, but that's OK. I will continue to send my toys away on their adventurous journeys to children all over the world.

Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Huggaluf Lovies

Huggaluf Lovies
by Stana D.S.
Finished Toy Size: Approximately 7x7" (18x18cm) square.
Yarn: This is a great project to use leftovers from other projects as long as the yarn is soft and feel good to the touch, remnants of white, red, and black yarn.
Recommended Needle Size:  For knitting in the round DPN US #3/3.25mm (set of 5)
For flat knitting US #3/3.25mm
Notions: Yarn needle, crochet hook, scissors, stitch marker, measure tape
Gauge: Will vary with the yarn used.
Abbreviations, techniques:
KFB = Knit in front and back of the same st, it creates 2sts from 1st.
PFB = Purl in front and back of the same st, it creates 2sts from 1st.
SSK = Slip st, slip st and knit the 2sts together, this decrease 2sts to 1st.
P2tog = Purl 2sts together, this decrease 2sts to 1st.
I-cord = the sts are knitted from one needle to second needle, do not turn the needle with sts around, just push the sts to beginning of the needle and knit again. This technique makes tube.
3 needle bind off = knit and cast off from two needles at the same time, this is a nice way to close the two sides together, without sewing it.
INSTRUCTIONS:
These Huggaluf lovies can be knitted in the rounds, or knitted flat and sewn together at the end. I suggest to sew on the eyes and mouth before all of the sides are sewn together, that way all of the yarn stays tucked neatly inside the square.

Body:
For knitting in the round:
Cast on 60sts, divide the sts evenly on the DPN needles, place the sts marker on the first st and begin working in the rounds.
Knit approximately 44rows (use the measure tape to assure the body is square shape)
Last row: Knit and cast off (or you could use the technique of 3 needles bind off). Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail and thread the tail on a yarn needle. Stitch to secure.
For knitting flat:
Cast on 60sts.
1 and all odd rows: Knit
2 and all even rows: Purl
In stockinette sts knit approximately 44rows (use the measure tape to assure the height is half of the body's length)
Cast off. Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, thread the tail on a yarn needle and sew the sides together creating the square shape. Leave one side open for sewing on the eyes and lips.

Eye patch (Make 2):
With two DPN using as straight needles cast on 4sts with white yarn.
Row 1: Knit 5 (5sts total)
Row 2: PFB, knit 3, PFB (7sts total)
Row 3: KFB, knit 5, KFB (9sts total)
Row 4: Purl 9 (9sts total)
Row 5: Knit 9 ( 9sts total)
Row 6: P2tog, Purl 5, P2tog (7sts total)
Row 7: SSK, Knit 3, SSK (5sts total)
Row 8: Purl 5 (5sts total)
Row 9: Knit and cast off. Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail. Thread the tail on a yarn needle and sew the eye patch onto the body, using the picture as a guide. Repeat for the second eye patch. Embroider the pupil and eye lashes.

Lips:
With two DPN and red yarn cast on 8sts.
Row 1: Knit 8sts, then turn the work upside down, with second needle pick up and knit 8sts along the cast on edge.
Row 2: Knit around, 8sts per needle (16sts total)
Row 3: *KFB, knit 6, KFB; repeat from * around 20sts total)
Row 4: Knit and cast off from both DPN at the same time. Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, and thread the end on a yarn needle. Sew the lips on the face of Huggaluf lovie using the picture as a guide.

Finishing:
Sew together the last side of the Huggaluf Lovie.

Arms and Legs (Make 4)
Cast on 6sts and make an I-cord approximately 5" (13cm) long. Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail. Thread the tail on a yarn needle. Pull the end through the remaining sts on needle, gather up and close the hole. stitch to secure. Sew the beginning of the I-cord on the corner of the body, using the picture as a guide. Repeat for other arm, and repeat twice for the legs. Sew the legs approximately 1" (2,5cm) from the bottom corner on each side. Make a small knot on the I-cord.

Copyright: This pattern was design and written by Stana D.S.
The pattern is for personal use only. The finished items may not be sold for profit, except for charities. Please acknowledge the author. Thank you.

Lottery Winners...

This morning we had the lottery. We used this knitted hat which was inspired by Dr. Seuss book Cat in the Hat.
My child had so much fun doing it, that we ended up with two winners per each category. All winners will receive the knitted toy, or one of my knitting patterns for sale for free (the winners will choose the pattern they would like to receive).

1. Huggaluf - the winners are:
1. Knotted Fingers
2. Holly Gundolfi

2.Earthy colors Bear - the winners are:
1. Karolina
2. Neicee

3.Green colors Bear - the winners are:
1. Wanda
2. Suzanne - Love my fiber
4.Free Pattern - the winners are:
1.Morgy
2. Michelle Wennis

The free pattern to choose from are:
1. Mini Pig
2. Mini Cat
3. Huggaluf
4. Huggaluf Baby


Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for visiting.
PS: To sort out the shipping please send me email to this email address: crowsd@yahoo.com

Random Act of Kindness.....

What actually is random act of kindness?

Is there a definition for it?

Would a gift to charity count as a one?
Would donation of the knitted toys to PTO at school count as one?
Would a toy left in a random place to be found by a stranger count as one?
Would a toy mailed out to a somebody's child count as one?
Whatever is the definition I will continue to give away the toys, with a little hope that they are loved and cared for in their new homes.....

Thank you for visiting.

Time to celebrate...

...the first year anniversary.

It's hard to believe, but the first post for this blog Stana's Critters etc was written exactly one year ago, March 3rd 2011.

In a way it's like watching a child growing up. From day to day we do not see much difference, but from a distance we can see the change.
It is hard to share a birthday cake in the virtual world, but I can share something else.



These are my gifts to you:
1. Huggaluf
2. Teddy bear in green PJ
3. Teddy bear in earthly colors PJ
4. One of my Knitting patterns for sale - for free

These are the rules:
I will add the names of all followers in a hat.
For the next few weeks (deadline is March 21st 2012) anyone's name who leaves a comment on my blog will be added to the hat.
On March 22nd I will have my child draw the winners. I will post the winners and sort out the details about shipping.
This gift away is open to the whole Universe (though I am not sure about the cost of shipping outside of Earth)

Enjoy, and thank you for visiting.

Craft Fairs

When designing my little critters I tend to knit many samples. In this respect I am perfectionist, I like when my patterns are good. Some of these little critters are given away to many children that I know. Some I give to charities. Few of my critters are available at the art galleries which sell my art.

This past weekend I had an opportunity to sell my critters at a craft fair. I must say that it has been an interesting experience. This coming weekend I am attending another craft fair. It will be once again with the Tip Top Toes shop owner. I adore her baby slippers. The store can be also found on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TipTopToes?ref=ss_profile

Thank you for visiting.

Knitting pattern for Huggalufs baby

When I knitted few Huggalufs, it occurred to me that they needed a baby. I created a small Huggaluf baby. The Huggaluf baby can be on its own, or could accompany the adult version of Huggaluf.

The knitting pattern for Huggaluf baby is also available on Ravelry, and can be purchased by clicking on this button.

Knitting pattern for Huggalufs

Huggalufs are very soft and cuddly critters.
I had this beautiful yarn in mixed blue, purple and green colors. One day I picked up the yarn, knitting needles and began to experiment. When the critter was finished I wanted to give it a special name, so I began to play with words. Hug - a - love turn into Huggaluf and that's how Huggalufs were created. I knitted another one, and another one. I played with different colors, and different yarns. People started asking for one, and now most of them are in their new homes. I love to knit them.
As a result, I wrote up the knitting pattern for Huggalufs and made it available on Ravelry. You can purchase the knitting pattern by clicking on the button.

Huggalufs...

are cuddly critters. I knitted the first one few months ago, and ever since I keep on adding new members to the Huggalufs family. The photo shows the Huggalufs family together, before some Huggalufs were given away to their new homes.

The knitting pattern is basically ready and will be available very soon.


Thank you for visiting.

Waiting to be adopted....

I have knitted these assorted toys in the past few weeks. Some of them are already spoken for, while some are still looking for new home.
Few of the teddies will hopefully bring back smile on a face of a sick child, as they are going to be shipped off to a charity that gives hand made toys to children in hospitals.
Sometimes I wonder where the toys that I have given away stay. Are they loved and cared for? Does the recipient think about who made the toy? It is the mystery of not knowing that gives freedom to our mind to wonder....

Thank you for visiting.

HUGGALUFS - THREE

...makes family. It's spring time, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, therefore love is in the air. The Huggalufs' family is growing.

The pattern for Huggalufs will be available soon. The original toys are available upon request.

Thank you for visiting.

HUGGALUFS TWO

I could not help it, here is Huggaluf mommy and her little baby.
The pattern or original Huggalufs will be available soon.


Thank you for visiting.