Corey, clue 1

 

Abbreviations: 

CO = Cast On

C1, C2 = Contrast colors

DPN = Double Pointed Needles

K = Knit

K2tog = Knit two stitches together, this decreases two stitches to one stitch.

K3tog = Knit three stitches together, this decreases three stitches to one stitch.

K4tog = Knit four stitches together, this decreases four stitches to one stitch.

KFB = Knit in front and back of the same stitch, this creates two stitches from one stitch.

MB1, MB2 = Make Bobble (see stitch glossary)

MC = Main Color

P = Purl

PM = Place Marker

Rnd, Rnds = Round, Rounds

SSK = Slip st, slip st, and knit the two stitches together, this decreases two stitches to one stitch.

St, Sts = Stitch, Stitches

W & T = Wrap and Turn

Stitch Glossary:

The bobbles are worked into 1 st before moving onto the next st in the rnd. 

MB1 = KFB, KFB, turn and P4, turn and K4tog.

MB2 = KFB, KFB, turn and P4, turn and K4, pull stitches over to decrease from 4 to 1 st.

Techniques:

I-cord:

The set amount of sts are knitted from one needle to a second needle. Do not turn the needle with sts around, just push the sts to the beginning of the needle and knit again. This technique makes a tube.

Short Rows: Short rows are used to add extra length or dimension to your knitting only on part of your work. Short rows are worked within regular rows by adding the W & T and then changing the direction of your knitting to reach another W & T.

You work a set amount of stitches, then perform the W & T, then continue in the opposite direction and work another set amount of sts, then perform another W & T, and continue in the original direction to the end of the row. 

Here is a link to great tutorial:  Link

INSTRUCTIONS:

When casting on leave a longer tail to be used for sewing.

First Clue:

XXX:

With the C1 yarn and DPN, CO on 6 sts. PM on the first st and begin working in the rnd.

Rnd 1: Knit 

Rnd 2: KFB 6x (12 sts total) 

Rnd 3: Knit. Attach MC.

Rnd 4: (K1 in MC, K1 in C1) 6x. Cut off C1. Continue with MC only.

Rnds 5 – 6: Knit 

Rnd 7: (KFB, K4, KFB) 2x (16 sts total)

Rnd 8: Knit 

Rnd 9: (KFB, K6, KFB) 2x (20 sts total)

Rnd 10: Short row section:

Short Row 1: K5, W&T

Short Row 2: P10, W&T

Short Row 3: K8, W&T

Short Row 4: P6 W&T

Short Row 5: K23 

Rnd 11: MB2, MB1, K16, MB1, MB2 

Rnd 12: Knit 

Rnd 13: Short row section:

Short Row 1: K4, W&T

Short Row 2: P8, W&T

Short Row 3: K6, W&T

Short Row 4: P4 W&T

Short Row 5: K22

Rnd 14: K9, K2tog, K9 (19 sts total)

Rnd 15: K9, K2tog, K8 (18 sts total)

Rnds 16 – 20: Knit 

Rnd 21: K6, KFB, K4, KFB, K6 (20 sts total)

Rnd 22: K6, KFB, K6, KFB, K6 (22 sts total)

Rnd 23: K6, KFB, K8, KFB, K6 (24 sts total)

Rnd 24: Knit 

Rnd 25: KFB, K5, KFB, K10, KFB, K5, KFB (28 sts total)

Rnd 26: Knit 

Rnd 27: KFB, K6, KFB, K12, KFB, K6, KFB (32 sts total)

Rnd 28: Knit 

Rnd 29: Short row section:

Short Row 1: K23, W&T

Short Row 2: P14, W&T

Short Row 3: K12, W&T

Short Row 4: P10 W&T

Short Row 5: K8, W&T

Short Row 6: P6 W&T

Short Row 7: K19 

Rnd 30: Knit

Rnd 31: Short row section:

Short Row 1: K23, W&T

Short Row 2: P14, W&T

Short Row 3: K12, W&T

Short Row 4: P10 W&T

Short Row 5: K8, W&T

Short Row 6: P6 W&T

Short Row 7: K19 

 

Next clue: January 25th 2021

Have fun knitting.

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:

Finished Toy Size: Mystery toy KAL

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn of your choice. 

Yardage: 120 – 140 yards / 109 – 129 meters of MC, 10 yards / 9 meters of C1, 20 yards / 18 meters of C2.

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

Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, polyester fiberfill (small bag), two pipe cleaners (optional).

Gauge: 20 sts & 26 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch.

Clue 1: January 18th 2021 clue 1 link

Clue 2: January 25th 2021 clue 2 link

Clue 3: February 1st 2021 clue 3 link

The final pattern will be available on Payhip, Lovecraft, and Ravelry February 8th 2021

Have fun knitting.

Toy Mystery KAL - poll results

 

Last week I posted about the upcoming toy mystery KAL and asked you, the readers, to vote for the toy mystery KAL that we will knit. Here is the link to the first blog post. 

Toy mystery KAL

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. 

Celeste pattern on Ravelry

Thank you for reading.

Toy Mystery KAL

 

Over the past few years I have created 24 toy mystery Knit-a-longs. 

You can scroll through the images of the toys bellow....from the most recent one for Leonard and Lola, all the way to the very first toy mystery KAL for Harriette, which was held in October 2014.

 These toy mystery KAL's are always fun to knit and in the end you end up with a cute toy, and during the process you can learn a new technique, or practice something less familiar before using that technique in a garment knitting.

Since 2015 we start the New Year with a brand new toy mystery KAL. This year I have decided to add a little twist and hopefully interest as well.

So here is a picture of yarn I picked for the next 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.

1. a toy made of  one main color and two small amounts of contrast colors (left side)

2. a toy made of one main color, small amount of one contrast color, and another contrast color (middle)

3. a toy made of one main color, plus contrast color, and several contrast colors (right side)

You have a week, until the January 10th midnight of EST to make a vote for the toy that will be our next toy mystery KAL.

You can leave a comment here (it will appear after it is approved) or you can leave a comment under the same picture on Stana's critters etc on FB, or Stana's critters etc on Instagram, or in my group on Ravelry. Ravelry group

Next week after the voices are counted I will post which toy mystery KAL is going to happen and the dates for the releases of the clues. It depends on which toy is picked as they are all different.

Thank you for reading and have fun.

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.

The Year 2020 and Happy Holidays

 

What a year this has been. It will be remembered for generations and taught in history classes. 

 Happy New Year 2020 was my first blog post of this year. 

This is my last blog post of this year. 

Between these two blog posts the world dealt with some challenges and we are still not over the Pandemic. I have seen posts about how so many people wish this year didn't happen and how the New Year cannot come fast enough. 

Whether we liked 2020 or not, it is a year of our lives that will never be repeated. We do not have the option of replay or start from the beginning, and we should try to embrace this year with all that has happened to us, the world, society, and individually. It is upon us what tomorrow and future holds.

 I sincerely hope that you, the reader, will have a Happy Holidays and may your days be filled with love, kindness, compassion, and generosity towards each other. 

Stay focus on the breath and look up to the stars and Universe, for we are all made of the same material.  

Joy to the world, and may you find some peace and health. 

Thank you for reading. 

PS: In my small world of knitwear design work, I have managed to published 34 new knitting patterns this year. This include plenty of self-published patterns, including an entire e-book Baba Yaga's House and also having my work published by variety of third party publishers like: I Like Knitting, Knitpicks, Lovecraft, Interweave, and Knotions. 

E-book Baba Yaga's House

 

"On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled the bread in his pocket and stopped as often as he could to throw the crumbs on the ground." 

                                                Brother Grimms' Fairytales  (Hansel and Gretel) 

    The idea for Baba Yaga’s house started many years ago when I baked a gingerbread house. I baked one only once because I realized that it is quite a messy process. However, I always wanted to knit a ginger bread house after that baking adventure.  Last year, when I finally decided to knit the house. I made a sketch and realized that it looked rather like another famous house from a fairy tale of my childhood. What I ended up producing was a rough sketch of Baba Yaga’s house with the chicken legs.  

    The house itself was rather plain and needed accessories and characters to fill the world of the fairy tale. There are endless characters and inspirations to be found in the world of fairy tales; this e-book is just a little slice of the fantastical world fairy tales are. As a bonus I have included a few recipes and ideas I have tried out while working on the knitting patterns and the creation of this e-book. You can purchase each pattern individually or as the e-book.

The list of knitting patterns included:

Apron 
Baba Yaga
Baba Yaga's House
Broomstick
Cat Pin Cushion
Fox Pin Cushion
Frances, the Fox
Frog Bag
Love Potion Garland
Rockefeller, the Owl Ornament
Winter Trees
Witch's Hat

The extra recipes:
Dandelion Honey Syrup
Lavender Syrup
Calendula Cream
Chalk Label Decoration
Lemon or Lime Cubes
Linzer Cookies

You can purchase the entire e-book on Ravelry: Baba Yaga's House

on Payhip: Baba Yaga's House

and on Lovecraft: Baba Yaga's House

    The picture bellow was taken in a castle Pernstejn that has been used to film many fairytales' movies. Visit to the castle has been on my list for years. I managed to see the castle during my last trip to see my mom, family, and friends. The photo makes me think of all that is possible if we follow our dreams and imaginations. My journey into the world of fairytales started a long time ago and hopefully will continue for some time. There is so much more to explore. 

The beginning...

Thank you for visiting, and for reading.