Knitting Pattern for Petunia, the Zipper Monster

Petunia, the zipper monster

Petunia, the zipper monster came to existence because of a random act of kindness.
One of the groups I belong on Ravelry is named Random Act of Monsters. Last year, while the group was still active, people would post requests for a small knitted act of kindness (the reasons were various: a hard times, sickness in family, difficult period in life, someone they knew needed "a cheer me up" surprise gift, etc.) and others would response and fulfill the requests by knitting a monster that would help the recipient. I have shipped few of my knitted monsters to various people all over the world, just to make them smile. One of the recipients asked for a happy monster in happy colors.
Harvey, one of the monsters from my e-book Knitted Monsters in the Closet, went onto his adventurous journey and stayed for a while in his new home. Then, this summer I was informed that Harvey needed to travel again and help someone else who needed him more. I thought that it was very generous of the person to give up Harvey so he can help someone else. I wanted to reach out and Petunia, the zipper monster is the result. Petunia, travelled to her new home and at the moment is exploring her new place.

During the process of turning my little creations into the coherent knitting pattern which others can read and understand I rely on knitting testers during the process. Of course there is also technical editing involved, but that is something entirely different. The test knitters receive the draft of knitting pattern and recreate the same knitted toy. I always enjoy how they interpret the dry words of K, P, K2tog, KFB, SSK, etc. which is what most of knitting patterns consist off.
Franken Zipper is a great example what the test knitters can do. I am very grateful for their help, and I cannot wait for our next adventure in the world of creating knitting patterns.

Franken Zipper. Photo by Waipahu

Now,  you can create your version of  Petunia, the zipper monster. Because she started as a random act of kindness I offer the pattern for free. You can download the PDF file by clicking on this button:

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or from my Ravelry store:

Stana's critters etc


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The Book Project

The Book Project is probably somewhere in the middle of the whole process. I still have few samples to finish, a whole lot of photographs to take, and of course the patterns to finish, polish, and have them test knit.

During this whole process I have learned few things.

I need to put it down and work on something with more instantaneous results. The side projects tend to take away the stress from this overwhelming feeling  I have when I think of how much work still needs to be done.

It is strange to think of this as stress inducing project, but I feel responsible for finishing the whole Book Project in a timely manner. After all Cascade Yarn company believed in my capability as a designer and provided the yarn support for the entire collection of the patterns.

So after I finished the work on two of the samples for The Book Project, I am taking a weekend off to knit a few Bears in PJ , because many of my friends, and colleagues at work had or are going to have new babies.

To make sure that I don't feel guilty of completely abandoning The Book Project, even if for a few days, I have looked through the photographs I took for the title page and narrowed it down to two pictures. Now, I have to decide which one to use. I like them both.

Title picture 1

Title picture 2

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Knitting Pattern for Bunny Pencil Box

Bunny Pencil Box

Bunny Pencil Box: by Stana D.S. 

Finished size: Pencil box is 8” (21cm) wide and 4 ½” (12cm) tall.

 

Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in # 873 (Extra Crème Caffe)

Total yardage is about 70 yards, and remnants of white fluffy yarn, dark brown, white,  and black colored yarn. 



Recommended Needles size: US # 5/3.75mm, and DPN US # 5/3.75mm.

Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, stitch holder, fabric 2 rectangles about 9" x 6" (23cm x 16cm), light brown zipper 9"(23cm) long.

Abbreviations:

KFB = Knit in front and back of the same st, it creates 2sts from 1st.
SSK = Slip st, slip st and knit the 2sts together. This decreases 2sts to 1st.

Gauge: 21sts& 27 rows = 4” in stockinette stitches.

Instructions:
This pencil box is knitted flat in stockinette (knit and purl rows).

Cast on 50sts.
Row 1, and every odd row until row 55: Purl (50sts total)

Row 2, and every even row until row 54: Knit (50sts total).
Row 56: Knit and bind off.
Fold the knitted piece in half and sew together the sides.

 

Ears (make 2):

With the yarn and two DPN cast on 10sts (5sts per needle). Place the stitch marker on the first st and begin working in the round.
Round 1: Knit around (10sts total)

Round 2: KFB, Knit 4, KFB, Knit 4 (12sts total)

Round 3: Knit around (12sts total)

Round 4: KFB, Knit 5, KFB, Knit 5 (14sts total)

Round 5 - 9: Knit around 5rows (14sts total)

Round 10: SSK, Knit 5, SSK, Knit 5 (12sts total)

Round 11 - 15: Knit around 5 rows (12sts total)

Round 16: SSK, Knit 4, SSK, Knit 4 (10sts total)

Round 17: Knit around (10sts total)

Round 18:  SSK, Knit 3, SSK, Knit 3 (8sts total). Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, and 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. Repeat for the second ear. Sew the ears to the top side of the pencil box using the picture as a guide.

 

Paws (make 2):

With the dark brown yarn and three DPN cast on 15sts (5sts per needle). Place the stitch marker on the first st and begin working in the round.
Round 1 - 2: Knit around 2 rows (15sts total)
Round 3:  *SSK, Knit 3; repeat from * around, 4sts per needle (12sts total)
Round 4: *SSK, Knit 2; repeat from * around, 3sts per needle (9sts total). Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, and 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. Repeat for the second paw. Sew the paws to the front side of the pencil box using the picture as a guide.

 

Tail:

With the white fluffy yarn and three DPN cast on 15sts (5sts per needle). Place the stitch marker on the first st and begin working in the round.
Round 1 - 2: Knit around 2 rows (15sts total)
Round 3:  *SSK, Knit 3; repeat from * around, 4sts per needle (12sts total)
Round 4: *SSK, Knit 2; repeat from * around, 3sts per needle (9sts total). Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, and 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.  Sew the tail to the back side of the pencil box using the picture as a guide.

 

 

Finishing:  With the black and white yarn embroider the eyes, nose, mouth, and whiskers on the face using the picture as a guide. Weave in all ends.
Use the two rectangles of fabric. Sew the three sides together. Insert the fabric inside the knitted piece. Attach the zipper to the opening and sew the zipper to the knitted and fabric layer. Before sewing on the sewing machine tuck the ends of the zipper between the layer of fabric and knitting for a neat finish.  

 

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