Last Day and New Beginning

Everyone reflects on the year that is about to end and think and plan for the New Year, hoping that it will bring more of ........ (fill in the blank).
I do that too, thinking of what I have accomplished and seen, and done, and what else I would like to see and make and accomplish in the New Year.

I would like to say THANK YOU for visiting my little corner of the internet where I share my ideas, and creations that bring smile to me, and people around me, and I hope that it brings some joy to you, my readers, as well.

Thank you, my wonderful test knitters with who I had the privilege to work with over the course of the past few years. You have helped to bring my ideas to life by test knitting, and giving me wonderful feedback and suggestions. I hope that my patterns reflect that.

Just a little trip down the memory line to remember what I have created in 2014, starting with a ball of yarn, two hands and few knitting needles:

Cheers to a New Year.
Let's hope it's a good one.
Stana

Knitting Pattern for Happy Lovie/Blankie

Happy Lovie / Blankie

A friend of mine asked me for a baby blanket. Her baby already has knitted Teddy Bear Blanket from me and apparently likes to chew on the tip of the bear hat.  She asked  if the next blanket can have many chewable tips. I have used the same yarn as the previous blanket, and came up with this little Lovie.

On Christmas Eve, the baby received wrapped present. For a short period of time the blanket was a huge success, the baby chew on it. Then it was forgotten because apparently babies prefer the wrapping paper instead of the gift inside.

And here is the knitting pattern:
Happy Lovie / Blankie
by Stana D. S.
Finished Size: approximately 9" ( 23 cm) in diameter.

Yarn: About 3 oz (85 gr) of medium weight yarn. You will use about 120 - 130 yards (110 - 119 meters). Small amount of white, blue, and red yarn for eyes and lips.

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

 

Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker.

 

Abbreviations:

KFB - Knit in front and back of the same stitch. This creates 2sts from 1st.

SSK - Slip st, slip st and knit the 2sts together. This decreases 2sts to 1st.
K2tog - Knit 2 sts together. This decreases 2sts to 1st.

R - Round
CC - Contrasting Color
P - Purl
K - Knit
 

Gauge: 19sts & 26 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch.

 

Techniques:

Seed stitch: Must be even number of stitches.
Row 1: *Knit 1, Purl 1; repeat from * to end of row
Row 2:  *Purl 1, Knit 1; repeat from * to end of row
To create seed stitch repeat row 1 and 2 for pattern.

Picot Bind off:

This special bind off creates a little tentacles along the bind off edge. Work as follow:
1. Knit first 2 stitches, bind off first stitch. Return the 1st back to the right needle.
2. Using knit cast on cast on 3sts.
3. Bind off 5sts. Return the 1st back to the right needle. 
Repeat step 2 and 3 until all stitches are bind off.

Instruction:

With yarn and double pointed needles cast on 4 sts. Divide the sts evenly between the DPN. Place a stitch marker on the first st, and begin working in the round.

R 1: Knit around (4 sts total)
R 2: KFB all around (8 sts total)
R 3: *P1, K1; repeat from * around (8 sts total)
R 4: KFB all around (16 sts total)
R 5: *P1, K1; repeat from * around (16 sts total)
R 6: *KFB, P1; repeat from * around (24 sts total)
R 7: *P1, K1; repeat from * around (24 sts total)
R 8: *KFB, K1, P1; repeat from * around 8 times (32 sts total)
R 9: *P1, K1; repeat from * around (32 sts total)
R 10: *KFB, P1, K1, P1; repeat from * around 8 times (40 sts total)
R 11: *(K1, P1) 2x, K1; repeat from * around 8 times (40 sts total)
R 12: *KFB, (K1, P1) 2x; repeat from * around 8 times (48 sts total)
R 13: *P1, K1; repeat from * around (48 sts total)
R 14: *KFB, (P1, K1) 2x, P1; repeat from * around 8 times (56 sts total)
R 15: *(K1, P1) 3x, K1; repeat from * around 8 times (56 sts total)
R 16: *KFB, (K1, P1) 3x; repeat from * around 8 times (64 sts total)
R 17: *P1, K1; repeat from * around (64 sts total)
R 18: *KFB, (P1, K1) 3x, P1; repeat from * around 8 times (72 sts total)
R 19: *(K1, P1) 4x, K1; repeat from * around 8 times (72 sts total)
R 20: *KFB, (K1, P1) 4x; repeat from * around 8 times (80 sts total)
R 21: *P1, K1; repeat from * around (80 sts total)
R 22: *KFB, (P1, K1) 4x, P1; repeat from * around 8 times (88 sts total)
R 23: *(K1, P1) 5x, K1; repeat from * around 8 times (88 sts total)
R 24: *KFB, (K1, P1) 5x; repeat from * around 8 times (96 sts total)
R 25: *P1, K1; repeat from * around (96 sts total)
R 26: Bind off in Picot Bind off.

Eye Patch (make 2):
With the CC yarn and three double pointed needles, cast on 4sts. Place the stitch marker on the first st and begin working in the rounds.
R 1: Knit around (4sts total)
R 2: KFB all around (8sts total) Cut off CC. Attach white yarn.
R 3: KFB all around (16sts total)
R 4: Knit around (16sts total)
R 5: *KFB, knit 1; repeat from * around (24sts total)
R 6: Knit and bind off. Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, thread the end on a yarn needle. Sew the eye patch on the face of Happy Blankie using the picture as a guide.

Lips:
With two double pointed needles, cast on 12 sts in red yarn.
Row 1: Knit 12, then turn the work upside down, with second needle pick up and knit 12 sts along the cast on edge.
R 2: Knit around, 12 sts per needle, (24 sts total)
R 3: *KFB, knit 10 KFB, repeat from * around, (28 sts total)
R 4: Knit and cast off from both double pointed needles 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 Happy Blankie using the picture as a guide.  

Copyright: This pattern was design and written by Stana D. S. The pattern is for personal use only. Please acknowledge the author.

Thank you.

Knitting Pattern for Bob, the Bunny and Ferdinand, his helper.

Bob and Ferdinand

Bob, the Christmas Bunny and Ferdinand, his helper were part of my December Mystery KAL in my group on Ravelry.

The pattern is complete and available now. This is the link to download the PDF file with the pattern.

download now


Thank you for visiting.

Peace on Earth

....to all.

Bob and Ferdinand

May kindness, compassion, love, and hope win. May the world be a better place for all.



Thank you for visiting my little corner where I share my love for yarn, knitting, and gifts that bring smiles.

Man in the Yellow Hat

Man in the Yellow Hat

Even though I am still working on finishing up The Book Project (I am so close to be done with all of the patterns) I do get distracted every once in a while by some other knitting.
This was a special request. A sweet 3 years old boy asked for Man in the Yellow Hat for Christmas. Although there are many softies of Curious George, the Man in the Yellow Hat is impossible to find. Through the channels of a friend of a friend I was asked if I can try to knit one. So I played with yarn and this is the result. I think he looks pretty close to the drawings and I am sure the little boy will be happy to find the Man in the Yellow Hat under the Christmas tree.

Man in the Yellow Hat  - detail

Of course I have kept notes while knitting, and I will write up the pattern. Most likely I will do that once the rush before the Holidays is over and we all have a bit more time to sit, relax, and knit more during the long wintry days ahead before spring arrives.

Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Stethoscope

It started as a challenge by a friend of mine. I could not resist, and created this knitted stethoscope.

Of course I wrote the pattern as well. It has been test knitted and the pattern is available now in my Ravelry store or you may purchase it by clicking on this button:




It is a wonderful gift for kids, the future doctors, or anyone in the medical field. 

Finished stethoscope size: approximately 3” (8.cm) in diameter and 17” (44cm) long.
The stethoscope is knitted in two pieces. The diaphragm part is knitted in one piece from center out, and the stethoscope is done in I-cord. The length of stethoscope can be accessorized to fit the individual needs by making the I-cords longer.

Yarn: About 2.0oz (56.7gr) total of medium weight yarn in grey and black color.

Yardage: About 60 - 70 yards / 55 – 64 meters in grey and 40 – 50 / 38 – 46 meters in black.

Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Elmer, the Elephant and Ruby, Baby Elephant

Elmer and Ruby

In January I have picked the blue and white yarn and wanted to make some stranded color work and a toy. I though of elephants and started right away. After I finished the legs and body, I had to stop working on Elmer and he stayed unfinished for most of the year. Early in the fall one of my test knitters asked about elephant, and I returned to Elmer. I have finished him, and wrote the pattern. A friend asked me to knit another elephant for a baby. That is how Ruby, Baby Elephant came to existence. I have included directions for both elephants and the pattern is ready to purchase by clicking on this button



 or by visiting my Ravelry store.

Thank you for visiting.