Happy Holidays

Charlie

When I was growing up, one of the tradition in my country was to have a live carp in the bathtub. The fish was purchased from a market, carried home, and stayed in a bathtub until it was time to be our Christmas Eve dinner. As a child I was fascinated by the slow moving carp, but I never ate the fish.

Three years ago, my child wanted to have a fish in the bathtub. I knitted one and we named him Karel (Charlie, in English language). This is how the knitting pattern for Charlie, the fish started.

To celebrate Karel's third year as our Christmas carp, I have created promotion in my Ravelry store.
If you enter code Karel between now and December 29th 2015 you will receive 15% off of all of my knitting patterns.


I wish you a wonderful holidays with your family and friends.

And a little preview for the New Year. In January I will have another toy Mystery KAL in my group Stana's critters etc on Ravelry.

Tina, Mystery KAL

Thank you for visiting my little corner filled with knitted toys.

Knitting Patterns for House of Clubs and Black Diamond

Photo by Knitpicks

Knitting pattern for House of Clubs is third in the series of dishcloth patterns available on Knitpicks website for free.
 

Photo by Knitpicks

Black Diamond is the fourth pattern to complete the series of dishcloth patterns.

Deck of Card

Here you have picture of all four of the dishcloths together, and I am sure you can spot the mistake I have made when creating these patterns.

Here are the links to the other two patterns. All available to download for free on Knitpicks website.
Ace of Spades
Queen of Hearts

Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Fredrick, the fox

Fredrick, the fox

Fredrick, the fox is an adorable softie. The toy is knitted in the rounds, all pieces done separately, then sewn together.
The finished toy is approximately 12.5" / 32 cm sitting, and 18" / 46 cm from head to tail.

Yarn suggested: Cascade 128 Superwash in Pumpkin, Pumpkin Spice, and White color.

You will need about 110 - 120 yards / 101 - 120 meters  of orange, 40 - 50 yards / 37 - 46 meters each of brown and white yarn.

You may purchase the pattern in my Ravelry store, or by clicking on this button:




Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Watermelon Hat

 photo by Knitpicks

The knitting pattern for Watermelon Hat is available to purchase in my Ravelry store, on Knitpicks website, or by clicking on this button:



Watermelon Hat

Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Gingerbread Hearts

Gingerbread Hearts

I needed few small gifts to give to my friends, and I though small hearts would be fitting.
Using the color of gingerbread, decorated with white yarn these small ornaments or pin cushions are the perfect gift.

The pattern is available to purchase in my Ravelry store or by clicking on this button:




Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Ginger, a rabbit or a doll

Ginger, the rabbit

My latest pattern - Ginger offers two options. You can either knit a rabbit or a doll. The toy is knitted in the round top down, in one piece and is almost seamless.

Ginger, the doll

You may purchase the pattern in my Ravelry store, or by clicking on this button:



Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Fiona, the fly

Fiona, the fly

Fiona, is an adorable fly, approximately 5.5" / 15 cm long.

She is knitted in the rounds, with two very big eyes and legs and proboscis created of I-cords. Two wings are knitted separately and sewn on.
Don't like flies? Use black and yellow stripes to create an adorable bumblebee placing the proboscis instead on her face on her other end, thus creating the stinger.
The pattern is available for purchase in my Ravelry store or by clicking on this button:

Fiona, the fly

Thank you for visiting.

Gift-a-long 2015

Gift-a-long

I have missed the Gift a long activities in 2013, because I was busy working on my thesis. But I managed to participate in 2014.

And I am participating again in Gift-a-long 2015.

It is an awesome collaboration between many independent designers and it is just about to start.
Gift a long is a collective gathering of more than  300 knitwear designers, and has many fantastic activities.

 

It started on Thursday, November 19th with a sale period of thousands of knitting patterns offered on Ravelry by the participating designers.

After the sale period is over the gift a long continues with KAL, fun games, and prices to win every day.

You should try it if you are on Ravelry by visiting the Indie Design Gift-a-long Group.
It introduces you to new designers, techniques, and you may win something fabulous, learn and try something new and perhaps you may meet even new friends (even if only virtual).

Some important dates and times:
The sale period runs Thursday November 19th 8pm (US-EST) through Friday November 27 at 11:59 pm (US-EST).
Discount is 25% off.

Code to enter is giftalong2015

GAL2015 runs Thursday, November 19th at 8 pm (US-EST) through Thursday December 31st at midnight (US-EST).

 

Thank you and have fun knitting.

Knitting Pattern for Autumnal Equinox Blanket

Autumnal Equinox Blanket

I have been fascinated by the simplicity of old quilts and the way small pieces are sewn together to create larger pieces.
This Autumnal Equinox Blanket was inspired by the process of sewing triangles  together to create squares.

This particular baby blanket uses 10 skeins of Cascade Superwash Sports Multis in Browns.
The blanket is knitted in one piece, with I-cord attached along the edge to create a nice finish.
Size: Square with 33"/ 84 cm long sides.

The pattern is free and available in my Ravelry store or by clicking on this button:

download now

Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Ace of Spades

photo by Knitpicks

Knitting pattern for Ace of Spades, worked flat in double moss stitch.

Using less than one skein of Knitpicks Shine Worsted (60% Pima Cotton and 40% Modal, natural beech wood fiber) in black color.

The pattern is free:

Ace of Spades

Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Charlotte

Charlotte

Charlotte was my last Mystery KAL hosted in my group on Ravelry. It was fun, and if you are on Ravelry, you should check out all the colorful and various Charlotte's that were knitted during this Mystery KAL.

Charlotte with snowballs

You can purchase the pattern in my Ravelry store, or by clicking on this button:



Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Stripy Poncho

Stripy Poncho

This poncho has been my favorite for few years now. I wear it almost daily in the fall and spring when the weather gets a bit chilly early in the morning, but is still warm enough throughout the day.

One size should fit all.
The poncho is made out of two rectangles which are sewn together.

Finished measurements:
Each Rectangle: 37" (94 cm) long and 22" (56 cm) wide.

The pattern is free and you can get in in my Ravelry store or download it by clicking on this button:

download now

Thank you for visiting.

Cool wool....

Monster Al and his Friends

Somehow I have stumbled upon an article named "How wool got cool" by Rosie Ifould and the readers were encouraged to contribute to The Guardian by submitting their knitted or crocheted projects to Weird and wonderful knitting for a chance to have their work published. My two submitted pieces Diamondback Rattlesnake and Monster Al and his Friends were both accepted and are published on their website:
Link here



Diamondback Rattlesnake

About the same time I have stumbled upon The Crafty award where you can submit your do-it-yourself creations and once again I have submitted the Diamondback Rattlesnake and my submission was published as well.

Thank you for visiting.

Charlotte, Mystery KAL

Charlotte

I spend a lot of time in my group Stana's critters etc on Ravelry.
It is the place where I post the calls for test knitting for my newest knitting patterns.
Also it is a place where I have met many wonderful and likeminded knitters.
And every once in a while I offer Toy Mystery KAL (KAL stands for Knit a-long).

Starting October 3rd 2015 I have new mystery KAL for Charlotte. After completing the pattern which will be released in 3 clues you will have your own Charlotte.

The link to access the pattern is here:
Charlotte, mystery KAL

Here are samples of my previous Toy Mystery KAL:





Harriette

Bob and Ferdinand

Petal

Lily

Roy G. Biv

Cecile

Thank you for visiting.

Pair of Penguins

Welcome to Stana's Critters Etc's corner.

I am so excited to have my knitting pattern named "Pair of Penguins" included in the book One-Skein Wonders for Babies.

Pair of Penguins

The book One-Skein Wonders for Babies is part of a wonderful series of books named One-Skein Wonders, edited by Judith Durant, and published by Storey Publishing.

As the name itself suggests, each project in the book requires only ONE skein of yarn. The book contains 101 knitting projects and is an amazing value for the price.

One-Skein Wonders and Pair of Penguins

Every knitter, no matter what level of experience, will find a pattern in this collection that is just perfect to make as a gift for a special baby in their live, or as a last minute baby shower gift for a friend, or a colleague.

To purchase, or to find out more about this book click on the link bellow:

One-Skein Wonders for Babies

If you wish to buy the pattern for Pair of Penguins only, visit my Ravelry store or use this button:



Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Razzle-dazzle cowl or infinity scarf

photo by Knitpicks

This cowl or infinity scarf is knitted in the rounds, using only 1 skein of yarn of KnitPicks Preciosa Tonal for each color (with plenty of leftovers for the contrasting colors)

Finished measurements:
Cowl: 25” (64 cm) long and 6” (15.5 cm) wide.
Infinity Scarf: 59.5” (151 cm) long and 6” (15.5 cm) wide.

Yarn:
KnitPicks Preciosa Tonal (100% Merino Wool; 273 yards / 100 grams)
1 skein Stormy 26729 – MC
1 skein Pokeberry 26727 – C1
1 skein Canary 26732 – C2

You may purchase the pattern on KnitPicks website,
in my Ravelry store,
 or by clicking on this button:




Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Mirabel, the fish

Mirabel, is a fish. Knitted in the round at first, to form the head, then continued flat to work on body and tail. The fins are knitted separately and sewn on, or you can pick up the stitches and knit the fins directly.

The two sizes are created by using either single or double held yarn. And then, you add the fabric for the inside, and zipper and create a wonderful pencil, coin, or notion case.

 

 

The pattern is available to purchase in my store on Ravelry or by clicking on this button:



Thank you for visiting.

Snowballs

Snowballs

 Last June we had a snowball fight party. Here is my blog post about it. Due to the great success the half birthday snowball fight party had last year, we are repeating it again this year.

This picture shows the 101 snowballs I knitted last year. After the party was over, we gave away all of the snowballs. So I was asked to make another 100 snowballs this year. I started in January, like I did last year. But unlike last year I was not finished with knitting the snowballs by the end of February. This year I am rather slow. I missed the June deadline and I am not done knitting, yet.

 

I even took the snowballs project with me to the beach. This is snowball number 64.

I hope I will be done in time for the postponed snowball fight in September. I think we might keep some of the snowballs just in case there is the request for the third celebration next year.

Thank you for visiting.

Toys for Library

Toys for Library

Once again, our local library have the summer reading program for children. The program encourages them to read. The volunteers record the time and books the children read, and for their time and participation the children receive raffle tickets. Each week there are plenty of prices to choose from.

I think that this year is my fourth or fifth year that I have donated several of my knitted toys towards the weekly prices. Each week one of my knitted toy find a new home. I see the amount of tickets in the container in front of my knitted toy each week, and I must admit it is rather enjoyable feeling to see how many children are interested in winning those handmade toys. Whenever we visit the library to pick our books, the librarians tell me all about how much joy and smiles the children had when they came to pick up their new toy.

For me personally, this is what knitting is about. The joy and happiness a handmade gift can bring.

Thank you for visiting.

Knitting Pattern for Cecile, the Window Cat

Cecile, the window cat

Cecile, is an adorable cat, that likes to sit on a window edge and look outside.
Knit her in traditional colors, or perhaps go wild and use whatever color speaks to you.
That is what many people did during this month mystery KAL. And I have to say all of the finished Cecile's are wonderful and full of personalities, just like the real cats are.

 

 

Now that the mystery KAL is over, the complete pattern is available to purchase in my Ravelry store or by clicking on this button:

Thank you for visiting.