Corey, clue 3

 

Third Clue:
Wings (make 2):
With the MC yarn and DPN, CO 6 sts. Work flat.
Row 1: KFB, (K1, P1) 2x, K1 (7 sts total)
Row 2: (P1, K1) 3x, P1
Row 3: KFB, (P1, K1) 3x (8 sts total)
Row 4: (P1, K1) 4x
Row 5: KFB, (K1, P1) 3x, K1 (9 sts total)
Row 6: (P1, K1) 4x, P1
Row 7: KFB, (P1, K1) 4x (10 sts total)
Row 8: (P1, K1) 5x
Row 9: KFB, (K1, P1) 4x, K1 (11 sts total)
Row 10: (P1, K1) 5x, P1
Rows 11, 13, 15, 17: (K1, P1) 5x, K1
Rows 12, 14, 16, 18: (P1, K1) 5x, P1
Row 19: K2tog, (K1, P1) 4x, K1 (10 sts total)
Rows 20, 21, 22: (P1, K1) 5x
Row 23: K2tog, (P1, K1) 4x (9 sts total)
Rows 24, 26: (P1, K1) 4x, P1
Row 25: (K1, P1) 4x, K1
Row 27: K2tog, (K1, P1) 3x, K1 (8 sts total)
Rows 28, 29, 30: (P1, K1) 4x
Row 31: K2tog, (P1, K1) 3x (7 sts total)
Rows 32, 34: (P1, K1) 3x, P1
Row 33: (K1, P1) 3x, K1
Row 35: K2tog, (K1, P1) 2x, K1 (6 sts total)
Rows 36, 37, 38: (P1, K1) 3x
Row 39: K2tog, (P1, K1) 2x (5 sts total)
Rows 40, 42: (P1, K1) 2x, P1
Row 41: (K1, P1) 2x, K1
Row 43: K2tog, K1, P1, K1 (4 sts total)
Rows 44, 45: (P1, K1) 2x
Row 46: K2tog, P1, K1 (3 sts total)
Row 47: P1, K1, P1
Row 48: K3tog (1 st total)
Cut the yarn, leaving a long enough tail, and thread the end on a yarn needle. Pull the end through the remaining stitch. Secure the end. 

Legs (make 2):
With the MC yarn and DPN, CO on 9 sts. PM on the first st and begin working in the rnd.
Rnds 1 – 2: Knit. Cut off MC. Attach C2. Continue with C2 only.
Rnd 3: (SSK, K1) 3x (6 sts total)
Rnds 4 – 6: Knit
If using the pipe cleaners, cut and bend small piece around the main pipe cleaner to create three fingers. Insert the pipe cleaner with the end pointing through the CO edge. See the photo at the end for visual aid.
Continue with first 2 sts. Working around the pipe cleaners.
Increase 2 sts to 3 sts and work 3 rows I-cord. Cut the yarn approximately 2-3 yards (1.80 – 2.75 meters) long. Thread the end on a needle yarn. Pull the end through the 3 sts, close the hole. 
Pull the needle through to the next 2 sts. Increase 2 sts to 3 sts and work 3 rows I-cord. Thread the end on a needle yarn. Pull the end through the 3 sts, close the hole. 
Pull the needle through to the next 2 sts. Increase 2 sts to 3 sts and work 3 rows I-cord. Thread the end on a needle yarn. Pull the end through the 3 sts, close the hole. 
Sew the holes between the 3 I-cords creating the bottom part of the leg. 

Finishing:
With the tail from the CO sts sew the wings to the side of the body, leaving a tip of the wings pointing towards the tail. With the tail from the CO sts sew the legs to the bottom part of the body 
Using the black yarn, embroider the eyes on the side of the head, if needed add more black color to the side of the bird’s head, by embroidering it. Weave in all ends. 

Have fun knitting.

Work in Progress - Bernie Doll - January 2021

 

It took me over a week. I have watched the memes and knitting patterns appearing for the Bernie Sanders' mitts. I watched the knitting patterns for hats, cowls, and even a sweater being inspired by the famous mittens Bernie Sanders wore for the Inauguration of the 46th US president.  I saw a crochet doll and the crochet patterns for the Bernie Sanders dolls being offer for sale, for free, and I watched the bidding on E-bay for the original doll created by one of the crochet designers. There are so many crochet patterns for Bernie doll on Etsy (and other platforms that sell patterns)  now that it's amazing. And I believe I have seen two different knitting patterns for Bernie Doll. Both of which are interesting, but not what I would like to actually make. Somehow the variety of knitting patterns for Bernie doll are a little bit behind on this.  

I guess, being a knitwear designer comes handy as I am able to create a knitted toy that will fit my vision as to what the doll should look like and how much it hopefully will resemble the original Bernie Sanders in the now iconic photo. 

As with every design it starts with picking up yarn. I am using stash yarn as much as possible and this doll is not an exception. I looked through my stash and narrowed it down to those yarn as they are closest to the colors, as seen in the photo. I would like the doll to be able to either sit or stand, and have the clothes removable, and I also would like to include the chair for the doll to sit on. 

I should be working on some other knitting projects that have been on my needles and have some sort of deadline attached to it, may it be for few submissions, toy mystery KAL, knitting pattern samples,  etc.  I will post another work in progress blog post next Friday as to what I actually decided to work on. 

And those who are reading and wondering if I will type up and make the pattern available for other to knit their own doll;  I will do that after the toy is finished and I am happy with the result. 

Thank you for visiting.

Corey, clue 2

 

Second Clue: 

Begin to stuff the xxx and xxx with fiberfill. 

Rnds 32 – 42: Knit 

Rnd 43: K8, SSK, K12, K2tog, K8 (30 sts total)

Rnds 44 – 45: Knit 

Rnd 46: K8, SSK, K10, K2tog, K8 (28 sts total)

Rnds 47 – 48: Knit 

Rnd 49: K8, SSK, K8, K2tog, K8 (26 sts total)

Rnd 50: Knit 

Rnd 51: K8, SSK, K6, K2tog, K8 (24 sts total)

Continue to stuff the xxx with fiberfill.

Rnd 52: Knit 

Rnd 53: K6, K2tog, K8, SSK, K6 (22 sts total)

Rnd 54: Knit 

Rnd 55: K5, K2tog, K8, SSK, K5 (20 sts total)

Rnd 56: K4, K2tog, K8, SSK, K4 (18 sts total)

Rnd 57: K3, K2tog, K8, SSK, K3 (16 sts total)

Rnd 58: K3, K2tog, K6, SSK, K3 (14 sts total)

Rnd 59: K2, K2tog, K6, SSK, K2 (12 sts total)

Rnd 60: K2, K2tog, K4, SSK, K2 (10 sts total)

Finish stuffing the xxx with fiberfill. Fold the pipe cleaner and insert into the opening. 

Rnds 61 – 90: Knit 

Lightly stuff the tail around the folded pipe cleaner. 

Rnd 91: K7 and mark a new beginning on the side of the xxx.

Rnd 92: (SSK, K1, K2tog) 2x (6 sts total)

Rnd 93: K3tog 2x (2 sts total)

Cut the yarn, leaving a long enough tail, and thread the end on a yarn needle. Pull the end through the remaining stitches. Secure the end. 

XXX:

Using MC, pick up 6 sts evenly along the CO edge at the front of the xxx, PM and join to work in the round.

Rnd 1: Knit 

Rnd 2: K2tog 3x (3 sts total)

Cut the yarn, leaving a long enough tail, and thread the end on a yarn needle. Pull the end through the remaining stitches. Secure the end. 

Third Clue: February 1st, 2121 

Have fun knitting.

Brunelli Wrap

 

These two photographs may seem irrelevant to the title of this blog post, but in a strange sense it represents part of the knitwear designer process. When I looked at the sky I saw these heart shaped clouds, and I had a camera in hand and was able to take a photo. In a way it was a luck that I looked at the sky at that exact moment and had a camera and was able to capture the clouds shape before it disappeared and changed its shape. If I looked at any other moment the heart shaped clouds would be gone and I wouldn't have these two photos. It seems that the same goes for submitting to a third party submission call. 

My ideas are few of hundreds submissions that the editors look through for each submissions call and sometimes it needs a bit of luck and the right moment for an idea to click and be accepted.

Brunelli Wrap is a perfect example. It was rejected so many times that it felt like it's not worth it. Yet I kept returning to the sketch and swatch, and decided to knit a sample anyway. It was at that moment the pattern was accepted for a publication. Here is the post I wrote about the Brunelli Wrap after it was published in October Issue of Knotions Magazine. The rights to the pattern has returned back to me and I can offer the pattern to purchase on my Ravelry Designer Page,  Payhip, Lovecraft website and you can also buy it by clicking on this button, which takes you to Ravelry:

Picture bellow is by Kellie Nuss for Knotions Magazine.

Thank you for visiting and reading. 

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.