October

 

It has been a while since my last blog post. I had all the intentions of keeping up with knitting, adding new patters and all that stuff, but somehow life happened. The pile next to my computer is still high and filled with patterns that should be released but haven't been yet. Perhaps this year, perhaps next year I will spend more time on the computer work and updating the various social media where you can see my creations.

Every time I am walking in the nature and see the different kind of mushrooms I always think of knitting them as well. Especially at this time of year, when the variety we can see is just extraordinary. I wish I could knit them all, but I have a new pattern for pillow on my knitting needles at this time and I would like to finish that first. It will be released at some point next year. 

In the past year I created two toy mystery knit-a-longs. The first one was Lola, a cat. The second was Lucky, a duck. I knitted 20 ducks and gave them to the class at the end of last school year. It was actually my third year doing it and the kids all seems to love the handmade toys. I am starting to come up with the ideas for the toys for this year class, and I will most likely begin to work on these sometime in December. 

You can see the previous class toys on my Instagram stanascrittersetc. 

The last photo on this blog post is my dog, who is the happy recipient of most of my knitted pillows. Apparently nap time is sweeter with a handmade pillow. 

Thank you for visiting. And as always have fun knitting. 

Happy Crafting to all!!!!!!

 

Happy Crafting to you all!!!

I cannot believe it; we are almost halfway through January. I am not sure what are your New Year resolutions, but one of mine is actually to be more involved and present in the knitting world. Trying to release more of the knitting patterns that have been sitting on my finished pile for weeks and months and also host another toy mystery KAL. The toy mystery KAL started with the first clue released on January 1st and the second clue on Saturday, January 10th. There is the third clue coming up this Saturday, January 17th and the final pattern for Lola will be released on January 25th. Check it out, you still have time to join the mystery KAL or wait and make your Lola at the end of January. Link to the pattern is below:

My designer page

I have also updated my favorite wrap pattern: Aiofe Wrap with a version for Bulky weight yarn. Now the pattern offers two yarn weights: DK and Bulky. 

I hope to add more patterns during this year. Or you can check out my previously published patterns, there are plenty to choose from. Stay tuned and keep on crafting!

Thank you for visiting. 

Those who love to create....

 .... You know who I am talking about. Each and every one of us, who cannot wait to create something with our hands. How do you start the creative process?

 I came across an image, and it inspired me to create the Lotti's Cowl. By using 3 skeins of Ms. Babb's yarn held together knit in brioche in the round I thought it kind of resembled the image I saw. I love that cowl. It's my favorite winter wear along with the more random and colorful Scraptastic Scarf. 

This year I actually went to Rhinebeck and while I was walking around, I kept returning to that colorful image from such a long time ago. I also thought about making a sweater just for me. But I wanted to add few details that would make the sweater a bit more unique. I love the double edge on the Roy G Biv Hat and I thought it would be a great edge for the sweater.  I also wanted to add some pockets and now it all will be somehow mixed together and, in the end, there should be a sweater that I will love to wear. I started by making a swatch. I still think about the edges for the neck and how should I make the double rolled edges for the sleeves, etc. It is a work in progress and I love it. I feel inspired to revisit all of the other unfinished projects and publish some of the patterns that have been sitting by the computer and waiting. 

So hopefully there will be new patterns coming out soon. In the meantime, follow me on Instagram:  Stanascritteretc to see my work in progress on the sweater. I hope to finish it before this winter ends! 

Thank you for visiting and hanging around!

Happy Crafting.....

 

Happy Crafting to all. After a what felt like a rather short summer we are back to school and also, we are getting back to the cold days when a knitted piece is a must to wear. For the first few weeks I love to wear a simple poncho, as a layer for the colder mornings while the afternoons are still warm. I usually wear the Stripy poncho, but my favorite is probably the Harvest Poncho, I created few years back for I Like Knitting website. The pattern is also in their top 50 patterns collection of all time, along with the Helena sweater. Bellow you can see the photos of both patterns. Both photos are by I Like Knitting. Both patterns are available anywhere my patterns are for sale, see the links on the side, or visit my website: Stana's Critters Etc

What are you going to make this fall? 

Thank you for visiting and happy crafting!

Knitting Pattern for Golden Days Lounge Shorts

 

My latest published pattern is for the Golden Days Lounge Shorts at the August Issue of I Like Knitting Magazine. 

Here is an excerpt from the magazine:

"Bask in easy summer living with the Golden Days Lounge Shorts, a warm-weather essential designed for comfort and style. Knit from the top down in the round, these customizable shorts feature a folded waistband with a functional I-cord drawstring for the perfect fit. Subtle short-row shaping ensures a flattering silhouette, while neatly finished hems at the legs keep stockinette edges crisp and curl-free. Whether you’re lounging at home, heading to the beach, or enjoying a golden hour stroll, these soft and breathable shorts are made to move with you—your new favorite piece for sun-soaked days."

Size: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X)

Finished Waist Size: 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 40, 44)”

Finished Hip Size: 34 (36, 38, 40, 44, 46, 50, 54)”

Finished Inseam: 3” or your desired length.

Shown in size S”

Link to the pattern on Ravelry: Golden Days Lounge Shorts

and here is the link to the website of the I Like Knitting Magazine:

I Like Knitting

My Favorites

 

Baking is definitively another favorite activity for me. In the picture you can see my early attempts at my sourdough bread, and few of my favorite sweet desserts that I really enjoy. Linzer cookies and my grandma's bundt cake recipes are my comfort food that I return to bake quite often. Dandelion syrup is my spring project when dandelions bloom. And then there is the Panna Cotta. A dessert I was first introduced in a little coffee shop in my hometown. I would meet with my friends there every time I would visit my hometown. While sipping on cappuccino and catching up on our lives, we would eat the Panna Cotta with raspberries on top. 

I wanted to make Panna Cotta even when I was not in that little coffee place. So, I searched for a recipe. I have found one on Epicurious, about ten years ago. I printed the recipe out in 2015. It says that the recipe originally appeared in Gourmet in August 1997. I did some adjustments and added the raspberry sauce.

So here is my variation on that original recipe. I usually make the Panna Cotta one day and the raspberry sauce the following day. 

Ingredients: 
2 cups of heavy cream

1 cup of half and half

1/3 cup of sugar

2 tablespoons of cold water

1 envelope of unflavored gelatine (I use the Knorr variety) 

1 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 bag of frozen raspberries (or mixed berries)

1 tablespoon of sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

In a small saucepan sprinkle gelatine over the water. 

In another saucepan heat cream, half and half and sugar. Bring to almost boil, stirring. Remove from heat. Heat the gelatine until it dissolves over a low heat. Remove from heat.

Dump the gelatine into the cream mixture, add vanilla extract and divide evenly between the bowls. 

Let sit until it cools down, then refrigerate. 

In a saucepan heat over low heat the bag of frozen berries with sugar and vanilla extract until the berries are breaking apart. Remove from heat.  

If you add the raspberry sauce while the Panna Cotta is not solid, it will mix together. If you wait until the Panna Cotta is solid, it will create the two layers.

Add fresh berries on top and enjoy :)  

Summer 2025

 

Happy summer days to you all! 

Working in the public schools has its challenges, but it also has a wonderfully long summer break. I do really like that part. It allows me to get some knitting done and even start to think about new designs and create new knitting patterns. I am not sure how successful I will be, but my intentions are set high.  

As an independent knitwear designer I am participating in two events held on Ravelry.

First, it's the fabulous Ami-a-long, an event for knitters and crocheters who loves to create toys. Join the Ami-a-long group on Ravelry and see all the critters and win some prizes.

Second, is the Around the world, stitch along. Another great event hosted on Ravelry, by participating designers. Join the fun event, learn something new and win some prizes. The group on Ravelry is Around the World Stitch Along.

For some snippets from my life and pictures of the latest knitting or other adventures follow me on Instagram or sign up for the newsletter on my website. 

Stana's Critters Etc

The Joy of Creating....

 

After a long time of not really knitting, I have been picking up the knitting needles more frequently and actually working on some knitting projects. First, it was my contracted work that needed to be finished and then it's the knitted toys for this year classroom. But over the past weekend, when I was stuck home being sick and not able to do much, I picked up the strange glow in the dark yarn by Lions Brand and decided to knit something utterly joyful. Few years back, when I created the knitting pattern for a dog's cowl, human infinity scarf and a hat for I Like Knitting Magazine, I wanted to make a cowl for my dog. He already owns a pillow with his name, so why not to create a cowl with his name.

There was a snowstorm over the weekend, and being sick as well, I had plenty of time to knit for fun. First, I needed to calculate the number of stitches I had to cast on, so I could knit his name, and the paw prints as well. Once I have figured that out, I started. It took me about six hours of knitting, but here is the finished cowl. My dog is fine with wearing the cowl on his daily walks.  It even glows in the dark, once you use a flashlight and charge the glow in the dark yarn. 

I have a one more skein of the glow in the dark yarn, and I will create something else with it. Stay tuned for the next adventure, visit my website Stanascrittersetc website or follow me on Instagram Stanascrittersetc. 

Thank you for visiting.

Happy Crafting to All!

 

As another year comes to end, we tend to reflect on the past year and make plans for the upcoming year. I hope that yours was a good one. Mine was filled with work and reading, and some crafting as well. I didn't publish too many new patterns over the past year, but I hope that there will be more to come in the upcoming year. I did manage to knit frog in a sweater for each child in the last year class. It was a fun project, and I have used up a whole lot of scrap yarn. I am hoping to knit another group of toys for each child in this year class. I do not want to knit frogs, and I have spent quite some time thinking about what I should make for the kids. Over the winter break I started on my parliament of owls. We shall see how successful I will be in this project as I am still working on a sample for a pattern that will be published later next year by a third party.   

Thank you for all the visits to my blog and sticking out with me on my crafting adventures. 

May the next year be a good one!

Fall 2024

 

This is my favorite time of the year. The months are filled with wonderfully warm sunny days, yet the mornings can get a bit chilly. I slowly take out my knitted pieces and wear them each and every day. The colors of leaves are just spectacular, and I enjoy the precious moments of being present. I think about different knitted items that I would like to add to my wardrobe, and what I already have. I also start to think about knitted gifts and what should I create next. 

I have totally missed the toy mystery KAL that I wanted to create for the last days of summer entering into the first days of fall. Life outside of my knitting bubble happened and I just didn't have enough time. At the moment I am working on a design for a third party to be published next year. Once this project is off my knitting needles, I hope to revisit my toy mystery KAL. In the meantime, there are plenty of knitting patterns that you can choose from. For example, this cute broomstick, a perfect half hour project for some leftover yarn. The pattern is available here on my blog, or anywhere my patterns are available.

Thank you for visiting.

Summer 2024

 

My summer project is to knit another rattlesnake. I was asked to make one, and I looked through my yarn stash and picked up the yarn in the colors I wanted to use. I have not started to knit the snake, yet and now I have a bit of deadline to finish this project, simply because I was procrastinating. 

After a year of missing, I am again participating in the Ami-a-long, an event for knitters and crocheters to create toys using the patterns from participating designers. Post about it on Ravelry, and be eligible to win a pattern from the participating designers. Ami-a-long group on Ravelry has more information in regard to who is participating designer and all the details.

As soon as I finish the rattlesnake, I should be able to concentrate on the next toy mystery KAL. I will post more details when I have everything ready. 

In the meantime, I hope that you have a fun filled summer. 

Thank you for visiting.

Stana

Knitted Frogs in a Sweater Project

 

I have been busy with a really fun project over the last few months. Here is a full class photo of 21 frogs in sweaters with a larger frog as a teacher. Last year when I started to work full time in the education field, I was thinking about knitting a little toy for every child in the classroom. Somehow things didn't work out as by the end of the school year I had five frogs finished. So, last year the children each got a new book and a bookmark with their picture holding their favorite book. I thought of trying to knit the toys for each child this year, and I made a frog here and there, using up scrap yarn from previous projects. Somewhere around the beginning of January I realized that I only needed to knit 3 frogs each month for the next five months in order to have a whole classroom. I challenged myself and in early January I started to really work on this fun knitting project. I have finished ahead of schedule and the frogs are ready to be given away at the end of this school year.  I am not sure if I will do another knitting project like this next year, perhaps completely different toys or maybe something else. 

At the moment I have returned to my sketches for the next toy mystery Knit-a -long. Stay tuned for the next fun toy mystery KAL. These knitted frogs were actually our last year toy mystery KAL. 

The pattern is Fran and you can find it in all places that my knitting patterns are available.

Thank you for visiting.

Paw Print Heart Patch

 

My original Paw Print Heart was written for working in the round. I have to admit that I prefer to create 3D toys and objects by working in the round and avoid the sewing pieces together part. But some people prefer to knit on two needles instead of using the magic loop method or working on the double pointed needles. Last fall I received a message on Etsy if I can create a flat knit version of the paw print heart. 

I was home sick in the early November and had some time to play with yarn. I managed to create a flat version and the pattern is now available on Ravelry, Payhip, Lovecraft and in my Etsy store. I love the idea of knitting a small paw print heart patch and apply it on clothes, cushions, or blankets. 

Paw Print Heart Patch on Ravelry

Paw Print Heart Patch on Payhip

Paw Print heart Patch on Etsy

Thank you for visiting.

The Journey Ahead....

 

It snowed here. It is something that usually happens during the winter months with regularity. Last winter was a rather strange as we didn't have any significant snowstorms until March. The kids at school were super excited for the snowstorm, as our winter break has been rather wet and gloomy, without any sunny days. The snow blanketed nature looks gorgeous, and everything seems to slow down. I really love those days, when we can enjoy the snow, and then have a cup of hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies. The days like these also call for a new knitting project to start. I started on a snuggly pillow for a friend. What are you going to make? Something warm for yourself or something fun, like a flat squirrel bookmark or a bunch of snowballs? 

Pictured in this blog post are, Snowballs, my first ever published pattern by a third party in 2012, the Bramble Cowl, a one skein of yarn cowl with simple yet gorgeous pattern, and Squirt, the squirrel bookmark. All patterns are available on Ravelry, Lovecraft, and some on Payhip. Links on the side bar or in the List of my published patterns.

I am making plans for this year new knitting patterns and I already have started to make sketches for my new fun mystery knit-a-long. Stay connected on the various social media, or sign up for my newsletter:

Stanascrittersetc

Thank you for visiting and reading. 

Still here, working on one stitch at time.....

 

Staircase to....

This image is one of my favorites. I took it few years ago at an old castle in Czech Republic named Pernstejn. If you ever have a chance to travel to Czech Republic, this is a wonderful place to visit, as it's usually not overrun by tourists. The castle has been used by movie makers as a setting for several movies, especially fairytales. The castle has been on my wish list for many years, but the opportunity to visit always seemed to slip away, until few years ago, when I stayed at my friend's place who live nearby, and finally I was able to see the castle. I hope to return to visit this castle again at some point in life, but more importantly I want to visit my friends again. I visited them this summer, but the castle didn't fit our itinerary, so hopefully the next time....

This brings me to my knitwear adventures. I still create and knit and write patterns, just at much slower pace than I used to. The blog posts are less frequent, my toy mystery KAL happens about once a year and the time seems to never be there for all that I would like to create. 

I am working on a flat version of my Paw Print Heart pattern, and this should be published and available within a week. I also am participating as independent knitwear designer in two major events that happens around this time of year.

On Ravelry it's the Indie Gift-a-long which runs to the end of this year and participants can win prizes. This year there are over 250 independent knitwear designers and thousands of knitting and crocheting patterns. 

If you are not on Ravelry, then the Fasten Off might be for you. This event is held entirely online and there are about 100 independent knitwear designers who offered their patterns. You can participate in games, meet fellow crafters, and win prizes. 

When I started this blog in 2011, I really didn't know what to expect and I definitively didn't imagine that one day there will be more than a million of visitors to this little space online. 

Thank you all for visiting, reading, and believing in my craft, ideas and creativity. 

I will continue one stich at time.

  

Fran, the toy mystery KAL and some new patterns

 

Sensory Caterpillar is one of the two new patterns that I have added to Ravelry and to Lovecraft. I have created the pattern for Knitpicks IDP program, and the pictured sample uses their Dishie yarn.

My second pattern Calypso Hat and Cowl that I have just added to Ravelry was also created for Knitpicks IDP and it just got published on Knitpicks website as well. The pattern uses Knitpicks Wool of the Andes Bulky weight.  

Link to Ravelry:  My designer page

Link to Lovecraft: My patterns on Lovecraft

Link to Knitpicks: Calypso Hat and Cowl and Sensory Caterpillar

Fran, the next toy mystery KAL will start next Monday, August 21st, 2023. 

You can sign up for my newsletter and receive a coupon code for the pattern and a free toy pattern on my website: Stana's Critters etc.

Also, you can get the pattern for 50% off by using the coupon code: Fran 

The coupon code is valid from today until August 24th, 2023. 

As always, I appreciate your visits, comments and please don't forget to follow me, here or on Instagram: stanascrittersetc

One stitch at time....

     At the end of April, I had everything ready for the next toy mystery KAL. I only needed few more pictures of work in progress to show what the toy looks after each clue during the mystery KAL. Then something unexpected happened in our lives and I am still trying to figure out the next step. Life goes on and I will be back with the toy mystery KAL in second half of the summer, but I need few more weeks of time to allow me to process my grief. 

Be kind to each other. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, yet full of moments of joy. 

Thank you for visiting.

Dandelion Honey

 

These jars are filled with sweet syrup made from dandelion flowers. I remember it as a special treat my mom and grandmother used to make when I was growing up. First time I made it by myself was in the spring of 2020. See the blog post here. Since then, I have continued making the syrup each year in the spring, when the dandelions are in bloom. 

This year I have posted a picture of my dandelions and violet flowers collection and once again I have received request for the recipe. I have included the recipe in my e-book Baba Yaga's House. But if you are not interested in knitting, you may not want to buy an entire e-book filled with knitting patterns and some extras, therefore I have decided to write the recipe here.

This recipe goes back to my childhood. We would gather dandelion flowers and made what we called honey, but it’s rather a syrup. This is a spring time activity, and I would highly recommend leaving plenty of blooms for the bees and other pollinating insects when collecting the dandelion flowers. 

Ingredients:
Dandelion flowers (400)
2 liters (0.5 gallon) water
1.8 kg (4 pounds) sugar
Lemon juice (from one lemon)
Orange slices (optional)

Directions:
Step 1: Collect the dandelion flowers.
Step 2: Wash the flowers. Add them to a large pot with the water. Add the lemon juice and sliced orange.
Step 3: Bring to a boil, let it simmer for 15 minutes. 
Step 4: Cover the pot with the lid. Let it sit overnight in the pot. 
Step 5: Strain the liquid through a cheese cloth or a strainer. 
Step 6:  Add the strained liquid to a pot, add the sugar and bring to a boil.
Step 7: Lower the temperature and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally. The longer you let the liquid simmer the thicker the dandelion honey will be.  
Step 8: Sterilize small glass containers, then pour the dandelion honey inside. Cover. Let it cool to room temperature. 
Step 9: Keep in the refrigerator, and use it as a sweetener for teas, lemonades, etc.  

Thank you for visiting and enjoy! 

The Headaches of Medical Bills....

 

Another one just arrived yesterday. 

This year has been rather stressful, and my knitting has been mostly on hold. I cannot find the energy or time to knit. The stress of having my husband out of work and without any income since January is not helping. Earlier this month, when I went to an Urgent Care with a chest pain and was refused to be seen, I had to go to ER instead. I was worried about the chest pain, not the medical bills at that time. 

Now the medical bills started arriving. Even though we are lucky to have a health insurance through my full-time job, it's a rather high deductible insurance and we have to pay most of the bills anyway. The unbelievable high medical bills here in the USA force people to create GoFundMe pages as they struggle to pay their regular bills and the medical bills as well, while sometimes they cannot even work. A good friend of mine is dealing with the uncertainty of his child's long recovery from a serious car accident as well as the devastating medical bills the prolonged hospital stay at an ICU will cost. I am truly at loss on how he must feel. Below is the link to my friend's child GoFundMe page. 

My friend's child GoFundMe Page

I still hope to host the toy mystery KAL sometimes soon. It might take a bit longer than I anticipated, but there are more than 300 other knitting pattern that I have created over the years, which you can either purchase or are available as free patterns. See all the places where you can buy my patterns on my website. Stana's Critters Etc

As always, I am grateful for any purchase you make as it helps me to continue to create one stitch at time. 

Thank you.

A brief note

 

Hello everyone,

Every day I keep thinking about sitting down and writing a blog post. Yet somehow it has not happened yet. My knitting adventure has taken a brief break over the past few months. I tried to keep up, but life got busy with other things and there were days when my knitting needles were left untouched, and I couldn't manage to make a single stitch. It wasn't that I lost a joy from knitting and creating, but the time just wasn't there. Life happens sometimes. 

We all try to do our best, and as I am adjusting to everything, I try to find few moments here and there and continue with my knitting adventure one stitch at time. 

My new toy mystery knit-a-long is slowly getting ready, and I hope to have it all done soon. So, we can have some fun mystery knit-a-long towards the end of this month. 

Sensory Caterpillar is my latest knitting pattern created for Knitpicks IDP program. When I have more time I will add the pattern to Lovecraft, Knitpicks, and Payhip. In the meantime, you can get the pattern on Knitpicks website, along with the yarn. 

Thank you for visiting.

For some little snippets of my life, you can follow me on Instagram: @stanascrittersetc