Knitting Pattern for Aliens in PJ

Aliens in PJ

Aliens in PJ
by Stana D. S.

Finished Toy Size: 6.5" (16.5 cm) tall.

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn.
Approximately 50 yards (46 meters) total for PJ (I used remnants of cotton yarn I had in my stash)
Approximately 30 yards (27.5 meters) of MC (I used Universal Yarn Cool Baby; 90% Cotton, 10% Nylon; 140 yards (126 meters) per 3.5 oz ( 100g);  Nr. 106 Green Monster)
Approximately 5 yards (4.5 meters) black yarn.
This is a great project to use up remnants of stash yarn.

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

Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, polyester fiberfill (1 small bag)

Abbreviations: 
CC = Contrast color
DPN = Double Pointed Needles
K = Knit
KFB = Knit in front and back of the same st, it creates 2 sts from 1 st.
MC = Main color
R = Round, rounds
SSK = Slip st, slip st and knit the 2 sts together. This decreases 2 sts to 1 st.
st, sts = Stitch, stitches

INSTRUCTIONS:

Notes:
The gauge for this project is not important. The size of your alien may vary depending on the yarn and the needles you use. Make sure that your knitting is tight enough for stuffing to not to show through. Make stripes of 2 rounds in each color, or use up small remnants of stash yarn.
The Alien in PJ is knit in the round, starting at the bottom of the body. The eyes are knit separately and sewn on top of its head.

Body: 
With CC yarn and DPN, cast on 6 sts. Place the stitch marker, and begin working in the round.
R 1: Knit
R 2: KFB 6 times (12 sts total)
R 3: Knit
R 4: KFB 12 times (24 sts total)
R 5: Knit
R 6: (KFB, K1) 12 times (36 sts total)
R 7: Knit
R 8: (KFB, K2) 12 times ( 48 sts total)
R 9 - 22: Knit
R 23: (SSK, K6) 6 times (42 sts total)
R 24 - 26: Knit

R 27: (SSK, K5) 6 times (36 sts total)

R 28 - 30: Knit

R 31: (SSK, K4) 6 times (30 sts total). Cut off CC. Attach MC.

R 32 - 34: Knit

Thread the tail from the cast on sts on a yarn needle. Stitch through all of the cast on stitches, pull up tight to close the hole and stitch to secure. Begin to stuff the body with fiberfill.
R 35: (SSK, K1) 10 times (20 sts total)

R 36: Knit

R 37: (SSK, K1) 6 times, SSK (13 sts total)

R 38: Knit

Finish stuffing. Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, 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.

Eyes (make 3):

With MC yarn and DPN, cast on 9 sts. Place the stitch marker, and begin working in the round.

R 1: Knit

R 2: (KFB, K2) 3 times (12 sts total)

R 3: (KFB, K3) 3 times (15 sts total)

R 4 - 6: Knit. Cut off MC. Attach black yarn.

Thread the tail from the cast on sts on a yarn needle. Stitch through all of the cast on stitches, pull up tight to close the hole and stitch to secure. Begin to stuff the eye with fiberfill.

R 7: (SSK, K3) 3 times (12 sts total)

R 8: (SSK, K2) 3 times (9 sts total)

R 9: Knit

Finish stuffing. Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, 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.

Finishing:
Sew the yes on top of aliens head. Weave in ends.

Copyright:
This pattern was design and written by Stana D. S. Please acknowledge the author. Thank you.
 

Monster Blanket

Yarn

In 2015 I received for Christmas a yarn ball winder. Before I got a chance to do anything with it, my kid turned it into the latest toy and had rewind my cotton yarn into these colorful balls of yarn. I thought it would be wonderful to somehow use it and knit a blanket. I already had monster fabric for the bottom and somehow I wanted to combine everything together.
It took some time to knit everything and create monsters for the blanket.
 

Monster Blanket

Also, I asked my mom, whom is an expert in sewing to help me.

And yes she did sew all of the knitted pieces onto the fleece blanket by hand!

Here it is - The Monster Blanket :)

Monster Blanket

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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:

download now

or from my Ravelry store:

Stana's critters etc


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Knitting Pattern for Sunny, the pencil box monster

Sunny, the pencil box monster

I have been thinking about how to organize my yarn. I was looking at pictures posted by other knitters on Ravelry (yes, there is a thread devoted to organizations of your yarn) and was amazed by the creativity and ideas some people can come up with. I still haven't figured out how I would like to have my yarn organized, but this Friday I made the first step. I looked through everything and kind of organized so it looks neat and colorful.

I also realized that if I look through my yarn, I have a sudden urge to create something new and exciting. Sunny, the pencil box monster is the result. I picked the random pieces of yarn and created a happy monster in rainbow colors.

 

This is how Sunny looked yesterday. This morning we bought zipper in grey, just to make sure it is not overwhelming, and we have used the same fabric as we used for the minion pencil box.

 

 

Sunny, the Pencil Box Monster:

by Stana D.S. 

Finished size: Pencil box is 9” (23cm) wide and 5 ½” (15cm) tall.

 

Yarn: Total yardage is about 110 - 120 yards (10-12 yards each color), and remnants of white and black colored yarn. For my monster I have used Sugar and Cream cotton yarn in these colors: Kiwi, Hot Green, Robbin’s Egg, Hot Blue, Blueberry, Hot Pink, Red,  Hot Orange, Gold, Yellow, Lemon. Some of these colors might not be available, but I am sure that everybody have the basic colors of rainbow in their yarn stack.



Recommended Needles size: US # 5/3.75mm.
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, stitch holder, fabric 4 rectangles about 10" x 7" (26cm x 18cm), grey zipper 9"(23cm) long.

Abbreviations:  

SSK= slip stitch, slip stitch, and knit the 2 stitches together, this decreases 2 stitches to 1 stitch.

KFB = Knit in front and back of the same stitch, this creates 2 stitches from 1stitch.
K2tog = knit two stitches together, this decreases two stitches to one stitch.

Gauge: 17sts& 24 rows = 4” in stockinette stitches.

Instructions:

This pencil box is knitted flat in stockinette (knit and purl rows). The eyes are knitted separately and sewn on.

Cast on 48sts in green (kiwi) color. Change the colors every 5 rows if using the same color scheme.
Row 1, and every odd row until row 55: Purl (48sts total)

Row 2, and every even row until row 54: Knit (48sts total).
Row 56: Knit and bind off.
Fold the knitted piece in half and sew together the sides.

White patch  (make 2): With the white yarn cast on 5sts

Row 1: Purl (5sts total)
Row 2: KFB, Knit 3, KFB (7sts total)
Row 3: Purl (7sts total)
Row 4: KFB, Knit 5, KFB (9sts total)
Row 5: Purl (9sts total)
Row 6: Knit (9sts total)
Row 7: Purl (9sts total)
Row 8: SSK, Knit 5, K2tog (7sts total)
Row 9: Purl (7sts total)
Row 10: SSK, Knit3, K2tog (5sts total)
Row 11: Purl (5sts total)
Row 12: Knit and cast off.
Sew the white patches to the pencil box using the picture as a guide. Embroider the iris of the eyes and the eyelashes with black yarn. 

 

Finishing:  With the black yarn embroider the smile on the face using the picture as a guide. Weave in all ends.
Use the four rectangles of fabric. (if making two pockets), otherwise use only two rectangles. 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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Monster Al and his Friends

Monster Al and his friends

I have few ongoing projects that I work on at the moment.

One of them is my Book Project.
After I received the enormous box of yarn from Cascade Yarn company  I had to basically start over again, because all of the patterns will be knitted with their yarn. I am looking for the right publisher and I hope to find one. But in case that will not happen I will make the entire collection as an e-book and individual patterns as well. I am hoping to have it all done later this year.

Another project that I work on at the moment is looking for a publisher for my story Monster Al and his Friends. My thesis advisor made me promise to do that and submit my story. It is disheartening to look for a children's book publisher that would be willing to take on board an unknown author. Second option that is suggested by many - go and find a literary agent seems to be as difficult as the first scenario. I would like to remain optimistic and believe that there is a good end to this journey.

My first story about Monster Al (which I posted on my blog about a year ago) has find quite a few readers.

Maybe that is the way to do it.
What do you think?

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Knitting Pattern for Minion Phone Cover

Minion Phone Cover

This is it, my last knitting pattern for 2013. Don't worry, there will be more knitting patterns in the New Year, some are already being test knitted at the moment.

The Minion Phone Cover is 3.5” (9cm) wide and 6 ½” (16cm) long.

To download PDF file with the knitting pattern for Minion Phone Cover click here:


download now

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Knitting Patterns for Minion Hat and Evil Minion Hat

Here they are  - the knitting patterns for Minion Hat and Evil Minion Hat, available in three sizes which should fit heads of 16”- 22” (41 - 56cm). Finished measurement approximately 16” (41cm) small, 19” (48cm) medium, and 22” (56cm) large in circumference unstretched.

Minion Hat

To download PDF file for Minion Hat knitting pattern click here:

download now

Evil Minion Hat

To download PDF file for Evil Minion Hat knitting pattern click here:

download now


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Knitting Pattern for Monster Al and his Friends

Monster Al and his Friends

Monster Al is my favorite monster. It might be because it was my first knitted monster, but also because I used him as a character for my picture book Monster Al , and now he and his friends are characters in my Thesis project Monster Al and his Friends.

In the knitting pattern for Monster Al and his friends I have included the story. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry or by clicking on this button.



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Still Minions

Minion Hat

Evil Minion Hat

Minion Phone Cover

When my knitted minions photo was included on the Despicable Me FB page last week, I had to return to the adorable minions.
I was asked to knit minion phone cover. And because I had the yellow and blue yarn out, I knitted hat, and then I knitted the evil minion hat. 
The knitting patterns for all three things are being test knitted at the moment, and will be available next month.
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Monster Al and his friends

Monster Al and his friends

Monster Al is the first monster I have ever knitted. He started his life as a drawing done by my child, what seem to be a very long time ago. In reality it was fall of 2009.
I must admit, Monster Al has a special place in our lives. I wrote a book about him, which you can read here: Monster Al  and now I am writing second book which will include the knitting patterns.

The book is almost finished and the pattern is test knitted at the moment.

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E-book "Knitted Monsters in the Closet"

Knitted Monsters in the closet

Finally, my first e-book "Knitted Monsters in the closet" is available.

In this e-book you will find six knitting patterns for all the cute monsters pictured in this photograph.

Tony, the pocket monster can help you organize toys and other important treasures your child accumulate.

Bella and Rose, Dave, Harvey, Roger, and Sam, the slug are knitted toys which travel to live in their new home with children at Rose Garden.

To buy the e-book click on this button



Of course you can purchase the individual patterns as well, here are the individual patterns:




Bella and Rose




Dave

 

Harvey

 

 

Roger

 

 

Sam, the slug

 

 

Tony, the pocket monster

 

 

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Tony, the pocket monster....

Tony, the pocket monster

....lives in our closet. Tony, the pocket monster fits perfectly on the closet door, and her body is full of pockets of various sizes. These pockets help to keep all the important stuff neat and organized.  My child's room looks much cleaner now. I can actually walk in without the fear of stepping onto something randomly dropped on the floor, forgotten in the midst of busy playtime.

Knitting Pattern for Tony, the pocket monster is coming soon.

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The Big Picture

Monster Al and his friends

Few weeks ago I have returned to school again. I feel like a perpetual student since I have been attending schools for such a long time. It is a running joke in my family, that I will graduate about the same time as our child. I hope that this is not the case and I will reach my goal long before that. This semester I am working on my Thesis project. Since I am creative writing major I had the freedom to pick my Thesis in the creative field. The travels and adventures of Monster Al and his friends will be subject of my Thesis Project, and the knitting patterns for them will be included.
I am so excited to work on this project and make the knitting patterns available around the end of this semester.

I have not forgotten The Book Project, my book of more then twenty knitting patterns that I started to work on during my last semester. In my naïve enthusiasm, I thought that I can have it done before the new semester begins. As always, life happens and the work is not done, yet. However, I did not stop working on The Book Project and the book (or e-book) of knitting patterns will be available as soon as everything is done and ready.

Last, but not least, I wanted to mention my knitted monsters project. An e-book with several knitting patterns for cute and cuddly monsters is in the works and life permitting should be available shortly. The monsters created for this project will travel again to  Hope Garden.

Thank you for visiting.

Eyeball and Huggly

Eyeball and Huggly

Eyeball and Huggly are my newest knitted monsters. These two cuddly critters are the result of collaboration with two young artists.
It has been a long process, longer than I anticipated, but the results are delightful.

It started some time after my child draw the image of Loopy and I knitted Loopy based upon the drawing. We had two visitors whom  love to draw. I made them an offer, if they draw their own critters, then I would knit them. The two young artists took their job very seriously and draw many beautiful pictures. Together we picked the yarn, and I started to work on the project. It took longer than I wanted, but I managed to finish the toys in time to make a unique and original birthday gift for the two young artists.

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Knitting Pattern for Minions (evil version)



Somebody turned bad......






Minions

 

The Knitting Pattern for evil version of minions is available now.

You will need less than a ball of sport to medium weight yarn in purple color (I used Caron Simply Soft Grape # 9610), 1 ball of Fun Fur or other novelty type of yarn in color matching the body of the minion (optional) for hair, less than a ball of black yarn. Also remnants of grey yarn and white yarn. The finished minion is approximately 9" (22cm) tall.

The pattern is available as PDF file download on Ravelry or here.

download now

Also if you would like to knit the original minions
here is the link to my pattern:

Minions - part 1
Minions - part 2

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Knitting Pattern for Minions Tablet or I-pad cover

The knitting pattern for Minions Tablet or I-pad cover is available.

You will need approximately 1 ball of yellow and less then 1 ball of blue yarn, also remnants of black, white, and grey yarn all in worsted weight. Also you will need two buttons.

Tablet cover is 8 ¼” (21cm) wide and 11 ½” (29cm) long.

I-pad cover is 8 ¼” (21cm) wide and 9 ½” (24cm) long.

 

The pattern is free and available for download on Ravelry or by clicking here:

download now

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More Minions

Minions 2

As I mentioned in my previous post, for me this month is all about minions. After I finished the two minion toys I wanted to make more, but also I wanted to create something new. 
I thought of our current obsessions with anything electronic and it just seemed appropriate to make a tablet cover inspired by minions.
The knitting pattern is almost done and should be available for everyone within the next few days.

And of course my next project is going to be the purple minion. I have already picked the yarn and I cannot wait to cast on.

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Minions everywhere......



 

Minions

It seems to me that ever since the movie "Despicable Me 2" has been released I see minions everywhere. I have been asked to knit a blue version of minion, and I just wanted to make the yellow minion as well. Also I was asked to knit the purple minion which I cannot wait to create.

I have to admit, for me, the month of July is all about minions.

 

Here is the link to my pattern for minions so you can knit your own minion:

 

minions part 1

 

minions part 2

 

 

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Just a bit of nonsense

Kevin and Slug

Once again I took the needle felting class in our local library. I love to create something random and funny, poking the needle into the wool rowing and creating whatever I feel like at the moment.

Kevin, the alien is one of those random creations. I was experimenting with the shape and colors combinations, and he seems to be a friendly looking alien.

Slug was inspired by the creation my child made using play dough and clay. It most likely originated when we watched the movie "Flushed Away" and the singing slugs featured in the movie.  Even months after we saw the movie I still have at least a dozen slugs made of play dough and clay displayed all over the house. Whenever I discover one of those slugs I have to smile. And I am  thankful for the opportunity to have an excuse to get creative myself and do something random and funny out of fiber instead of another scarf, hat, socks, sweater, or mittens.

On another bright side, I have finally finished posting the entire children book "Monster Al" on my blog. Please check it out. Next step is to write up the knitting patterns.

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Monster Al

 

 

This is Monster Al and his friend Little Blue Bear.

 

What seems like a long time ago, I had class named Children Literature. Our main project for the class was to create original children's book. My child draw a picture of a monster, and that drawing was the beginning of Monster Al. I wanted to use drawings, based on the original picture, for the picture book, but I am not as good with paint brushes as I am with knitting needles, therefore I picked yarn and knitting needles and created knitted version of Monster Al. Monster Al needed a friend, and we picked this little blue bear and named him Little Blue Bear. The next step was to create a story. It was the best part. I received A+ for my book and the teacher suggested that I should try to  find a publisher. That part was not fun at all. I have spent months doing that, and in the end nothing came out of it. I do not think it's the story itself, but rather many factors combined together. After taking this semester class The Book I revisited the story of Monster Al, and I decided that I would like to see the story alive, and available for children to read. This blog attracts many people, and some of them have children or grandchildren of their own, or they might know some children. Perhaps they will find the story about Monster Al interesting enough to read and share. 

 

The story about  Monster Al can be found here:

Monster Al story book

 

 

The knitting pattern for Monster Al and his friends will be available.

 

Thank you for visiting.