So, my legs have not been behaving for more than a week now. The pain levels are skyrocketing and I can barely walk. Not sure what is happening to my body. But, at least I have my monster mojo. To celebrate the Random Acts of Monsters group, and to help you start your monster knitting, I have created a new, free monster pattern. And, because this is February and Valentine’s Day is around the corner, this monster is called the Gotta Love Me Monster.
The pattern is for any worsted weight yarn. You will need two contrasting colors for the pattern, between 100 and 150 yards if each color. And the needles used are a US Size 6 circular needle long enough for Magic Loop and a set of US Size 6 double pointed needles. I have written the pattern so that the body of the monster can be worked using the Magic Loop method or knit with double pointed needles. The Gotta Love Me Monster can be downloaded here on Ravelry or on my blog’s Pattern page.
I hope you enjoy this pattern, and that it inspires you to knit more monsters and practice more random acts. Spread the monster love!
Update on the pattern: I have received requests for more work in progress photos to be included in the pattern. I have also updated the instructions for the first row of the flap so that it will be easier to knit. The pattern link is the same, but the file has been updated as of February 5.
Well, I can finally tell you about one of the other random acts that I have been working on. It is not a monster, but a doll for a very special young girl named Emily.
Emily and Her Doll Fight Neurofibromatosis
Emily is 12 years old, from Malaysia with Neurofibromatosis, a rare condition where tumors grow in any area of the body where nerves exist. She is in the States right now trying to figure out the next steps to get treatment. The tumors on her spine are too developed to be removed, but there are others in her body that could be removed if she could raise the funds.
Her mom does not speak English. Emily is shy and intelligent, but the schools in Malaysia, like many Asian countries, are not accommodating to people with disabilities. Her mom refuses to place her in the special school because the classes are geared towards those with mental retardation rather than physical disabilities. So, her mom carries her daughter on her back from classroom to classroom so that she can be in school.
I wanted to send Emily a random act of monster to help her fight her battles, but Emily and her mom couldn’t quite understand what I wanted to do because the word ‘monsters’ does not translate well in her language – it is more like saying “devil”. I know the monsters are cute enough not to be seen as the devil, but I did not want to give something that could be misunderstood.
Emily is very girly, and loves Dora the Explorer and the color pink. So I decided to give her an extra special random act; she was getting my Kimmie doll that I knitted several months ago. I really love this doll, and spent many loving hours and days making her, but Kimmie told me she wanted to go to Emily now. Emily got her doll last week. Her translator told me that she loves the doll. She kept stroking it and looking at it. This is Emily’s first knitted doll. I just hope it makes her happy.
My Kimmie Doll
Emily is unable to get any more charity medical services. It has taken the family years to save enough money to come back to the US to seek treatment. They are disappointed that they are unable to get some of the tumors on her spine and ear canal removed. Emily could end up deaf, depending on how fast her tumors grow. They are trying to get a proper child’s wheelchair for her while in the US, before returning to Malaysia. It looks like one may be donated to her, which is good news. Her mom will not have to carry her on her back from place to place. They are trying to decide whether to start fundraising for her medical treatment. I will post updates and let you know how to donate towards Emily’s medical care when fundraising efforts begin. Please do keep her and her family in your prayers.
So, random acts don’t have to involve monsters. It can be anything you want it to be. Practice a random act today. To learn more about Neurofibromatis, visit the following Web sites:
Well in just three days of existence, the Random Acts of Monsters group has more than 100 people. We have already started giving monsters in the group. A young 5-year-old boy with cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and his younger brother are both getting monsters from group members. And, another member is crocheting some cool hats for the boys too. A woman who is recovering from foot surgery is getting a monster from one of our members. And, two members are working together to give monsters and other handmade, stuffed toys to a cancer hospital and domestic violence shelter in the United Kingdom.
Happy Baldwin and Sparkly Love Monsters
I just finished a brother and sister monster for two kids who need them right now. Happy Baldwin and Sparkly Love monster are going in the mail today. The pattern is Baldwin the Bathroom Monster from The Book of Knitted Monsters. I knitted these with different worsted weight yarns. Happy Baldwin was knit with Patons Classic Wool, and Sparkly Love Monster was knit with Plymouth Encore and Dancing Dog Dyeworks yarn.
Both monsters were made in some marathon knitting sessions – it usually happens when my pain levels are skyrocketing and I don’t want to scream or cry all day, so I knit. It doesn’t always stop me from getting in a bad mood or yelling at someone, but it is a better way to manage my pain than killing someone with my knitting needles.
I lost track of my rows when knitting this brother and sister pair, and made the arms longer than the pattern suggested. The pain kept interrupting my concentration levels. Thank goodness that these monster patterns are so forgiving; mistakes become modifications most of the time. And, knitting through the crap in life teaches you to not worry about all the mistakes you’ve made. Life keeps going, you just move forward and trust that it will all work out in the end.
So, when you see me knitting, don’t think I must not be feeling too badly today. It could be the exact opposite. Knitters learn to knit through life. Chronic knitters learn how to knit through all the crap. Still don’t get it? Well, then listen to this song. It might just inspire you to pick up your knitting needles:
I have a couple of special random acts that I can’t wait to write about. But, they are still in the works and not ready for the world to see. Stay tuned …
So, it is done. It’s started. The Random Acts of Monsters group is now on Ravelry. I am hoping this group will start a movement, even if it is a small one. Where people who knit, crochet or sew monsters, critters, amigurumis and other soft toys start giving them away to others in need. No need to get permission from anyone. Or sign up with any particular charity organization. Just randomly give what you have made to someone on the street, at your next doctor’s appointment or in the bookstore or coffee shop. Tell them that they are not forgotten. To not give up, whatever their battles might be. And, whenever they need some strength to fight on, some hugs or love, just look at their monster.
I don’t know if I have all the spoons or energy levels to start this group, I just know that I am supposed to start it. I am hoping I can keep the group motivated and going without overdoing it. Please do keep me and this group in your prayers, as well as all those who are to receive our finished projects.
And, remember, even if you don’t knit, crochet or sew, you can still practice random acts of kindness with those around you. Call a long, lost friend and reconnect with them. Send a note of encouragement to someone looking for a job. Cook a meal for someone who just came home from the hospital. Pay for a stranger’s coffee. Life is not easy for any of us. Bad stuff happens. Fight back with some good and practice your random acts.
So, now that the holidays are over, I can get back to my “normal” knitting. The two butt procedures seemed to have helped my pain levels a bit. At least I can sit down and knit without immediately wanting a pain pill. And, my physical therapy exercises are actually benefiting me, now that my butt muscles are cooperating a stretching a little.
I am working on a very special project right now with the knitters on Ravelry. I can’t share all the details yet, but suffice it to say that the Random Acts of Monsters may become a mini-movement. And, a Random Acts of Monsters group will be coming soon.
In the meantime, Charles has become to be known as “the Boy who Loves Monsters,” according to his mom. He has requested an extra special three-eyed monster that I have knit up with the Dancing Dog Dyeworks yarn. It is the Ursula monster pattern by Rebecca Danger, but I just added three eyes to it.
Here is how I knit each eye: Cast on 6 sts. Joined in round. KFB all sts for first round (12 sts). Knit 1, KFB the next round (18 sts). Knit all sts in next round. Bind off knit wise. Placed safety eyes in center of eye and sewed each one onto the monster.
Charles wants to create a Monster Island for his monsters. He has it all in his head right now, and his mom is having him write the details of his Monster Island as a fun school project. So far, there is one main island for the monsters, and two smaller islands surrounding it. There is also a castle on the island for the monsters. Grrr is already on Monster Island and is just waiting for a companion.
Red and Purple Monster
So, instead of making just one monster for his island, I have two monsters in the works. The second monster is the Gort pattern by Rebecca Danger from her book, The Big Book of Knitted Monsters and is striped with red and purple!
So, Charles, when you read this post, just know that your monsters are coming. I have some doctor and hospital stuff to do though first, but I am hoping you will have your monsters next month for Valentine’s Day. The monsters are coming!
I Heart Cat Loves Dog
Island Update:
My kitty Reina says that there needs to be a cat on Monster Island. So, I am including my knitted kitty as a part of this package. You can find the pattern on this blog’s pattern page, found here. The pattern is called I Heart Cat Loves Dog.
To read about Charles and Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy, see the blog posts below:
Kkhymn's Corner 