February 2012
Monthly Archive
February 29, 2012
We all need a Fairy God-Monster in our lives, right? You know. Someone who will give us the monster love, hugs and encouragement when we need to keep on fighting but don’t know how. Someone who will surprise us with a wish come true, like yummy yarn and some knitting mojo.
For me, the random acts I practice in my life allow me to a Fairy God-Monster, just for a little while. Making the monsters and giving them to others who need that extra bit of strength, courage and hope help me forget about my own pain, struggles and frustrations. It helps me to keep keep fighting too.
So, today, I give you your own Fairy God-Monster to knit on your needles. Make one for yourself, and give one to someone else who may need one too. The pattern is available for download to your Ravelry library here. You can also download the PDF file directly to your computer from my blog pattern page here. And, yes, it is free!
This Fairy God-Monster sits at 9.5 to 10 inches tall, with her legs adding even more length. She can be knit with any worsted weight yarn, using US Size 6 needles. I knit this one with Dancing Dog Dyeworks yarns, one of my favorite monster making yarns. Other yarns suggestions include Lorna’s Laces, Plymouth Encore or Cascade 220. Most of the pattern is knit in the round; the hat, skirt and fun fur are knit flat. You will need between 230 -250 yards of different colored yarns from your stash to make this Fairy God-Monster come true.
© https://kkhymn.wordpress.com
February 16, 2012
Hot off the presses! Meet my latest design and monster …
Monster, Gnome or Both?
My Mischievous Monster Gnome pattern is now ready for download on Ravelry! The pattern includes detailed instructions to knit the Mischievous Monster or Grumpy Garden Gnome! Two patterns in one! You can download the pattern from Ravelry here.
This little guy is very indecisive. One day he is a grumpy gnome working in his garden, and the next he uses the forest magic to change into a mischievous monster.
You will need approximately 250 total yards for your monster, and 285 total yards for your gnome. Any worsted weight yarn will work for this pattern. Suggested yarns include Plymouth Encore, Bernat Waverly, Cascade 220, Patons Classic Wool, or Dancing Dog Dyeworks.
If you decide to make a beard for your gnome or monster, you will also need a brand of fun fur, eyelash yarn for the beard such as Sensations Cello.
Your finished gnome will be ready for your garden or home, sitting at 9 inches in height with his hat on. The legs add extra length, but this gnome prefers to sit and nap under a tree. If you decide to make the mischievous monster version, he will be sitting at 7 to 7.5 inches in height (not including legs).
I hope you enjoy knitting this monster gnome as much as I do. And, remember to share the monster love with your random acts and join the Random Acts of Monsters group on Ravelry too.
© https://kkhymn.wordpress.com
February 14, 2012
Last weekend, Charles was able to go see his monsters for Monster Island and get his big surprise! I was able to listen and talk with him as he opened the big box; and today, I got some big monster love with some photos of Charles with his monster-filled island:
Charles and His Monster Island
On the morning of his surprise, Charles announced that “today is a very exciting day for monsters and mankind because I can finally open my monster box.” Of course he didn’t know how “monstrous” his box would really be.
Charles wrote this poem about his monsters, and shared it with all the monster mommies on Ravelry:
Monsters are wonderful, monsters are great.
Monsters help me face things I hate.
Monsters are fun, monsters are grand
Monsters help me when I’m stuck in the sand.
Monsters, Monsters everywhere.
Monsters in the morning, monsters in my hair.
Monsters in the evening let me know others care.
Monsters make me laugh when my heart aches.
Monsters help me celebrate!
Charles is busy coming up with names and profiles of each of the monsters on his Monster Island. Apparently the monsters are playing hide and seek with his family all around the house. But, they all return to his bed at night, covering him with monster love and hugs, for a perfect night’s sleep.
I will be sure to share updates on Charles’ Monster Island in future posts. For now, I am just so happy to know that we have played a part on making his Monster Island dreams come true. Share the monster love, and Happy Valentine’s Day!
To read more about Charles and how his Monster Island began, read these posts:
© https://kkhymn.wordpress.com
February 5, 2012
Well, I see that more than 100 people have downloaded the pattern for my Gotta Love Me Monster. Thank You! I am so glad that so many of you are enjoying the pattern.
I have received requests for more work in progress photos to be added, in particular the flap construction. I have also updated the instructions for the first row of the flap so that it can be easier to knit. After picking up the 24 stitches for the body flap, knit the first row through the back loop. Then knit the remaining rows as normal.
New Update March 1:
There were a couple of typos found in the pattern by one of the knitters. On page 2, it said to stuff the body before flipping it back to normal. On page 3, I forgot to add the words twice to the ears section for rows 7 and 9. And for the feet, it says turn back to normal and stuff the ears; it should have said stuff the feet.
The pattern file has been corrected. Hopefully these typos did not cause any undo frustration.
The photos that were added to the pattern in February are below, for quick reference:
Body Parts
Body Flap
Sewn Body Flap
The Gotta Love Me Monster can be found here on Ravelry and download from my blog pattern page here. Please feel free to download the update. It is a free monster pattern so that those of you on tight budgets can start your random acts of monsters without hitting your wallet. I was able to add an iron-on heart applique to this monster too.
Gotta Love Me 2
I have sent out more monsters for Random Acts, and I am happy to report that the recipients are getting their monster hugs and laughter just as planned. The monsters for Charles’ monster island are on route, and hopefully will get to him sometime next week.
I have discovered that I have a new condition added to my long list of chronic pain called bursitis. That is what has been plaguing my left leg and hip the past couple of weeks. Thank God for my physical therapist, who figured it out and told me what to do to alleviate the inflamed area and I am starting to see some improvement. Hopefully it will not flare up again anytime soon.
I am starting to think about my next pattern to create. I am hoping to release it sometime next month.
Keep spreading the monster love and know that you are not alone in your daily struggles. If you want to join in on the Random Acts of Monsters movement, feel free to join the group on Ravelry here.
https://kkhymn.wordpress.com
February 2, 2012
Charles Monster Island
So, I know that Charles is not going to read this post until after he sees the surprise we have waiting for him. I was going to try and wait for him to get his package first before posting, but I am just too excited. Now, I can let you in on the big project I have been working on – making Charles’ Monster Island come true!
Charles has Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. Last year I sent him one of my knitted monsters, who is now named Grrr. Charles asked his mom if I could make him another monster this year so that he could have a “Monster Island.” I told him I would make him a couple of monsters and send it to him soon.
But, the real surprise is that he is going to get a huge box filled with handmade monsters, not just one, two or three but 27 monsters, a kitty for his island, and 3 monster chunks! There is a Pirate monster, a mermaid monster, my three-eyed monster, a Superhero monster and just an entire box of monster love for Charles to live on Monster Island.
Pirate Monster
Mermaid Monster
And these monsters have monster mommies from all over the world – the United States, Canada and United Kingdom! I wanted to give Charles enough monsters for his island, and asked the wonderful monster knitters and crocheters on Ravelry to help make this Monster Island come true by sending me a monster. The response has been overwhelmingly generous. I have been stalking my postman all month waiting for all the packages. This is the biggest Random Act of Monsters ever. Thank you Monster Mommies!
The monster-filled package is ready now to send. I created a photo album that has a photo of each monster, their care and handling instructions, as well as where their hometown is in this world. There are postcards and notes from the monster mommies in the photo album too. All the monsters are in a huge 16x16x16 box, with the photo album and card. These monsters have traveled far to make it to Charles’ monster island, and they are almost there! I know Charles will be busy writing stories about his monster island and each monster living there for a long time!
Photo Album
To read about Charles and Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy, see the blog posts below:
Stay tuned for the “big surprise” post after Charles opens his box. I am sure you all will hear the screams of pure joy and happy dances from wherever you are. Thank you again to all the monster mommies who were able to participate in Monster Island. Looking forward to sharing more
Random Acts of Monsters on Ravelry and around the world.
To see more photos of Monster Island, click
here. Keep spreading the monster love and practicing those random acts. You never know what a difference it will make in this crazy, mixed up world.
© https://kkhymn.wordpress.com
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