small things

Sponsored Giveaway: Mamma 4 Earth

Today I am welcoming Linda, whom you may know from her blog, Natural Suburbia.  I am very pleased to be sharing her unique patterns and knitted toys here with all of you. I asked Linda to share a little about herself, how she learned to knit and write patterns, and also what led to the creation of her shop:

Knitted Swan Pattern(knitted swan pattern)

“I have always loved knitting, my mom taught me to knit when I was 5 years old. When she was younger she knitted cricket jerseys for all of her brothers. I used to often see her knitting when I was little.  She knitted us a variety of clothing including our royal blue jerseys for school.  These were the softest jerseys, so much softer than the shop bought ones. One day I asked her if she could show me how to knit and she did. She gave me two short, size 4mm knitting needles and a ball of blue double knitting wool. I can remember that day clearly. I was always encouraged to try and knit her projects that she was busy with, and this was wonderful because I managed to master some complicated patterns and knitting terminology at a young age and she always helped me along the way. I attended a Catholic convent school while growing up and knitting was a part of our curriculum, there were new projects to make for school each year and when I was older I started to knit more advanced items. The first jersey I knitted was a cabled design, I was 18 years old and I still have that jersey today.”

knitted whale pattern         (glider the whale knitting pattern)

“After my husband and I had children, I studied to be a Montessori preschool teacher, I taught for a few years and then after the birth of our fourth child, Kye, we decided that I would no longer work but rather homeschool our children. I discovered the wonderful world of Waldorf education with all its beautiful natural toys and this is when I started knitting toys. At first, I just knitted them because toy patterns were so adorable but then I felt a change developing. A few months later, Mamma4earth, our family business, was born and has been growing each year since 2008.”

 

knitted unicorn pattern(unicorn knitting pattern)

“I began to really start looking at animals.   I noticed that when I encountered an animal or bird I would often study its shape and see the curves and bulk of its body. I would watch its movement and grace. I would calculate the stitches in my mind and see the animal become a knitted creation in my mind’s eye. The design usually marinades within my consciousness for a few days and then I begin the pattern writing and designing process. When I start to write a pattern, I usually continue writing until I am finished, I seldom start designing and finish later, this tends to break the flow of my thoughts. Often I wake early in the morning and while my eyes are still closed, I think of a new design, this is one of the most exciting aspects of my creative process. I love how my thoughts eventually fall into place and a new creature takes form… My inspiration stems from my beautiful family and the wildlife that we are surrounded by in this lovely country of ours.”

 

Knitted Goat pattern

(knitted goat pattern)

“My family and I live in South Africa, we have a suburban homestead where we grow veggies and fruit and live a sustainable lifestyle. We have a whole troop of chickens, rabbits, cats, birds, fish and our newest pet that seems almost human at times… a Labrador called Sandy. I often write about our life on our blog called Natural Suburbia. You can find my patterns for sale on Etsy, my Craftsy Shop and my Ravelry Store.”

 

“Thank you so much Ginny, for hosting me on your lovely blog this weekend.”

“Thank you, Linda!“

knitted lion pattern

(knitted toy lion or pattern)

For today’s giveaway, Linda is offering 8 patterns, winners choice, to one Small Things reader.   For your chance to win, simply leave a comment on this post.  Comments will be closed on Monday March 19 and a winner will be announced within this post.

Comments are closed.  The winner is Taryn:

“Ooh! How exciting! I knitted my daughter an aardvark from Linda’s pattern and loved it!”

Congratulations!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. I just started knitting animals a few months ago and I love them. These animals are so cute! Thanks for sharing her blog and other information.

  4. I love the whale and the swan! these animals would be so cute for a little one to enjoy!

  7. Die Tiere gefallen mir sehr gut und ich fände es schön sie hier in unserem Wohnzimmer wieder zu entdecken

  9. Linda designs some wonderful patterns (I have her unicorn pattern, bought to make a present for a little girl who was absolutely thrilled with her unicorn – really I need to make a heap more for all the little girls and boys I know 🙂 )

    I’d love the chance to win some more of her patterns 🙂

  11. what a great store. i loved how she said she notices much more about the shapes of animals now. its amazing how knitting has an effect on other aspects of life.

  19. Fun! The animals are very cute. Her blog is new to me, I’ll have to spend some time checking it out.

  20. Those animals are adorable! I know that my boys would love any of them. Thanks for the chance! God bless, Michele F.

  22. I’ve really enjoyed following Linda’s blog these past months and have just bought a few patterns! I’m longing to give that swan a go. I’ve been curious about her beginnings so it’s really inspiring to read this. Thank you both for sharing x

  27. What a fantastic give-away. I have bought a handful of her patterns, but there are many many more that I still want. Thanks for the chance.

  30. What beautiful toy patterns! I love to knit toys for my brides and nephews and now for my own little one. I’ll definitely be checking out her shop. Thank you so much for sharing!

  31. I adore her patterns. I must have knit ten or more of her free little bunny pattern, last year.

  37. I love these! I’m so happy you are creating these. My aunt used to knit little people that I dearly loved. Thanks for sharing your talents!

  38. So neat that you can see in nature how these creatures could be knit up. I”d love to be able to have that talent some day.

  39. I have long admired Mamma4Earth’s patterns (and knitted a couple). Thank you for a little insight to her creative proccess!

  41. These are amazing patterns, I would love to have some ready for my sons four cousins this Christmas (including him we’ll have 5 under 3 in the family that these would be perfect for!)

  42. I love those sweet little animals, and I know my kids would love them! What a great giveaway!

  43. I have been following Linda’s blog for quite sometime now and have made a few of her animals, apple cozy’s and mini pumpkins. They are all so easy to make as the instructions are so clear.
    I really enjoyed reading about Linda’s creative process!- waking up in the morning with a new design in her head, she must dream knitting.
    How talented she is! Thanks for this chance to win some patterns.

  45. I love the knitted animals. I have designed several myself and although the animals don’t always turn out looking like the animal I had in mind when I started them, my boys love them none-the-less. I love how Linda started out knitting. It seems like such wonderful memories.

  47. Love those animals! I’ve got a little boy (and another on the way) that would love them, too! Especially that lion!!