Monthly Archives: November 2016

One of the things I love most about the Indie GAL (Gift-A-Long) is the chance to discover and/or promote other designers’ work. Over the course of the GAL I’ll be publishing gift-knitting related interviews with designers whose work I admire.

Evie Scott publishes lovely, knitterly accessory patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Would you like to win one of Evie’s patterns?  Post a comment on this blog post by Dec 3rd 2016 midnight PST on what pattern of Evie’s you’d like to try, for a chance to win!

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Evie: If I had to sum up my favorite part, it would be all the beauty to be seen. There is beauty in the handmade gifts we make for those we love, in the patterns being offered and indie designers coming together, and best of all, there is beauty in the friendships formed during the event that last well past the new year. Totally cliche but it really is true.

Have you participated before this year?
No. I joined the Indie GAL After Party group right after the last GAL and have been waiting all year for this one to start.

I’m so glad you were able to join this year! Are you participating as a knitter as well? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
Yes. I have started Carol Sunday’s Potawatomi for a much loved aunt and I am crazily contemplating five sweaters (yes, five!) using Lisa Chemery’s Boy Sweater. These would be for my nephews which in turn is really a gift for my mom (‘cause then she can do the grandma matching clothing photo thing). It’s a gift that keeps on giving!

Oh gosh, I adore Carol’s patterns.  If I ever have time I want to do her Kelmscott sweater.  And wow, five sweaters, you are super ambitious! I’ll be cheering you on

Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
I think EVERYONE needs a hat. Hats are quick to make and are easy to gift to teachers, bus drivers, neighbours…anyone you want to give a treat to and don’t necessarily know on a super personal level. I keep a stack on hand for just this reason. Try FOISON or PINNATE hat for fun options.

Thank you so much Evie!

Photos © EvieScottDesigns

Don’t forget to check out the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group on Ravelry to join in the fun!

Let’s start off the 2016 gift guides with a bang!  These are the sweater designs I’ve chosen from designers participating in the 2016 Indie Design Gift-A-Long that I just love, for reasons detailed below. I wanted to publish this guide first, because these are projects that will take a bit more time.

Marnie MacLean’s Droid (Women’s and Children’s)

Okay, the geek in me just adored the space ship and droid motifs on these sweaters.  

Both versions include schematics, charts, and detailed photos of pertinent design details. Detailed info on sizing is given, included intended ease, ease shown on the model, and more. If you need to make adjustments for fit, Marnie has comments and tips in the appropriate sections. Both imperial and metric measurements are included.

If you’re working on the pattern from your computer, there are hot links that take you from the instruction (work chart p 5 for example) to the chart itself.

Sizing:

Kid’s:  21 ¾ (24 ¼, 26 ¼, 28, 29 ¾, 32 ¼)” / 55 (61.5, 66.5, 71, 75.5, 82) cm, to fit ages 1 (2, 4, 6, 7, 8)  chest

Women’s: 32 (35, 37 ½, 41 ¼, 44 ¼, 46 ¾, 49 ¾, 54 ¼, 57 ¾)” 81.5 (89, 95.5, 105, 112.5, 118.5, 126.5, 138, 146.5) cm bust

Kirsten Hipsky’s Irish Rover

At first glance it’s a lovely traditionally constructed Aran pullover — then you see the wobbly, wandering cables. I love the front of this sweater!  It’s a clever use of interweaving and interlocking different cable patterns, and ensures you’re not going to get bored at all knitting this sweater.

Karen’s pattern, noted as unisex, ranges in size from 42″ – 62″ chest, and includes individual charts for the back stitch patterns, and a full chart for the front of the sweater as worked. Schematics and detailed photos are included. It’s written to be worked flat and seamed, but in the Ravelry pattern description she notes you can adapt it to work it in the round.

Sizing: 42 (46, 50, 54, 58, 62)” chest

Jane Richmond’s Clarke Pullover

I want this sweater.  I have a couple French Sailor pullovers from LL Bean, that I wear all the time, and I like the looks of Jane’s sweater a million times more. I know I say I live in Southern California and I never get to wear knitted objects, but this I would.

The pattern ranges from a finished size 34.5″ –  54.25″ chest and includes a schematic. The layout, due to the detailed chart including all measurements and stitch counts for you to enter into the appropriate sections in the pattern, is extremely clean and readable. Once you’ve entered your data in the pattern, there’s no confusing long lists of stitch counts to deal with. 

Sizing:

To fit: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50) in / 76 (81.5, 86.5, 91.5, 96.5, 101.5, 106.5, 112, 117, 122, 127) cm

Finished measurement: 34.5 (36, 38.5, 40.25, 41.75, 44.25, 46, 48.5, 50, 52.5, 54.25) in bust / 87.5 (91.5, 98, 102, 106, 112.5, 117, 123, 127, 133.5, 138) cm bust

Claire Slade’s Hathi

I just love the marching elephants around the yoke. Depending on your color choice, you can make this dramatic or subtle.

Chest sizes range from 34.5″ – 53.5″. The pattern includes a schematic and detailed photos of the sweater’s design features. It’s worked from the bottom up, and the sleeves are joined to the sweater body at the yoke.

Sizing: 

To fit bust: 31-33 (34-36, 37-39, 40-42, 43-45, 46-48, 49-51)”
Finished measurement: 34.5 (37, 40, 43.5, 47, 50.5, 53.5)”

Andrea Rangel’s The Knitter’s Dude and The Little Dude

As a Big Lebowski fan, I must admit that there was no way I wasn’t going to love these sweaters. Add in the gorgeous, movie-pertinent photography by Kathy Cadigan, and a decorative back drop of a Persian rug that ties the whole pattern together, and you’re in for a visual treat even before you start knitting.

The Little Dude is sized from newborn to ages 10-12; The Knitter’s Dude ranges from 33″ – 61″ chest. Detailed schematics, charts, and tips are included in both patterns. The layout balances fun details (rug, bowling pins) with a clean, easily navigated layout.

Both patterns include knitterly details such as tubular cast ons and bind offs (directions given for both).  Steeking is required for both, as both are worked in the round.

The Knitter’s Dude Chest: 33 (37.25, 41.25, 45.25, 49, 53, 57, 61) in/84 (94.5, 105, 115, 124.5, 134.5, 145, 155) cm

The Little Dude:

Sized for 0-6 mo (6-12 mo, 1-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12)

Chest: 20 (22, 23, 24, 25.5, 27, 28.5, 30) in/51 (56, 58.5, 61, 65, 68.5, 72.5, 76) cm

Be sure to visit the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group on Ravelry to join in the fun! Games, prizes, and encouragement!

This lovely laceweight shawl, worked as a wedge / vortex, incorporates a pretty vintage leaf pattern with a flower edging. The versatile shape can be worn a variety of ways!

One Size (easily altered, directions given)

Finished Measurements
Measurements do not include crocheted bind off.
Outer edge of curve (cast on to last row): 92 in / 234 cm
Top Edge: 47 in / 120 cm

Yarn
Mrs Crosby Reticule, 100% Merino wool (840 yds / 768 m per 100 g), 2 skeins. Shown in Peacock colorway. Sample weighed 171 g and used 1436yds / 1313 m.

Needles
US2 / 2.75mm, or size to obtain gauge
3.25mm crochet hook if doing crochet bind off

Gauge
Leaf lace pattern repeat (blocked): 2¾ in / 7 cm over 24 sts and 6 in / 15 cm over 48 rows
Gauge is important. Alterations in gauge will affect yarn requirements and finished size.

Notions
yarn needle
13 stitch markers if desired to separate repeats of flowers

Skills
lace knitting
twisted stitches both RS and WS
bind off either knitwise (or) crochet
reading charts (line by line provided for PDF)

It’s that time of year!  The Indie Gift-A-Long (GAL) is back!

Here’s the info: The Gift-A-Long will run from November 22nd at 8 pm (US-EST) through December 31st at midnight (US-EST). Prizes galore (patterns, books, yarn, and more) will be available. (I’ll be donating a copy of Hitch, my Aran Lace DVD, and a couple pairs of wooden sock blockers as physical prizes; and of course, there will be Ravelry patterns to win as well!)

Over 300 indie designers are participating this year. To join in the gift-a-long, simply knit or crochet any of their paid patterns and post all the required info in the appropriate thread in the group here.

From November 22nd at 8:00 pm US EST – November 30th, 2015 at 11:59 pm US EST the participating indie designers will be discounting between 5 – 20 of their patterns 25% for this event. Use coupon code: giftalong2016.

I have carefully chosen eight different accessory patterns for the sale, great for gifts, ranging from quick and easy (cowls (Owl Rock, Micaceous, Celadonite), Javelina hat) to labors of love for someone especially knitworthy (Estuarine, Tricho).  Morro (not shown below) and Cayucos are quick to middling quick to knit, depending on your yarn choices. Check out the bundle on Ravelry here.

But don’t forget — any paid design by the participating indie designers is eligible for the GAL, not just the sale patterns!    (You can see all my designs on Ravelry here.)

Check out the awesome infographic here: