Monthly Archives: December 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.

Clare Lakewood publishes lovely home and accessory patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Clare: I love finding new-to-me designers! There’s some incredible patterns out there by some incredibly talented people, and the GAL makes it easy to explore some of the best people have to offer.

Have you participated before this year?
I did! I participated last year, and enjoyed it so much that it was an easy decision to jump in again this year.

Awesome that you’re back! Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
Unfortunately, some other things on my plate mean I’m probably not going to be working on a GAL pattern during the GAL. I’m still planning to use the sale to pick up a few favored patterns, though! I think Charby’s Tights are super-cute for all the babies my friends seem to be having!
Nancy Whitman’s Mind Over Miter is clever and graphic and I’d love to make one for me.
And I happen to love twisted-stitch socks, so Hunter Hammersen’s Enchase are right up my alley.

Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
Like lots of people, I’m super-busy. For me, if I’m being honest, round this time of year it has to be a quick knit. The Zippertooth mitts are great because because they work up so quickly, and you can really play around with color to suit the recipient. Pika is a great choice for babies, for the same reason!

And for those that don’t have a cold-weather Xmas (this Australian is acutely aware of that), Pomelo is a great choice. It is a slightly bigger project, but super-great for taking to the beach.

Thank you so much Clare!

Photos © Clare Lakewood

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

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.

Andrea Rangel publishes fabulous garment and accessory patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Andrea: I love the idea of indie designers coming together to create this great sale and event for knitters. I’ve always appreciated the supportive environment among designers and this is just another great example of that.

Have you participated before this year?
No, this is my first year! I’m excited to try it out.

Welcome!!!! Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
I’m hoping to make Tread by Shannon Cook for my sister, and maybe one for me too! If I get ambitious I may even make her a Cayucos shawl. I love the texture and that gorgeous edging, but I’m nervous about having enough time. I’d also love to work up a Little Dude cardigan for my niece, but again, we’ll see if time allows. (Too many good things to knit!)

Aww, thanks re: Cayucos! Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
Bulky lace shawls like Sentiment and Squam Confidential can be great choices because they’re so dramatic, but also pretty quick to knit. If you’re a fast knitter and you love someone very much, The Knitter’s Dude (and the little version) are amazing gifts. My mom loves the Dinar slippers I knit for her a few years ago too.

Thank you so much Andrea!

Photos © Kathy Cadigan or Andrea Rangel

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

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.

 
Nim Teasdale publishes gorgeous shawl patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Nim: It’s hard to choose a single favourite part as I love many aspects of it. The general excitement and energy is so much fun, and I love the opportunity to make new friends and hang out with old friends too. It’s always very inspiring to see all the beautiful things people make too.

Have you participated before this year?
This is my third GAL. It’s wonderful to see how much it grows each year.

Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
I am! The last two years I’ve only been able to cheer from the sidelines, but this year I am determined to make something! I’d love to make a serious jumper like Ink or Wink , but I’m going to try to be sensible and not overreach myself, so I’m making some of Gannet’s Paper Snowflakes, and a Dreamy Owl for my new little nephew. I’ve been eyeing off Browneyedbabs’s toys for a long time, and now I have the perfect excuse.

 Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
I think the patterns from the Knitting by the Seat of Your Pants collections (here and here) all make pretty good gifts. They’re all adaptable as to yarn weights, so if you’ve in a hurry, you can knit up something striking very quickly. They’re also simple and fun, which suits this time of year very well.

Those do look great! Thank you so much Nim!

Photos © Nim Teasdale

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

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.

Barbara Benson publishes intricate, beautiful patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Barbara: I’m torn between interacting with all of the awesome participants and oogling all of the patterns. I really like going through the patterns and seeing all of the amazing talent out there. I try to keep current on Ravelry but it drives home the fact that I am missing all kinds of stuff. But I also really enjoy having fun with all of the knitters crafting in my thread (Go Team Neck Thingie!).

Have you participated before this year?
This is my third year! I have been a moderator for all three years and it has been amazing to see it grow.

Thank you so much for being a moderator!!! Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
I am not ruling it out, but I don’t have anything on the needles yet. This year my son has two teachers and I really should be knitting them something, I am going to have to go through the pinterest boards and find something that fits (and maybe stash dive). In answer to the “what would I make if I had the time” I actually made a video where I picked 3 patterns from each of the categories. You can see it on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/YsTBYoRYcXQ

Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
Hmm, I am all about knitting little things as gifts so anything that falls in the hat/cowl/mitt category. I Can’t Control My Fingers knits up crazy fast and the super stretchy stitch pattern makes it fit a wide range of hand sizes. Also, my new patterns from One Stitch, Two Stitch were pretty much conceived with the idea of gift giving. They are easy patterns that knit up quickly and I bet people might have the yarn in their stash to knit at least one of the patterns right now.

That first has to be a Ramones reference, right?? Thank you so much Barbara!

Photos © Barbara Benson

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

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.

Claire Slade publishes fantastic colorful garment and accessory patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Claire: I love seeing what patterns everyone chooses to knit as gifts, I wish I was as lucky as some of the recipients, I’d love some handknit socks for Christmas!

Have you participated before this year?
Yes this is my 3rd year now, long may it continue.

I agree! Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
This year I am definitely going to participate as a knitter, last year I was so busy I couldn’t. I’m thinking I might knit bubbly ballet slippers by Amy Kenagy or possibly some socks.

Those look like great slippers! Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
I think hats make great gifts, Midnight Owls is my favourite personal hat pattern. I loved stranded colourwork but I know some people find it a bit intimidating, so trying it out on something small like a hat is a great idea.

Thank you so much Claire!

Photos © Claire Slade

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