Monthly Archives: December 2016

Winter Solstice 2016…

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Interview: Tatsiana Kupryianchyk

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 (and gift-crocheting!) related interviews with designers whose work I admire.

Tatsiana Kupryianchyk publishes gorgeous crochet patterns for home objects. Her overlay crochet patterns are unique and stunning.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Tatsiana: This year I am participating in GAL for the first time. What is my favourite part of this event?.. I don’t know… I am amazed by it in general. I love Ravelry very much. It’s a wonderful creative space for crocheters and knitters from the whole world. And GAL brings them altogether: designers and crafters. The GAL gives a great opportunity to feel you are a part of a huge community of creative and inspiring people. People who share their passion for yarn, designing and creating.

How did you get into designing?
I have been crocheting and knitting since I was a child. I was always inventing clothes and accessories on my own. But when I came to designing 3 years ago I felt crochet speaks better to me. Though I am very happy to knit when I have time. I have created two free knitting patterns: Blue Feather Sweater and Forest Spirit baby blanket. They are available on my blog (www.lillabjorncrochet.com) And I hope to design more home decoration in the future.!

 Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
I mainly design interior accessories and work in overlay crochet technique. My passion is mandala! I find it very relaxing to crochet mandala’s and to “colour” them with different yarns. I think my patterns can be great gifts for those who love to mix colours and textures… Basically I think any of my patterns can become a nice gift as they help to create home decorations (pillows, rugs, potholders and other) in your own custom colour palette which matches your interior in the best way. I also have several toy patterns which can be a perfect gift for kids.

Your crochet designs are amazing! Thank you so much Tatsiana!

Photos © Tatsiana Kupryianchyk

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

Gearing Up For Christmas

We are finally starting to really feel some of the holiday spirit we’ve been needing. I won’t give all the credit to gluhwein and egg nog, but it certainly hasn’t hurt!

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Everyone loves the tree!  It feels magical at night with the tree lights and the heady scent of fresh pine. If only we’d get some snow, to complete the effect.

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We’ve only just begun our cookie baking in earnest, and I’m definitely feeling the crunch. We’ve managed to get some pfeffernusse done today and I’m working on linzer cookies next. Tomorrow I’ll put the kids to work making the iced cookies.

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Oona’s been working on her Christmas gift knitting in between devouring chapters of Harry Potter.  She’s completely obsessed right now, and I couldn’t be happier. I told Paul that since she was too young to really appreciate Harry Potter World when we went to Universal Studios that we’ll have to taker her again!

Tonight we are watching It’s A Wonderful Life while I frantically work on more cookies, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 


Tagged: kids, Pets, Seasons

Interview: Tania Richter

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.

 

tr-phoenixTania Richter publishes amazing pictorial double knit shawl, scarf, and stole patterns (as well as other things!). Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Tania: The community that builds from the GAL and seeing how it continues to grow through the years.

Have you participated before this year?
I’ve participated the last two years.

Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
While I would absolutely love to participate, this year I got hit by a few deadlines. I’m hoping my schedule is a bit clearer next year!

 Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
The Epic Fox/Wolf Hat
Cloud Dragon Scarf
Steampunk Gears Scarf and Cowl
Neko Cat Scarf

Those are all fantastic. Thank you so much Tania!

Photos © Tania Richter

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

Christmas Poinsettias…

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Review: My Knitted Doll

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First, the facts:

Title: My Knitted Doll: Knitting Patterns for 12 adorable dolls and over 50 garments and accessories

Author: Louise Crowther

Published by: D&C (David and Charles), 2016

Pages: 127

Type: Knitted dolls

Chapters:

Introduction
Tools and Materials
Abbreviations
Making the Dolls
Techniques

KS: My Knitted Doll

The In-Depth Look:

How many ways are there to say adorable?

Because this book is filled with Adorable.

Twelve dolls (11 girls, 1 boy), all with their unique style, starting with their hair and going to their clothes, their toys, and they’re general approach to life. (If dolls had an approach to life, of course–which heaven knows mine always did.)

Each doll is basically the same in terms of size and shape–heads, bodies, feet, hands are all the same, but after that … skin color, hair style and length all vary, as does the footwear, outfits, and accessories.

Each doll has a certain base which includes (for some) things like tights, shoes, and underwear, but accessories like dresses, hats and bags abound, and since the basic structure of each doll is the same, anything is interchangeable, letting you personalize anything you want to the child due to receive the doll. (Or, you know, you if you (ahem) felt the need to try out one first before moving on to a gift for a child.)

It’s a sweet book, filled with happy little faces ready to play. What’s not to love?

You can get your copy from Amazon.com or check your local store.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by David and Charles (an imprint of F&W Media). Thank you!

My Gush: This book is adorable.

Review: My Knitted Doll

2016-10-17 001

First, the facts:

Title: My Knitted Doll: Knitting Patterns for 12 adorable dolls and over 50 garments and accessories

Author: Louise Crowther

Published by: D&C (David and Charles), 2016

Pages: 127

Type: Knitted dolls

Chapters:

Introduction
Tools and Materials
Abbreviations
Making the Dolls
Techniques

KS: My Knitted Doll

The In-Depth Look:

How many ways are there to say adorable?

Because this book is filled with Adorable.

Twelve dolls (11 girls, 1 boy), all with their unique style, starting with their hair and going to their clothes, their toys, and they’re general approach to life. (If dolls had an approach to life, of course–which heaven knows mine always did.)

Each doll is basically the same in terms of size and shape–heads, bodies, feet, hands are all the same, but after that … skin color, hair style and length all vary, as does the footwear, outfits, and accessories.

Each doll has a certain base which includes (for some) things like tights, shoes, and underwear, but accessories like dresses, hats and bags abound, and since the basic structure of each doll is the same, anything is interchangeable, letting you personalize anything you want to the child due to receive the doll. (Or, you know, you if you (ahem) felt the need to try out one first before moving on to a gift for a child.)

It’s a sweet book, filled with happy little faces ready to play. What’s not to love?

You can get your copy from Amazon.com or check your local store.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by David and Charles (an imprint of F&W Media). Thank you!

My Gush: This book is adorable.

Interview: Brown Eyed Babs (Barbara)

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.

beb-tigerBarbara (aka Browneyedbabs) publishes adorable toy patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Barbara: Seeing all of the other designers’ designs – I always discover new-to-me designers and exciting patterns for my queue.

Have you participated before this year?
Yes, I’ve been in the GAL since it began in 2013.

Awesome! Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
I love joining in with the GAL and normally knit things for myself. This year I’m making a cowl (Adama by Hilary Smith Callis) for myself and I’m going to complete a cardigan I started during last year’s GAL (it won’t be eligible for the competition but I really want it finished!). I’m also planning to knit some baby things since I’m expecting another baby.

Good for you! I’ve found several things I want just for me too lol. Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
Kids seem to love my Kitty puppet  and Kangaroo and Joey  puppets; they like the interaction and potential for story telling.
For adults, I’ve also had really positive reactions to the Chameleon which is quite unusual.

Thank you so much Barbara!

Photos © Browneyedbabs

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

Weekly Challenge: Anticipation…

The prompt is anticipation.  This is my daughter in 1965 patiently anticipating what’s in those packages with her name on them.

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https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/anticipation/


Interview: Kirsten McTeer

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.

km-no-otherKirsten McTeer publishes awesome accessory patterns including socks, mitts, cowls and more. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Kirsten: I love the atmosphere in the KAL/CAL threads. It’s like a big yarn party for six weeks! It’s also a great way to “meet” other independent designers and see their work.

Have you participated before this year?
Yes, this is my third GAL as both knitter and designer. I wasn’t too sure what it was all about the first time but I enjoyed it so I came back again last year and really had a fantastic time. I’m hoping this year will be the GAL’s best year yet!

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! I’m planning on knitting Badlands Hat by Kathryn Folkerth, Fathom Five Shipwreck Cowl by Raven Knits Design, Fiddleback hat and cowl by Heather Storta, and On Cloud 9 by Jo Torr.

 Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
No Your Other Left and Fossilised Ferns mitts seem to be popular mitts.

For people who like hats, Snow Over Leiden is a colourwork beret or Focalise is a ribbed beanie sized from baby right up to large adult.

Alternatively, for the scarf and shawl knitters, Yarnshine shawlette is a quick knit for a last-minute gift, and Armona would make a beautiful gift for a knitter to make for herself!

Thank you so much Kirsten!

Photos © Kirsten McTeer

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