Planet Auntie

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!

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.

Carol Sunday publishes fabulous garment and accessory patterns. She’s also designed an exquisite line of yarns (visit her shop here).

Check out Carol’s Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Carol: I love the sale, of course! Not just that patterns are marked down, but I love going through the bundles of patterns and seeing what other designers have been up to. It’s the one time of year that I make time to check out other designers’ work, and it’s always fun and inspiring. I also like setting up my own pinterest board for my personal favorites. And even though I’m sometimes too late to take advantage of the sale, I usually buy a few things for my library.

Have you participated before this year?
I missed the very first year, so this is my third.

Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?

I’d like to if time allows.

At the top of my personal queue is Cristina’ Ghirlanda’s Ebony. I love the style of this piece. It’s something I could see myself wearing a lot!
I’d also love to make Vikki Bird’s Showflake cushion for my sofa, Jen Lucas’s Regalo and Kerri Blumer’s Blendon Woods hat for my stepdaughters, and Janice Anderson’s Wee Blackface Sheep 2 for my studio. And whether or not I’ll actually make either of them, I’m definitely buying Heike Campbell’s Dancing Dragon Coat and Lotta Groeger’s Im dunklen Wald patterns, just so that I can gaze at their beauty.

 Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
I gave my Broderie Hollandaise hat and mitts as gifts last year, and they were both a huge hit.

My Bohemica cowl also makes a great gift – it’s a super-scrunchy cowl in an unusual stitch pattern – engaging but not too time consuming.

Thank you so much Carol!

Photos © Carol Sunday

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.

Faye Kennington publishes gorgeous, quirky, and thoughtful patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Post your comment on this post what pattern of Faye’s you’d like to knit for someone this holiday season by midnight PST December 15th 2016 for a chance to win one of Faye’s patterns

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Faye: I love the camaraderie amongst the designers. As an independent designer, I miss out on having a team for most the year. This event is a great opportunity to work with people that I really admire that have similar businesses to my own.

Have you participated before this year?
Yes, I have participated in Indie Design Gift-a-Long since the very beginning.

Fabulous! 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 definitely going to be knitting this year. On my needles right now I have crossing, that I will be giving to my BFF. I will be making Hermia Hat for my daughter. I also plan on casting on Winding Road and Mountain. I’m not sure if those will be gifted or will stay home with me. I actually need a new hat, too.

Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
I think Folklore and Gold Standard Cowl would be lovely gifts, however, (2 Hour) Artist’s Loop and 2 Hour Smocked Toque have proven to be very popular with gift knitters that are pressed for time.

Thank you so much Faye!

Don’t forget, post your comment on this post on what pattern of Faye’s you’d like to knit for someone this holiday season by midnight PST December 15th 2016 for a chance to win one of Faye’s patterns

Photos © UkeeKnits

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