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.

Amy van de Laar publishes fabulous accessory patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?

Amy: I’m really enjoying handing out prizes, I love the excitement of it! I have one day each week on drive-by prize patrol, giving pattern codes to whoever posts the next WIP or FO photo. I also love hanging out in the Hand & Arm Things thread (where I’m one of the host mods), seeing what lovely things people are making. I’ve discovered some fantastic patterns and yarns that weren’t on my radar before.

Have you participated before this year?

I’ve participated for two years previously as a designer (and knitter!), but this is my first year on the Mod Team. Can I give a shout-out to all the mods? They’re all so much fun to work with!

The mods are totally awesome!  They volunteer an amazingly generous amount of time. Have you participated as a knitter before?

As for the knitting part, my first GAL project from 2014, a Park Slope tee, was only finished this September – I’m really slow with garments, even short-sleeved ones. In 2015 I did manage to finish a cowl at the eleventh hour, so my GAL cred is improving. Maybe this year I’ll manage more than one project.

Are you participating as a knitter again this year?
I’m working on a pair of Grellow Love socks designed by Clare Devine, using some leftover Vintage Purls yarn. I’m nearly up to the heel of the first one! It’s parked on my desk next to my laptop, so I can sneak in a few rounds when I’m GAL chatting or waiting for Photoshop to load. I’m not very experienced with socks, so each pair I make is a bit of an adventure. If I have time after this pair, I’ll probably go for more socks, maybe Wheatly Socks or Tip Toe Up (which are both in my queue).

Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?

I tend to make hats, cowls, and scarves for gifts, because they’re nice and practical. A few of mine that I think are quite quick and versatile are Tailfeather, a worsted-weight scarf with simple feather-inspired lace, Ascent, a textured unisex beanie, Peacowl, a DK-weight lace cowl, and INSULATE, a free Dalek-patterned hat (for the geeks in the family).

Thank you so much Amy!

Photos © Amy van de Laar

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.

Kirsten Hipsky publishes lovely garment, home, and accessory patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL? Have you participated before?

Kirsten: This is my first time ever participating in the Indie GAL. It’s the first year where I felt I had enough indie patterns to promote! I love how supportive all of Ravelry is of indie designers to make this promotion happen every year. It’s so cool to see designers supporting each other as well! It makes me want to get more involved and help others the same way.

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

As for what I’m going to knit, well, I have to press ever onwards! Writing patterns and knitting prototypes from scratch is my main creative outlet. But I want to give big props to my designer friends Emma Welford (emmawelford) and Sara Delaney (ChickenBetty) for convincing me to do the Indie GAL this year. They’re both awesome, dedicated, massively creative designers and it gives me strength to see them making great stuff.

They both create fantastic designs! Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?

When it comes to gift knitting, I’m all about speed speed speed! Quick knit projects are fun, gratifying, and are easier to give to non-knitting recipients without getting an ulcer if you see it in a laundry basket. My super bulky Veinte Cowl is a super fast one skein project that makes a huge impact on knitters and non-knitters alike. Its simple knit and purl stitch pattern make it accessible to knitters of all skill levels.

Thank you Kirsten!!

Photos © Kirsten Hipsky, Two of Sticks, or Lindsey Topham

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

Congrats to Sheri!  I’ve emailed you the code. Thank you everyone for commenting on Evie’s interview!

These are the shawl designs I’ve chosen from designers participating in the 2016 Indie Design Gift-A-Long. I’ve tried, again, to pick a variety of techniques: for this installment, you’ll find double knitting, slip stitch colorwork, and lace.

If you have any favorites not listed, please post a comment with the pattern name and/or link!

Barbara Benson Golden Lion Throne

I’ve been a long admirer of Barbara’s designs. She combines mosaic slip stitch patterns with lace in a unique way.

In her Golden Lion Throne pattern, shown above, she includes a detailed discussion on yarn color, swatching, reading charts, etc.  She includes swatch directions — I think this is a great idea for both swatching for gauge and swatching to practice the technique. Charts and line by line instructions are given for both the swatch and the pattern. Pertinent tips are included in a sidebar adjacent to the line by line instructions.

Emily Ross Amillë

I just adore this Niebling-esque shawl. Until Emily sent me the pattern, I was unaware that it was knit primarily in the round. She includes a construction schematic that overlays a photo of the shawl, with sections clearly marked. Overviews are included for each section, so you have an idea of what’s going on in each. Tables for sections E-I are included with stitch count totals after each increase row.

Both charts and line by line directions are included.

Nim Teasdale Renaissance Fan

I chose Nim’s elegant half circle shawl because the flow of the stitch patterns highlights the beautiful gradient yarns available.  It’s a fantastic melding of design and yarn. I especially love the larger example, with more repeats of the edging (see the Ravelry pattern page for more project photos): this option is noted in the pattern. Beads a lovely addition. Both charts and line by line instructions are included.

Tania Richter Celtic Lunar Phoenix (and Inari Kitsune)

Tania’s intricate, pictorial double knitted designs are just stunning.  Celtic Lunar Phoenix, above, is a triangular shawl, with the wingspan of the phoenix stretching across your back (um, the wingspan of the shawl). The design is clearly charted.

Inari Kitsune features one of my favorite mythological creatures: trickster Kitsunes. The pattern is presented as a sequence of downloads, since it was initially an MKAL (mystery knitalong, with clues released at set intervals). See the pattern page for the variety of scarves the knitters created! 

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

Patterns discussed above were provided by the designers at my request for review copies. I’ve only chosen patterns that I really loved

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.

 
Emily Ross publishes extraordinary accessory patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Emily: I love seeing designers and knitters (and crocheters of course!) from all over the world connecting and interacting. I always discover so many new ideas, and I know everyone else does too.

Have you participated before this year?
Yes, this is my 3rd year participating, and I can’t wait for next 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 have a tradition of making my mom (who is the one who taught me to knit) a pair of mittens for Christmas. This year I’m planning on making Mount Rundle Mittens, by Kate Bostwick. I love the clean lines of the pattern, as always the hardest part will be choosing colors. 

Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
For a relatively quick project I’d recommend Haruni Crescent in the small size, or Henrico cowl, both use only a single skein of sock yarn but make a big impact. 

Thank you so much Emily!

Photos © knitterain.com

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