GIFT-A-LONG 2016

The Independent Designer Gift-A-Long is an annual event where independent knit and crochet pattern designers have the opportunity to showcase some of their creations and inspire others to make them.  The Gift-A-Long is essentially two events:

A Sale:  Each of the designers has chosen 5 – 20 of their favorite patterns and will offer them at a 25% discount from 8 p.m. Nov 22 – 11:59 Nov 30 EST when you use the code giftalong2016.  There are over 300 designers participating this year which means there are thousands of patterns on sale!

The GAL (gift-a-long):  an opportunity to knit and crochet at the same time with other like-minded crafters and have the chance to win amazing prizes!  ALL patterns created by the participating designers can be made during the GAL, however only the non-free patterns will be eligible for prizes. 

The GAL begins Tuesday November 22, 2016 at 8 pm (EST) and ends December 31, 2016 at 11:59 pm (EST). While you are waiting, make sure you join the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group.  That is where all the chatting, friend-making, showing off of finished projects and prize awarding will take place.

Speaking of prizes … free patterns, pattern books, amazing yarns, yarn and pattern kits, stitch markers, project bags … there are hundreds of prizes this year! I've donated a book, the Crocheter's Companion, beads, crochet hooks and stitch markers.

You may make as many projects as you want.  There will be separate threads for 8 different categories:

• giftalong2016head
• giftalong2016hand
• giftalong2016feet
• giftalong2016kids
• giftalong2016garments
• giftalong2016shawls
• giftalong2016neck
• giftalong2016other

There is even a special prize category you can enter if you complete at least one project in each of the 8 categories listed above.

There will be more information appearing in the official Ravelry group as we get closer to the start date.

Gift-A-Long 2015

The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 6 week long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by 335 independent designers.

SALE

From November 19th at 8pm (US-EST) through November 27th at 11:59 pm (US-EST) these 335 indie designers will be discounting between 5 - 20 of their patterns 25% for this event.

KAL/CALs

There are eight KAL/CALs to participate in, prizes of all sorts given out, games, and generally a lot of fun! The Gift-A-Long KAL/CALs will run from November 19 at 8pm US EST through - December 31, 2015 at 11:59pm US EST. All patterns by the participating designers are eligible for the KAL/CALs and all not-free patterns by the participating designers are eligible to win prizes.

Location:

http://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long

Once you’ve got your Gift-A-Long patterns, you’re invited to join a relevant KAL/CAL! (For instance, if it is a cowl, please join the cowl KAL/CAL.) To join, simply write a post in the KAL/CAL thread you want to join, including the pattern name you will make and a link to your project page. KAL/CAL participants are eligible for lots of lovely prizes but you gotta post to win!

There will be games, tons of prizes, great conversation, and a lot of fun.

Here is a handy shortened URL to search the sale bundle:

http://ravel.me/giftalong2015

Gift-A-Long 2015 Designer Map:

https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=1723338

My Patterns on Sale:

http://www.ravelry.com/bundles/gift-a-long-2015-556

Gift-A-Long 2014 Continues! Artesanity Interview

Through the end of the year, join me and 292 other independent designers in Gift-A-Long 2014 on Ravelry.com.  Chat it up in threads, crochet and knit! holiday gifts, and be eligible for many fabulous prizes. The Gift-A-Long extravaganza will last through the end of the year.  It is our gift to you to thank you for supporting Independent Designers!

One of these inventive indies is the bistitchual Annina Päivärinta AKA Artesanity.

How did you first learn to knit/crochet? 

Knit: in 4th grade. I hated it. I remember I made a head wrap and ended up having 1/3 more stitches than when I started :)
Crochet: It was summer I could had been 10 y-o, in the beginning of 90’s coz we had jeans jackets my cousin and me when granny taught us to crochet flowers.

What inspired you to start designing? 

The fact that I wanted something that was not for sale, didn’t exist or was so expensive that I couldn’t afford it. I wanted to do Super Cool things for my friends and family.
And the fact that I can’t follow patterns. I’m too impatient. And coz the creativity has to come out somehow :)

What led you to start designing patterns for sale? 

Greed, the deadly sin. No… It was a lady that interviewed me after I got honorary mentioned in a mittens designing competition. She said “wouldn’t it be nice if this pattern got you rich”. Well yeah! Didn’t happen though. But I am currently putting my bf through university so the little extra I get from patterns sales is really a lot!

What are your favorite knit/crochet books ? 

I don’t have any. If I need to know some stitch or pattern, I google.

What are you working on now? 

A sleeves wrap thingy. I love long and wide sleeves and thumb holes and big collars and this has just that, nothing more nothing less. I hope to go public with it soon, but Christmas is coming and I have a big to-do pile of DIY presents.

Websites/blogs you visit regularly for inspiration or community? 

Ravelry of course for community. Google and eBay for inspiration. I can type in a word and get all these images come up. It’s not like I’m copying other ppl’s designs, I just get inspired from them, it can be a stitch, a detail, color, background anything and then I start to build my design around that detail.

I also watch a lot of movies and tv-series. I’m a sci-fi girl and sometimes that shows in my designs. I’m also a fan of steam punk.

What are your favorite tools? 

Paper and a pen.

What is your favorite stitch? 

K tbl. Somehow I’m fascinated about the different it makes to knit in the back of a stitch.

Do you have a favorite fiber? 

Wool.

Do you have a favorite yarn weight? 

DK or thicker. I’m no lace knitter, it’s an impatient thing.

Do you teach or have you taught knitting/Crochet? 

Nope. I once tried to teach a 6 y-o to knit, it didn’t work out. But I would love to be a teacher! Either in hand crafts or cooking. I have a day job as a cook.

Her Ravelry store is at http://www.ravelry.com/designers/annina-paivarinta

and her FB page is http://www.facebook.com/artesanitarium

Independent Designer Gift-A-Long 2014: RebekahEvelyn Interview

Through the end of the year, join me and 292 other independent designers in Gift-A-Long 2014 on Ravelry.com.  Chat it up in threads, crochet and knit holiday gifts, and be eligible for many fabulous prizes. The Gift-A-Long extravaganza will last through the end of the year.  It is our gift to you to thank you for supporting Independent Designers!

One of these inspiring indies (and perhaps the youngest) is RebekahEvelyn.

How did you first learn to knit/crochet? 

My paternal grandmother crocheted each of my siblings and me an afghan when we were born. One time when she was working on one for a sibling that wasn’t born yet, she helped a few of us try to crochet. I took crochet lessons a few years later, then learned to knit, and I’ve been using yarn ever since!

Purlka Mitts 

What inspired you to start designing? 

Since the beginning, I’ve improvised and modified. I didn’t think of it as designing, just a normal adaptive process. :)

What led you to start designing patterns for sale? 

I started designing seriously in 2012. I had tried to make some money selling finished objects, but I didn’t enjoy it. And I think knitting is supposed to be fun! So when I found out about self-publishing designs, I decided to try my hand at that. While I started because I wanted to earn money, I decided later that I like designing for the process itself. Even if I never make a “decent” amount on it, I love doing it! So far, I’ve poured a lot more into it than I’ve gotten out of it. And that’s okay!

What inspired you to start blogging? 

I’ve always loved to write. I probably have six full diaries sitting on my bookshelf. I’m from a large family (10 siblings at the moment :), and I would type up newsletters about our doings and send them to friends and family. When I was nearly 13, I decided to start a blog as an easier way for people to connect with my family. When I started designing, it just felt natural to start a new blog specifically about my designs.

What are you working on now? 

Right now I’m taking a break from designing to knit Christmas gifts and other things that I’ve pushed aside for a while. But I can never stop the design ideas from flowing into my mind. That’s what a sketchbook is for!

What websites/blogs you visit regularly for inspiration or community? 

Ravelry is a must! I also really enjoy reading Knitted Bliss, Tanis Fiber Arts, 

and He Sows and She Sews is one that I am always encouraged and inspired by.

Tulip Mitts 

What are your favorite tools? 

Knitting needles!!! And once I got some foam floor mats, I started to like blocking a whole lot better!

What is your favorite stitch? 

1x1 ribbing. I always come back to it. At times, I’ve made myself not use it just so I have more practice with other stitches. :)

Do you have a favorite fiber? 

Alpaca, hands down. It’s sooo soft!

Do you have a favorite yarn weight? 

I’ve knit more worsted than anything else, but I like to switch it up a lot. I knit a lot of sport and dk weight this year, so when I knit a chunky hat, it felt nice and fast!

Are you still in high school? 

Yes. I’m a senior in high school, and graduating in the spring.

What are your favorite knit/crochet books? 

I use a lot more magazine patterns than books. My favorite is Knitscene. But one book deserves special mention. The book that introduced me to knitting was Knitted Babes by Clare Garland. I saw the dolls on the front cover, and I knew I needed to learn how to knit so I could make them. My first knitting project was a doll, not your typical scarf. Here’s a picture of her wearing my glasses. :) 

Nymphaeaceae 

Do you teach or have you taught knitting/Crochet? 

I taught two of my little sisters how to knit and crochet, and they’re both great at it! Over five years ago, I tried to teach a large group of girls to knit; it was a good experience, but as a preteen, it was very stressful for me!

Braided Possibilities

What are your plans for the future? 

I’m definitely going to keep designing. I couldn’t bear to stop! My dream is to be a stay-at-home-mom and knitting designer. My big designing goals are to publish a garment design (maybe I’ll get the gumption to do it this coming year!), have a design accepted to a major publication, and maybe, just maybe, write a book.

*******************************************************************

You can find RebekahEvelyn's work here and her blog here.

Gift-A-Long 2014: 293 Designers 3,822 Patterns on Sale and C/KALs

A rising sea raises all ships and thus in the spirit of mutuality and cooperation 293 independent crochet and knit designers from around the world  have organized
Gift-A-Long 2014.

The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 2 month crochet-along/ knit-along of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by a 293 independent designers.

From Thursday, November 13th at 8:00 pm US EST through Friday, November 21, 2014 at 11:59 pm US EST,  these independent designers will each offer a 25% discount on 4 to 20  of their patterns.

Once you’ve selected your Gift-A-Long patterns, you are encouraged to join a relevant KAL/CALon Ravelry.com.  (For instance, if it is a cowl, join the cowl KAL/CAL.) KAL/CAL participants are eligible for lots of lovely prizes.

KAL/CALs will run from Thursday, November 13 at 8pm (US-EST) through the New Years Eve party, Wednesday, December 31 at midnight (US-EST), plenty of time to finish all your holiday knitting and crocheting.  The event includes games, tons of prizes, great conversation, and a lot of fun, so pull up a chair and join us!
For more details: visit.
Here's a map of the designers http://www.zeemaps.com/viewgroup=1192489&x=-95.665000&y=38.555475&z=14
This is the second year of my participation.

Here's a snap shot of 16 of the 20 patterns I am offering for sale:

Happy National Crochet Month 2014!

My month started off with fanfare as I won Elann.com's monthly drawing! As a designer with limited funds, the gift of yarn is a great gift.  Thanks Elann, your Peruvian Highland Wool was among the first yarns I designed in and with – the extensive palette and great price made it my go-to yarn.   This line is being retired, but I hope it will return.

Party on Ravelry

For the past several ears, I’ve participated in the Party for National Crochet Month on Ravelry, mainly by joining the FreeForm Crochet-Along, as both participant and designer for a day.  I’ve learned so much over the years from this.  The sharing and camaraderie are amazing.  It’s a joy to have an international brain trust of knowing hands whose efforts, exchanges, and endeavors inspire.

http://www.ravelry.com/groups/party-for-ravelrys-international-crochet-month

Charity of the Month

Crocheting for charity helped me when I was in rehab. Being able to create for others, was affirming and  stimulating, Crochetville has selected Halos of Hope as the feature charity for this month.

Halos of Hope is  a 501c3 not-for-profit organization committed to providing volunteer-crafted hats to cancer centers across the country. They prefer soft, seamless washable, headwear. http://halosofhope.org/guidelines

Mailing Address:  Halos of Hope, 20987 N. John Wayne Pkwy, #B104-432, Maricopa, AZ 85139  or you could find a local center through this link:

http://halosofhope.org/how_to_donate/ .

Blog Tour

My post today, is part of Crochetville's 2014 Blog Tour for National Crochet Month. Crochetville’s blog tour will feature about two designers each day of the month. All designers participating in the blog tour are professional or associate members of the Crochet Guild of America. For more information: http://crochetville.com/national-crochet-month-2014-designer-blog-tour/

New Leaf Collection

My new leaf collection is 30% off for National Crochet Month. I love flowers and leaves as motifs, applique’s embellishments, but particularly for use in creating freeform fabric.  This is my second collection of leaf patterns and includes: Big Little Leaf, Circle Leaf, Embossed Leaf, Flame Leaf, Floral Leaf , Fruit Leaf, Heart Leaves, Houseplant Leaf, and Medium Leaf.  To get the discount, use the code NatCroMo or this link: ravelry.com/redeem/akuadesigns-2?code=NatCroMo

Free Patterns

I created  a number of patterns for National Crochet Month.  Each of these will be free for seven days beginning with Five Year Flower, so stop by next week for  the link and code for the other patterns.

Five Year Flower is inspired by Irish Crochet. It’s named for my personal numerological year and  petals – both of which are five, the number of change. To get it free, use the code FREE or this link http://www.ravelry.com/redeem/akuadesigns-2?code=FREE

Crochet Book

One of my several projects for this month is a crocheted book of poems on crochet.
Most of these have been published singly, but not collected.  Next month is
National Poetry Month and it seems a good way to connect the dots, to connect my passion for creating with words and with fiber.

Darleen Hopkins, Indie Crochet Designer

A sweet and amazing gathering happened and is still effervescing.  A group of independent designers on Ravelry gathered together to create the 2013 Gift A Long, offering discounts on patterns, contests and prizes for participation.  It has been a wonderful way to “meet” and exchange with other indie designers and I’ve learned a lot from the many wonderful creators involved.

Crocheters were outnumbered by knitters in this  endeavor, but the insightful administrators created a Pinterest board of the participating crochet patterns http://www.pinterest.com/allison_janocha/ravelry-gift-a-long-crochet/.

Darleen Hopkins is one of the crochet designers in the Gift A Long.  She kindly agreed to an interview.  There is humor and pleasure in her whimsical and skewed hat designs and I'm delighted to share her thoughts here.

How did you learn to crochet?

My sister first taught me when I was about 10 years old. I never did much with it then. I retaught myself (about 2005) learning from a booklet. I spent the first 6 months or so making single crochet dishcloths and potholders. I made A LOT of them but in the process, I really perfected my tension. I still have the potholders but the dishcloths have worn out and have been replaced with newer crocheted ones. 

How/when did you begin to design?

Almost right away I started tweaking patterns.  I'm not sure if have ever made a pattern just as it was written. It wasn't long until I started making up my own designs. I sold my first self-published design in April, 2010 on Etsy-the Waiting for Spring Flapper Hat. My first design published in a magazine was the 'I do' afghan (Crochet Today! May/June 2011). I designed the afghan as a wedding gift for a friend of mine and on a whim decided to submit it to the magazine. I was so excited when it was accepted! 

What is your design process? What Influences your style?

Most of my designs are a little bit silly. I guess it's a reflection of my personality-I'm a goofy nerd. Usually an idea just pops in my head and I go with it. I often run the ideas by my two boys, my husband and my mother to get other opinions. I work out the design crocheting and writing the pattern as I go making the necessary adjustments to fit my vision. 

What do you make and design repeatedly if anything? 

Hats! I love hats, the sillier the better. I started out with hats and was inspired by Halos of Hope, http://halosofhope.org/.  This is a great group that collects handmade hats and distributes them to cancer centers across the US.

  

 http://crochetbydarleenhopkins.com/patterns/hat-fish-kissy-kissy-fish-face/

What is your favorite workhorse yarn (fiber, weight)? 

I love the softness of cotton and prefer either 100% cotton (great for the donated hats) or cotton and acrylic blends. I tend to use and design with worsted (medium) weight a lot.

Do you have favorite hooks? What brand style and why? 

Clover Soft Touch. I was having trouble with arm fatigue and found the thinner hooks contributing to the problem. I love the shape of the handle of the soft touch hooks. They are much easier to grip and I have fewer problems now. 

Which of your patterns make for really great gift crocheting?

Cubed Hat, Super Slouchy is a great pattern for men and women. It's hard finding great patterns for men. This can be made in his favorite sports team's colors. http://crochetbydarleenhopkins.com/patterns/cubed-hat-super-slouchy-or-relaxed-beanie/ 

Mr. Springy, the Robot Dude (or Dudette) is a great gift for a child. Every child loves to play dress up. Mix the colors up to make it for a boy or a girl. 

http://crochetbydarleenhopkins.com/patterns/hat-robot-mr-springy/

 Bobble Head Blanket Buddy-Hippo is another great gift pattern. This can be made pretty quickly and inexpensively in an easy care worsted acrylic or acrylic blend. Switch up the colors and it’s perfect for boys or girls. http://crochetbydarleenhopkins.com/patterns/baby-blanket-buddy-hippo/ 

What do you most enjoy about crocheting?

Crocheting relaxes me. I get caught up in the repetition of the stitches and the counting. It soothes my brain. Design lets my creativity shine. I love the challenge of figuring out how to make the yarn look the way I want.

 

Of Elephants and Inspiration

There is a National Crochet Month Party going on at Ravelry and I've been partying.
This has meant  several low-sleep nights and lots of time on the net, looking, pinning new discoveries on my Crochet Inspirations Pinterest board, chatting with  crocheters I haven't written since last year's blow out.  It's like an artist's retreat
without the physical relocation. But in the same way that the right poetry prompt  seeds your next unfolding and the doing it with others fuels creating, as does the dialyness of effort, well there are all the ingredients for new growth and learning spurt.

Last year yielded so much work that still needs to be finished. This year promises more of the same.

The prompt was to look up from your computer and  consider what you see. Above me is an elephant that my younger brother sent me. He remembered me and I was so deeply touched that in a time when most have abandoned me, he hasn't. So it is both what it is, an evocation of creatures that I admire, and an embrace.  

I collect elephants and he's the first person in my life to ever give me one ( and since getting her, someone else has given me several).

She is covered in leaves, so I looked for a leaf like those on her. It was an opportunity to try some patterns. And then I made several elephant heads. 
Then I worked on a pattern which I've named Elephant Love: 

60% of this pattern's sales will go to Elephant Conservation, because these beautiful beings are under threat.

The Stitching Challenge

The Stitching Challenge-A different kind of CAL/KAL “Create Your Own Motif” guidelines said in part:
1) Measure out 30 yards/27.5 meters of the yarn of your choice.
2) Use your knowledge of increases, decreases, stitch variations, short rows, long rows, and all the stitches and motifs you care to include, and make your own motif.
3) You may work in any direction you choose -- in the round, linearly, standing on your head...

My first effort didn't quite finish within the parameters:
Improv A Long Motif

5.0 mm (H) used about 30 yds of Red Heart SS in Ocean.Ocean

My next and favorite is the Pockets and Pillows Motif used dk Knit picks Merino Style and a F hook/3.75mm

 My third, Swirled Square used 3.75mm/F and Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Cloud




My fourth one, Caribbean Window, used a G/4mm and Knit Picks Swish Worsted






 

 This was great design calisthenics!

Swapping Catalyst for Creating

One of the wonderful things about the internet is the ability to communicate with people around the world, who share your interests. No longer is the lack of local interest a limitation on growth and experience. For me, a once wild urban child in the country, the net has long been a lifeline. Early on, back in the late 80s, I began to exchange work with those of similar minds. And now in the 21st century it is my routine to kick start my creative endeavors by participating in swaps. 

I've been hard at work on a piece for the 2012 International Freeform Association's show & book and the rules say that I can't share any of the work in progress. This makes me sad as the fascinating part for me about freeform is how the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It's sometimes hard to even find the part again once the whole has been formed. But I've got other freeform images to share. 

I just participated in a scrumble swap hosted in the fabulous Prudence Mapstone's group on Ravelry. My only regret is that I did not have sunshine any day long enough to get great pix and I didn't have the energy to do much staging. But I'm pleased at their difference -- due to the specifications and personalities of the recipients. And the exchange recharged my batteries for working on what seems to be on its way to becoming my largest freeform work yet.

BRIDGES WRAP

My Bridges Wrap, tested and vetted on wonderful Ravelry's Free Pattern Tester's Group is at long last available on Knit Picks.
http://www.knitpicks.com/cfpatterns/pattern_display.cfm?ID=11215220

Knit Picks Independent Designer Program has been a boon. Without it's yarn support, I could not have created this. So hip, hooray for Ravelry and Knit Picks!

Ferris Wheel Cowl/Crown

A new stitch design derived from two forbears (that leads me to another), gets its debut in this small garment.

The Ferris Wheel Cowl is the first in a series for this stitch pattern.
Lightweight neck decor, a great season spanner,
for the cool nights that follow hot days at the State Fair, a layer that you can carry in your bag to ward off chills.
It makes a cute crown/open top hat, too.

I'm very grateful to the Free Pattern Testers group and Ravelry for being there, creating a place where people from around the world assist each other in this beautiful way.

Size: 7h"x 21"c

After testing, 50% of this pattern's sales will be sent to UNHCFR and Doctors Without Borders for Pakistani flood victims.