Indie Design Gift-A-Long 2022

Tis the season - the tenth Indie Design Gift-A-Long (GAL) has begun! This annual event is a way for knitters and crocheters to come together and support each other as they tackle their holiday gift-making lists.

The GAL starts with a big pattern sale—you can save 25% on patterns by many indie designers (including me) with the code giftalong2022 on Ravelry. Find the Blue Peninsula patterns that are on sale in my Gift-A-Long bundle.

If you don’t use Ravelry, I've got you covered: through November 28, you can save 25% on all individual knitting patterns in my Etsy shop (no code needed).

The sale part of the Gift-A-Long ends on November 28. After the sale, the GAL fun continues with games and prizes over at the Ravelry GAL group, to keep you motivated as you do your gift knitting.

Happy pattern shopping and gift knitting! If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you have a relaxed and beautiful day with your friends and family.

The Indie Design Gift-a-Long Is Here!

The annual Ravelry Indie Design Gift-a-Long has begun! As always, it starts with a big sale by more than 250 independent designers. After the sale, the event continues, as knitters and crocheters tackle their holiday gift making together. With lots of fun games, prizes (yarns, project bags, shawl pins, and more), even holiday recipes — the GAL is the place to be, now through the end of the year.

I've got 20 patterns in the sale — recent releases as well as timeless favorites — see them all in my Gift-a-Long bundle. Mitts, socks, cowls, shawls, hats — something for everyone on your gift knitting list (or maybe a treat for yourself?). Through Monday, December 2, save 25% on my Gift-a-Long sale patterns with the coupon code giftalong2019.

Happy holiday knitting,
Bonnie

Indie Design Gift-a-Long 2018

It’s that time of year! Time for the Indie Design Gift-a-Long, an annual KAL/CAL where knitters and crocheters join together on Ravelry to make their holiday gifts. It’s a big virtual party with lots of good cheer, games, and great prizes (yarns, patterns, stitch markers, project bags, and more).

There’s also an amazing sale on patterns by more than 300 independent knit and crochet designers. Thousands of patterns are discounted 25% with the coupon code giftalong2018. You can use this same coupon code for each participating designer’s sale patterns, and you use it as many times as you wish now through midnight EST, November 29.

Bonnie Sennott: GAL 2018 Sale Patterns

This year, I’ve got 20 patterns in the sale, including quick gift ideas, like the Fee-bee Mitts or Erste Cowl, as well as larger projects you might want to make for yourself after the GAL ends, like the Mount Pollux Pullover or the Notch Shawl.

Fee-bee Mitts by Bonnie Sennott

Mount Pollux Pullover by Bonnie Sennott

Notch Shawl by Bonnie Sennott

Whether you’re participating for the first time, or returning for your sixth year, the Indie Design Gift-a-Long is a fun way to get inspired to cast on and finish your holiday gift making (and maybe try a tasty recipe or two!). Here are links to help you jump right in:

Indie Design Gift-a-Long

Bonnie Sennott: GAL Sale Patterns

GAL 2018 Participating Designers

Erste Cowl by Bonnie Sennott

Indie Design Gift-a-Long: From Neck to Toe

Cowls and socks — it's hard for me to imagine getting through winter without them. I wear both around the house — as well as out and about — nearly every day in cold weather. They're fun to knit, they're warm, and they help me keep my heating bills in check.

Cowls and socks also make thoughtful gifts! So on this last day of the Indie Design Gift-a-Long Sale, I thought I'd highlight some of the cowl and sock designs you can find among my sale patterns. The sale ends at midnight tonight — use the coupon code giftalong2017 for a 25% discount on these and other patterns.

Clockwise from top left: Cordulia, knit in Foxhill Farm Cormo DK; Calliopsis, knit in two colors of The Fibre Co. Meadow; and Singing Beach, knit in Periwinkle Sheep Watercolors II.

Clockwise from top left: Tortoise Shells, knit in Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere; Couplet, knit in Periwinkle Sheep Watercolors Sock 75/25; and Plumtree, knit in Luna Grey Fiber Arts Altair.

Are you making any projects for the Gift-a-Long? I've cast on the Hermia Hat by Sarah Jordan (see my last post). I'm not sure if it's a gift or for me, though — that's TBD! 

I'd love to know what you're making — please leave a comment, with a link to your project(s) or the pattern(s). It's always nice to be introduced to new designers and patterns.

Though the Gift-a-Long Sale ends at midnight tonight, the GAL continues through December 31. There are threads in the forum for every category, with lots of chatting and, of course, games and prizes. Hope to see you there!

Indie Design Gift-a-Long: Hats

A five-day weekend means I have plenty of time to browse the patterns in the Indie Design Gift-a-Long on Ravelry. So much to ooh and aah over! So many great choices! I find I'm especially drawn to hats — they make great gifts for kids, women, and men, and they're quick and easy to knit. 

Here are a few that have caught my eye so far:

Hermia, by Sarah Jordan. This one has already landed in my Ravelry library — I purchased it as soon as the sale began. I love the simplicity of the design and how it makes such elegant use of twisted stitches. It's perfect for those special skeins of sock yarn in my stash. (And if you like fingerless mitts, check out the matching Hermia Mitts, also on sale!)

Leah B. Thibault's Woodland Hat would be a thoughtful gift for nature lovers or hikers on your gift list. It's knit in two colors of sportweight yarn, with several sizes ranging from child to adult large. Even better — there are matching mittens (also on sale)! 

Another great colorwork hat is Jennifer Dassau's Bubble Tea. Isn't it fun? Such an original design, and one that will look good in pretty much any color combination. Plus, it's worked in worsted weight yarn, so the knitting will go fast.

The GAL definitely includes more knitting than crochet patterns, but crocheters are by no means left out. Crochet queen Sara Delaney's slouchy Sweet Clementine beret features spiraling bobbles and crisp ribbing on the brim. It's a great stash-busting project because you can make it in fingering, sport, or DK weight yarn.

Another design with great texture is Amy van de Laar's Beeswax Hat. I love everything about this close-fitting toque, from the color to the clever mini cables. Another plus — the pattern gives instructions for working them without a cable needle. If you like the hat, you might fall equally hard for the matching cowl, mitts, and scarf.

Lastly, for the men on your gift-knitting list: I Can't Control My Brain, by the endlessly inventive Barbara Benson. Knit in sport weight Stitch Sprouts Yellowstone, this unisex hat has a super deep brim to keep ears toasty warm. Best of all, it's perfect for all of us Ramones fans.

These and other gift-worthy designs by independent designers are on sale for 25% off through November 28 with the coupon code giftalong 2017. After the sale ends, the GAL continues through December 31 with lots of games, prizes, and general knit and crochet merriment.

Are you making any hats for holiday gifts? Please share your favorite patterns in the comments!

LINKS
Indie Design Gift-a-Long
My GAL Sale Patterns