Indie Designer Giftalong 2014: Sonja Launspach Interview

Welcome back! Today I am interviewing the one and only Sonja! I am so happy to host this interview, since she is a fellow Idahoan! 

How did you start designing?

I have a background in art and I’d knitted a few fair isle patterns and decided I could do my own designs. And then I spent one summer working on designs. I started with off mittens. The designs themselves were easy to do—it was figuring out the math for the sizes that took me so long.

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?

So far, I’ve been looking at folk art, especially textiles for inspiration. The first designs that I did were inspired by Incan textiles. A friend of mine works with a community in Peru and she was telling me about the knitters there and that inspired me to check out some books on Incan textiles.

Photo Courtesy of Sonja Launspach

(Dancing Dolphins by Sonja Launspach)

Where did you learn about colorwork?

I can’t remember when I first learned about it. I always thought it was too hard to do—you know, I could never learn something like that. And there was a time when I didn’t do a lot of knitting because my grandmother wanted to do it all for me, so I never had to learn any of the more advanced techniques. It turns out I was wrong about colorwork. It’s not as hard as it looks. I taught myself how to do it and now I’m totally addicted.

Is this your first year in the Giftalong?

Yes, I found out about it last year too late to sign up.

What are you hoping to accomplish this year in the giftalong?

Several things. I’d like to get more exposure for my designs, but I’d also like to interact more with some of the other knitters in the Raverly community. I’m pretty shy and I tend to lurk a lot on the forums.

Photo Courtesy of Sonja Launspach

(Seljuk mittens by Sonja Launspach)

Where did you learn to knit?

From my mother and my grandmother. I learned as a kid, but didn’t do much knitting until I spent a year in Germany. Everyone knitted there, so I took it back up and learned to do Continental. After I got back to the States, I let it slide when I took up quilting.

Do you knit for yourself the majority of the time, or for others?

I used to do a lot of charity knitting—hats and socks for Afghans for Afghans. I knit while I watch TV and always needed something in my hands. But now I tend to only have time to knit the samples for the designs I’m working on.

English or Continental?

Continental combined.

Photo Courtesy of Sonja Launspach

(inca cat hat by Sonja Launspach)

What crafts do you do other than knitting?

Quilting, tatting, crocheting, embroidery, and sewing. I did needlework lace a long time ago.

What is the best advice you have either given or received in knitting?

Do the gauge swatch.

Who is your biggest knitting/designing role model?

I like to look at different designers and their patterns; it’s like eye candy. It gives me inspiration and ideas. Some of the designers whose work I admire include Alice Starmore, Mary Anne Stephens, and Meg Swensen.

What designs are you thinking of next?

I’m just starting new a hat and cowl design and I’m thinking about a pattern for my next vest design, and socks,--I’ve always got ideas for socks. My problem is that I don’t have enough time to work on all the ideas in my head.

Win a free pattern of Sonja:

Post a comment on this blog post with your favorite pattern from Sonja. Please leave your ravelry name in the comment. 

Contact Sonja:

Ravelry: sllauns

Pattern Store: Sonja Launspach

And you can contact me:

Ravelry: Punkin97

Giveaway Results: Alex Tinsley

It is time to giveaway a pattern from Alex Tinsley!

Post number 2, normallyabnormalknits. Congratulations! You have won the pattern from Alex Tinsley! I will contact you on ravelry. 

Giftalong 2014 Series: Interview with Corley Groves

As you know, I am all about this Indie Designer Giftalong. This year I will be doing interviews, hopefully more than last year, starting of with a bang.

I have met a new-to-me designer, and have really enjoyed hosting this interview with her for you. I am not going to say much in the beginning, so you can hear all about her. Enjoy this special interview!

Corley Groves (cagroves91)

How did you start designing?
I've always loved the idea of designing my own patterns. But never thought I'd be able to do it. Then one day I decided that I just go ahead and try it! If it didn't work then oh well! But if it did work, I'd feel so accomplished. So I started with something that wasn't too complicated - my Lattice Baby Hat. I had so much fun during the whole design process that I knew I wanted to stick with it!

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?
The most unexpected places. I never know what's going to inspire me until it happens. My closet, stitch patterns, fabric, scrapbook paper... Pretty much anything!

How did you find out about the Giftalong?
I was browsing through the Designer's group on Ravelry when I saw a post about the giftalong. I had never heard of it but as I read what it was all about I knew I wanted to be part of it! Such a wonderful community of knitters and crocheters.

What do you want to accomplish while in the Giftalong?
Hopefully I'll be able to knock out my gift knitting! I also hope to knit a few gifts for myself along the way. And if I sell a pattern or two along the way that's a bonus.

You are a designer in the Giftalong, but are you going to be a knitter?
I will definitely be a knitter! I think it's a great way to take a break from my designs and see what patterns others are putting out there. It's a great way to find inspiration and reflect on myself as a designer. And with so many lovely patterns to choose from I'm very excited to knit a few of them.

Photo Courtesy of Corley Groves

(Diamonds and Cables Cardigan by Corley Groves)

Do you spend money more locally or on the internet while buying yarn?
The internet. The closest LYS is 45 minutes from me so my options are chain craft stores or online. And I find the quality of yarn I can get online better than the chain stores. Usually I shop Knit Picks yarn. Great prices and great quality.

What other crafts do you do other than knitting?
Everything! Well not really, but I try! I crochet, sew, embroider, scrapbook, other paper crafts... I can also cross stitch and latch hook but rarely ever do them. Basically if it's a craft, it's my goal to learn it! Next up: learn to spin!

English or Continental?
English. One day I will learn continental. Knowing both will make color stranding much easier and quicker.

 

Photo Courtesy of Corley Groves

(Ruffle Butt Diaper Cover by Corley Groves)

When did you learn to knit?
When I was in eighth grade. I picked up a kit on how to knit at a school book fair and took it to my Gammi's (Grandma) house. She used to knit so she spent the afternoon teaching me. I learned to cast on, knit, and purl. I practiced all the time! Then when I wanted to learn more, I got on the computer and looked up how to do it. Gammi hadn't knit for years so she was a bit rusty.

Who is your best knitting/designing role-model?
There are so many designers who have inspired me in some way. Whether it's their style or their types of patterns. But one that I am most inspired by (and knit more of her patterns than anyone else) is Boknits. I've tested about 5 of her patterns. I'm so impressed by how quickly she can turn out designs. She always has a few on her needles and a few in the testing process. And she has a distinct style and sticks to it. I think it's very important to stay true to who you are and your style as a designer.

As you have heard from Corley, I have had a great time with this interview. I love how she doesn't just do knitting but she does crochet too, and there are a lack of crochet designers in the Giftalong.

How to contact Corley Groves:
Ravelry: cagroves91
Designer Page: Designs by Corley Groves

Please join in the fun over in the Indie Designer Giftalong Group if you haven't already. Very awesome patterns and there are plenty of chatters over there (me included).

As always, you can contact me:
Ravelry: Punkin97

It is best for you just to send me a PM (by clicking on the 'send a message' button).

Indie Designer Giftalong 2014 Series: Interview with Alex Tinsley

Today I am happy to be hosting an interview with the one and only Alex Tinsley of Dull Roar. I am so happy to be getting this interview with you.

I found Alex through the GAL last year, and have enjoyed watching her designs come further in the last year. I am really impressed with her design ability.

Alex Tinsley (alextinsley):

How and when did you start designing?
 When I first learned to knit, I never used other people's patterns much- I just kind of got the basic idea and dove in. Which means my early hats were formless blobs with randomly-distributed decreases, haha. Eventually I did do a bit more research, and began selling FOs on etsy. Soon I noticed that other people were selling patterns as well, and thought "hey, I could do that!" That was around about 2007, maybe?


Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?
Sometimes an idea pops into my head fully formed, but a lot of times I'll take a stitch or design element that I'm interested in playing with and build a pattern around it. Sometimes that'll spark a whole host of other ideas (which are scribbled down in a variety of places.) At this point I've got enough vague-scribbled-ideas to last me at least a few years, haha.

 

Photo Courtesy of Alex Tinsley 

(HowlCat by Alex Tinsley)

How do you like returning for the second year of the giftalong?
Whew boy! The planning this year has been intense. Last year we were really flying by the seat of our pants and scrambling to put it together last minute (because it was the first year, and the idea had only just been suggested.) This year we started earlier and are working with a lot more structure, which is definitely a good thing, but getting structures put in place that will keep most people happy is tricky.

What did you accomplish in the giftalong last year?
I actually didn't manage to knit a single gift last year! I was too busy doing mod stuff and designer stuff, haha. Though I did buy a lot of patterns that I hope to get to someday (I dream of taking a long vacation and just knitting other people's patterns. Ahhhhh.) A lot of people knit hats for gifts since they're quick and wintery, so I got to see a lot of my patterns made for knitters' friends and family, which is really fun to see.


What do you want to accomplish this year as a return designer?
As long as the event goes off without any major catastrophes, I'll be happy. I am mostly handling prize coordination this year, which means my job is pretty much over until it's time to hand out prizes - I can sit back and watch the fun :-)

Photo Courtesy of Alex Tinsley

(Pisky by Alex Tinsley)

Are you just going to be a designer in the Giftalong, or are you also going to be a knitter?
I do sometimes knit a gift or two, but most of my knitting time is taken up with "work knitting" so usually they are just fast and plain :-/ I'm sure I'll hoard more patterns though, for that dream vacation.

Do you knit for yourself majority of the time, or do you spend knitting time for others?
The vast majority of my knitting is for pattern writing. I do keep the samples though, and I do wear them even though I should probably keep them in pristine condition for trunk shows (hats don't wear out too fast, luckily, especially when you're rotating between a bunch of them.)

Photo Courtesy of Alex Tinsley

(Vahl Hat by Alex Tinsley)

If you could only knit with one yarn, what yarn would you choose and why?
Probably Malabrigo Merino Worsted. It's my long time favorite- soft, pretty colors, a nice solid worsted weight, very forgiving for colorwork but still looks good in cables and textured stitches. (I also like similar "singles" yarns from other companies, like Madelinetosh. Guess I just like singles!)

Do you spend money more locally or on the internet when buying yarn?
I love to shop in LYSes, though sadly there aren't many in my immediate area. I tend to visit them whenever I'm on vacation, and pick up a few skeins. If I need something very specific, I'll order it. At this point, my stash is totally out of control anyway, though.

English or Continental?
Continental

 Photo Courtesy of Alex Tinsley

(Rimple by Alex Tinsley)

What is the best advice you have either given or received in knitting?
When I was first learning, my Aunt told me to never set my knitting down in the middle of the row, or it would mess the tension up. At this point I can get away with it and keep the tension steady, but for a long time that was a really important rule for me ;-)

When did you learn to knit?
My mother attempted to teach me a few times throughout my childhood (she knit a lot as a kid, though she doesn't do it very often now) but it never stuck until high school, when I wanted to join the newly-formed knitting club, so I sat down with a copy of Melanie Falick's "Kids Knitting: and taught myself. My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was fairly young, but I pretty much just made super long chains, haha.

What is your most un-appreciated design of yours?
Hmm... one that I really liked, but which never found much traction, was Vahl. I keep meaning to re-use the brim treatment on another hat.

Photo Courtesy of Alex Tinsley

(Bermondsey Shawlette by Alex Tinsley)

Who is your best knitting/designing role-model?
Oh gosh, I don't even know! My peers inspire me everyday. Some have great business sense and marketing ideas, some have beautiful knits, some have fantastic sense of style. There's something you can learn from just about everyone, and I'm so lucky to be a part of a really wonderful supportive community (which I know doesn't exist in every industry!)

I have enjoyed hosting this interview, it has been a huge pleasure. Thank you again, Alex. I hope you guys have enjoyed it as well. Happy Crafting!

Contest:
Now that you have heard from the amazing Alex Tinsley, she would love to give away one copy of any of her patterns in her Ravelry Store. Please comment on this blog post, and tell me what pattern of hers you would like to knit and what yarn you would use. One comment per person. The winner will be chosen next Saturday, November 22, 2014.

Contacting Alex:
Ravelry: alextinsley
Her Ravelry Store: Dull Roar
GAL Sale Bundle: 3493

You can contact me:
Ravelry: Punkin97

Indie Designer Gift Along 2014 Has Started!!!

Yesterday was the start to this 2nd Annual Indie Designer Giftalong. If you are new to this event and don't know what it is about, or  you were in it last year, but you don't remember about it, I will tell you all you need to know.

First thing is first, it is hosted primarily on Ravelry. It has it's own group: Indie Design Gift-along.

Next, this is an event in which you knit presents for the holidays and such, but you can knit yourself something as a "gift" to you. There are a bunch of designers this year, almost twice the amount of last years. They discount select designer's patterns off the list for one week only. This year it is from November 13, 2014 to November 21, 2014. The designers are listed in the page on their group, right here. Or if you don't want to look at them all like that, there is a thread here that the designers have posted a collage of their discounted patterns.

There are also some Pinterest Boards for the patterns. These are new this year, and they are really awesome idea. I am so happy that these are here actually.

When you are ready to check out and buy the patterns, on the purchase page it will have a place to put the coupon code and this year the coupon code is: giftalong2014 and you will get 25% off.

Now let's talk about my projects, shall we?

First of all (and that is already casted on):

Copyright Megan Williams

(OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams)

I will be knitting it with this yarn:

Photo Courtesy of mereoshop

(Patons Kroy Socks Stripes in colorway "Mulberry Stripes")

Second of my projects will be:

Photo Courtesy of Larissa Brown

(Curvaceous by Larissa Brown)

And my yarn I am going to use:

Photo Courtesy of gailcastle

I don't have a photo of the other one, but it is Quaere Fibers sock yarn in an undyed color, just white. 

Then hopefully I will have time for a third project:

Photo Courtesy of KnittingSarahS

(Sorrento Cowl by Sarah Sundermeyer)

I don't know what yarn I will use since this is knit in super bulky yarn, and I don't have any in my stash, so I will probably just hold worsted double. 

So, as you see, I have already purchased pattern, and started on project, I am so excited to be doing this again! 

I will hopefully be hosting interviews again this year. If you are interested, you can see my interviews from last year right here.

Galler Yarns: Asana Bulky

This is my very first time reviewing a yarn, and I am beyond excited about this. It is my first yarn, so I had to get a little crazy, right? How crazy is thick and thin, is that crazy enough? I think so.

This yarn is a wool alpaca blend (50% alpaca, 50% wool). It is so so so soft!

I really enjoyed knitting with this yarn, it was very fun to see how it worked up.

I knit the legwarmers that I bought when the Indie Designer Giftalong 2013 was going on. I knit up the Boot Candy Legwarmers pattern from Sara Gresbach.

If you get a chance to feel this yarn, you will be in love just like I was. It is so soft! 

Contact Star Galler:

Website: www.galleryarns.com

Ravelry Name: GallerYarns

Sock Madness 8 Round 1 Information

This year, I have entered the Sock Madness competition on Ravelry. It is a speed sock knitting competition basically. I am still in the running, it is now on Round 2. I am on the slowest team, mainly because I asked to be since I am still in school and that's what I need to focus on... Not everyday I have time to knit, and usually only knit much on the weekends, so it was very hard for me to knit on a fast team. I am on Team Tenacious Tadpoles. I love the name, don't you?

Round 1 was the pattern Brucie by Amy Rapp. Brucie is the shark off of Finding Nemo, and there is a ravelry profile for Brucie, and he is in the Sock Madness group. This sock pattern was based on the Brucie. It was a very fun knit, and I loved knitting it. It have 2 different stitch patterns on the leg, and the second on I really enjoyed knitting, I think I might make that stitch pattern into a sock pattern, I just really enjoyed knitting it. The heel flap had a different slip stitch pattern than most that I have seen before, and I really enjoyed it. Then once you turn the heel, you have yet another stitch pattern you are doing for the foot.

I did end up running out of yarn for the toes, so I had to use a contrasting color. For these socks I used Invictus Yarns Adventure SW sock yarn. I got it in Invictus Yarns etsy shop, I really recommend her yarn, it is beautiful and lovely to work with. When I realized I wouldn't have enough to finish the toe of the sock, I went into my stash and I had a mini skein of the same base, but it was a different color. It was in the Pit colorway. I loved it, so I ended up using that for the toes.

All of this happening, I still love the socks. I love wearing them because it is so squishy and soft, and they feel great, and I loved the pattern. Although, I do roll the legs down because they are too big for my taste...

I really liked knitting these socks, and look forward to more patterns! I am now working on Round 2, but more will come on that later. Time to go knit!

2014 ~ Year of the StashDown

People this time of year, decide on what they want to accomplish in the year, it is called New Year Resolutions. However, usually when people make these said resolutions, they do not end up following through with it. So, let's not call this, a resolution but "this is time for change, now do it!!!!". What are you talking about, you might ask? Okay, here is the whole story...

I have been knitting for a few years now, and over the few years I have been knitting, I have acquired  stash. When I mean stash, I mean lots and lots of yarn! Like more yarn than I can knit from for a long time. My mom is always nagging me on facebook and such by putting in some funny comics about my stash, which I don't mind, she is just making me smile. But I have then got to thinking, I do have a lot of yarn.

Then one day, I was listening to the Knitting In Circles Podcast with Aimee and Darren. They had planned on doing a Stash Down for the year of 2014. I got to thinking, could I really join and follow through?

I knew myself better than that, so I have committed myself to knit 3 skeins of yarn and then I can purchase 1 (or maybe 2, if I need to match dyelots or something). I had then started making a spreadsheet on Google Drive, since spreadsheets will rule the world (I will talk about that in another post).

I may have added a few projects from when I actually started knitting from stash, so there are 2 projects from December. The right column is the column I will put what yarn I buy in. I will also be adding a place for my spinning projects as well!

So what did you finish, you may ask? Well, let me show you!

Project #1:
I knitted a test knit for CashmereJunkie on ravelry, it is called Phryne. I knitted the 3-6 month size. I used everything but 24 grams of Cascade 220 Paints in the colorway 9850 Spring Bay. That used 189 yards total.

 

Project #2: 

For my second project, I knitted the Milo Vest. by Georgie Hallam. I have been eying the pattern for quite a while now, and now I can say I have knitted it! I think mine turned out very well, however, I did the 3 month size, and it turned out to be a 18 month size... I did do a gauge swatch, and my gauge was spot on, but when I went to knit the vest, it turned out to be very wrong! I used 123 grams total, which equals to about 270 yards. I used Cascade 220 Heathers in colorway 9462. 

and look at the cables!!!

Project #3:
For my third project, I decided to knit another baby sweater. I knit the Harvest by Tin Can Knits, it is a free pattern download on Ravelry. I used Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! in the Yellow Dung Fly colorway. It was my first time knitting with Bugga! and I really like how it worked up, it was very soft, and no imperfections (splits or anything of that nature). The dye was very absorbed, no dye came out when I washed it, and there were no white spots. It is a Sport Weight, and the pattern actually called for a Worsted Weight, but I did get gauge, so it turned out to be the right size. I used 92 grams, 302 yards.

 

I will get a better photo of it in daylight for y'all, as well!

Project #4:

For my very last project, I knitted a blanket square for a charity that a friend is hosting on Ravelry. She is collecting squares to be sewn into blankets and given to Indian Orphan Homes. I used 100% acrylic yarn for this one, since it needs to be washable. I used Loops and Threads Impeccable in 3242 Forest. I used 135 yards. The squares need to be 8" by 8" so I did a mitered square with a cast on of 65 stitches and decreased until I had 1 stitch left. I used Worsted Weight and size 6 needles. 

Well, it is now midnight here, and I have a bed calling my name! I will however, keep you updated on how my stashdown is going.

And a little comic that my mom sent to me via facebook: