Interviews of Me

I had the pleasure to be interviewed twice in the last few weeks.

The first was with Jean Clement of Desert Rose Designs. She was so nice and I loved the way she introduced me.

A little later, I was interviewed by Sonya Newstead of StringHerder Designs. You can view it here. I enjoyed answering her questions about my favorite yarns and items of knitwear.

The Indie GAL ends today. Looking back, I really had fun doing it, and it was great for business. So glad I decided to join!

Interview with Seni Designs

Today I'm interviewing Inês from Seni Designs.

Her designs include...

the recently published...

Dueto

as well as...

Zig-Zag Spiral

...and...

Cru

Introduce Yourself!
I’m Inês also known as Seni at ravelry. I started knitting as a child but my knitting skills were quite basic – only knew how to cast-on and purl. I was fascinated by the fact that with only yarn and needles one could create so many wonderful things.
A few years ago I started knitting “for real”, expanding my skills and started designing small items as hats, berets and cowls. I never stopped since then. So far, I’ve published several e-books where I can show the diversity and experimental character of my work.

How would you describe your style?
I think it’s a contemporary, eclectic style. I enjoy creating elegant and seamless knits with appealing shapes and textures obtained due to the combination of different pattern stitches and techniques.

What inspires you?
It changes a lot; sometimes I’m inspired by yarn qualities, other times by Nature, shapes, concepts, music, poems, etc…For instance, for creating Flor I was inspired by a poem of Almada Negreiros with the same name. For Sleepless Heart the starting point was Rodrigo Leão’s music. Occasionally, I’m more focused into a shape or technique (that was Espiral case).

What is your favorite item to design?
I’d say shawls, they’re quite addictive! I’ve created a few and it seems there’s always something new to try, to combine, to create. Plus, many times it’s a “one skein project” only, which I particularly like.

Describe your experience participating in the Gift-A-Long.
It has been fun! I enjoy seeing so many beautiful patterns, knowing new Designers, blogs and make part of all the process – participate in interviews, help to promote the GAL with all its fantastic prizes among other things.

What is your favorite aspect?
It’s very exciting watching the thread where the participants post their finished objects, the wonderful Pinterest boards and many others initiatives as the Designer Hunt game. I also enjoy seeing the indie community united, showing their talent and skill while running an international GAL of this dimension.

Were there any specific patterns that did really well in the GAL that you didn’t expect?
The most interesting to observe was, precisely, the interest in different type of patterns - both small, instant gratification projects as Quadra and more difficult and complex patterns as bem-me-quer, have been well received.

Any new projects you would like to share with us?
I’m currently working on my new e-book Ar and Lavanda [a Ravelry link, you will need an account to view this] is the next pattern to be released, a sweet shawl knitted top-down with a pretty lace stitch.


Thanks for joining me, Inês!
Thanks for having me!

All pictures © seni

Interview with Annie Watts

I thought it would be fun to do some interviews with designers who are participating in the Gift-A-Long. So here is the first. You can expect more in the following weeks.

First up, I invited Annie Watts of Wattsolak Designs.

Her cute and out-of-the-ordinary portfolio includes these fun designs both of which are in my queue. Someday...

© Annie Watts

Rock, Paper, Scissors...Shoot!

© Knit Picks

Fightin' Words

Introduce Yourself!
I’m Annie Watts of Wattsolak Designs! wattsolak.com

How would you describe your style?
My style is pretty lighthearted and playful. I love things that are a bit silly!

What inspires you?
Movies, science, the oddities of life.

What is your favorite item to design?
I love designing mitts and mittens. Anything colorwork is my favorite!

Describe your experience participating in the Gift-A-Long.
I have been modding the Hands group and it has been a lot of fun! I love seeing all the patterns and following all the WIPs.

What is your favorite aspect?
I love seeing all the patterns that I haven’t seen before. And I love getting to know all the other designers!

Were there any specific patterns that did really well in the GAL that you didn’t expect?
My Waneka Cowl has done really well! It didn’t get much attention in the fall when it was released but it’s received a lot of love in the GAL!

Thanks for joining us, Annie!

Gift-A-Long Twitter Party

The Indie Designer Gift-A-Long is hosting a couple of GAL parties on Twitter. Please join in for chatter about the #giftalong with your fellow crafters and have a chance to win some great electronic prizes, including patterns from participating Indie Designers including Kate Bostwick, Leah Michelle Designs, Maureen Foulds, Kylie McDonnell-Wade, Selina S, Nina Machlin Dayton, Faye Kennington and more!

Join us on Twitter at:
GMT - Wednesday, 4 December 2013, 17:00:00 (EST - Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 12:00:00 Noon; PST - Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 9:00:00 AM) Follow host @BeZenCilla to join in!
or
GMT - Friday, December 6, 2013 at 00:00:00 (EST - Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 7:00:00 PM; PST - Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 4:00:00 PM; AEDT - Friday, December 6, 2013 at 11:00:00 AM) Follow host @ukeeknits to join in!
You can convert the time to your timezone here if not listed.

Indie Gift-A-Long

You still have time to join in on the Gift-A-Long. Go make some beautiful presents and test your luck at winning some awesome prizes!

Independent Designer Gift-A-Long

I am very excited to announce that I am participating in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long (link goes to Ravelry, you will need an account to see it).

Tons of designers are joining forces to put together a giant Knit/Crochet A-Long. All of my patterns are discounted at 25% from November 1-15 (GMT). It's a great opportunity to find new designers and patterns, as well as meet other crafters, and participate in some fun games to win prizes!

A Ravelry Group!

I took the plunge yesterday night and started a Ravelry group for my designs! You can find it here.

In honor of this special occasion, I am giving away one of my patterns. You can see the details in this thread. (You will have to have a Ravelry account to do this. If you don't, you should join! Ravelry is a ton of fun, and very helpful as well!)

News

Since my last post, my Braided Possibilities pattern promotion has ended. Overall, it garnered 896 downloads, 91 favorites and 28 queues (so far). Plus, it got in the Top Ten!

(Screenshot Proof)

I submitted two designs to calls from Knit Picks, which were both rejected, and sent two designs off to a magazine, which I don't expect to hear back from for a while. I submitted my Tulips design to Knit Picks IDP a couple weeks ago, which I have not heard back from yet either. Yesterday I submitted a design to a yarn company's call, and I hope to submit another one to the same company today. Besides all that, I have knit up a few swatches for another pattern for the IDP that I will submit once I find out if I have time to conjure that up. :)

So, I've been pretty design-busy, including sketching and saving all the wonderful ideas that pop into my head at all hours of the day.

Success!

I am very happy at the success of my Braided Possibilities pattern! 130 downloads, lots of faves, some queues, but the BEST thing is that it's made the top 50 in Ravelry's Hot Right Now!!!!!

I submitted two things yesterday to a yarn company, and today I started on three designs that I'm going to submit to a magazine. I am feeling very designer-ish and excited!!!

Braided Possibilities

I just released my Braided Possibilities.

It is free for the month of June because of my birthday. I am having a sale on my other patterns too-29% off because I was born on the 29th.

Ravelry link is here: Braided Possibilities

Braided Possibilities

The other night I couldn't sleep. Then I dreamed up an idea for a braided i-cord thingamajig. 

I knit a headband/belt and a choker/bracelet yesterday and today, typed up the pattern and did a call for testers already.

A Bit of News

I've been doing some behind-the-scenes work on my designing lately; I had my first two patterns tech edited recently, and just finished this morning. Hooray!!!

I also added an additional size to my Diagonal Rib Mitts, while I was at it, at my editor's suggestion.