Our Picks for the 2020 Indie Designer Giftalong!

It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year: Ravelry’s Indie Designer Giftalong! Every year, a sizable chunk of the independent designer community comes together to run a massive make-along of holiday gifts from some of the amazing patterns coming out of the indie design world. At H+W, we love independent designers (indeed, we've both been independent designers!), who truly form the backbone of the modern world of knitting and crochet, and we love having the opportunity to take a minute to appreciate all the great knitting these hardworking folks bring into our lives. This year, there are about 250 participating designers, so it's a great chance to see the breadth of what's out there in independent knitwear design. 

The Giftalong kicks off with one of the biggest pattern sales of the year, as each designer offers a 25% discount on between 10 and 20 of their patterns using the code “giftalong2020.” We took a spin through the participating designers’ sale bundles and came up with a handful of our favorites to make in either Forge or Weld. Some are longtime favorites from designers we’ve known and long-admired, and others are from new-to-us designers. 

Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Longtime Friend of the Flock Lana Jois' lace work is such a delight, and her Himani hat is no exception. We'd love it in a light shade of Weld, like Fawn or Dusk.
  • I (Sloane) am not the kind of saintly soul who knits sweaters as gifts, but if I were, I'd have my eye on Ambah O'Brien's sweet little Ochre shrug, which is the kind of wear-it-over-everything layer we're constantly in search of. I'd make one in Weld in...all of the colors.
  • Gretha Mensen speaks our cabled love language, and though neither of us are per se big shawl knitters, we love her effortlessly cool Zilt shawl, which has just the right combination of soothing and complex stitches. We'd make one in Forge in Fawn, Lake, or Gold Leaf.
  • We're also big fans of her Snowfrost scarf, a gorgeous Gansey-esque textured wrap we'd love to snuggle up in. Written for sportweight yarn originally, at 18 stitches over 4", we could see this as either an airy confection in Weld or a solid, warm hug in Forge.
  • Cheryl Faust's mosaic colorwork designs would make for committing gifts, but they're fascinating. We love her Embrace the Chill scarf in Weld, either in a neutrals+ combo of Fawn, Midnight, Ash, and Lake, or maybe in a bolder combination with Gold Leaf or Red Feather as accents.
  • Amy Van de Laar's use of texture is fascinating, and I've had her Beeswax set on my list for years. I'd whip up a pair of her Beeswax Mitts in Forge in Gold Leaf, Red Feather, or Mustard for pretty much anyone on my list this year!
  • Sock wizard Hunter Hammersen has been doing a lot of fascinating ornament and homegoods work these past few years, and though it's not a thing I'm super experienced at, I'm keen to try. I'd love to make a rainbow of her Scintillation star ornaments for the holidays this year, in a rainbow of colors of Weld.
  • Meghan Nodecker's garments are the kind of easy-to-wear, ready-to-wear inspired looks we've always loved, but I've got a soft spot for her textured accessories, including her charming Ironwood hats (sized for the whole family). I'd make one in Forge in Red Feather, Lake, or Fawn.
  • Longtime Friend of the Flock Danielle Chalson also loves cables as much as we do, and her Rhinecliff hat makes us nostalgic for Rhinebeck even as it screams for a yarn with Forge's balance of bloom and stitch definition. We'd match the original with one in Aspen, or make a dark, sophisticated version in Evergreen or Midnight.

Are you doing any gift knitting this year? What's on your needles, and who are you knitting for?

13 comments

  • Posted on by Charley Hugh
    When I was a victim of a bitcoin trading fraud, I sought advice from Spyware Cyber. I had no idea that there were organized means to recover money obtained through fraud. I stumbled upon a business website that assured me of a significant return on my Bitcoin investment. I was so certain. The website was excellent, and after much persuasion, I decided to put in $150,000 USD; however, I inadvertently fell into the wrong hands. I was in a terrible position until I looked for assistance and received a strong recommendation for (spyware@ cybergal . com). I provided this knowledgeable hacking organization with all the investment details, and within a few working days, they returned 85% of my Bitcoin to my wallet. I witnessed apprehension and pleasure simultaneously. With reliable firms like Spyware Cyber, your lost money on Bitcoin is certain to be recovered as they can be contacted via WhatsApp: +19892640381
  • Posted on by Nerd Taylor
    THE BEST HACKER ALIVE

    Sincerely and out of appreciation, I’m sharing this testimonial to let others know that Wizard Larry is a real, working solution for any hack-related problems, including clearing up criminal records and recovering lost funds or bitcoin (BTC).  I wholeheartedly endorse it.
    wizardlarry (AT) mail DOT com.
    WhatsApp +1 (205) /319-/6886/
    Website : https://wizardlarry.wixsite.com/wizardlarry 

  • Posted on by Nerd Taylor
    THE BEST HACKER ALIVE

    Sincerely and out of appreciation, I’m sharing this testimonial to let others know that Wizard Larry is a real, working solution for any hack-related problems, including clearing up criminal records and recovering lost funds or bitcoin (BTC).  I wholeheartedly endorse it.
    wizardlarry (AT) mail DOT com.
    WhatsApp +1 (205) /319-/6886/
    Website : https://wizardlarry.wixsite.com/wizardlarry 

  • Posted on by sam smith
    I just want the whole world to know about this spell caster I met

    two weeks ago,  I cannot say everything he has done for me my wife
    left me 3 years ago left with my kids I was going through online
    when I meant this wonderful man’s testimony online I decided to
    give it a try and my wife is back to me now and we are happily
    married again cause is too much to put in writing all I can say is
    thank you very much am very happy   Contact him today on oseremenspelltemple@gmail.com or whatsapp him on +2348136482342. www.facebook.com/Dr-odion-spell-temple-110513923938220

  • Posted on by Oliver Egil
    Restoring Lost Cryptocurrency Expert // Captain WebGenesis.

    My company had lost $913,000 Usdt worth of Crypto, After my financial accountant transferred the funds to an unknown account mistakenly as he was doing some transactions payments. After Trying different times on reaching the banks there was no hope of recovering back the funds. After endless attempts on different recovery firms, Even ended up losing $135,000 more. Luckily I came across an article from AAAR morning gossip news on how a Family recovered their lost assets through a Recovery Expert, Captain WebGenesis is a boutique cyber and Crypto intelligence expert who helps scam victims recover their funds . I immediately reached out to the Expert through the support systems mail and the Expert was able to recover $795,100 of my funds. Captain WebGenesis really brought relief and peace as this was my company’s project funds. I would recommend Captain WebGenesis for Crypto Recovery services.
    contact; Email: Captainwebgenesis@hackermail.com
    WhatsApp; +1 (447) 442–0456.}.

    Learn More; https://captainwebgenesis.com/

Leave a comment

All blog comments are checked prior to publishing
You have successfully subscribed!