Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Interview with Kristen Jancuk

As a participant in the Indie-Design Gift-A-Long, I have the pleasure of interviewing a fellow knitwear designer! What a great opportunity to get to know talent from a different part of the country! 
After you read a little bit about Kristen Jancuk, pop over to Ravelry to see which patterns she is offering in the GAL

She has some beautiful colorwork accessories...

and fun textured designs too!


First, let's learn more about Kristen.
Designer name: Kristen Jancuk
Ravelry name: MediaPeruana

How did you initially get started in knit-wear designing?I first approached it as a challenge--I'd like a thing that looks like X, can I do it? And write instructions clearly enough so other people could do it too? So I tried, and found I could do it, and really enjoyed it. So I just kept going!
 
Do you have any designing goals or aspirations?
I'd like to branch out into more garments--I have several sweater designs planned out, I just need the time to work on them!
I'd also love to do a collection inspired by Peru--and photograph it in Peru! It's not too far-fetched, my husband is Peruvian and we have  opportunities to travel there, but working out the timing would certainly be a challenge!
 
How would you describe your design style?
I always struggle with this kind of question--I take inspiration from so many different places, and really don't see any cohesive element in my designs!
 
When the knitting needles are down, what do you like to do in your spare time?
These days spare time is pretty hard to come by, I have my hands full with 2 little boys--21 months and 3 months! I enjoy wine tastings, reading magazines, baking, vegetable gardening, and preparing food for my toddler that he refuses to eat. ;)

Now, let's talk about the GAL!
How did you first hear about the Indie-Design GAL? And what made you decide to participate?
I read about it last year in the Designers group, but couldn't get my act together to participate. When I saw they were doing it again, I knew I had to give it a try! I love that it's a chance for indie designers to work together to promote their collective work, and to celebrate the upcoming holidays in a new way.
 
Do you plan to participate as a knitter during the GAL? If so, what are you planning to knit? If not, what do you WISH you were knitting? I'm trying to knit Hanna Maciejewska's All That Jazz hat, but I have so much going on, I'm not sure I'll finish!
 
From your designs, which one do you feel is a perfect pattern to make and gift? and why? I have to go with the Nevado hat. It's an easy to memorize combination of cables and waffle stitch, it comes in 3 sizes, and it's quite stretchy, so it really works for everyone.
 
 
Thanks for the chat, Kristen! 
 
Happy knitting, all :)

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Indie Design Gift-A-Long 2014 is a-GO!!







Fellow knitters and crocheters, are you interested in a good sale? The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is in full swing on Ravelry!

Not familiar with  Indie Design Gift-A-Long?

Well let me enlighten you. This is an annual special event on Ravelry involving knit-a-longs, crochet-a-longs, pattern sales and PRIZES!!!! There are nearly 300 designers (including ME!) who are participating this year, offering 25% off select patterns from 8pm EST TODAY (November 13) to 11:59pm EST November 21st, enter coupon code giftalong2014 at the checkout to get a 25% discount.
Check out the group (no obligation, just fun!). There will also be KAL/CALs too throughout the holiday season in this group for fellow crafters and designers to help support each other through all the gift knitting.

 To see the list of designers participating (and to easily get to their designs) click HERE or go to the "List of Participating Designers and Patterns" thread. Two of my FAVORITE designers are also participating: local Akronites Andi Smith and Andrea Sanchez. Be sure to take a peek at their patterns too!!

I have plans to make Andi's Black Bunny cowl this season. How cute is this? Plus it is in DK/light worsted weight yarn, so it will knit up quickly for me.

 And I think my son Tommy will be getting a new hat too: Andrea's Sardines!




Now to find yarn for these cute projects... woe is me.

Happy crafting!!

Monday, November 3, 2014

Kelbourne Woolens

If you have never knitted with The Fibre Company yarns, then get thee to the nearest yarn store pronto! The Fibre Company produces the most heavenly yarns imaginable, which are distributed by Kelbourne Woolens near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (my home away from home). 

I recently had the pleasure of designing the My Fair Maiden tunic with Canopy Fingering in these two beautiful colorways. 


There is something so satisfying about the perfect marriage of the right yarn with the right pattern. This is how I felt about My Fair Maiden and Canopy Fingering. I love everything about the final product.

This past week, my design was featured on the Kelbourne Woolens Blog. I hope you will pop over to read the very talented Kate Gagnon Osborn's post and keep checking back to read more about this wonderful company and divine yarn.