Get a Great Deal on Patterns with the Indie Design Gift-a-Long

This year nearly 300 independent knit and crochet designers are participating in a massive show of creativity known as the Indie Design Gift-a-Long. Select patterns from each of these designers are on sale for 25 percent off now through Nov. 21, and from then until the end of the year a bunch of knit and crochet-a-longs will be happening (various ones for different types of garments) and participants will be eligible for various prizes.

You can find all the participating designers in this thread on Ravelry (though if you’re looking for a specific kind of pattern you should check the Pinterest boards, which are organized by garment type) and get the discount by using the code giftalong2014. Participants in the gift-a-long can use any paid for pattern by any participating designer, not just the ones involved in the sale, so if you’ve been sitting on something you’d love to knit you can do that, too.

Again this discount is available through Friday, November 21, 2014 at 11:59 pm US EST, and of course you could buy some patterns even if you’re not participating in the gift-a-long. But why not use the added incentive of prizes and community to get some great giftables off the needles?

It’s entirely likely that I don’t need another challenge in my life right now, but there are some really cute patterns up for grabs here. And it’s a wonderful way to support independent designers, who need all the help we can give them. I’d love to hear if you decide to take part and if you do, what you’re planning to knit!

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Craft retailer Michaels has acquired the intellectual property and private label brands of now-defunct retailer Joann, according to a media release, and the Joann website now forwards to Michaels.

The releases states that Michaels will be developing the “beloved Big Twist® brands as part of the Michaels portfolio.” It also notes plans to expand its offerings in the fabric, sewing and yarn categories, with more than 600 new products being added.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to welcome JOANN customers into our creative community and are committed to delivering the selection, value, and inspiration they are looking for at Michaels,” David Boone, CEO of Michaels, said in the release.

Specific to yarn, the company notes it has plans to expand its yarn selection by 25 percent this year, including releasing more than 60 new private-label Loops & Threads products beginning this month, expanding offerings of Lion Brand and the Yarnspirations family of brands, and welcoming Big Twist yarns.

The release specifically mentions Big Twist Value Plus, Big Twist Twinkle, Big Twist Posh and Big Twist Baby Bear, and notes that the offerings are “now being developed as part of Michaels portfolio of brands and will be available in-stores and online later this year.”

No word on what this means for Herrschners, which previously announced it would carry Big Twist. Its page announcing the news still says “at this time we are not able to release details on specific Big Twist varieties or colors, or the exact date the yarn will be available to order” and encourages signing up for email updates.

This news comes just days after the final closing of the last Joann locations and the appearance of a message on their website talking about “stitching up something new.” The Joann website now forwards to a landing page for craft retailer Michaels.

“Welcome Joann customers,” it says at the top. “We’ve got your go-to essentials and so much more.” The page also notes “everyone is welcome at our craft table” and says the website is a source for “fabrics, yarn, notions & more.”

Further down the page it says “With JOANN stores closing, Michaels is excited to welcome new makers, crafters, and sewing enthusiasts into our community” and has a string of links to product categories these shoppers might be looking for. It says Michaels carries “many of the favorites that Joann customers love” including patterned fabric, yarn, ribbons and notions.

The release calls this a “dedicated landing page” with a “curated assortment of products” they think are relevant to the Joann shopper.

If you go directly to Micheaels.com, you see their regular website but there is a link at the top of the page for Joann customers that leads to the same page linked above.

The release doesn’t mention opening any new stores in towns left without a craft store thanks to the Joann closure. It does note they have 1,300 stores in 49 states and in Canada, and they have both US and Canada-facing websites.

What do you think of this news? It’s not the exciting future I’d hoped for with Joanns cryptic announcement, but I know legions of knitters and crocheters will be happy to know Big Twist will live on, and other crafters will probably be happy about expanded selection at Michaels.

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