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

November 17, 2014 by Sarah White

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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Knit and Felt Some Tabi Style Slippers

The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical.

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique.

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead.

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit.

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern.

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like.

[Photo: Maymade Knits]