One of the things I love most about the Indie GAL (Gift-A-Long) is the chance to discover and/or promote other designers’ work. Over the course of the GAL I’ll be publishing gift-knitting related interviews with designers whose work I admire.
Barbara Benson publishes intricate, beautiful patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.
Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Barbara: I’m torn between interacting with all of the awesome participants and oogling all of the patterns. I really like going through the patterns and seeing all of the amazing talent out there. I try to keep current on Ravelry but it drives home the fact that I am missing all kinds of stuff. But I also really enjoy having fun with all of the knitters crafting in my thread (Go Team Neck Thingie!).
Have you participated before this year?
This is my third year! I have been a moderator for all three years and it has been amazing to see it grow.
Thank you so much for being a moderator!!! Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
I am not ruling it out, but I don’t have anything on the needles yet. This year my son has two teachers and I really should be knitting them something, I am going to have to go through the pinterest boards and find something that fits (and maybe stash dive). In answer to the “what would I make if I had the time†I actually made a video where I picked 3 patterns from each of the categories. You can see it on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/YsTBYoRYcXQ
Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
Hmm, I am all about knitting little things as gifts so anything that falls in the hat/cowl/mitt category. I Can’t Control My Fingers knits up crazy fast and the super stretchy stitch pattern makes it fit a wide range of hand sizes. Also, my new patterns from One Stitch, Two Stitch were pretty much conceived with the idea of gift giving. They are easy patterns that knit up quickly and I bet people might have the yarn in their stash to knit at least one of the patterns right now.
That first has to be a Ramones reference, right?? Thank you so much Barbara!
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Photos © Barbara Benson
Don’t forget to check out the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group on Ravelry to join in the fun!