giveaway #37

The winner of the Never Not Knitting Sheepish kit is:

josiekitten

Congratulations! Please contact me at yarnonthehouse@gmail.com to claim your prize.

I have a fun indie knitwear designer with us this week. Check out my written interview with Megan from Sugar Lane Knits...

1. Please start by telling us a little bit about yourself and what you do?

My name is Megan and I am the owner and designer of Sugar Lane knitting patterns. I have a little Etsy shop called Sugar Lane where I sell my patterns. I am also a Mother to 5 busy kids. They range in ages from 14 to 4. I have one in high school, 3 in elementary school and one in preschool. I spend tremendous amounts of time in my car! When I'm not driving around the town I like to journal on my blog Hall's 7th Heaven, see what's new on Ravelry~I'm SugarLaneKnits if anyone wants to stop by and say "Hi" and work on new hat patterns. Of course, I always have a just for fun-just for me project that I'm working on!

2. You have adorable baby hat patterns. What inspires you?

I get inspiration from soooo many places. However, my initial foray into designing was because I wanted to make a hat for my little boy to head off to preschool in (Ha, no pun intended!). I couldn't find anything close to what I envisioned as the perfect preschool hat, so I knit my own. And voila! the Highland Argyle Hat was born. I got so many compliments from other mommies and then custom order requests; things just kind of evolved from there. Truly, the little people in my life are my biggest inspirations.

3. What is your process when you start designing a pattern? Do you have a routine?

My design process always begins with a clean sheet of graph paper and a pink eraser. I also need a Diet Pepsi and Twix bar within easy reach!

4. For budding new designers out there, what's the one piece of advice you have?

Advice? Really? Well, I would encourage new designers to just go for it. What's the worst that could happen? Even if the worst does happen then you know how not to do that again. I enjoy the whole yes,no of designing. Some things work and some don't~ sometimes the challenge of figuring that out is...dare I say...fun.

5. What will be next for you? Do you have new designs in the works that you can share with us?

Oh, yes! I have more new designs floating around in my little brain than I have time to chart out. (Boo! to laundry) I can tell you that I currently may or may not be slightly obsessed with Quatrefoil. I also am going to be trying out some new decreases for the shaping. And someday, hopefully sooner than later, I will actually get working on that ebook that has been on the back burner for way too long.

6. Why do you knit?

I knit because it makes me happy. I enjoy the process of knitting. I think even if it didn't make anything I would still knit because I like the feel, the motion. Luckily it does make things...awesome things. I can't tell you how much I love going into a baby shower and knowing I am going to blow all of the other gifts out of the water- just kidding!! ( I really do love giving knitted gifts and knitting for others though.)

7. When did you learn to knit and who taught you?

I learned to knit about 9 years ago and I had to teach myself. I bought a book and couldn't even get through the long tail cast on. It was a terrible exercise in frustration. I didn't even pick up needles again until 2 years later.

8. If you were to knit and live anywhere in the world, where would you knit and live?

If I could knit and live anywhere then I would live on a cruise ship. I'd just sail around the world knitting and going to exotic yarn shops. Sounds pretty good doesn't it?

9. What's been your worst knitting disaster?

I've been pretty lucky as far as knitting disasters go. Although, last year I knit a great pair of socks for my son...and his giant sized feet...and the cuff was REEEALY tight. I think the yarn eventually broke. That was kind of sad.

10. What's your favorite item you've ever knit?

My favorite thing that I ever knit was a washcloth. Seriously. My Grandmother- who was a fantastic and accomplished knitter in her younger days- requested one when I told her I had taken up knitting. You would have thought I had given her a bar of gold when I presented her with that little bit of garter stitch. She was so delighted with that simple, wobbly washcloth. It's one of my favorite memories~ever.

Thank you, Megan, for joining us on YOTH! Megan has put together a really cute Acorn Cap knitting kit for one lucky winner this week. Take a look see...



Isn't this just the most perfect little cap for Fall time?! You have a chance to win four skeins of KnitPicks Swish Worsted, a pair of size US 10 1/2 circular needles in 16" length, the full printed Acorn Cap pattern, and a couple other just-for-fun acorn treats!

I would like you to do the following if you would like to be entered into this week's giveaway:


1. Read over the rules if you have not done so already.

2. Leave a comment on this blog post by the end of Sunday, 10/17/10. Take a look at SugarLane Knit's Etsy shop or Megan's Ravelry designs page and let us know what your favorite pattern is. I'm diggin' this trendy Skully Baby Cap! I may just need to knit a couple of these up for gifts!

I'll randomly pick the winners on Sunday and post the results on Monday along with the new giveaway, so be sure to check back. Good luck everyone.

Sincerely,

Ve