Hello Reader,

This letter was supposed to reach you on Sunday but I was somewhat taken aback by the 60 pages (!!) of patterns I had to look through to make my selection. So below you'll find my selection of shawl and scarf patterns that are included in this year's GAL. Some are on special offer (using the code GIFTALONG2024, I've marked it with the little arrow ⬇️) and some are not.

If you're wondering what the GAL is (or if you didn't receive my newsletter on the subject last Friday), you can find all the details here 😉

You can also find below (at the very bottom of this letter) an interview with Jessica, better known as Snickerdoodle Knits, one of whose shawls and cowls you'll find in my selection.

I'll be sending you another letter today with my selection of socks and mittens, as well as another designer interview. If you don't want to receive it, just click here.

My shawl selection

From top to bottom and left to right:

1. ⬇️ Day and Night Shawl ​by Takako Takiguchi
2. ​Harvest Moon Shawl by Gabrielle Vézina
3. ⬇️ Variegata by Jo Shaw
4. ⬇️ Cross Sea ​by Katrine Birkenwasser
5. ⬇️ Brioche for Teatime by me 🐤
6. ​Wishing Rock by Megan Nodecker
7. ⬇️ Color Convergence by Lisa K. Ross
8. ​Brioche + Mystery by Susanne Sommer
9. ⬇️ Falling Slowly by me 🐤
10. ⬇️ Lionheart Shawl by Gabrielle Vézina
11. ⬇️ Liinu Shawl by Katrine Birkenwasser
12. ⬇️ Alpages by me 🐤
13. ​Patience Shawl by Snickerdoodle Knits
14. ​Pieces Of My Heart Shawl by Gabrielle Vézina

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My cowl selection

From top to bottom and left to right:

1. ​Slice of Sunshine by Lisa K. Ross
2. ⬇️ North Country Cowl by Mary O'Shea
3. ⬇️ Acorn cowl by Karoliina H. Design
4. ⬇️ Hanging Gardens​ by me 🐤
5. ⬇️ Quilt Cowl by Tess Campbell
6. ​Perfectly Amiable Cowl by Snickerdoodle Knits
7. ​Serigraphy Cowl by Meiju Kallio
8. ⬇️ Snowflake Cowl by Jesie Ostermiller
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My Stole/scarf selection

From top to bottom and left to right:

• ⬇️ Earth, Wind & Fire Shawl by Susanne Sommer
• ​Louver ​by Ruth Nguyen
• ⬇️ Kadsura by me 🐤
• ​Travel Mode 2.0 by Susanne Sommer
• ​Block color stole by Takako Takiguchi
• ​Pavone by Paola Albergamo
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I hope this selection will inspire you for your next knits,

Warmly,

​Creative diary + Shop | Ravelry​
​Fuel my creativity and support my work with a cup of chicory! 🥰☕

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PS: next email is socks! 😍

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Designer Interview

Note from Chloé: As the GAL is a worldwide event, I thought it would be fun to interview some participant designer and to include their answers in these letters. Enjoy 😊

Jessica / Snickerdoodle Knits ​Instag​ram | Email List | Website | Ravelry​

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We all have different stories on how we started designing, how did you?

I first started Snickerdoodle Knits as an Etsy shop (and attending craft fairs) selling super bulky hand knits. It was just a couple of months into the business that I realized I was already getting bored of making the same projects over and over and over again, and my body was getting very sore from all of the bulky knitting. In my mind, I had two different paths I could go if I were to continue the business long-term: either yarn dying or pattern writing. I didn’t have the physical space in our small college apartment for yarn dying - nor the capital to invest in the materials - and I knew I didn’t have the creativity to be a designer, so I figured it’d just be a short-term business while I was in limbo for a bit. Well… just a few months later, I suddenly had close to a dozen design ideas pop into my head, and I knew I was going to start designing! (And somehow the ideas haven’t ever stopped since then!)

When and how did you learn to knit?

I sort of learned several different times :) I had a couple of family friends teach me as a child, but I never really stuck with it, so then I’d have to relearn it. I started to knit a bit more in high school and college, at which point I heavily relied on YouTube videos.

Is designing your full time job?

Yes, Snickerdoodle Knits has been my full time job since its inception in 2018. It started out as an Etsy shop selling super bulky hand knits, transitioned to designing in 2019, and then in 2021, I added a community and coaching for knit and crochet designers.

What was your first pattern? What is your favourite pattern to date (I know it’s super hard to pick only one, so I’ll allow up to three 😉 )

My first pattern was the With Love From the North Mittens. I still love them a lot!

Oh goodness, my favorite pattern! My favorite to wear is the Endurance Shawl - it’s so cozy and works well with so many outfits. My favorite design is probably the Trust Shawl - it’s a bit unique, and it feels like a cozy hug to wear it. And the design I’m most proud of is the Patience Shawl - it was my most complex design, and took a lot of working to get the stitches reflected over the spine how I wanted!
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How is your day as a knitting designer? Do you have a fixed routine?

Not currently ~ I’ve just recently returned from maternity leave with my first child, and I’m sorting out the ropes of everything again. I thrive on schedules and routines, though, so I am trying to get into somewhat of a routine. When I am in a routine, I am a big fan of doing work in bulk (hyperfocusing on one type of thing to get it done for a week or month at a time), and I’m a big fan of only checking email and social media mid-day.

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Note from Chloé: And now, let’s get some quick questions. Try not to think too much about the answers before writing them, just writes what pops up in your head 😊
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Favourite needles?

Circular! I have a set of Chiagoo interchangeable needles and love them.

DPNs, magic-loop, or mini circular needles?

Magic Loop for everything :)

For socks, cuff-down or toe-up?

I’ve only worked toe-up!

What was the last knitted gift you gave someone?

Probably a baby gift… I’m not much of a gift knitter, because I want to be sure the recipient will appreciate, love, and use what I’ve spent so much time making.

Is your stash under control?

Yes, but not as under control as I’d like! It stresses me out to have materials sitting around that I’m not using. So, while I don’t have a ton of stash compared to many folks, I have some yarns that have been sitting longer than I’d like.

Are you a multi-project knitter or a monogamist?

I like to tell myself I’m a monogamist knitter, but I have several projects in the works, haha! When I get into a project, though, I do tend to hyperfocus and see it through to completion, so my other WIPs (works in progress)

If you could have any superhero power, what would it be and why?

Stopping time! There’s just never enough time in the day for everything! All of the business ideas, hobby/craft ideas, wanting to spend time with my family and friends, etc, etc, etc!

If you had a time machine, would you travel to the future or back to the past?

Future - I hope that we will have cultivated a more intentional/mindful and empathetic society for the future.

Do you plan to knit something during the GAL? If yes, what will you knit?

Yes, I hope so! This is my first year to “properly” celebrate the holidays with decorations, and it’s my first year with a Little One, so I have my eyes on baby knits and on holiday decor, but I haven’t made up my mind just yet.
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