An interview with Faye Kennington of UkeeKnits

During the first few days of the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long 2016, I was privileged to have contact with Faye Kennington of UkeeKnits on Ravelry.  She is the designer of the first two projects that I completed toward my attempt to "tame the opadoo".  The (2 Hour) Artist's Loop and the 2 Hour Smocked Toque which can be found on her Ravelry designer page..

She agreed to be a short interview for this blog and graciously donated a prize. I am asking readers the question; "What UkeeKnits design would you like to make?" and ask you to leave your answer in the comment section by December 5, 2016. If you are a Ravelry member, you can leave your Ravelry name and if not, leave an email address where  you can be contacted.  A name will be selected at random from all those leaving an answer and that person will receive the gift of a free pattern from UkeeKnits.

And now without further ado, my interview with Faye Kennington of UkeeKnits:

KraziKnitz: Please tell us about yourself and where you are from:

• Faye:  I live in a seaside resort community on the western edge of Vancouver Island (British Columbia, Canada) with my family and our chocolate lab.  The area is a temperate rain forest; the rainy season lends itself well to knitting and other indoor hobbies. But not so much to waiting for wet-blocking to dry!

KraziKnitz:  How and when did you begin designing?

• Faye: I've been designing as long as I can remember.  I started sewing doll clothes at age 4 and attended fashion design school after high school. About 6 years ago, I was in-between jobs and with a lot of time on my hands. I was playing with knit designs and decided to post patterns for my creations on Ravelry.

 KraziKnitz: Where do you find your inspiration?

• Faye: This can and does vary.  I tend to be a process knitter, so I like to learn something new and try out variations of the techniques.

KraziKnitz: You have a nice variety of patterns.  Do you have a favorite item to design?

• Faye:  Thank you!  I do like accessories.  Cowls have been a lot of fun.  I like variety.

KraziKnitz: What advice would you pass on to anyone contemplating becoming a designer?

• Faye: Make a business plan; think about your goals and your brand image from the start.  I didn't do this, but I really wish I had.

KraziKnitz: Do you have a  website, blog or newsletter that you would like to mention?

• Faye: You can follow me on  Instagram and/or Twitter: @UkeeKnits

Check out Faye's designs and don't forget to leave a response to the question; "What UkeeKnits design would you like to make?" by 6:00 pm EST on Monday 12/05/16.  A name will be drawn at random from all of the responses.  Again, if you are a Ravelry member leave your Ravelry name, so that you may be contacted by pm.  If you are not a Ravelry member, leave an email, so that you may be contacted as well.

Thanks for reading my humble little blog. I will try to have occasional giveaways, so keep your eyes peeled and check back often.  You never know what you might find.  Keep knitting, crocheting or whatever craft you love.  The sale part of the Gift-A-Long ends at 11:59 pm EST tonight, so get it on it while you can.  The party atmosphere goes until the end of December, so party on and join the crowd at the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long 2016 group on Ravelry. 

See you there!

Coming soon...An interview with Faye Kennington of UkeeKnits...(with a prize) :)

In a day or so, I will be posting an interview with with Faye Kennington of UkeeKnits.  She is the designer of the first two projects that I completed for the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long 2016.  I am not only participating as a designer for the first time, but participating as a knitter.  Well, I am also considering some crochet projects as well.  More about that later....We also have a prize donated by Ms. Kennington for someone who reads and will comment when the time is right.  So stay tuned for that interview and what we will use as criteria for winning that prize.
If you would like to check out her designs,  you can find her designer page at http://www.ravelry.com/designers/faye-kennington.

Knotions, December 2016..

I am about to have my first pattern published in an  online webzine called Knotions.  I am so excited and I can't wait.  It will be released December 3, 2016. You can find more information at Knotions, December 2016.

Now that I got all the ecstatic stuff done. (jumps up & down in an undignified manner)! Here's some additional information about the pattern. I mentioned the upcoming previously in a post, but I could not give specifics until I knew which issue it would be included in.  So much has happened since I retired and could give my design career more attention.

I am also humbled and appreciative and would like to thank Jody, editor at Knotions for taking a chance on me.  I am such a newbie to this part of designing.  I peppered her constantly with questions! She was so patient, kind and always answered so that even this babe to the business of publishing could understand. 

When you just have to have ruffles! Lots of girls love ruffles and can never have enough ruffles. If you want to indulge your inner "rufflista" or pamper that little girlie girl in your life, this backpack is for you. Cool buttons can help you express your sense of style to make this a one of a kind work of art. One two, chachacha!

The ruffles on these bags become quite sculptural once felted. The pack comes in two sizes, child and teen/adult.  The straps have two button holes, which if paired with multiple buttons makes it adjustable.  Adjustability allows for multiple wearers or one wearer that is growing. 

I am also including the picture that will be used in Knotions.  There will be more later once the pattern is actually published, but this is the one I can release for now. Without further ado, may I introduce you to ChaCha.  

Also a big thanks to my friend Teri, for allowing me to photograph her daughter Carla, and in other pictures her niece Nicole.  They were excellent models and most appreciated, especially since I have no young ladies of appropriate age in my family living close enough to impose upon for photo shoots.

My friend Teri's 6 yr. old Carla was a great model.*

First finished objects from Gift-A-Long 2016....

I have finished two quick knit patterns by Faye Kennington (known as UkeeKnits on Ravelry. Both items were knit with bulky yarn that I have had for a while.

 I also had some beautiful buttons, that went perfectly with the yarn for the cowl, so it was meant to be.  The universe put the pattern, the yarn and the buttons together at just the right time.  I knit it for myself, because I rarely make anything for me.  It will be pulled out for the few cold days we get in my part of Florida and it will keep my neck toasty.  The pattern is called (2 Hour) Artist's Loop, which had I not been interrupted I would have completed in the allotted time.

 The  color way is Quetzalcoatl from Kathleen Spins.  I picked it up on one of my birthday yarn jaunts down in Port St. Lucie.  There was a small yarn shop called Yarn It!, but I don't know if it is still open.  The buttons came from another shop in Cocoa Beach, which is no longer open. It's sad when a little quality shop that has cool stuff closes. 😞

This is my first gift-a-long, both as a designer and participant. I am selecting patterns from a variety of designers at differing levels of complexity.  I started with two of UkeeKnits' patterns, because I liked the way they could be knit up quickly for a little instant gratification. Instant gratification seemed good way to start this party of like-minded crafty folk.

yarn, pattern & buttons

close up of buttons

Completed project

Too hot to wear for long.  Please ignore double chin & wrinkles for 

aesthetic reasons.

The second project is the 2 Hour Smocked Toque, by the same designer.  The yarn has the colors of sunrise on the beach, which conjures warm feelings anyway.  The pattern has some interesting details, that make the knitting a little more fun.  You have to pay attention when knitting the pattern rounds.  The pattern is well written and knits up quickly.  Another beautiful item that I will only wear occasionally, but will make a statement of bright color and interesting texture whenever and wherever it is worn.

Beginning of the process

 Keep your eyes peeled to this blog for an interview with Faye Kennington, (Ukeeknits on Ravelry.  She has also graciously donated

Left face

Right face

a coupon code for a pattern from her collection.  Details on the pattern prize, will be forthcoming on the same day as the interview. Don't worry we'll let you know how!

Taming the wild Opadoo.....

Opadoo long story short: Adorable kid pronounced octopus as opadoo, comparison made between eight arms and eight categories in GAL, so completing one project per category = taming the opadoo. The majority of this post came straight from the group page where you can sign up for the "Taming the Opadoo", including the links.  It sounds like fun, I'm not sure I'm up to it, but I have already started my first item for the gift a long.  Don't forget all the fabulous designers (over 300) who have made a giant sale to help you along your way to taming the Opadoo.  Who knows maybe once I have a few items under my belt, I may even declare my attempt on taming that wild critter.

After posting this contest last year some quick minded GAL participants made the connection between an “Opadoo”, which has 8 arms, and the GAL challenge, which has 8 KAL/CALs, and so, “Taming the Opadoo” was born! To enter the GAL2016 Taming the Opadoo Challenge you must complete a project in each of the 8 GAL2016 KAL/CALs with paid (not free) patterns from at least 5 different Participating Designers, before the end of the GAL, and document it in an entry thread which will be posted later in the Gift-A-Long. You need to document your entry by posting the following in that thread:
1 - 1 photo that shows all 8 finished projects in it. This can be a photo collage (we have a tutorial in the group pages for that) or one photo that shows all the projects.
2 - A list of the 8 projects, each project listing containing the following:

• Which KAL/CAL it was made in. Your project must be on the participants list of that KAL/CAL and marked as DONE.
• A link to your project page
• A link to the pattern it was made from including the pattern name and designer’s name

3 - This year we encourage you to add some writing about what the Opadoo meant to you, or what you learned from it. This is not a requirement, but we hope you will all reflect a little and share your thoughts with us.
Remember, free patterns are not eligible to win prizes in the GAL, therefore all Opadoo-related projects must be made from paid (not free) patterns.
Also, please remember that there must be one completed project in each of the KAL/CALs:
Hats & Other Head Things
Hand & Arm Things
Foot & Leg Things
Kids & Baby Things (except toys)
Sweaters & Other Garments
Shawls & Stoles
Cowls, Scarves, & Other Neck Things
Toys, Home, & Other Miscellaneous Things
This is a judged contest. After the entry thread is locked at the end of the event on December 31, at midnight, the GAL2016 mods and Admins will vote for their choice of the entry that best captures the spirit of the GAL and the spirit of the Opadoo to them. We look at pattern choices, presentation, what you write about it, and everything else about your entry. There is no benefit to finishing quickly, so take your time and give it your best shot!
All complete entries earn the right to proudly display the I Tamed the Opadoo badge of their choice on their “About Me” page.
One lucky Opadoo tamer extraordinaire will receive 335 pattern codes, one from each of this year’s Participating Designers! These codes are transferable so you can share with friends, keep them all yourself, share in RAKs, or whatever you want!
Please tag all 8 of your projects giftalong2016opadoo in addition to the KAL/CAL tags.

Gift A Long is less than 24 hours away....

I am super excited to be taking part in my very first Indie Design Gift A Long, which starts November 22, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. and kicks off with a sale on some of my patterns and those of 334 other designers.  The designers participating have selected anywhere from 5 - 20 of their patterns to be on sale at 25% off until November 30 at 11:59 p.m., but its not just about a sale.

It is also a big party that runs through the end of the year.  There are games, prizes and lots of schmoozing and socializing that goes on 24/7.  The group opened up just a few days ago, and there are already well over 5000 comments in the thread assigned to pre-GAL chatter.  They have now opened up all of the category threads, where members can discuss what they plan to knit and share yarn choices.  It's a mad house over there, but is it a blast.  If I had known how much fun it was I would have joined in before.

There are threads where folks are planning meet-ups for geographic areas over the time span of the Gift A Long.  I haven't seen one for Florida yet, but I might talk to my local LYS to see if we can get something going in my area.  I can't be the only participant in my county.  Speaking of that, there is also a map where you can see what designers and participants have checked in to show their location.  I'm going to be on both maps, because I'm also going to take part in the KAL/CAL happening along with all the games and other events.  This is going to be putting up some of my choices for the various categories up on this blog.

I am also hope to feature a few short designer profiles and maybe even some prizes of my own for people leaving comments, but I'll have to work out the details before I can do that. Keep your eyes peeled for further information.

This is the collage that I came up with for my designer profile in the GAL designer thread, if you see it you can take the link to my designer page, where you will see my bundle of patterns.  Any of those patterns will be 25% off from 11/22/16 at 8:00 pm until 11/30/16 at 11:59 pm. I'm on page 8 in the designer thread post #198.   After that the GAL will continue as a KAL/CAL with games, prizes and lots of other happenings.  All paid patterns of the participating designers are eligible for prizes, but check the FAQ's for details.  Hope to see to at
                  GAL 2016.  Follow me to 
The Indie Design  Gift-A-Long 2016.  Woot! Parteee!😀💖

Indie Designers Gift-A-Long 2016 Stats & Update.....

What is Gift-A-Long? It’s a multi-designer promotion to help you kick your holiday gift-making into high gear!
The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 6 week long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by a rather extensive list of independent designers. From November 22, 2016 at 8:00 pm US EST to December 31, 2016 at midnight US EST there will be fun games, contests, and 8 KAL/CALs that will help you get your holiday knitting done with companionship and fun! From November 22, 2016 at 8:00 pm US EST to November 30th at 11:59pm US EST tons of indie designers will be discounting between 5 - 20 of their patterns 25% for this event. Use coupon code: giftalong2016. You can read all about the details in this post: click here or on the FAQ page in our group pages.
Once you’ve got your Gift-A-Long patterns, we encourage you to join a relevant KAL/CAL! (For instance, if it is a cowl, please join the cowl KAL/CAL.) To join, simply write a post in the KAL/CAL thread you want to join, including the pattern name you will be knitting and a link to your project page. KAL/CAL participants are eligible for lots of lovely prizes but you’ve got to post to win!
KAL/CALs will run from November 22, 2016 at 8:00 pm US EST to December 31, 2016 at midnight US EST, plenty of time to knock out all your holiday knitting and crocheting. We have tons of prizes and great conversation, plus a lot of other fun, so pull up a chair and join us!
On your mark…get set…. GIFT!!
Other things:

• Please use #giftalong2016 to tag your social media-ing!
  
• Please only share Giftalong projects in the “shared projects”
   
  There are eight different categories for projects:
  Please use these additional tags for any KAL/CAL that you make something in:
  giftalong2016head
  giftalong2016hand
  giftalong2016feet
  giftalong2016kids
  giftalong2016garments
  giftalong2016shawls
  giftalong2016neck
  giftalong2016other
  Click on the above words to see searches on those tags so you can all enjoy everyone’s creativity!
  Please note that the GAL tags should only be used on projects that are started between 8pm US EST on Tuesday November 22th & 11:59pm US EST on Saturday December 31. Projects made before this are not eligible for the GAL. Thanks!
  
   
  
  
  

Join the Ravelry 2016 Indie Designer Gift A Long

Join a large group of Indie Designers (including yours truly) for the 2016 Gift A Long, which is a combination of a week long special sale offering a 25% discount on a selection of patterns from over 300 designers. 
Games, giftie chatter, lots of socializing and prizes are just a few of the attractions of the event known as the Indie Designers Gift A Long. And oh, did I say prizes...lots and lots of prizes, both physical and electronic prizes. So keep an eye out here and around Ravelry for more info in the next couple of weeks. Share the love and knit on!
Don't forget to join the Indie Designers Gift A Long group on Ravelry, so you can be ready when the fun starts.  You can see the patterns that I will be offering with the discount in a special bundle by going to  Paula King's designer page .