CraftDoodling Designs KAL

KAL suggestions and sign-up, Challenging the status quo?, etc.

Thank you for your warm welcome and kind support for Shirin Shawl, I released last week. ♥️

Shirin Shawl test knitted by Ramona (@atelierriv on Instagram)

Pattern is available on Ravelry and Payhip.

Please enjoy 25% off the pattern price until Mon Oct 23, midnight PT.

Coupon code: SHIRINWHIMSY

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CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS KAL : Planning & Sign-up link

At this time of year, I usually sign up as a participating designer in the Indie Gift-Along on Ravelry, and Fasten-off-y'all events. I will be doing that this year too. Those are huge spaces with hundreds of participating designers and knitters, full of energy and inspiration. 💗

Shirin Shawl test knitted by Betty G (@rose.andginger on Instagram)

In the past, I have also held small focussed KALs for a single pattern of mine at a time, for a small group of knitters both online as well as in my LYS. 

But this year, I would like to host a year-end KAL for all my patterns. Here are my thoughts..

1. I want to be able to connect to and provide pattern support and help to those knitting my designs.

2. You can participate and knit any of my patterns. You can bring unfinished items or works in progress. 

3. It might be patterns you have bought from me in the past or have been gifted by me or others.

4. You can bring projects that are incomplete because you missed a testing deadline. Don’t worry, life happens! If you intend to finish the project, please feel free to bring it.

5. You can also bring WIPSs from KALs you are doing with me at Fillory Yarn.

6. Or you can just pick up a pattern from my Ravelry store that speaks to you.

7. I'd like to host this KAL in CraftDoodling Designs Slack Community. I have been holding my test knits on this platform for a few years now. It offers a better space for effective group communication, compared to Facebook or Instagram. So I think it is more suited for an organized KAL space. All you need is an email id to access. 

8. I have yarn prizes to give away from my personal stash. 🧶 I am also planning, provided there's enough interest, to talk to some yarnie friends and work out something that can hopefully help them as well. 😊

If you'd like to participate, in a month-long CraftDoodling Designs Knit-Along in November '23, please fill this form out for me. Thank you! ❣️

Shirin Shawl test knitted by Gabi D.

Last week, my friend and knitting colleague Anne, sent out a plea to challenge the status quo, even and especially in knitting spaces.

In a way, a POC & very low-profile designer like me, calling out to people for an exclusive Knit Along for my patterns, feels quite vulnerable and risky. I feel like, if not challenging the status quo, I am at least suggesting something off-beat.

This is why I feel so seen by Anne’s writing. I love her yarns as well as WHY she makes them.

Do you have any other suggestions/ thoughts for the KAL? Please let me know in comments.

OTHER THINGS I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE

A small Q&A about my Cutilitarian Knits collection is available on Malabrigo's blog. I have shared some tips about knitting the pieces from the collection as well as about my design inspiration. Hope you’ll find it useful.

Some scenes from a crochet bag making workshop at Fillory yarn last week. These are some very skilled crafters and I love these sessions, so full of energy and enthusiasm, learning and sharing.

Crochet bag workshop: Skilled crafters at work at my LYS

📚I just finished reading How to stop time by Matt Haig and loved it. I hear good things about other books of this author as well. I might as well binge read all of them sometime. :)

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

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