Interview and Giveaway

35 Replies

If you have been reading this blog or have been active on Ravelry in the past couple of weeks, chances are you have heard of Gift-Along. Independent designers have come together to promote one another’s designs, organize KALs and CALs and offer lots of prizes. As part of GAL promotion, I am interviewing Mindy (many of you will recognize her very popular Holden Shawlette) on the blog. There is a giveaway too!

Mindy is a US based designer with a stunning collection of shawls/shawlettes making up a majority of her designs. Her first design Holden Shawlette is immensely popular on Ravelry. She is an active blogger and tweeter. Mindy took some time off her busy schedule (holidays are around the corner too) to chat with me.

Q. What inspired you to become a designer?

What started it all was my desire to knit a shawl that had a wavy stitch pattern at the bottom. I couldn’t find an existing pattern that was what I had in mind so I set about designing it. Once I was deep in design work, I realized I really loved the design process.

Q. What aspect/phase of knit design do you enjoy the most? And which one do you enjoy the least?

I really don’t like to sit down and write the actual pattern. I’m not sure why I don’t like it, but I always leave it for the very last thing. I have a pattern to write right now, and I’m finding a lot of other things to do instead! I just need to sit down and do it. As for what I like the most, I really enjoy charting. I work from charts 99% of the time so when I have a chart that works, I know I’m ready to start knitting.

Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes

Q. Holden Shawlette is one of the most popular patterns on Ravelry. How does it feel to see your design do so well?

I had no idea when I designed Holden that it would be so well-received. It was my very first design ever. Nothing can brighten my day like receiving a kind note or comment from someone who knit Holden (or any of my patterns) telling me how much they enjoyed the knitting and how much they love their finished project.

Q. What has been your experience with GAL so far?

I haven’t been too active, but it’s been a lot of fun so far. I love seeing what other people have knit. There’s been a project or two that have blown my mind with how beautiful they are.

Strawberry Moon by Mindy Wilkes

Q. Which patterns in your store can be made as quick holiday gifts?

Almost all of them! I have a variety of shawls that can be made with one skein of yarn, and I have a variety of shawls that are made in heavier weights of yarn so they knit up pretty quick. I think my side to side shawls (Flower Moon, Strawberry Moon, and Hunter’s Moon) would be great gifts.

Q. Do you find time to knit from other designers’ patterns? Who are your favorite designers?

I don’t have a lot of time nowadays to knit other designers’ patterns since most of my knitting lately has been deadline knitting for publishing. I do occasionally start a project from someone else’s pattern. I work at a LYS, and I like to have a project that uses a yarn we carry in store. I can work on that small project when I’m working at the store. It might take me months and months to finish though. I have a ton of favorite designers. Lately, I’ve knit patterns from Bonnie Sennott and Amy Christoffers.

Q. What gifts are you making/knitting for this holiday season?

None! I rarely knit for other people. I am a completely selfish knitter. Right now, my kids believe that clothing cannot be gifts so they’re not getting anything handmade because it won’t be appreciated. Really the only thing I’ll make this holiday season will be food. Just as soon as my kitchen is finished (We’re right smack in the middle of a major remodeling project) I’ll be baking and cooking.

I hope you enjoyed this little chit-chat with Mindy. If you like her designs (who wouldn’t, ha ha), Mindy has generously agreed to offer a copy of any of her self published designs to readers of this blog.
1. All you need to do is comment on this post telling us which pattern you would like to win. Do ensure I have some way of contacting you, via email or on Ravelry, so leave an email ID or your Ravelry username.
2. Entries will close on Dec 24 2013, 12 PM IST.
3. A winner will be chosen randomly and the winner’s selected pattern will be sent to you as Ravelry gift or PDF file will be emailed to you.

All images are copyrighted to Mindy and have been used here with her permission.

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35 thoughts on “Interview and Giveaway”

  4. Luv2CUSmile

    Love hearing from the designer of Holden! How humble Mindy is!
    Harvest Moon would be another awesome shawl for my collection!
    Luv2CUSmile at Ravelry

    Reply ↓
  6. NanaMamah

    I can’t choose between Springwater and Wolf Moon. Hard enough to narrow down to those!
    Thank you for the lovely interview.

    NanaMamah on Rav

    Reply ↓
  7. Jayalakshmi

    I love every pattern of yours! Your Holden shawlette is already on my favorites list. Really hard to choose one! After umpteen looks and relooks, I think it will be Strawberry moon for me, just for that beautiful picot edging! I also like the way you name your designs…

    Reply ↓
  9. Margie (amalya on Rav)

    Holden has always been one of my faves…nice to hear about the designer! I’d like the Harvest Moon pattern, please.

    amalya on Rav

    Reply ↓
  10. Linda

    I would love to win “Strawberry Moon” shawlette. It’s a lovely pattern with such a delicate edging.
    Thanks for the chance.
    Lmecoll on Ravelry

    Reply ↓
  11. Pat

    Mindy’s patterns are so great! I really enjoyed the interview. I would like to have the Wolf Moon pattern to knit with aran yarn and larger needles. It looks so warm and gorgeous.
    RoamingKnitter on Ravelry

    Reply ↓
  16. Monica

    I so LOVE Thunder Moon. I was drawn to it from the first moment I saw it. Such beautiful designs. I enjoyed the interview and the giveaway is nice too. 🙂 I am sweeetpeaches on Ravelry

    Reply ↓

  23. Pingback: » Giveaways–December 17, 2013

  34. Carolyn

    Thanks for the interview. I love my Holden and would really enjoy making Harvest Moon. It is a lovely pattern.

    Persimmontree on Ravelry

    Reply ↓

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