Update: This giveaway is now closed. “resident robin” is our winner. Congratulations! Barbara will be contacting the winner soon.
As part of Gift-Along 2014, I am very excited to interview my first featured designer Barbara aka browneyedbabs on Ravelry.
- What inspired you to become a designer?
I had learned to knit as a child but didn’t start knitting properly till I was in my mid twenties and people I loved started having babies. I had hardly any spare money so I would make up my own patterns for things to try and recreate products I loved but couldn’t afford – not always successfully! Eventually, I got good enough that I decided to start writing down my patterns and it all went from there.
- What aspect/phase of knit design do you enjoy the most? And which one do you enjoy the least?
My favourite thing is seeing other people enjoying my patterns, I still get a little thrill when I see someone add photos of their finished toys to Ravelry. The worst bit for me is laying out the pattern and taking the photos. It takes a surprisingly long time to make a pattern fit neatly onto the pages and look pretty.
- Do you find time to knit from other designers’ patterns? Who are your favorite designers?
I don’t get a lot of time to knit other people’s patterns, that’s one of the best things about the giftalong. Like last year, I’m taking a couple of months off from designing to enjoy knitting without having to think. I’ve just cast on the Keikomi cowl with some special yarn and I’m really enjoying it. I also really love patterns by Hilary Smith Callis I made myself one of her Starshower cowls recently as a reward for getting some patterns designed by the magazine deadlines.
- Which patterns in your store can be made as quick holiday gifts?
My quickest toy is Katie Kitty Puppet, it’s a simple knit and if you’re really in a hurry you can skip the finishing and gift it with glue on googly eyes and felt shapes for a child to decorate it with. Dreamy Owl is another quick pattern and is great for babies.
- What gifts are you making/knitting for this holiday season?
This year I’m making cowls, slippers and hats. Some for me and some for friends and family. I’ve got to keep them secret though so that there is a surprise on Christmas morning!
Thank you so much Barbara for taking time to answer these questions. I hope you had as much fun with this interview as I did.
To celebrate the Gift-A-Long, Barbara would like to offer you the opportunity to win one of her patterns. To enter, have a look through Barbara’s patterns and leave a comment about your favorite design of hers. Giveaway ends midnight IST Saturday, November 22. A random winner will be chosen from the comments.
It is so hard to choose one from her lovely collection. Look how cute Duncan the Donkey is.
Photo credit: All photos are copyright brownyeyedbabs and used with permission.
AFFIKNITY 
I love the Bartholomew Bear. He just looks so cuddly.
It’s great to see an interview with Browneyedbabs, my favorite toy designer! My favorite design has to be Daisy Bunny, it’s the most-loved of her/your designs I’ve made … but Chameleon is a *very* close second, and an amazing knit!
The Honeycomb Brioche Cowl Shrug is beautiful!
They are all lovely but I really like Tubby Tabby.
Tubby Tabby and Loopy Lion are soo cute!
Hard to just pick one, I guess I’d pick Daisy Bunny, so cute and precious 🙂
I’ve made Jamie the Puffin, so Tubby Tiger has to be the next one on my list – although….. Susie Squirrel is lovely…… or maybe Loopy Lion…… or Duncan the Donkey? Or….. 🙂
I also made the Puffin (he is called Goliath and lives on the Farne Islands) and Barbara’s patterns are responsible for my love of knitted toys! One day I’ll make the dreamy owl (for myself), but my new favourite at the moment is the squirrel. Perfect gift for a baby born in autumn 🙂
I love the Puffin
tktl on Ravelry
Love these toys.
Her patterns are adorable! I love Dreamy Owl and Loopy Lion, so cute!!
I love the puffin and the donkey, but really, they’re all adorable.
Duncan the Donkey is really sweet and charming! He looks like eeyore!
First congrats on a great set of patterns. Since my birthday is Saturday the 22nd, I am feeling really really lucky. While I love many of the patterns, Jamie the Shetland Puffin is my hands-down favorite. My husband is a very serious birder and he would absolutely flip if I made him one.
For me I love the Tall Tiger because he looks like Hobbes.
Well, I just purchased my favorite yesterday – Daisy Bunny. I think my second favorite is Purla the doll