Indie Design Gift-A-Long 2025: A return to Ravelry

Me in my LYS co-owner era 2018

I haven't been active in Ravelry Groups for almost a decade.

This year, the Indie Design Gift Along pulled me back onto Ravelry in a way I didn't realize I missed.

Ravelry Forums and Groups used to hold a special sort of community joy for me. Once upon a time I co-hosted a crafty podcast and participated avidly in other podcasters' communities all over Rav. Then in 2017-2018, I co-owned a local yarn shop and our Ravelry community was so important to the vibe of our shop. (Those are all stories for another day)

After that era? I kind of...stopped going onto Ravelry. Well, for anything besides pattern sales and purchases. It was no longer a place of community for me. Groups flickered out of existence and regular updating and the pull for me was not as strong.

But this year some pals from the GoSadi designers crew reminded me that the Indie Gift Along exists. And as if drawn by a magnetic force, I joined as a participating designer.

I'm so glad I did.

Updated my Ravatar this morning!

What is the Indie Design Gift‑A‑Long? The annual Indie Design Gift‑A‑Long on Ravelry is a festive Knit-Along and Crochet-Along event that brings together knitters and crocheters from around the world for holiday‑crafting fun. It has been going on for 13 (!!!) years now. It features dozens of independent designers offering specially discounted pattern bundles, a lively community space for sharing progress, and games and prizes throughout the season. Participants are encouraged to dive into gift‑making — whether for others or simply for the joy of it — with support, camaraderie, and inspiration at every turn. 

The event begins with a sale among the participating designers from November 20th - November 26th. That’s only a small portion of the fun: from November 20th through to the end of December, the Gift-A-Long is designed to keep you motivated through the busy holiday crafting season. Join the group on Ravelry to access vibrant chat threads, design bundles, discount codes, and the chance to win exciting prizes as you work your way toward finished handmade gifts.

How to participate as a crafter Join the Ravelry Group: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long and start chatting! Explore the enormous list of participating designers and discover new favorite patterns. Participate in a Knit-Along or Crochet-Along with patterns from participating designers starting on November 5th at 5pm EST. 

Above all else: have fun, make some new crafty friends, and craft some gifts! You can be as ambitious or mellow as you desire.

Designers to explore Several GoSadi designers are participating in the Indie Design Gift‑A‑Long this year. Check out these fine folks’ patterns and maybe you’ll find a new favorite design…

Bliss This Designs Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/amber-bliss-calderon About the Designer: Bliss This (Amber Bliss Calderón) designs modern, playful crochet patterns and accessories with a bold, colorful aesthetic.

CouleeCraft (Meeee!) Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/couleecraft About the Designer: CouleeCraft designs playful and nostalgia‑inspired knit and crochet patterns with a friendly, approachable style.

Crafty Bones

Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/leanna-haughian

About the Designer: Leanna Haughian designs bold, visually striking crochet patterns with clean charts, modern texture, and approachable, skill-building instructions.

Cynthia Spencer

Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/cynthia-spencer

About the Designer: Cynthia Spencer creates elegant knitwear designs with a focus on refined texture, balanced construction, and wearable sophistication.

Hook Mountain Handmade Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/hook‑mountain‑handmade About the Designer: Hook Mountain Handmade offers cozy, size‑inclusive knitting patterns designed to help makers build a comfortable handmade wardrobe.

Juniper and Oakes Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/juniper--oakes About the Designer: Juniper & Oakes creates nature‑inspired crochet patterns, especially blankets and motif‑based designs.

KnotBadBritt Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/brittany-garber--knotbadbritt About the Designer: KnotBadBritt creates fun, modern crochet patterns designed to be accessible for beginners while offering stylish finished pieces.

Leanna Crafty Bones Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/crafty‑bones---leanna‑haughian About the Designer: Crafty Bones designs visually striking crochet patterns with a strong focus on clean charts and clear, skill‑building instructions.

LeTissier Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/lynette‑meek About the Designer: Le Tissier Designs specializes in lace‑rich, textural knitted accessories including hats, mitts, and cowls.

Veronica Ory Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/veronica‑ory About the Designer: Veronica Ory is a third‑generation yarn‑wrangler and occasional designer of knit and crochet patterns, known for thoughtful construction, clean design, and both texture and stitch‑mathematics play.

Snickerdoodle Knits Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/snickerdoodle-knits About the Designer: Snickerdoodle Knits designs practical, wearable knitting patterns with clear instructions and approachable techniques for intentional knitters.

Tales of Knots Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/michelle‑muskett About the Designer: Tales of Knots focuses on size‑inclusive, accessible crochet garments and accessories with an emphasis on clarity and skill‑building.

What will you start making first? I've already made a shortlist of some patterns I want to get from participating designers during the GAL. There is so much to choose from! If the thought of looking through a massive bundle of patterns overwhelms you, never fear: the organizers are creating thematic lists that will be available in the coming days.

Already, the GAL chat threads have given me a sense of camaraderie that I did not know I was missing. It is so nice to feel excited among crafty friends, and cheer each other on as we chat about our projects, pets, and fave snacks. I've been reconnecting with some pals I haven't talked to in years and it feels so right.

If you are participating, I hope you find joy and community in the event. You can find me in the Slow Lane Chat for now. Hope to see you around the GAL. 💚

Stay Crafty,

-Carolyn