My crochet skills are nothing to write home about. However, there are over 3000 crochet patterns eligible to be worked in the GAL and just a few of them will be featured today.
First up is this super-cute blanket pattern, Zookeeper's blanket, by Justine Walley. Featuring 30 different animals, this is a gorgeous and unique baby blanket that any parent (and their baby) is sure to love.

The next design that caught my eye is Darleen Hopkins' Family Fun, a crocheted tic-tac-toe game (noughts and crosses for those of us this side of the pond!). What a brilliant idea for a summer outdoor game - take it to the beach or even just in the garden and if it gets sunscreen spilled on it, or drinks or ice cream splashes, it can just be washed to become as good as new again.

One thing I have used crochet for myself is dishcloths, but this is no simple single-crocheted square. Darling Dahlia by 10 Hours or Less is too pretty to wash dishes with!

For many people the word "crochet" conjures up images of granny square ponchos in glaring colours from the 1970s, but this beautiful modern crocheted poncho proves that that idea is totally outdated now. Vita Capelet by Lindsey Stephens is a gorgeous small poncho worked in fingering weight yarn, including a beading option for extra sparkle. 

And finally, a crochet shawl pattern that makes me wish I had more skill with a hook, Soft as Butter by Sarah Jane Jackson is a large rectangular lace shawl for the experienced crocheter. An heirloom piece indeed.

Today's fabric characteristic of choice is cables. Whether they are delicate lace cables or big chunky ones, simple cable crosses or complex celtic knots, there's a cable for everyone.

The first cabled design that caught my eye in the GAL bundle was this one, Entrelacement by Francoise Danoy. It is a crescent-shaped scarf worked in DK weight yarn, starting from the gorgeous cabled border from which stitches are then picked up to make the body, shaped with short rows. Very nice design!

With a similar construction but a completely different look is this lighter weight shawl, Submersible, by Emily Wood.The use of one large cable with a lacy edging makes for a more delicate piece. 

For those who prefer their cables chunky, you can't get much chunkier than this Iced Experiment cowl by Janelle Martin! How cosy does this look?!

Alternatively, at the other end of the scale is the simple classic single cable on this Lakeside Shawl by Martha Wissing, worked in lace weight yarn.

And for those who like to really get their teeth into a cabled knit, how about this simply stunning cabled cardigan, Tapestry by Carol Sunday. 

Today I am looking at designs knitted using the stranded colourwork technique. This is a colourwork technique that I love to use, and really should design with more often, because I do enjoy it! 
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The first stranded pattern that caught my eye this GAL was these Penguin mittens by Jessie McKitrick. Child sized mittens with a baby penguin motif, so cute!

Alternatively if you're looking for mittens to fit an adult, how about these First Snow mittens by Aet Terasmaa? The design incorporates fifteen different styles of snowflake.

Of course stranded colourwork isn't just for mittens. I love this Fly Away Hat by Laura Reinbach with its cute bird motif. 

And what about these super-cute I Heart Whales socks by Faye Kennington? The waves and whales are stranded, with duplicate stitch hearts.

Stranded colourwork really comes into its own in traditional Scandinavian stitch motifs, like the ones on this Crystalline Frost Stocking pattern by Denise Balvanz.

Denise has a beautiful selection of Christmas stockings in her Ravelry pattern store, and I wanted to know more about how she came to design them, so I asked her a few questions. Here is what she had to say....

Me: Hi Denise, tell me, how did you start designing?
Denise: I started designing while teaching knitting classes at our LYS. I needed some nice basic patterns with some extra directions for beginners in my classes. Then at some point the shop manager handed me a ball of yarn and said, “Make a pattern for this new yarn.” It became the Candy Wrapper Hat. I really enjoy a challenge.
Me: You have quite a collection of Christmas stockings in your pattern portfolio - how did you come to start designing them?
Denise: My first stranded Christmas stocking was a fairly simple one that I used to teach two-color knitting in the shop. Later, I had an opportunity to work with a Norwegian yarn importer and travel in Norway. I fell in love with the stranded Norwegian designs and have incorporated many of them into my stockings.
Me: So of all your stocking designs, which is your favourite, and why?
Denise:My favorite stocking is Selbu Roses Christmas Stocking. The combination of the Selbu Rose inside the star with the Endless Roses in the border really spoke to me. They are motifs that were used often in the knitting of Selbu, Norway. Visiting the Selbu knitting museum was a highlight of my trip to Norway. After I made this stocking, I saw a call for designs from I Like Knitting, December 2014. So on a whim, I submitted it. It was the first time I had every submitted one of my patterns for publication. Boy, was I surprised when they accepted it for the December issue!
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Me: And what is it about stranded colourwork that appeals to you the most?
Denise: I have always been drawn to colorwork and used to find ways to add some to the sweaters I made for my children and myself even before I started designing. After working with the beautiful Norwegian yarns and patterns, I was completely hooked. It can make something very simple into something special just by adding a bit of color detail.
Me: So what's next from you design-wise?
Denise: Currently, I am working something completely different. It will be a set of accessories in lovely, squishy cables set for self-publishing in December. It will include hat, cowl, fingerless mitts, mittens and boot cuffs.
Me: Thanks, Denise, for some insights into your designs. Have a good GAL!

If you like Denise's designs, there's still time to knit your very own Christmas stocking. With the designs already featured, plus Red Lilies Christmas Stocking, and the amazing Spider in the Roses, and more, there's enough to make a different stocking for everyone in the family!

Today I'm looking at patterns incorporating lace. Lace stitches, that is, not necessarily worked in lightweight yarns.

​First is Graceland Shawl by Jessie Ksanznak. Inspired by Elvis and his Memphis home, this large shawl uses different lace stitches to create a shawl fit for any King.

I love the owl motifs on this unusual stole by Heike Campbell, Arctic Owls shawl. Worked in lace weight, this stole is based on an Inuit legend and is suitable for even those less experienced in lace work. 

Not all lace has to be knitted in fine gauge yarn. This baby blanket, Sweet Gemma by Triona Murphy, is knitted in worsted weight but still uses lace stitches one motif at a time.

Now to a smaller project - not all lace has to be enormous shawls! Gladwyne Hat by Meridith Shepherd is designed to showcase a beautiful cashmere lace yarn, and there are matching mitts available too.

And finally for those who like their lace in a less delicate fashion, how about Watershed Cowl by Chrissy Graham? This cowl is worked in chunky yarn to produce a larger-than-life lacey cowl in thick squishy yarn to keep your neck warm on a chilly day.

So, how do you like your lace?

Today I'm looking at garments - sweaters, cardigans, ponchos, dresses, if it's a full size item of clothing I'm considering for this pattern pick.

My first pick is this pullover, Kenner Street, by Emily Ringelman. This pattern ticks so many boxes for me - DK yarn, which is my favourite for sweaters for myself, V-neck, set-in sleeves, and the ease of adding waist shaping. All in all, a great sweater for me.

I also love this Twig Sweater by Jenise Hope. It would really be a labour of love to knit, in cobweb weight yarn, but the finished sweater is so pretty and delicate-looking. 

For those who prefer a cardigan to a pullover, this beautiful Flower Cardigan by Ewelina Murach looks like a really interesting knit. The garment is constructed from the centre-back outwards, starting with the flower motif. Very pretty, and looks like it would be good fun to make too.

For knitters looking for a bigger challenge than a sweater, how about a dress? This one, Luella by Suzie Sparkles, caught my eye. Worked in fingering weight yarn, the pattern offers three sleeve length options.

And finally, to prove that a garment doesn't have to be a huge undertaking, how about something more skimpy? Eve's Leaves by Allison Janocha need no further explanation!!

If there's one category the GAL isn't short of it's socks. Hundreds of beautiful and interesting patterns to choose from.
My first pick is Decipher by Aurélie Colas. This intricate top-down cabled sock with a flap heel is inspired by Alan Turing. I love the patterning on this sock and am looking forward to knitting it.

Another cabled sock pattern that caught my eye (and found its way into my pattern collection!) is Saint Patrick and the Saints by Corrine Walcher. Inspired by the folk tale of St Patrick driving the snakes from Ireland, the top-down sock has a snake-like cable running down it.

One more cabled sock design, Twisted by Dana Gervais uses a single cable down the front of these socks to show off a beautiful sock yarn. Especially as worked in the colour shown, these socks look great for warming your toes on a cold day.

For those who like a more subtle pattern on their socks, Ridge by Dieuwke van Mulligan has a simple but effective texture line on each one. Classic and understated.

And if your preference is for colourwork socks, don't pass by these Mountain Scenery socks by Sonja Launspach Kunstwerk. The colourwork design is striking!

I rarely knit toys, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy looking through the patterns for the fun stuffies available from Gift-A-Long designers. Here are some of my favourites.

First is My Little Slug by Selina S which, despite the name, is more of a little octopus than a slug but adorable nonetheless! 

Ella Austin's Intrepid Fox has options for a plain body, or a colourwork one to use up oddments of multicoloured sock yarn.

Looking through patterns for cuddly toys I expected to see bears, cats, mice, dogs, etc. I was surprised to find a pattern for an alien knitting, but that is what Zombie Knitster by Julia Swart appears to be!

One that really made me laugh, though, was Squirt the squirrel by Stana D. Stortor. Too late for this year, but this might be one for my Dad for next year, Squirt is a roadkill bookmark, and who doesn't need one of those?!

The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is now into its second week and crafting continues apace with over 300 items completed already. Over the next few days I'm going to be featuring designs that have caught my eye, one category at a time. Today I'm looking at hats.

Skookum by Evie Scott is worked in fingering weight. I love the textured pattern on this hat formed by cables and twisted stitches. 

Another fingering weight hat, Lacy Screech Owls hat by Sara Huntington Burch uses one of my favourite lace stitch patterns to make a slightly slouchy hat, ideal for autumn or spring.

One for the kids now, this adorable colourwork hat is Dino Topper by Ursula Almeida. I just thought this was so cute! 

I love the cable detail and the style of this one, Honeysuckle Hat by Nicole Montgomery

Rian hat by Loraine Birchall uses sport weight yarn to create this pretty lace hat with a picot edge. There is also a matching cowl pattern available if you like your accessories as a set - ideal for giving as gifts.

Finally, Candy Buttons hat by Elizabeth Felgate caught my eye with its cheery pops of colour and fun pompom. This one is sized from baby up to small adult.