GAL 2015 Pattern Roundup!

Since the GAL sale started last night, I decided to go through and pick out a baker's dozen of my favorite patterns in the Gift-A-Long! This is by no means a complete list, and I'm sure I missed some real treasures (and really, there's so much wonderful stuff going on, it was really difficult to narrow it down to 13!) so definitely be sure to take a look yourself.

Pin-Eater by Handarbeitskram

Photo copyright Selana

Oh my gosh, these are adorable. I have a bit of an allergy to knitting toys (small pieces overwhelm me!), but these are just adorable little embellished squares, and you can go as wild as you want! Fun pin cushions are the best, so these are perfect for all your sewing buddies, or even just as cute little pals hanging out on a shelf. Maybe I'll make a couple for my office!

Bread and Roses by Naomi Parkhurst
Photo copyright Kathryn Walbert

I was able to take a class in college on labor history in the United States, and it remains one of my favorite classes. I also grew up going to the Lawrence textile mills for class field trips, which holds lots of great memories. Add to that the fact that she designed the lace pattern using the Dewey Decimal System, and pretty much all my history-library-loving buttons lit up with joy.

Faux-chet Cowls by Laura Chau
Photo copyright Laura Chau

I'm such a sucker for a puffy cowl, and I love the texture in this one. I struggle a bit with crochet, even though I love the look of it, so being able to get this fun texture in a knit is just icing on cake.

Bob by Ela Torrente
Photo copyright Ela Torrente

This hat pattern stood out to me from the day it came out. Cables and bobbles? All in that fantastic slouchy silhouette? I love me a good hat, and this just looks like a pleasure to knit and to wear, and it looks like it would be perfect in a rustic, woolly yarn.

Vinyl Record Coasters by Ellen Kapusniak
Photo copyright Ellen Kapusniak

Confession time: I kind of have a big thing for coasters. I'm obsessive about them, and I cannot put a drink down anywhere unless I have a coaster. I'm also really good at losing coasters, and I've used all sorts of non-coaster items as a coaster in a bind (folded up receipts, a Polish dictionary, my iPhone, etc). So I'm always ready for a fun coaster pattern, and these are just so cute.

Unicorn Hoodie by Emily Ringelman
Photo copyright Emily Ringelman

Oh my god, one of you must have a child in your life that can use this hoodie. I am literally one stressful work day away from sizing it up to fit me. I hardcore love unicorns, and unicorn hats and cowl/hood combos always pop my toast, but this takes the magic to a whole new level. I am seriously wishing there were any small unicorn-obsessed children in my life, because this is just too fabulous.

Sowerby by Annika Barranti
Photo copyright Annika Barranti

I'm such a sucker for cozy things, and this wrap just exudes coziness. Add to that my memories of reading The Secret Garden after bedtime while hiding in a cardboard castle my mum built me for my birthday, and this just seems like a winner to me.

Bad Wolf Bay by Ruth Brasch
Photo copyright Amanda Swiger

Come on, Kat, another Doctor Who-inspired pattern? Yes. If you're familiar with the show and the storyline, the inspiration is clear, but even if you're not, the cowl stands well on it's own. Everyone loves texture, eyelets, and chevrons, and this scarf has them in super-chic spades.

Romulus and Remus: A Two-Headed Amigurumi Monkey by Jessie Ksanznak
Photo copyright yarnovernewyork

Okay, right now I am really regretting my ongoing struggles with crochet, because I need this two-headed monkey in my life STAT. It's just so delightfully offbeat and fun, and I really need to either get someone to make me one, or double down and make it myself, because I didn't know how much my life was missing this until I saw it.

Fancy Hen by Ella Austin
Photo copyright baa ram ewe

I just really love these hens. They're one step above the Pin-Eaters in terms of "toy-ness," so maybe this is a sign of me taking baby steps towards embracing three-dimensional knitting. But I seriously want some of these hens in different colors on my couch. They're just charming, and I always think that knitting ought to be charming.

Galcantray by Emily K. Williams
Photo copyright Emily K Williams

I have a thing about knitting flat rectangular things. I love wearing them, but I always feel a bit intimidated by knitting them. This wrap, though, is just so gorgeous. It's so light and airy, and has such great movement to it, that I fell hard when I saw it here. I just love the spots of mesh against the stockinette so much, plus the name is really fun to say.

Mithrandir by Amy van de Laar
Photo copyright Amy van de Laar

I know, I know, two flat rectangular things on this list? But look at this one! Plus it's inspired by none other than Gandalf the Grey, so of course it's on here! I couldn't let Doctor Who get all the fandom love in this roundup, and this scarf ticks just the right boxes for me. Architectural and elegant, it's definitely something I can see myself both knitting and wearing.

Campside by Carolyn Macpherson
Photo copyright the next beautiful thing

This hat is seriously cool. I mean, it's got this incredible architectural texture thing going on, it's super interesting without being intimidating, and it's just chic. Everyone needs a chic little hat, right? I also have a ton of worsted-weight hats around, but not too many lighter ones, and I think that this could be a great transitional piece.