Giftalong interview with Sarah Jordan

I think one of the great features of the GAL is that its entire purpose is to promote indie designers. There’s a real sense of mutual support and promotion among the participating designers — we all want each other to succeed. It’s also a great way to interact directly with those who have bought my patterns, which doesn’t always happen during the rest of the year.

The GAL is a time of year for me to knit other designers’ patterns, which I only get to do occasionally during the rest of the year. I find it inspiring not only to see others’ designs (and the projects made from them) but also to see how other designers explain their process or work through a particular technique.

Are you a full-time or part-time designer?

I design part time. My full-time job is as a proofreader for a university communications department. There’s not a lot of room for creativity in my day job, so designing provides me with that creative outlet.

Does the place you live affect how or what you design?

Absolutely! I’m always inspired by my surroundings, and last year I actually released a collection of patterns all inspired by my hometown: Stitchburgh

What’s your favourite thing to design?

I’d probably say the things I design more than anything else are shawls. I like that shawls aren’t picky when it comes to gauge, and they don’t have to be made to fit a particular size. I also love to wear shawls, so I suppose it’s only natural that I like to knit them so much.

Aside from shawls, I’m addicted to stranded colorwork.

Are you a big gift knitter? What’s your favourite knitting to give?

Some years I’m really into knitting gifts for others and some years not so much. In past years I have knit something for every member of my immediate family; last year everyone got a pair of mittens. This year, I’ve decided to be a little more selfish with my gift knitting, but the one person who will still be getting knit gifts is my nearly 8-year-old daughter. She is the most knitworthy person I know, and she’s suddenly realized she loves hand-knit socks. I’m currently working on her third pair, and I just bought some self-striping yarn to knit her a few more pairs as holiday/birthday gifts (her birthday is in mid-December).

If someone were to knit you a present, what would you most love to receive?

 I would love it if someone knit me a big, snuggly blanket. Whenever I’ve tried to knit anything larger than a baby blanket, I’ve burnt out before I got close to finishing, but I’d love to have a hand-knit blanket to throw over me while I knit on cold winter days.