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Designer Spotlight: Jana Huck + Giveaway

Jana Huck is a knitwear designer based in Luebeck, Germany; she is mostly known for her patchwork interpretations of the symmetry drawings by Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher. Jana also designs garments and accessories and blogs in English and German at www.janukke.com.

She has a group on Ravelry, janukke Strickdesign, where you can join KALs and other knitting related activities. Hop over and have a look, Jana loves to hear back from knitters!

How long have you been knitting, and how did you get started designing?
I have been knitting for almost seven years now. Once I had figured out how to follow directions and how the knitting process works, I wanted to realize my own ideas. And it didn´t take long until I wrote them down so that I could share them with other knitters, which is ridiculously easy ever since the invention of the internet and Ravelry. I cannot say enough how wonderful it is to get in touch with other knitters and share ideas, inspirations, techniques and so much more!
On the Shore Blanket

Where do you get inspiration?
I draw my inspirations from everywhere. From life really, as cheesy as this is. Everything around me is intense and often pretty. I especially like to be inspired by nature, but I have also often been intrigued by architecture, graphic patterns, the art of M. C. Escher, and the work of other knitters, among other things.
Often the yarn itself is what makes me think of something. It can be anything, for example the way leaves are dancing in the wind on a tree in spring, something completely random like that. With that picture in mind I start knitting.
My goal for every design is that it is new and has never been seen before like this. All inspirations are merely jumping off points and become a thing of their own.

How did Janukke Strickdesign come about?
When I started designing I used the alias “janukke” on Ravelry. Later it became the label “Janukke Strickdesign”.
Swirlybird Shawl

How do you balance your own design and blogging career with curating Janukke Strick Design?
Ah, you are asking the hard questions! … That´s something I come back to every so often to reevaluate. Naturally, I am drawn to designing. That´s what I started out doing and what I enjoy. But caring for the public and social media part of designing is how knitters get to know my designs, so it is very necessary. And I enjoy talking to knitters tremendously – it´s how many new friendships developed over the years. So it´s a balance. Sometimes I feel I am focusing too much on knitting, then again I have the notion that I am not knitting anymore at all. So I guess the average is ok.

Do you have any knitting horror stories/mishaps?
Of course! Who hasn´t. But none of them are too entertaining. There´s the sweater that for some reason fell into my laundry unnoticed and got unintentionally felted, there are the beginner mishaps of choosing the wrong yarn (who knew merino would grow All That Much?) or the wrong pattern (eek, I look like I never heard of such thing as fashion).

What are you most looking forward to in 2015?
This year I have so many great plans that it´s hard to pick only one or two. I´ll be working together with yarn companies, meeting other knitters that I know through the internet, teaching workshops, … and I haven't even mentioned the many designs I cannot wait to get done and put out there. I already had my first small success this February with my new Sea Buckthorn shawl collection, which is a good start into 2015, I think.


Five Rings Cuffs
Giveaway
This month we're giving away a Rhine Needles & Crochet Hook Case to one lucky blog reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite design from Jana Huck's Ravelry Page. Don't forget to leave us your Ravelry ID so we can contact you if you're our lucky winner!

168 comments:

  1. I love Mytilus sweater, it's beautiful. So is this needle set, I would love to win!!!

    Ravelry ID: simbaroo27

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  2. The Rivulets sweater is lovely. This set would be perfect to begin this project and continue making hats for local children's hospitals.
    Ravelry ID: charityjames

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  3. She has so many unusual designs. I really like Night Shadow, I like the funky bobbles and fingers. Savannagal on Rav.

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  4. I love Jana's designs. Today I found and favorited Bellis P. Thanks for the giveaway!
    (Rav ID knittingwithwords)

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  5. I love kolk such a beautiful sweater

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  6. I really enjoy the artistry of the Tiling Butterfly throw. I cannot imagine how difficult it was to design and knit. northernshow@ravelry

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  7. Swirlybird
    by Jana Huck
    I love this shawl :) Thanks for the chance to win. I am Irishsheltie on Ravelry

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  8. Swirlybird
    by Jana Huck
    I love this shawl :) Thanks for the chance to win. I am Irishsheltie on Ravelry

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  9. I love the Mytilus Sweater. Thanks for the chance.

    sherryglover1 on Ravelry

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  10. Mix It Up! Thanks for the chance.
    Angeiship on Ravelry.

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  11. I rather like the swirly bird design shown. I'm Patternwhisperer on ravelry.

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  12. I really like Morla!
    asteride on Ravelry

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  14. The simple but unique design of the five ring cuffs is beautiful and definitely something I would try, but my favourite design has to be the offshore blanket; so intricate, it must have taken a long time to plan!

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  15. Sweetberry is my favorite!
    helenlam on rav

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  16. On the Shore is so beautiful. My husband and I are fans of Escher and have been fortunate to have collected a few of his works over the years. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  17. I love the mix it up shawl

    Ravelry. munkimi

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  18. Oooo I love Sonnenfeuer! Rav: whatisaplunk

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  19. I think Meritence is my favorite. Rav amchart

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  20. I like ... On the shore, it's amazing. Rav: Ohlalalaine

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  21. I like the Morla top! Rav: sofiami

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  22. Hard to chose a favorite but the Escher blankets are definitely among them: Tiling fish in particular. Rav-ID: fiatknitter

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  23. I love the Escher designs, especially tiling koi. All of her patterns are quite nice! Sumac on ravelry

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  24. I really like Mytilus and September Morning. What great patterns!
    kathyg on Rav

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  25. I love many of her designs but I especially would like to knit the Sonnenfeuer shawl.Thank you for the lovely giveaway.

    sisterrobinson on ravelry

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  26. On the shore

    sparky136 on Ravelry

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  27. My favorite is the Mytilus sweater. I love the yoke.

    I'm vernalequinox on Ravelry.

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  28. Love 'Tiling Koi'! Either if my daughters would war it happily!

    greyowl on ravelry

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  30. Oops forgot Rav ID: AnnBan
    If I can choose only one, it will be Tropfen. Thank you for offering this giveaway.

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  31. Oops forgot Rav ID: AnnBan
    If I can choose only one, it will be Tropfen. Thank you for offering this giveaway.

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  32. So many wonderful patterns, which makes it hard to choose a favorite. For today, I will say "Mix it Up."
    Ravelry ID- EeyoresPal

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  33. All of your designs are so unique, but I'm drawn to the swirlybird shawl.

    Ravelry ID: Ginnyibclc

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  34. I love the On the Shore blanket.
    SheilaOKeefe on Rav

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  35. It is a toss up between September wings shawl and the Ronja skirt. I am always looking for extraordinary patterns for these two items, as I am a gypsy dresser by heart. These are wonderful patterns. I'm going to say the September Wings. I'll wear this one over and over! I have already bought these two patterns before this article, so It was great fun to find Jana's designs being highlighted! Jillrella49

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  36. Lovely and unique designs. I actually like the five rings cuffs.

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  37. I love SwirlyBird, it was the first thing I thought when I saw this blog post! I'm anneh on Ravelry

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  38. I like Mix It Up.
    knittingdancer on Ravelry

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  39. So many to choose from. I think it would be Goliatha.

    deblyn153 on RAV

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  40. I have been a fan of Jana for a long time, and love her Escher Koi fish! I am rjgosnell on Rav. Thanks!

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  41. When looking at all her patterns it is impossible to find just one favorite because they are all so beautiful. I am a shawl person and as I saw "September Wings" and "September Morning" I had to pick those...because I am a "September baby" (birth month)! Matter of fact, I printed out "September Morning" as it is a free pattern. I am going to start it very soon so I can start wearing it in September!!

    Ravelry ID: knitpick56

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  42. I love the »North Sea Mist«, but it was a hard picking between all this nice pattern :o)

    My Ravelry ID : lors2013

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  43. So many great designs! I need a Morla and my daughter wants a Tiling Butterfly throw! PamonMars on rav

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  44. I love night shadow I would do it with red and purple.
    Ravelry ID: yoryceci

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  45. Rivulets is simply stunning! I love how delicate the pattern is.
    Ravelry ID: chokoholik

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  46. I love the tiling flying fish cowl. It is a work of art!
    Ravelry ID: jaelzo

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  47. Love the Gemma F - so many pretty ones. corycats on Ravelry

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  48. I love the Romanesco pattern. Beautiful hat!

    Ravelry ID: domichula12

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  49. i really like Line's. So very different!

    JudyAnn

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  50. The mix it up shawl Ravelry ID: KatKnapz

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  51. She's so interesting. It's difficult to choose only one favorite design. But, at the moment I like Goliatha the most. Ravelry: f1fan

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  52. I love all of her designs. Right now my favorite is the Tiling Fish blanket which would look amazing in my toddler's mermaid bedroom! Ravelry: taylorsuir

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  53. I like the Morla top. So cute!

    Ravelry ID: heliknits

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  54. I like the Morla top. So cute!

    Ravelry ID: heliknits

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  55. I like the Morla top. So cute!

    Ravelry ID: heliknits

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  56. Oh, I love the cardigan and the swirlybird!

    Ravelry: caughtbythebees

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  57. I love the swirlybird. Great designs, Ravelry ID is Masshg

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  58. Morla is beautiful! Rav ID is battygrl

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  59. Sweet Berry is gorgeous. Adebar on Rav.

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  60. I like the Mix it up! Its the kind of shawl i would knit for my self ��
    Im cecilie3 on ravelry.

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  61. Concha is my favorite. Ravelry ID: rachelpalfini

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  62. I love Concha, but really, what an incredibly talented lady! potaylor on raverly

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  63. Bellis P. looks gorgeous!! I am niniamurcielago on Ravelry.

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  64. I adore all your patterns! You are one very creative artist! :)
    On The Shore Blanket is amazingly awesome!
    ChucklesBob on Ravelry

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  65. I adore all your patterns! You are one very creative artist! :)
    On The Shore Blanket is amazingly awesome!
    ChucklesBob on Ravelry

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  66. I've always been awed by the genius of Escher, and am just as impressed by the genius who can translate his style and spirit into a new medium.The On The Shore blanket is an amazing accomplishment. KittenWhiplash on Rav.

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  67. Oh its so difficult to choose because all patterns are so beautiful. I like GemmeF, Sonnenfeuer and September wings.
    Syeda on Revelry

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  68. I love the Mix it Up pattern. The colors are beautiful!
    Ravelry ID is socrafty1

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  69. I love the Mix it Up pattern. The colors are beautiful!
    Ravelry ID is socrafty1

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  70. Love the Platelets! Never thought about doing that, beautiful!

    Ravelry: Craftylady1956

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  71. Kolk sweater is my favourite.

    Limeleaf on Ravelry

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  72. Love the Mytilus pattern - but also am amazed by the various designs of shawls, cowls and scarfs.

    RAV ID: jazavadil

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  73. Baltic Sea Beach - LOVE IT!

    RAV ID: Artcom

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  74. My favorite is "Baltic Sea Beach", but I'm intrigued by "Five Rings" cuffs.

    Rav ID: mikokitt

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  75. Oh my goodness, I can see Swirlybird Shawl made up using my homespun!

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  76. I love the Gemma F. shawl. some beautiful designs!
    Robbi5 on Rav

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  78. Gemma F. is beautiful-OK all of them are but I love this one
    Rav-vaudiss

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  79. The Yarrow Lace scarf is amazing! I love big open lace patterns.

    Rav ID: EmilyRingelman

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  80. I rather enjoy North Sea Mist!

    I'm Vaniclion on Ravelry

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  81. I just loved http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mix-it-up-3, didn't know this designer, but put this one in my queue right away! :)
    My ravelry name is Patnunes ( http://www.ravelry.com/people/patnunes)
    Thank you and good luck to everyone! :)

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  82. I like Rivulets. Rav id: kriekle

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  83. The Kolk sweater is great, I haven't seen anything else like it! Just favorited it, so I can go back and purchase the pattern. Thank you for highlighting this designer, I love the patterns!
    rav id: laineyhf

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  84. I like Mix it up! IDALIA on Rav

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  85. They're all quite gorgeous! I love her Tiling Flying Fish designs, but would get the most wear out of Mix It Up!. Thanks for the opportunity to win such a great prize pack! Rav ID: misocraftyknits

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  86. Rivulets is lovely as is swirly bird above. Ravelrt id is Lisasff

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  87. I love September Morning and my rav id is gretel.

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  88. My favorite design is: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/meritence
    Rav ID: aske8653

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  89. I love the Quadratur project. It speaks to me of a warm winter afternoon in the park, sipping coffee with a friend, as the sun glistens over the snow...as a cozy evening fast approaches.

    Thank you for sharing your creativity and talent with the world. Thank you also for the opportunity to win such a beautiful heirloom quality knitting kit! ☺️

    (Ravelry ID: SmoagMommy74)

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  90. I love love love Five Rings, it's beautiful and I can see different yarns totally changing the pattern!
    Rav ID: LadySabriel

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  91. Favorite is the Swirlybird!

    Ravelry ID: Thepook

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  92. My favorite design is tilting butterfly
    My RAv Id is Annlrrh
    I love the designs and the needles

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  93. Love the Tiling Fish.
    Rav: whimzknits

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  94. I love the swirly bird pattern.
    Rav: 74fireflies

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  95. Rav ID: Kimert
    I have always been in awe of her Escher designs and hope to one day make the Tiling Fish pattern - it's amazing!

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  96. I love the way you can ask me to pick just one. Her designs are smooth and gorgeous. I like "see the rhythm "
    Rav id = sbmmmommy

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  97. In love with the Escher-style On the Shore blanket you show above! That's beyond clever. Esther at sombrereptiles dot org

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  98. Knit the rhythm. Revelry I'd ptswheat. Beautiful designs-all of them!

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  99. There are so many, but I particularly like In a Nutshell.

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  100. Mix it Up, I'm a shawl lover...Raverly...nhreddun

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  101. On the Shore would be an Escher delight.
    Ravelry ID kikkiknitter

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  102. I am crochetinmama on Ravelry, I am homebound fighting cancer agin and I so love alot of her shawls. I am so purchasing three of them today and the fav one right now is the North mist shawl its veey lite and also can be worn for hot summer days, its good for thyroid patients like me that want to cover scars or even our necks but also very lovely and thin. So I will be making these also to go with my donation works and even one for my cancer and pain doctor. But this case would be so awesome to win so I have everything in one spot, being in a wheelchair 24/7 basically is just alot easier to get to my supplies. I am no longer able to work and all my donations come outta my meager government disability and my aide also helps knit and crochet also...

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  103. My favorite design is the Five Rings cuffs. It's not often I can show off my finished projects, but this would be a great conversation starter!

    RavelryID: ckweil

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  104. I've seen her amazing Escher patterns before, but hadn't looked at her others - I'm really struck by the Meritence cardigan, which might be my next sweater project.

    somesylvie on rav

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  105. Jana is a designer with fabulous creative vision. It's hard to pick just one design but it would probably have to be the Escher blanket.

    My work is NOT like Jana's but it would still be awesome to win such a terrific needle set!

    I'm beedragon on Ravelry

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  106. I love the shaws!!

    Ravelry ID: neezs

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  107. Love her Escher designs esp the On the Shore!

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  108. They are all gorgeous! I think that Romanesco is my favorite, it's in my library to make!

    Ravelry id: greenbugs

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  109. Jana's Ronja skirt is definitely my favorite. I'm megawrite

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  110. Rivulets sweater is my fav...revelry id @sskcrafsthop

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  111. :) Rav ID is mrcoder. Lovely give-away item.

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  112. I love the September Wings shawl.

    Rav ID Faerie-kel

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  113. I love the Tiling Flying Fish but it was a very close tie with On The Shore. Both are super fantastic! My Ravelry is Nemo15

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  114. I love love love the Tiling Fish cowl!! Great color combos, great charts!

    My Ravelry ID is: healer1

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  115. September wings is now on my to do list. Deerspringkn on ravelry.

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  116. I have not been knitting long, but my favorite design of Jana's is the September Morning Shawl/Wrap. I've downloaded it already so as when I grow up in knitting I can give this a go and knit one up for myself. :) And / or a gift for someone who is in need of staying warm during our cold Canadian winters :) I would love to win this case as not only do I sort of knit (am just learning), I also crochet (I have been crocheting for many, many years). It would be great to have everything in one case to keep with me for when the urge grabs me :)

    My Ravelry ID is: michelle4f

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  117. I love Knock on Wood. The construction intrigues me.

    Ravelry ID: mrsdr

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  118. Love knit skirts, Ronja rocks!
    http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ronja

    Ravelry ID: TracyJ

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  119. My favorite is Five Rings. Its so unique and unusual! I'm jaguarrior on Ravelry

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  120. Tiled flying fish! stephiemae on Ravelry :)

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  121. My favorite pattern is Jenna H.
    http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jenna-h
    I'm a hat junkie! Knitathome on Ravelry

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  122. Cut-and-stitched is a favorite. Warm, attractive, not overbearing, fast, great for destashing! rmccoyer on Ravelry

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  123. I love the Bellis sweater and Remember Me shawl. Rav ID: 3point14

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  124. I can see myself making Goliatha. Such fun patterns! Rav ID: PaulaK

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  125. I love the September Morning Shawl
    Rav ID: 2KnitR2Crochet

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  126. Melange!
    Ravelry: knitcroit

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  127. I love the swirlybird. Rav ID: Jopekoe

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  128. I love the Ronja skirt and I'm brookej on Ravelry!

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  129. I really love North Sea Mist. It's elegant enough to be a wedding shawl! I'm "dawntracker" on Ravelry.

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  130. They're all so gorgeous it's hard to choose! I'm really drawn to North Sea Mist. Ravelry ID: CaptnShamrock

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  131. There are several lovelies! Baltic Sea is beautiful!
    Rav ID:cognizantamiga

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  132. Love them all. But "Tiling Flying Fish" in black and white is the one that is calling me to knit it. On Ravelry I am marjact. Thanks.

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  133. The five rings cuffs! Come to me, my pretties! Swoon! lisforlizbeth on ravelry

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  134. Love quadratur

    Revelry ID: suzukichic01

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  135. The Yarrow Lace Loop looks like it would be both fun to make and fun to wear--cozy, squishy goodness. :) Thanks for the opportunity!

    MissNations on Ravelry

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  136. I've always loved Tiling Fish, but the Butterflies one is awesome too (asimplehomestd on Rav)

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  137. I love the tiling fish blanket and the in the shore blanket. FinalHeraldMage on ravelry

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  138. Love the Five Rings. So funky and interesting! Tenforward on Ravelry.

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  139. Hmmm...my comment didn't seem to post. I love them all. The Knock On Wood really draws me with the bold graphics, and I like the Ranja skirt. Five Rings is cool and edgy and I adore the Tiled Butterflies. <3 I can't decide yet!

    Ravelry: Badwolf72

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  140. kaskew on ravelry25 June 2015 at 20:27

    Really hard to pick but I think North Sea Mist is my favorite.

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  141. Rustling leaves. I've got a fever. And the only prescription is more shawls.

    MissBunny87

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  142. The Tiled Butterfly is my favorite!

    Ravelry: mmyers3bw

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  143. Five Rings is my fav.

    Revelry id: bmwmom2002

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  144. September Morning - an extremely interesting shawl - I'm Greyknitter on Rav

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  145. Silvery bird, I'm puffyjo on ravelry .

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  146. Rivulets pullover is gorgeous! :)
    Ravelry: iKnitmum

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  147. Rivulets pullover is gorgeous! :)
    Ravelry: iKnitmum

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  148. alot of beautiful patterns, but the one i'd be most likely to knit is Swirlybird. I'm teajoygreye on Ravelry.

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  149. I really like the Kolk pattern, especially the bottom. Nice clean lines and looks like it would fit a lot of different body types.
    I'm BinaBKnits on Ravelry

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  150. Great designs! My choice would be Knock on Wood.
    rav: aewsimmons

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  151. I'm not sure which is my favorite. I'm torn between On the Shore (which I can see making for one of my nieces) or Ronja (which I want for myself) - I'm OrlaCarey on Ravelry

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  152. I've had the Mix It Up shawl in my account for a while, even though I've never done anything with short rows!
    NJModernist

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  153. I love this! Ravelry Id: eli

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  154. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  155. Love the On the Shore.. on my to do list soon!

    debderogee

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  156. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  157. Swirlybird is my favorite!
    RavelryID: acilsakura

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  158. Loving North Sea mist. So lovely!

    Rav id: kellifer

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  159. Five Rings is my favorite
    RavelryID: katydo1

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  160. The Muk Scarf. Love the design!
    RavelryID: MeMoKnitter

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  161. On The Shore, definitely.
    Rav Id: jenvin

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  162. Atoo is my fav.
    Ravelry: kelly41momof5

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  163. A too is my fav.

    Ravelry: kelly41momof5

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  164. The five rings cuffs are my favorite pattern! So unique!!
    Ravelry: travelinsunrise

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  165. I'm in love with all Jana Huck's patterns! Sweet Berry really caught my eye (bull's eye, lol). Love it!

    Ravelry ID: eli

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  166. I really like the Meritence cardigan - it is so versatile, I could really personalize it with my colors and stripes.
    rav id: laineyhf

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