Time for another independent designer interview and giveaway. Today’s featured designer is Tori Gurbisz of Lachesis and Co.

I asked Tori my Five Questions, and here’s how she answered.

1) Tell us a little about yourself.

I live in Savannah, GA…which is definitely not the knitwear capital of the world! Knitwear design is my full time gig, over the past few months I left all of the little part time jobs I was doing so I could focus more on designing and growing my business. I took up knitting 7 years ago, mainly as something to do with my hands when I quit smoking, I also took up marathon running at the same time. When I first started knitting, I only made lots of squares and rectangles out of big box store acrylic yarn. In 2009 I discovered Ravelry and it really opened up my eyes and gave me the courage to move beyond scarves and Red Heart Super Saver.

2) How did you start designing?

The Malabrigo Junkies Ravelry group has “Malabrigo March” every year and as part of that there is a design contest. For some crazy reason, at the time I had only been seriously knitting for about a year, I decided that I would enter. So I sketched and swatched and came up with my Belmondo Shawl. I didn’t win the contest, but once that one design was out there I couldn’t stop. It amazed me, because I didn’t think I would have many more good ideas after that one. Little did I know that it would get to the point where I now have more sketches in notebooks, on the back of napkins and on post-it notes than I could ever have the time to make!

3) How would you describe your design style?

 This is a stumper! I don’t know how I would describe my style. Basically it is me…the things I design are the things that I either like to knit or that I like to wear. I never took the time to decide on an aesthetic, I always go with what is inspiring me the most at the moment and screaming “knit me!” the loudest.

4) What is your favourite pattern of your own design?

This changes a lot! Belmondo gets worn the most and last winter you could not get me to take off Adrastea.

5) Are you doing any gift knitting this year?

I usually don’t do much gift knitting, I am a big Christmas baker.  All of my immediate family members, which are strewn across the US, get big boxes of homemade cookies, candies and snacks from me. I occasionally include some small knitted items in the goodie boxes, like anything from Anna Hrachovec or Pint Sized Pines by Julie Tarsha. I have been meaning to make my boyfriend a Star Wars Admiral Ackbar Sock Monkey by Carbonscoring for at least the past 2 Christmases…this year I might actually get to it!

Thank you so much Tori for answering all of my questions. You can find Tori’s Gift-A-Long bundle here, where you will find all of the patterns that she has on sale for 25% off until Friday, November 21st at midnight EST.

Tori has been gracious enough to offer up a free pattern or e-book to one lucky winner. Leave a comment below, telling us your favourite Lachesis and Co. design, before midnight MST on Saturday, November 22nd and I will do a draw the next day to choose a winner. Good luck!