Our tiny office eats lunch together daily and our routine is something like this: eat quickly then click away with our knitting. Shop talk always turns to yarn: what's on our needles and which designs that we can't wait to start. Every day it seems there is at least one brand new project in process on someone's needles and the desire to abandon a WIP and start something new is strong.

The sea of beautiful patterns from independent designers continues to grow and it certainly hasn't made our queues any smaller! These talented people self-publish patterns for everything from toys to accessories to sweaters, and we're thrilled when they choose to use our yarns. There are so many great, new designs from indie designers that a few of my colleagues have started making their own "rules" to avoid casting on too many new projects at once (such as Cheryl's new 2:1 rule - finish two projects, start one project).

Below are a some of our current favorite indie patterns. Click the photos to view the designs on Ravelry and support these talented designers.

1. E is for Elephant in Sprout by Emily Ivey 2. Pinked Edge Scarf crocheted in Liberty Wool by Dolin Bliss O'Shea 3. One Skein Billow Cowl crocheted in Ariosa by Deja Jetmir 4. a perfectly simple baby hat... in Wool Bam Boo by Pamela W Allen

5. Little Honeysuckle in Seedling by Kathy Bateman 6. Layered in Silky Alpaca Lace by Diana Rozenshteyn 7. Lente in Classic Silk by Marjolein Thunnissen 8. Kaftan Dress in Firefly by Uma Padu

9. Ruby Red Heart Hat in Magnolia by Kristen Ashbaugh-Helmreich 10. SB Demands Mitts in Alpaca Sox by Jennette Cross

11. May in Wool Bam Boo by Deb Hoss 12. Entwined Cabled Mug Cozy in Kumara by Rachel Henry 13. Linne crocheted in Allegoro by Sarah K Walker 14. Calliope in Fresco by Meg Myers

Indie Designs in our Yarns - on newsstands!