Holiday Gift Guide Twenty Seventeen

The holidays are getting closer, and once again I've put together a collection of my fave gift ideas. Some are perfect for the knitting enthusiast in your life but there are lots of super neat things here that anyone on your list would enjoy. Check it!

First up, my fave bags in the universe ... Moop.

I've been obsessed with these Mason Dixon Knitting Field Guides.

Order some Hedgehog Fibers Chubby at my fave yarn store, StevenBe. (Then knit a Ready Steady hat.)

Check out Wool and the Gang's Knitter’s Paradise Embroidery Kit. So cool.

My friend Bergen at Lilla Barn is doing a collab with PoemGrown to make these incredible hand-dyed Soul Scarves. (The poem is printed on cotton and sewn on.) Check them out here.

Do you have the winter issue of PomPom magazine yet? This would make a fantastic gift.

New fave of mine ... Lush's Sleepy body lotion. It's gorgeous. Right before bed. Trust me.

Westknits Bestknits for the holidays! Every knitter I know wants to get their hands on this book.

I need this tshirt. You need this tshirt. We all need this tshirt from Shelli Can.

GGMadeIt literally does it all. Knitting how-to videos. She has tshirts and mugs and all kinds of knitting-related apparel. And she sells her own handknit creations as well. Find her here.

Knit Safari is my hands-down favorite big, big, BIG yarn. Smooth and glorious and zero of that roving shedding, THIS is the yarn you want to use if you make one of those giant blankets. (I know because I made one for my latest book and it's perfection.) Find Knit Safari Jumbo Yarn here.

Trust me when I say that you need the Illest Tarot Vol. 2 in your life right now, featuring all your 90s heroes. It's so good and my good friend Kristi made it so it's extra good. Get yours here before they're gone forever.

For the kids! (Or for anyone.) Grab this ultra fun Art Making with MoMA Action Painting Kit and embrace your inner Pollock.

Twinkle's back. Back again. (No seriously.) Twinkle's back. Tell a friend. Find one of my all time favorite yarns right here at Third Piece. Check out their Funky Chunky too ... another fave.

This is the perfect gift for any crafter! The magnetic Maker's Keep from CocoKnits.

Find the perfect gift for absolutely anyone on your list at one of my fave local shops, Eden.

And last but not least, I can't put together a gift guide without mentioning my knitting books WEEKEND, EVERYDAY, VISIONS and VISIONS KIDS. Treat yourself or someone you love to these gorgeously photographed collections full of simple, modern designs. These books make fantastic gifts – don't forget to add them to your wish list! Find them here.

Happy December, happy crafting and happy giving!

xx - Jen

Holiday Gift Guide

As the holidays get closer, it's cool to shop small. It's also cool to support women. I've put together a list of a few of my favorite women-owned businesses and some super neat gift giving ideas. Check it!

First up… Moop. I have been a huge fan of Moop bags for years. And I own quite a few. Backpacks, clutches, totes, messenger bags and more. They are my go-to everyday bags and I know you (or anyone on your list) will absolutely love them too.

Check out Lilla Barn, a rad clothing shop owned by my friend Bergen. She makes clothing for kids and women, and also has hand-dyed goods for your home (like these super cool tea towels.) Everything is handmade in Chicago.

Eden is my favorite DSM stop to find a thoughtful gift (or just to treat myself to something special.) If you're shopping for someone who seems to already have everything, hit up this shop – they'll help you find the perfect gift every time. Owned by my awesome friend Jen, Eden is a bath, baby, and home boutique carrying hard to find products you'd never believe would be available in Iowa. Plus they throw the best parties. <3

Hill Vintage & Knits is my Des Moines yarn store home and my friends Erica and Jess are entrepreneurial badasses. They have an awesome selection of yarns like Hedgehog Fibers, Malabrigo, Noro, Madeline Tosh, Dyed in the Wool, Wool and the Gang and more. AND they have vintage clothing and home goods too, too. In case you need a rad dress for a NYE party, a Lee denim jacket of a set of E.T. juice glasses.

And I know you know my friend Gaye of GGMadeIt ... knitter extraordinaire! GG is an absolute ray of light – she is always sharing the coolest knitting projects online and she always knows what's up. But did you know she sells her signature Yarn Ho t-shirts, plus mugs and tote bags too? Find everything here. She is also offering gorgeous hand-knit accessories (all made by GG!) here.

And then there's my talented friend Laura from XO-LP. Highlighters + markers + wit. She hand-illustrates all kinds of cool things – cards, t-shirts, coloring books, custom stationery, Thanksgiving table runners that kids can color ... you name it. Her lunchbox notes were just featured in Martha Stewart Living Online! So cool.

Domestica is my favorite modern indie handmade shop here in DSM, IA (and they have a full online + print shop too!) Domestica has the best super cool home and personal accessories – rad prints and pieces to help you spruce up your nest, and the perfect gift for anyone on your list. Broad City drinking glasses? YAS.

Coolest gift giving idea ever? An online/long-distance tarot reading by my awesome friend Kristi, or a deck of her very own (stunning) Ritual Oracle tarot cards. K lives in CA, but you can ask her a question from wherever you are ... then prepare to be floored by her guidance and perspective. She offers mini or full readings. And did I mention her deck is GORGEOUS? It is. I have one of my very own. And I love it so much. Find her online shop here.

If you are a knitter (or know a knitter), chances are that you are already familiar with Fringe Supply Co. This online shop has THE coolest knitting/crafting tools imaginable. Just a few items I'm obsessing over this season are the birch knitting needle sets, the leather wrist ruler, any and all of the Boukhou bags and gray canvas Field Bag. Swoon. If you're looking for a gift for your favorite knitter, this is your one-stop shop.

If you know me IRL, you know I'm in love with everything Blackbird. This Seattle design house uses innovative materials and concepts to create perfumes, incense, men's grooming, tea and accessories for everyone. Definitely one of my favorite things in life.

And last but not least, I can't put together a gift guide without mentioning my knitting books WEEKEND and EVERYDAY. Treat yourself to these gorgeously photographed books full of simple, modern designs. These books make fantastic gifts – don't forget to add them to your wish list! Find them here (and keep an eye out for a Black Friday deal you won't want to miss!)

The coolest Father's Day craft idea ever. (Really.)

Are you trying to come up with a special made-by-the-hands-of-children gift idea for Father's Day? Because I have found just the thing. My creative and talented friend from high school, Bergen, has sewn up these neat white 100% cotton neckties, ready for decorating. Dad's Day just got way cooler. Just hand the kids some fabric markers and/or permanent markers and let them do their thing.

 

Bowie drew circles and scribbles and Lo drew stripes and happy skateboards. So good. You can pick up your own nifty white necktie at Bergen's shop, Lilla Barn. (She also makes super cool clothing for babies and kids.) You should definitely follow her on Facebook, too. 

Happy Dad's Day to you!