knitXmidwest in 'Mingle' magazine /  by jen geigley


Hey friends! Check out the Spring 2014 issue of 'Mingle' magazine, which is all about sharing creative ideas for unique gatherings. Inside there's a great feature about knitXmidwest, the knitting retreat I organized with my friends Erica and Jessica from Hill Vintage & Knits last November.



Super cool! And such a great magazine. There are a zillion cool party ideas for weddings, baby showers, outdoor dinner parties and even a Vespa-themed engagement party in this issue. You must grab a copy for yourself.


Silverspun winner!! /  by jen geigley


It's Friday, which is the perfect day to choose a winner for the Silverspun kit + pattern giveaway. Random.org picked #1 (yay, does that ever happen?!) which means Kayanna Nelson is the lucky knitter who will be getting her hands on some Silverspun and a pattern to make some adorable Mary Jane Slippers. I know she'll have lots of fun with this yarn!


Congrats, Kayanna! Please be sure to send me your contact info so I can pass it along to the kind people at Feel Good Yarn Company. Thank you to everyone who took time to enter this awesome giveaway!

Happy weekend, happy knitting. xx.

Silverspun texting mittens (and a giveaway!) /  by jen geigley


I have just finished knitting one of the coolest projects I've ever made. What you see here are hand-knit texting mittens that actually work with a touch-screen smartphone. (I know you want to know more!)

 

The kind people at Feel Good Yarn Company sent me a skein of LanaMundi Yarns Silverspun to try out. And, let me tell you ... I was super excited to get my hands on this. Silverspun has been a hot item; it completely sold out at Vogue Knitting Live in New York earlier this year and a Kickstarter campaign was formed so Feel Good could make more Silverspun to keep up with demand. Luckily, they reached their goal quickly and Silverspun is available for purchase again. So ... what makes this yarn so special? Well, it's spun with pure silver.

 

Silver is a conductive agent, which allows you to used smartphones and tablets with touch screens while wearing anything made from this yarn. So I can actually use my iPhone while wearing the hand-knit mittens I just made. No more frozen fingers!

 

For this project, I only used Silverspun on the fingertips of these texting mittens (the dark gray portion is Spud and Chloe 'Fine') but I definitely could have used Silverspun for the entire mitten ... and I think I would have if I'd had two skeins. (Don't worry ... I'm buying more asap.) You can find this texting mitten pattern right here. It was designed by Laurie Gonyea from Feel Good Yarn Company with Silverspun in mind, so you know it will be perfect.

 

Another thing I love about this yarn: Silverspun is American made. It is wonderfully soft, comprised of 11% pure silver, 87% combed cotton (grown in North Carolina) and 2% Lycra. If you're thinking this yarn is comparable to dishcloth cotton, it's not. Silverspun is lush. It's squishy and soft with zero stiffness. It's a beautiful neutral color and even though it contains silver, it's not metallic whatsoever. The silver is permanently adhered to the yarn and won't wash out.  It is perhaps the softest yarn I've ever knit with. It feels good in your hands, which makes a lot of sense.


There are a lot of other benefits to knitting with silver. Silver is therapeutic and kills a number of bacteria, including those that cause odor. It has excellent thermal properties, is nontoxic and is perfect for those suffering from diabetes, arthritis and sensitive skin.


So ... I'm guessing you'd really love to get your hands on some Silverspun. Right? Well, lucky you!


Just leave a comment below to enter to win a free Silverspun kit + pattern to make these fantastic Mary Jane Slippers. I can promise that they will feel soft and wonderful your feet!

I will choose a winner at random on Friday, March 28th at 12:00 p.m. CST.

Thanks for reading and good luck!


Dare #193 ... and 'What are The Dares?' (An explanation.) /  by jen geigley


The new Dare is up! Dare #193: creative spaces before + after. My workspace lately has been the living room floor. Sometimes the dining room table. But mostly the floor.

Also. In all of these years, I don't know if I've ever explained exactly what The Dares are. The Dares started in 2005 and I've followed these extremely talented ladies from the very beginning. In 2007, I was invited to join the gang and it's been such a cool experience. Honestly. Anyway ... what are The Dares? I'm going to take this straight from the book so I don't mess it up. (And no, I didn't write this.)

"You may be wondering 'Who are these girls?' and 'Who do they think they're daring?' We're daring you... if you're game for a bit of a challenge. A scrapbooking challenge. Put aside your preconceived notions of what you think a scrapbooker is. Our scrapbooks are powerful storytelling tools. We graphically record our lives. We collect visual evidence. We are graphic designers, photographers, paper crafters, storytellers, mixed-media makers. We are artists. Anyone who is willing to go a little deeper, get real, get a little messy and be inspired will enjoy the challenges we offer. If you're never one to back down from a dare, this is for you. Get ready.

 The Dares were born in a very organic, simple way... just a few girls looking for something different. They stumbled into the world of scrapbooking but hadn't really found a comfortable place to dwell, a place they fit in. So they made their own place. When the challenges began, the girls welcomed others to join and share ideas through their online blog. The Dares allowed people to do more than simply scrapbook. They invited people to create art and tell their story in whatever way they saw fit. Each Dare was fully open to interpretation. Everyone's take on the Dares was different. Some were smart-ass and quirky, others were serious and tear-jerking. The book you are holding in your hands right now is the evolution of what began on the internet.

 There's no need to follow the Dares in order or start at the beginning. All we ask is that you think. Look at life a little differently. Go beyond the birthday parties and the die cuts ... the obsessively chronological and whatever other stigma that has come to be associated with scrapping.

 Art is art, no matter what form it takes. Make what you want out of every challenge. We're here to encourage you to get to the heart of the story. Your story. It's just as important as any other in your life. Experiment, dig deep, keep it real and have fun.'

So there you have it. Just in case you were wondering.

The Dares have definitely evolved over time. Our last two Dares have been photo/Instagram-based and our topics are always open to whatever you want to do with them.

Would you like to join us? Start with this Dare! It's an easy one. Snap a pic of your before/after creative space and tag it on social media with #efferdares. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

surf + sand cowl /  by jen geigley


Not long ago, Rowan sent me some new yarn from their Spring/Summer release and I've been brainstorming ideas for what to make with it ever since. I was especially inspired by Pure Linen, because it's so unique. The feel and look of it is definitely unlike any wool or cotton I've ever used and I just had to make something with it. But I also really wanted to try something with Silkystones, which is a silk and linen blend.


After swatching and daydreaming about it for awhile, I decided to use both. :)


I ended up knitting a simple, loose-knit cowl perfect for spring and summer days (or better yet, a morning on the beach.) I striped Silkystones in colorway 83/Grassland with Pure Linen in colorway 395/Arizona and I named it 'surf + sand.' I love the airy-ness and drape of this cowl and the two yarns look and feel really nice together.

If you'd like to download the pattern, it's available for free on Ravelry. Click here to check it out.

Everyday Bento winner! /  by jen geigley


It's Monday and the sun is shining and it's time to choose a winner of the Everyday Bento giveaway. Random.org picked #26, which means Martha Bonneau is the lucky lady who will be receiving her own copy of this fantastic book!


Congrats, Martha! Please be sure to send me your contact info so I can pass it along to Wendy from Wendolonia. Thank you to everyone who took time to enter this awesome giveaway!

Everyday Bento + a giveaway! /  by jen geigley


A few years ago, I found myself trying to feed a picky toddler. Oh, what fun that is! My little girl was super choosy and in an attempt to help her branch out and try new foods, I turned to bento. I did the usual Googling (this was pre-Pinterest) and found lots of complex bento box ideas ... mostly containing foods she would be hesitant to try. Many of them were extremely detailed, with teeny tiny bits of egg yolk cut into intricate flowers and faces made out of single grains of rice. It looked fun, but yikes. And that was when I stumbled upon Wendolonia. Aha! Approachable, doable bento for people like me! Her ideas were adorable and creative. She had compiled lists of foods to try and supplies to buy. Magic. Every bento lunch I've made ever since has been inspired by Wendy. 


Through the magic of blogging and the internet, Wendy and I became long-distance pals and I was thrilled to find out that she was writing a book! It's available right now and it's called: Everyday Bento: 50 Cute and Yummy Lunches to Go. If you make lunches, you definitely need a copy. If you have picky eaters, you need this book. If you just like to play with food and make cool things for your kids, you should probably check it out as well. I'd love to share a little bit of what's inside, along with a few lunches I made last week that were inspired by this book. (If I can do it, you can too!)


Right off the bat, Wendy has included bento box basics, techniques, supplies and tools you may need. If you're a total bento rookie (or if you've been packing bento boxes for years) you are bound to learn a thing or two. There are lots of fun, tiny things to play with as you start to embark on your bento journey, and Wendy breaks it down for you with thorough descriptions and photos. Next are invaluable bento box idea lists and food ideas, grouped by color. She's really thought of everything. I often find myself getting stuck in a rut when I make school lunches, and this book is going to be such a handy resource when I go grocery shopping.


Wendy provides lots of step-by-step instructions with fantastic photos to help you make ordinary foods into something totally fun. She includes bento ideas for busy mornings, super fun themes for mornings that aren't as busy, seasonal and holiday bentos, and even bentos for adults.


All in all, there are 50 bento box ideas inside ... plus tips and ideas for so many more. You'll be inspired to create. Everyday Bento puts the fun back into packing lunches. I swear. The chore I used to dread has become something I daydream about and look forward to. My daughter loves opening her lunch box at school every day. (And ... she's not quite as picky anymore!)

Anyway, here are a few school lunch bentos I made for Lo last week.

All of these lunches were inspired by Everyday Bento!


Totally fun and totally doable. 


So. Would you like to win your own copy of Everyday Bento? I know you would.

To enter, just leave a comment below telling me how you'd use this book. (U.S./Canada only, please.) Do you have a picky preschooler? Are you stuck in a rut with your school-aged kid's lunches? Do you need some cool new ideas for lunches that you can pack for yourself for your work day? Really, any reason is a good reason to play with your food.

A winner will be chosen at random on Saturday, March 8th at 12:00 a.m. CST.

Thanks for reading and good luck! 



(P.S. If you'd like to see more of my blog posts about bento (and see pics of tiny Lotus) click here.)

Knitter's Pride + giveaway! /  by jen geigley


Disclaimer: Technically, this is a sponsored post and I was given a few pairs of Knitter's Pride needles to try out and review. That said, I have purchased, owned and knitted with Knitter's Pride needles in the past and that is why I was super excited to write this review. These needles have been my favorite for a few years and now I can tell you why!

I used to think that all knitting needles were pretty much the same ... until I tried Knitter's Pride. They're the most innovative knitting needle company out there, offering carbon fiber needles, cube-shaped needles in wood and metal ... and more. They are also the only company I've come across that offers perfectly soft, smooth cords on their circulars – they lay flat and don't kink or coil up on you while you knit. Let me show you what I'm talking about.


Hello, Symfonie Cubics. These needles are cube-shaped and if you've never knitted with 'square needles', this might blow your mind a little bit. In a good way. The cuboid shape of these birch needles gradually tapers to perfect needle points. These points are perfection. I don't like my needles too pointy and I don't want them to be blunt, either. These are just right.


The incredibly smooth polished wood on these needles won't snag your yarn and won't slow you down. These needles are surprisingly speedy! But the best thing about Cubics is the ergonomic shape; they are comfortable to hold and the cube-shape of the needles helps make your stitches totally uniform. Try these out with a section of stockinette and you won't believe how perfect your stitches will look. It's the magic of the cube. (Yarn is Baah/La Jolla.)


 

Next, meet Karbonz. Karbonz have the flex and strength of carbon fiber, the same material used in aerospace engineering. They are lightweight and have a smooth, warm feel that's easy on your hands. The nickel-plated brass points are perfectly tapered to a point that's just right, making your knitting easier and speedier.


Plus, they just look cool. My husband was totally impressed that I was knitting with carbon fiber needles. Other knitters swoon when you tell them you're knitting with carbon fiber needles. They might be the coolest needles on the block. (Yarn is Tosh Merino DK.)




Finally (and possibly my most favorite) are Nova Cubics. These, like the wooden Cubics, are speedy to knit with and feel fantastic. These needles make sense in my hands. The cube shape is honestly the most exciting thing I've ever come across in my years of collecting knitting tools.


Nova Cubics are engineered from hollow brass pipes and plated with high quality nickel, making them super smooth and lightweight, ensuring comfort and hours of stress-free, satisfying knitting. The durability of the metal guarantees minimal wear and maximum life. If you're looking for a new set of interchangeables, I'd go for these. If you're wanting to try a new circular, give Cubics a try. (Yarn is Tosh Vintage.)

Speaking of giving things a try ...  I have a really, really good giveaway to share. One super lucky reader will receive a Knitter's Pride Comby Sampler II interchangeable circular needle set.
This set includes 3 pairs of interchangeable needles in a clear vinyl case:
  • Karbonz US 2.5 (3.0mm)
  • Bamboo US 4 (3.5mm)
  • Nova Cubics US 6 (4.0mm)
  • 2 Cords (to make 24'' & 40'')
  • 4 End caps
  • 2 Cord keys

To enter, just leave a comment below telling me which kind of Knitter's Pride needles you're most excited to try (or let me know what kind you already knit with and love!)  

A winner will be chosen at random on Monday, March 3rd at 12:00 a.m. CST.

Thanks for reading and good luck!

New knitting pattern: Moonstone Cushion for Rowan Yarns /  by jen geigley


Over the holidays, I participated in a Rowan Ambassador knitting challenge of sorts. Rowan invited us to come up with a design/pattern for a Pure Wool Worsted design competition. Individually, we each designed a home accessory using 3 balls of Rowan Pure Wool Worsted yarn in the colors of our choice. Which was super fun. And today, Rowan has published our designs in the Pure Wool Worsted Home Décor Online Collection, which is free to download for all Rowan Subscribers and Rowan Members. (And I'm guessing our patterns will be available on Ravelry as well. Soon!)

I chose three different colors of Rowan Pure Wool Worsted for my design – 112/Moonstone, 111/Granite and 131/Mustard. Which was a difficult decision to make, because PWW is available in 50 shades! This pillow/cushion has a modern and simple look and is easy enough for a beginner. I held the yarn double, which makes for an ultra-quick knit. I finished this pillow in two evenings. Instant gratification.


I actually feared that this design was going to be too simple to submit as a contest entry, but I honestly loved it the way it was. So I went with it. As I was knitting, I fell in love with the square panels of neat seed stitch rows. I smiled to myself as I added the mustard i-cord to the edge. I loved it. And wouldn't you know it ... it won the competition. Sometimes less is more. And simple is okay.
 
"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."  – Confucius

Download the free pattern right here.