Ra-Ra-Rafia from Wool and the Gang (and get 15% off!)

Have you seen the new Ra-Ra-Rafia yarn from Wool and the Gang? I'm completely obsessed. I need to make every single one of these projects.

There are about a million reasons to love Ra-Ra Raffia, our superstar yarn that's made of 100% long wood fibre. Biodegradable and vegan, Ra-Ra Raffia will add a little structure to your next project, making it the perfect fiber for summer hats, bags and home accessories. Plus, Ra-Ra Raffia is water-repellent and quick-drying, so you can even bring her to the beach for some sand-filled adventures.

Clutches, bags, hats, a plant hanger and more ... you've gotta see these project kits for yourself.  Ra-Ra Raffia yarn comes in 4 natural shades - Cinnamon Dust, Ivory White, Desert Palm and Midnight Blue.

Shop at WATG using my affiliate link to get 15% off your order!

Have fun!
xo - Jen

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

Rowan + Wool and the Gang!

Have you seen out the NEW collaboration between two of my all-time favorites, Rowan + Wool and the Gang? You're going to love this.

Rowan Selects Stone Washed, an on-trend collection for Rowan + Wool and the Gang features Rowan's new denim-inspired tape yarn. The collection includes quick knit vests, ribbed sweater and dresses with simple textures suitable for any knitter.

These knits are right up my alley – simple and oh-so wearable! The best part? Sign into the Rowan website and you can download the patterns for FREE! Find them here in the Rowan Selects Stone Washed collection. 

WIP Wednesday

I feel like the queen of WIPs lately, but that's okay. I find that I'm a sloooow sweater knitter and I want to remedy that. Must knit faster. With zero distractions. In a perfect world. HA. Just like every other knitter out there, I'll get there eventually ... stitch by stitch, one row at a time.

Anyway, here are the two biggest projects on my needles right now. And I've got a good start on both, so they shouldn't take too much longer. You would think. ;)

The first is Greenwich by Martin Storey, and I'm using Rowan Super Fine Merino DK in a colorway called 'Zing.' I will admit that I've been working on this since October. (Flinch.) But it's coming along so nicely - I have finished the back and I'm about halfway through the front. The fabric is so extremely soft and springy, and I know I'm going to love this sweater when I'm done. If you've never knit with Super Fine Merino DK, here's the run-down: it's extremely buttery soft, and almost feels like rubber (in the best way) as it glides through your fingers. Weird but true. I am in love with this yarn. And the stitch pattern in this sweater is interesting, too – not complicated, but it's a k1 below rib which looks pretty great on both sides of the fabric and keeps things interesting.

My second WIP was my airplane knitting project on the way to and from NYC last week. I started the Julia Sweater from Wool and the Gang, and I'm knitting it with Shiny Happy Cotton in Ultra Violet. Again, this yarn is so extremely soft and cool and it's my favorite cotton yarn ever – it will not tear up your hands like some cottons do. This sweater is made of a loose-ish seed stitch fabric, which is going to give it some fabulous drape. I'm excited to finish and wear this one.

So, what are you working on? Are you on a sweater kick, too? Tell me, tell me. :)

Wool and the Gang Snood Workshop

Few things make me happier than knitting with friends, so I was super stoked to have another chance to host a Wool and the Gang workshop here in Des Moines. It's hard to beat chilling out with fifteen of your friends on a snowy day, eating snacks and chatting the afternoon away.

The Des Moines Social Club was our headquarters once again and that sunshine coming through the windows felt lovely.



Our project was a snood, which could be knit in three different stitch patterns. We all chose our favorite shade of Crazy Sexy Wool and boom – snoods were born.

Snacks were eaten. (Duh.)

 

And the friends were chillin.

It was so much fun and now we all have something to keep us warm during this cold, snowy holiday season. Stay tuned because I'm hoping we'll do this again soon! Stay toasty and have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

Wool and the Gang Workshop

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of hosting a Wool and the Gang Knitting Workshop right here in Des Moines. It was so much fun to hang out with friends who love knitting as much as I do. Here are a bunch of my favorite pics from our crafty afternoon.

 

Our headquarters was this amazing window-filled room at the Des Moines Social Club.

I threw together some fun snacks, neon yellow decorations and a playlist filled with music I had painstakingly picked out just for the occasion.

The workshop started off with a little talk/presentation. Because WATG is a pretty interesting company. And then we started the making.

Our project du jour was the Sansa Choker and Khaleesi Bracelet using WATG's Jersey Be Good yarn.

It was pretty fantastic. These gorgeous ladies are my gang. A huge thank you to everyone who came and made the afternoon extra rad. You girls are the very best. xo.

WATG Workshop!

 

Hey, knitting friends ... I'm hosting a WOOL AND THE GANG WORKSHOP! 

Right here in Des Moines.

WHEN: 

Sunday, September 7 from 1-3 PM


WHERE: 

Des Moines Social Club

900 Mulberry Street

Des Moines, IA 50309 

www.desmoinessocialclub.org

We’re bringing the party to Des Moines, sisters. Come and hang out at the Des Moines Social Club and knit with the gang. Beginners and experienced knitters welcome! Ticket price includes Wool and the Gang Jersey Be Good yarn, 12 MM Rosewood knitting needles, pattern and clasps + tuition!

You will choose a Sansa + Khaleesi Choker and Bracelet Kit containing one or two cones of Jersey Be Good in your choice of colors at a discounted price. Plus, get 10% off all Wool and the Gang orders placed at the Workshop (not valid on sale items) - AND free shipping! Definitely take advantage of the free shipping – WATG only ships from the UK (which makes shipping charges $15 and up to the US) so this is a great way to save.

*SPECIAL WORKSHOP PRICES*

$40 for a one color Sansa + Khaleesi choker and bracelet kit (Regular Price $48.74 + shipping)

$50 for a two color Sansa + Khaleesi choker and bracelet kit (regular price $63.74 + shipping)

*SPACE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED.*

BOOK NOW: Jen's WATG Workshop – Des Moines

BIG news for my local friends.

Something BIG is coming to Des Moines. Very soon. Get ready. I'll share the news tomorrow (Thursday, July 17th) here on the blog and on my Facebook page. Get ready!