Swants! Hanging with the Ste(v)phens. /  by jen geigley


You all know about Swants, right? Swants. The sweater-pant phenomenon created by Stephen West. (Watch Anderson Cooper talk about Swants here. Or check out the Swants Dance video.) If you were unfamiliar with Swants a minute ago, now you know.


So here's a story about a Minnesota adventure. A few months ago, I discovered the Stephen & Steven Tour was making a stop and hosting a Swants workshop at StevenBe, which lucky for me is just a four-hour drive to the Northland. And when Stephen West is nearby (hello, he lives in Amsterdam) you must find a way to see him. I asked my knitting friend Emily if she would Swants with me and if you know Emily, you know that Swants are totally her kind of thing. So we went and here is a massive photo dump of our Swants day of wonder.


 We brought our thrift store sweater treasures and cut them into pieces. With wild abandon.


Stephen West was our fearless leader, and he was a delight. I repeat, a DELIGHT. He was so friendly and fun, spending time with everyone in attendance to make sure that our Swants would be a success.


We practiced our mattress stitch.


We listened to many songs with the word 'dance' in the lyrics, which we obviously switched to 'swants.'  


There was Whitney. "Ohhh, I wanna Swants with somebody!" 


And Robyn. "I keep Swantsing on my own." There were more. I forgot the rest. It was great background music for stitching.


We sewed up our crotches with smiles on our faces. Some took of their swants and stitched in their underwear. It didn't matter. It was a day of freedom and creativity. And crafting in undergarments.


(And selfies in Steven's fabulous bathroom.) We would like to move in, please.


We worked and concentrated and stitched. And before you knew it, boom. Swants were born.

 
 

After our little Swants fashion show, the Ste(v)phens brought out all of their fabulous knits so we could seem them in person with our own eyeballs. Such a thrill!


This large version of Dotted Rays blew my mind. The colors were perfection.


And we were all excited to see this swingy tank!


Emily was thrilled to model (and swing) in Parachutey.


And I got to try on Royally Striped. I really should have taken more pics of their fabulous projects but I was too busy sitting there with my jaw on the ground.


Legendary knitter (and store owner) Steven Berg was fantastic to meet and we got to see his gorgeous pile of Ponchinis.

 
The two Ste(v)phens collaborated on this awesome tour book, which they shared patterns from and signed. And then sadly ... our Swants day was over.


Sigh. We were a bit sad to leave but what fun we had! A huge thank you to Steven Be and Stephen West for the wonderful workshop. I wish I could have stayed all week and taken all the workshops. You made our Swants dreams come true.
If the Stephen & Steven Tour is coming near you, be sure to go. You'll be so happy you did.

Happy Knit in Public Day! /  by jen geigley




Sometimes it's nice to spend a little one-on-one with your best girl, and that's what Lo and I did today. We headed downtown for snacks, drinks, playtime in the wading pools ... and knitting. Outside in the gorgeous sunshine. Happy World Wide Knit in Public Day, guys! Technically, I believe today kicks off World Wide Knit in Public Week, so if you didn't get a chance to KIP today, don't worry. You still have time.

Want to read some of my favorite stories about my experiences knitting in public? (Someone always seems to have something to say.) Check this post, right here. Happy day!

The coolest Father's Day craft idea ever. (Really.) /  by jen geigley


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!

Up, Down, All-Around + Blue Sky Alpacas winner! /  by jen geigley

Hooray – we have a winner! Blue Sky Alpacas is hooking up one lucky reader with a signed copy of Up, Down, All-Around, 3 gorgeous skeins of yarn and a Pretty Cheep Project bag. It's a pretty fantastic prize, if you ask me!
 

And the lucky lady is ...

Sarah Lacey!




A huge thank you to everyone who visited during the blog tour and entered the Up, Down, All-Around, + Blue Sky Alpacas giveaway. (Sarah, I'll be contacting you about your prize soon!) Thanks for reading, thanks for entering! (And if you didn't win but still really want to get your hands on this book, it's available right here.)

Thanks again, happy knitting and have a great week!

Up, Down, All-Around blog tour + Blue Sky Alpacas giveaway! /  by jen geigley


Today marks my stop on an all-star blog tour for a fantastic new stitch dictionary called 'Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary: More than 150 stitch patterns to knit top down, bottom up, back and forth and in the round.' Blue Sky Alpacas has teamed up with Abrams books, who is publishing this fabulous new resource from best-selling author Wendy Bernard. Read on to find out how you can win a signed copy of the book and a project bag full of yarn from Blue Sky Alpacas!

First off, I have to tell you that I own quite a few stitch dictionaries. And none of them are like this book. Wendy has done all the dirty work for you (and me) and this is honestly one of the most useful knitting books I've ever laid eyes on.  


Wendy has taken 150 stitch patterns and converted them so they could be knitted flat (of course) but also in the round, bottom up and top down. Any direction! The stitch patterns in the book are both written out and charted. (Go ahead and let that sink in for a minute!)

I chose a herringbone lace rib pattern from the 'Ribs' chapter and wrote up a pattern recipe for a summery cowl using Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton. Was it hard to do? Not at all! Wendy gives you the number of stitches in each pattern repeat along with how many rounds it will take and boom, you've got everything you need. You don't have to convert it to make it work in the round. It's ready to go!

Here's the pattern recipe if you'd like to make this cowl, too. 

Herringbone Lace Rib Cowl


Materials:

- 1 hank Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton in Aloe/color #604

- US 11 (8mm) 16" circular needles

- Tapestry needle

Directions:

Using US 11 (8mm) circular needles and long tail cast-on, CO 70 sts.

Join in the round and PM.

Rnd 1: P around.

Rnd 2: K around.

Rnd 3: P around.

Rnd 4: K around.

Rnd 5: *K1, p1, k1, yo, p2tog, k1, p1; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 6: *K1, p2, k2tog, yo, p2; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rnds 5 and 6 until piece measures 9" from the CO edge.

Rnd 7: K around.

Rnd 8: P around.

Rnd 9: K around.

Rnd 10: P around.

BO loosely, break yarn and weave in ends. 

Win the book + 3 hanks of Blue Sky Alpacas yarn + a project bag!

Blue Sky Alpacas is going to give one lucky reader a signed copy of Up, Down, All-Around, 3 gorgeous skeins of yarn and a Pretty Cheep Project bag. What a fantastic prize!

To enter, just leave a comment below. I will choose a winner at random on Friday, May 30th at 12:00 p.m. CST. Thanks for reading and good luck!

Join us for an exciting blog tour full of book giveaways and other good stuff. Also, follow me on Twitter at @KnitTonicWendy for more promotional news, and a tutorial on using Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary to custom-design your own cowl with any pattern you like!
The Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary Blog Tour sponsored by Blue Sky Alpacas; be sure to visit these tour stops:
- See more at: http://blueskyalpacas.com/blog/#sthash.vGDagwX5.dpu

Here's the Up, Down, All-Around Blog Tour schedule, sponsored by Blue Sky Alpacas. Be sure to visit the other blogs on this list for more giveaways and lots of fun projects and customization ideas using this book.

 Blog Tour stops:


May 22: FreshStitches

May 24: Hey Jen Renee





June 4: Mari Knits

June 21: Wendy Bernard on the Ready, Set, Knit! podcast


Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary
By Wendy Bernard
Published By Abrams | STC Craft
Photos by Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Mother's Day knits /  by jen geigley


Photo from Brooklyn Tweed's Wool People 7

Mother's Day is this weekend and if you have a mom or loved one who knits, this little gift guide is for you. Or if you're a knitter who doesn't have time to knit a handmade gift by Sunday, here are some knitting-related ideas that you could consider. (And if you just like looking at photos of fantastic knits, here you go.)

  
Brooklyn Tweed's Wool People 7 has just been released, and it's bursting at the seams with designs that any knitting mom would love to knit. You can purchase PDFs of the patterns right here. (Wouldn't that make an amazing instant gift!?)
Photo from Rowan Yarns


If you live near a Rowan stockist, you can pick up a copy of Windswept, handknit designs for women by Marie Wallin. These twelve sweaters and accessories are completely gorgeous. You can even enter to win a free copy right here.


Photo from 'Mia" by Debbie Bliss

Any mom would love a copy of Mia, a pattern book by Debbie Bliss. It features twelve spring and summer patterns for every member of the family.

Photo from Quince & Co.

Or take advantage of Quince & Co.'s Mother's Day special on the Hudson cowl project kit and full-color print pattern. Pick yours up right here. 


Photo from Rowan Yarns

Or grab a copy of Honey, a sunkissed collection with a 70's vibe. Kim Hargreaves' latest book contains 21 simple, stylish knits including textured sweaters, classic cardigans and contemporary accessories. Available online or from your Rowan stockist.

Photo from Lion Brand

And finally, if you're a knitter or crocheter, here's a gift that you may still have time to whip up! What mom wouldn't love an aromatherapy eye pillow? (I know I would love this.) This lacy pillow cover fits over an easy-to-make fabric insert filled with flax and lavender. Download the free knit or crochet pattern here.

Happy Mother's Day to you – I hope you have a fabulous and relaxing weekend!

she makes hats /  by jen geigley


My dear knitting friend Robyn has written a book and today is the official release day! Robyn has been a friend of mine for awhile now, and she blogs about the hats she knits for charity. She was our guest speaker at knitXmidwest last fall and she inspired us all to do more, make more and give our hand-knits to charity. She makes hats. She gives them away. (Hundreds of them a year.) She's remarkable. 

"Moved by creative planning and life challenges, Robyn Devine found meaning in her life by . . . knitting hats? 

She Makes Hats is one woman's story of finding meaning, purpose, and passion by way of an old-fashioned yet rediscovered craft. With a push from a friend, Robyn Devine, a thirty-something wife and mother, moved past her apprehension and began expressing herself through texture, color, and design, turning knitting into her hobby, her meditation, and a functional product that helps people all around the world. 

Now, in an effort to knit 10,000 hats for people all around the world, Robyn contributes to a number of programs, aiding sick children, traveling artists, and newborns in other countries. Knitting remains a steadfast companion and leaves her blessed with worldwide friends, support, and the encouragement to continue her mission: to bring comfort, warmth, and the “sweet spot” fit of a knit hat to everyone." 

If you'd like to read more about Robyn's hat knitting adventures, you can pick up a copy of her new book in both print and Kindle editions through Amazon. Starting today. Just in time for Mother's Day! I've already had the chance to read it and trust me when I tell you that any and every knitter would love a copy of this inspirational book.

If you'd like to get a signed copy and you live here in Des Moines, you're in luck because Robyn will be speaking at Hill Vintage and Knits during their Friday Night Knitting event on May 16th! It's sure to be a fun evening so I hope you'll be there to say hello. (And if you don't live in Des Moines, check out more info about the book tour here.)

kool-eggs 2014 /  by jen geigley


It's that time of year again! We dyed our Kool-Eggs yesterday and had some serious fun. Lo experimented more this year with making some lighter pastels; a quick dip in Berry Blue and then Lemon Lime made an awesome mint green. Mixing Strawberry with a little Orange ended up with a lovely shade of coral. And Strawberry Limeade makes a sweet pink. So much fun. If you haven't checked out my original Kool-Eggs post, look here and see how fun and easy it is to dye your Easter eggs with Kool-Aid. (No vinegar necessary - the citric acid does the trick!)

Happy weekend to you and your family.

Yarn Love: Zealana Air /  by jen geigley



I recently had the opportunity to knit with a yarn I've never tried before – Zealana Air chunky weight, part of Zealana's Luxuria Series. And it truly is light as air! It feels special. Extra soft, pill-resistant, durable and it's lighter and warmer than 100% cashmere. And it's made in New Zealand.

 

Zealana Air is made of 40% cashmere, 20% mulberry silk and 40% brushtail possum down. Possum down, you say!? Yes. But not your typical North American possum. 

 

Since its introduction to New Zealand by fur traders in the late 19th century, the non-native brushtail possum population has reached staggering proportions largely due to the lack of natural predators that would otherwise maintain an ecological balance. The consequences of their rapidly increasing numbers are many, including damaging impacts on New Zealand’s native plant and animal life. Zealana is committed to the responsible management of the brushtail possum in New Zealand, and when you knit with Zealana you are choosing to be a part of their sustainability story. Read more about Zealana's conservation efforts here.
 

You've probably seen Zealana's gorgeous patterns everywhere, from luxury designer pattern books to Vogue Knitting magazine. (They also offer free patterns on their website – scroll down to check them out here.) 



I decided to knit a quick one-skein cowl with the ball of Zealana Air in L09/Emerald, which is the perfect shade of teal/green for spring. The stitches are soft, it's lovely to hold while you knit and the drape is perfection. 

 

I'm so glad I decided to knit something I'll wear around my neck with Zealana Air because the softness is unbelievable. Even if you have sensitive skin like me. There is absolutely zero scratchiness with this yarn. I'd love to knit an entire sweater with Zealana – their yarns are something extraordinary.

Check out all of Zealana's yarn offerings on their website. Beautiful.