The Creative Cookie

No Knob, No Germs

Members of The Creative Cookie team have been trying No Knob (@officalnoknob) for the past few months, since its launch, and we approve. It's antimicrobial, sustainable, easy, and cute! Check out our journalism intern, Kasey's, review!

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When the pandemic began, for the first time, I really had to pay attention to what I touched and whether or not I touched my face after opening a door or using someone’s pen. I was never a germaphobe, but all of a sudden, there was a massive fear of germs everywhere. Of course, most of us are now accustomed to these changes and pay close attention to the things we touch. Imagine not having to worry about the doors that you open because you have a device that protects your hands from any germs; No Knob does just that. 

 

No Knob is a women-owned U.S. company that creates antimicrobial silicone touch guards for your hands that allow you to open any door without worry. I had the pleasure of testing out the No Knob product for a week, and I have to say, I will never take this off my keychain again. 

No Knob creates products for adults and children with fun designs for all ages. A huge bonus with No Knob is the inclusion of matching masks! I am someone who has a very small face and most masks don’t fit me properly. However, the No Knob masks have adjustable ear straps, a nose wire and are tight-fitting. It is my new favorite mask!

Of course, that was not the most important part of my week with No Knob because the No Knob device itself was a lifesaver. I was able to open any handle (rounded knobs, push doors and pull doors), car doors and get gas without worry. When I am getting gas without No Knob, I am constantly sanitizing my hands throughout the process. This is excessively drying and a pain in the butt. But, with No Knob, I was confident that my hand that touched the gas pump was clean when I got back in my car.

The only problem that I had with my No Knob product was that it was sometimes a challenge with my acrylic nails. Of course, many people don’t have this problem, but I do wish No Knob would create a version of their product that is slightly longer for people with large hands or acrylic nails. While they do have different sizes, they are still not made for people with long nails. This is a niche problem, but it would still be nice to see that availability. 

I haven’t been able to stop worrying since this pandemic started, but No Knob truly gave me one less thing to worry about. It was such a worry-free week with the germs that I encountered and I really enjoyed it. Overall, they are super affordable, washable, sustainable, antimicrobial and made for kids and adults. Because of this versatility, I would suggest No Knob to anyone. And, if I had to rate this product, I would give it 8/10 stars for its ability to work for almost anyone and eliminate some worry in an anxiety-riddled time despite the inability to customize its shape.

 

 

Your Knitting Room: A Guide for Beginners

Our friends at Porch.com created a beginner's guide to developing your very own knitting room! One that is comfortable with extra seating for friends and family; one that is calm and tranquil with the use of essential oils and a space that encourages creativity with a focused color scheme. Creating a knitting room, or any dedicated creative space, of your own is a great and engaging quarantine activity that will give you a tranquil and noise-free place to de-stress when the weight of the pandemic becomes too much. Follow this guide to learn how this space could work for you!

Why is knitting such a popular pastime?

Many people wonder how to start knitting, but few actually stop to think about why knitting is such a popular hobby in the first place. While creating your own scarves, baby blankets, and garments is rewarding in and of itself, there are actually several health benefits related to knit crafts. Knitting can help to lower stress levels. The soothing, repetitive motion of making stitches can potentially even reduce low-level memory loss, too.

After you’ve become more familiar with the art of maneuvering needles and yarn to create stitches, you’ll need the right yarn room to take your knitting to the next level. Use the following DIY guide to design the ideal knitting space in your home.

Before you begin, gather your knitting supplies

Basic knitting supplies include needles and yarn. When deciding what kind of yarn and needles you’d like to use, your options are literally endless. You can opt for thin or thick yarn in virtually any color you prefer. You’ll also need to choose the right knitting needles to successfully make various knitting patterns. You can purchase all of these items online or at your local craft store.

How to create the knitting room of your dreams

A little imagination and resourcefulness are all it takes to transform any room in your home into your dream knitting space. Whether you enjoy your knit crafts on a comfy couch or in a spacious spare bedroom, use these DYI tips to transform your space into a creative oasis.

Make sure your space is comfortable

When you’re knitting for extended periods of time, make sure you add the right furniture to reduce back, neck, and shoulder pain. Consider purchasing an office chair or couch with lumbar support that’s designed to keep your spine aligned to its natural curvature. Make sure you include extra seating options for guests.

Encourage a calm, tranquil environment

If you use knitting as a tool to de-stress, you’ll find the hobby most enjoyable in a calm space that encourages relaxation. Add to the tranquil ambiance of your knitting room by diffusing soothing essential oils like lavender, chamomile, or peppermint.

Design a space that stimulates imagination and creativity

Color plays a major role in the look and feel of a knitting room. Base your design scheme on a color that you love to encourage focused concentration within a stimulating environment. If you opt for multiple color shades, try to pick options that work together rather than clashing.

Use your knitting experience as a learning opportunity

Since knitting doesn’t require too much-undivided attention, use your knitting sessions as a learning opportunity. You can watch documentaries about topics you’ve always been curious about or listen to audiobooks.

Create a noise-free zone

For maximum relaxation and concentration when you’re focusing on your knitting patterns, designate your knitting room as a noise-free zone. The last thing you need while you’re enjoying your knitting hobby is to be disturbed by the sound of the phone ringing.

Decorate to inspire

When decorating your yarn room, gain inspiration from your knitting supplies! Keep your beautiful yarns on display on open shelves or cabinets. Add plenty of green plants throughout the room to reduce stress, improve concentration, and encourage mental focus. Make a mood board so you can put swatches, inspiring magazine clips, and other items prominently displayed.

Organize your knitting supplies

Keep your knitting supplies neatly stored and organized to make sure each knitting session is as stress-free as possible. If you’re working on various knit crafts at a time, store the yarn and needles you’ll need for each project in its own basket for easy access. You can store additional supplies like buttons, zippers, and ribbons in old glass jars to add brilliant pops of color throughout your knitting space, too.

Simple knitting tips for beginners

If you’re thinking about taking up knitting as a hobby but don’t know where to begin, the good news is that anyone can knit. By learning a few basic knitting patterns and becoming more familiar with the most common knitting terms, beginners can quickly graduate to knitting masters in no time.

Most knit crafts basically boil down to practicing three essential skills:

•   Cast on: Casting on is the process of getting the yarn onto the needle and transforming yarn into neat stitches.
•   Knit stitch: After you’ve learned how to turn yarn into stitches by casting on, the knit stitch process turns your yarn into beautiful stitches.
•   Cast off: Once you’ve used your needles to transform a loose bundle of yarn into a work of art, casting off gets your knitting off the needles to complete your project.

Where to get knitting tips

When you’re a beginner knitter, there are plenty of resources you can take advantage of to progress. Improve your skills and creativity by hosting or joining a knitting club. Knitting clubs offer an easy way for beginners to connect and practice their different knitting patterns within a fun social setting.

Your laptop can also be an essential piece of knitting equipment. Keep up with trends in your new hobby, get free knitting patterns, and connect with other knitters by becoming a member of a free online knitting group. A quick internet search can provide a wealth of information about knitting tips, too.  

Also, consider investing in a few trusty reference books or magazines that make it easier to learn how to start knitting. Resources with step-by-step pictures and detailed information can go a long way in helping you through a sticky situation.

What knit crafts should you start with as a beginner?

Once you’ve become more comfortable with knit stitches and needles, you’re ready to start your first knit crafts. Here are a few DIY knitting tips to help you get started:

1. Knit your first scarf

To knit your first scarf, begin by casting enough stitches that measure the width you’d like your scarf to be. Then, start knitting until you’ve reached your preferred length. Once you’ve finished, simply cast off.

1. Knit your first hat

When you’re ready for the next challenge, knitting a hat will build on your skills. This project will teach you how to knit with double-pointed needles, knit in the round, and create simple rib stitches.

1. Knit your first blanket

Knitting a blanket requires a few basic knitting techniques: cast on and off, knit stitch, and weaving in ends. The number of stitches you cast on, in the beginning, will determine the blanket’s final width. Although you can use any type of yarn to knit your blanket, worsted yarn is a great weight to start with if you’re a beginner.

Think about the yarn material that will provide the feel you’re looking for, too. While wool is incredibly durable and warm, some types of wool have a scratchy feel. On the other hand, cotton yarn is easy to care for and super-soft, but it may not offer enough warmth. For those reasons, many knitters opt for a wool blend that delivers both the warmth of wool and the softness of cotton.

Make every knitting session a relaxing moment

The basic art of knitting engages the body and mind. Knitting can give you something fresh to think about after unwinding at the end of a long day. The rhythmic act of making simple, repetitive stitches can soothe a tired nervous system. In fact, knitting could have similar emotional, physical, and mental health benefits akin to restorative yoga.

Since knitting requires you to remain focused on the task at hand, it can be an effective method of releasing calmness. Make every knitting session a relaxing moment by returning your focus to your knitting patterns whenever you find your mind starting to stray a bit. This can help keep your mind off of stressors you’d rather avoid.

Share your knitting hobby with others

Learning how to start knitting can be a confidence booster. Throughout every stage of learning how to knit, share your journey with others. Help beginners develop the skills they need to take their knitting to the next level by sharing useful tips. Start a weekly knitting club where you can engage with others who have the same passion for knit crafts. Create unique gifts like scarves, baby blankets, and hats to gift friends and family members.

Whether you’re just starting out or knitting has been your go-to pastime for years; knitting is an enriching hobby with plenty of therapeutic benefits. Hopefully, the above guide will provide you with everything you need to know about designing a dedicated knitting space so you can enjoy your knit crafts even more than you already have.

This article was originally posted on Porch.com.

Winter Beauty with e.l.f. Cosmetics

Here's a fun make-up how-to by my intern Jojo featuring her friend Noey! I love how she used e.l.f. Cosmetics to create these beautiful winter looks even though the weather feels like fall!

Look 1: The Winter Pink Look

This look is great for if you if you want to play around with purples, pinks + plums!

Products I used are:

• e.l.f. Prism eyeshadow in sunset (just a little)
• e.l.f. Illuminating palette
• e.l.f. merry berry blush (very lightly)
• e.l.f. HD finishing powder
• e.l.f. lip balm in pink

Look 2: Everyday winter look

This look is great to wear to school and is easy for the beginners!

Products I used on Noey are:

• e.l.f. moisturizing lipstick in Marsala blush
• e.l.f. everyday smoky shadow (very lightly)
• e.l.f. merry berry blush (just a little)
• e.l.f. HD finishing powder

Those are the looks! If you try them please take a photo and tag #elfbeautysquad #playbeautiful by @elfcosmetics!

Flower Girl

During New York Fashion Week, I dropped into Starbright Floral Design to live blog and was inspired by what I saw. Each bouquet had a personality of its own -- from the pansies to the orchids they were all charming and sweet. Here are some of my photos: 

I find flowered prints to be wonderful...especially in knits & silks. I made a visit to MOOD fabrics and decided on this super comfy rose and daisy printed cotton flanel. I like how the fabric mimics some of the colors and spirit of the flowers that inspired me at Starbright. 

Using this retro pattern from Simplicity, I'm sewing a spring jumper. View #2 is my favorite -- now that's what I call a 'petal pusher'!     

Check back next week to see my progress with sewing. I'll also post my tips on wearing flowered pieces & prints this spring. PLUS a bit about our wedding flowers for April 30th, too!

Fashion Week Giveaway -- the Winner Is...

We loved reviewing the colors that are making you happy this winter! Thank you for the fantastic submissions.

After a briefing session we've decided that the winner is: Colleen C. {@40somethngbride} who told us that "Teal and Charcoal keep popping up this winter for me!" Colleen will get a $100.oo gift certificate for microfiber tights, socks, and other goodness from the fantastic We Love Colors & a copy of Easily inspired, the Creative Cookie zine!

Congrats & keep making those colors pop, girl:).

Fashion Week Giveaway -- We Love Colors!

Tell us how you intermingle your colors to win a gift certificate worth $100.oo from We Love Colors!

photo: Lesley Williams © 2010

Teal & amethyst? Mocha & charcoal? Maroon & magenta? What colors do you find yourself dressing in the most this winter season? Share your favorite color combination to win a gift certificate valued at $100.oo for socks, leggings, tights, and other goodness from We Love Colors!! You'll have over 45 different colors & hues to choose ranging from scout green to purple!

All responses must be emailed with "fashion week giveaway" as the subject to: [email protected]

Contest ends Wednesday, February 16, at 8pEST. The winner will be announced on Thursday, the final day of NYFW!