The Geek-a-long is a yearly mystery blanket KAL hosted on the Lattes and Llamas blog and Ravelry group. Each Sunday, a free pattern for a geek-themed double-knit or crochet square is released; Megan-Anne and Jac ask only that participants consider a donation to the Child's Play Charity. Once again, Knitter's Pride is proud to be a benefactor, and we want to share a little bit more about the Geek-a-long with our fans this month.
Each year, Megan-Anne and Jac design 48 different squares which are centered around a fandom theme (this year, it's Mad Scientists); from these 48 squares, participants can choose 24 squares to create a 48"x72" blanket, which means that it's not too late to join in to this year's event! After 48 weeks of releasing square patterns, information about how to assemble the blanket and add an edging is shared on the Lattes & Llamas blog. All past square designs can be found here on the Lattes & Llamas website.
Last year, the Geek-a-long event raised $3,440 for the Child's Play Charity, which is a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in their network of over 70 hospitals worldwide. They hope to surpass this goal in 2015, and we look forward to watching their progress over on the Lattes & Llamas blog. Megan-Anne shares a bit more about this KAL in the mini-interview below. Enjoy!
What inspired you to start the annual Geek-A-Long event?
I always wish that I had a really pretty story where Jac and I brainstormed for days over the perfect way to support our favorite charity. It’s the kind of story with a sepia filter and a montage in the middle with “Eye of the Tiger” playing. But the truth is, Jac had the idea for the GAL in the beginning of December, 2013 and it would be fair to say that my original involvement in it stemmed from a lost bet. I am ashamed to say I thought she was completely nuts. We were at Starbucks (so, basically a day ending in “y” around here), and she pitches me the idea to do a year-long KAL, AND to do it in double knitting (really cool, but takes twice as long), AND to release a color work chart for it each week, AND to cover as many nerdy fandoms as possible in the blanket, AND to have the first square come out on the first Sunday of 2014, and every Sunday there-after. I pointed out that was less than a month away, and told her just how insane I thought she was. She pumped me full of espresso shots until I thought it was a great idea, and we went home that night and sketched out about half a year’s worth of squares. I charted out 10 or so the next day and cast on. We had a huge stash of Cascade 220 sitting around, so we chose that for the blanket, and by a few months in Cascade generously stepped in as a sponsor and provided the yarn for the rest of the 2014 blanket as well as the 2015 blanket. The first year was rough because I had to do so many squares at once at the beginning of the year. We were slightly more prepared for year 2. And I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am for year 3, it’s going to be amazeballs and it’s my favorite theme so far.
Tell us more about the charity the Geek-A-Long supports.
From the moment Jac pitched me the idea, the concept was to use the project to raise money for Child’s Play. They provide video games and consoles for children’s hospitals and domestic violence shelters. I could go on about them all day, but I couldn’t do this amazing organization justice. Luckily, they describe themselves really well:
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| Jac & Megan-Anne of the Lattes & Llamas blog. |
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| 2014 Geek-a-long Blanket |
What inspired you to start the annual Geek-A-Long event?
I always wish that I had a really pretty story where Jac and I brainstormed for days over the perfect way to support our favorite charity. It’s the kind of story with a sepia filter and a montage in the middle with “Eye of the Tiger” playing. But the truth is, Jac had the idea for the GAL in the beginning of December, 2013 and it would be fair to say that my original involvement in it stemmed from a lost bet. I am ashamed to say I thought she was completely nuts. We were at Starbucks (so, basically a day ending in “y” around here), and she pitches me the idea to do a year-long KAL, AND to do it in double knitting (really cool, but takes twice as long), AND to release a color work chart for it each week, AND to cover as many nerdy fandoms as possible in the blanket, AND to have the first square come out on the first Sunday of 2014, and every Sunday there-after. I pointed out that was less than a month away, and told her just how insane I thought she was. She pumped me full of espresso shots until I thought it was a great idea, and we went home that night and sketched out about half a year’s worth of squares. I charted out 10 or so the next day and cast on. We had a huge stash of Cascade 220 sitting around, so we chose that for the blanket, and by a few months in Cascade generously stepped in as a sponsor and provided the yarn for the rest of the 2014 blanket as well as the 2015 blanket. The first year was rough because I had to do so many squares at once at the beginning of the year. We were slightly more prepared for year 2. And I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am for year 3, it’s going to be amazeballs and it’s my favorite theme so far.
Tell us more about the charity the Geek-A-Long supports.
From the moment Jac pitched me the idea, the concept was to use the project to raise money for Child’s Play. They provide video games and consoles for children’s hospitals and domestic violence shelters. I could go on about them all day, but I couldn’t do this amazing organization justice. Luckily, they describe themselves really well:
Here’s The Deal: Since 2003, we’ve set up and organized Child’s Play, a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in our network of over 70 hospitals worldwide. Over the years, you as a community have answered the call and come together to raise millions of dollars. Child’s Play works in two ways. With the help of hospital staff, we set up gift wish lists full of video games, toys, books, and other fun stuff for kids. By clicking on a hospital location on our map, you can view that hospital’s wish list and send a gift. Child’s Play also receives cash donations throughout the year. With those cash donations, we purchase new consoles, peripherals, games, and more for hospitals and therapy facilities. These donations allow for children to enjoy age-appropriate entertainment, interact with their peers, friends, and family, and can provide vital distraction from an otherwise generally unpleasant experience.
WINNER
Congratulations to PaulaK, you have won a Rhine Needles & Crochet Hook Case! We will contact you to arrange for the delivery of your prize. Thanks to everyone who entered this month's giveaway!
