Better Knitted Cowl Pics

Knitted Cowl with Free Pattern

So it's not crochet, but I've recently been inspired by thick, chunky knit cowls for winter.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_3&listing_id=18610657

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=19055940

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_4&listing_id=19435860
I figured Christmas Break was the perfect time to break out the knitting needles! I came up with this easy, beginner's knit cowl pattern (written below). Feel free to use the pattern for your own personal use or to sell any items. If you use any of my free patterns, I only ask that you link back and mention where you got the pattern from so others can use them as well. Thanks!

I have recently been in love with Lionbrand's Wool Ease, Thick and Quick, making everything from thick crocheted scarves to hats. I decided it would be the perfect yarn to make this season's hottest item - a chunky knit cowl. So out came the knitting needles and out came a pattern!

Free pattern for 4 x 4 Knit Ribbed Cowl
Materials

1 skein Lionbrand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick any color

Size US 17 (12.75mm) Knitting Needles

Darning Needle

Finished size: 8 inches long x 18 inches wide, unstreched

Directions:
Cast on 40
Row 1: *Knit 4, purl 4* repeat across
Row 2: *purl 4, knit 4* repeat across
Repeat Rows 1 - 2 until cowl measures 8 inches long or desired length.
Bind off.

Listed on Blogarama.com!
And now an official membr of:

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JJCrochet was LaMar's Artist of the Month!

This article was written by a wonderful artist, LaMar, who sells her handmade cards on Etsy. She's awesome and every month, she features an artist on her blog. A few months ago, she contacted me about featuring my business as her "business of the month". Read the article she wrote, then go visit her Etsy shop and support this wonderful artist!

Old Newspaper Article

I found this article online and it brought back some memories. When I was in high school, I was interviewed by a local newspaper about JJCrochet and they wrote up a nice article on my business. Simple, yes, but it made me a local celebrity. Haha...
http://www.yourmurrysville.com/murrysvillestar/article/teen-yarns-career-entrepreneur

Vanna's Choice Contest Info and Submissions

Vanna's Choice Yarn (which I have recently discovered and highly recommend) is sponsoring a contest running now through February 2nd. The contest is very open ended and with minimal guidelines, it's the perfect project for me to focus on during Christmas Break when I have plenty of time to do nothing but crochet. Here is the general overview of the competition: (You can read the full description and find all the details on Vanna's website http://www.vannaschoice.com/)

1. You can create any project (knit, crochet, other) in one of four categories: afghan, baby, craft, or fashion

2. Project must be made using either Vanna's Choice or Vanna's Choice Baby Yarn

3. Project can be made from an existing pattern or you can create an item based on an original design

4. You submit your project by filling out an online form and submitting pictures of your project electronically. (You can print and mail pictures and a form if you want to, but it's much easier and even nicer for the planet it you go paperless.)

5. Here's what really got me really interested in this competition: You can submit as many items as you want; there's no limit!

Prizes range from $1,000 grand prize and a trip to see Vanna on Wheel of Fortune in LA to cash and giftcards to Michael's.

Given all that, this contest is very intriguing and I plan on submitting a few crocheted items on the offhand chance I might win. I'm planning on submitting designs based on my JJCrochet Original Patterns as well as already existing patterns (like those I found at fellow crocheter, Marta's, blog - Creative Yarn . The general patterns for these three items below can be found on her blog and all credit for my inspiration goes to her and her great Italian style Creative Yarn Patterns ).

JoAnn Fabric had Vanna's yarn on sale this week and I (Christmas giftcards in hand!) purchased a beautiful array of Vanna's choice yarns and started crocheting items to submit. One thing I like about Vanna's Choice yarn is the colors. They're normal, every day colors that regular people can get away with wearing. When Vanna launched her yarn line, I finally found the decent quality and highly affordable acrylic yarn that both pleasing to the eye as well as the skin.

Although I might be tipping my hand here to all the prize-hungry crocheters prowling the internet, here are a few things I've created so far. (Thanks to my sister for her enthusiastic modeling skills.)

JJCrochet, Take 2

I'm on Christmas break and finally have the time to do what my friends, professors, and other business owners have been telling me to do for the longest time. Start a blog. Even though terms like "social networking", "internet boom", and "marketing tool" have been been thrown at me for months, I've never actually taken the plunge and maintained my own blog. My wonderful ex-webdesigner friend started one for me a few years ago, but it never caught on. Well, that was the old Jayna and the old JJCrochet- things are going to change. It's a new year for JJCrochet and that new year includes blogging!

I will use this blog to post updates about my crochet happenings, personal and JJCrochet. Included under that heading will be free crochet patterns, new patterns I've designed to sell, updates on JJCrochet and craft shows, Etsy, useful crochet sites I find online, and possibly some stitch tutorials. I know, sounds exciting, right? Haha.

Thanks for stopping by!