It’s Giveaway Time!

I know the posts are scarce on this blog, but I had to share the giveaway we are currently doing!

Enter to win 4 balls of WOOL AND THE GANG Take Care Mohair in the color of your choice to make the newest design from The Crafty Jackalope, Peppercorn Pullover ! 

What color would you choose?
Contest runs from November 2nd, 2016 until November 8th, 2016 11:59pm PST. Share, like and comment for more entries!

For more info about this giveaway and to keep in touch with everything current happening with The Crafty Jackalope, visit TCJ Inspiration Place Blog ! 

Good luck everyone ! 

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Book Launch!

It’s been a while since my last blog.  I have been over at the TCJ Inspiration Place Blog these days.

I have very exciting news that I have to share with you.  Last week, August 17th, 2016 I launched my first 7 piece mini collection publication!!  I have been working on it for the past year and I am thrilled about it, and I know you will be too!

The Crafty Jacaklope: Vol. 01 ~ YARN

The collection consists of 6 original pieces and the Portobello Cowl which I re branded/redesigned for SweetGeorgia yarn.  All the pieces in the collection feature SweetGeorgia Yarns; the yarn inspired the collection!

Royal Flounce Shawl is a lace-on-lace creation.  The way I wrote the pattern is in easy to follow sections.  One of my test knitters had never knit lace or a shawl before, when she asked me if she could test this design I said, “of course!”  She made it though smoothly, and I think that is a great testament!  I used SweetGeorgia Cashlux Spark and Silk Fog.

Color Fade Shawl is a great knit.  The best part is switching between colors and the easy to knit rhythmical pattern.  Use either an Ombré yarn or contrasting stripes, both transition nicely! This project is a great stash buster project (abut 105 yards per color).  For this shawl, I used SweetGeorgia Party of Five Gradient Mini Skeins.

Bandana Rocks…well, rocks!  This is such a fun piece, to make AND to wear!!  With short rows, bobbles and slipped stitches, you wont get bored knitting this piece!  I used SweetGeorgia Superwash Six.

Honey Stone Cowl & Fingerless Gloves is a gorgeous set.  The Honeycomb pattern gives these pieces some interest while showing off the texture of the yarn beautifully. Knit with SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock & Silk Mist.

River Rock Cowl is the must-have-piece of the season.  Perfect for doubling or keeping full length, this cowl is full for texture and we love the stripes! The possibility of color combos is endless!  Knit with SweetGeorgia Superwash Worsted & Trinity Worsted.

Portobello Cowl Version 2.0 is an oldie but a goodie.  It’s one of our favorites and now it has been rebranded/redesigned using SweetGeorgia Yarns.  Sign up for SweetGeorgia’s blog to get 12 exclusive color combos, just for the Portobello!

The digital copy of the book is now available,  and we are currently taking pre-orders for the Print/Digital combo.  If you order the Print/Digital version, you can expect the Print copy to be shipped mid September, 2016, and you will receive your Digital version as soon as you order!  The patterns are also available for single PDF purchase here and here.

If you want more info about the patterns and to look at other peoples projects, you can find the collection here, on Ravelry.

SweetGeorgia Yarns has a promotion on their blog for 10% off yarn until August 31st, 2016.  Visit her blog now to get the promo code and sign up to get an exclusive PDF Portobello 12 Color combo list!

AND, we are giving away a Portobello Cowl Version 2.0 Knit kit!!  Valued at $94 CAD, it comes with 3 skeins of SweetGeorgia Superwash Worsted yarn; 1 Portobello Cowl Version 2.0 pattern & 1 TCJ 100% cotton project bag.  Enter on thecraftyjackalope.com website or here. Contest closes August 31st, 2016.

A quick update

I have been pretty busy since the launch of THE CRAFTY JACKALOPE website in December 2015. A little more than one month in and it is kicking my butt, but in a good way!  The idea behind the site is to make it a place where people can be inspired to knit, crochet, craft & make.  Every Monday I post something new #TCJMonday on the inspiration place blog. It is either a new pattern, kit, tip, project, and recently it was the launch of Dear Knitter.

Dear knitter is such an exciting project to me, it is an advice column answering your questions about knitting, crafting & making; the response has been amazing! So far I update it weekly adding new questions/answers every Wednesday. The questions coming in are so fun and I love digging deep to answer and give, hopefully, detailed and informed answers!

If you have questions or need some knitterly & crafty advice please contact us!  If you are on the website you can either use the contact form on the bottom right hand corner or the “chat with us” on the bottom left corner.  You can also send us an email: amanda@thecraftyjackalope.com or submit your question(s) in the comments here!

                

I said this is just a quick update, but I just want to show you this.  At Knit City 2015 I came out with the Capital Cowl which was probably the most popular kit.  The original yarn, unfortunely since then, has been discontinued so I re designed it using Diamond Luxury Collection Mirage, a beautiful Wool/Silk blend.  The knit kits {yarn & pattern} are available now on the website here!  It’s a super fun, quick knit.

Be sure to sign up for the monthly newsletter for the recap of the monthly inspiration and some deals and any news and announcements I might have.

Happy New Year ~ 2016

 Happy New Year everyone! 

I am relieved to put 2015 behind me, to be honest it was a really hard year.  That being said it is more important to focus on the amazing things that happened and the accomplishments, and there were quite a few!

In 2015 The Crafty Jackalope proved to be a viable business doubling from 2014,  and for that I am forever thankful.  It is my passion to create, knit, design and teach.  To be able to do this work full time and to be supported by my fans, customers, family, friends and students is so encouraging and fulfilling.  I truly feel thankful to everyone and I am excited to continue to develop new projects, designs, kits and teach moving forward into 2016.  There is no short of ideas and projects to come to fruition.

Probably one of the momentous accomplishments of 2015, although, still a work in progress, was the launch of thecraftyjackalope.com

Graduating from etsy (my knitting/crochet patterns are still available on the etsy shop) to a full ecommerce site is just so incredible.  Now all the TCJ products including patterns, knit/crochet kits {yarn & pattern}, project bags, and stitch markers are all in one place.  I also started a new blog off the site called the inspiration place (click here to view).  Every Monday I post either a new product, new pattern, new knit/crochet kit or a new technique.  You can also sign up for the monthly newsletter where I will be recapping the previous month and offering exclusive newsletter deals!  The Crafty Jackalope newsletter will come out the first Monday of each month.

Other exciting news, I opened an account with SweetGeorgia Yarn and will slowly add more and more knit/crochet kits with her stunning colors!  So far I kit up the Portobello Cowl version 2.0 which is now available on the site. Check back weekly to be inspired! I recommend the SweetGeorgia Podcast.

Other great things in 2015, Mike and I got to be extras on the set of the Fear The Walking Dead!  How cool is that!!??

 

 

Mum and I shared a booth at Knit City this October and it was so much fun!  The Crafty Jackalope paired with Talking Clay just works!

 

 

Star Wars the Force Awakens came out a few weeks ago and was AMAZING! Princess Leia hat & Yoda Hat are the obvious choice!

 

The Puddle Shawl and I both got recognition in Vogue Knitting Magazine this fall in the Canadian Designers section; what an honor!

 

My mum gifted me this AMAZING Purl Soho cashmere Ombre Wrap…I am 3 1/2 out of 8 skeins in….

I was interviewed by Sheryl MacKay from North by Northwest!

Reflecting back, 2015 was pretty amazing in so many ways!  Moving forward with that momentum is how I choose to embrace 2016!

Rest in peace Edith Keen & Ann Carter.  You will be missed. We carry your memories through kindness and craft ~

 

 

 

A new look!

I am so excited to announce the launch of my new and improved website!  thecraftyjackalope.com

I have been working on this since the summer and what I thought would take a month or two took me five intense months.  If you can’t remember what the old site looked like, well it was basically a hub of information with the ability to sell only PDF patterns through Ravelry.  As much as the old site had its certain charm, it has nothing to do with the new site.  Today I can offer not only knitting & crochet patterns, but ALL the products we offer!

Like knit kits!

Knit notions!

 

Knitting needles!

 

Project bags!

To name a few…….

It is with great pleasure, that I invite you to take a moment to check out the new site.  I sincerely hope you enjoy it and it inspires you to create and make.  The website has a built in blog (in the top left menu) which I will be posting to weekly introducing new projects, kits & patterns, so check back often.  Also, you can easily sign up for the newsletter which I will be sending out once a month recapping all the great additions to the site along with exclusive deals for followers.  My purpose is to inspire and build community.  I would love to hear from you if there is something you would like to see on the site or if you have any suggestions or feedback.

To kick off the new site, please enjoy 25% off all purchases until January 04 2016!  Use coupon code: TCJGRANDOPEN at check out.

Happy, Sparkly, Safe Holidays to each and every one of you!

A big thank you!

Earlier this month my Ma, Nancy Walker aka Talking Clay,  and I shared a booth at Knit City, an annual event put on by Amanda & Fiona from Knit Social!  We had such a great time and I just loved being part of this great event.  The build up to these things are pretty exhausting; from preparing products, to last minute designing, to imagining a cohesive booth & displays to packaging and promo material, it can all be pretty overwhelming and exciting at the same time.

Although this was not the first year we shared a booth, this year we really worked hard to reimagine our booth and displays.  I have to say, I was really happy with what we came up with, creating somewhat of a mini shop; the beautiful pottery art yarn bowls, pins and necklaces with the knitwear really compliment each other!

These handmade special Hedgehog pins are one of my favorites!

With months of build up, hard work and the wonder if anyone will come to our booth with so many amazing people/businesses  under one roof,  I was so delighted by the turnout and meeting all the amazing knitting, crochet, craft, fiber enthusiasts that came by, chatted and supported us! WOW, it was humbling, exciting and confirming.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My sister and I had some fun taking selfies with Lady Baba!

Krista from RainCityKnits rocked the hot pink Portobello Cowl!

If you haven’t taken a class with Raga yet, I highly recommend it, she is amazing!

And to boot, I had my first Radio interview with Sheryl MacKay on her show North By Northwest.  I was pretty nervous, but the response from people and the connections the show made was amazing!  You can listen here.

It took me about 2 weeks to recover from all the Knit City excitement, but I am happy to say I got my knit-design-mojo back.  You can expect new things coming up including an e book mini collection; a new website and much more over the next couple of months.

Happy Knitting!

The Force Awakens…are you ready?

We have just over a week before Halloween, there still might be time to cast on for a quick costume if you haven’t already!  Or if you feel it’s too rushed, I am sure it would be totally appropriate to dress up for the December 17th, 2015 The Force Awakens premiers…have you seen the newest trailer? I am excited.

“Do or do not, there is no try.” ~ Yoda

Here is the newest pattern, released earlier this month, Yoda Hat!  It can be knit out of any DK weight yarn.  The sample shown here was made out of Rowan Pure Wool Superwash DK.  Pattern comes in three sizes, small (baby), medium (child), and large (adult). The pattern is available on Ravelry or on this blog on the Patterns for Sale page.

“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.” ~ Princess Leia

Of course we can’t forget about Princess Leia!  This hat is a classic and one of my most popular. The sample is shown in Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran, but any Aran or worsted weight will do.  Pattern comes in three sizes, small (baby), medium (child), and large (adult). You can also find this pattern on Ravelry and on the Patterns for Sale page (you’ll just have to scroll down a bit).

Happy Nerdy Knitting!

Happy Canada Day eh!

Happy Canada Day everyone!  In the spirit of celebrating our country I have a month long sale on my entire Canadian Pattern Collection on Ravelry.  Use coupon code CANADADEALEH at check out.

On another note, I am proud present my  first sock design pattern, Knitty Gritty Socks!   These are knit with the yummy Orleans Mink Merino yarn from minkyarn.com (yarn held doubled).  They are knit in the round, top to toe in a reversible Seeded Rib Pattern.  They are a bit thicker than the average sock but, let me tell you, they are so squishy and soft and very comfortable!

I have to admit, it is pretty darn hot here, so if you are local Vancouver, or experiencing a heat wave like we are, then socks are probably the last thing you are thinking about knitting…or wearing.  But hey, be a fashionista and work on your collection a season ahead! These are fun to make!

And did I mention, this sock pattern is FREE with the purchase of a kit from minkyarn.com!

Pattern #5, final day of 5 patterns in 5 days

Voila, here it is, the 5th and final pattern in 5 days!  Cashmere Lace Capelet.

This Capelet was designed specifically with minkyarn.com‘s 100% Cashmere lace.  The small size takes 2 balls and the medium takes 3.  This Lace Capelet is a great layering piece, easy to wear and will add a bit of ‘pretty’ to any outfit.  This Cashmere Lace Capelet is a cropped style but super easy to make longer if you prefer or have long torso.  This sample is shown in size small using color way Pristine.  Also, this pattern is FREE if you purchase it with the yarn as a kit here Currently it is 40% off; we all love a sale!

Cashmere Lace Capelet is knit in one piece from the bottom eyelet hem, up the front to the neckline and down the back.  Adding a stitch marker between each lace pattern repeat helps make this an enjoyable knit!

You can find the pattern here:

• On this blogs Patterns for Sale page
• On Ravelry
• Etsy
• thecraftyjackalope.com

5 new designs in 5 days…day 4

We are coming to the home stretch…pattern #4 now up on Ravelry and Etsy for your endless knitting enjoyment!

Ice Cream Cowl, a fun design for anyone who likes a quick, chunky knit!  I used 5 skeins in different colors of Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino yarn.  I know I am quick to say most yarn I knit with is my favorite, but this yarn is truly my favorite; it knits up like butter.

This Cowl screamed Neapolitan ice cream flavor and since ice cream has soooo many endless flavors, I thought Ice Cream Cowl was the perfect name and would fit anyone’s preference!

 

You can find this cowl here:

• This blogs Patterns for Sale page
• Ravelry
• Etsy
• thecraftyjackalope.com