JCasa BLOG

The Graduate

meet your new best friend:  The Graduate

deepening shades in the same color family highlight this oversized infinity cowl featuring gently rolled edges and a simple seeded rib stitch.  knit one up in an afternoon using scrap yarn and leftovers in your stash, and show off contemporary ombré style while staying cozy all season.

PDF for this pattern includes 4 pages of step-by-step instructions, full color images, and a super special secret bonus pattern!

You will need approximately 200 yards (total) of bulky/chunky weight yarn in colors of your choosing and US 13 (9mm) straight or circular needles.  One size fits all.

Click the button below to buy - a download link for the PDF file will be sent to you via email when payment clears.  Thank you!

$5

and be sure to check out all the many other knitting + sewing projects available in the Pattern SHOP here.  xoxo

Head in the Clouds

one of the great things about knitting with bulky weight yarn is the obvious speed factor.  normally six skeins of any given yarn would have me second-guessing, but we're working with the big stuff here and let me tell you it flies over your fingertips and onto the needles almost as fast as you can run up your charge card at the LYS.

Head in the Clouds is an oversized creamy white pillow cover dotted with cloud formations that are so dreamy.  it's a simple project that starts off with meditative stockinette and shifts to working on a chart full of clouds.  and i'm not a chart girl so i made it super user-friendly - trust me when i say you can do this.  a bit of simple sewing to piece it together, add a few buttons secure the cover in place, and you are done!  this is a relaxing afternoon project that you will enjoy for years.

PDF for this pattern includes 3 pages of step-by-step instructions, full color images and a chart to create the cloud pattern as shown in the sample.  You will need approximately 270 yards of bulky weight yarn, US 15 (10mm) straight or circular needles, and one 20" x 20" pillow form.

CLICK on the button below to buy a PDF copy of my Head in the Clouds Knit Pillow pattern. You will be sent link via email to download the 3-page PDF as soon as payment clears. THANKS!

$5

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New Year New Calendar!

i absolutely love the whole fresh start state of mind that accompanies back-to-school season.  there is such a spirit of hope, opportunity, and feeling that anything is possible.  one thing we all can appreciate is that pretty much every day something new pops up to be added to our calendars.  i am a big advocate of a school year calendar (as opposed to splitting the school year between two tradtional calendars), and find it to be an especially useful organizational tool for planning ahead all that is to happen throughout the coming year.  however, it's been my experience that simple + modern school year calendars are not that easy to find.

so this year i made one!  have a look -

i started sharing my printable monthly calendar sheets here on the blog a few months ago because i absolutely love their simplicity for organizing + chronicling our days.  so with school back in session, i got my bonnet on and created a proper 12-month school year calendar that is understated, inspiring, and open to interpretation.  quite honestly, its uses are endless - meal planner, exercise/food diary, family schedule, editorial calendar for your blog, gratitude journal, etc. - it's entirely up to the user.

it fits nicely in a clipboard and can be used to sort out your day-to-day what nots.  i like to print mine on matte photo paper which gives it a heftier feel and really makes the photos pop, but traditional printer paper works fine as well.  at the bottom of each monthly page, i have also included a small prompt for you to consider and complete as you see fit over the course of the month; a little food for thought to keep us mindful of the everyday moments.  i hope you enjoy filling up these pages with wonderful memories of your own throughout this year!

CLICK on the button below to buy a PDF copy.  You will be sent link via email to download the 13-page PDF when payment is complete or eCheck clears.  THANKS!

$6

 

home sweet (new) home

i've been working behind the scenes on a few major projects the past many months, and i am excited to share one with you today.

...announcing...

JCasahandmade.com

(yes, click it!  i'll be here when you get back.)

 

hi again!

with the girls off to school full-time last year, i languished while trying to figure out what would be next for me once my days were for the most part my own for the first time in 6+ years.  ironic that with so much time on my hands, i had a hard time accomplishing much of anything - the freedom was suffocating in some respects, as i am sure many of you stay-at-home parents can appreciate.  it took more than a bit of soul searching before making the decision not to return to teaching German in favor of creative pursuits, namely writing + designing + making.  i am grateful to have my husband's encouragement and support of this new chapter in my life - (quite frankly, i am the one who needed convincing) - and i am really happy to be taking the leap knowing my family is cheering me on.

working on the back end of creating my own website was a really rewarding experience, as it forced me to think about where i am, and more importantly the direction in which i want to take JCasa Handmade.  the domain has until now forwarded directly to my blog, which was a fine enough solution for the short term - but all the while i had a master plan:  an umbrella site for the business side of all things JCasa, and what is yet to come.  it took some time to narrow my focus on what my true vision for this space would be before i was able to get to the collaging, editing, organizing, and tweaking of everything until it was all just as i envisioned:  simple + straightforward + full of inspiration and ideas.  love.

dude, there's even a slideshow!

and i did it myself.  make every day something special, my friends.  xoxo

simplified.

the space is a bit quieter now.  i rather like it this way.  if you're following along in a reader, do click on over to see the makeover.  or makeunder, as it were.

undone.  simple.  love it.

it's been a transitional year for me, these past 12 months.  highs and lows.  i've learned a lot, especially about myself.  and the highs have been higher than the lows were low, which makes all the difference.

to celebrate all that has been and all that is to come for JCasa, i am offering my lovely readers, customers and fellow makers 25% off ALL PATTERNS (knitting + sewing) in my PATTERN SHOP for the entire month of August.  woo hoo!  and that includes a few new patterns to be published this month, as well.  you'll see the discount calculated automatically in your shopping cart, so you needn't do a thing other than place your order, download your patterns and get to making!  xoxo

New Pattern : Backstage Pass [slouchy knitted cap]

Backstage Pass is the perfect basic slouchy knitted cap to keep warm and yet so totally cool while showing off the wearer's personal style. Whether you make a cheery rainbow, add some kitty ears, or simply knit it in your favorite color, this simple + quick knit is destined to be a favorite.

PDF includes 2 pages of step-by-step instructions, full color images to demonstrate pattern specifics.  This piece is knit in the round on double pointed needles - it is a terrific project for confident beginners looking to embark on knitting in the round.  And with no seaming, this little number can be on and off the needles and onto the wearer in a day!

You'll need 200 yards of worsted weight wool + one set of five US 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles.  I made both the samples shown using leftover stash yarns.

Sizes:  Child and Adult.

[check it out in the Pattern SHOP + queue up on ravelry]

Or... if you want it right away, click the button below to buy and a download link for the PDF file will be sent to you instantly via email when payment clears. Thank you!

$5

pattern of the week : Young Sherlock [knit cap]

this week i am delighted to share a favorite pattern i have been keeping under wraps for far too long.  years, in fact.  the Young Sherlock Knit Cap  is a favorite in our home for imaginary play, a little something special to knit up for the young detectives in your world.

[check it out in the Pattern SHOP + queue up on ravelry]

xoxo

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you say you don't knit?  no worries, i've got your back.  here's a clue...

yes, indeed.  Young Sherlock Sewn Cap pattern coming soon, too!  xoxo 

soon to come

i am really excited to share my new projects + patterns this year, as many of them have been of the "secret" variety for so long.  i had thought about releasing a proper "collection", but have chosen instead to release one project/pattern each week for the entire year.  52 projects, as it were.  that's a big endeavor  and it is proving more challenging than i had anticipated.

not because of a lack of material, oh no.  i am just super excited to share it all with you.

that said, once a week is a strong and steady pace i can keep up with.  and here's a little peek at two of my favorites coming soon to the Pattern SHOP.  one of them as soon as this thursday.  xoxo

pattern of the week : Coloring Wallet

over three years have passed since i first created my Child's Coloring Wallet pattern, and to this day it remains one of my most popular and top-selling sewing patterns.  this pint-sized on-the-go art studio will keep your little ones happy and entertained whether you are out and about or at home.  great as party favors or simply "just because", these coloring wallets are sure to make your little ones super happy and they are a blast to make.

☀ NEW!  my Coloring Wallet pattern is now available as an instant download so you can get started making these for your kiddos right away.  and it's 25% off* through the weekend!

you can check it out along with all of my other knitting and sewing patterns in the Pattern SHOP.  happy sewing. xoxo

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* 25% discount on this pattern will be automatically applied to your shopping cart.  offer expires Sunday, 29-Jan-2012.  enjoy!

pattern of the week : Quilted Wristwarmers

this week i am updating a pattern i originally wrote in 2008 - Quilted Wristwarmers

these Quilted Wristwarmers embrace a love of patchwork quilts in a sewn variation of something that is typically knit.  i love how they keep your hands and wrists cozy, while your fingers remain free to open doorknobs, find keys at the bottom of your bag, or to do a bit of stitching when you're out and about.  this project is for all sorts of craftytypes (multi-crafters and non-knitters alike) who would love to create a quilted version of wristwarmers.

the sewing pattern is now available as an instant download in the Pattern SHOP

happy sewing! xoxo