NEW PATTERN: Sonoran Cowl

The anticipation to release my second, self-published pattern this week has been killing me! After lots of work, trial and error, I'm SO excited to finally able to release it today. Introducing, my newest pattern, the Sonoran Cowl!


A southwest inspired motif is knit into this colorwork cowl. Beautifully colored yarn give this bold graphic stunning results. This is a great, stylish accessory to keep you warm during the chilly months!


I had a bit of hesitation when I first dreamt this cowl up. I mean, I've only done charted colorwork knitting once before and that was back in 2007! I wasn't sure what I would be getting myself into but I’m glad I decided to jump headfirst into colorwork design. Being a graphic designer the process of designing a graphic and then turning into a colorwork chart for knitting felt very natural. I enjoyed it so much I know you will see more colorwork designs from me in the future!


With The Plucky Knitter's new Plucky Rustic as my muse, this cowl turned into a work of art! As you know, I just adore Sarah and her yarn and this new yarn base was no exception. Rustic just soaks up her colors making vibrant, beautiful yarn. I love the way this knit up and I frankly can't wait to cast on for another. With Sarah's amazing palette picking out the color combos is such a fun part of the process.


The Sonoran Cowl pattern is available for purchase today! You can order a downloadable PDF or a hard copy HERE


But WAIT there's more! This Thursday, in a shop update, Sarah will be offering my Navajo Cowl pattern in a Southwest color work kit!!! This is a great opportunity to get the pattern along with the gorgeous yarn that it was design for. Besides, Plucky Rustic is Sarah's newest yarn and I know you want to get your hands on it. And now you'll have the perfect pattern for it too ;)

So go ahead… Queue it up! Cast on! and have fun knitting this fun, stylish cowl!

Two New Patterns

Two new patterns designed with my favorite yarn. All I need now is a few speedy test knitters. Anyone… Anyone? to finished the last few details.


Thank you to all those that volunteered to test knit for me. Wow! You guys are awesome.

LOGO: Cakewalk Yarns

I've been busy, busy with design work for Jill Zielinski Designs and Knitterella. I couldn't be more happier about that and I couldn't be more pleased with this new logo design that I recently finished for Cakewalk Yarns.

When Rose from Cakewalk Yarns contacted me and told me she was looking for a "face lift" to her existing logo I was happy to take on the design challenge. She told me that her yarn is kind of "alternative" and she was hoping for a logo that gave that impression but at the same time is not be completely off-putting to the mainstream.

Here was her logo before:

And here is her logo after:

I'd say that we were successful in designing a new logo that is a bit edgy/punk/roller derby/retro, but not too much that is scares people away. I'm quite pleased with the new, fun look and I'm very happy to say that Rose is too!

Hand-dyed in Michigan - YAY for fellow Michiganders! - her yarn is not the same old, same old. She sent me a skein and I'm looking forward to making something with it - I'm thinking hat! Anyway, be sure to check out Rose's beautiful, hand-dyed yarn at here shop HERE.

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If you are looking for some graphic design work please check out my online portfolio at JillZielinskiDesigns.com. Ads, books, pattern layout, logos, yarn labels, you name it – doing design work for fellow knitters/crafters is my specialty! Feel free to contact me for rates and availability at jillzielinski@gmail.com

Three Strikes

I finished my Owlet! We'll sort of… I finished it but am not real happy with how it turned out so it's in a bit of a FO limbo right now.


The sweater was fun and knitted up really cute but after I blocked it the owls seemed to disappear. I think the tweedy yarn I used made it harder for the owls to show up. Next time a solid colored yarn would be a way better choice. STRIKE ONE…

Then I thought once I put the button eyes on it's sure to make the owls pop. But the 'what-I-thought-were-perfect' buttons made situations worse. Now when I look at this potentially cute sweater, all I see are dark, black buttons floating around the collar. STRIKE TWO…

So then of course when I put this 9 month sized knit on my cubby 3 month old baby and saw that it was way too tight, I was even more discouraged. STRIKE THREE…

Now this potentially cute little sweater sits in my craft room in the FO limbo pile waiting for my attention. Maybe I'll revisit again soon. But then again… maybe not.

P.S. I know this is an adorable pattern and I do hope to make it again. I'll just use better judgement next time on yarn, buttons and size!

P.P.S. Here is the LINK to the pattern source. It's designed by the way talented Kate Davies. Don't let my mistakes sway you from knitting one for yourself.

Happy Valentine's

I wanted to pop in quick and wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you are doing what you love today. I've got my knitting on my needles and although I would love to share with you what I'm working on I can't just yet.


I can't because it's my next pattern design. I actually have two designs that I'm working on right now. I'm really excited about them and I hope to share them with you real soon!

Winner: NNK Pattern

The results from my NNK Pattern Giveaway is in, and the winner is…


adriana said...
gorgeous pattern. Love how the cables weave together.

Congratulations, Adriana! Email your address to me at knitterella@knitterella.com and I'll mail you your copy of Alana's newest pattern, Winter Trails.

Thank you to everyone that entered. Don't worry, I'll have more giveaways - hopefully sooner then later!

Giveaway: NNK's Newest Pattern

It's time again for a Never Not Knitting pattern giveaway! The lovely Alana just sent me two copies of the newest pattern that I recently laid out for her. One for me, one for you!


This beautiful Winter Trails hat is her newest design. Just beautiful isn't it?

Leave me a comment and I'll randomly pick a winner this week!

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If you are looking for some graphic design work please check out my online portfolio at JillZielinskiDesigns.com. Doing design work for fellow knitters is my specialty. Logos, pattern layout, ads, yarn labels, etc… Feel free to contact me for rates and availability at jillzielinski@gmail.com