Love Rowan? Become an Ambassador

I was just at a blogging conference over the weekend and we were talking about that the next big thing in company to consumer interactions is going to be blog ambassadors. What that means is that people who write blogs will connect with companies they love in long-term relationships that will involve the blogger getting free products and the opportunity to try out new products while sharing that information and enthusiasm for a brand with their readers.

And what should land in my mailbox a couple days later but an invitation from Rowan Yarns looking for its own brand ambassadors? Rowan is seeking knitters and bloggers from around the world to take part in its ambassador program, which will allow participants to receive yarn packs and color cards each season, early previews of collections, yarn to knit your own garment, access to online meetings and an invitation to visit the Rowan mill.

People interested in participating in the program need to send a picture of themselves in their latest Rowan knit along with 100 words about why they would be a great choice for the program. Applications are due Sept. 28, and the short-list of participants will be contacted in October.

This sounds like so much fun for all you Rowan lovers out there! I haven’t used Rowan much, but one of my most popular knitting patterns of all time — the bulky Fingerless Gloves — were made with their Big Wool. Maybe I should apply?

[Photo by Rowan.]

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Sometimes I feel like knitters get intimidated to try new things because they think they need to start with a big project. Your first time working in the round doesn’t need to be a sock, and your first colorwork doesn’t need to be a sweater, for example. You can find little projects that use the skills you want to learn to build your confidence before you move on to something that requires more time commitment.

This adorable knit bunny, for example.

The colorwork bunny from Knit Picks was designed by Amy Munson and is a kind of bowling pin shaped bunny complete with a knit hat, contrasting inner ears and a little stranded colorwork on its body. Note that the ears are attached the the hat not the bunny, but you could stitch them to the bunny if you’d rather.

It’s worked from the bottom up and also has a tiny pompom tail you can’t see in the picture but it’s a really cute touch. There are a variety of little fair isle patterns to choose from to make the best bunny for you.

The bunny comes out about 8 inches tall (or just over 20 cm) and use several colors to complete the colorwork, depending on the design you choose.

You can purchase the pattern by itself from Knit Picks, or make a kit that includes sport weight yarn in all the colors you need for your creation. There are gray and brown options for the main body of the bunny, but of course if you’re using your own yarn you can make it whatever color you like.

Once you’ve tried colorwork (maybe also working in the round and shaping if those are skills you haven’t used before) in a little project like this you’ll be ready to take on something bigger in no time.

Check out the pattern on Knit Picks.

[Photo: Knit Picks]

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