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.]

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns!

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil.

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn.

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point.

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up.

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.

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