About

Hi! I’m Jayna Grassel, founder of JJCrochet.

I’m 34 years old and have been crocheting since I was 8. I grew up in Pittsburgh, but currently reside in Toronto (yes, Canada!). I’m a partially self-taught crocheter and knitter who began selling hats at craft shows when I was 14. (Thanks for believing in me, Mom and Dad.)

The JJ part of JJCrochet comes from my middle name, Janelle. My dad will sometimes call me JJ when he’s feeling sentimental. Since it rhymes (kinda?) with crochet, it seemed like a good fit.

Now that I’m out of university and have a real-girl job (see below), I don’t have much time to crochet like I used to. I do sell hat patterns on my Etsy shop, JJCrochet.Etsy.com.

I love dreaming up new patterns – both for crocheting and knitting. 

At last count, I was 2 stitches away from becoming the world’s fastest crocheter (Lisa Gentry currently holds the record at 28 treble crochet stitches in one minute). One day, I’d like to break that record. I’ve even purchased a hand-gripper so I can practice.

I graduated from a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship… and an unofficial minor in crochet. During the day, I work at Bounteous in website strategy and digital consulting, doing search engine optimization and digital marketing.  (Translation: Web stuff on Google).

I’m blessed to have one father, one mother, one brother, one sister, one boyfriend and too many friends to count.

Thanks for stopping by and poking around my blog.  Feel free to e-mail me with suggestions, questions, inquiries, or fun facts you’d like to share.  I love meeting new people and I’d love to meet YOU.

This is my personal blog. Thoughts and opinions expressed here are mine and do not necessarily represent the views of my employer, its clients, or affiliates. All photos and images on this blog are original images and copyright JJCrochet (C) 2011 – 2023. 

23 Comments

  • Brenda Rumfola

    December 30, 2010

    JJ, love your designs and have made your cowl as a gift for my son’s girlfriend. Curious to see you are located in Western PA- I live in Clearfield county. I’ve been crocheting since I was 16 yrs old -with, hum, 42 yrs experience. LOL. Crochet has become a wonderful outlet for me too!

  • Lauren Cipoletti

    April 29, 2011

    Jayna, I really enjoy looking at your projects and patterns, they are all beautiful! I heard about your website from some friends of mine, knitting and crocheting are my passions too. God bless, I know you will do great with your business!

  • JJCrochet

    May 1, 2011

    Thanks for the encouragement, Lauren! It’s great to meet a fellow crocheter and knitter. I’m hoping to post more free patterns in the near future. Any requests?

  • Lauren Cipoletti

    May 17, 2011

    I would love to see maybe another cardigan pattern or something similar, even if it’s not free. Your designs are always unique and great!

  • lee

    September 5, 2011

    Jayna,
    So happy to have found your blog… nice to find a fellow Christian who is also a crocheter!~
    Today found the beautiful cowl pattern, which is JUST what I was searching for– I have a friend with a birthday who I was going to make a cowl for, and couldn’t find one with a bulkier yarn. Yours is perfect! Thanks, Jayna! 🙂

  • Rachel

    September 16, 2011

    Jayna – Thanks for the free patterns on your blog! Making the chunky cowl right now for myself. 🙂 Psalm 139 is probably my favorite passage also. God bless and keep up the good work!

  • Angie S

    September 23, 2011

    Hi Jayna, I met you once in Delmont, Pa at the Apple Festival, it was I think last year actually, wow the years are flying by so fast, but it was rainy and cool and we came over from my inlaws in Ford City, PA. My daughter got a hat from you with a butterfly brooch, and wanted many many more but we had to stop at 1 that day. Since then I have been trying to teach myself to crochet, and recently came across your blog and also you on facebook, and I am so glad I did, such lovely patterns and great ideas. Working on a chunky cowl now, didn’t have a full skein of yarn so mine is not as thick as yours but wanted to see if I could do it before I went out and bought more yarn. I will post a pic when I am done, my daughter who is now 14 says she loves it but we will see lol (she might just be being nice ya know how teenagers can be haha). Well best get back to it, again so very nice to be able to find you and your lovely patterns.
    Be Blessed,
    Angie Shernock
    new crochet fanatic…

  • JJCrochet

    September 28, 2011

    Hi Angie! I’m so glad your daughter has been enjoying her hat – hearing about other people getting use out of my work is my favorite part about crocheting. I am so glad you wrote! If you’re in the area this weekend, I’d love to see your cowl – I’m sure it’s great and your daughter will love it. (I have a teenage sister so I know EXACTLY what you mean, ha). We’re expecting a cool weekend this year at the Apple ‘n Arts Festival, but stop by if you can! 🙂

  • kit

    October 29, 2011

    What size would be for a 8 year old??? yarn and needle?? Love the hat

  • Kate

    November 26, 2011

    I just found your blog while searching for coffee cozy patterns. Your pattern is by far the cutest I found. I read a bunch of your posts and love your blog! The amount you crochet is inspirational. I can’t believe all the hats you made for the craft show! Nice work! I’m excited to try so many of your patterns.

  • Valerie Salmon

    November 29, 2011

    Your work is gorgeous!

  • maria martinez

    January 1, 2012

    Im a crochet lover and I want to be your friend . It will be nice to see all your projects

  • Julie Choi

    January 2, 2012

    I wandered around and found your site…Can you please share your gorgeous gray cowl pattern? I LOVE it! Thanks! Julie poulie73@gmail.com

  • H. Melton

    January 15, 2012

    I adore this cowl! Very pretty. I have made these in the past and I love how versatile they are. Can be use as a hooded scarf!!! Thank you!

  • JJCrochet

    January 28, 2012

    Thanks, Julie – You can find the gray cowl pattern here: https://www.jjcrochet.com/free-chunky-crochet-cowl-pattern/

    Before sewing my cowl together, I put a twist in the one I was wearing in my profile picture, but it’s the same one. Have fun!

  • Rosalie Sedy

    February 4, 2012

    Really appreciate you for actually showing this blog write-up.Really appreciate it! Neat.

  • T.Chapman

    February 11, 2012

    i have a question…in your profile pic, do you have the pattern to what you are wearing around your neck? i think it is absolutely adorable and would love to make one for myself. also, i have been looking around for a really cute newsboy crocheted hat and have been unable to find the exact one. i dont care too much for the slouch look and i have seen ones that are more fitted. do you happen to have a pattern for that or know where i might be able to find one?

  • JJCrochet

    February 12, 2012

    Hi T.Chapman,

    I actually bought the scarf I’m wearing at a local shop – it’s not crocheted at all! I wish I had made it because it’s lovely, but sadly it’s some type of lacey work. In terms of the newsboy hat, I offer this crochet newsboy hat pattern. Is that the style you had in mind? Thanks for your comments!

  • Jay's Boutique Blog

    May 19, 2012

    Hi Jayna,

    I love your blog and have ever since I started crocheting but had no idea you were a Christian until I read this! It’s always good to know there are more Christian crocheters out there 🙂 Just wanted to say to keep up the great work!

    Best wishes from http://jaysboutiqueblog.blogspot.com/ 🙂

  • Mandi Jeanne

    February 13, 2013

    Hi Jayna, Thank you soo much for sharing your FUN and CUTE pattern. I made two of them so far in the colors of my Favorite baseball team, THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS!! I really like the way they turned out. I forgot to mention which pattern(THE BEARDED BEANIE)

  • JJCrochet

    February 14, 2013

    Sounds like fun, Mandi, (alhough as a Steelers fan, I can’t fully support the Giants). Glad you enjoyed the pattern! 😉

  • Janet Thurman

    January 20, 2014

    Seeing your comment “save by grace” brought a smile to my face. I am glad I stumbled onto a sight such as yours. Its good to see others out there.

  • Sandra Brady

    June 18, 2015

    Just found your website. I’m wondering if you have a pattern for the little pink scarf? that you have on in your picture. It’s intriguing!

    Thanks,

    Sandra

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