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.
Brenda Rumfola
December 30, 2010JJ, 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, 2011Jayna, 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, 2011Thanks 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, 2011I 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, 2011Jayna,
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, 2011Jayna – 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, 2011Hi 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, 2011Hi 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, 2011What size would be for a 8 year old??? yarn and needle?? Love the hat
Kate
November 26, 2011I 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, 2011Your work is gorgeous!
maria martinez
January 1, 2012Im a crochet lover and I want to be your friend . It will be nice to see all your projects
Julie Choi
January 2, 2012I 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, 2012I 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, 2012Thanks, 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, 2012Really appreciate you for actually showing this blog write-up.Really appreciate it! Neat.
T.Chapman
February 11, 2012i 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, 2012Hi 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, 2012Hi 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, 2013Hi 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, 2013Sounds like fun, Mandi, (alhough as a Steelers fan, I can’t fully support the Giants). Glad you enjoyed the pattern! 😉
Janet Thurman
January 20, 2014Seeing 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, 2015Just 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