Crochet Vlogcast Episode 17

Happy Hallowe’en, folks! I have made minimal effort to jazz up this week’s crochet vlogcast with a spooky theme. Whilst there is a spooky crochet spider and some fancy-dress, er, there is little else to do with this fun-filled holiday. But I still love Halloween! Please fly (broomstick style) to YouTube!

In this crochet podcast episode, I talk about the following delights:

My Rainbow Edged Granny square blanket is chatted about in this episode. The blog post is Here, the video tutorial is Here.

My crochet pattern for a cute little House Spider Blog Post is Here. The YouTube Tutorial Here.

Sewing a giant crochet hook case. This is the tute I used.

The Weekender Blankie by Sandra of Cherry Heart is a fabulous crochet hexagon blanket.

Check out Shirley Rainbow’s Folksy shop. And why not see her work on Instagram? Teresa is a beautiful crafter, and I absolutely love what she does.

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Thanks as always. x

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How to Crochet a Little Granny Stitch Bag

bear-in-bag

A Granny Stitch Bag for Kids

How cute is this little crochet granny stripe bag?!

This cute crochet bag is the perfect size for kids, and the kids I know love to carry little bags around with them; putting all their favorite things in to lug around wherever they go. It’s always toys cars and/or teddy bear of choice for my boys!

I decided to make a small version of my crochet beach bag for two reasons: one, I was curious about how it would turn out, and two, it was to become a video tutorial on how to crochet a little granny stitch bag and it would take an eternity to make and film a big version. And there is a big version – it’s pictured below and comes with the free crochet pattern, right here, on the blog!

Crochet Bag Video Tutorial

OMG, I love what happened! It’s such a cute little crochet bag. I think I might prefer this small granny stripe bag to it’s adult sized crochet bag.

Check out the video tutorial for how to crochet a little granny stitch bag:

Things You Need to Crochet A Little Bag

  • Bernat Pop (140g) in Paisley Pop
  • 4.5mm crochet hook
  • Pompom maker – optional
Self striping yarn cake

I made this little crochet bag (including a handful of diddy poms poms) using a colour-changing yarn cake: Bernat Pop (140g) in Paisley Pop. I had about 20 grams left at the end.

My crochet hook size was a 4.5mm, but you might want to go down to a 4mm if you have loose tension. If your fabric feels stiff as you work up the bag, this would indicate that you need to go up a hook size. A bit of drape is good here, but you know what, whatever floats your boat, you can make it just how you want, and no one is going to judge!

You might also want to get a pom pom maker if you fancy decorating your crochet bag.

Granny Stitch Bag for Kids

Little Granny Stitch Bag Measurements

This little granny stripe bag measures approximately 28 cm/11 inches across and is 23 cm/9 inches deep. The handles (including the ends tucked inside) are about 47 cm/18.5 inches long.

What’s Different to the Large Crochet Beach Bag?

The bigger crochet beach bag uses 2x 200g Caron Cakes. It was made bigger by adding another increase round before the sides began to build. You can read more about that one HERE.

So, what are the changes to this little crochet bag? Well, this kids’ version only works up to Round 6, and then Round 6 is repeated 13 times. Essentially, follow the first 6 rounds of the larger pattern and then no more increases are required. You should quickly see the bag start to form.

Once you have finished all the lovely granny stripe rounds, the next row uses the UK htr stitch (a US hdc) to create a tidy finish.

The handle has a couple of changes to the original: Chain 71, and only work one row of UK treble / US double clusters after the UK dc / US sc row.

Both crochet bags will also look fantastic with cotton yarn, by the way.

Crochet granny Beach bag pattern
https://zeensandroger.com/2017/05/14/how-to-crochet-a-beach-bag-free-pattern/

Don’t forget that you’ll find more info by watching the video tutorial.

If you fancy making a little crochet bag, give it a go today! It is such a quick crochet project and a great idea for a beginner crocheter. And don’t forget to let me know. I would love to hear from you.

More free crochet patterns and creative inspiration can be found here.

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pompoms look fab on a granny stripe bag
Bottom of a granny stripe bag

Thanks! X

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Crochet Podcast Episode 10.

Hellooo!! Episode 10 of the Zeens and Roger Crochet Podcast already! Where has the time gone?! Obviously, I love talking about crochet. I hope you enjoy spending some time while I chat away.

Anyway, I talk enough about crochet good things in the video, so I won’t do it here too! Below are the links to the things I’ve talked about.

Links to the Crochet Patterns Etc.

The crochet Spider Tutorial on YouTube is here. And this is the written pattern here.

A crochet Granny Beach Bag pattern is perfect for summer fun!

Zeens and Roger on Ravelry. You’ll find the thread for Episode 10!

Urban Stripe Shawl – a super easy striped crochet shawl pattern.

Connie’s Blanket – the colourful granny square stash buster blanket.

Fluffy Chevron Cowl Pattern – I really love using fluffy yarn!

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Off Your Rocket crochet shawl

Some recent crochet projects

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Crochet Catch Up on Podcast Episode 7!

There is some totally unexpected “live” cat on bird action in this crochet podcast! It all goes a bit crazy! Click above to watch on YouTube!

Scroll on to see pictures of current crochet WIPS and FOs!

Links to Crochet patterns and Ideas

My Ravelry gubbins – Come and join me in this crochet forum.

Feel free to have a read all about my little holiday to Saleres, Spain. I found time to crochet on the beach!

Geo Rainbow Blanket info.

Tina Tape Yarn by Wool and the Gang.

The Blurre shawl by Addydae Designs is a beautiful crochet crescent shawl pattern.

Caron Cakes Beach Bag – A big granny stripe bag to take your towels (and yarn) to the beach!

The Crochet Circle – Fay’s informative and awesome crochet podcast.

Summer Romance CAL – I didn’t mention my couple!! I’m sticking with the Dr & Rose.

I hope that’s everything. Please let me know if I’ve missed something or whatevs. Give me a shout. Cheers. X

“I’m not a girly pink person” And then later….. “pink is more my colour” Wha?!

Thanks guys. X

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How to Crochet a Purse and Add Zip and Lining

I have finally made another crochet tutorial for YouTube! Phew. This one is for a cute little crochet purse. I wanted to show how to sew in a zipper in crochet projects, and then, at the last minute, I decided to go all the way and add a demo for sewing the fabric lining too!

The response from the crochet Easter Egg pattern (my first crochet tutorial) was amazing, absolutely amazing! Thank you so, so much. It has definitely spurred me on to make more “How To” video tutorials to demonstrate different crochet techniques and patterns.

Anyway, if you are a crochet expert but have always wondered how to attach a zipper to your project, or you’re interested in how to line your crochet projects, this is the tutorial for you.

Things You Need to Line Your Crochet

  • Cotton aran yarn (or another yarn of your choice). I used Drops Paris
  • 4.5mm hook
  • Zipper to match the length of the purse you want
  • Fabric for lining slightly larger than the crochet fabric
  • Needle for darning in the crochet ends.
  • Needle and thread for sewing zipper and lining.
  • Scissors!

Little Cotton Crochet Purse

Here are a few pics of the starting process for how to crochet a little purse. Don’t forget, you can work a crochet chain as long as you like. Make sure your foundation chain is a couple of stitches longer than the actual zip because the crochet shrinks down slightly smaller than the foundation chain.

This simple crochet purse pattern is worked from the bottom up and then worked in the round. To get the full “How To”, please hop over to YouTube for the cotton purse video tutorial.

Little Cotton Purse, Written Pattern

My chosen zip is about 4 inches long, and I crocheted 15 chains in aran-weight cotton using a 4.5mm hook.

Round 1: 1dc in 2nd ch from hk, turn work to work down the other side of the chain, dc to end, do not turn – [14 sts]
Note, at the end of round 1, it might be easier to add a stitch marker and move it up each round. That way, when you’ve completed 12 rounds, you know where to fasten off. (If it doesn’t land on a “side” section, don’t worry, you can finish off wherever you like!
Rounds 2 – 12: dc in continuous rounds. At the end, slip stitch in the last stitch and fasten off.

Please do let me know how you get on. If you make a purse I’d love to see, you can #zeensandroger and I’ll see it on Instagram or Ravelry it! Or just come and say hi!

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Crochet Vlog Episode 4!

Hi everyone! Here is another crochet vlog/ podcast episode! Wahoo! I’m sticking with this crafty YouTube adventure!

Click on the image above to take you on a short journey to YouTube. Thank you again for all the encouraging words and stuff like that. It has been wonderful reading all your lovely comments, cheers, guys! 

I hope everyone is well and enjoying any sunshine you’re having (it’s been an exceptional few days here)! I forgot to mention all the usual gubbins about where you can find me, eeh…  If you Google Zeens and Roger,  I’m sure you’ll find all my bits! Just don’t click on that annoying “Did you mean Jeans and Roger?” No! I didn’t!

Below are some  links and pictures of all the things I’ve acquired, that I’ve been working on, or have finished! All of which, I chat about in the video.

Neat Ripple by Attic 24. I have crocheted a baby blanket version. It has 8 multiples of 14, I forgot to mention that!

Want to know how to make a Granny square bag pattern? Here is the link to my free crochet pattern.

My trip to Amsterdam, including a pilgrimage to Stephen & Penelope, can be found here. Check out the gorgeous woolly stuff.

Find out more about the Contemporary Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey.

Pretty unicorn fabric from Amsterdam!

Episode 3 of a Crochet Podcast

Hello everyone! Do you love crochet? Come and watch Episode 3 of my crochet podcast (or is it a vlog?!). It would mean so much if you spent a little time with me. I’d love to hear what you think.

Yarn and Patterns I went on about:

The Wool Kitchen

The Crochet Project -the Humbug Scarf (and I was calling it a shawl!)

Ravelry Group

Below are some pictures of pretty much everything I spoke of in the episode! All the new hand-dyed yarn from the Edinburgh Yarn Festival, the finished objects and everything in between. I hope I haven’t left anything out. Does the Pink pop yarn remind you of sweeties?! I went out and bought sweeties especially!

More Hand Dyed Pretties

Thank you so much! Now off to play with wool! XX

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Crafty Crochet Catch Up for Spring.

giant-crochet-granny-square

Hello!! How is everyone today? I feel a bit funny. I think I’m slightly overwhelmed. Thank you so much for being so very kind about my first foray into crochet vlogging. It was absolutely awesome to hear from all of you. I go from being all casual about it to feeling extreme nervousness. I think it mostly went well.

I’m looking forward to filming another crochet vid next week, and I am wavering ever so slightly about filming a crochet tutorial this afternoon [edit: I tried, ugh, it was bad: tech issues, focus issues, brain issues. I will try again]. If you didn’t see my last post, please check out the crochet vlog here. Anyway, this is a crafty catch-up, so let’s get moving…

mini-crochet-circles

A Stash Busting Crochet Blanket Idea

I still had lots of  Stylecraft Special dk left from my Crazy Chevron blanket, so on Sunday, I made 48 little crochet circles. I was thinking baby blanket. I was also thinking of doing a continuous join-as-you-go. I can’t do one of those, though. I guess that I’d need a minimum of 4 balls of the same colour for that. This is part of an ongoing stash-busting endeavour, and I’m trying to avoid bringing in more yarn. I kind of did buy two extra balls for this already, and I’m going to run out of the blue (lobelia) soon. Oh, it’s an instant fail.

colourful-crochet-circles

All 48 crochet circles now have three rounds. I could square them up to join-as-I-go and use different colours, but would it be more interesting to try something new? Eeh, I don’t know, there’s no rush, is there? I think I’m going to go for more, too. Apart from the lobelia, there looks like there’s enough for another 48 circles. Any joining suggestions?

rowan-stone-washed

At the beginning of last week, I got a lovely surprise when Posty brought a parcel to my door. I wasn’t expecting it, but I knew instantly who it was from because of the massive label greeting me on the box. This Rowan Stonewashed yarn was a gift from my friends (I can call them that now, can’t I?) at Wool and The Gang. I’ve been lucky enough to have been sent their yarns before. If you fancy checking them out, you can read about my mohair experience here. And my gargantuan (yet super warm) Foxy Roxy scarf here.

rowan-stonewash

If I’m being totally honest, the stonewashed yarn is not what I’d normally go for. But they asked me to play with it, and that’s what I’ve done. I like it, and I’ve enjoyed being coaxed out of my comfort zone.  I’m always up for a yarny challenge!

The yarn is a collaboration with Rowan Yarns, which I classify as high-end yarn. There are free patterns on the Rowan website for garments and shawls using this yarn.  I couldn’t put my finger on what it reminded me of for ages. It’s marble! It reminds me of marble! There’s kind of an Art Deco quality to it, whether or not that was what was intended!

mini-crochet-purse

I’ve made three little crochet purses out of the two balls they sent me, and I’ve made some snazzy tassels too. I’ve not put the zips on yet, so I’ll come back with pictures when they’re done.

simple-t_shirt-yarn-bag
cute-little-bag-using-t-shirt-yarn

A Crochet Bag With T-Shirt Yarn

Next up is this cute little crochet bag I put together. During half term, the boys and I went on the bus to Exeter to visit the dentist (living the high life) and happened to fall into Flying Tiger. I came out with two balls of t-shirt yarn, and I won’t mention the bagful of other random stuff.

I’ve briefly shown on the new crochet vlog a spiral technique I started. The spiral turned into a bag, and the bag has turned into a written pattern! Just like that!

Well, not just like that. At this point, I say a massive Thank You to my IG friends (including my fellow WordPress pals Eleonora of Coastal Crochet and Teresa of Shirley Rainbow) who tested the pattern for me. Majorly helpful, without you, the pattern would have been a mess, so thank you very much indeed!!

stashbusting-crochet-granny-blanket

I’m now going to bombard you with pictures of a giant granny blanket….

simple-granny-border

This has been another crochet stashbuster for my leftover yarn. I’m so happy to have finished it. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was destined to become a birthday present for someone in the family. Stylecraft Spesh DK again.

All the colours that had nowhere else to be but with each other. I rather like it. A proper Granny blanket, don’t you reckon?!

granny-blanket
giant-granny-square
crochet-in-the-home

Such is my commitment to getting this to its destination, I managed to drag myself to the post office even after I’d fallen over and torn a hole in Brand New Jeans!! A week later, and Youngest boy is still asking why I fell over.

Because I did. It was slippery, it was down a steep slope, and I was wearing New Clothes. That’s why! There’s nothing quite like holding back your own tears whilst a boy of nearly four cries for cuddles with Daddy… because Mummy fell over.

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Oh, What Have I Done?! My New Crochet Vlog!!

Hellooo crochet friends!!

What you’re about to see is somewhat of a car crash shambles of a crochet podcast, but I’m biting the bullet and hitting publish. I could make more attempts, but I reckon that’ll just prolong the agony.

So here we go, take a short journey to YouTube to check out my Zeens and Roge Crochet Podcast!

Here is how it happened….On Wednesday morning (without really knowing what was going to happen), I got out my tripod and camera, hit record and just started talking.

After that, I put the files on the computer, downloaded a little jingle and then did what I usually do. I asked my husband for help! He just knows stuff. He found me a free bit of video editing software, and within a few minutes, he knew how to use it. I dutifully sat and watched, trying to take it all in. He’ll hand over the reins at some point, and it’ll be me in charge. Oh crikey, what have I done?!

It hasn’t been plain sailing. I tried editing the crochet chat on my own at first and really messed things up. The computer crashed twice, and a twenty-minute video took four hours to upload! What’ll happen when I want a longer episode?! There is so much to learn about making your own crochet podcast, but I also think this is a skill worth learning. Wish me luck, won’t you!? And please subscribe to my new YouTube channel!! It’s basically going to be crochet crochet crochet!

crochet chevron blanket in my crohcet podcast

 

 

 

 

 

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