community Archives - Zeens and Roger

Stashtober 21. Stash Busting Crochet!

September 28, 2021September 28, 2021crochet2 Comments

Stashtober 21

Do you know what will never not be popular? Stash busting! The art of using up yarn scraps and leftovers so nothing is wasted. We all have stash hidden somewhere in the house and rather than keeping it tucked away, how about getting the whole lot out and using it!?

Busting your stash can be a real feel good experience. It can also lead to an absolute dog’s dinner of a disaster but let’s just say that we all learn from those situations and move on. Using up every last scrap is hugely satisfying and there are a number of crochet patterns out there to aid you in your exciting mission.

I was watching Claudia Carpenter’s crochet vlogcast on You Tube the other day (I’m sure you know Crochet Luna). I am pretty sure she said “No CALs”. It made me laugh when, just a couple of days later, she got in touch with a handful of designer friends to ask, how about a stash busting Crochet Along? We’ll call it Stashtober!

Crochet Along

For a general overview on what a CAL is go HERE .

Crochet Alongs are extremely popular these days, in fact, I’m taking part in another one right now. Have you seen the Mixtape Medley? It’s a crochet blanket I designed with Knitcraft and I see it as the ultimate stash buster. We’re currently on Week 2 and I’m mentioning it as it fits in perfectly with Stashtober 21.

But I’m not going to talk about that CAL because this post is about Stashtober 21! So, should you wish to partake, Claudia’s idea is for crocheters to choose a pattern or many patterns from the selection of designers she has invited to take part. One of them is me! To make life a bit easier I’ve put together a bundle on Ravelry especially for this event. You can find it HERE. I added patterns (both free and paid) that I thought would be great for using up lots of lovely stash. Especially for Stashtober, during the month of October, you can get 25% off any of my patterns on either Ravelry or Etsy. At the checkout please use the code: STASH21

If you don’t fancy making one of my designs, there are other contributing designers with the perfect pattern waiting for you.

Mixtape Medley, a blanket perfect for stash busting

The CAL Designers

Other crochet designers taking part are some of my absolute favourite people in the crochet community. A lot of us have known each other for a long time and are firm friends.

Claudia is the brains behind it all and has a couple of designs that would work brilliantly for Stashtober. I really enjoyed making Encanto, a scarf with lots of lovely twiddly stitches. Pop over to her Etsy shop to peruse the good things.

Fay of the Crochet Circle Podcast is a champion of artisanal crochet design. I wouldn’t mind working up Loft in a collection of colourful yarn. Crochet and stripes are a brilliant match.

Hannah from the Cozy Cottage Crochet is so lovely. Lovely Hannah! Pop over to the Cozy Cottage crochet for a Ravelry chatter thread for the CAL. And check out her designs while you’re at it.

Caleisha of the Quirky Monday Craftcast designed my favourite scarf of last year (or was it the year before?), the Just Feel Festive shawl. I used loads of DK acrylic scraps. It was totally worth all the ends.

Clarisabeth from Crochet Cakes has fab designs to choose from. If I have the time, I absolutely have to make some of Clarisa’s Vintage Wave socks. Check them out.

Michelle aka Dora Explored/Dora Does, has garment making savvy by the bucketful. I might find myself making her latest design dedicated to busting stash, the Waste Not, Want Not sweater. There a couple of other designs that are perfect for stash busting too.

Heather from HG Designs is all about the granny square. The granny square is the most famous stash buster of all time and Heather has some awesome granny designs out there. Making Revival was an absolute joy!

We are an eclectic bunch, it’s guaranteed that you will find a huge variety of crochet styles between us and therefore, you are bound to find the perfect pattern.

Stash Bust Rules

Fear not, there aren’t really any rules other than the projects you make must be made from yarn you already have. Do not buy new yarn! That is it! Also please ensure that your project is not already over 50% complete before the 1st October. So WIPs do count as long as it’s not close to being finished. And don’t forget to choose designs from the crochet champs above.

On the 23rd of October Claudia is also hosting a live Zoom chat. It’s 8pm BST. I have something else in my diary that day but I would love to be there so I’m going to see if I can pull some strings!

Double whammy. My Dreckly mittens with Heather’s Revival jumper.

Crochet Community

There are no prizes for this CAL, that’s not the point. But there are loads of other great reasons to dive right in.

This is an opportunity to create the satisfying feeling of putting old yarn to good use. It’s about community. And also, perhaps it’s introducing you to a designer who you were previously unfamiliar with. There are so many good reasons to take part that prizes aren’t needed! These aspects are rewarding enough, don’t you think? What’s usually used as a CAL prize? It’s new yarn! That’s the total opposite of stash busting!! Not gonna happen for Stashtober!!

I love that Crochet Alongs are community led, it’s better than any other prize I know. You can be as active or as quiet as you choose. Perhaps you’re happy to just loiter and see what others are making. Or, you might fancy chatting on Ravelry or Instagram, or wherever else! It’s entirely up to you. This should be the ultimate No Pressure CAL.

Hopefully we will see you and your makes throughout October! Let us know what you’re making, what stash you’re using etc. We would all love to hear from you. #Stashtober21

Cheers. x

Zeens & Roger Crochet Podcast. Episode 53. Ice Queen

June 2, 2019vloggingLeave a Comment

It has been such chaos this week but I really wanted to stop by to say hello. It’s a shorty and I feel like a stuck record but I hope you enjoy it nevertheless. Click on the image above to go directly to the episode or to my YouTube channel HERE. Cheers. x

Not many links this time…

If you would like to support me via Patreon (HERE) then I will love you forever. No tiers or no rewards at the moment because I don’t want to break promises I can’t keep. After I get the current commissions out of the way I can focus more on other patterns and YouTube tutorials for you.

Off I go the the Crochet Sanctuary next week. I plan on reporting back so watch this space!

I’m slowly making progress on Hannah’s Frost shawl. I love it so much. Wish I hadn’t made mistakes on it but I love it regardless.

And I talk a bit about The Fibre Co. In a few months I’ll be able to show you what I make!

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Thanks so much. See you again in a couple of weeks. xxx

The Granny CAL 2019!

February 5, 2019February 5, 2019crochet10 Comments

It’s Granny time again! In just a couple of weeks let’s start grannying with a Crochet Along, what do you say?!

Last year’s Granny CAL was loads of fun and I absolutely loved seeing all the different projects that you came up with. The great thing about Granny is just how diverse she can be. It’s a super simple stitch but can be used in a myriad of ways. She is my heart and soul. Anyway…

First things first, what is a CAL? I wrote a blog post about that last year. Go HERE to find out.

Unlike last year, this Crochet Along will be a bit more low key. I’m into the idea of a very laid back CAL. Rather than going in all guns blazing, which I feel the last two CALs have been, this one will be mega casual. I’m not going to have loads of categories for entries and I’m not going to be dishing out loads of prizes (soz!). It’s all too much for one person and to be honest, the bit I enjoyed the most was seeing everyone come together to share their enthusiasm for crochet.

The Details:

The rules are there are no rules! Well, there’s one: your project must contain the granny stitch somewhere (you know the one). Other than that, make what you want. Finish off an old wip, start something new, use up your stash, whatever, there’s no pressure here.

The CAL officially starts on Friday 22nd February. Let’s say it’ll run for 6 weeks but if we’re all having so much fun we can’t stop then I’m pretty sure we can keep going.

Please look at my Free Patterns page HERE , you’ll see rather a lot of patterns with the granny stitch and that’s because I love it!! I have bags, blankets and things that go round your neck. There’s lots to start you off and I also have another idea for a shawl design that might become a free pattern very soon. ;p

For amazing inspiration please go HERE to the Pinterest board dedicated to all things Granny (it’s not just squares, you know!).

Chat over on Instagram HERE (use #grannycal19 or #grannycal2019) and on the Ravelry thread HERE. Absolutely everyone is welcome to come and chat. Share your ideas, help out others, share what you’re making etc.

And I think that’s it! I thought I was going to write more than that but actually this is keeping in line with being laid back. Phew! 😀

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xxx

Zeens and Roger Crochet Podcast 46.

January 26, 2019January 26, 2019crochet, vloggingLeave a Comment

Another crochet podcast so quickly? Yes, absolutely! Despite this arguably being the second half of last week’s offerings (go HERE for Episode 45) it is nearly an hour long. There is a lot of catching up to do! I do hope you can hang out with me for a bit. x

As usual, you can click on the picture above to go to the episode, or go HERE to my YouTube channel where you’ll find more episodes and lots of crochet video tutorials as well.

Keep scrolling for links and photographs of things discussed…

Links:

Just because… @chrissie_crafts and @sweet_sharna both also happen to be part of the CrochetZine team.

Hook inspo. Check out @jess_rippengale @knitbrooks, Lykke,

The Making Things App.

Wool and the Gang Shoreline crochet bag. There are more kits for New Wave yarn HERE.

The Zigzag jumper by Kimberley of @ Yarnfamily

The Women’s Institute yarn. Soft & Chunky

John Arbon Textiles

Frost Shawl by Hannah of Cozy Cottage Crochet

Cheers! xxx

C2C CAL: THE END!!!!

November 23, 2018crochet5 Comments

It’s done, it’s over. Step away from the crochet! … How do you feel?

For all my thoughts on the Corner to Corner Crochet Along 2018 please do check out the video (click the pic above) over on YouTube. I chat about what I made, what you made and who won prizes!

I have posted quite a bit on here about the CAL over the last couple of months, there are tonnes of ideas if you want to check them out. The original posts are HERE and HERE.

Thank you so much for joining in, it really does show what a fantastic community we have here. Below are plenty of lovely corner to corner pictures, showing the sort of thing people got up to. There are so many impressive projects here, really demonstrating the tricks one can get up to with this fab stitch! What do you think?

I will leave the vid up for a week before publishing the winners here and on Ravelry. I want it to be a surprise! If you watch and you find out that you’re a winner, please give me a shout and we’ll go from there, cheers ;p

Get yourself to the Ravelry threads and look at the #c2cCal18 hashtag on Insta to see all wonderful makes.

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Top: Crochetlovemelbourne, springintostitch, so_fie1974 Middle: aquabella_crafts, crafty_cc, jellybean_junction Bottom: Sewveehoo, poppyseedsbeads, claudiadingle

top: apapsa, jellybean_junction Bottom: hookonepurlone, craftycruella

Top: claudiadingle, crochetbyredagape Bottom: silvietonellotto, karen.rusticrose

Top: happyinred, knotsosquare, sweetsharna Middle: rebecca70au, teaandcrafting, crochetsmilla Bottom: Janinerosenke, 3littlepears, karen.rusticrose

Top: silvietonellotto, geertje1310 Bottom: thefridaymornings, iceflowercrochet

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C2C CAL Kick Off!! – Havana Nights is LIVE!!

October 7, 2018October 20, 2018crochet5 Comments

It is the start off the Corner to Corner Crochet Along!! Huzzah! 3…. 2…. 1…. GOOOOOOO!!

To celebrate these exciting times, get yourself over to Ravelry for 20% off all my Corner to Corner designs, including Havana Nights!! It is live!!

Havana Nights Blanket

ZZ Block (& Ziggy)

Geo Rainbow Blanket

Geo Rainbow Bag

C2C Geo (non Rainbow!) Bag

Off the Chart blanket

You don’t need a coupon code, the discount is automatically applied to these specific patterns. The discount ends on the 17th of November, which is the last day of the CAL.

Don’t forget that I’ve just released a freebie too. It is the Apres-Ski set and you can find it HERE.

If you missed the original C2C CAL post then go HERE, you’ll find loads and loads of inspiration, stuff about rules (there aren’t many), and let’s not forget PRIZES!!

You can play with charts on Stitchfiddle.com (not an affiliate thing, I just like it)

So, get c2c-ing and I’ll be doing the same. I have ideas for two projects, possibly three… I wonder if I can squeeze them all in!? What are you going to make? Get chatting over on the Ravelry thread where you can share your ideas and what you’re up to! Remember, you can make anything you like as long as it’s corner to corner! Let’s have 6 weeks of C2C fun!

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Free Pattern recipe for the Hotchpotch C2C bag.

My favourite blanket, Havana Nights, claimed by my favourite girl.

xxx

Zeens & Roger Crochet Podcast. Episode 39

October 5, 2018vlogging2 Comments

Happy October! In this episode of the Zeens & Roger crochet podcast, I talk about my finished Mount Tremper sweater, C2C stuff and some Yarndale shenanigans. There’s some news too. Check it out. x

YouTube is where it’s at. Click on the pic above or go HERE to the whole channel.

This episode’s links are:

The Mount Tremper Sweater

C2C Crochet Along information.

The Sockalong 2018

Hobbii

Hobbycraft Leader of the Pac

Yarndale

Crochet REDAgape. I am thrilled that I got to do an interview with Mandy!

The hand dyed yarns I bought at Yarndale are: Five Moons, Wool Couture, Beehive Yarns, Baa Ram Ewe, Cookston Crafts, Rusty Ferret, Truly Hooked, Doulton border Leicester, Skein Queen, Coop knits, Woolfywool.

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xxx

Corner to Corner Crochet Along 2018

September 24, 2018November 10, 2018crochet15 Comments

Hello and welcome!! You must be here because you quite like the idea of making something with corner to corner crochet…

Havana Nights. My absolute favourite blanket!!

This is the second Crochet Along that I’ve hosted, it was so much fun the first time that I’ve decided to do another one! The first CAL was back in February and it was the Granny CAL 2018. Looking back I can see that I already mentioned the possibility of a C2C CAL and here it is!! Yay!

If you’re wondering what a CAL is then you’ll be delighted to hear that I wrote a blog post all about them. It’s HERE if you’d like to read more. I wrote it in March, so there’s some outdated info about the specific CALs mentioned but if you get stuck into the online crochet community you’ll never be far from one, I guarantee it! (current or soon to be starting CALs include a general one by Jodi & Tracey of the Grocery Girls , Hannah is hosting a Nerdalong and Fay, Claudia et al have a SockAlong).

The Geo Rainbow bag featured in Inside Crochet’s celebratory birthday issue earlier this year. Find the pattern over on Ravelry.

The Details

The CAL is six weeks long. Day one is Sunday the 7th of October 2018 and the final day is Sunday 18th November. I’ll close everything on the Monday. I have already opened a chatter thread on Ravelry so if you want to get the talk started early then pop over and say hello, share ideas etc. I’ll open a finished objects thread after the start date.

To join in, all you have to do is pop pictures up of your C2C work on Instagram and/or the Ravelry threads. That’s pretty much it. How much you join in with the chat is up to you.

The aim is to have fun and maybe try something you’ve not tried before. C2C is great for stash busting, fantastic for quick gifts, and once you get going you can really pick up speed and make something in a flash, honest! You can keep it simple or get yourself in a proper tangle by working with lots of different colours at the same time. There are so many (too many?) ways you can adopt this stitch. Honestly, I don’t think we can squeeze it all in here. Join as you go? All in one (my fave)? Stitch pieces together? Ach! So. Much. Choice…

For Instagram entries don’t forget to use #c2cCAL18

My Hotchpotch C2C. Find the recipe on my Free Patterns page.

The Patterns

I would suggest that your first port of call is Pinterest. I’ve set up a board especially and I’m going to keep adding pretty pictures as often as I can. There are free patterns and paid patterns to be found. I’ve also added how-to’s and top tips. Essentially it’s all things C2C in one place. Go and check it out, I think there will be patterns and ideas that surprise you!

Especially for the CAL I have a free pattern available right here on the blog, it’s called Apres-Ski and it’s HERE . There is a written pattern, chart and video tutorial. I showed the first part of the design on my latest podcast HERE . If you want to learn the absolute basics try Bella Coco for her video tutorials. And Mandy from Crochet RedAgape has a great photo tutorial HERE

Also, rather cheekily, may I point you in the direction of my Ravelry store?! I have a few C2C patterns for sale and during the CAL they will have a 20% discount applied (keep your eyes peeled for that). Havana Nights (my absolute favourite blanket design to date) is released on the first day of the CAL. It appeared in Crochet Now magazine a few months ago and I love it! It has 14 different colours of acrylic dk (just mentioning that in case you wanted to make it and prep your colours in advance!)

Don’t forget that you can make your own design too! Get some graph paper and play around with patterns. Or use online software such as Stitch Fiddle. It’s one I use for C2C ideas. It’s free and you can make grids that are especially for C2C!

I also have a couple of designs for free HERE.

The Rules

As long as it’s corner to corner it really can be any stitch. The majority of patterns you’ll see are like the pictures I have here but I’ve seen corner to corner grannies and moss/linen stitch. Use you imagination. Likewise, you can kinda go corner to middle, then stop, if you wanted to make a shawl. I’m OK with that.

When you begin the CAL please make sure your project isn’t just three stitches from the end. If you’re joining in, you’re eligible to be entered into the prize draws. It wouldn’t be fair if someone else was making a blanket from scratch and you’d already completed 75% of your project. Let’s say anything 50% done (or less) will be accepted.

Double dipping is allowed (I’m trying to work out if I can c2c half decent socks….hmm…)

The Prizes

Oh, this is going to be so exciting! There are lots of categories and therefore lots of chances of winning a wonderful prize. There will be digital patterns, yarn and accessories. There are lots of things lined up that I think you’ll like a lot!

Categories include random draws from the Raverly chatter thread, finished object thread and Instagram. There will also be a prize for my favourite comment from the chatter thread (I like things that make me laugh!), my favourite finished object, and from IG, my fave picture (note that I said picture, not just what it is you’ve made. Play around with the composition of your image, experiment with flatlay, stuff like that.).

At this point I need to say a huge huge huge thank you to all those who are donating prizes. This includes: Shirley Rainbow, Lottie & Albert, Jellybean Junction, Raspberry Crochet, Hobbii, Crochet Luna, The Cozy Cottage Crochet, Keep Calm and Crochet On, Dear Ewe, Yarn & Blarney, and possibly more as the CAL moves forward.

And lastly… Thank yoooo!! I cannot wait for Kick off. I hope you enjoy it as much as I know I’m going to! xxx

Oh, and if I’ve missed something or you want to ask a question, then fire away. Now is the time!

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I might make another pencil case for the CAL….

A couple of charts, that I promised on Episode 38 of my crochet podcast…

Just messing about with potential designs…

xxx

Zeens & Roger Granny CAL 2018: The END!!

March 23, 2018vlogging2 Comments

Everything comes to an end. Even super fun granny crochet alongs. Did you join in? Did you have fun?! I blimmin’ well did! I have loved every minute of it. I’ve loved getting stuck in, making grannies just for the pure pleasure of making grannies! I’ve played and experimented, I’ve failed at some projects. I’ve seen your makes and been envious, I’ve seen your makes and decided that I want to make them too. It has been awesome!! Thank you so so much, what an inspiration! The success of this CAL has been thrilling and I’m truly amazed. I would suggest a group hug but we’re getting into soppy territory here and I might chunder.

Click on the image above to watch the YouTube video. It’s basically like a usual episode only it’s granny specific.

The original post about the CAL is HERE. More info about CALs in general is HERE (be sure to read the comments too as they add even more insightful stuff that I forgot!)

Firstly, let me show you some of the things I made. Or didn’t make. I didn’t finish my granny jumper but that’s OK. It’s still eligible for two other CAL’s at the minute so it’s getting entered into Crochet Luna’s Fortune Cookie CAL and The Crochet Circle Podcast’s Different Designer CAL. Just because I didn’t make my own deadline doesn’t mean I can’t still enjoy what I’m making.

Another UFO, never mind, I’ll get there in the end. I’m going to experiment with joins for this one. I’ll report back. One fail is some kind of other achievement. Or something.

And, phew! I did actually get one thing finished.

Anyway, I expect you want me to move on at this point and start telling you about the prizes! And then winners, you’ll want to know about who won!! At this point, I haven’t exactly allocated which prizes are going to which winner but I hope you think it’s OK that I will be trying to match up where the prize is travelling from to where it’s going. Mostly, this is going to work out quite nicely. UK to UK, Australia to Australia and where there are US winners, there will be digital prizes.

The Prizes

In no particular order, here are the prizes… First up is a beautifully made project bag by Pearl & Plum. I met Vivian and Alyson in Edinburgh this weekend and they handed it over to me in person. Whoever gets this is one lucky person. The mother & daughter team have a terrific podcast Keep Calm and Carry Yarn (or KCACY, which is what it’s called in my head).

Qualyn Stark is an up and coming crochet designer from the US (check out Ravelry here), he has offered two designs to one winner, both patterns celebrate the granny stitch. He also has The Quoe Podcast, which you should check out.

Here’s a digital copy of Take Two by Fay and Lynne of the Crochet Circle Podcast. There are some really thoughtful designs in this book. This will be emailed to a winner very soon!

I love the look of this matching set made by Laura of Homefire Ridge. Aren’t they pretty?! I don’t know what it is about a handmade project bags. I can’t get enough of them!! These are waiting for someone in Australia!

Kirstyn of Miss Moffat Yarns dyes such lovely colour ways. One winner gets to choose one of these coast inspired skeins as their prize. I feel really bad as I’ve just recorded the granny special and I get Kirstyn’s name wrong. We’ve met and chatted in real life, this should not happen. I’m so sorry!

A lovely parcel arrived in the post for me this morning from Busy Bee Blocking Boards or @crochetblocking This is one of their small blocking boards especially designed for granny squares; they come in other sizes too. I love it so much. It’s delicately decoupaged and there’s one still prettily wrapped, waiting to be sent off to someone. The prize board won’t be green, it’s lilac.

I have one of these enamel pins and I think it’s the best idea ever! It’s quite clearly a perfect prize for a granny CAL too, just look at that granny motif!! Claudia of Crochet Luna sent this to me along with the stitch markers. Check out Claudia’s Etsy shop for her other pin design too.

And then there’s patterns by me. One winner can choose five of my paid for patterns over on my Ravelry store. I’ll pop one over to all the other winners and collaborators too.

The Winners

Two winners have been randomly picked for each category, apart from my favourites, which were chosen cos they’re my faves (obviously).

Da da daaahhh………………………………..

The Chatter Thread = Timum2 aka Jenny & 2BLoop2 aka Judy

The Finished Object Thread = Feather & Threads (or Jo) & Crochet of Go Crazy (Kara)

The Instagram Winners = Nicole of @Tangleandstitch and @Matilda_Rose_Crochets

My Favourite Two (see pics below) = Bev Baw1812. Love those baby cardi’s! And Emma’s (@EmmaCraftsDesign) Campfire Cardigan, I want one!

And that’s it!! Wowsers!! Thank you to everyone, it’s been a total blast. Loved every minute. X

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What Are These Crochet Alongs all about?! What is a CAL?

March 8, 2018March 8, 2018crafty, crochet18 Comments

My first (and maybe only!) entry into the Granny CAL 2018

I’m hosting a Crochet Along at the minute and it has got me thinking. It’s easy to assume that every crocheter/maker knows exactly what a CAL is but it turns out that’s not the case at all. Since the beginning of the “great” Granny CAL of 2018 I’ve had a fair few folk ask me what it’s all about and I thought a more in depth look would make a pretty good blog post. Soooo…

What is a CAL?

The acronym CAL means Crochet Along, just as KAL is Knit Along and MAL is Make Along. Whatever kind of Along it is, it’s usually a themed virtual get together where everyone makes the same thing. For fun.

The CAL I’m hosting is the Granny CAL and the idea is to crochet something in the granny stitch. That’s all. Nowt tricky. However, there can be loads of different sorts and loads of different reasons why a CAL pops up. Let’s have a look.

This is a spin off blanket from Cherry Heart’s Spice of Life CAL from 2016. This is Spicier Life!

The biggest element of a CAL I’ve discovered is the community. Joining in CALs really got me chatting away to other crafty people online and I’ve made new friends by taking part. I admit that this didn’t even occur to me when I first entered my finished crochet items on Ravelry. To be honest I just wanted to show off my new stuff and be in with the chance of winning a prize!! The social side was an unexpected perk but now it’s one of the main draws. I now know there’s not much chance of getting a prize (CALs are mighty popular and get super busy) but I’m genuinely not fussed about that. The sharing of ideas, as well as tips and tricks brings a disparate bunch of enthusiasts together, enriching what can be a quiet and solitary hobby. In other words, it’s loads of fun hanging out with your crochet mates!

There are lots of different platforms you can choose to hang out on. I’ve seen CALs hosted on Facebook and Instagram whilst I mainly find them on Ravelry. Check out this thread from The Crochet Circle Podcast which lists the CALs happening in 2018. Also, have a look below for a few that are happening right now!

The Three Springs Shawl was entered into Addydae Design’s Accessories CAL last summer.

It’s an opportunity to try something new too. Perhaps you’re not crazy about handmade socks but don’t want to dismiss them. Why not try making them with others in a sock along? Maybe their positivity will rub off on you! Want to make a snazzy shawl but not that confident? Join in the chat and you’ll be helped and supported by people all over the world! A CAL (not to mention the people participating) can give you focus and encouragement so you can achieve your goal without the energy wearing off.

There are other benefits too. It might be that the pattern or colour palette is picked for you so it removes the pressure of working out those details (that’s one of my favourite things to do but I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea). And let’s not forget the potential for a prize or two!

My failed Winter Wonderland CAL attempt – this is still UFO so not the greatest example!!

There are also many reasons why people host CALs. In my case, the idea popped into my head one day, maybe I was just jumping on the bandwagon but a seed was planted. When I mentioned it on an episode of the Z&R Crochet podcast, there was such a wonderfully positive response that it would have been silly not to do it. The most important aspect was that it had to be fun and easy, with no pressure to buy a pattern or any extra yarn if you didn’t need to, the granny is the perfect stash buster after all!

A couple of squares for Lottie & Albert’s Squares for Grace.

It is also a fabulous way to raise money for charity. The host asks lots of people to contribute a small piece of crochet to make up one impressive, giant project. And then there’s the publicity angle. What a great marketing strategy for advertising a new yarn, or pattern release. Whatever the motivation, every single time, it enables people to come together to do what they enjoy and there isn’t much wrong with that.

I don’t think CALs are going anywhere. Here are just a small handful that are happening at the moment:

The Fortune Cookie CAL by Crochet Luna, grab a fortune cookie, crack it open and use the saying as inspiration for you project.
Coastal Crochet’s Seaside Stash busting CAL, a gentle paced blanket, taking place over the next few months,
Fays’ Different Desginer CAL, choose a designer whose patterns you’ve never used before.
The Knitted Knocker CAL, hook up some breasts for women who’ve had mastectomies.

What do you think of CALs? Have you taken part in one? A couple? Loooaads?! Let me know your thoughts. X