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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

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Granny is a Go Go! A Crochet Along

January 17, 2018November 20, 2023crochet34 Comments

EDIT::New CAL for the autumn…. Join in with the Corner to Corner CAL HERE!!

I’m hosting a CAL! I fancy trying something new and this is it! Have you ever taken part in a crochet along? It is so much fun! Not only does it become an opportunity to try something different it also gives you the chance to hang out with online friends (I’ll be honest, the community aspect was an unexpected perk when I first discovered CALs, I just did it cos I thought I might get a prize! I’ve never won anything in a CAL but it absolutely hasn’t stopped the enjoyment of taking part). Go HERE for the 2019 Granny CAL.

Why a Granny cal? Well, it dawned on me that I have two favourite “go to” stitches. One is the Corner to Corner (Oooh, I could do a C2C CAL!!) and the other is the Granny. I love its traditionality but I also think it’s great that it can surprise people. It doesn’t have to be a plain old granny, you could turn it into anything. I know that there are people out there who aren’t that fussed about the granny, so let this be your challenge. Create something that changes your mind, put a twist on it, bring it up to date. Do something different! Yes, this is classic crochet but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to traditional. Or actually, you can if you want. How you dabble in your grannification is entirely up to you.

Some Details

The CAL is six weeks long beginning on Thursday 1st of February and ending on Thursday 15th March 2018. A chatter thread is up on Ravelry so jump over there, get talking and share your ideas. I’ll open the FO thread nearer the time. Need help? Here’s my Granny board on Pinterest to get you started. I’ve got a few granny patterns for free right here on the blog, they’re on this page (evidently, I really do have a thing for the granny). If you have seen something amazing let us know in the comments or on the Ravelry chatter thread. For Instagram entries, please use the ever so adventurous #grannyCAL18 (I struggled with an awesome name – they were all too rude…)

The Rules

There aren’t that many…. There must be granny stitches in your make (clusters of three UK trebles/US doubles) * It can’t be something already finished * Wips are allowed *It can be any size (if you’re short on time then don’t feel bad about making a small purse, that’s what I’m doing!) * This CAL is for everyone, whether you have just started to crochet or you’ve been hooking for yonks, this crochet along is for you. * Double dipping is fandabbydozy, I don’t mind if you don’t.

Prizes

The winner of each category can choose five patterns from my Zeens and Roger Ravelry store. We are also very lucky that some prizes have been donated!! Fabulous Fay of the Crochet Circle Podcast is offering one electronic copy of her pattern book Take Two, which she co-wrote with Lynn Rowe. The lovely Vivian from the Keep Calm and Carry Yarn podcast (it’s a lovely listen) makes beautiful project bags and sells them in her Etsy shop, Pearl and Plum. I had a message from her daughter, Alyson to say they would like to give one as a prize! And Laura from Home Fire Ridge will also be sending out a gorgeous project bag to one lucky winner (the ones I’ve seen are really pretty!) Laura’s Etsy shop is having an update on the 23rd of Jan so keep an eye out! Winners will be drawn after I get back from a weekend away in Edinburgh (arghhh, EYF weekend!!) Edit:: Qualyn from the Quoe Podcast (fast becoming a favourite of mine) is offering his Les Mis collection: two fab granny shawl patterns (I have had the songs in my head allll week). And Claudia (my mate Clauds) from Crochet Luna sent me a message to say she’s popped something in the post for us as a giveaway prize!! This is getting exciting!!

Prize Categories

I will randomly select one winner from the chatter thread on Ravelry and one winner from the finished object thread too. I will randomly select one winner from Instagram and one prize will be awarded to my favourite make overall. That is four opportunities to win a prize! Wahoo!

Cheers!

Finally, a massive Thank You!! I have had such a hugely positive response about this crochet along, it has been truly awesome! Without the enthusiasm from you guys the idea would have been fleeting and surely fizzled out. If you have any questions or feel like I’ve left something out, please comment below or get yourself over to Ravelry to join in the chat. I cannot wait to see your gorgeous grannies!!

By the way, it’s episode 21 where I first mention the idea of a Granny along and then there’s a bit more blather in episode 22. I’m sure I’ll go on about it in future episodes too! Ta. X

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All the above items are made by me. The patterns are mine except the Colour Block Jumper by Cleckheaton and the Magnolia Mandala by Crochet Milan.

Crafting is My Therapy – A Creative Community

June 2, 2017crafty14 Comments

(A glimpse from April – Nicola’s collage with some of April’s contributors.)

About a year ago I stumbled upon a crafty link up called Crafting is My Therapy. It’s run by two crafters: Nicola of Me, You & Magoo and Jennifer of Jennifer’s World whose ethos is pretty self explanatory: it’s about craft as therapy! The link up has now moved to Instagram. More and more people are connecting through their varied crafting and we’re all in agreement that making and creating is definitely an oasis of calm in continually hectic lives.

Last month it was my blogging friend Maura of The Messy Brunette who co-hosted the Instagram hashtag. Read Maura’s thoughts here. This month it’s my turn. I’ll be checking out the hashtags as often as I can and choosing my favourites to post here and over on IG.

If you’re an Instagram user then make sure to tag your crafty projects with #craftingismytherapy_june

We’d love to see your work there!

What Nicola says: “The focus of our hashtag is crafting for pleasure, basically taking some ‘me-time’ to unwind in our busy lives. It doesn’t have to be a finished project, we love seeing work in progress, planning posts or tutorials too.”

This collage is from May and pinched from Maura’s post (whilst I work out how to do collages from other IG users….) starting from top left and its @ crafticland, top right @ yarnandblarney. Bottom left @shirleyrainbow_tb and bottom right is @knottyhoops .

How to Crochet a Beach Bag. Free pattern

May 14, 2017July 15, 2023crafty, crochet, free pattern40 Comments

At the very beginning of April I had an email from Hobbycraft asking if I’d be interested in designing a crochet project for them. It was really exciting to be asked and really exciting to learn that I could pick any materials from stuff they sold in their stores! Caron Cakes took my fancy, it’s self striping so all colour changes are done for me! The brief was “Summer” and what’s more summery than a beach bag?! The crochet pattern pretty much uses two entire “cakes,” including plenty for pompoms. Honestly, it’s a super easy crochet beach bag and pretty fast to work up too.

Hobbycraft have an Instagram account and blog page especially for knitters and crocheters. The bag pattern is up and ready to grab over on Hobbycraft (see below). The best thing of all is that it’s totally free!! They’re asking lots of IGers to come up with crochet patterns at the moment. I think it’s a lovely idea to include crafters who are already connecting in a virtual community. There are some fabulous patterns available and they’ve all been designed by us!

Crochet Beach Bag PDF : Crochet Beach Bag_zeens and roger

Or pop to Hobbycraft, here.

If you are new to crochet it might be helpful to know that I put together a video tutorial for a small, kid’s crochet granny bag that starts in the same way. I chat more about the differences between this large crochet beach bag and the small granny stripe bag HERE.

Whilst I think the Caron Cakes looks fab in this crochet granny stripe bag, I would love to try making a bag in cotton yarn too. I am a huge fan of cotton for bags. It’s strong, sturdy and doesn’t warp or stretch too much. Let me know if you try it!

Seeing as this project came about because of the Instagram community, don’t forget to get in touch with me there: @zeensandroger #zeensandroger. Cheers! x

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