craft Archives - Page 14 of 21

Zeens & Roger Crochet Vlogcast. Episode 23

January 19, 2018crochet, vlogging5 Comments

Hello!! It is time for Episode 23 of the Zeens and Roger crochet podcast [SEO, folks!] / crochet vlog. There are some delightfully embarrassing moments, including ungainly lumbering upon a sofa and a super geeky confession at the end. I hope you enjoy it! Please click on the link above for the episode or jump to my YouTube channel HERE.

Links to all the things:

Granny Crochet Along!! information is HERE. The links to Ravelry and Pinterest etc are over there. I am so looking forward to this!

Little Hearts for Grace squares

The Weekender Blankie by Sandra of Cherry Heart

Geek Chic Crochet by Nicki Trench

The knitted mitts pattern is called Rowan Frost wrist mitts on Ravelry.

The Crossed Treble stitch tutorial (also known as the Star Mesh stitch or the Cane Work stitch)

I think that’s it for stuff you might be interested in (my notes are on the other side of the room!). A few pics of the last couple of week are below. 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.

Crochet Tutorial: The Crossed Treble Stitch (or Cane Work or Star Mesh st).

January 12, 2018crochet, vlogging13 Comments

This tutorial has been on my list of things to do for quite a while. As soon as I saw the stitch I loved it! I absolutely knew I wanted to crochet something with the crossed treble/cane work/star mesh stitch. The trouble was, I didn’t understand the written pattern I’d found. With a bit of research and some trawling of Pinterest I found a few different versions. Each version had its own take and they were all written completely differently from one another. Meh! Eventually I pieced together how it was done and in an effort to save you from all that faffing I’ve filmed a tutorial. I hope you like it. Click on the pic above to get to YouTube.

Also, I’m quite pleased that my faffings turned into a design. I used the stitch in my Holey Smokes! shawl, which is available on Ravelry. Read more about it Here. It’s a crochet fade!

To accompany the tutorial, I thought it’d also be helpful to share with you the relevant patterns that I found. They’re not all identical but essentially the elements are there. They’re in the following places: Page 47 of this crochet stitch dictionary, the book I show in the video is this one, there’s a written pattern named the Cane Work stitch in issue 59 of Simply Crochet, it’s called the Star Mesh stitch Here, and here’s a pic break down on Pinterest. You should find these useful. Finally, below is my version with pictures (please note, it just demonstrates the crossed treble itself not the swatch instructions):

The Crossed Treble is worked over 3 stitches (inc a missed stitch in the middle). The bottom “legs” of the cross are made first and then, the top right “arm”. The second “arm” is a treble worked into the centre of the cross.

YO twice, insert hook into required st, YO & pull through lp (4 lps on hook), YO & pull through 2 lps (3 lps on hook), YO, miss 1 st, insert hook into next st, YO & pull through lp (5 lps on hook), (YO & pull through 2 lps on hook) 4 times, ch 1, YO, insert hook in middle 2 st of cross, YO & pull through (3 lps on hook), (YO & pull through 2 lps) twice.

If you want to do a straight up swatch like I do in the tutorial, you’ll need to chain multiples of 4. Begin the first Crossed Tr in the 6th ch from hook. At the end, turn and ch 5 to begin the next second row. The rest of the pattern is a repeat of the second row which staggers the CT’s over the ones of the row below. Eeh, watch the vid and you’ll know what I mean!

Good luck and enjoy!! Cheers. X

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Episode 21. Crochet Catch Up.

December 22, 2017January 10, 2018vlogging13 Comments

I am in a good place for this time of year. I hope you are too. I feel like I’ve played catch up and won. This episode is about showing off the latest finished objects (note that I have not said anything about WIPS!). I also chat about old pals and how I feel about progression in my work. Don’t forget to click on the picture above which will take you to YouTube.

Oh, and something else I mention is this: Would you be interested in some kind of Granny-a-long? Embrace all things Granny? I am thinking of hosting a CAL (that’s Crochet-a-long) in the new year focusing on the humble granny square/stitch. Let me know what you think!

Here are the links for everything I have talked about in this crochet podcast. And please do scroll beyond for all the crafty things…

Colour Block Jumper

C2C Rainbow blanket. The blog post is here. The pattern is now available to buy on Ravelry Here

Crochet Granny Christmas hat

Granny Stripe Scarf pattern

One Skein Wonderland CAL

Photography Mittens by Carmen Jacob on Ravelry

The Wool Kitchen. I’ve got Nebula in aran.

Infinity Triangle Scarf

Plant pot hangy doodah by Vickie Howell.

Cheers and Merry Christmas. xxx

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xxx

Last Minute Pattern: Crochet Granny Christmas Hats

December 18, 2017December 18, 2017crochet7 Comments

Oh, how I wish I’d thought of these designs a wee bit earlier. There is literally just one week to go before Christmas Day for goodness’ sake! Better late than never I suppose and now they’re here, they’re here forever!

It was this big boy that popped into my head first (a couple of days ago). I didn’t like my other crochet Christmas hat very much as I’d not made much of an effort in the design stakes (see me talk about that disaster Here). Instead of fiddly fine fluffy mohair (yeah, that’s the other hat) I decided to go for a rush job and choose the chunkiest yarn my LYS had. In the last two days I’ve made three versions to get the result I’m really happy with (the first two I was quite chilled about frogging; this hat takes no time to work up!). Yesterday we had a lovely Christmassy lunch at a pub with friends and I sat there and worked on the mini versions!

The big hat uses just over one ball of the red and left me with about half a ball of cream. I felt bad at abandoning all those leftovers and mild to moderate guilt resulted in this collection of mini jobs. They are pretty cute in my opinion and perhaps, deserving of being called “modern” (although, does that make me sound old and clueless? Hope not).

Regarding the biggun, one size fits all. We tested it on our after-lunch walk yesterday. It fits beautifully on all heads, in different kinds of ways. The boy has it so that it is slightly oversize-in-a-good-way, it fits me like a normal hat, and it perches snuggly on a giant nut, like the one my mate’s got (cheers Paul!).

The minis can be tree decs or a garland thingy. I love both (which surprises me as I’m not a bunting person), so versatile!! Today I’ve typed up the patterns for both hat sizes as a 2 for 1 thing. The pdf is available as a download from Ravelry. More technical talk is over there so do please pop over and whilst you’re there, maybe you’ll be tempted to buy a copy! There is still time, honest!

Anyway, I hope to see you here at least one more time before Christmas as I’m hoping to record a vlogcast on Thursday (see YouTube Here). I didn’t think I’d have anything to talk about but actually, it turns out that I do. Fancy that!

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HoHoHo? X

Crochet Christmas

December 1, 2017December 1, 2017crafty12 Comments

It’s December already!! How did that happen?! Fear not, there is still plenty of time to sort out a crochet Christmas if that’s what you want to do. In the past I’ve bust a gut trying to make something for everyone and to be perfectly honest, this year I just can’t be bothered! I’m still going to have a crochet Christmas though. ‘Course I am!!

First of all I’ve signed up to a couple of Secret Santa thingummies. One is for bloggy crafters (Stitching Santa) and the other is over on Instagram. Part of the deal for signing up is that you make handmade stuff. The great thing is, is that I know that the participants will be as enthusiastic as me about handmade (whereas, who knows what friends and family think when I’m palming off handmade stuff on them?!).

Sooo first up I thought I’d make some wrist warmers. Quick, easy and very wearable. This year I’ve made a pair for myself and I’m making a pair each for my secret Santa peeps (the pair in the above pic are destined to be sent out). I used my own design from the Vintage Autumn set that I’ve got on Ravelry. I made the larger size as I want them to fit and whilst the small size fits me, I do have wrists like twigs. [In my last vlogcast I might have mentioned that wearing two lots of crochet at the same time was a bit like doing double denim, ie don’t do it! Therefore, the above picture amuses me as I manage three items whilst sitting on a crochet blanket!].

If making crochet presents is too stressy then you can always dec your halls instead. I’ve talked about these crochet baubles on the blog already and they have a post of their own Here. A brilliant use of scraps!

Some of my other favourite crochet decorations are some gorgeous Xmas puds from Planet June (you must check out all the other free patterns, including some more festive makes). I also found a toadstool decoration, I can’t remember if this is the pattern I’ve used but it looks like a good one. Toadstools look lovely on my tree!

I’m also doing a swap. I’m swapping some of my old makes with someone else’s, which is a brilliant way of getting something new and exciting for Christmas. Er, what else?… Well, there’s shopping! Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday. Find someone/something on Etsy, Folksy or check out local craft fairs to find independent makes that other people have worked so hard to create. I’m endeavouring to do a bit more of this this year. So far I’ve only managed to buy things for myself though…

What are you doing for your crafty Christmas? Have you been super organised, or have you left it to the last minute like me?!

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Episode 19 of a Crochet Vlogcast

November 24, 2017vlogging3 Comments

Howdy folks! How’s is going? Fancy a crochet podcast / vlogcast / thirty minutes of me talking to you (mostly) about crochet?! Then click on the pic above!! Thanks ever so much.

Here’s a list of the stuff I talked about this episode. If something is missing and you want to know, please give me a shout. Ta.

Holey Smokes!! The blog post is here, The pattern on Ravelry is Here. Remember that there is a 20% discount until the 8th of December.

My Christmas bauble video tutorial is Here. The written pattern is Here.

Miss Moffat Yarns on Etsy.

Zeens and Roger on Love crochet/Love knitting

Winners of my Christmas Giveaway are… EmilCarv 1963…. and Anna4520Sweden. Well done to you two!!! Happy Christmas!

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Some more pics below…

xxx

Crochet Bauble Pattern & Tutorial!

November 16, 2017November 8, 2022crochet, free pattern16 Comments

Christmas is pretty much just around the corner, honestly, it’ll be here before you know it. I’ve noticed this year that crochet baubles are all the rage, so I’ve had a go at my own simple pattern. I’ve put together a tutorial for YouTube too, so if that’s more your thing then do jump across to my YouTube channel… Here is where you’ll find the crochet bauble video!

It’s always surprising just how quickly these work up and you will find yourself making loads and loads! The more the merrier with a crochet bauble. They look so good on a tree when there’s a gaggle of them (I’m not sure what the collective noun of a bauble should be so if you have any suggestions, let me know!).

Anyway, rather any further preamble, go get your decs out and get crocheting!

If you would like to support my crochet adventures, feel free to check out my other Free Patterns. Cheers! x

Things you need to Crochet Baubles

-6cm (diameter) baubles. Mine are from Sainsbury’s but I bought similar from Wilko’s last year. I think they’re a fairly standard bauble size.

-3mm hook.

-DK cotton in different colours. I’ve tried many brands and they’re all good: Paintbox, Drops, Dmc Natura, Stylecraft Classique etc…

Notes:

Fasten off (FO) after each round and join the new colour with a ss (slip stitch) just to the right of where you fastened off.
If you want to avoid sewing in most ends, crochet over them as you go but it is worth sewing them in if you have the time and patience.
UK terms are used in the written pattern, I try to use both UK & US in the video. Things to remember are: a UK tr is a US dc. A UK dc is a US sc.
Make 2 of the pattern for each bauble.
Please read the whole pattern through before starting.

Crochet Bauble Pattern

Begin with a Magic Circle (or ch4 and join with a slip stitch).

Ch1, 1tr, ch1, *tr2tog, ch1; rep from * 5 times, join with a ss to the top of the first petal. [6 “petals”]
(Ch2, 1tr, ch1, tr2tog, ch1) in same space, (tr2tog, ch1, tr2tog, ch1) in each 1ch sp, join with a ss to the top of the first petal. [12 “petals”]
Ch3, 2tr in first ch sp, 3tr in each ch sp around, join to top of the ch3. [12 clusters]
Ch2, 1htr in each st around. [36 st]
Ch1, 1dc in each st around, join with ss.

Make two halves. Sew in the first and last ends. Do not FO after round 5 on the second half. Place both halves together, right sides out and ss together, facing loops only. Just over half way, wriggle the bauble into its jacket and continue to ss together. This can be fiddly but it’s worth it! Sew in last end, using it to tidy around the hanging bit of the bauble if you need to.

And the next instruction is to make several!! As I said earlier, with crochet baubles, in my opinion it’s a case of the more the merrier. And Christmas is always a time to be merry (and bright!).

Fancy giving it a go?! Please do give me a shout if you have found the pattern/tutorial useful. A thumbs up on YouTube helps too, I understand it gets more reach or some such thing. Thank you very much!

Also, please feel free to go ahead and share a link to this pattern. Sharing is truly marvellous! But I ask (really rather nicely, please, thank you, please) that you credit Zeens and Roger if you do. Thanks again.

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For the Love of Crochet

November 3, 2017crochet15 Comments

Hey there! To be honest I’m just popping by to say hello. I haven’t written a blog post this week and can’t think of anything specific to write about. So this just because I love crochet and want to share it today. Hope that’s OK.

I finished a blanket, which is pretty much the same as the first Rainbow Edged Granny I made. Unlike the other one, this one is in my Etsy shop. At the moment there is a 20% discount on all the items. That runs until the 16th of this month. The code is ZEENS. You’ll need that to get the discount, should you wish to spend some spondoolies.

I don’t think I mentioned here that I made my friend an Urban Stripe shawl. I used Drops Merino and in case you wanted to use that too, I will tell you that it took 7 balls of yarn and the notes are all there on my Ravelry project page.

I haven’t had as many views on the latest crochet podcast. I think it might be the big spider that’s done it. The episode actually has very little to do with the spider although of course I have mentioned him. It’s a standard episode with a little bit of dressing up thrown in. Please do check it out, it’s half and hour of crochet chat. Pop over to YouTube and have a look.

I’m picking up and putting down the Weekend Blankie. Have you made one? It’s a lovely, easy project. Completely stress free actually. Mindless crochet is my favourite crochet. I’m using StyleCraft Life dk.

And I’m still working on sitting down to write up the pattern for my Holey Smokes! shawl. It’s coming with me to StitchFest Southwest this weekend. It’s very Totnes is this shawl! If only I could muster the will power to type up the pattern. I know I’ll feel much better once it’s just blimmin well written. A kick up the bum is what’s needed.

That’s pretty much been my love of crochet this week. Although I did have to put it down to watch Stranger Things 2 this week. Oh my, that was good telly!! What have you been up to?

xxx

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Crochet Vlogcast Episode 17

October 27, 2017October 28, 2017vlogging2 Comments

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 spider and some fancy-dress, er, there is little else to do with this fun filled holiday. But I still love Halloween! Please click on the pic above to fly (broom stick style) to YouTube.

In this episode I talk about the following delights:

My Rainbow Edged Granny. The blog post is Here, the video tutorial is Here.

Spider Blog Post is Here. The YouTube Tutorial Here.

Giant crochet hook case. This is the tute I used.

The Weekender Blankie by Sandra of Cherry Heart.

Check out Shirley Rainbow’s Folksy shop. And why not see her work on Instagram (this is where I saw the discount code).