ravelry Archives - Zeens and Roger

Waking Winter. New Seasons Crochet Shawl

February 11, 2019crochet5 Comments

Better late than never, Waking Winter is here! This is the third crochet shawl pattern in my Seasons Collection. If you fancy a nose, Emergence of Spring is HERE and Harvest Moon is HERE. All of the shawls in this collection are connected by their take on filet crochet, which is essentially crochet with loads of holes!

The pattern is available on Ravelry, it’s HERE.

Because I also recently added my In a Flap scarf to purchase (and I’ll be adding a couple of other patterns soon) I’ve decided to whack on a 20% discount on all my Ravelry patterns up until the end of Feb. No code is necessary, it’s taken off at the checkout.

Waking Winter will also soon be available on Love Crochet and hopefully The Making Things App.

Can you believe this shawl was supposed to be released on the 21st December? The idea was to have it out in time for the winter solstice. There have been a few snags along the way ranging from genuine Can’t Help It, to my usual lazy apathy (not because I don’t love the shawl, I really really do! Just don’t like writing up the patterns). It’s here now and that’s what counts!

I hope you like it. I’ve really enjoyed creating a proper grown up “collection” so far. I don’t know if I’ll do another one anytime soon but it has been a fantastic challenge to link the designs thematically, yet have them all be different and unique.

Waking Winter comes in both UK and US versions, which I know you love. As well as the written pattern you’ll also find useful stuff, like a proper table for stitch count. I made up a chart for the set up rows and the edging too but all my testers followed the written instructions so I know they’re good on their own.

It has been tested by five fabulous crocheters (thank you!!) and fully tech edited by the lovely Tamara of Crafty Escapism (double thank you!!).

Now to work on the final design: Summer! I have a few ideas but nothing concrete. I know I want it to be a single skeiner and that I want it to be green. That is all so far! I wonder if I’ll manage to actually release it on time…

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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

The Rapture Shawl. It’s Here!!

July 18, 2018September 7, 2018crochet3 Comments

My latest crochet shawl design has been released into the wild!! Hurray! It’s doozy too. Have you seen crochet brioche yet? I am completely in love with it!

Over the last few months Rapture has made appearances on the YouTube podcast but I don’t think I’ve made mention of it here. Do you like it?! It has been such a total joy to work on but the relief that I’m at publication point is huge!

To get yourself a copy go HERE to Ravelry!

Want to know more about Rapture? Read on…

I started making it in March after I’d been to the Edinburgh Yarn Festival. Three of the skeins I used came from yarn I picked up there. I knew that they’d be a crescent shawl when I saw them together, I just knew! Rapture is the second in a possible trilogy of shawls that use a snazzy brioche style border (The first shawl is One Way of Another, which was featured in issue 102 of Inside Crochet magazine and soon to be released on Ravelry – see the bottom of this post for a pic. As for the third shawl? I might try swatching for that tonight… I hope my idea works… Can you guess it’s name?).

Brioche is huge in knitting right now and I can see why, it looks amazing. I love the colour-play that can be achieved, and I love that it lays perpendicular to other rows of stitches. And whilst it’s everywhere in knitting it’s not every where in crochet. Yet. However, over the last year or so I have seen it creeping into creative designer’s work.

There are a couple of different ways you can achieve the look but mostly it’s a form of interlocking crochet. Check out Addydae Designs squishy socks, Miss Neriss’ fab hat, Mamachee’s cute cowl, or have a look at this selection on Ravelry (I typed in brioche crochet and these are the ones that came up!).

Once I’d made it, it took a while to write up the instructions. It was a mammoth task; the border required a lot of working out. Don’t worry though, it’s pretty *easy to crochet up, just a bugger to write down! It’s been through rigorous tech editing [big thanks to Deb from Find me Knitting] and testing too [thanks testing crew!!], I didn’t want any mistakes creeping through.

I have tried my absolute best to cover all bases. There is a chart where I think it’s useful to have a chart, a table of stitch counts & colour changes, and for the border I have made a video tutorial as I think it’s sometimes easier to show you how it’s done rather than make you read all the text (although that text is super important, you do need to read it!! Haha!).

* It is quite easy but this shawl is probably suited to a confident intermediate crocheter.

For this pattern, I want you to have a fun and relaxing time whilst you create your shawl. As such, there aren’t many places where you have to count out stitches. Once the set up rows are done, the main body of the shawl can be done in a fairly free way. Once you’ve set up the first row of the edging, there’s really very little counting you need to do. Mind you, if you’re a stickler for a stitch count, it’s there for you to follow.

Anything else I need to tell you? Hmm, I don’t think so but please get in touch if you have any questions, I’ve love to hear from you. And once you’ve made yours, please add it to Ravelry, I would very much appreciate it. There’s always Instagram too… #zeensandroger

Thanks!! xxx

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One Way or Another. A triangle shaped shawl.

xxx

25% off Crochet Patterns This Weekend

May 26, 2018May 30, 2018crochetLeave a Comment

*offer now closed*

To celebrate the Bank Holiday weekend I’m offering a 25% discount off of all my patterns over on Ravelry and Etsy. There’s no need to enter a code, the money is automatically taken off at the check out. Offer ends Tuesday morning.

So, if you fancy making a new shawl, bag or blanket (or bow, or hat etc …!!) please go to Ravelry HERE or if you prefer Etsy, go HERE!

Thank you so much. xxx

Granny is a Go Go! A Crochet Along

January 17, 2018March 2, 2019crochet34 Comments

EDIT:: The Granny CAL 2019 is HERE. Please come and join in!!

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.

Holey Smokes!! A Crochet Fade

November 17, 2017July 12, 2018crochet29 Comments

Holy Smokes!! Holey Smokes is here!!

I have wanted to design a crochet fade shawl for aaaages. It has been in my head for a while. I knew I wanted to make a Fade, I knew it had to have lacy bits and I knew I wanted crazy colours. For a long time I didn’t feel brave enough to sit down and do all the maths but a few weeks ago I made myself do it. There’s no point putting something off just because you’re a little bit worried. The only way to find out how it would go was to dive right in. Back in the spring I made Deanne’s Addydae Designs crochet Blurre Shawl (have a read) and this was another spur onwards (it’s so pretty, it’s so fadey!).

I love that knitting is embracing The Fade but, ehh, come on crochet! We need more! Sooo, Holey Smokes is my contribution. And I’m kind of working on another one too. Keep your eyes peeled. EDIT: (several months later…) The sequel: Smoke on the Water is HERE!!

ig1 — Smoke on the Water. Holey Smokes’ sequel

The pattern is now for sale on Ravelry. You can find it HERE. I’ve put many more details over on Ravelry; you can find out more technical gubbins by jumping across. I also have a tutorial on YouTube for the Crossed Treble stitch. In the meantime, here are some sporadic thoughts about my fancy new crochet shawl…

I love the yarn! It’s Bluefaced Leicester (so hot right now!) and the colours are just amazing! I happened to stumble upon Somerset Yarns (I wish I could remember how). I absolutely knew that I had to get my hands on all those glorious colours. The fact that Tracey is relatively local to me (just over an hour away, in Bristol) is a coincidence. In fact, I’ve had a spate of buying local hand dyed yarn recently and all of it is coincidental.

Working up the pattern is pretty easy once you get to grips with the main stitches. In the pattern I have included written instructions, photographs and a chart. Between all of that you should be able to decipher the “Crossed Treble” stitch without too much trouble. I’ll be honest, It isn’t the easiest of stitches. I saw about 4 different ways of it being written before I decided to offer a fifth. It has been the biggest challenge in writing the pattern (I didn’t attempt it for three weeks after I made the shawl because I knew it’d be a monster). The pattern has been tested by five wonderful, beautiful, helpful (not to mention patient) people and I’ve had really positive feedback. Big, enormous thanks go to them, they spotted my silly mistakes, such as rows numbered the same as each other. Honestly, I don’t know how that happened!

I’m still having trouble photographing bright colours. The camera says “no”. You can get the gist, though. And we are talking bright colours. Really bright! In fact, I couldn’t help vocalising some choice words when I was hooking it up. That is why it’s called Holey Smokes. It’s a slightly tamer version of my initial exclamation. The “e” is there because the shawl has holes…

What do you reckon? I think it’s ace! I’ve got another one planned but I’m not sure when I’ll get cracking on it. Do you want to make one? Let me know. Cheers! X

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xxx

C2C Geo Crochet Bag Pattern

August 4, 2017August 4, 2017crochet14 Comments

New pattern release!!! Yay! I’ve been working on this one for a while and I wanted to make sure it was perfect. I wish I could make loads of these crochet bags, I love them. Can you tell that I’m a lover of the corner to corner stitch?! I don’t think I’ll ever get it out of my system, there are just so many things you can do with it.

I had a vision of making black and white geometric patterns, somehow I just couldn’t bring myself to go monochrome so ended up trialling lots of colourful designs instead! I couldn’t stop at one design either. This pattern contains three different designs for the main body of the bag and two different strap designs.

The basic C2C pattern is written and there are comprehensive instructions and photographs for construction, including how to add a lining and magnetic clasp. I hope you love it as much as I do. I’ve added it to my collection of Ravelry designs here.

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