Thank goodness for Ravelry’s notebook and the functionality to track projects.  Otherwise I wouldn’t have remembered that it was the 23rd April when I began crocheting a Zen jacket.  It took me until the 8th of August to finish it.  Not because it was difficult, but because the rest of life interfered (and it quickly became too large to work on as a commuter project).

I used around 5 balls of NaturallyCaron.com Spa, which is a bamboo/acrylic blend. I used the same yarn for my Chloe cardigan and for Clare’s and Stella’s Clarity cardigans.  I love the softness and drape, and a ball goes a long way.

This jacket is an interesting shape, with long pointed fronts and a point at the centre back. The sleeves flare beautifully too. The pattern photos suggest the option of wearing it tied at the front. I’m not so sure.

The overall conclusion? Doris Chan is a master of top down seamless crochet patterns and the use of shells.  Just wonderful – enjoyable to crochet and enjoyable to wear.  By the way, the charcoal long-sleeved t-shirt underneath is my latest rendition of McCalls 6164.  Just a plain banded scoop neckline and plain long sleeves.   A great basic for layering.