Welcome to the Third Annual Afghan Crochet-Along here on Moogly! Every year it gets a little bit better, and I'm so excited to spend 2016 CAL-ing with you!
For those that are new to the Moogly Afghan CALs, here's how it works!
- No need to sign up/officially join - just jump in and start crocheting! If you come in late, you can start where we are and catch up with missed blocks as we go!
- A new block crochet pattern will be shared here on Moogly every 2 weeks, on Thursdays at 10am CST (the last one will be one day early due to American Thanksgiving). There is a schedule below, and the links will be added throughout the year. These will stay free online forever.
- I will link to the designer's pattern, share a photo of my version of their block, and give any helpful notes that are appropriate.
- Each 12" square will be designed in worsted/aran weight yarn, with a 5.5mm hook. If you choose a different yarn weight/hook size, your blocks will be a different size, but as long as you are consistent, then the blocks should be too! For example, with DK weight yarn, you should get blocks that are about 10" in size.
- French translation PDFs will also be provided on each designer's site, courtesy of Véronique HoRaive! Merci Véronique!
- There is a Ravelry group for the CAL HERE, and a Facebook group HERE - all full of help and camaraderie! Thank you to all of the amazing volunteer moderators!
The 2016 Moogly CAL Schedule
January 7 - THIS POST
January 21
February 4
February 18
March 3
March 17
March 31
April 14
April 28
May 12
May 26
June 9
June 23
July 7
July 21
August 4
August 18
September 1
September 15
September 29
October 13
October 27
November 10
November 23
*****
Block #1: Flame Square by Jessie Rayot, on Jessie At Home: CLICK HERE to go to the pattern page but first, read my notes below!
Above is Jessie's square, in 4 colors! Here's the one I made, using all 6 of my colors:
Now for my notes!
- To print this pattern or create a downloadable PDF, enter the pattern page URL into PrintFriendly.com. You can also cut and paste it into a word document.
- Be sure to read through the special stitch instructions at the beginning of the pattern. This pattern is fun, and very easy if you are familiar with post stitches!
- My square was coming out a little bit small, so I made the last round dc instead of sc, and added an extra round of hdc, and then it came out at 12". But everyone is different so be sure to measure as you go! Learn more about adjusting for size HERE. Remember that the 12″ is measured across and up and down – not diagonally corner to corner.
- I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, and my color order was as follows: Rnd 1-2: Pearl Mist; Rnd 3: Rose Mist; Rnd 4-5: Tangerine Mist; Rnd 6-8: Seaspray Mist; Rnd 9-10: Denim Mist; Rnd 11-12: Purple Mist; Rnd 13-14 (plus extra rnd): Pearl Mist.
- If this one isn't to your taste, you can find a list of alternatives HERE!
Thanks so much for crocheting-along with me!
AmyC says
Yay!!! It's here! Can I skip the rest of school and just crochet????
Sherika says
I'm a so loving the way the colors came out. I may make an attempt at doing two at the same time. Wish me luck!!
Ava says
Whoohoo! Can't wait to get started on this ^w^
Diane says
This is my first CAL and I don't have that much yarn in 6 colours in my stash, if I use more then the 6 colours and just mix and match in the different squares will it be o.k?
I'm look so forward to getting started, the first square is lovely!
Tamara Kelly says
You can use as many or as few as you like! 🙂 I'm using 6, but the designers only have to use 2 or more. 🙂
Tammie says
Yea - ready to get started on this!!!
Robin says
This looks great. I think I'm going to use this CAL as a stashbuster (I have a lot of partial skeins of acrylic worsted, different brands) and hope the randomness works out. 😉 Question: Should I do a gauge swatch every time I do a new square, or should my squares be pretty consistent as long as I use the same hook?
Tamara Kelly says
As long as you use the same weight yarn and hook size they should come close - and in the Notes section above there are tips on getting them all to the same size. 🙂
Duwana says
Yes! Can't wait to start. Thank you.
Tamara Kelly says
😀
Sarah says
I'm just finishing the 2015 CAL (I got a little behind...) but can't wait to start this year's!
Rebecca Harris says
I just finished the first block, it's just lovely! I can't wait for the next block.
Tamara Kelly says
I'm so glad you liked it! 😀
Annette says
If you have to add an additional row to meet the size requirement, won't that mess up the stitch count for the following squares when you go to join them all? I read where you had to do the same thing. I did my last 2 rounds double crochets and still am short. I crochet tight. Thanks for your help!
Annette says
I came up short as well, I had to crochet 2 rows of double crochets on the last 2 rows to try and meet the size requirement of 12 inches and still did not meet the size, can I leave it or add another row of single crochet to meet it. ( that is about how short I am away from 12 inches) I noticed you added an additional row but will that mess up the stitch count for the other squares when I go to join them? Thanks for your help! 🙂 I didn't explain myself very well in the first comment I left. lol
Tamara Kelly says
They squares will all have slightly different stitch counts on the last round, which can be handled in the joining, so I'd concentrate on getting a consistent size first - however many rounds that takes. 🙂
Annette says
Ok, Thank you! 🙂
Sherika says
On the last row where the pattern called for sc, I did hdc instead. Then I did another row of single and it came out to be approx. 12".
Marie says
Excited. Everyone that participated in last cal did an amazing job. Excited to take part this year. Happy to get rid of scrap! Thanks so much!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Welcome Marie!
Christie says
Hi, the URL for Jessica's square is coming up with a blank document on print friendly. I want to download the PDF to my iBooks. Any suggestions?
Tamara Kelly says
I'm not sure how to make it work with iBooks, I'm sorry!
Tamaya says
You can copy and paste the directions into Word, then save the file as a pdf file . . . that's what I did, and I am reading the pattern with my Kindle app.
Rebecca L says
I love this yarn--Vanna's Choice--especially the "mists"! I have made hooded scarves, hats, mitts, and even a top with the mists, but not an afghan. I'm inspired to do this with you!
I really appreciate the patterns you design also--thank you so much for sharing them!!
Faithful follower,
Rebecca L 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you! 😀 It's my first time using the Mists and I'm really enjoying them!
Shannon says
Okay, my count is fine on round 7, but I keep getting 21 st. instead of 22 on each side of round 8. What am I doing wrong??
Tamara Kelly says
Usually when this happens it's because it's easy to miss working into the first stitch of each side, as it can blend into the corner.
Linda says
Just for general planning purposes ... how many tota skeins of Vanna's Choice for the entire CAL project (range is okay)? Thank you!
Tamara Kelly says
I went with 27 total, based on previous year's needs. But I had some of most colors left over.
Jess says
How many squares of each do we do?
Tamara Kelly says
As many as you like! Though most (myself included) will only do one.
WheelyBad says
I have a bag full of jewel tone colours in DK which will make a perfect size blanket for the sofa. This will be my first "along" of any kind and the fact the pattern stays up is great as I'm not always well enough to crochet. I crochet a lot from US charts so I will be able to follow easily. This will be good for reigniting my crochet (and knitting) habit as I'm half way through a lovely crochet sweater for the Mister and went a bit stir crazy doing the same two stitches. Then Christmas came along and I put it down to make gifts and just haven't picked it up again. Luckily it's a lightweight sweater, vital bit of clothing for the summer living on the east coast of England lol, so here begins my rather late new year resolution, to CAL and to finish that sweater!
I have followed your blog for a few months now and I just want to say thank you for the wonderful patterns and great advice.
Tamara Kelly says
Thanks so much WheelyBad! I hope your health improves in 2016!
Free akins says
New to the CAL.
Tamara Kelly says
Welcome! 😀
Amy says
I have never participated in a CAL before, so please bear with me as I begin. I also have never, and I mean since I learned to crochet as a pre-teen, learned to make granny squares, so I am doubly challenged!
Moving to new digs by the end of the month, so I am hoping to use the CAL of the week to help me unwind and decompress at the end of the day.
Thanks for listening! I hope I can do this. I really do!
Amy
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I believe in you!
Julia says
This is my first time joining in a CAL, I just finished the first block and had to add a few extra rounds to have it come out to 12 inch square. I'm using a 5.5 hook and Vanna's Choice lionbrand yarn so not sure why the extra rounds but I'm happy with the results!
Tamara Kelly says
It's all a matter of personal gauge - if you read the notes on the post above, I added some too! 🙂 I'm glad you like it!
Sharon wade says
This is the first CAL I have done. Have been crocheting a very long time so will enjoy a challenge! I am not able to buy much wool locally in the part of the UK where I live, so have opted for a thin chunky wool and a 5mm crochet hook. Had to work an extra row to make the size correct but the first square has turned out well. Looking forward to the next one.
Tamara Kelly says
Sounds perfect! 🙂 Thank you, I'm so glad you've joined in!
Julia says
I'm excited about this CAL - my first as a beginner - but I'm having problems just printing the pattern. It comes up blank when I try the print friendly.com + URL option and when I copy and paste as suggested. Please help me as I really want to get started.
Tamara Kelly says
I used copy and paste to a word document, that comes up blank for you too? Hm. Maybe a screen shot?
Julia bRyan says
Tried putting the url in at print friendly.com. It only came up with the link, not the pattern. I tried print and PDFs with the same result. ☹️
Love the pattern and can't wait to get started. Couldn't finish the 2015 CAL due my dads illness and passing. But plan to take the squares I did complete and make pillows out of them. ?
Tamara Kelly says
This one isn't cooperating with Print Friendly for some reason - I've talked to the designer and she hasn't blocked it or anything, so it's one of those technical mysteries. You will have the best luck with a cut and paste into a doc. 🙂
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I lost my own dad last year, and I know how it just takes it right out of you. I hope 2016 is better for both of us. ♥
Sherika J says
I had to copy and paste into Microsoft word. It's better that way. You can't take out the unwanted ads.
Sorry for your loss. It'll be 7 years this year that I lost my dad & I know what you're going through. Just know it'll get easier & when you feel sad think of a good memory or what he would say to you.
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you Sherika, I appreciate it. ♥
Laura says
I can't wait for the next square! I'm sure I won't be saying that a couple of months down the line when I have fallen behind though lol!
I've done mine in DK with a 4mm hook and has come out to 7.5 inches using the original pattern. I'll wait to see how the next couple size up before I make any alterations.
Thanks for creating such a great project 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so much Laura! I'm so glad to hear it!
Dawn Kruk Burke says
The additional choices for blocks are listed as free but then I clicked on one and it said it cost 1.99 and was no longer free. Will you have other blocks that will be free in the event you don't care for the block that was released that given week?
Tamara Kelly says
The collections of free blocks are just extras I found online, not officially part of the CAL, so the designers are free to change prices and such at their discretion. I may put together a new list for this year, but at least some of the blocks in that collection should still be free.
Dorota says
Hi. This is gonna be my first ever CALL that I attempt. I already love it and I am just about to start my first square.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Welcome aboard, I hope you enjoy it!
Amanda dedig says
Very excited. Finished with Block #1 just in time for #2.
I did learn something new with #1.
When will #2 be loaded. I know there is a time zone difference so I am checking every few minutes
Tamara Kelly says
10 am central! 😀 I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
Sherika says
Oooooh, one more minute! I've been checking all morning for the pattern! LOL Glad to know it is 10:00 my time. Now I know exactly when to check!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so happy to see all the excitement this year!
Lesley says
Hi I don't seem to be able to download a PDF of the first square of this CAL, if I copy and paste the url all I get is the heading, when I go onto crafty for the advertised PDF there is a charge of £1.40 please can you help.
Tamara Kelly says
For this one my best recommendation is to cut and paste it into a word document.
Eileen says
HELP! This is only my second CAL, so I am totally challenged. Approximately how much yarn is needed for this CAL? I can't find the info anywhere. I know it depends on a lot of things, so even the amount for one square of one color will be a good starting point. I can get a better idea if I have that.
Thanks very much in advance for your help!
Eileen
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Eileen! I talk about the amount here: https://www.mooglyblog.com/mooglycal-2016/ 🙂 Welcome!
lesley jackson says
unable to copy and paste url into print friendly as it only produces the Jessie at Home website address, perhaps this is why it suggests you go to Craftsy to purchase a PDF, little disappointed x
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Lesley! For some unknown reason this one is giving a little trouble, even the site owner can't figure out why it won't work! I recommend copying and pasting it into a word document to print it out, if you cannot work it directly from the site.
Barbara P says
Please tell me how to join the crochet along. I was looking for something else when I found out about it. I have never joined one before. I need to look kb why I do not get emails from you
Best Regards
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Barbara! There's no "official" way to join - you just start crocheting the blocks! 🙂 There are links to the Ravelry and Facebook groups in the blog post above, but they are optional (but also a lot of help if you get stuck on a pattern!). I hope you enjoy them!
shoshana says
the squares are coming out absolutely gorgeous, are you planning to tell us how to join the at the end, or should i begin to attach them already now?
thanks for such a great project.
shoshana
Tamara Kelly says
Joining is an individual choice, but I've got a collection of great ideas HERE! 🙂
Jane says
Hi, Fairly novice crocheter, but determined! Startng this CAL this week!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Welcome, thank you Jane!
Paula says
I am going to try. It look hard
Tamara Kelly says
Be sure to visit the linked Ravelry group if you need help! They are great, and have a thread for each square with tips and tricks and questions. 🙂