We're definitely in the home stretch now! Last week I shared some great joining methods for the squares, and now it's time for the last 3 patterns. This CAL started off with a challenge, and I've saved some of the more entertaining squares for last too! This one in particular is very special - designed by my friend "e" Lee of The Crochet Lounge for the Moogly Afghan Crochet-a-Long! I made it "blind" - with no pictures - and it was so fun, and kept me interested til the end! Remember too that the very last square will be released a day early, on a Wednesday, due to American Thanksgiving. But if this is the first you've heard of the 2014 Moogly Afghan Crochet-a-Long, then start HERE to read how it works - and plan on joining in next year!
Need to catch up? Here is the CAL schedule, with links to the previous blocks (click on the date to go to that blog post):
November 13th and 25th
BLOCK #22: Starburst Flower Mandala Square
by "e" Lee of The Crochet Lounge (via the Internet Archive)
(Click the name of the pattern above to go to the blog page for this pattern.)
Above is the original, made with 6 colors. Isn't it amazing?! There is SO much happening in this design, enough to keep you interested from start to finish. But it still only takes a couple evenings! Below is mine, made with 4 colors:
Now for my notes!
- Moogly tutorials that might help you: Spike Stitch, Standing Double Crochet, Chainless Starting Double Crochet, Puff Stitches, Magic Circle
- Be sure to read through the special stitches before you begin. This pattern isn't written in strictly standard format - it's got lots of notes to help you along! Follow the tabs from left to right, with Finishing Rounds as the last section.
- And as always, be sure to measure your work as you go! I found that my square was coming out far larger than it was supposed to. So I skipped Rounds 14 and 15, and worked Round 17 with sc sts instead of hdc- and that brought me to exactly 12 inches.
- This pattern has a lot of pop, texture, and color changes - it's a showstopper! If your flower curls up more than you like, steaming will help relax it. Or you can tack it down with a bit of yarn!
- My color pattern was as follows: Round 1-2 White; Round 2 Red; Round 3 Blue; Round 4 - 7 Red; Round 8 Green; Round 9 White; Round 10 Blue; Round 11 White; Round 12 Red; Round 13 and 16 White (14 and 15 skipped); Round 17 Green.
Ashley
Oh my, it is beautiful!!! one of my favorite squares so far, and i am looking forward to using this in the future too.
Aglaé
It's so beautiful ! I love it !!!
Tamara Kelly
😀 I'm so glad to hear it Aglaé!
Katie
the web page with the pattern is not loading for me, says it is unavailable =(
Tamara Kelly
Sorry Katie, we overloaded their servers! Hopefully it will be back up today!
Amanda
I love the square, but I absolutely hate that you have to access the web to use it, or click and print individual parts. Can they not all be compiled into a PDF? I prefer to crochet no where near my computer, and don't want to spend a lot of time clicking, copying, pasting and printing!
Tamara Kelly
I understand Amanda! For help on that score, you'll need to talk to The Crochet Lounge. 🙂
albertine
I was copying and pasting when I looked at the comments.
Someone found the "Print Friendly" button and so did I. There you can also choose "PDF".
I have it twice now. But better twice than none 😉
I'm almost up to speed. To think that I was 8 squares behind...
Tamara, I know you are preparing next year's CAL, but I thought strips AND squares together wold be nice 🙂
Kyla
I know you said you skipped round 15, but I am stuck! I can't seem to find a way to get a hold of the ladies at the Crochet Lounge so I thought I would ask you 🙂 from what you see, is it just like round 13? I got confused with how they worded it as far as making the criss-crosses and just had to put it down out of frustration!
Tamara Kelly
I believe so! 🙂 This thread might help too: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/moogly-afghan-cal-2014/3058437/1-25
Diane
Tamara,
Are you going to put all the pattern blocks from the 2014 CAL in an eBook or as one unit on Ravelry so they can be accessed easier?
I have my colors and yarn purchased, but have been slow to start and don't want to accidentally miss a block.
Can't wait to see what the 2015 CAL!
smita
Hi - I know I am a bit late, but I cannot find the instructions for a puff heart stitch anywhere. I can do a normal puff stitch - please help.
Thank you