Block #8! We’re now a third of the way through the 2014 Moogly Afghan Crochet-a-Long, and it’s been going swimmingly so far! Hundreds of squares have been made, and I’ve loved peeking at each one you’ve shared. If this is the first you’ve heard of the CAL, don’t worry – it lasts til November, so there’s still time to catch up! Start HERE to read how it works, and then get to crocheting! For those who’ve been following along so far, read on!
Here is the CAL schedule, with links to the previous blocks (click on the date to go to that blog post):
April 17th – THIS POST
May 1st, 15th, and 29th
June 12th and 26th
July 10th and 24th
August 7th and 21st
September 4th and 18th
October 2nd, 16th, and 30th
November 13th and 25th
May 1st, 15th, and 29th
June 12th and 26th
July 10th and 24th
August 7th and 21st
September 4th and 18th
October 2nd, 16th, and 30th
November 13th and 25th
And don’t forget about the Moogly CAL group on Ravelry! The forum is still going strong, and it’s a great place to connect with other crocheters and ask for help with the squares. You can click HERE to check it out. And now for Block #8!
BLOCK #8: Princess by Melinda Miller
(Click the name of the pattern above to go to the pattern page on Ravelry, where the pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF)
Above is the original, made with 3 colors. Below is my version – also in just 3 colors! Still unblocked, but I like, I like!
The Princess square crochet pattern was well written, fun, and relatively easy. And it’s got big big texture too! There are great explanations of the special stitches on the first page, and if you aren’t familiar with the popcorn stitch, you can check out my video tutorial on the Popcorn Stitch HERE. I was able to hit 12″ at Round 12, but she includes instructions for Round 13 if you need them.
I hope you enjoy making the Princess Square! If it isn’t your thing, you can find a list of alternate free squares patterns by clicking HERE. Thanks so much for crocheting-a-long with me!
Liss
I love it! Can’t wait to start it tonight!
Lisa
This is one of my favorites that I have wanted to stitch up! So glad its part of our CAL! I’ll be starting today!
Tamara Kelly
😀 So glad you like it!
Kathleen
Ooooo super pretty! I love the textured squares and this one could very well be my favorite thus far! Great pick!!
Tamara Kelly
😀 Thank you Kathleen!
Alice Correnti
This is my favorite so far. What will be the suggested joining of squares. I would like to start joining now.
Tamara Kelly
For joining each person is welcome to use their own preferred method! Some will probably whip stitch, others will crochet them together. I also really like the flat braid join method, and recently I spotted something called the Celtic Lace join that looks really pretty too!
Cay
Hello! I have made two pretty blocks with this pattern for my CAL Afghan…I can’t help but ask : What is the difference in the mechanics of the partial DC and the DC3Tog? They seem the same to me, which makes me wonder if I am doing something wrong, lol. This is my first CAL, and I’m really enjoying it…made everyone look at my squares at Easter!
Tamara Kelly
I think the “partial DC” term is just a way of naming a specific portion of the dc3tog. 🙂 I’m so glad you’re liking the CAL!
Danielle Taylor
I just love all these patterns!! I’m wanting to start working on the first eight but I’m unsure how much of each color yarn to buy. I’m thinking teal, white, brown and tan and then using an ombre of all the colors to connect the squares together and do a border aroung the finished blanket. How much of each skein should I buy? Thanks!!
Tamara Kelly
Danielle there isn’t a final yardage count available, but your average afghan square uses 150 yds or so, and then there’s joining and the border. I purchased 24 skiens of Vanna’s Choice but I don’t know if that will be too much or not enough just yet… I’d recommend buying either more than you think you’ll need or choosing a yarn without a dye lot (or a very consistent dye).
Zarnaz
Hi Tamara! I must say I’m very happy that I decided to join to this CAL! I’m a self-learned crocheter, I’d never crocheted a block before! But your CAL encouraged me to give it a try!!! And I’m glad I did. Apart from one or two blocks, all are very easy to make! I’m currently making this one, skipped #7 by mistake… And I’ve still got a lot of weaving in to do…
But I wanted to ask you, will there be a tutorial on how to join the squares together, by the end of the CAL? I’ve read many tutorials online but I think I’ve gotten used to following your instructions, and I can’t seem to understand those…
Thirdly, sorry for asking so many things together, but I want to crochet a birthday gift for my best friend… I’m looking for something quick and easy and one which won’t be heavy on my budget… Any suggestions? Looking forward to your reply! Thanks!
Tamara Kelly
Hi Zarnaz! I’m so glad your enjoying the CAL! 😀
I will indeed be doing some joining tutorials a bit later in the year!
For gift ideas, there are some very quick ideas in both of these roundups:
https://www.mooglyblog.com/fast-gifts-free-crochet-patterns/
https://www.mooglyblog.com/last-minute-crochet-gifts-30-free-patterns/
Catherine
Sorry to ask a REALLY basic question, but I’m coming to the end of my first square (I think) – this pattern was really amazing!! I’m almost completely self-taught, and just used online videos to learn all of the stitches! Such a well-written pattern. I’m just a bit stuck on where to measure the 12 inches? Is it that each side of the square needs to be 12 inches in length? Thanks!
Tamara Kelly
Hi Catherine! I’m so glad you made it through! 😀 The 12″ is measured on each side – so 12″ across, and 12″ up and down.