Woohoo!! It's time to kick off the 2017 Afghan Crochet Along here on Moogly! We'll be making 24 12" x 12" squares, with a new square released every 2 weeks, now through November. So let's get started!
First a quick summary and some important links:
- No need to sign up/officially join – just jump in and start crocheting! Work at your own pace.
- The blocks will stay free online forever. Each post will have links to all past block posts as well as the newest block.
- Each 12″ square is designed in worsted/aran weight yarn, with a US-J, 6.0 mm 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. Get creative with color and make it your own!
- 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! It’s a great place to go if you need more help with a particular design!
The 2017 Moogly CAL Schedule
January 5 - THIS POST; January 19
February 2; February 16
March 2; March 16; March 30
April 13; April 27
May 11; May 25
June 8; June 22
July 6; July 20
August 3; August 17; August 31
September 14; September 28
October 12; October 26
November 9; November 22
*****
Block #1: Fantastic! Afghan Square by Julie Yeager, on Julie Yeager Designs
Above is Julie's original, made in 4 colors. Below, you can see my version, made with 6 colors!
My Notes:
- This pattern is free - CLICK HERE to go to the pattern. Julie has also created a photo tutorial for this square - click here! And she has a special sale on her other blocks for Moogly fans too - click here for that!
- When I made this pattern, it came to 11", so I added one extra round of hdc – and that got me to 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.
- Techniques you can use with this square: Magic Circle; Keeping a Magic Circle Closed; Standing Double Crochet; Post Stitches; Back Loop Only; Seamless Join; Joining with Single Crochet
- I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice, and my color scheme was as follows – Rnd 1: Rose Shocking; Rnd 2: Lemon; Rnd 3: Aqua; Rnd 4A: Radiant Lime; Rnd 4B: Aqua; Rnd 5A: Aquamarine; Rnd 5B: Aqua; Rnd 6A: Rose Shocking; Rnd 6B - 8: Aqua; Rnd 9: Lemon; Rnd 10: Radiant Lime: Rnd 11: Aquamarine; Rnd 12: Rose Shocking; Rnd 13: Aquamarine; Extra Rnd: Silver Grey.
Thanks so much for crocheting-along with me! I can't wait to see all the beautiful blankets you crochet this year!
Get Moogly on your favorite social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, G+, Pinterest, Instagram and Tumblr! Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this Crochet Along.
monika says
for these blocks that are pictured, do you already include the row that you are doing for the border in order to connect? this is my 1st year and i'm not sure if we do all the blocks as pictured then we go back and do a row of DC so we can connect.
Tamara Kelly says
It depends on what joining method you use! That part is personal preference. 🙂
zikhona says
Thank you so much. This will be my first Cal. Ive been waiting with excitenent since this morning - I am in SA and we 8 hrs ahead!
I would just like to ask, are we making 1 of each square or 2? Thank you.
Regards
Zikhona
Tamara Kelly says
I'm only making one of each, so that I'll have 24 squares at the end, enough for a 4 foot x 6 foot blanket. If you want a larger blanket, or to make more than one, then you can make as many squares as you like! Thank you Zikhona, I hope you enjoy the CAL! 😀
michele says
what color did Julie use?
Tamara Kelly says
She lists those in the pattern. 🙂
Karen says
For Julie's colors I see the color names listed but not the brand. Am I missing something?
Tamara Kelly says
She chose not to list the brand on hers, each designer writes up their patterns a little differently.
Sherika J says
For the 2015 & 2016 afghans, I started & didnt finish. This year I am determined to do so. I may just use last years colors & use the squares I've made as substitutes if necessary.
Tamara Kelly says
That works! 😀 I hope you enjoy this year's patterns!
Adrienne McCarthy says
Great way to start us off, Tamara! This is beautiful, and now in my Ravelry library for safekeeping. Can't wait to hook it up!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad you like Adrienne! Thank you!
Debbie says
How many skeins of each color is needed to complete all of the squares?
Tamara Kelly says
How many of each color depends on how many colors you use, but 26 balls of Lion Brand Vanna's Choice should be enough to complete the afghan, including joins and border. If you use 6 colors, as I am doing, you will want to get 4 balls each of 5 of your colors, and 6 balls of the color you'll use for joining/borders (and a bit in the squares too if you like). 🙂
Beajae says
It's beautiful!! What a way to start a new year!!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad you like it!
Naahma G. says
How many colors are involved? I'm already overwhelmed!
Tamara Kelly says
You can use as few or as many as you like! 🙂 The designers will each use their preference, and I will be using 6.
shoshana says
so glad to be atarting again! thank you Tamara
Tamara Kelly says
🙂 I'm so glad you're here!
Sarah Perkins says
Looking forward to doing this cal thank u to all involved x
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm glad you're joining us and I hope you enjoy it!
Jennifer says
How many squares for each new link?
Tamara Kelly says
Every two weeks there will be one new square pattern. You can make one of each for a 24 square, 4 foot by 6 foot throw, or you can make multiples or add other patterns you like for a larger blanket. Or only make your favorites and make a smaller blanket! 🙂
Brianna says
Will you be using the silver gray as the border in all your future squares? I chose similar colors to yours and I'm wondering which color you pick, so I can have a better idea of how much yarn I still need to get.
Thanks!
Tamara Kelly says
Yes! 🙂
Virginia H. says
I'm definitely going to do this CAL 2017. I have already declared to family and friends that 2017 is my year for crocheting afghans/throws for everyone for next Christmas. Have the yarn for almost everyone which I plan to make in different styles and patterns. But for my own Afghan, I will be participating in this 2017 CAL. I'm very excited about making something for myself at last!
Thank you for all your beautiful patterns and especially for all the tips and advice I read in the comment section. I can't wait to get started.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you Virginia! I'm so glad to hear you're making crochet time for you!
Peg Fisher says
Hello! I am diving in and would like a good estimate of the number of ounces that are needed. If I use 3.5 oz. skeins of Mary Maxim yarn, would the 26 skeins be enough? Thank you!
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Peg! If the yardage is the same, it should be! 🙂
Tara says
Love this square! It was so much fun to make. Are you going to post alternate squares again this year?
Tamara Kelly says
Thanks Tara! I hope to come up with a list or two soon! 🙂
Nicole says
I am so excited about starting my first CAL! Thank you so much for making this available and for your wonderful Blog!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so much Nicole! I'm so glad you decided to give it a try!
Donale says
This was an incredible square to make. I learned so much and had a great timr. Pattern instructions were easy to follow.
Beautiful
Tamara Kelly says
I'm so glad to hear it, thank you Donale!
Hazel Fenton says
I have been a knitter all my life, but can knit no more due to arthritis in my hands. But, I can crochet, and I am really excited by this project. My yarn arrives tomorrow, and I cannot wait!
Tamara Kelly says
I'm sorry to hear about the arthritis, but so glad to hear you're joining the CAL! Thank you Hazel! I hope you enjoy it!
Jenny says
It is not opening the page for the pattern
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Jenny! How strange, it's worked for everyone so far. Here's a link you can copy and paste in case your browser is acting up: http://julieyeagerdesigns.com/fantastic-afghan-square-clue-7/
Sharon M. Tente-Clarke says
I wrote Julie a note on square #2, it said to use crochet hook I and it came out to 10 inches, so I added another row of #10. Well this work out ok, or should I do it over?
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Sharon! Adding rows is a great solution for squares that come out too small, and as a tighter crocheter, it's something I do all the time! Here's more info on that topic: click here
Sharon M. Tente-Clarke says
I am having with square #3, and I do not have any crocheters that live around me. Is there a tutorial for #3, that I could get help from?
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Sharon! Have you tried joining the Facebook or Ravelry groups? There's lots of help there!
Sharon M. Tente-Clarke says
No,, I have not. I have been trying to stay off if facebook, because I ended up spending to much time on it. Do you know if there is a tutorial on square 3 at all?
I just finished square 4, so I got caught up fast, just have to figure out the one and I will be done.
Say I have one question, I bought a steamer to take out wrinkles, do you think that will work on the squares?
Tamara Kelly says
Not that I know of, though the groups usually have a lot of photos as people make them together!
The steamer will block the squares, but if they are acrylic then just be sure not to melt the stitches or they'll be harder to join together! 🙂
Katrina says
I've been a crocheter for years but haven't had a lot of time to really to devote to the craft until recently. Basically I made the decision that I needed more time for me! Well I just found your blog and I LOVE it!
My husband is taking my daughter to visit his father tomorrow and I've decided I'm going to add this CAL to my WIPs. Hah! I didn't tell him, he thinks I have too many right now. (I mean, 5 isn't too many right?!) I can't wait to get started!
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much Katrina!! There are never too many! 😉 I hope you enjoy it, let me know if you have any questions!
Katrina says
Tamara, I'd like to showcase my squares on my blog. Do you have a preference on how I link back to you and the individual square designers? I've never done something like this so want to make sure I'm not missing any details. Thanks!
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Katrina! I think the easiest might be just to link back to the CAL post for that square. Or this post, if you're making one big post now, or perhaps the last square's post if you are doing a big post at the end (so all the previous links will be right there). It's really up to you, whatever you think is best! Thank you so much for linking!
Brenda says
Nope, too hard. I couldn't understand which back loop to put the stitch on round 4B. The loop before the DC or the next one. Also my round 4 was curling up. I gave up. If only there were instructional videos.
Tamara Kelly says
There are step by step photos for this one! http://julieyeagerdesigns.com/round-by-round-photos-fantastic-rounds-1-8/ I hope they help! 🙂