It’s the end of 2016, and the MooglyCAL2016 wrapped up last month, so we’d all have time (with luck!) to do the joining and finishing. Mine still has a few ends to weave in, but that will have to wait til my holiday break – for now, let’s talk about the Moogly Crochet Along for 2017!
Disclaimer, this post includes affiliate links.
Okay, a little bit more about 2016 first – this year’s blanket used almost 26 skeins exactly – I had less than a skein of each of my colors left! I used the Tight Braid Join to connect the squares, and then I used a new border pattern that I created just for this blanket – click HERE to see the free pattern! Here’s how my finished MooglyCAL2016 blanket looks!
And one more just because it’s pretty!
And a close up of that border! Click HERE to get the free crochet pattern for the Popcorn Border!
If you want to make the 2016 CAL squares in 2017 and beyond, you can find all the links HERE. That is the last posted square, and it has links to all the past squares as well! If you’re following the latest CAL, these squares also make fun alternates!
And now for 2017!
The Moogly CAL for 2017 will follow the same basic format as previous years – a new square pattern every 2 weeks, from January through November. There will 24 official patterns total, but you are welcome to make more, or less, or however many you want! Each square will be 12″ x 12″, so you can make a 4′ x 6′ afghan with the official count.
There is nowhere to “sign up” for the CAL and nothing you need to join or pay – just jump in, start crocheting, and have fun! The patterns will all be free!
Each pattern will be reviewed by me here on Moogly, with helpful notes and info on how I made my square, and a link to the pattern. The patterns will be hosted on the designer’s blogs or on Ravelry.com (at the designer’s discretion). If you aren’t a member of Ravelry, I do recommend it – it’s free to join, and it’s a fantastic source of crochet patterns, many of which are free as well!
Speaking of Ravelry, there is a group there for the CAL! Click HERE to go to the 2016 group, where they’ll have info on the group for the new year’s group. Joining the group is a great way to get help with squares when you need it, show of your photos, and make new friends.
And if Ravelry isn’t your thing, there’s also a Facebook group! Click HERE to join this group, which also features help, photos, and lots of fab people! Both groups are run by fantastic moderators who work hard to keep everything running smoothly. Neither group is required, just more resources that are available and ways you can enjoy the CAL!
So what do you need?
- US-J, 6.0 mm hook – note that this is one size larger than last year! I will be using a Furls Odyssey Hook to make mine.
- Worsted/aran weight yarn – this is a yarn symbol “4”, or UK 10-12 ply. I will be using Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in the following colors:
I ordered a bit more for this next year, just because this year did cut it so close – and having a little extra yarn is never a bad thing. I would recommend at least 26 skeins of Vanna’s Choice (or 4420 yds/91 oz) if you are purchasing your yarn at once. But Vanna’s Choice has super consistent dye lots, so buying a bit at a time is do-able too!
And what is the schedule?
The first pattern will be shared here on Moogly on January 5th, 2017, at 10 am Central US time. Every 2 weeks, another square will be shared – always on a Thursday at 10am Central. Except! For the very last square, which is released one day early – the day before American Thanksgiving.
After November, you’ve got the rest of the year to join and edge your squares! Or longer if needed of course… how you join and edge is up to you, but there are lots of great patterns out there, including here on Moogly!
I hope you’ll consider joining us for the Moogly CAL 2017! It’s always so much fun to see what everyone comes up with, and I’ve got some fantastic “new” designers lined up, as well as fan favorites! It’s going to be a beautiful year for crochet!
Thank you, and good luck everybody! 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.
susie
Yay! I love these CAL’s!
niki
yes! i definitely wanna try it this year!! 🙂
Sharon
Would I be able to use #4 weight yarn from my stash? Can’t wait to start. Thank you and MERRYCHRISTMAS
Tamara Kelly
Yes! #4 is ideal! 😀
cat
Do you have any suggestions for weaving in the ends on the flat braid join? It’s easy on the edges, but the ones in the middle… I just don’t know where to hide those tails!
I used four colors total and edged all of my squares in one, two, or three, then used four for the join and the first couple of edging rounds.
Sandra Burnette
Does the 4420 yds include the yarn to sash or border?
Tamara Kelly
Yes! 🙂
Tamara Kelly
Hi cat! I always try to leave the ends long enough to be able to get them to a more solid section to finish the weaving in, but the trick when dealing with lace/mesh is to weave through each chain until you get to where you can go off in another direction. With lacy patterns, longer sections of weaving are definitely better!
Izzy
How many skeins did you get for each color?
Tamara Kelly
I usually order 4 each of 5 colors, and 6 of the one I want to use for joining and bordering. This year I ordered a little more for some extra flexibility.
Angela ta
Hi Tamara
I would love to join this CAL, I use UK terms but it’s not a problem as I’m used to converting, I’m also using stylecraft yarn as it’s easy to get hold of here in England
Will I be able to get an update email each pattern as I don’t do social networks??
Cheers
Angie
Tamara Kelly
Yay, welcome! I would recommend either checking back on the blog on the CAL days, or subscribing to the email newsletter, which always has the most recent CAL square linked. 🙂
Izzy
How many skeins of each color did you buy?
Tamara Kelly
I have always purchased 4 of 5 colors and 6 of the join/border color and enough. But if you are choosing to use less/more colors, you’ll need to adjust accordingly. 🙂
Christina
Is there a basic colour? As you are talking of 26 skeins it would be 4 per colour or is it 26skeins each? Sorry for the silly questions.
Tamara Kelly
There is no required color, you can use as few or as many as you like! I used 6 colors, 4 balls of 5 colors, and 6 balls of the joining and border color, for 26 total. You can divide the 26 according to how many colors you choose, or just buy as you go! 🙂
Sarah
Hi! How many skeins of each color do you use on average?
Tamara Kelly
For the past 3 years I’ve used 26 total, 4 each of 5 colors, 6 of the one used for joining and bordering. 🙂
Fiona
Thank you for your gorgeous patterns, I’ve made lots of them, but never attempted a CAL. This year though I’m intrigued by your colours! Can you tell me how many skeins of each colour I would need please? Postage to Australia is the most painful part ?
Tamara Kelly
Thank you! 😀 This last year I used 4 each of 5 colors, and 6 of the joining/border color. 🙂
Davelyn Gerhart
This will be my 1st CAL. How many of each color will I need to purchase. You suggested 26 skeins. Is that of each color?
Tamara Kelly
I would recommend 26 skeins of Vanna’s Choice total. 🙂 How you divide them depends on how many colors you choose!
Adrienne McCarthy
I love love love the colors you’ve chosen this year, Tamara! Wow!
Tamara Kelly
Thank you so much! 😀 They’ve added some gorgeous colors to the Vanna’s Choice lineup this year!
Lisa
went to the raverly 2016 CAL board to learn about the 2017 group and to find out when the first pattern in the 2017 CAL will be released.
The Raverly CAL group moderator has posted that she can not run the group for 2017 and that if someone doesn’t step up to do it there will not be one. Here is a snippet of her post “My yarn craft time next year is going to be dedicated to learning to knit, so if you all want to continue the Ravelry group, we need a new volunteer to run it”…..
Her complete post is longer and you can find it on the Raverly 2016 CAL group board; im just sharing a bit here so you are aware.
If the ravelry group does shut down, where else will the patterns be posted?
Tamara Kelly
Oh dear, thank you for letting me know, Lisa!
The patterns are not posted in the group though, just a link to this blog, the new post for the CAL. So you can always find them here. 🙂
Jess | MakeAndDoCrew.com
Your afghan is simply stunning! What a fun and collaborative project! I love how it turned out.
Jerica
Oh I am so excited to join in this project for 2017!! LOVE the colors!!!
Tamara Kelly
😀 Thank you!
Jill
I just heard about crochet along the other day. I would like to do this. i guess I have several questions. First do you only do blocks/squares? Secondly what size hook? thirdly. I will buy yarn as i go cause I have some here already. Fourthly where/what site do i need to be at on Thursdays? Fifth. what if i miss a thursd is there a way to get the block. sorry for all the questions, but this is new to me. I am excited to join. I 8 looking to meet new friends
Tamara Kelly
Hello Jill!
We will make 24 12″ x 12″ squares, using a US-J, 6.0mm hook. You are welcome to use whatever yarn you like. Every other Thursday at 10am Central time all the info will be posted here on Moogly. The posts will stay on Moogly forever, and this year the designers have agreed to keep the patterns forever free. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it!
Chris
Hi!! Hopefully I can keep up with this new CAL. Been wanting to do one 4-ever!!
You said that you ordered extra yarn. It doesn’t show how many of each color to get, so what would you recommend I get of each color?? I like to have extra, so please take that into consideration. Thank-you and pray I kin “keep up”!!
Tamara Kelly
Hello Chris! Thanks for joining! 😀 This time I ordered 6 each of the bright colors and 8 of the silver grey, and I’m sure to have plenty left over. 🙂
Eileen
How do I get the patterns for the 2017 Afghan. I tried Raverly and couldn’t find it.
Tamara Kelly
Hi Eileen! The patterns for 2017 are released every two weeks here on Moogly, you can see the most recent (with links to all the past ones so far) at https://www.mooglyblog.com/cal-2017-6/
Kamie
I am still not done with last years…. but i am looking forward to this years! Thanks for putting it together!
Tamara Kelly
😀 I’m glad you’re enjoying them!
Pat
I am behind and have finished all my squares for 2016-finally! and need to do the join. Did you do a final round on each square of grey (what stitch) before you started the tight braid join? It looks wider that mine is coming out. Thanks for a lot of fun and education on new stitches
Tamara Kelly
Hi Pat, I hope you’re enjoying them! And thank you! I finished all my squares by making the last round(s) of the pattern in the off white color, which is the same color I then used for joining. 🙂
Sandra
I’ve just come across the group. Sounds lovely. Can I still join at this late stage of the year – I’m not sure about the equivalent yarns in the UK…but can we use any yarns ? As long as we do 12 in by 12 inch…if I use a size 6 hook…can I still use DK or does it need to be chunkier ? Best wishes
Tamara Kelly
Hi Sandra! You are welcome to join at any time! 🙂 You can use DK but the squares ususally turn out closer to 10″ than 12″ – but that’s okay too, you can just make more, or add extra rows! 🙂
Subha kalathur
Hi, are you planning to do CALs in 2018 as well? If yes, am really looking forward to it as a beginner…
Thanks!
Tamara Kelly
Yes! I’m in the planning stages for 2018 now! 😀
e . robberts
when are youpost the finishing of the 2017 cal
Tamara Kelly
I hope to get mine finished here in the next week or so, and then I’ll share my finished 2017 blanket on December 22nd. I will share the basic info for 2018 then. However, due to contractual obligations, I will not be able to give the final details for 2018 until January 17th, and the first square will debut January 18th.