It's been a heck of a year, but the MooglyCAL2020 was one big success - so that means it's time to plan for MooglyCAL2021! In this post, you can see my finished 2020 afghan, see the colors I'll be using for 2021, and get the schedule and information you need to join in for the coming year!
Disclaimer: Materials provided by Yarnspirations; this post includes affiliate links.
Finishing MooglyCAL2020
The designers this year came up with 24 more amazing designs! We all learned new stitches and techniques, and all the finished blankets I've seen so far have been amazing!
You can get the complete list of links to the squares on the post for Block 24! Or if you like to be able to see them all on one page, check out the MooglyCAL2020 Pinterest board!
And here's my finished blanket! This year I made a 5 block x 5 block blanket by including one extra square that I designed - the Leaping Stripes and Blocks Squared.
For joining, I used my Tight Braid Join technique, and for the border, I used a variation of my Windows Border pattern. There is a video tutorial here for the border!
On to MooglyCAL 2021!
How the MooglyCAL works
If 2021 will be your first MooglyCAL, then welcome and we're so happy you're here! This is a year-long crochet along - all free! - featuring 24 afghan square or blocks, designed by 24 different professional crochet designers. It started in 2014, and has been getting better every year!
The squares are released every 2 weeks with a post on Moogly, where I share my notes, my version, and helpful links and tutorials. There is a link to the new square at the bottom of my notes, where you can get it direct from the designer!
You can make them all, or pick and choose, add extras - it's up to you! There is nowhere you need to sign up to join, but there is a fantastic Facebook group for the CAL (lots of pattern help there!) and a MooglyCAL2020 Pinterest board you can follow if desired!
You can also leave a comment on this blog post and check "Notify me of new posts by email" and you'll get an email any time there is a new post on Moogly. And you can sign up for the free Moogly weekly newsletter at the top of this page - there's always a link to the latest MooglyCAL post included!
The Yarn for MooglyCAL2021
This year I'll again be using Red Heart With Love - it's soft, easy-care, and has lots of colors to choose from. Right now it's hard to get ahold of lots of yarns, so I've been ordering mine from different places. I don't have them all yet, but I do have them picked out!
So without further ado, here are my colors for 2021: Tangerine, Celtic, Lettuce, and Eggshell!
But you should pick your own colors, and if you want 12" squares, make sure the yarn is a "4" worsted/aran weight. If you prefer to use a DK or "3" weight yarn, the squares should be about 10" square.
The average 12" crochet square uses 150 yds of yarn. To make all 24 squares, plus have extra for joining and borders, I recommend purchasing 4420 yds of yarn total. How you distribute this is up to you! Some people use one color for the whole blanket, others 2 or 3 or 4, and some even just pull from stash making a crazy colored blanket! It's up to you!
The Hook for MooglyCAL2021
For the hook, I always use my Furls US-J, 6mm Candy Shop hook for the Moogly Crochet Along – it’s super slick, and works perfectly with this yarn! Plus that is the size all the designers will use. You can use a smaller hook if you tend to crochet loosely, or a larger hook if you tend to crochet tightly. But I do recommend that you use the same hook throughout the CAL, as that makes final joining easier.
The Patterns for MooglyCAL2021
Once again, there will be 24 new patterns by 24 fab designers! A mix of previous year's designers and new names are on the slate for this year, but it's always a surprise until I announce them! They are all hand-picked by me, and they have promised that their CAL patterns will remain forever free. If they close down their blogs, then the patterns are to be uploaded to Ravelry.
If a pattern pops up that isn't your cup of tea, feel free to skip it! You can go back to the previous years' CALs and find a substitute you'd like to try or pick one of your own from the hundreds of beautiful afghan squares out there.
PLEASE NOTE: The designers all hold the individual copyrights for their patterns. They may choose to make videos of their patterns, and you can certainly request them from the designers. This year I *may* make some additional videos, but we have to play it by ear as each square is designed.
In addition, there are videos linked in the notes for specific stitches and techniques that may help you with the pattern.
In other words - you don't have to already know how to read patterns to participate in this CAL, but you do need to be willing to learn how!
The easiest way to browse past year's patterns is via their Pinterest boards: MooglyCAL2020, MooglyCAL2019, MooglyCAL2018, MooglyCAL2017, MooglyCAL2016, and MooglyCAL2015.
The Schedule for MooglyCAL2021
The squares are released every two weeks throughout the year, on Thursday mornings at 10am Central US time. We begin in January, and then the last square debuts one day early - the day before American Thanksgiving!
This gives you a chance to grab the pattern before the holiday, and it gives you the entire month of December to join and edge your blanket. The joining and edging patterns are up to you, but there are lists of both on Moogly provided along with the CAL for inspiration.
Here is the MooglyCAL2021 Schedule:
January 7 and 21
February 4 and 18
March 4 and 18
April 1, 15, and 29
May 13 and 27
June 10 and 24
July 8 and 22
August 5 and 19
September 2, 16, and 30
October 14, and 28
November 11 and 24
What Can You Make with the MooglyCAL2021
What can you do with 24 afghan squares? There are several options!
4 blocks x 6 blocks - 4' x 6' afghan
3 blocks x 4 blocks - 2 3' x 4' baby blankets
add an extra square - 5' x 5' afghan
pair them up and make 12 12" pillows
add a bunch more and make whatever you want!
Get Ready, Get Set... MooglyCAL2021 is Almost Go!
So what do you need to do next? First, be sure to join the Facebook group and follow the Pinterest board if desired! And sign up for the newsletter and/or check the box and comment to make sure you don't miss a square!
Then, go get your yarn! If you choose a yarn that doesn't have dye lots, you can purchase it as you go through the year. But most yarns you'll want to get matching dye lots for, so I recommend buying it all at once if possible.
Finally, look for the first square to debut here on Moogly on January 7, 2021! I can't wait to share it with you! As you make your squares, feel free to share photos in the Facebook group, or on social media - and tag me #mooglyblog or @mooglyblog so I can see them too!
Thanks so much for crocheting along with me! I can’t wait to see all the beautiful blankets you crochet this year! You can follow Moogly on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram, and don’t forget to sign up for the free newsletter at the top of the page - every issue includes a link to the latest CAL square! Thank you to Yarnspirations and Furls for providing the materials for this crochet along.
Jackie says
Love your finished blanket ! I really like the colors.
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much, Jackie!
Julie Concannon says
2020 was my very first Moogly CAL and I'm so excited for 2021 with more beautiful squares, new to me designers, new to me techniques and just lots of fun and inspiration in the group. Thanks, Tamara and Happy Holidays!
Lindsey says
Excited to join for 2021!!
Tamara Kelly says
Yay, so glad to hear it! ♥
Annmarie Peteani says
Can't wait to start my first CAL 2021
Bobbie Autorino says
Please let me know when the 2021 CAL starts & send me an email for new posts about it.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Bobbie! If you checked the "notify me of new posts" box when you commented or signed up for the newsletter at the top of the page then you should be all set! ♥ Thank you for joining in!
Robyn Oliver says
My first year 2020 and I've had a fabulous time and so happy to have completed my afghan..... Love your finished rug Tamaqra and your new colours which as it happens are very similar to those I've bought.. so I'm looking forward to 2021.... happy Christmas, Robyn
Tamara Kelly says
♥ Thank you so much, Happy Christmas!
Lisa says
Can't wait to begin my very first CAL. I'm so glad you dont have to be able to read patterns fhat well because I would be so out of luck lol. Your Afghan is so beautiful. You are amazing. Thanks
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much, Lisa! I hope you enjoy it!
Mary E Venegas says
Where can I go to Print ALL the Square Patterns for the Moogly Cal 2020??? I would love to have them all printed out so I can read them as I go along. I can hardly wait to get started with the 2021 squares....will be looking forward to them !!!
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Mary! You'll need to print them out from the individual designer's sites!
I recommend using Print Friendly if they don't have it on their site: https://www.mooglyblog.com/print-pattern-use-print-friendly-button-moogly/
And links to all the 2020 patterns are at https://www.mooglyblog.com/cal-2020-24/ 🙂
Shannon says
I’m so excited! I’m hoping this is my first CAL!
Tamara Kelly says
Yay, thank you for joining! ♥
Wendy says
So excited. Looking forward to the 2021 CSL . It will be my first with googly.
Carolann says
Looking forward to the 2021 CAL.
Qing says
Excited to join in 2021!
Phyllis Bachinski says
Notify me of new posts by email”
Carol Green says
Looking forward to 7 January already 💖
Laura says
Looking forward to the CAL.
Vickey Weddle says
I’m looking forward to my first Moogly CAL.
NANCY FOSTER says
I always start "square" blankets but lose interest with making the same square over and over. This sounds PERFECT for me!!
Amy Messick says
Can't wait to try your CAL this year!
Susan Matthews says
I am going to do the CAL this year for the first time! I am subscribed to your weekly newsletter. If there is a different one to follow the CAL and get the weekly patterns by email, please feel free to do that addition! Thank you for amazing work you do. You're in my home so much, the only thing left to do is to meet you in person! Greetings from Wisconsin!
Tamara Kelly says
♥ Stay warm up there!
Lisa says
Thank you
May says
Thanks for the cal
Monica Mercado says
Your finished blanket is gorgeous!
M says
Newbie here. Going to give it a try.
Donna Kohn says
Please notify me by email of new posts! I can’t wait to begin!
Sharon Welch says
So excited!!!
Caitlin says
Excited to give these a try!
Noelle says
2021 will be my first CAL! Can’t wait!
Barb Rud says
Please notify me when 2021 CAL begins and of new posts. Very excited to start.
JAN says
I am looking forward to the CAL
Julie S. says
I'd like to join the Moogly CAL in 2021. Please notify me of new posts by e-mail.
Susan says
A new challenge for hopefully a less challenging year!
Will be using my ever growing stash so goodness knows what colours it will end up with 🙂
Abbe Stewart says
Please let me know when new posts for CAL are available
Joanne says
This will be my first crochet along and I'm super excited to participate!
Laura Pollet says
Excited to start the new CAL
Reba Starkey says
Looking forward to the 2021 CAL
Liz Hall says
Thanks for the great challenge. My 2020 blanket is nearly finished but ive got so much more of same yarn I plan to just keep going for a while!
Crystal says
So excited to get started!
Carolyn LaMar says
Thisvis my first year. I haven't crocheted in many many years so my pattern reading is poor but these patterns are so beautiful I have to try. I am very excited to start this journey.
Deborah says
Can't wait to get started!
Cheri Lundin says
Please notify me by email as I’m probably leaving Facebook. Thanks!
Rachael says
I haven’t done a year long project like this yet... well I haven’t completed one, at least. I tried to do a temperature blanket for 2019, but about half way through the planning process and maybe 4 rows in I lost interest and put it away. So here goes nothing!! I’m looking forward to trying this.
Deena says
Please notify me of new posts by email. I am currently working on a baby blanket but would still love to join the CAL. Thank you!
Naomi says
Excited to participate in this! I love your patterns, but I rarely make blankets. This will be fun!
Cynthia says
I had so much fun with the 2020 CAL! Thank you for all you do!
Tamara Kelly says
♥ I'm so glad, thank you Cynthia!
Heather F says
I’m excited! Now if my yarn just gets here before Thursday!!
Tamara Kelly says
That is the challenge these days, but stock does seem to be catching up... 🙂
Kara says
I think I'm going to do this one!
Erica says
I have way to many WIP's but really want to do this CAL too, it looks gorgeous
Laurie says
Oh GOODIE! Another Moogly CAL... 🙂
Lynn says
Doing my first call 2021
Ariel Drew says
I’m a fairly brand new crocheter but I am totally in love with these yearly mooglyCAL blankets and I am so excited to start! This will be my first CAL, my fist blanket, and my first larger project. I’ve already picked out my colors and am (im)patiently waiting to begin!!!
Tamara Kelly says
♥ Yay, not long now!
Joyce Airaghi says
Love your 2020 afghan!!
Joyce Airaghi says
Love your 2020 afghan!! And I am excited to join in this year.
Kristal says
Can’t wait to get started!
Vicki says
Yay! Sounds like a plan for some good fun!
Sam says
I'm excited to do the 2021 ! I want to use the same colors that you are this year. How much of each color do I need ?
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Sam! That info is above in THE YARN FOR MOOGLYCAL2021 section. 🙂
Christina Treece says
I'm so excited to start!!!
Lea says
I am brand new at crocheting. I learned one stitch (is that even what they are called) from a neighbor a few weeks ago. Making one granny square every 2 weeks seems doable and I would like to participate but not sure my ability is there yet. Are the patterns beginner, easy, intermediate...? I do not want to start, get frustrated and quit. thanks!
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Lea! These patterns range from beginner to advanced through the year - most aren't designed yet, so it's hard to say for sure. It's a great way to learn new stitches and techniques, and there's a Facebook group full of people to help too!
Heather says
Having fun! Can't wait for the next block!
Jenna says
Notify me of new posts by email
Made a block from 2020 CAL while waiting and just finished 2021 block #1 last night. So excited for block #2!!
Thank you Tamra!!!
Julie Clement says
Gorgeous!
Kristen says
Excited for more squares!
Chelsea Howells says
Can’t wait!
Vicki says
I just found out about your 21 CAL. Can't wait to get started
Tamara Kelly says
♥ Yay, so glad to have you aboard! 😀