That Blanket...

If you've been following my blog for a while now, you'll remember that in 2009 I was working on an afghan.

It was part of a CAL (crochet along)... the idea was that each month you received the patttern for a 12" square, and at the end of the year you could join them all together to make a single bed blanket.

I thought it would be a really good challenge for me personally, because I was trying to learn how to read crochet patterns. Being in a group who were all working on the same pattern at the same time meant that I could ask for help whenever I got stuck!

And it was a fabulous learning experience...

But I didn't ever show you the finished product!

For a while it lived on the couch in the lounge room, but if you've been to my place recently you'll know that I've had a major rearrange since then... I'm ALWAYS rearranging...

If you want to take a closer look at any of the squares... click here

Oh, and I should mention that I made extra squares (25 in total) to have a queen size blanket...

And I DID LEARN to read patterns.

hometown square

I feel like all I seem to be working on at the moment is these squares... It's not that I'm not enjoying them, it's just that I'm no longer inspired by them. But the end is near, and I'm really excited to see the finished project.

Not only that, but I have signed up to do it all again next year!

The 2010 Block-A-Month Crochet-A-Long Group is already up and running over at Ravelry. I'm thinking that next year I might make the rug in more neutral colours... and include a combination of 6 inch and 12 inch squares. Then again... the new year is still a month-and-a-half away... that's plenty of time for me to change direction and decide to go with an entirely different plan.

Everyone is welcome to join in the 2010 BAM CAL. If you are already a member at Ravelry, click here to go directly to the group page. If you are not a member at Ravelry... maybe you should be! It's a very inspiring place.

Anyway... getting back to the details of this square. It's called the Hometown Square by Mary McKnight, and you can click here for the free online pattern. I've used a 4.5mm aluminium hook, and a variety of DK weight reclaimed yarns.

Didn't really enjoy this one much. The petal section really annoyed me. It wouldn't sit flat, and kept jumping up - which made it look ridiculous.

So I made a modification. After I completed the square, I went back to the petal section and worked an addition round to finish off the petals. If you look at the photo, you will see the lighter blue petals, which were part of the original pattern. I then added the navy trim around them. That weighted them down, and gave the flower a more finished look.

octagon medallion

Wow!
Where did the time go???
It's been ages since my last post.

I could tell you that I've been spending every spare moment at the gym, and that's why you haven't heard much from me... I can't very well work out and blog and craft all at the same time now, can I? But that wouldn't be entirely true. In fact it wouldn't even be close to true.

You've all been so wonderfully supportive of me with the whole underpants issue! And I really appreciate it. Thanks so very much to those who sent messages, especially those who shared some of their own experiences with me.

Now I just need to be a bit more supportive of myself.

I love the gym... when I go, that is...

Once I'm in the door, I quite enjoy it... and of course I always feel wonderful (and exhausted) afterwards... but the really hard part is forcing myself to go in the first place. I seem to come up with a million excuses, and reasons not to go. Not entirely sure why I avoid going, but it's a negative habit which I'm trying to break.

But that's not what this blog is about...

I'm here to share my craft



Still plodding away at the 2009 Block-A-Month CAL. For the first half of the year, I was really disciplined. I worked both squares each month, and was well on track for completing the project. But I hit a bit of a stumbling block in August. Both of the August squares used a popcorn stitch pattern, which looked good worked in a single colour... but was just already too busy for me to go all multi-coloured with it. So I didn't make them.

Well, I did start them... but the results were really disappointing, so I frogged them. Then I couldn't get back into a rhythm again... until now!

So this is the November Ravelry Square. It is called Octagon Medallion and was deigned by Priscilla Hewitt. Click here to see the free online pattern.

Octagon Medallion was fun to make. It's visually interesting but the square itself is a fairly solid and stable piece, which meant that it took on a nice shape. This is one of the few squares which didn't actually appear to NEED blocking, it just came together beautifully.

That being said... I have spoken with a number of others who complained that their squares seemed to buckle and bend, and not sit nicely at all. Having further discussed it with them, they seem to have followed the pattern correctly, but it just hasn't worked up nicely. Frustrating, huh?

The only reason I can think for why this may have happened is TENSION. Now I can't remember what hook size I used for this pattern, but I do work with quite a loose tension. So if you find that your work curls in those first few rounds, start again with a larger hook and see if that helps. No point soldiering on with the starting hook. The bucking just gets worse with every round.

lovely in green

This square is called Lovely in Green, by Dayna Audirsch. It is a free online pattern, click here for the link.

It actually worked up quite quickly and easily. I've used a 4.5mm hook and recycled 8ply/DK yarns. For the first two rounds I used the same colour, and after that the colour was changed at the end of each round.

• round 1 & 2 - cream
• round 3 - brown and white fleck
• round 4 - dark burgundy
• round 5 - cream
• round 6 - rivergum green
  
• round 7 - petrol
• round 8 - forest green
  
• round 9 - mid blue
  
• round 10 - natural fleck
  
• round 11 - camel fleck
  

bright and cheery

One of my main reasons for chosing to work on the 'block-a-month' project, was because I wanted to learn to read patterns properly. I figured that if I was working on the same squares as the rest of the group, then there would be plenty of people ready to help when I needed it.

Well, it's working... and I'm now confident enough to try any pattern... well, almost any pattern!

Another interesting thing, is that I can now see FAULTS in patterns. Instead of assuming that I am the one at fault, I can see that there are times where the pattern just does not make sense.

This is one of those patterns. All was well up until about round 7, and then I got stuck. The instructions didn't fit with the previous round... so I ignored them, and just made it up based on the photograph of the finished square.

It is a free online pattern - Bright and Cheery Square, by Dayna Audirsch... click here for the link. I've used a 4.5mm hook, and recycled 8ply yarns.

• round 1 & 2 - mid blue
• round 3 - navy
• round 4 - beige
• round 5 - cream
• round 6 - rivergum green
• round 7 - mid blue
• round 8 - natural fleck
• round 9 - dark burgundy
• round 10 - peacock blue
• round 11 - rivergum green
  

how's it looking?

As you already know, I'm working on a block-a-month project with a group over at Ravelry. The idea is that you make one 12" square each month, and at the end of the year you join them all together to make an afghan.

Since I'm after a larger afghan, I have been making two squares each month.

Well, we're half way through the year already... so here are the first twelve squares.

frilly flower

pattern used -

• Frilly Flower by Dayna Audirsch
• click here for free pattern
  

yarn used -

• reclaimed 8ply/DK yarns
• round 1 - maroon
• round 2 - deep burgundy
• round 3 & 4 - cream
• round 5 - mid blue
• round 6 - rivergum green
• round 7 - natural fleck
• round 8 - mid blue
• round 9 - deep burgundy
• round 10 - camel
• round 11 - mid blue
  

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook
  

comments -

• I love the way that this square has worked up
• to add some depth to the flower, I embroidered around the centre
  
• if you are a member at Ravelry... you can click here to see all the projects worked from this pattern

bold squares

Would you believe that I have now completed the THIRTY DAYS project???

Admittedly, it did take me more than 30 days... but I got there in the end!

Of course, I was working on a few other projects in between... I just can't remain monogamous when it comes to my crafting. I'm not a one-project-at-a-time kind of gal... I crave variety!

Which begs the question... What else have I been working on?

Well here is my June Craftster Square for the block-of-the-month challenge:



pattern used -

• Bold Squares by Dayna Audirsch
• click here for free pattern
  

yarn used -

• reclaimed 8ply/DK yarns
• round 1 - peacock blue
• round 2 - cream
• round 3 - maroon
• round 4 - peacock blue
• round 5 - navy
• round 6 - camel fleck
• round 7 - peacock blue
• round 8 - rivergum green
• round 9 - natural fleck
• round 10 - peacock blue
• round 11 - forest green
• round 12 - navy
• round 13 - cream
• round 14 - brown and white fleck
  

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook
  

comments -

• this square actually looks quite striking when worked in a single colour
• if you are a member at Ravelry... you can click here to see all the projects worked from this pattern
• see the pattern which emerges from the texture of the stitches? unfortunately the subtlety of it gets lost in amongst all my colours changes
• because I was working with a smaller hook size than the pattern called for, I had to add an additional round of sc and then a round of dc
  

hint of spring

Here's the alternate square for the block-a-month crochet-along:

(and I promise, NO MORE SQUARES for a little while now... I'm even starting to bore myself with these!!!)



pattern used -

• Hint Of Spring by Sally Ives
  

hook used -

• pattern calls for a 4.5mm... I still haven't found mine, so I used a 4.0mm
  

yarn used -

• pattern calls for worsted weight/10ply yarn
• I used a variety of reclaimed DK/8ply yarns
• rounds 1 & 2 - mid blue
• round 3 - maroon
• round 4 - dark burgundy
• round 5 - cream
• round 6 - brown and white fleck
• round 7 - camel
• round 8 - river gum green
• round 9 - navy
• round 10 - maroon
• round 11 - cream
• round 12 - brown and white fleck

thoughts -

• this pattern was one that I really had to focus on... and follow the instrustions step-by-step
• it's not difficult... you just need to work slowly
• not sure if it was just the subtle differences in the yarns that I was working with, or just the way the pattern works up... but my square was very higgildy-piggildy... especially very 'bunched up' around the centre... meant to take some photos but I forgot!... but blocked nicely into the proper shape
  
• I'm not delighted with the centre of my square... the blue feels a bit out of place, so I might add a little embroidery to the middle, just to tie it in better with the other colours

victorian dream

This must be my week for getting squares done!

I've managed to get myself organised early in the month... and here is my may square for the block-a-month crochet-along:



pattern used -

• Victorian Dream Square by Cindy Arman

hook used -

• 4.0mm
  

yarn used -

• pattern calls for worsted weight/10ply yarn
• I used a variety of reclaimed DK/8ply yarns
• round 1 - cream
• round 2 - natural fleck
  
• round 3 - camel
• round 4 - dark burgundy
• round 5 - mid blue
  
• round 6 - navy
• round 7 - cream
• round 8 - river gum green
• round 9 - camel
• round 10 - navy

thoughts -

• I am totally in love with the centre of this square!!!
• I worked one additional round to bring it up to size... round 10 worked in dc
  

waldo's puzzle

Another one for the 2009 Block-A-Month CAL...



pattern used:

• Waldo's Puzzle by Chris Simon
  

hook used:

• pattern calls for 5.omm hook... I have used a 4.omm hook
  

yarn used:

• pattern calls for worsted weight/10ply yarn
• I used a variety of reclaimed DK/8ply yarns
• ring 1 - cream
• ring 2 - brown and white fleck
• ring 3 - cream
• ring 4 - brown and white fleck
• round 1 - petrol
• round 2 - dark burgundy
• round 3 - river gum green
• round 4 - oatmeal
• round 5 - peacock blue
• round 6 - cream
• round 7 - mid blue
• round 8 - brown and white fleck
• round 9 - river gum green
  

thoughts:

• I was initially terrified of the intersecting rings at the centre of this piece, but I needn't have been
• the pattern is very clear... and has detailed step-by-step photos to guide you through the beginning of the square
• if you take your time and follow the photos closely, you will easily be able to complete this complex looking square!

arches

Still going with the 2009 Block-A-Month CAL...



pattern used:

• Arches Square by Dayna Audirsch
  

hook used:

• pattern calls for 5.5mm... I used a 5.0mm
  

yarn used:

• pattern calls for worsted weight/10ply yarn
• I used a variety of reclaimed DK/8ply yarns
• round 1 & 2 - dark burgundy
• round 3 - river gum green
• round 4 - brown and white fleck
• round 5 - camel fleck
• round 6, 7 & 8 - navy
• round 9 - cream
• round 10 - river gum green
  
• round 11 - brown and white fleck

thoughts:

• as always, I started with an adjustable magic ring
• this is a nice, simple square... although the pattern of the arches seems to come out best when the entire square is worked in a single colour
• I worked round 10 using sc instead of dc, as my square was already getting too big
• I probably should have used a 4.5mm hook for this square, to suit my loose tension... but that would have meant tidying up my work area, so that I could FIND a 4.5mm hook... and it all just seemed too hard at the time!

centre heart

pattern used:

• Centre Heart Square by Ginger Badger

hook used:

• 5.0mm crochet hook
  

yarn used:

• pattern calls for 10ply... I used an assortment of 8ply/DK weight reclaimed yarns
• rounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 - dark burgundy
• rounds 5 and 6 - cream
• round 7 - camel fleck
  
• round 8 - river gum green
• round 9 - dark burgundy
• round 10 - mid blue
• round 11 - brown and white fleck
  
• round 12 - burgundy

thoughts:

• as always, I started with an adjustable magic ring
• I need to learn to read patterns more carefully... for example... in round 2 where the pattern reads 2 tr in each of next 2 sc... it means 2 tr in each of next 2 sc... a total of 4tr... VERY IMPORTANT!!! I learned the hard way, and got frustrated beyond words that it wasn't working out properly. Thanks to a wonderful crochet buddy (that's you Daphne!) I was able to see the error of my ways.
  
• round 12 modification - I was almost at 12 inches already, so I worked this round in hdc instead of dc
• I didn't like the way my heart looked... it wasn't as shapely as I would have hoped... so I added a tiny bit of embroidered detail to better define the shape. Nothing fancy, just two strands of the cream yarn worked in a running stitch between rounds 3 and 4. Simple but effective.
  

winter dream

pattern used:

• Winter Dream by April Moreland
  

hook used:

• pattern calls for a 5.5mm hook... I used a 4.0mm hook

yarn used:

• pattern calls for 10ply... I used an assortment of 8ply/DK weight reclaimed yarns

• rounds 1 and 2 - dark burgundy
• round 3 - cream
• round 4 - oatmeal
• rounds 5 and 6 - brown and white fleck
• round 7 - cream
• round 8 - river gum green
• round 9 - mid blue
• round 10 - navy
• round 11 - river gum green
• added an extra round of dc - burgundy

thoughts:

• don't really know why I used such a small hook for this... I don't even think I checked the pattern for size before I started
• anyway, it meant I had to add an extra round to bring it up to size
• round 12 - worked a dc into each stitch of previous round, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) at corners
• don't panic if your shape is looking VERY unsquare at the end of round 5... keep following the pattern and it will sort itself out in round 6
• this is a perfectly likable square... it just feels quite bland after the exquisite irish rose I showed you yesterday
  

irish rose

pattern used:

• Irish Rose Afghan Square by Ferosa Harold

hook used:

• pattern calls for 5.0mm... I used a 4.0mm

yarn used:

• pattern calls for 10ply... I used an assortment of 8ply/DK weight reclaimed yarns

• rounds 1, 2 and 3 - maroon
  
• round 4 and 5 - dark burgundy
  
• rounds 6 and 7 - maroon
• rounds 8, 9 and 10 - dark burgundy
• rounds 11 and 12 - river gum green
• round 13 - cream
• round 14 - mid blue
• round 15 - navy
• round 16 - oatmeal
• round 17 - dark burgundy
• round 18 - omitted... already large enough
  

thoughts:

• I love this square, but it is very bulky... honestly not sure if it will be suitable as part of the afghan or not
• might make a cushion out of it instead
• interestingly... I used a smaller hook and finer yarn than the pattern called for... and I still had to omit the last round, because I had already reach my 12 inches
• the flower part of this would look fabulous as an embellishment on a bag
• I found this video below which might come in helpful if you find the rose instructions confusing

I didn't forget...

I didn't forget about the Block A Month CAL... I just hadn't got around to it yet!

February's pattern is the Two Tone Square by Dayna Audirsch. If you are not a member at Ravelry, you can click here for the pattern.

Naturally, mine has more than two tones in it...



As always, it is made entirely from recycled and reclaimed yarns. I've mostly used 8ply/DK weight. There are nine different colours in total. Using a 4.5mm hook, this piece came out at 11” square, then it required moderate blocking to bring it up to 12”.

Colour details are:

• round 1 - dark burgundy
  
• round 2 - maroon
  
• round 3 - dark burgundy
  
• round 4 - navy
  
• round 5 - petrol
• round 6 - mid blue
  
• round 7 - dark burgundy
• round 8 - brown and white fleck
• round 9 - cream
  
• round 10 - river gum green
• round 11 - camel fleck
• round 12 - dark burgundy

another square already?

I know it's not yet February... and the whole idea of the CAL I talked about in my last post was to work on ONE BLOCK each month...

BUT

I was on such a high after successfully completing the first one, that I wanted to attempt another!

So I decided to work up the alternative January square... the pattern is Esther's Square again by Chris Simon (as was the Mandala) If you are not a member at Ravelry, you can view the original pattern here

Once again, I have used recycled and reclaimed yarns, this time eight different colours. Using a 5.0mm hook, my block came out exactly 12" square… which was a pleasant surprise.

Colour details

• round 1 - dark burgundy
  
• round 2 - maroon
  
• round 3 - peacock blue
  
• round 4 - mid blue
  
• round 5 - navy
  
• round 6 - river gum green
  
• round 7 - maroon
  
• round 8 - dark burgundy
  
• round 9 - cream
  
• round 10 - brown and white fleck
  
• round 11 - mid blue
  
• round 12 - navy
  
• round 13 - dark burgundy

Did you notice that I made a boo-boo with my block???

Take another look at my block, and the original pattern... and see if you can figure out where I went wrong.

shhhh.... a secret!

I'll let you in on a little secret...

but don't tell anyone!

Actually, you can tell as many people as you like... since I KNOW that I am not alone with this problem...

I really, really, really struggle to follow crochet patterns. Knitting patterns are different... I can understand them easily... but crochet patterns give me a migraine, just thinking about them.

But that's going to change this year. I am determined to learn to read ANY and ALL patterns. I mean... I CAN READ and I CAN CROCHET, so now I just need to learn to use those two skills TOGETHER!

I'm starting out easy, with a CAL over at Ravelry. A CAL is a crochet-a-long, where everyone works from the same pattern at the same time. The beauty of it is, that if you encounter any sort of problems, there is an entire online community of people working on the EXACT same project, who can help out. Or who knows... maybe YOU will be the one to help someone else out. I also love seeing how differently everyone's projects turn out. They've used the same pattern, but personal taste leads to different yarn choices, and it's fascinating to see all the different variations people come up with. Sometimes it will inspire you to follow their lead, and other times it will help you realise that your original choices are going to look shocking! It's all good.

So, I've joined the 2009 12" crochet block a month CAL. Basically you work a 12" crochet block each month, and at the end of the year you assemble them to make an afghan. At the beginning of each month, you are given the next pattern. There is also an alternate block each month, if you prefer to use that... or a 6" option.

January's pattern is the Mandala by Chris Simon. If you are not a member at Ravelry, you can click here for the original pattern.

So here is my square. As always, it is made entirely from recycled and reclaimed yarns. I've mostly used 8ply/DK weight. There are nine different colours in total. Using a 5.0mm hook, this piece came out at 11.5” square, so it only required a light blocking to bring it up to 12”. With all those colour changes, there were a bunch of ends to sew in... but it's worth it for the effect... and it's ONLY one block a month!

My colour details are

• round 1 - dark burgundy
  
• round 2 - peacock blue
  
• round 3 - navy
  
• round 4 - cream
  
• round 5 - brown and white fleck
  
• round 6 - maroon
  
• rounds 7 & 8 - dark burgundy
  
• round 9 - navy
  
• round 10 - mid blue
  
• round 11 - camel fleck
  
• round 12 - river gum green
  
• round 13 - dark burgundy

So the first square was a success. It took some fiddling around, but I expected that. Now I'm keen for the next one! Are any of you a part of this CAL already?

I'm also interested to hear how many of you also struggle with reading crochet patterns...