It’s that time of year! Today marks the start of the annual blanket crochet along I host here on The Unraveled Mitten.
Every year we’ve done this, it ends up being structured differently each time. I’ve decided that if this is going to be an every-year event, there needs to be some continuity so you all know what to expect and I do too.
Our blanket this year will be a 20-square blanket with each square designed by a different talented designer. This is exactly how our 2021 CAL was structured too.
How do I participate in this CAL?
A crochet along is when a group of crocheters follow along and make the same pattern.
What makes crochet alongs fun, is the social aspect of it. Consider this your formal invitation to join my Crochet Group on Facebook. In there, you can share your progress, ask questions and hang out with me too. I will be sharing each square pattern there as well as over email.
If that’s not your thing, no worries, being in the group is not required.
Either way, be sure to sign up for my email list so you don’t miss any new patterns.
The Details
Our blanket will consist of 20 different 12-inch squares each designed by a different designer.
A new square will be published every 2 weeks on Thursdays. This works out to be about 2 a month. I’ll include a schedule below. We’re going to start in a couple of weeks and should finish up by the end of October.
I’ll make a post here on The Unraveled Mitten linking to the featured designer’s pattern. The patterns are all hosted on the designer’s websites, not mine.
In my post, I’ll share a finished photo of the square in my CAL colors as well as any tips and tricks for making the square. There will also be a link to the designer’s pattern.
Yarn and Materials
- 3500 yds Worsted Weight Yarn – this is an estimate
- 5mm crochet hook – I’ll be using my favorite Furl Streamline Resin hook
This is a stash-busting CAL so there is no shopping required. Dive into your stash and pick a selection of worsted-weight yarn to get started. Be sure that your selected yarns have similar qualities, this will help ensure that your squares come out the same size. For example, making a square in caron simply soft when your other squares are made in red heart super saver will result in a much smaller square.
I am using Red Heart Super Saver in a nice woodsy color scheme. Choosing colors was so hard! Out of all the palettes I chose, this one was my husband’s favorite.
I have asked the designers to use this yarn as well.
The colors I chose are (from right to left): Real Teal, Buff, Tea Leaf, Cafe Latte. You can choose to use however many colors you want – 2,3,4,5 etc.
Want to purchase materials online, here are some links!
Yarn Alternatives
THE PATTERNS
As I stated before, the patterns will be hosted on the featured designer’s website. If a square comes up that you aren’t a fan of, then feel free to skip it! It’s your blanket after all.
If you want an alternative, check out any of the squares from our 2021 CAL or one of these.
I’ll try to link helpful tutorials or videos in my notes posts but it is up to the designer to decide if she wants to publish a video or photo tutorial for the specific pattern. It is illegal for me to make a video of someone else’s pattern.
The designer is also free to sell the PDF version of her pattern in her online shops for you to purchase.
ALL ABOUT BLOCKING.
I highly suggest that you block your squares. This makes them lay nice and flat. It will give your blanket a polished look. If you don’t know how to block, it’s super easy.
Using rust-proof pins, pin your square out on a mat making sure it’s 12×12. Then hit it with some steam with a garment steamer or steam iron. If you’re using an iron be sure not to touch the iron to the yarn because it will melt. Also, don’t over steam it. When your square feels soft and is damp all over it’s done. Let it dry and remove it from your board.
You can find my favorite tools for blocking in my Amazon Shop.
THE SCHEDULE:
TIP: If you are looking for the next square and it is supposed to be out but is not linked here, click over to my homepage. It will show all my recent posts and chances are very good it will be there.
Today: Announcement and Materials List
Square 1: Spike Stitch Granny Square | The Unraveled Mitten
Square 2: Memories of Yesterday Square | Kirsten Holloway Designs
Square 3: Volume One Square | Eye Love Knots
Square 4: Across the Square | Oombawka Design
Square 5: Pop Up Square | Underground Crafter
Square 6: Springtime Square | Rich Textures Crochet
Square 7: Proserpina Square | Raffamusa Designs
Square 8: Spiky Granny Square | Crochet with Frankie Kate
Square 9: C2C Cable and Bean Square | Made by Gootie
Square 10: 5/25/23
Square 11: 6/8/23
Square 12: 6/22/23
Square 13: 7/6/23
Square 14: 7/20/23
Square 15: 8/3/23
Square 16: 8/17/23
Square 17: 8/31/23
Square 18: 9/14/23
Square 19: 9/28/23
Square 20: 10/12/23
Border/Join: 10/26/23
Hi, I have been following this CAL. Went online yesterday, March 16 to get the next square. But It’s not there. It’s still not there today. Is there a problem? I sincerely hope that you are well and just delayed in posting it.
I’m wondering the same thing. Still not available and I’m anxious for the next one.
the pattern says to make 4 squares. Are we supposed to make 4 of each square
jullie zijn al een poosje op weg, kan ik nog meedoen?
Groetjes van Ria
Will we be ending all granny squares in the same color and single crochet round as we did in last granny CAL? If so do you know the count on the finalrows so most will line up nicely?
Because all of us designers are using the same brand of yarn and hook, generally the counts on the last round will all be very similar (within 5-6 stitches I would guess), we will be able to compensate for any difference while joining without it being noticeable. I will be ending all my squares with a round of single crochet… although I haven’t decided if this will always be the same color or not. I’m just going to wing it.
If I use Red Heart Super Saver in 4 colors how many skeins of each color do you estimate I will need? Can’t wait to get started.
First time on a CAL with The Unraveled Mitten. I looked through the previous year CAL patterns and love the patterns and colors. I’m looking forward to doing 2023 CAL with you all. I joined the group on Facebook under Jason Rua, my hubby, as I don’t use Facebook.
I crocheting your hats where is the first one I made Leland and plaid one
First timer here…..
Welcome!
looking forward to this CAL. Using I Love This Cotton by HL. Will make individual wash cloths, towels, whatever. Don’t like joining squares but love to learn. I am a life-long knitter, crocheter and finally got the concept of Tunisian Crochet. Once you “get it” most needlework is enjoyable.
PS. Heather, I love your CAL’s.
Agree! I recently just picked up cross stitching and I’m finding it so fun. I guess string is my thing. LOL.
This will be the first time I’ve ever done a CAL. I’m very excited but not real sure if I will be able to keep up. You stated that we can use whatever colors we want to but what if I want to use all different colors, how many rounds would be in a square? Maybe I’m misunderstanding this whole thing. I hope I’m not asking dumb questions but I’m consider myself a “newbie”!
Any information would be very helpful. Thanks in advance !
No dumb questions here! You can use however many colors you want for each square, but each round doesn’t have to be a different color (unless that’s what you want to do of course!). It’s hard to say how many rounds each square will be though. I have 4 colors so I will use them in multiple rounds for each square. Our blanket will end up similar to this one we did in 2021
I am still trying to sign up for reminders but the link is not working. Is there another link I may use. Thanks
You’re already on the list.
*spare room*
I use quite a bit of Bernat Premium yarn. Would this be acceptable? Or I guess, I could take a look in my many many boxes of yarn for Red Heart super saver yarn in my spare , and yes, I am a yarn hoarder!
That should work great! As long as all YOUR yarn is similar then it should work out perfectly. It doesn’t necessarily have to match mine.