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Tuesday, 2 April 2013

Granny Square CAL (week one)

I have been thinking about making a Granny Square Blanket for a long time. The only problem was I didn't know how I would stay motivated enough to finish the blanket. I am aiming for a queen size afghan which would mean making 99 (8 inch) squares. If you want a smaller blanket you can use this size chart to find out how many squares you will need http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/tips/afghsize.shtml

I am using scrap yarn I have lying around. Most of mine is DK/Light Worsted Weight. I suggest using the same size yarn throughout. So don't go using bulky or fingering weight yarn together. Also try to stick to the same fiber. The reason for this is each yarn will wear differently. Wool can shrink in the wash and ruin the shape of the blanket if mixed with another fiber that does not shrink the same.

I am aiming to have 3 different squares made and posted every Monday - US or Tuesday my time (NZ).

Now I thought of a way to keep you all motivated as well. Each person who posts a completed square on my Facebook page wall (if you don't have Facebook leave a comment below with your email and a link to the picture) will go in the draw to win a single pattern from my Ravelry Store http://www.ravelry.com/stores/teri-heathcote-designs.

The rules:


  1. The granny square must have been completed during the week for that draw. I will post the patterns for the squares on Monday (Tuesday my time). You have a week to complete them and post them on the wall. I will draw the winner before I post the next lot of squares.
  2. All 3 squares for the week completed - 3 entries into the draw.
  3. Winners will be picked via random.org
  4. And I think thats it :)





1st Granny Square


I thought we could start with a basic granny square.

The pattern/awesome tutorial can be found here: http://bunnymummy-jacquie.blogspot.co.nz/2011/10/how-to-crochet-granny-square.html

 I did 7 rounds with DK/Light Worsted Weight yarn and a 5mm hook to get an 8 inch square. My first 2 rounds measure 2 inches if you need to match gauge.

Make sure to weave in ends as you finish each square to avoid doing it all at the end.

2nd Granny Square



I know it say's it is a 6 inch square but I found using a 5mm hook and after doing a round of white it measured 8 inches. 

3rd Granny Square



For the 4th-7th rounds continue with the basic granny square pattern as in the 1st granny square.

Now if you have noticed I am doing the last round of each granny square with white. This is going to be my border colour.

You will find the next weeks here:













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31 comments :

  1. KristinDragos2 April 2013 at 09:02

    What a great idea! :D I look forward to seeing your finished project.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teri2 April 2013 at 18:07

      Thank you, I look forward to completing it.

      Delete
  2. Arc Of Colour2 April 2013 at 09:58

    I think I'm going to participate in this just for the challenge! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teri2 April 2013 at 18:07

      Awesome, I can't wait to see your squares

      Delete
  3. Maggie B2 April 2013 at 16:53

    I am participating also for fun! Hope to have a beautiful project (not sure what)
    when I have completed all the squares.
    I have the first two completed.....starting on #3.
    Maggie B.

    ReplyDelete
  4. kathyp2 April 2013 at 17:41

    Oohh! I really want to do this! I feel I need to learn how to make granny squares, but I just don't know if I can keep up, what with work and the other projects I'm already working on and all. I think I may give it a try anyway though! I especially like the square with the heart in the middle! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teri2 April 2013 at 18:06

      The square with the heart is one of my favourites as well. I usually have that problem with long CAL but I am hoping that people can stick with it and have added the patterns as an incentive to complete at least one block a week. I worked all three of these up in about 3 hours and wrote the post so they actually don't take too long. And if you didn't want a blanket you could make a cushion or bag. Something that only requires a few squares.

      Delete
  5. Maggie B2 April 2013 at 18:35

    I struggled with the heart square...had to adapt the square to get this one completed...looking forward to next week. This is my first CAL. I love granny squares so this is the perfect one for me!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Candice2 April 2013 at 21:38

    I'm game... Can't wait till morning to get started!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Laetitia Guchelaar3 April 2013 at 11:04

    I love this! Last week I challenged myself to make a granny every week for a year and blog about it. I aim to try a new pattern every week but there are so many nice patterns I'm having a hard time choosing! I'd like to participate in your CAL to get me started. I'm from the Netherlands by the way, can I still join?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teri3 April 2013 at 18:52

      I am excited to see all your squares and am now following your blog. And yes! of course you can still join in :)

      Delete
    2. Laetitia Guchelaar5 April 2013 at 12:07

      Wow! My first follower is from New Zealand, how cool is that! I've done the heart and flower square this evening, thanks for the lovely patterns! Only the traditional square left and I can post my first CAL squares on the wall AND my blog :) So excited. Thanks for organizing this challenge.

      Laetitia

      Delete
  8. Sheery3 April 2013 at 21:27

    What a fabulous idea. I'd love to join in on the fun. I'll blog about it each week, as well. THank you for putting this together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teri6 April 2013 at 10:01

      Thank you, do you have a link to your blog I would love to follow you?

      Delete
  9. Anonymous4 April 2013 at 01:45

    This is great! I joined because I'm making 4 afghans this year and a CAL is great motivation. This one I'm making for my second oldest daughter. I posted about what a great help CAL's are, a picture of the finished squares, and links to your blog at my blog. Thank You so much for hosting. I really love the squares, and so does my daughter. She picked them up yesterday and asked if this was the start of her blanket. She was thrilled when I told her it was and said she can't wait to see how it turns out and neither can I!
    Cathy
    http://cathygmaine.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/why-cals/

    ReplyDelete
  10. katern794 April 2013 at 05:46

    My first CAL!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Makings from the madhouse6 April 2013 at 06:33

    I am already working on an afghan at the moment, but have joined your CAL as i have never done one before and i have really enjoyed making the first 3 squares. Thank you x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teri6 April 2013 at 10:00

      I am still working on my Little Blossom's Blanket which is just about finished and then I am making a zoo themed one. These squares will just be in between projects for me. Sometimes it is nice working from other people patterns rather than making my own. I will look forward to seeing your squares throughout the CAL

      Delete
  12. Melanie7 April 2013 at 04:07

    I hadn't done granny squares or a CAL until I did these, I'm excited about how they turned out and completing additional weeks. My 21 year old has already claimed the finished products :D. Where do I post the photo?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teri7 April 2013 at 06:57

      Hi Melanie, if you post the photo's onto my facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/KnotYourNanasCrochet just in the comments section, or if you don't have a facebook then you can upload them to photobucket (or similar) or email them to me at knotyournanascrochet@gmail.com.

      Delete
    2. Melanie7 April 2013 at 09:01

      Thank you, I had gone back and re-read the post and found your facebook link after posting my comment (should have done that first, LOL) and have uploaded the photo. Thanks again for the challenge, I'm looking forward to the next set.

      Delete
  13. Unknown19 April 2013 at 04:21

    I am late in joining but really want to be part of this CAL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teri19 April 2013 at 06:37

      It would be great to have you join us. Still time to catch up or start at week 3 and go back and do 1 and 2 at the end.

      Delete
  14. Vj6 May 2013 at 19:38

    Hii i want to participate, how many such aquares do i do, just one or more... color choice is mine right?? and what does CAL mean, i see a lot of this in crochet sites??

    ReplyDelete
  15. Vj6 May 2013 at 19:39

    hii which week is currently on, i wish to participate? i have never done any CAL(what is it anyways) before. The choice of colors is ours isnt it?? must it be the same size as you mention?? how many squares only the 3 patterns or multiples??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teri6 May 2013 at 20:26

      Hi there we are currently on week 6, CAL stands for Crochet Along. You can use whatever colours you wish. I personally am just using scraps I have, you can make any size afghan/item you wish. If you see the above post you will find a link to a chart which will tell you how many 8 inch squares you need to make each afghan size.

      We are doing a different 3 patterns each week. Each square completed and posted on my facebook page for the week we are on will go in the draw for a free pattern. You can find all this information above also.

      Link to week 6 - http://www.knotyournanascrochet.com/2013/05/granny-square-cal-week-6.html

      Delete
  16. Unknown17 December 2013 at 19:25

    I am a really very late wanna do this.
    Is that alright?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teri21 December 2013 at 21:02

      Hi, yes that is fine, that is what it is there for. Just work at it at your own pace :)

      Delete
  17. Unknown25 December 2013 at 19:56

    Thank you very much.
    This is a great Chrismas pressie.
    Enjoy your day.

    ReplyDelete
  18. TracyLeigh20 March 2014 at 06:11

    Wow! That looks like it took alot of patience.

    ReplyDelete

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