Crochet Along · Gifting

Jumping on the Bandwagon

A few years ago, I introduced you all to the Moogly Crochet Along (CAL) which I have participated in either fully or partially for the past six years. Interestingly, I still have sewn together my squares from 2016. It keeps going on my to do-list, but then falls off of it. It wouldn’t be hard, I could do it in an evening.

I haven’t kept any of my CALs.

My 2017 project went to a family I knew who had a house fire. The one from 2018 (probably my favorite color scheme ever) went to a friend getting married, as did the blanket in 2019. The 2020 and 2021 blankets were given to friends at church who I wanted to bless. The 2022 blanket again was given for a wedding.

The 2021 blanket was extra special because my friend Robin and I crocheted them together and chronicled our progress across the blog. It was a really fun experience because she was just learning to crochet at the time.

I wasn’t going to do the Moogly Crochet Along this year (check it out at mooglyblog.com), but when the completed squares of others started parading across my Facebook page, I had to jump on the bandwagon. My intention was to use scrap yarn and make it a true scrap blanket. But I started with colors from a recently completed blanket and fell in love. I’m not using all of the colors which makes it look like a different scheme completely.

I decided to use scraps from this blanket for my 2023 CAL.

After I completed my second square, I purchased more yarn to continue for the duration of the blanket.

Block #1 is That 70s Square by Jessie at Home. The construction of this square was very different than I’ve done before, but it worked well and her instructions were very clear.

Block #2 is Jan’s Joy-Full Jamboree by Linda Dean Crochet. This square again had new stitch construction starting with the flower in the middle. It really tested my colors and convinced me I should stick with them.

I’m committed to just a little bit of blue in each square and ending with the mahogany color.

Block #3 was Garden Gables by Make It Crochet. This square appealed to me more because I had just finished Anne of Green Gables. Anne with an E would have loved the intricacy of all of these blocks.

Block #4 was Bluebell Afghan Square by Julie Yeager Designs. Color placement was important for this one as the original pattern only called for three colors. I do need to break out of having so much of the teal in the second to last section.

The next block comes out this Thursday. I imagine I will again be impressed by the variety of the pattern. I can’t wait to see what it is!