Although the Block a Week CAL 2014 has now ended, the patterns and tutorials are still available and will remain so. You can find all the information and links below. Four of the squares have now become paid-for patterns (indicated in the list below), but the rest remain free.
Feel free to join and share at any time. We have now created a Ravelry Thread for this CAL, should you wish to join.
xxx Dedri
This year I am going to be joining in a mystery afghan crochet-along (Block a Week CAL 2014) and I will be sharing the process here on Lookatwhatimade.
I’ve always wanted to make an afghan…not a baby blanket or a chunky blanket, but a proper honest-to-goodness afghan. Unfortunately, I am one of those people who find the task too daunting. So when the lovely Kimberly Slifer announced that the Official CCC Social Group on Facebook were going to have a CAL, I was over the moon.
This will be the year that I tackle my first afghan…one lovely block at a time. And I would love it if you would join me! So let me tell you a little bit more about the Block a Week CAL and the people who are making it happen.
Update 2020
Paid Patterns
- Julie Yeager has kindly put together a Block a Week 2014 e-book that contains all three of her paid patterns used in the CAL. You can find that HERE on Ravelry.
- Joyce Lewis – You can buy the Crocodile Flower Square pattern HERE on Ravelry.
Photo Tutorials
I have removed the photo tutorial for Block 6: Blooming Lace. Significant revisions to the pattern have rendered the original photo tutorial obsolete. The pattern is straight-forward, though, so you’ll be fine x
Block a Week CAL 2014
Index
Clicking on these links will take you to the relevant section, although I suggest reading everything before you start.
- Information
- Designers
- Size
- Materials
- List of Squares
- Additional Rounds
- Blocking Your Squares
- Joining Your Squares
- Adding a Border
- **The Blue and White Version**
- Related Posts
Information
Like I have already mentioned, this Block a Week CAL is for those of us (present company included) that feel like we will never be able to make an afghan.
By breaking it up into individual squares and doing only one square a week, the project becomes infinitely less frightening. Add to that the fact that you have a whole community of people behind you, doing the same thing and happy to help you out should you need it, and VOILA! “I could never” turns into “I can’t wait for the next one!”
And the cherry on the cake? Each block is a surprise!
This Crochet-along is hosted by the Official CCC Social Group on Facebook (you will have to be logged in to your Facebook account to access the link). The woman in charge is called Kimberly Slifer and she is amazingly helpful and friendly. Please feel free to join the Official CCC Social Group so that you can access and utilize the support and encouragement of all the lovely ladies on there. You can also join the Block a Week CAL Flickr Group so that you can see what other people have done (be inspired) and share what you have done (give inspiration).
I hope that you will take up the challenge and join along with the Block a Week CAL.
Designers
The squares in this CAL have been NOT been designed by me. They have been designed by a host of wonderful designers, a list of which you can find below. These have kindly given me permission to do photo tutorials for (most of) the squares. These photo tutorials should NOT replace the written patterns. They are only meant to be helpful aides in your journey to make this afghan. You can find the links to each pattern at the start of each tutorial, under the heading ‘Pattern‘.
- Letitia Sherriff
- Melinda Miller
- Donna Mason-Svara
- Julie Yeager
- Melissa Green
- Aurora Suominen
- Ivory Herman
- Chris Simon
- Julee Reeves
- Penny Davidson
- April Moreland
- Margaret MacInnis
- Carola Wijma
- Joyce Lewis
- Shan Sevcik
- Virginia Burrow
- Carolyn Christmas
- Betty Byers
Size
Using the hook and yarn specified in each pattern, the blocks/squares will measure 12″ x 12″. Obviously this is dependant on your particular gauge. I crochet quite tightly, but my sister-in-law, for example, crochets VERY loosely.
Using a 4 mm crochet hook (US G/6 UK 8) for all the squares, and double knit yarn (light worsted weight/#3), my finished squares have come out between 7.5″ to 8.5″.
If you are using the same hook and yarn for each square (as I have done), your squares won’t all come out the same size. I have supplied a list of Optional Additional Rounds to help you get all the squares to the same size and final-round stitch count (more or less).
Materials
For the purposes of these tutorials, I am using:
- 4 mm crochet hook (US G/6 UK 8) – I recommend Clover Amour Crochet Hooks
- Stylecraft Special DK (Double Knit/Light Worsted Weight/#3) – You will need 1700 g (5100 meters) of yarn, not including the border and joining.
I started out using the Original Attic24 Colour Pack, which you can find HERE in her Wool Warehouse Shop. Midway through I decided that I didn’t want to use all the colours, so I had to buy a few more skeins. You can find a list of the colours and yardages HERE.
List of Squares
If you would like to include Sophie’s Garden in your afghan (as Betty has done with her blanket), you can find the instructions for that HERE. Sophie’s Garden is the size of 4 afghan squares, so if you choose to use it, it will replace 4 of your squares.
You can find the details for each block by clicking on the relevant image below.
- Block 1: Odyssey – Letitia Sheriff
- Block 2: Popcorn Parade – Melinda Miller
- Block 3: Starburst Flower Square – Donna Mason-Svara
- Block 4: Basket of Berries – Melinda Miller
- Block 5: Starfire – Melinda Miller
- *No Photo Tutorial* Block 6: Blooming Lace – Melinda Miller
- *PAID* Block 7: Eight Pointed Flower – Julie Yeager
- Block 8: Cocoa Puff – Melissa Green
- Block 9: Never Ending Love – Aurora Suominen
- Block 10: Butterfly Garden – Chris Simon
- Block 11: Wish Upon a Star – Melinda Miller
- Block 12: Kaleidoscope Blossom – Chris Simon
- Block 13: Veronica’s Rose – Melissa Green
- Block 14: Autumn Clusters – Aurora Suominen
- Block 15: More V’s Please – Melinda Miller
- Block 16: Lace Petals – Chris Simon
- Block 17: Winter Rose – Julee Reeves
- Block 18: Kata – Penny Davidson
- Block 19: Lemony Lime Citrus – Donna Mason-Svara (aka SmoothFox)
- Block 20: Mandala Square – Chris Simon
- Block 21: Winter Dream – April Moreland
- Block 22: Crown Jewels – Melinda Miller
- Block 23: See How They Run – Margaret MacInnis
- Block 24: Grandma’s Heart – Carola Wijma
- Block 25: Addie Square – Melissa Green
- *PAID* Block 26: Firenze – Julie Yeager
- Block 27: Dalliance – Margaret MacInnis
- Block 28: Katharine’s Rose – Melinda Miller
- Block 29: Anticipation Mystery Square Margaret MacInnis
- Block 30: Cygnus Square – Chris Simon
- *PAID* Block 31: Water Lily – Julie Yeager
- *PAID* Block 32: Crocodile Flower – Joyce Lewis
- Block 33: Flower Burst – Chris Simon
- Block 34: Embracing Variety – Aurora Suominen and Ivory Herman
- Block 35: Peppermint Mocha Frappe – Donna Mason-Svara (SmoothFox)
- Block 36: Frostbloom – Shan Sevcik
- Block 37: Prince Protea Square – Virginia Burrow and Dedri Uys
- Block 38: May Pole Square – Shan Sevcik
- Block 39: Easter Day Square – Donna Mason-Svara
- Block 40: Spring Fling – April Moreland
- Block 41: Fountain of Roses – Shan Sevcik
- Block 42: Super Sampler Square – Donna Kay Lacey
- Block 43: Sadie Square – Melissa Green
- Block 44: Flower Wreath Square – Aurora Suominen
- Block 45: Purifying Puritans Square – Margaret MacInnis
Bonus Blocks
You can find the details for each block by clicking on the relevant image below.
- Bonus Block 1: Harlequin Shells – Carolyn Christmas
- Bonus Block 2: Posie Field – Melissa Green
- Bonus Block 3: Princess Square – Melinda Miller
Additional Rounds
You can find a list of the Optional Additional Rounds HERE (as discussed under ‘Size’ above).
Blocking Your Squares
Once you have made your squares, you will need to block them so that they are nice and neat (and the same size). You can read about my DIY Blocking Station HERE. The post includes links to other blocking methods.
Joining Your Squares
When are your squares are made and blocked, you will need to join them. You can find all the information for joining crochet squares in the 5-part series below.
- Joining Crochet Squares Part 1: Preparing to Join Afghan Squares
- Joining Crochet Squares Part 2: (Sc, ch 1, skip 1) Join
- Joining Crochet Squares Part 3: 5 Different Ways to Join Afghan Squares
- Joining Crochet Squares Part 4: Joining Crochet Squares With Different Stitch Counts
- Joining Crochet Squares Part 5: Foursquares
Adding a Border
When you have made, blocked, and joined your squares, you will need to add a border to finish your blanket off. My friend Betty Byers has designed a beautiful border especially for this CAL. You can find that HERE.
You do not HAVE to use this border, though. I have gone for a very simple border myself. Edie Eckman’s book ‘Around the Corner Crochet Borders‘ is an excellent resource.
The Blue And White Version
Over the years, I have gotten MANY questions about ‘The Blue and White Version’, so I thought I would dedicate a little space to it.
This gorgeous version was made by Sharon Blignaut and features the Enchanted Garden Square (paid), which is a marriage of Joyce Lewis’ Crocodile Flower Square (paid pattern) and Sophie’s Garden (free). You can find more information on Sharon’s Ravelry Project Page HERE.
Related Posts
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Happy Hooking!
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Elsabe Fourie says
Is there any possibility to get the bigger version of the “crocodile flower” for the center block of the blue and white afghan.
I did by the original on ravelry
Dedri Uys says
Hi Elsabe, the ‘bigger version of the crocodile flower’ is an adaptation by Courtney Laube on Ravelry and requires that you purchase the pattern for the Crocodile Flower Square AND Courtney’s instructions for marrying it with Sophie’s Garden. You can find that HERE. If you already own the pattern for Crocodile Flower, you only need Courtney’s instructions.
Marianne says
Dear Dedri, thank you very much these OMG beautiful patterns!
Have a nice weekend!
Marianne
Monique says
Dear Dedri, Thank you very much for your photo tutorials that helps me in making that so beautiful afghan. I make it with great pleasure for my grand childrens (mes petits-enfants). Sorry my english is too bad but I have to thank you !
Dedri Uys says
Hi Monique.
I am so glad that you are enjoying making the blanket. I hope your petits-enfants love it xx
Kim says
Hi Hon your English is just fine
Kim
fer,n says
I happen to see this
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/SharonBlignaut/block-a-week-cal-2014
https://elleyarns.com/shade-album/ toward the end of the book
Dedri Uys says
Thank you for the link! I’ve just spent almost an hour trying to find it!!!
Renay says
I can’t find the original blue and Shiite pattern on ravelry. They don’t list Sharon Blignaut as one of their designers, please could someone help
Jenny says
Renay I am not sure what square you are referring to. I assume you mean blue and ‘white’?
Jenny
Michelle says
Could the blanket be done in worsted weight yarn ( acrylic)? The squares then would be bigger, correct? I am also wondering if it would make the blanket last longer, more sturdy? I am considering this to be an heirloom blanket and want to makeit last.
Thanks for everything!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Michelle. Yes, it can be made in worsted weight, although it would be very big. Using a thicker yarn won’t necessarily make it last longer. I think the quality of the yarn and the density of your stitches will play a bigger part in how long it lasts.
Vema Terry says
Hi. I saw your posting on facebook and loved it. I would love to do the squares in the blue and white that is shown. Could you please tell me what you used for colors and if patterns relate to the blue and white or just changed as you did each square
Dedri Uys says
Hi Vema. The infamous ‘blue and white’ blanket is being shared by a pattern farming site, not by us. It is a photo of someone’s personal interpretation of the CAL and I do not, unfortunately, have the details for which yarn/colours/hook she used. I hope you find who made it so that you can ask her. I would LOVE to know!
Julie Bradshaw says
Hi Dedri,
That beautiful blue and white version is on Ravelry under the name Sharon Blignaut. She lists her yarns and she also has a wonderful version of the alternate Sophie (Enchanted Garden Tote) she used for the Around the Bases CAL.