KCACO-UK Afghan CAL 2015 -Block 20

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Can you believe it’s time for block 20!!! It’s also kind of sad now we are almost coming to the end of the CAL but also exciting as we are not far from our complete blanket. Now whether you are an Afghan square enthusiast or not you’ve got to love the designs of Julie Yeager. Her Afghan squares in particular are always stunning and the ones I love the most are those that resemble a stained glass window. As a big fan of hers I knew I wanted to add one of her designs in the CAL.

This square will be available as a free Ravelry download throughout the end of the year 2015 (December 31, 2015).

Sun Catcher Afghan Square by Julie Yeager

Notes:

Hook: UK 5.5 mm / US Size I
Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
Colours: Works best in at least 4-5 different colours
Pattern uses American crochet terms: see the following link for a printable conversion chart: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70437470329344/
Specialist stitch: Front Post Single Crochet (FPSC) – see a good video tutorial here if you are not sure how to do this stitch; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvdqqR2Kkho

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). I love how it turned out! I love, love, love the stained glass window effect and how it highlights the pinks and purples in the centre!

Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on 14 or 15th October.

16Sep2015

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 19

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I just love the ingenuity of our next block and think you will too! Picots stitches are usually seen as a decorative edging on a crochet piece but our next designer has cleverly incorporated them into her design. It’s a really interesting pattern to work up too as you are pretty much doing something different on each round.

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here. This square is currently free on Ravelry and has been since May 2015.

If this is the first you are hearing about the CAL the full schedule can be found here.

Sorrel by Sadie Cummings

Notes:

Hook: 5 mm (US Size H)
Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
Colours: I would suggest at least four or five different colours
Pattern uses American crochet terms see conversion chart here

Specialist Stitches:

Picot stitch: ch 3 or ch 4, slip stitch in either the 3rd or 4th ch (depending on which type of picot) – picot done.

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). This block is simply scrumptious with it’s perfectly positioned picots! I didn’t change colour every round and I also stopped at rnd 17 (which for me was htr/hdc) as I was spot on 12 inches.

Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on the 30th September or 1st October.

2Sep2015

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 18

Posted in Afghan Square, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I have to confess that I am intrigued by tapestry crochet; just because you can be so creative with a design so I was very excited when our next lovely designer, from Crimson Clover, designed a tapestry crochet block for us to use in the CAL and what a unique design it is!

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here. This square is currently free on Ravelry and will be forever yay!

If this is the first you are hearing about the CAL the full schedule can be found here.

Aztec Square by Kim Green

Notes:

Hook: 5.5 mm (US Size I)
Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
Colours: I would suggest at least two different colours
Pattern uses American crochet terms see conversion chart here

Specialist Stitches:

None but you might want to research colour changing if you are not familiar with the technique: Crochet Guru has a good video on Youtube.

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). I love how this design looks in two colours but I really wanted to use all five of my colours – as I have in all of the patterns we’ve made so far. I had fun coming up with this finished version.

Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on the 16th or 17th September.

19Aug2015

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 17

Posted in Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

So for those of you that were wondering about the voting we usually have on every 8th block as we are getting nearer to the end with only a few blocks left it’s harder to assemble blocks for choice…sooooo voting has now ended and we will just continue to hook our way to the end…only 7 left to do in total squeee!!! If this is the first you are hearing about the CAL the full schedule can be found here.

Our next block is just awesome! I’m a little bit obsessed by spirographs and doodle them everywhere! So when I saw this next block I just knew it had to be included in my blanket!

I think some of you might have had the same idea as me as I know I’ve seen some of you hook this particular block and have shared it in the CAL group – well if you have made it check the CAL list page for loads of alternative blocks you could use instead of this one.

So on to the square; click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here. This square is currently free on Ravelry and has been since February 2015. The lovely Helen has also recently just finished a photo tutorial to go along with this block for each round also available on Ravelry.

Spiro Star by Helen Shrimpton

Notes:

Hook: 5 mm (US Size H)
Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
Colours: I would suggest at least two different colours
Pattern uses American crochet terms see conversion chart here

Specialist Stitches:

Fpsc – front post single crochet
Fpdc – front post double crochet, yarn over once
Fptr – front post treble crochet, yarn over twice
Fptr-tr – front post triple treble, yarn over 4 times!
Bphdc – back post half double crochet
Bpdc – back post double crochet

Great guidance from Moogly for standing tr/dc

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). I loooove how this turned out! It’s great how the stitches makes the star so pointy and how there is a star within a star – just a fabulous design!

Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on the 2nd or 3rd September.

5Aug2015

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 16

Posted in Afghan Square, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

So have you all got your hooks at the ready for Block 16? Our next block is textural interesting to crochet with an unusual construction that will keep your interest. I especially like the inclusion of the tapestry crochet – though a good tip is to work loosely or block will curl!

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here. This square is currently free on Ravelry and has been since March 2014.

If this is the first you are hearing about the CAL the full schedule can be found here.

Beware the Ides of March 12″ Afghan Crochet Block Square

by Margaret MacInnis

Notes:

Hook: 5 mm (US Size H)
Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
Colours: I would suggest at least two different colours
Pattern uses American crochet terms see conversion chart here

Specialist Stitches:

Air Crochet Link: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/vannas-choice-fan-club/1206917/201-225#223
Invisible Join Link: http://mrsmicawber.blogspot.pt/2012/06/pardon-me-but-your-slip-stitch-is.html
Tapestry-style: Join first Color with a sc, and work first stitches with first Color as indicated. On the last st of the first Color, instead of bringing the loop of the first color through the last step, bring the loop of the second color through. Holding the first Color so it gets worked inside the st (just hold it level over the line of stitching), work the next indicated sts to the last st in the second Color, then in the last st of the second Color, switch by pulling the first Color through, and holding the second Color in line. Continue in this fashion, switching Colors as indicated, periodically untwisting the yarns. I like to untwist them about every 12 stitches or so.
fpdtrc: front post double treble crochet (yo 3 times)
Btw: between two stitches fp: front post, work the st from the front, around the post of the indicated st
Around/Btw: around the chain sp, and between the two indicated stitches
Back bump: located behind the two top loops of a stitch, it is the horizontal thread in the back

If you are not sure about the air crochet you could substitute with a chain 3 or a standing tr/dc

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). Such a pretty and unique block to add to our collection! I did make a slight change to my square because I wanted to end with the emperor (dark purple) colour so I removed rnd 11 and added it onto the end instead!

Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on 19th or 20th of August

22Jul2015

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 15

Posted in Afghan Square, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Block 15 time!! I was looking at my list today and I can’t believe that we only have 9 blocks left to make! For those of you that are managing to keep up – yay you! I hope you are beginning to see your Afghan coming to life now…for those not started yet or are catching up – you still have bags of time, remember we don’t finish until the end of November! The full schedule and details about the CAL can be found here.

Our next square is a nice and simple fun design that has some texture and a shape within a shape. There are also lots of ways you could play with colour with this one; I’ve used all five of my colours in each of my blocks but this one would look great in a single colour or many.

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here. This square is currently free on Ravelry and on has been on heartmadeblessings.org since Jan 2002.

Popin by Melissa Green

Notes:

Hook: 5 mm (US Size H)
Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
Colours: I would suggest at least two different colours
Pattern uses American crochet terms see conversion chart here

Specialist Stitches:

Beginning Popcorn (Beg PC) – Ch 3, 4 tr/dc in same sp, pull hook out of loop, put in 3rd ch of beginning ch 3, pick up dropped loop and pull through.
Popcorn (PC) – Tr/dc in same sp, pull hook out of loop, put in 3rd ch of beginning ch 3, pick up dropped loop and pull through.

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). I’m a big fan of playing with shapes within shapes so I love how the popcorns create a diamond inside of the block. I had fun with my colours with stripes in the centre and at the edge and a big chunk of green in the middle. I think this makes the popcorn diamond more subtle but I like that it makes the centre/edge popcorns more defined – can’t wait to see how you mix up the colours on your blocks!

Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on 5th or 6th of August

8Jul2015

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 14

Posted in Afghan Square, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015, Free Patterns by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Block 14 is here! Our next square has a beautiful flower motif which is super fun to make and as you know I do so love a popcorn stitch! I also love the way the popcorns make the central flower ‘pop’ out of the centre of the block.

I know some of you might be making more masculine themed blankets so if you are looking for inspiration for alternative blocks check out the Moogly 2014 CAL,Moogly 2015 CAL, Look What I Made Block A Week CAL, Ravelry BAM CAL, Blog Hop Crochet-Along, American Crochet-Along and Designs on A Hook CAL

This square is currently free on Ravelry and will be forever (yay!).

Although we are on block 14 there is still plenty of time to catch up, you can hook up a block in an evening easily – the full schedule and details about the CAL can be found here.

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here.

The Secret Garden by Amber Schaaf

Notes:

Hook: 4 mm (US Size G)
Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
Colours: I would suggest at least four different colours
Pattern uses American crochet terms.

Specialist Stitches:

POPCORN STITCH: 5 tr/dc into indicated st. Drop stitch from hook and insert it from front to back of the first dc, place your dropped loop back on your hook draw it through. Ch 1 to secure.
US fptr/UK fpdtr – yarn over twice, place hook around the post of the dc/tr from the previous row (front to back and bring to the front), yarn over, pull around post. Slip last yarn over through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.
US bptr/UK bpdtr – yarn over twice, place hook around the post of the dc/tr from the previous row (back to front and bring to the back), yarn over, pull around post. Slip last yarn over through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). A very pretty block I think you’ll agree and although the centre looks complicated but it’s actually quite easy and looks great.

Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on July 22nd (or 23rd)

24Jun2015

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 13

Posted in Afghan Square, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

This next block is by the lovely Jenn who some of you may have got to know in the Facebook CAL Group where she is one of the three fabulous Admins that help out there.

With this next block we have another technique to add to our growing repertoire; the crochet basket-weave stitch! This stitch is made up of sets of front and back post UK treble/ US double crochet stitches that creates a fabric with a woven texture. Jenn has used a unique variation of the basket-weave crochet effect for her block which I just love!

This square is currently free on Ravelry and will be forever (yay!).

Although we are on block 13 there is still plenty of time to catch up – the full schedule and details about the CAL can be found here.

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here.

Will’s 12 inch Weave Square by Jennifer Bregg

Notes:

Hook: 5.5 mm (US Size I)
Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
Colours: I would suggest at least three different colours
Pattern uses American and UK crochet terms: NOTE: the US terminology comes FIRST in this pattern (as the author is American) so be careful UK peeps!

Specialist Stitches:

US fptr/UK fpdtr – yarn over twice, place hook around the post of the dc/tr from the previous row (front to back and bring to the front), yarn over, pull around post. Slip last yarn over through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.
US bptr/UK bpdtr – yarn over twice, place hook around the post of the dc/tr from the previous row (back to front and bring to the back), yarn over, pull around post. Slip last yarn over through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). I really like basket-weave stitch so was really pleased to have it incorporated in a block for the CAL, I love the kind of ombre effect the pattern and the use of my fondant, plum and magenta colours together in the centre have.

Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on July 8th (or 9th)

10Jun2015

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 12

Posted in Afghan Square, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Fanfare time ladies and gentleman! We have reached block 12! We are halfway there on our Afghan adventure!

As you hopefully know to make this CAL a bit different from others every block, that is a multiple of 4 (e.g. 4,8,12,16,20), is selected by YOU in a public vote. I can now reveal that the square that received the majority vote was ‘D’ which IS…. the ‘Pizzazz’ Square!

What a perfect block you have chosen for us, an attractive combination of vitality and glamour – perfect to mark our half way point!

This square is free (and has been since December 2014).

Although we are on block 12 there is still plenty of time to catch up – the full schedule and details about the CAL can be found here.

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here.

Pizzazz – 12″ Square by Melinda Miller

Notes:

Hook: 5.5 mm (US Size I)
Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
Colours: I would suggest at least three different colours
Pattern uses American crochet terms: see the following link for a printable conversion chart: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70437470329344/

Specialist Stitches:

Dc2tog (double crochet 2 stitches together): work 1 dc into next st until one lp rem on hk (2 lps on hk), skip next sc, work 1 dc into next st until one lp rem on hk (3 lps on hk), yo and pull through all 3 lps.
Hdc2tog (half double crochet 2 stitches together): Yo, insert hk into next st and pull up a lp (3 lps on hk), skip next sc, yo, insert hk into next st and pull up a lp (5 lps on hk), yo and pull through all 5 lps.
Tr2tog (triple crochet 2 stitches together): work 1 tr into next st until one lp rem on hk (2 lps on hk), skip next sl st, work 1 tr into next st until one lp rem on hk (3 lps on hk), yo and pull thru all 3 lps.
Shell: work 5 dc in same st.
Dc-Shell: in same st work [(dc, ch 1) 4 times, dc].
Tr-Shell: in same st work [(tr, ch 1) 6 times, tr]. Ch-2 Shell: in same st work [(dc, ch 2) 3 times, dc].
Corner Shell: in same st work (dc, ch 2, dc, ch 3, dc, ch 2, dc).

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). This block was such a fun one to make and I love the ‘overlay’ effect of the outer edge!

Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on June 24th (or 25th)

7Jun2015

Public Vote for Block No. 12 of the CAL

Posted in Afghan Square, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

So to make this CAL a little different we hold a public vote on every 4th square we make! Basically you get to choose which square YOU want to make next! Choose one option, A through F – which block you would like to work up as our next pattern! We’ve posted the following photo collage with snippets of 6 different block patterns in the CAL group if you are on Facebook please use the poll and vote on the pinned post there: Poll Vote

Voting will end on Tuesday, June 9th, at Midnight London time (GMT), and the winning design (with the most votes) will be used as the 12th pattern and announced on Wednesday, June 10th.