*Note* There was an error in Clue 5. We have corrected the download (at 9:52 EST), but if you printed an earlier version, here are the changes:
16th row should read: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 6 sc. Sc3tog over next 3 sts. 1 sc in each of next 6 sc. Do not break E. Join A. Turn.
18th row should read: With A, ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Sc3tog over next 3 sts. 1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Break A. Pick up E. Turn.
Clue #5
Hope you had fun making the last square. Here’s how Clue 4 looks.
Now onto Clue #5!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF FILE OF CLUE #5
Please note you need to make 16 of this square. Yes, that’s a lot but the finished result is worth it. This is most squares for any week of the CAL, so if you need to spread it out across the next few weeks you should be fine.
This square is a little bit of magic and uses a different technique than we’ve used before. We’re introducing our first decrease of the CAL – the single crochet 3 together (sc3tog). Sc3tog will take three stitches and turn them into one. To sc3tog, draw up a loop in each of the next 3 chains. Yarn over hook (yoh) and draw through all four loops on hook. Here’s an image after drawing a loop in each of the next three chains, and I’m about to draw my yarn through all of the loops.
We’ll be using the sc3tog to make a mitered square. Mitered squares are different than most squares we’ll be making, because instead of being made side-to-side, or from-the-middle, we work each row along 2 sides of the square. This means your foundation row is actually two sides of the square. Halfway across the chain, you’ll be working your decrease. This makes the row turn into an L-shape right angle. It’s useful to add a stitch marker to the center stitch (st) to remind you where to decrease each row.
To get a hint as to what a mitered square looks like, take a look at the chart image on page 2 of the clue. For those who want to keep it a surprise, follow the written instructions.
Last week I showed you how to change color at the end of a row. This week we’ll learn to change color at the beginning of a row. It’s a good idea to learn several ways of achieving the same end. To change color at the beginning of a row you must fasten off the working color at the end of the previous row. Turn your work and then join the new color with a slip stitch under both loops of the last sc you worked. Hold the two tails across the row with your other hand and ch 1, then sc in the same stitch and in each stitch across the row working over your yarn tails.
Hope you have fun making lots of mitered squares. See you here next week with a photo of this clue and with Clue #6.
Laura
Looks like and interesting square that should turn out quite nice. I am a little scared of 16 though. I will def be taking the webs advice and spreading this one out over a couple of weeks. Happy Crocheting Y’all!
Does anybody know what “break C ” means in row 12? I dont think it means fasten off. Do I just drop that color and pick up the next or crochet with both colors. Sorry I am confused. This is new to me. Thanks for your help.
yes. cut off colour C and then continue as per instructions with the next colour.
Carlene, stop with “c” and pick up the next color.
Hi, I just logged on, Wednesday evening to download Clue #5. I cannot find it. I can see the “Correction for rows 16-18, but I cannot get to the entire clue. What is the matter?
maybe if you check on the right hand side of the page you’ll be able to see the link for clue 5
I was so excited to try these mitered squares. Something new for me! Just finished the first square but I just can’t get it right. The tension is all off so it’s not square! I undid most of it and tried it again, keeping it loose but it’s still wonky. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to do this! I’ve been crocheting 10 years and never had troubles before this!
my first one turned out goofy, so I did another one with looser tension. It’s still not 8×8, but I think I can work it out when connecting squares. Good thing I have 15 more to do to try and figure it out. lol
I used to have this problem when making mitred squares either knit or crochet. The solution for me was to not pull the sc3tog too tight. When I did, the rest of the square wasn’t square and got narrower and narrower as I went. Only pull it tight enough to make a right angle. Keep the rest of the stitches consistent. After I do the chain and first row of sc I stop and measure to make sure it approx the same as the edges of my desired square size. Also, this is one square a bit of blocking helps to keep it square.
I’ve pulled my hair out at the same rate I’ve been pulling stitches out on this one. I finally got it to look right on Sunday. (And I’ve been crocheting for over 50 years) I now have 4 finished & a 5th on my hook.
Wish it had been the V-stitch there were 16 of…
Oh well, back to my hook…
Ditto!
That’s exactly what I figured out after making two goofy squares. I think I finally have it. I did have to use a different hook for this one too.
Me too! My first row was perfect, but by the end the last row was less than 7″! I’m starting fresh tonight and try to loosen up.
Thank God, I thought it was just me. I even increased my hook and still came up short. i can’t wait to see their finished square!
I am so glad to hear that others are having the same problem that I am having with the odd looking “square” I don’t think a word has been created to describe the shape that I have ended up with. I can’t wait to start a new square using the technique from Knitting Bee!! Thanks so much for the suggestion.
I have the same issue. I’m thinking that once we put the afghan together it will pull the square to it’s full size. i’m hoping this ayways. bc mine have turned out like an odd shaped baseball diamond lol
I had the same problem with the sqare until I started doing my decrease loops loosely. It will help the piece to lay flat. It just takes a bit to get used to not using the same tension as all of your other stitches.
thanks for the tip!! I was trying to decide if I needed to use a bigger hook!! I will try this on the next one.
Got it!
I REALLY had to loosed my tension. By keeping the first 2 rows normal tension and then getting looser and looser. By the last several rows, it seems ridiculously loose but it worked. I also had to reduce the chain length to 42 to get it to 8 in. So I’m omitting the 2 rows of the second colour too. I think I’ll do half of the squares with the topaz colour in rows 11 and 12 (for me it’s taupe) and half with the skipped colour (I couldn’t find forest so it’s grey). I think it’ll turn out good.
I take it that PoMo is port moody.. I am here in Maple Ridge… enjoying the CAl as well.
Yes! Good crocheting weather we have here, eh?
I thought I was going crazy. I was almost at the point of saying uncle. I was going to try the square again (my 5th attempt) and change to a larger hook size as the rows got smaller.
I will try it with a loose tension. Cute idea, but whoa! and 16 of them!?
So did that work for you? To go up to a larger hook?
Thanks for all these “off square” comments! I’m a newbie, just learned the beginning of September, and have done great with all the squares before, but this one keeps coming out looking like a marquise shaped diamond. Am working on #1 for the 6th time and have tried to loosen the joining together of 3 as much as possible. Sure hope this comes together ok, it’s fun learning and doing as we go along!
I worked the first four rows with a J hook, rows 5 through 10 with a K hook and 11 through 22 with an
L hook. That made it work out to about 8 to 8 1/4″.
I was thinking your idea of using 3 different size hooks would help. I think the instructions are wrong or so many people would not be having the same problem.
I am having the same issue. The first part of the square is at 8 inches and it finishes at 7. Does anyone have any suggestions. I thought about going up in hook size as I go along.
I changed from a J to a K about mid-way through.
Wow 16 squares this time! This should be fun. Interesting pattern too. Can’t wait to get started, which is right now.
Oh My GOD! 16 squares times 2 afghans! I’m getting busy right now!
Me too x 2 afghans.
x 4 – I must be mad!
Well be careful what you wish for!!! I had to wait up to see the clue! This will be a real challenge. I love it. I don’t think I will love doing 48 squares tho
Alas, my fault for doing 3 afghans.
I am really lovin you Laura!!
And I thought I was crazy for making 2 blankets at once. You win
good luck and I’ll be sure to send good crochet thoughts your way! Here’s to hoping it sq goes quickly.
Looks interesting!!!
Yeah it is here. I have to spend some time at the hospital this week with DD so while waiting I’ll be doing the block. Keep you posted.
Happy crocheting all
Oh my….16 squares…gonna have busy fingers this week!
16 squares! Which is 32 squares for me since I’m making 2 afghans. Poor Donna has to mulitply that by 3 which is 48 squares! I hope your holiday goes well D and you find time to enjoy yourself while out of town. On the bright side you will be coming home with a lot less yarn =)
I hope my squares turn out alright. I’ll make a couple. If they look atrocious I’m substituting granny squares alternating the colors/sq.
England-I like the way you look at things! I will keep this optimistic thought in my mind when I pack. LOL
Thanks E, I’ll have to remember that. Wish I’d thought about it with the last squares in stripes, there would have been a lot less stripes.
Row 16 states Join C–but Row 17 begins w/ A–which do you mean?
There was an error in the original pattern. If you look at the top of the blog post now, you’ll see the corrections for rows 16 and 18.
I’m glad you pointed this out. I minimized the instructions before I left for work so I could start as soon as I got home. Thanks for the heads-up. I’ve got the right one now.
I just skimmed through Clue #5 to underline the color changes and found some confusion with a few rows:
Row 16 said at the end to Join C.
Then Row 17 starts with “With A, ch1…
Then Row 18 starts with “With A, ch 1. but at the end of Row 18 it says to “Break C. then Pick up E. Turn”
What happens to color A?
Yes, I was going to post this question to Laura. Was it a mistake and we should Join A and not C on Row 16?
I’m assuming it’s a typo because the chart shows contrast A being used and not C.
That’s right, the original clue had a typo. We have corrected the download.
I’ve read through Clue 5 and I can’t find color B listed. When do you used color B?
row 3
I was just about to post about that. I believe according to the pattern and the chart, Row 16 should say “Join A” instead of C and Row 18 should say “Break A. Pick up E.”. This looks like a case of copying and pasting without proof-reading.
Wow! 16 squares – that is as many as we have done already. At least is looks interesting and different. Can’t wait until after work tomorrow to start doing them.
Wow 16 squares to make, I will start this tomorrow when I am more alert.
Yeah!!! clue #5 now I can head off to bed, and start bright and early in the morning!
Yeah !! now you’re talkin’…. this looks great…. and a stitching we will go….
Cheers to everyone
This week’s square should be fun, and something new for me! Can’t wait to see everyone’s finished afghans. Mine is really nice looking in the pinks/reds/browns. 16 squares, though – we’ll be busy this week!
I love this weeks pattern. I am just worried about keeping up, lol. I am working on 3 afghans, so 16 of this square for each one, wow…a lot of work for me this week, *grins* Better get to work, lol.
you can do it, just say ” I can, I can, I know I can!!
It works up fast…
Look at it this way. You have 6 weeks to do them all. That’s only 8 a week. Only 16 squares after this since we have done 32 out of 48 already.
Bernat,
the instructions for clue #5 have an error in row 16. At the end of row 16 the instructions say to Join C but for Row 17 the first two words are “with A”. I can see from the chart image that we are supposed to use color A but for those don’t look at the chart this will cause some confusion. Can you please correct the instructions?
I think you are using both C and A. You join C at the end of 16, and pick up A at 17.
yikes… I need to buy some forest … no more in the bag.. where did I go wrong… off to Micheals tomorrow.
Cheers
maybe you used forest earlier, instead of fern.
do believe that may be the case….. although having a problem getting the forest yarn… better luck tomorrow. or as any good crafter i will create. LOL
I’m jealous. I’ve been to 4 Michaels and two JoAnns in the St. Louis, Missouri area and could not find Forest. I had to substitute as it was too late to order on line and still keep up with the CAL
oh boy Its here…..!
Ohboy this one will be fun…and will take a bit longer to do 16 (32). Lets go all and get to crocheting.
Oh boy……
I will try not to get lost on this one. I still haven’t finished last weeks I have been so busy. Feel bad for the ones who were making more than one blanket.
Any hoose..
I have been watching a bunch of YouTube videos. I notice most hold the hook in their hand, not the pencil style. Just wondering how the wonderful folk here do it?
I hold it pencil style. I find holding it my hand makes my wrist twist to much and hurt after a while.
I hold it pencil style. I find I can roll the hook back and forth in between my fingers tips and really get moving fast.
Pencil style for me too and I use my right hand which is funny considering I am left handed! My grandmother said she couldn’t teach me to crochet unless I could do it right handed. Now all my needlework, quilting, crocheting, etc. is done right handed.
Pencil style for me too. I also started noticing the other method. It never occurred to me to hold it any different. So I tried it and it just felt awkward. So I’ll stick to the pencil style. I suppose it’s just a matter of what feels the best to you.
I hold it ‘pencil style’. Tried it the other way and just couldn’t make friends with it.
Although have you seen those fancy hooks with an ‘ergonomic’ handle bit (like in Shandeh’s pictures).
Here’s another impatient-Rosey-couldn’t-wait-for-the-shops tip. Get a cork (if necessary, drink bottle of wine first). Drill a hole through the middle (or get a handy chap to do it for you). For a 6mm hook, drill a 5.5mm hole. Shove the hook through with about 1.5″ of the hook end sticking out of the cork.
Et voila, one ‘ergonomic’ hook. It means that the bit you hold is fatter than the rest of the hook, so you aren’t gripping as much, so you can do more crochet before you get tired.
Wow, I never thought about how I held the hook! I just picked up a hook to see – and yep – I hold it exactly like a pencil. People always comment on how I hold a pencil. Instead of holding it between the thumb and forefinger and resting it on the middle finger, I hold it between the thumb and middle finger, resting it on the ring finger. Don’t know why, just always have!
I hold mine in my hand. Been crocheting for many years and alway have held it this way. My mom held hers pencil stye but I just could never do it that way. I used to think I was doing it “wrong” but realize now both ways are correct.
I hold it in my hand. I found that the fastest as I move most of my arm, not just my wrist, avoiding the beginnings of carpal tunnel
pencil style holder here too, can’t do it the other way, makes my carpul tunnel hurt way too much
To keep from getting lost on so many rows, place a post-it under the end of each row in the pattern and then you know what row to go back to after looking at your work. I also enlarged the print on my copier which helped. I’ve never done this type square before – it intimidated me-but now that I started a square I had to laugh at myself for avoiding it before!!
I don’t hold it pencil style. I have carpel tunnel syndrom so holding it that way hurts my wrist.
I have arthritis, and can barley hold a pen/pencil to write, so thank goodness I have always crocheted with the hook in my hand. It doesn’t bother my wrist at all, but working a mouse sure does!
3 squares done out of 32 (2 afghans), I like the look!
Berneice, have you tried support gloves? These are sold at most craft stores. They are nylon/spandex gloves with no fingers, and they not only give support, but they hold in your body heat and warm your hands. When I am crocheting a LOT, I always wear them. They really help.
Yes, I have a pair of them. They are good when I have to use a very small hook (doilies, etc.). What lets me crochet for long period of time without any problems is my Provo Craft hook set my husband got me for Christmas one year. It has one light weight plastic handle with a soft touch grip that steel hooks screw into. The hook heads go from “F” to “K”, so there is no gripping, just kind of balancing in your hand. Since my right hand is like it has had a stroke (due to an accident 20 years ago) along with the arthritis, I just about don’t have a grip at all. A Physical Therapist tried to set up different ways of building up things (pens, pencils, toothbrush, eating utensils, etc. with stiff foam that has a hole in the center to insert what you want to use in) kind of like Rosey’s idea of the cork, but that still required a grip, the Provo Craft hook doesn’t. I see the set all the time now at WalMart, so if something every happens to this set (over 5 years old now), I will get another.
I learned to crochet at age 7 — about 51 years ago. I’ve always held the hook like a pencil. I have trouble with Q hooks and afghan hooks because I need to use the knive grip with them. It makes my wrist very tired.
I hold my hook in my hand like knife and fork. With practice, I’ve learned to balance the movement between both hands so neither wrist is stressed very much. Having one of the hooks with a larger grip helps as well.
I has to crochet a couple rows to check! I hold it in my hand. After reading all the posts, I think I’m odd one out!
I hold mine in a “death grip” as my German mother-in-law so kindly pointed out to me. LOL. I’m a righty and was taught by a lefty. I think the pencil grip would be better ergonomically, but like somebody said “I couldn’t make friends with it.”
I hold it in my hand (left) as I find moving my arm/wrist less tiring then holding pencil style and moving my fingers. Rosie’s idea of wine cork sleeves sounds interesting, I have the foam ones on my hooks and that helps, but the wine corks would be fatter. Have to try it.
I hold it like a knife – holding it pencil-style hurts my wrist. BUT, I tell my students to hold it any way that is most comfortable for them.
I think I’m knife style as well. After my brain surgery last year my left side was quite difficult to move but I could still crochet which I was happy about, knitting was far too difficult. I’ve tried to move the hook like a pencil but it is awkward. I suppose it IS difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. How you hold the hook though probably has a lot to do with who taught you and how they held it.
I nearly choked when I saw how many to make this week. I’m making 2 afghans (should I rethink this???) ha ha! Happy crocheting.And awayyyy we go!!!
Too Late!!!!! 32 is what we go getters gotta do. LOL This square does up fast Just remember not to get your tension too tight on the ending rows or you will be lopsided./////////
Too late…I did my first square last night and it narrowed down to 7″ by the time I finished LOL
Thanks for that tip!My first square came out a little wonky, so I guess that’s what I did…I will be sure to loosen up a little near the end for the rest!
Well… this is different!
Oh My Goodness! This one sounds like so much fun! I can’t wait to get started…. I hope that I will have time on my lunch at work today. Lots to do so I’m not sure I will be able to take my lunch or not.
Happy crocheting!!!
Wow! Wish I could stay home from work today and get started on this.
Cool….I haven’t done a mitered square before. Who wants to try the gauge first
I am going to do the gauge in a solid color first, learned my lesson on the last suare
No gauge square for me. I seem to be getting 8 in. easily with J. Maybe I am just getting comfortable with the tension.
Oh, and put me in the anti-pencil group. Was taught to hold it in my hand. To change now would be very uncomfortable.
I am going to do the gauge in one color first too. Totally learned my lesson from the last clue!
Am I the only one shell-shocked? At first glance, this clue looks difficult. It took me all week to get clue #4 squares to look presentable finishing the last square only yesterday. I “frogged” more than I have ever had to on any project! With trepidation, I am beginning this new clue. Good luck everyone!
I hated making last weeks square. I frogged so many times, that I only got 1 1/2 squares done, and was hoping to space last weeks out. Guess I am going to have to get started after book club tonight. I don’t like changing colors. But I know the finished product is going to look BEAUTIFUL, so I will keep on hooking. Happy crocheting everyone.
I didn’t like that striped square either. The first one was so much trouble I waited until the last day to make the other 3. That was a long afternoon!
well I finished my clue 4 squares last night just under the wire to stay on track for the CAL. I have to admit I am not a huge color changing fan!! Clue #5 looks very interesting and it is a totally new technique for me so should be lots of fun but 16 squares!!!! WOW tall order!!! happy crocheting everyone!
Waoh ! 16 squares for one week ! They’ll be crocheted, but I need to prepare the yarn : I use several staches, and I think that these squares may be linked at the end of the adventure, so they surely need to be similar …. and I don’t have enough for 16 !!!! The only solution is to crochet them all at the same time, dispatching the colours in the same way in all of them … and first of all I bought this morning somme yarn to complete my stock ! The 2 first rows are done for 10 of them … and I go back to my crochet.
The next clues are quicker … sure !
how do you do more then one at a time?
I cut the yarn after the 2 first rows. Then, I’ll take my second yarn and crochet the 3rd and 4th rows for the 16 blocks, cut the yarn, and …. the same way to the end ! I think it is, for me, the only way to obtain identical blocks because I use leftover yarns …. and even with the weigth I can’t see how much each takes for every color. I’ll try to respect the number of rows written on the clue, but I’ll have to adapt a little !
I don’t know if my American is grammatically correct and if you understand my organisation …. My crocheting proceed is not “orthodox” but I’m sure the result will be convenient !
Do not worry about your grammar! Most Americans are not grammatically correct!
I think your meaning is very clear.
I believe she is doing two rows or so in one square. Putting that down then doing the same amount of rows in the next one, etc.
I call this the assembly line method. I tried it out on the last clue. It does help keep your tension the same for the same stitches. It also seems to make them not be so tedious when changing the colors.
thanks so much…i did one block last night, so tonight i will try to do more then one. when i did the knit along i got a circular needle and i did 2 or 3 at a time. it made it a lot faster. thanks again. happy crocheting
The Clue #4 square looks cool. I hadn’t gotten around to making mine yet.
Line 16 says to join C. Lines 17 and 18 say to use A. Line 18 says to break C. Should lines 17 and 18 be done in A according to the chart and the directions? Is join C in row 16 an error?
WOW!! This is going to be FUN!! 16 squares, I had better get busy. Wait I have to go to work, but after work I’ll get started. It will take tonight to get my guage right after frogging a million times. Good luck to everyone. I have one question, If I have to increace my chains, by how many do I need to increase in order to have an even square. thanks I hope everyone has a great day.
Good question. I have to increase mine as I am using worsted weight and have added 6 st to each previous clue to bring up to size. I would think that we would have to add an even amount – i.e. 1 st for each side of the mitre. So, I think I will be having about 25 st on each side for mine – that’s what I will start with anyway and see what size it is.
Looks like a fun square, off for our morning walk first, then I can start!
Judy have you thought of using 2 strands at once?
I had to increase my stitches as well (I am basing stitch count on my granny square) Here is what I found-and it has already worked. Once with 25 st and twice with 29 st.
With Bernat’s it works out:
21+21=42+3=45+1= 46 ch.
So for mine needing 25 chs=
Subtract 1 =24 (This will be how many sc in row 1) To find total ch to make initially=
24+24=48+3=51+1=52 ch
Just plug your # of stitches into this formula and you will see how many you need to make to keep consistancy. But, remember you will also need to increase your # of rows to correspond. For mine I need 25 rows to make it square.
Trust me-mine are beautiful! I have already made 1 for each of the 3 afghans and am beginning round 2. Good Luck
you are GOOD!!
Donna, THANK YOU!! My first one came out to just a teeny bit over 7 inches, so I tried — I reallly tried! — to loosen up on the next one — but no. Exactly the same size as the first one. I’ll try this on the next one, because I think an N hook would be WAY too big. I’ve been using a K on all the squares so far. I’m surprised I haven’t worn thin spots in my yarn from counting stitches so often — LOL — but I think I’ve got it now.
Thanks again, everybody, for all the helpful suggestions.
I’m in New Mexico, BTW. Anyone else from these parts?
Would have been a good thing to have thought of at the beginning! I don’t think I have enough yarn to do that now. My squares are all finishing at 7 1/4″, so that’s not too much smaller than the rest of you. Thanks for the idea, Linda I will tuck it away for next time.
I am also using worsted weight and my squares are about 7 inches. I thought maybe I could just make a bigger border at the end to bring it up to size…?
I was having troubles with gauge, so I did my squares reversed. Cast on 2, 3 sc in 2nd chain from hook. Turn, 1 sc, 3 sc in corner, 1 sc. Continue with 3 sc at the top of each point. This way you can add a few extra rows at the end to make your square 8″.
Now thats a GREAT idea !
That’s a super idea Diane. I just hope it works for me. Lol.
I tried the reverse square (great idea) and it was a lot easier but it still isn’t a true square. I’m hoping it will look better when I block it.
I have a question for Bernat about the photo of Clue #4…It looks like you did not follow the color change directions as provided in the clue, and that there are not as many rows in this example. I followed the directions to the letter. My square turned out to be 9 inches, with 17 rows(1-9, then 2-9)…your photo only has 15 rows(it seems that the “9th” row is missing, and thus the colors don’t make sense) the directions show the two larger stripes are the same colour. Please clarify
After round 9 you repeat rows 2-9. By repeating you are using the same directions so the large stripe has to be the same color. The sample does have 17 rows – the largest stripe is actually 3 rows, but it’s hard to see in the picture. I hope I have clarified a bit.
They also didn’t count the chain 4 as a Triple Crochet because they have 23 in that row. I didn’t count the rest of the rows. That one just poofed out on the ends more that I thought it should so I counted!!
Sorry,On the purple rows, the white ones look correct.
I also noticed that the square has 23 stitches in it….
The chain 4 at the beginning and then tr into the same stitch is a trick some of us use to eliminate the gap caused by the ch standing alone at the beg of the row. I usually chain 3 then tr into the same st. It does make the square a teensy bit wider but blocking and seaming hides that. If you choose to use this method remember not to crochet into the top of the turning chain – it doesn’t count as a stitch in this case.
Apparently our crocheter had to ‘fudge’ a little bit on the pattern to get the right length. It’s important to remember that patterns are meant as a guideline and don’t have to be slavishly followed to get the good-looking results that you need. Due to differences in tension you may have to make some minor adjustments to get the most pleasing results from your project (and good looks do count here!) The designer has written the pattern as it works for someone who gets that exact gauge. If your gauge is a wee bit off it can mean you need to adapt the pattern to your gauge rather than try to manipulate your stitches and method of crocheting. It adds a little personal touch also.
I guess for me, the picture used as an example on the site should reflect the actual pattern vs what an individual does to alter the pattern…just my thoughts
I agree!
Ah! I guess this is the answer to why some of us who never have to switch hooks usually needed to for this clue.
I can’t wait to get started! This looks like so much fun. i haven’t done a mitered square before but I’ve done a lot of shaping, both increasing and decreasing, in other types of patterns. This should be a neat experience.
This does look fun! These will be my first mitered squares in crochet too. I’ve only done them in knit before.
Well I could hardly wait til the midnight hour to get our latest clue, and after getting it, I had to start it! So at 2 am I crawled off to bed, tired, but wishing I could stay up and do more crocheting. But 16 squares will certainly keep me busy this next week. I really like this pattern.
Is there a misprint in row 16? It says to join C, then row 17 uses A. The pattern page looks like it is using A. Just want to make sure.
Stayed up late last nite to see the clue… this one looks fun! But… since I’m making 3 afghans – that’s 48 squares this week! Aaaahhh!!! I need a nice rainy weekend so I can get some crocheting done!
admire all you brave souls making more than one of these at a time lol
You have 6 weeks to do them all. That’s only 8 a week.
Last 2 weeks is assembly and finishing and after this clue there are only 16 squares left.
Holy cow 16! I still have one left to make on me second afghan for clue 4… yikes. Somehow I doubt they will both get done this week I am pretty excited about this one though. I have never done a mitered square before. I will tackle this tonight. Gotta go to work.
HOLY SMOKES! 16 SQUARES!! I will say a prayer for all of you that are making more than one afghan right now! I have never tried this technique before; would it be worth the time to practice it using all one color before tackling the color change? Suggestions anyone? Good luck to everyone!
Hi Deneen, after reading the clue over, I think I will practice with one color and check the gauge. I’ve had to change hooks, number of starting stitches or number of rows on every square so far. And after all the color changes and end weaving from last week, I sure don’t want to have to redo any squares later!
oh my !!! 46 sts to make 8″ square for # 5 ?
Please remember that you are working two sides of the square into the 46 chains. Each side will start off with 20 sc, a sc3tog and another 21 sc to make up the other edge.
I have crocheted 63 years and don’t remember doing a mitered square. Wow, even an oldie can always learn a new stitch. Thanks for the education…
Wow! I’ve been crocheting for 43 years and thought I was probably the most experienced crocheter here – but you’ve got me beat big time!
I thought I was an old timer too, having crocheted since I was about 8 and I just turned 48! I’m just a rookie compared to Birdie!
This is a fun clue…I love the two greens together. And I love solid single crochet…so cozy!
MGM
I’m REALLY a rookie compared to you guys!! I’ve only been crocheting for about 20 years…my grandmother tried to teach me when I was young, but I was only able to learn how to make the chain! Grandma ended up with a LOT of really thing crocheted belts as gifts! LOL I’d never heard of a mitered square before, but I’m really enjoying them, and they go fairly quickly for a completely sc square, which I like!
Well, Ive done 7 mitered squares so far (took a break for eye surgery). I really like the look and will be using it to make agreat grand baby blanket when this is done. PS, I learned from an Aunt when I was 5 tears old. Just wish I could knit as well.
This should be interesting….I once tried to do a mitred square and got completley baffled……I think the grid pattern will help. Here goes lets get started
This block looks like fun! Too bad I can’t do any real crocheting until I finish this quilt top.
I want to get it done so I can present it at a luncheon on the 31st. Then I will turn into the crocheting fool! Of course I know I will just have to sneak in a block or two to satisfy the “craving”…
Can you tell me if the square in the photo is on the wrong side? My square looks like that but I thought that the end chains should be on the left side and not the right side.
I was thinking the same thing. I also don’t see the nice ridge made by the hdc along the line of stitches
To me, it looks like a row was left out in the middle, since the bottom TCs look right, but the top ones don’t.
You’re right. I think maybe the square was put down at the end of Row 11 and then picked up and Row 12 was started at the wrong end. These little things happen when we stop in the middle and forget to check carefully before beginning again. We’ll just call you Hawkeye from now on!
wow what a fun clue, I’ve never done anything like this. I googled it to see what it looks like and wow its going to be pretty, I can’t wait to see the end of this CAL to see what this will all look like, cause like someone else said I have a bunch of potholders lol
a little worried though cause we have to make 16 and I know some of you’s are making 2-3-4 more afghans, to you’s good luck
Had to redo several times on Clue 4, but after I got the first square in a 8″ square, the other three came out OK. Doing so many different stitches can really throw off the gauge. Just got my Clue 5 and looking forward to doing it. All sc, in different colors and is done as a metred square (which I have not done before)—-Yea! 16 squares!! Had better get a hooking.
HELP……………TYPO WITH CLUE #5:
Row 16 says: do not break E. join “C”. Row 17 says with “A”, ch 1….. Which is the correct color to use for row 17 “C” or “A”?
They found the typo and reposted the corrected pdf.
Wow! That’s a lot of squares! I’m doing 2 afghans-that makes 32
squares for me. My husband may not get dinner this week!
Wow!! 16. This sounds like it will be more of a challenge but an interesting one. Looking forward to getting started with it. Not looking forward to changing colors that often again as was a really pain the last clue. Of course going on a weeks vacation so will be more of a challenge to complete it now.
I’m confused with rows 16 & 17 of clue #5. Row 16 instructs to “join C” and turn. Row 17 instructs “with A”…(?) Is this a typo or is there something I’m missing? Not having a photo to go by and the chart does not indicate color, I don’t know which color should be next. HELP!
Judi
A is correct. Sorry for the confusion!
I had to search for clue #5 before I could get it to show up this morning. And now I can’t get the picture on the sc3tog explaination to show. Is anyone else having this trouble?
Thanks,
Amy
I do not see the picture either. Just have a red X.
yes, it is not showing
Try going back to the blog where the clue is originally posted. I’m having the same problem on this (comments) page but it shows up on the blog page.
WOW!! Just saw the clue for this week and can’t wait to get started. This is something I have never done before (mitered) and should be interesting. I’ll have to wait until after work though…glad there are leftovers to heat up! Happy crocheting everyone
Holy Cow!! 16! Only 7 long hours till I’m done work and can get started!
Hi Laura, I have a question about the color to be used on Row 17 and 18 for square #5. Is it supposed to be color A or C. Thanks for your assistance.
According to the chart, it should be A.
I also have a question. At the end of row 16 it says to change to Color C but in row 17 it says Color A. I cannot proceed until I know which color. I look forward each week to the clues. I am making two so this week I have to make 32 squares.
Rows 17 and 18 are Contrast A. Enjoy!
Oops! I see the reason for your being confused. Row 16 should read “Do not break E. Join A” rather than Join C as it currently says. This is always a problem with cut and paste – someone forgot to change the letter. Our apologies for confusing you..
Have started on this week’s square; had never used this technique – LOVE IT!! Once you get going with it, it works really fast!
Please tell me there only 17 rows? 2-9 twice (8 rows each) make 16, plus row 1 makes 17.
Oops – you were talking about block #5, my bad.
Oooooops! I was wrong. The chart DOES indicate color – my printer messed up. Guess row 16 is a typo and should say “Join A, turn”.
I have a lot of trouble reading small print like this clue. I copied the instructions, pasted them into a Word document, double-spaced between rows, and increased the font to 16. Then I highlighted all the color changes to make it easier to read the pattern while I am crocheting. I also use a small “stickie” paper to mark under the row where I am working. Hope this helps some of you.
Great info, thanks for sharing!
Great idea! I had to break the reading glasses out for this clue, and I already wear Bi-focal contacts! LOL
Try being legally blind and trying to see this small print – all I see are black blobs! Kept increasing the size by copy machine until I could see with the help of my contacts, bifocals, and magnifying glass!
I do lobe the pattern!
Are rows 17 / 18 supposed to be worked with A or C?
THANKS!
O.K., I couldn’t help myself… I had to do one square of Clue #5 so I could see what it looks like. I’m happy now.:)
LOL I am taking Access 2007 class and should have been doing homework but had to break down and do one too!!
This is my first time to leave a reply. I am enjoying reading all of your comments! So far I have been able to keep up with the number of squares to make each week but I looked at clue #5 and was shocked to say the least!!! This has been such a fun project! But in the midst of this project, I am also working on tons of stuff – scarves, hats, flower pins for a craft show I’m in next month AND trying to crochet a few gifts on the side for Christmas. Oh well – the housework can wait and luckily my husband has been real supportive of all of the yarn everywhere!!
As long as laundry gets done and dinner is on the table, I think I can keep my family happy while I crochet!!! I’m going to start on #5 right now!!
I am at work, but just had to check the blog. I admit it, I am certifiably obsessed. Since I see there is an error in the directions, I will wait to print them until after they are corrected, and I guess I should feel slightly better that I have to actually work since I might have just wasted my time messing up the pattern. I came in late so I could work on my last square of clue 4. Darn good thing I am self employed, becuase this CAL would otherwise surely get me fired! I WANNA GO HOME AND CROCHET!
lol ;-P
Nail on head
Hurray! I love how all three of my afghans are coming together. All moved in. Thank you for the blessings
. I have been dying for Wednesday to get here. Dinner is in the slow cooker, all unpacked and the day to myself with X-Files and a crochet hook. Only thing that would be better is if there was a box of chocolates to enjoy with the day. Have fun everyone!
I’ve got my dinner in the slow cooker also. But I have to tell you I do have a box of chocolate!!
Whatcha cooking, I need a good leave-alone supper so I can work this square! I was doing so poorly on #4th that I am behind! Three hook changes, still not “just right”. I will skip 4 and get to work on #5.
Can I come to your house for dinner, lol?
slow cooker lasagna at bettycrocker.com. My family loves it and I don’t have worry about stopping my crochet.
Anyone is welcome any timer for dinner. Fresh apple pie for dessert, too.
YUM! Make room for me at the table!
Yum Yum …sounds good to me
I’m there !
I’ve got a roast, potatoes and carrots in my slow cooker so I can get home from work and start right in on this clue! Looks like it’s going to be challenging!
gosh you ladies are organized
I just checked the pattern now….sigh…16 squares with colour changes. – double sigh…. oh well. it’ll be gorgeous when it’s done. In the meantime, my husband starves. ( he can stand to loose a lb or two…lol)
I just get my husband to bring home take-out — pizza, fried chicken, hamburgers, Chinese food, etc.
My husband is extremely prepared for Wednesdays. That is my day “off.” So far, it has been slow cooker meals. I never thought about pizza. Next Clue….Pizza sounds really good. More time to crochet!
Pizza is great. And with just the two of us (DH and me) I usually have leftover pizza for lunch the next day!
My husband is sooo steamed at me… he is really hating Wednesdays! Since I started this CAL… I have made it well known that my leisure time is when I have hook in hand. Mad… oh boy! He is really hating the fact he has to take up the cooking, cleaning, tending to the kid, taking care of the wash, etc. I just smile and enjoy my hook and a show. lol
Evil… maybe, but sometime I need a vacation and this is my excuse… what’s his? lol
Lesli Ann- too funny about crocheting and the X-Files. A girlfriend and I used to get together every week when it was on, order a pizza, and get to going on whatever project we were each crocheting at the time!!!
This is my first CAL, and I am loving it! I especially find everyone’s comments and suggestions very helpful. I usually wait to start my squares on Thursdays so that I can read the comments on the blog because they have really saved me some time and yarn
You guys are great, and I am enjoying this a lot.
I’m a little confused on what break means. Is that the same as finish off? And then in row twelve it says break c and pick up E. Does that mean we are carrying along C and crocheting over it and then dropping it and picking up E. I’m just not sure I’m understanding this. Help!!
Break means the same as fasten off. At the end of the 10th row you drop E and join C. You work 11th and 12th rows using C. You then break off C (or cut it) and pick up E from 2 rows below. This brings it up the side of the square (which will be hidden once it’s seamed.) You work the 13th to 16th rows with E, then drop it again and join A. Work the next 2 rows with A, fasten off A and pick up E once more. You carry E up the side of the square because you’re going to use it again and this avoids having so many ends to darn in.
Thanks, I think I’ve got it now. Will have to try it when I get home from work. Just on my lunch hour now. Maybe I will call in with an “emergency crochet project”, that should be an excuse for missing work, don’t you think!!! LOL
I’m sorry, I have never made anything like this before, so I am still confused. At one point you say to cut it, but at another you say to carry it along the side, so I’m confused how to carry it along the side if it has been cut. (does cut it mean something else?)
I know I am missing something very simple here, but I have difficulty unless I can actually see it. That’s why I could never learn to crochet until I found some good videos on youtube. Those books just confused the buhjeebus out of me. hehe
Any help at all will be appreciated. Thanks, in advance! In the meantime, I’m going to see if I can find a video to help with this one, while I’m still finishing up last week’s. ^_^
Please disregard.. I think I understand it now, after reading a few things on the web, and seeing a few more comments down toward the bottom.
I knew I should have read further before posting! haha ^_^
CC, yes break is cut. And yes you are carrying that one along the side. You will go over the one you break. You got it….;-)
I got it, I think!!! Thanks for the help.
Argh! I crochet too tight!!! My square is too small and sorta stiff. Gonna try chaining 54 and adding 4 more rows to see if it comes out the right size.
I found my square was coming out a little smallish, so I too added 6 sc (for a total original chain of 52, and that worked just perfect with my J hook. Haven’t finished my first one yet, but it’s looking good from a starting point – not sure how I’ll make out by the end. If I’m over or short, I may have to go to a different size hook.
If you add 6, you put 3 extra stiches on each side!!!!!!!!! Never done this before. Just call me dumb Dora!! Da
I have been doing crochet for a little while and I’m so happy to learn this new technique.
Have fun.
Trying to see if my profile image will work.
it did…;-)
Wow… I still need to finish clue 3 and 4! Now I’m really behind! Oh well, taking care of my daughter does take priority
Happy Hooking!
Has anyone noticed that the color changes in the chart are different than what is stated in the printed directions?
The colors are just shown on the chart for contrast indicated a color change. It would be difficult to match the colors exactly (a few of the colors would barely show up on a white background).
I have been reading the comments about rows 16 & 17 and decided, since there are 16 squares to this clue, that I would make 4 squares in each colour. That way I don’t have to worry about changing colours.. guess you could call me a rebel or just plain chicken. I’m enjoying working on this afghan and reading all the comments. Can’t wait to see the finished blanket. God Bless everyone and Happy Crocheting.
After finishing my first one, and the fact that there are 16, and the fact that I also quilt, I am seeing a joining of squares that will be spectacular (if I am correct in what I am seeing). You might just want to try one and see if you can see what I am envisioning.
Babs, I agree with you. I can envision something very pretty as the end result, and these sixteen blocks will be a key focal point!
I too agree. I can see four of the squares oriented to form a little “box” with the last rows of Contrast A in each corner of the afghan!! So excited to see if I’m right!
I am having trouble getting this block to be square. I had to use a smaller hook because the first row gave me a block that was much bigger than 8″. Now, with the smaller hook, as the number of stitches decrease, so does the size of my block. It seems to be pulling toward the center. I have had no problems with the previous blocks using the “J” hook. Now I need 16 blocks (times 2 for the second afghan) and I am having problems. Very frustrating
I had this problem at first too, because I was misinterpreting Bernat’s instruction that read to work in the “next ___ sc”. When I worked in EVERY single crochet, my squares turned out perfect.
My square is not square, when I am starting the row it says single crochet in next stitch, do i single crochet into the chain stitch or chain one and go to next stitch? i have doen 2 squares and both are not square.
Perhaps you need to switch back to the larger hook partway through to prevent the ‘pulling in.’
I had to go to a K hook and now it creeps in on me so had to frog back to row 4. I think it is because one yarn is a bit thicker than the other. But I will keep at it until it comes out right or at least close to it. Then I will block it right…..lol
I am using the same size hook all the way through the square, and mine also looks like it is pulling towards the center. It doesn’t look square. What are WE doing different?
I had the exact same problem. The first row seemed just about 8″ then when I finished the other side was 7″. I frogged most of the square and tried to loosen my tension, especially on the sc3tog. The second time worked out much better and very close to 8″ square.
Now off to make the other 15.
Good luck
Having the same problem. When I get to row 8 or 9 it’s harder to do the sc3tog and it’s pulling in. It started out as 8″ but ended as 6″. Gonna be doing alot of frogging on this one.
You’re kidding me!!! 16 squares!!! I’m still on my 2nd square from last weeks clue#4. This is going to be a real challenge for me.
I’ll do my best because I know it will be beautiful when I’m done. Hope my husband can put up with me this week, I should be a real crab by the time I try and start.
You’ll have time to catch up over the next few weeks since you won’t be making nearly as many squares as this week.
I’ve been trying out different combo’s of the squares that I’ve made to try to imagine what the afghan will look like…..now i’ve had to change my whole way of thinking with this square………hahaha
my imagination is being stretched!!!
I’ve been having such fun doing the squares and will use all my spare time to make sure all 16 are done by next week. I’m not very advanced as far as following the instructions and have a question…perhaps you veterans can clarify: When it says “do not break E” and then later pick it up, I assume I’m just letting the yarn hang until I need it again, but what happens to the excess between where I drop it and where I pick it up again? And is “breaking” the same as “fastening off”?
You can work in the excess yarn when seaming together the squares later. OR, you can twist the yarns around each other at the start of the rows where both ends are available.
Break is the same as fasten off. The excess E yarn will sit quietly by the side of the next 2 rows and once your squares are put together it won’t even show!
Breaking is to cut. And you will carry the one along the side. I do this by twisting one color over the other at the end so it tucks it in some. Hope that helps you…;-)
Couldn’t wait to get going on Clue #5! Started work late this morning, so I got one done early. I love this block! Which is good seeing as we have to make 16 : ) I was like some of you who were doubting their color choices after the striped block last week. But this week’s block came out beautifully, so I’m happy with my choices again.
And here’s the best part….. NO FROGGING! I used a J hook and came right out to an 8″ block first time around. That in itself is a major cause for celebration. Break out the champagne – no wait – have to work , maybe just some chocolate! Scared my poor dog with my shout of glee when I fastened off and did a final measurement! Okay, so now only 15 more to go.
Good luck to all of you brave souls who are doing more than one of these. Happy stitching!
good Job!!!
Great job, Sandy. I just finished two for today, but I had too use my “k” hk, and they came out perfect. Using my “J” hook, I guess my tension was too tight. I’ll go back to my “J” and see what happens.
This is the first time I’m doing this type of square- it’s exciting! Well – I did a sample square first all in one color and it does not look like a square!!!! The two initial sides are the right length but then as I crochet it gets narrower and the two other sides are over half an inch shorter- it’s all crooked… am I crocheting too tightly? Is there anyone experienced in this type of square who can give me suggestions on how to fix this?
I am having the same problem. I have tried it twice with different size hooks and had the same problem both times.
You could try switching to a larger hook for the later rows and see if that helps. If it’s not too much shorter than the 8 inches then you’ll be able to block it to the required size.
Karen, I found a solution sort of. I tried it again and it turned out better – as I progressed I loosened up my grip to make the stitches bulkier and that sort of evened the square out- alternatively I think it would come to the same if you start the first couple of rows with a smaller hook and constantly look at your square to make sure it’s even, then when you see it’s narrowing change to a larger hook and keep going that way. I hope it works for you; mine’s still not perfect but I’m almost there; third time’s the charm!
I did the same. I had to consciously crochet looser as I went along to make it not pull in. It really helped and my squares came out 8″ with no problem. No hook cange required. I refuse to become that confused!!
Keep your crocheting a little loose for this square. My first one started out great but when I got to the end, it was really “drawn up” looking. When I started the next square, I made sure to crochet loose all the way to the end and when I finished it, it made a nice square. You shouldn’t have to add stitches or change hook sizes. Hope this helps!
YES!! I am not the only one!! My squares cannot in any universe be considered ‘square’…more ‘tear-droppy’…i will try to loosen up as i go and see if that helps…sure hope so: gonna be a lo-ong 16 squares otherwise! On the bright side: I now have several new dishclothes!! Haha!
I had the same issue when I made my first square. I was misinterpreting Bernat’s instruction to work in the “next ___ sc”. When I worked in EVERY single crochet, my squares came out right.
yes to tight. That happens when you get comfortable. Just check after each row or so to make sure it is not going in.
I’m doing the same thing! My first square had a difference of 1 1/2″ between the first and last rows. For my second square I tightened up the chain row and loosened the remaining rows. I also made the sc3tog and the first sc after the sc3tog really loose. I managed to get the first and last rows to within a 1/2″ difference, so I think I’m on the right track.
Good luck!
I’m having the same problem. Tried to crochet a little looser as it nears the end, but it is still not great. I don’t know what else to do !!!
After my first 2 lopsided squares, I found that tightening the 3tgthr at the miter corner, doing 1 ch plus a sc in the beginning stitch of each row and doing a sort of loose sc on the rest, squared me up. Hope this helps someone.
What does it mean to “break” a color. or “Not to Break” a color????
“Break” is another way to say “fasten off”. It just means you’re finished working with that color so you can cut the yarn as you move on to the next color.
I actually do “break” the yarn because it leaves a tail that will work in much better than a cut one. And if you hold the tail along the top of the row you are crocheting into, you can easily hide it in the base of the row you are making. It won’t show because it is the same color as the row you are working the new color into. No tails to sew in!
Breaking a color means the same thing as fastening off. Its strange that they used both terms in the same set of instructions, as patterns usually stick with either one term or the other.
I also found it strange that we are instructed to fasten off the colors at the beginning of the square, but starting with the 11th row we’re instructed not to.
The reason you don’t break off E is that you’re going to be using it again. Breaking it off would simply create more tails to darn in.
I haven’t been breaking off my colors but joining them like we did in block #4 and it is working out ok and no tail to thread in later.
Bernat I would love to know what this means as well. Help! By the way is there anyone else in St. Louis doing the CAL?
I also am in the St Louis area. Sixteen squares??, don’t know how I’ll get these done with all the kids. I watch my 6 grandkids (7, 4, 3, 2, 1, 4mo) as my job, hopefully will get caught up in the next few weeks. My husband is very supportive and cooks for us when he gets home from work. My mother taught me to crochet when I was about 7 (45 years ago) and I’m still having trouble keeping this one square.
Hi St Louis CAL’s, I’m using yarn from my stash, so I have yarn of different weights and it has been a real challenge with this square. I’m going to try to make 4 sets of 4 since I don’t have enough yarn to complete a whole set of the same colors. I have had to take out the last part of the square and crochet that in a little looser to get it to square up. I have 5 sqs. done as of Mon Oct 25. I think the squares need to have a finished edge to make them look a little neater. Good Luck Ladies!
I am originally from the St. Louis area, and live now in western Warren County. (about an hour away) I am “in town” at least 2 days a week babysitting the grandkids. It would be great if we could form a support group and get together to compare notes.
So good to hear from you all in St. Louis. I would love to get together and see all the different ways we are doing this CAL I don’t know too many people here that crochet.. Anybody interested in getting together?
I just realized that I used forest instead of fern when I made my 8 v-stitch squares. I guess I will have to go back and remake those squares, because I will soon run out of forest and I have not used any of the fern.
why not just switch and use the forest where you supposed to use the fern?
I thought about doing that, but then remembered that the v-stitch squares were much easier to do than those last squares where you had to change colors so many times. lol
join the crowd… I apparently did the same thing… but managed to get some more forest. LOL on the two greens.
As someone who is a habitual “project starter” and rarely finish before i get bored (or frustrated) this crochet a long is great! I couldn’t wait for clue 5 and super excited to be seeing my pile of squares growing! The constant change of squares is helping with the boredom! Hopefully I’ll get through 16! Guess I know what I’m doing all weekend!!
We’re kindered spirits! LOL That is exactly why I decided to participate in this CAL. I dislike making afghans because I rarely finish them. LIke you, I get bored and move on quickly. The way this is set up, it’s hard to get bored, thanks goodness.
I keep two or three projects going at the same time, that way I don’t get too bored with one. But I am running out of people to give the afghans to.
That doesn’t work for me. I always have that many projects going on, but afghans get boring after I spend a few hours on them. Then, I have no desire to return. I have 20 years of experience telling me not to start another afghan! LOL
I am also a “project starter” this crochet along has been so much fun! I am pretty much keeping speed and enjoying the new stitches and tecniques I am learning. I can’t wait to have a finished project!
I am in the same boat-I gee tht bored so easily. Then someone suggested that I get several projects going at the same time. This has worked. I do one -get bored-pick up the other one untill I get them all done.
Have not picked up any of them since I started this CAL. Trust me I have not been bored either! I Love this CAL
I would never even have started an afgan without this CAL, far too much of a commitment. So far I am keeping up, but I did have to make myself finish last weeks clue before even looking at this weeks.
My obedient brain has spent all day arguing with my impulsive brain. Both are now knackered, but at least last weeks are finished, and this weeks can begin.
I’m so glad there are other non-finishers out there!!! I actually moved to making mostly baby clothes because they are small and I can finish them before I get distracted by another project! I did just finish my first adult size sweater, which turned out great! I am having the best time with this CAL, and also love reading everyone’s posts! -It’s like I just gained a hundred friends who share the same hobby as me
Oh my goodness! This one looks interesting. I hope it is more fun than the last. I, too, am excited about learning something new. I have never done the miter.
Tried to make the 1st square of clue #5. It didn’t come out to be a square, Almost more like a triangle !!! What am I doing wrong? Can anyone give me any help?????
The only thing I can think of without seeing your square is that maybe you’re missing some stitches in the row. Each row should have one less stitch each side of the center decrease (sc3tog.) So your 1st row has 21 sc , then sc3tog, then 21 sc. Ch 1, turn, 20 sc, sc3tog, 20 sc. Be sure to work into the first sc (the same stitch that the chain is in.) Hope this helps. If not, let us know by posting another comment.
I just finished my first square. It comes out exact, since you have to sc3tog after each row. It comes out beautifully. Frog it if necessary and begin again. As Linda said, say, I can, I can, I know I can. And you will.
Very frustrating morning. Now I cannot see any of the blogs on clue #5. I see a message regarding an error in the initial PDF. However, I cannot see enough of the message to determine the error. When I click on the link to see more, I just get the original post on clue # 5. When I download the clue again, it appears there is still an error, since in line 16 I’m supposed to switch to one color but line 17 continues with another color. And I’m working 5 out of the next 7 days – arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!
Hi Amy – you might need to refresh your cache to get the new version of the clue. If that doesn’t work, email crochetalong@bernat.com and we’ll email it to you.
I, too, am a little confused by the directions for the 10th row. Am I supposed to add C with E or add see and let E dangle? Can you help?
Sorry…I should proofread better – I supposed to add C with E or add C and let E dangle? Can you help?
Just join C and let E hang there. You’ll pick up E in another 2 rows and use it again.
I have kind of a silly question. In the instructions sometimes it says to fasten off and sometimes it says Break A(or whatever color using), what’s the difference? Is there different ways to end the color cause all I’m doing is cutting it about 2″ from the chain then pulling it through and tightening it, hope I’m doing it right.
Yes – fasten off and break off are the same thing. We’re trying to get you used to different terms so when you encounter them in the future you won’t be confused. Sorry for confusing you now!
its ok I wasn’t really confused I figured it was the same and just went about the pattern and it worked out fine, just wanted to double check, thank you for clearing it up for me
This is a new type of square that I have never done in 38 years of crocheting. I am glad I joined because I am learning new and exciting patterns. 16 squares shouldn’t be to bad, I did the 4 squares for clue #4 in only 2 evenings. I love the colors as they were not very far from the suggested ones. Linen instead of natural (I like the darker nature of the linen). And Aqua for the Lavender (just not a purple king of guy). Hope everyone is having as much fun as I am reading all the comments and suggestions.
Oh yes we are!!
Your colours sound great – hope to see a photo of your completed afghan!
I am using yarn I found in my stash due to finances. I don’t think I have enough of the colors I am using so far to do 16 four color squares. How important is it going to be if I don’t use the 4 color pattern for all 16 and do my squares in other various color combos and/or in just one solid? (Just wondering if they have to form up to make a pattern /design or something in the finished blanket.)
It would be good if you make 4 of each colour combo – it will certainly simplify putting the squares together in a cohesive pattern.
From what I am envisioning after doing my first square, I would say you will probably need 4 identical of each 4x4x4x4 for a total of 16. You agree Laura from Bernat?
Answering that question would give away a little too much of the mystery!
When I first read this clue I thought it made a triangle. Which would mean it could be squares on a diagonal and triangles around the edge to square it up.
But thats not right.
Then I thought maybe these made the corners. But no way we need 16 corners.
So now I’m just changing my stash colours whenever I feel like it, I cannot work out how this goes together and its making my brain hurt.
lol…I have done the same thing Rosey. I have drawn out different ways to place 45 squares. And then someone says its 48 as per FAQ. So I give up guessing….lol :-O
lol!!! keep on gessing it is part of the fun mystery. I too tried to place the different squares, but still there is still more squares to come
I just completed Clue #5 and it turned out great. I love the combination of colours, and the miter was great! I just made sure I had the three centre sc’s for the sc3tog by marking the first one. As the miter got smaller it was a little more difficult to get the three single parts of each sc, but with patience and slowing down some, it worked out fine. Thanks Bernat! Having fun!!
how fun can this get
I never thought that I’d stay up late at night to see what the next clue looks like. I did and I was in for a surprise. wow 16 squares. I started first thing this morning and I must say that is quite fun to make and it is a very nice looking square. One done 15 to go. Happy crocheting!!
I believe I’m beginning to see poissibilities of how this will look as a finished product. The first square is finished using a J hook. Was surprised at that since I’ve used I and K too in the past. Mine also draws in a bit as I get closer to the end so I’ll loosen those stitches a little to see if it will stay square.
I hardly slept last night, wanting to get started on clue # 5. Got up early, turned on my computer, and printed the clue out. 16 squares, WOW, but it’s ok. My first square is finished, and it came out a perfect 8″ square, and it looks great. I did recheck the instructions because of the errors. Posting on my blog and facebook wall.
Schedule: Today, 2, Th. 3, Fr. 2, Sat. 2, Sun. 2, Mon. 3, Tu. 2.
Tot. 16
Ready for Clue # 6 on Wed.
First question know how to mark a stitch in knit, but how do you do it in crochet. Mark the stitch and leave a marker of some kind in that stitch or do you have to move it each row. Also could you confirm the color row order… 1&2 natural 3&4 forest 5thru10 fern
11&12 topaz 13thru16 fern 17&18 natural 19thru22 fern
By George – I think you’ve got it!
I use a safety pin. After doing the 3sctog, place a safety pin through the two loops. That will mark you center point for the miter and will help you make sure of the placement of the next 3sctog (one sc before the pin, the sc where the pin is, and one sc after the pin)
I hope this helps!
Oh and color order looks correct to me.
As far as marking goes, I use a safety pin or a bobby pin and just mark the sc3tog stitch. Then as I come to it in the next row, I move it up.
Row 1: I did a sc in secont chain friom hook then continued till 20 sc then did a 3tog. I now have 22 chains left over not 21. What am I doing wrong?? Then row 2 adds up to 23 sc not 22…Thinking there might be an error in row 1.
I had the same problem. I think there is an error. I think it should be 21 sc and then a 3tog then 21 more. That way it is even throughout the rest of the pattern. The way it’s written, I don’t think it would be square when you get done. Just my 2 cents worth.
It’s not an error in the pattern – I think you misread it. The pattern says “1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in next 20 ch.” That makes 21 sc. Then you do your sc3tog and 21 sc to the end of the row.
Patterns sometimes can be hard to read. This pattern reads – 1 sc in 2nd chain from hook. (Take note of the period after the work hook, albeit hard to see) 1 sc in each of the next 20 ch. (1 + 20 = 21). So there should be 21 sc before the Sc3tog and 21 after the Sc3tog.
I hope this helps
The color error was obvious….Sc3tog no problem with explanation……BUT …..What am I dong wrong, the correct amount of rows and stitches!!! But completely the wrong shape Help!.
I need more information about your shape before I can even begin to say what may be going on with your square (which isn’t a square I gather.)
I have had no problems so far but clue 5 is really giving me a problem.. I am not getting a square. Starts off find and them about half way through it starts turning into a crazy shape. Help..has anyone else had this problem??
the shape is sort of a pyramid or triangle. not a square at all. Maybe my tension is too tight b ut I have never had that problem before. Must be me, since of many say it is perfect…getting very fustrated of this…
Sound like you may be pulling your sc3tog too tight. If you are getting a kite shape this is often the problem if you are crocheting the rest of the stitches consistently. Only pull to make a right angle.
I will never make a striped afghan! Changing colors every row nearly drove me bananas. I guess it could have been that I was working in an 8″ square and not a long length?!?!?! Clue 5 at least gives a couple of rows before I have to change colors. Have to say it is getting interesting. I’m doing my afghan in shades of beige, brown and rust. I have never done a mitered piece.
I am now afraid to make a second one because I am afraid it will not come out square. If I had to “frog-it” with all the different colors, I am afraid I would not have the same length of yards to redo it. Like I would be short or something. Has anyone made one that came out square????
Yes, I have made 3 so far, and all are perfectly square. You really have to watch your tension with a mitered square. This is not the first time I have done them, I made what was called a Log Cabin Quilt afghan using this technique. A person tends to get tighter in their crochet as the area to work in gets smaller. Everyone who is having a problem just relax your tension, or you will end up with almost a pyramid!
I believe you. As I did a second one I really relaxed especially on the 3togSC. It is working better but I still have to work more on it. Thanks
Ok, so after my 4th attempt to get a “square” block, I modified the sc3tog. In the 3 stitches for the sc3tog I went in the first stitch and pull up a loop (2 loops on the hook) go in the second or middle stitch pull up a loop (3 loops on hook) then I yo and pull thru 2 loops on the hook creating a single crochet but leaving 2 loops on my hook. Now I go in the last stitch of the (sc3tog) pull up a loop and then yo and pull thru all three loops. It seems to create less “pull” in the center diagonal of my square and helps to keep it lined up. It will still need to be blocked.
This is what I just found online how they do the oragami’s and I think it will work out better also. Less tug in the center….
Question?
Why does row 16 say to join C at end of the row then row 17 says to use A, which colour is it suppose to be?
It’s supposed to say Contrast A. Ignore the C – it was a boo-boo!
does anyone know of a video that shows a mitered square? You Tube had nothing. i really think it would help me tons to see it being done. I am still loving this CAL even if we have to change colors so often.
You need to keep in mind that you are making an L and to try and keep it flat. The idea is to find the right gauge and keep it there. It’s a tuff one…But we can do it
So excited this is Wednesday! Just downloaded Clue 5. Crocheted for 30 yrs, don’t ever remember doing a mitered square before. This one will be a challenge. I will follow previous suggestions and make in one color first until i get the right gauge. Haven’t finished last weeks so I’m in trouble with 16, but looking forward to it.
I will be in the mountains this weekend, for a fiber fair in North Carolina. I will have my computer with me, so I will try to make a video for you.
Ooohhhh. Fiber fair! Fresh, mountain, autumn air. Colorful leaves. Lots of yarn to play with! Sounds like a perfect weekend – Enjoy!
The fiber fair is wonderful! It’s an annual event in the mountains of North Carolina, called SAFF (Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair). This is my 6th year of going, and I always LOVE IT!!
I love clue # 5, I have already finished 2 squares. I find this works up really quick and with each row shorted than the last I just keep going.I could work on it all afternoon …but someone has to pick the kids up!
From the 1st row, this pattern is off. 1st row should be 1 sc in each of next 21 ch. Draw up a loop in ech of next 3 ch. YOH and draw through all loops on hook- sc3tog made. 1 sc in each of next 21 ch. Turn. (total of 45 + one on hook) From there out would be even on both sides and would be square.
Or am I just missing something. It seems to me the chart has it right but the written instructions are wrong.
Rene I agree the written instructions are off. Its okay for an experienced crocheter but will be confusing to a beginner Just my two cents worth.
I followed the written instructions and it was fine. Sometimes you count the first sc as part of the count, and other times , you sc, then start the count.
In row one you sc in in 2nd ch then do it 20 more times for 21
Now I see why I was having so much trouble with the sc3, trying to put my hook through 3 stitches at once was very tough. Laughing at myself, looping through the stitches is so much easier.
Are we supposed to put 3 sts on hook or pull up a loop in 3 sts? I’ve been doing it the first way and it looks great but will change on my next square if I am doing it wrong.
You yarn over and pull up a loop, doing that in each of the 3 stitches (when done, you will have 4 loops on your hook), then yarn over and pull through all 4 loops. That makes your corner turn to complete the row down the other “leg”. Don’t do it tight, since it is a corner, it needs to be the same height each way, other wise you will be causing the edges to pull inward.
So since you say its the square, that means if I dont see a square shape in the middle of the big L then im off already, right?
Have been making this crochet along and love it. This is my first post on the blog. Was going to ask what the sc3tog over next 3 stitches meant but just found the explanation above. Will try to figure it out and if not, will ask again.
This is fun.
I just finished up 2 squares. This is a fun pattern. For me, my square looks better when I crochet the sc3tog tighter. Makes the turn a little more sharp. 14 to go!!
How do you make it square!!!
The sc3tog makes it square – that’s the magic!
When I wet my square and block it out, I just kind of adjust the the rows till they are equal. If that makes any sense??
That’s my question too. I’ve made 2 and they look lopsided. I’m going to try again and not make my sc3 together as tight.
Okay so I tried loosening up my sc3 togethers and it definitely helped but it still didn’t turn out perfectly square. So then I tried making looser sts on the side that was turning out shorter. And I also noticed when I was rejoining E, I was pulling it to tight on that end, which obviously resulted in my lopsided square. So after redoing it and fixing those mistakes, I ended up with a perfect 8″ square! I’m very happy now.
Good for you! I am still desperately trying to achieve a square…darn thing!! But I will succeed…Lol!
Forgot to also mention that I had to go from the K hook I had been using to achieve the gauge on previous squares, to the J hook that they recommended to begin with.
ok so I finished my first square and happy because I only had to frog it once because I forgot to chain the last sc but its all good and done
I just have a little BIG problem, all my squares are just a little smaller then 8″ which is fine cause once we square them they will be 8″ but this one there is no way it will stretch out to 8″, I measured it after 4 rows and it measured right on at 8″ which I was very proud but now for some strange reason its measuring 6.25″.
Should I just frog the entire thing except the 1st 4 rows and loosen my grip or should I add a few extra chains?
I would loosen up my tension or use a larger hook first.
Yes, and loosen your tension a little. It will be okay.
Good luck.
do a second one and see how it measures out. I have not finished mine. BUT don’t rush into frogging… just yet.
Just finished my first one and it was fun but have to redo it. Too small. Only slightly over 7″. It is funny but I have to use a different size hook on different clues. So far, had to use a H,I and J. ??
I’ve never really worked with a chart before but I’m glad it’s there for backup. It helped me understand that rows 16 and 18 had an error in the joining color. Otherwise, looking good.
LOVING THIS SQUARE
This is so cool. Ideas keep popping into my brain of how else I could use this pattern.
For anyone who’s square is going into a bit of a weird triangle and wont sit flat; loosen up on your 3sctog (ie make it a bit sloppier), it’ll ease off the corner and make it lie flatter.
And from row 15 onwards, do the 3sctog EVERY OTHER row.
Then you dont have to change hook size or tension.
No. FROG THAT
Sometimes. Do a row of only SCs. Not every other. Hmm.
Sorry chaps, will work it out properly soon.
Ummm…..no. If you continue to do this you will not get down to the final 3sctog for the end row.
Do you not see what is happening? As a beginner I can see that we start off with 46 chains. Then in row 1 we skip the 1st & chain into the 2nd chain (44 chains now), sc 21 stitches, sc3tog (taking out 2 chains as one of the 3 still counts as a stitch since it is [3 together] for a total of 42) and then do another 21 sc stitches for a total of the 42 stitches.
For each row thereafter you will decrease 2 stitches one on each side of the sc3tog until you have 3 stitches which you will sc3tog.
Any variation, as stated that I am a beginner here, will alter the appearance of this square. Therefore, you must decrease evenly and consistently throughout the entire square for the block to come out square.
Hope this helps!
Tom
I am having trouble accessing the file through acrobat. it says the file is damaged. is this me/my computer or a bigger problem?
I will keep trying…
It should work – you should try updating your version of acrobat. If that doesn’t work, send an email to crochetalong@bernat.com and we’ll help you work it out.
Finished my first square, I found it easy and I’m a newbie, but my square is 1 inch to small all around, so will have to try a larger hook, I think sc is a tighter stitch over all. This is the first time I’ve had this problem. I suggest you take the time to do a solid color one to check the gauge, wish I had, can’t reuse the yarn.
You might be able to use the yarn when you sew your squares together.
I had that problem with some of the other squares, while trying to get my hook size right. A couple times I Had to take the whole thing apart, which ended up with me either short on a color, or having too much. So, what I did when I came up short was just tied it back together with the rest of the yarn. I mean, let’s say I was using natural, but it came up too short, so I grabbed my skein of natural and tied them together, then just went on from there. It worked out well, and the way I do it you couldn’t even see the knot, and no loose ends to worry about.
I lost a few inches here and there when I had pieces that were too long, but I think it will be fine in the end. ^_^
A knitting show I watch showed me how to tie pieces of yarn together to make them longer, without there being much of a tail or knot showing. That really came in handy for this.
What an awsome square. My measurements was a little shy of 8 inches, but I think when I block it will measure up fine. With a few frowns here and there it ended up being a fun square to work. Now to get going on the remaining 15 squares
the sample of clue #4 is messy! i am such a perfectionist lol i redo the squares so they are to my liking. the sample looks like its missing a row, the sc row #9, did anybody notice this? because the hdc is not showing on the correct side and the second dc, tr crochets are on the wrong side. because this #9 row is missing it messes up the rest of the rows.
Yes, I noticed the missing row 9′s in the sample for clue #4. Little differences like that show up much more in a close-up photo than in the completed afghan. Loving the CAL and all the clues so far. Thanks Bernat.
i am still working on Clue 4,did my squares one in solid color to check for gauge. My tension was not tight on Clue 4, but square looks to loose for me. Do the squares equal 8” both width and length of square? I did one that is a little over 8 ” lengthwise. I am thinking about doing on of clue 5 in a solid color to check my guage. if i have to frog my Clue 4, I will do Clue 5, first then do one of my Clue 4 over again with a size I hook. This is the first CAL for me and at first i was nervous, but now after reading the blog and writing down notes I donot feel so alone. Is anyone from Indiana doing this CAL. Indiana is my homestate.
Because I am doing all my afghans from stash, I am now getting a similar yarn and doing my first square in a single colour to get the right gauge. I am then keeping my sample squares and I will eventually put them all together as a multicoloured sampler for my kids. I got so sick of frogging with my good yarn…and I think doing it in a single colour just to see if you can get gauge is a really good idea.
I am confused; I got to the end of the 16th row, and it says “join C.” Then, at the beginning of the 17th row, it says “With A, ch1.” So, am I to use A or C?
There was an error in the initial clue. They corrected it and reposted.
Ohhhh! I have never joined a color at the beginning of a row with a slip stitch. How do I do a slip stitch if I have nothing on my hook? Do you start with a slip knot on the hook, then put it through YO, draw through? I know how to do a slip stitch with something on the hook, I just can’t get this one started for some reason. And I’ve googled it every way possible to find other instructions.
Thanks everyone!
yes you start with loop knot just like when you started the project. You put it in the back of your work and pull through then do chain 1 and proceed with pattern.
You can do a slip knot to get your loop then slip st – the easiest way. I haven’t started this clue yet, but I will change colors by finishing the last stitch of the previous row with the new color like I always do, then ch 1 and sc in the first st of the next row – eliminating the slip stitch altogether.
Does anyone know how many squares we will have at the end in December? Just wondering.
I believe it will be 48.
48 according to the FAQ
Laura with Bernat said 45
But, later she corrected herself. It is 48
Hi Everyone
This is the first time I have done a project like CAL. This is Fun, and so far I have all of my squares fairly on the 8″ mark except this one. My first square of clue #5 is only 51/2″. Any ideas on what I did so different?? The square looks great but to small.
Oops type “o” my square measures 61/2″.
I think single crochet works up a little tighter so if you use a larger hook it should come out right. It is a fun block to do.
Did anyone have this problem?… I started out ok and got the two sides to the 8 in. But by the time I got to the opposite corner, I had shrunk to 7 in. I have 2 sides that are 8 in. and 2 that are 7 in. My square looks more like an arrow. Any ideas on a fix? Would adding a sc on each side help, do you think? I never could do these kinds a squares…I have avoided them like the plague…
My first square turned out exactly the same as yours – first 2 sides = 8″ and the last 2 sides = 7″. When I do my next square I am going to try to really loosen up the 3sctg. I think just doing that will allow it to relax and end up an 8″ square. It’s worth a try.
I think if you are using a J hook then go to a K for the sc3tog and back to the J. This will make sure your tension is loose on the sc3tog…Just a thought
Keep your crocheting a little loose for this square. My first one started out great but when I got to the end, it was really “drawn up” looking; there was no way to block it and it be the correct size. (Will be re-doing this one.) When I started the next square, I made sure to crochet loose all the way to the end and when I finished it, it made a nice square. I caught myself a couple of times and had to frog once in a while, but it will really help and you shouldn’t have to add stitches or change hook sizes. Hope this helps!
Having same problem. Still trying to work it out. My next step is to try different size hooks, maybe changing to a bigger hook where the square starts to get smaller.
Anyone else having trouble finding the “Forest” yarn. I’ve looked at Jo-Anns and Michaels. They have the softy chunky, but not in Forest! I started to order online but can’t see paying double for shipping. any suggestions? I’m in Kansas City metro area. I’m falling behind
Have you tried ordering it on bernet’s website? It will take awhile to receive it though. You could get any dark green yarn, I’m sure it will still look pretty.
Try asking Michael’s to order it for you or see if one of their other stores could ship it to them. My local Michael’s (in NJ) will do that for me.
Does Mary Maxim have any in stock? marymaxim.ca
I had the same problem.I had to mail order it.
I went to two micheals stores and wal mart and found it at our Zellers. I was very difficult to find. But all the bernat wool stocks looked picked over in almost every store. Must be the season or something.
I had to order Forest from Bernat direct. I got the rest from Michaels but they were low on quantities and I will need more Natural. They are suppose to be getting some in this week.
Do you have a Ben Franklins? They carry it here in VA
Oh my, I haven’t thought about Ben Franklin for years. They closed our last store many years ago, and I sure miss them. It was my favorite store to shop in.
I live in California.
Ss sorry, I don’t think I would be able to crochet without my Bens
I am in the St. Louis area, and could not find the forest either. I tried 4 different Michaels and two JoAnns. I ended up substituting the dark blue since I didn’t wan to fall behind and didn’t want to order it and pay shipping, wait for it to get here, etc.
I just finished my first clue #4 square today, since I finally got all my yarn! Yay! I think it is a beautiful square. Mine turned out the right size when I made the last row of treble crochet into double crochet. 3 more to go, then I can start the mitered squares. I can’t wait since I’ve never done them before! I am so excited to see this all come together. I wish I didn’t have to work tomorrow so I could crochet all day!
I went down to an I hook but it was still a little big. Think I’ll try the double instead of a triple idea.
2 squares done
Had a little trouble with the 1st one with the size, loosened my tension for the 2nd and it’s perfect. Love this pattern.
Wow! I have been crocheting for a few years and this will be my first miter. I am excited and nervous. I have gotten behind, but given a few evenings I should be able to catch up. I am a little nervous about this one, though. I haven’t done anything this different since I first learned.
16! Mercy! That’s alot of crocheting! Clue #5 has color changes too. I’m not crazy about color changes cause they interupt my flow. On the other hand, I must admit the squares from clue #4 are the prettiest so far. We’ll see how these miltered squares work out. This weeks clue seperates the boys from the men! Good luck!
I think I will make 16 squares before I get one that I like! I have 6 completed squares, but no two are the same. Not sure I want to continue to make so many squares from a pattern that does not look nice.
Karen M,
You sound really discouraged….don’t give up!!
A lot of us, especially newbies like me, are finding this challenging, but just think of how much we’re all learning! (Good brain aerobics!) Once we figure out how to do it, it’ll look nice.
Karen, this is exaclty how I was feeling- I’ve also done 6 and have stretched and pulled to get them as neat as possible… they’re still horrible little beasts that refuse to turn out well… I wish we had less to do for this clue – mine are so ugly… I’m hoping they’ll look good on the final project though.
I really disliked last weeks clue and thought they were ugly but they look good with this one. As for the stretching pulling, getting them to look more regular etc. I found that using the increasing method rather than the decreasing to be both easier and makes the square actually squarer. Also I have found that making several at one time like an assembly line makes them more regular (I am doing 4 afghans and this clue will take a while but I have done 12 so far after lots of different experiments). I am doing 6 at a time, I do all 6 in the first colour, then all 6 with the second etc until I finish all of them at about the same time. Hope this helps
Mine are turning out the same way, everyone on them is slightly different, so I started blocking them and they look fine.
What is the benefit of fastening off or breaking instead of changing color by completing last stitch of previous row with new color and then crocheting over the ends after turning? Also, couldn’t changing froom E to C be handled the same way (instead of keeping E hanging off the side of your project)?
We suggest cutting the yarn (breaking off) when you’re not going to use the color again or not for a long while. In the case of dropping E, you’re going to be using it again in 2 rows so you can just let it hang there – there’s no advantage to working over it because you won’t be able to use it again then without cutting it and rejoining (more tails to darn in or work over.)
I am so happy. My squares turned out to be 8″. Have done 2 so far.
Ok! I needed to make sure I was correct about “break” and “do not break” meant. Glad I figured that out. Hook “J” has worked for me on all of my squares and I have not had to change anything in the pattern. I am very surprised. This is so much fun. I got a little behind but finished up last week’s squares in a couple of hours this evening and just stopped to read through the blog about this square before I finished the first one. Wanted to make sure I was doing the pickup and breaks correctly. Yay! Well, have fun everyone. I am loving this so far.
Got my first one done so now I can go to bed! To get 8″ square I used my same k hook I have used throughout but increased the number of chains to 50. This means you have 23 singles on each side of the3 joined singles. I counted the chain 1 as my first single throughout and it worked fine. There are more rows at the end if you increase the initial chain but trust me, it all works out. You can check your Gage by measuring each side if the L after the first two rows. I love this block. Never dine it before but I plan to use it again. When the CAL is done it is scrap afghan time with this one for me.
I’m having a blast! I have never participated in a CAL before. I am not a big fan on changing colors so for last weeks squares, instead of stripes I made 1 solid block in each of the colors specified. This weeks square looks like it is going to make some sort of a pattern so I am going strictly by the directions. First square did not come out to be the right size but loosened up my stitch a little and next one came out perfect! Every week I have been done with my squares on Thursday but not this week.. I may actually have something to do all week(in between all my other projects) Happy Crocheting everyone! Thanks Bernat
Finished my one color sample square yesterday. The pattern was easier than I thought. I don’t like marking stitches and after a few rows realized I didn’t need too. My square is about 1/4 inch too big all around (G hook), thought about trying another square with an F hook and decided that would probably be too small. I think I just need to try REALLY hard to make my stitches tighter. Not looking forward to making the real squares with color changes and trying the new way of changing colors, but here I go…
After spending all day Wednesday trying to get the mitered square to look even close to square, my husband suggested that it made more sense to him to increase rather than decrease. I did a web search for mitered squares and found the directions for starting at the small corner and working out until reaching 8 inches. I started the color pattern at the end and worked backwards so it will still be the same pattern as clue 5 but instead of crocheting 3 together each row, I am crocheting 3 sc in the center of the previous three. My work is much neater, the color pattern is the same and when I reach 8 inches, I will stop. For me, this is a better method to achieve the same result.
Thanks Karen!!!!You are my hero. I too spent the whole day trying to get tension and hooks correct. ( I just couldn’t get the darn thing square) Thanks to you-Mine now looks wonderful. With 48 (3 afghans) to make, I was simply spending too much time trying to get this right. Tell hubby thanks, too!
Thanks for the reply–I find that the squares are now going much faster and I am back to using my original J hook instead of trying to change hook sizes every few rows. Have fun!!!!!
Yes, Karen as I said you are a life saver.Mine are now much nicer looking even with using the same color combo and are laying so much nicer and going faster. Thank goodness for you
This is what I was thinking too, because I hate crocheting into a chain. Doing it backwards would elimate that. I might give it a try, but I did enjoy learning a new square. Maybe I’ll learn 2 new stitches!!!
After making a square the way Clue# 5 read, I did not have a very pretty square. I also reversed the pattern and increased in the center sc and just followed the color changes. I had to go up a hook size and a few more rows to reach 8″ but I now have a nice neat square. I am glad someone else was doing what I did. It is just more logical to me!
Woo hoo!! Karen, thank you! I am going to try this tonight…have been having a devil of a time trying to make a square!!
That really does sound so much easier and if you get the same results…well why not go for it? I think I may just do the sdame instead of struggling to keep it akk from pulling in and going all off kilter. Thanks to your hubby for the idea.
I also have been having a heck of a time getting a 8″ square and finally loosened up the tension and got it right. But, even though I now have an 8″ square, it’s not great looking, so I think seeing I’ve only done a couple I will change to your suggested method and give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
Update: Tried it, Love it! So now I have a perfect 8″ square with perfect looking miters. Thanks to you and your husband for suggesting that. Too bad Bernet didn’t think of this way first, it would have made for an easier better looking square.
Apparently they did but made it the decreasing method to up the difficulty for those that were whinging that it was too easy.
Hey Everybody doing CAL!
Here’s a tip for everybody that I found from my first square on Clue 5: Keep your crocheting a little loose for this square. My first one started out great but when I got to the end, it was really “drawn up” looking; there was no way to block it and it be the correct size. (Will be re-doing this one.) When I started the next square, I made sure to crochet loose all the way to the end and when I finished it, it made a nice square. I caught myself a couple of times and had to frog once in a while, but it will really help and you shouldn’t have to add stitches or change hook sizes. Hope this helps!
ok so I’m going to frog my first square, up to the 4th row cause that measured right, gonna loosen my grip a little and not cut any colors cause I’m scared I will not have enough wool to get me to the end if I keep frogging and I couldn’t find any of the colors I chose at walmart.
I hope it works out better, if it still doesn’t measure close enough I will just increase 2ch and do an extra row at the end. Oh I hope this works, I lost an entire day yesterday waiting for the site to refresh the posts.
I have crotched the equivelent of 16 squares…but have none to show for it…..cannot get it square!
I am having the exact same problem
Same here.
I had to go from a 6.00 mm hook to a 7.00 mm hook after row 5 and then crochet VERY loosely, especially at the decrease area. But Love the square and making it (now). Love the CAL in total!
I just wanted to say this is my favourite square so far, colour changes and all. I am glad this is the one I have to do the 16 of. I would have hated to do that many of last week’s square. I still only have one done of that one since I can’t bring myself to crochet any more yet…lol.
I totally agree with you. This square looks so good and I find it takes less time to do than Clue #4.
Can wait for the week end!
Yeh, I am loving the look of this square, too. I am thinking that in the future (after these afghans are done) I am going to make an afghan of just this square. I think it would be beautiful if you took 4 and matched up the end points (Contrast E row 21) and combined and then matched the sides and kept working out. Anyone have any thoughts…Do you think this would work out???
I think it would look great. This is my first afghan I have done (as I usually think they are too big and awkward and I get bored) but I think I could definitely do an afghan of these squares. It would look a little like the log cabin patchwork quilts depending on how you join them.
So I”m over 1/2 way done with my 1st square in the new clue, it’s looking great, it’s measuring 8″ on both sides, I’m getting the hang of it, and then……….I realize I’m using the wrong color so now have to frog back the last 6 rows. UGH! Oh well, guess I am glad I realized it now before it was all done!
I’m not sure where I went wrong yesterday, but my square turned out a bit lopsided and wonky. Have frogged square and saved copy of updated pattern. I’ll give it another go later today.
I just found this CAL on Monday so I’m a bit behind. I chose colors and bought yarn and have finished Clues #1 & #2. I’m starting my 4th square of Clue #3. I’m not looking forward to Clue #4 – changing colors, or Clue #5 – so many people having problems with the mitered corners. But there are some very good hints here. I am determined to finish each clue in order and I hope to catch up in the next two weeks!
gl Susan, glad to have ya aboard…;-)
You’ll be caught up in no time!
I have gotten my guage correct by using an I hook on this one and seeing how my square turned out and in anticipation on how the whole layout will be, I’m assuming that somehow, 4 blocks of these will make one big square so becuase of that, I’m not going to change out my color as suggested as the inside squares won’t look crisp and neat with the “jog” of color change through out. Just a suggestion for you other perfectionists. This is a tough one on the Sc3tog and I’m wondering how successful I’ll be on the 2nd one I’m doing with Chenille! All in all, my hats off to you all as I’m learning a whole bunch here on “I had questions but was afraid to or didn’t have any one to ask” questions……Toni
For those of you that ordered from Bernat and were told the Forest yarn was on backorder, then received an email asking if you still wanted it, have you received it yet? I sent a reply a month ago and still have not received it. I’m so behind since I can’t do clues 4 and 5 until it gets here. Grrrr
so sorry
I got my Bernat yarn from Herrschner’s and the forest was also on backorder, but it shipped exactly when they said it would and I received it in plenty of time to start the CAL. Maybe you could cancel with Bernat and order from Herrschner’s.
MGM
I ordered from Herrschner’s and it is in stock…should receive it in a few days. I’m really disappointed in Bernat. Not only did I not receive the yarn, I also did not receive a reply to my email asking about it.
Hi Frannie – I’ll look into your case and see what i can find.
Frannie, I live in Indianapolis,Indiana and i ordered mine last Saturday 10/15/10 and i got it today in the mail.
That was fast!
Patti
I ordered mine from knittingwarehouse.com, and not only was it cheaper, but it came within 3 days.
I need help with this clue. I’m not sure what “Do not break” and “Break” means. I assumed that “Do not break” meant to join the new color and leave the first color connected to the piece, but I don’t know how to pick it back up again. Do I crochet with both colors after I join the second color? Do I bring the first color along and just crochet over it with the second color? And then, does “Break” mean the same thing as “Fasten off.”
yes , yes
I bring both colors up through the last stitch pull my hook out of them and weave the old color across the top. Then I go back and pick up new color chain 1 and turn, proceed with pattern.
Just leave the old color hanging at the side don’t work over itwith the new color), work the next 2 rows with the the new colour, fasten it off and pick up the old color and start crocheting with it. Don’t pull it too tight or it will pucker your 2 rows in between – just let it sit naturally beside those 2 rows, not too loose and don’t pull on it before you start using it.
Ok so I love the design of this square and my colors look great I will def be using Rosies Jig to block it though
So glad my little jig was helpful. Makes me smile
Rosey, I have posted pix of my jig at ravelry. Thank you again for sharing. I did have a problem with blocking my last square, though. I got small rust spots. I painted the nails with clear fingernail polish to fix it, and luckily the spots washed right out. I will never have the same pic in my head when someone says “painting my nails”. LOL
Tee hee.
I think my yarn is so multi-coloured I wouldn’t have noticed rust spots. Glad you found an ingenious way to fix it. Clever you.
Rosy, Where can I see your jig? Thanks.
yippie!!! I decided to just do a brand new one and I measured every 2 rows to make sure it was staying no less then 7″, I loosened my grip a little and its going really good.
I have to say after doing my first square I was just not into this square but after doing this one that measures good I can’t wait to finish it. 1 down 15 more to go.
they will be done by the weekend and I’ll have time to do more of the KAL that I am doing between this CAL, I’m on clue 4 so far and its measuring kind of kookie but its ok
I have begun mitered squares for Clue #5 however, after completing 8 squares they do not measure 8×8 sq. all around. It appears that at the top it meaures 7 1/2 while at the bottom it measures 8 inches. Please help.
I’m actually getting the same problem, my square measures 7.5″ at the beginning and just under 7″ at the end. I think it could just be that we are going tighter as we go, I’m working on my square right now and going to try and loosen up a little more when I get to 13 cause that’s where it seems to tighten up a little on me
You’ll be able to block it to 8 inches.
This is fun. I have never done a miter square before like this. I’m so happy to learn a new technique!
I’ve decided to learn TWO new techniques this week! Since I’m making 3 mystery afghans… I’ve decided I can experiment a little… I’m forcing myself to make Afghan #1 EXACTLY according to the program, except for using different color yarns. I’m allowing myself creative freedom with Afghans #2 and 3 – mixing up the colors a little and, this time, trying a different stitch. Afghan #1 is made using the decreased miter stitch, Afghan #2 will be made using the increased miter stitch… Afghan #3 will depend on which of the former I enjoy more!
OK. Increased miter is a new one for me. How do you do that? I might even like that one better. lol
First need to work in reverse order of pattern for color changes to be correct. Here’s how:
Ch 2
Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch Ch 1 turn
Row 2: Sc. make 3 sc in next st, Sc, ch 1 turn.
Row 3: 2 Sc, make 3 sc in next st, 2 sc, ch 1 turn.
Continue. This will increase st count by 2 with each row. If you follow the pattern for am’t of rows of each color, you will end with the exact amount of stitches in your last row as you would have started with using the decrease method in the instructions. I used a larger hook for my 1st 4 rows then switched down. It is a much neater finish
After trying both, I decided I prefered the increase mitre and am doing all 3 afghans that way. Seems to work better and faster for me
Holy crap!!! Now i’m feeling behind. We had a half day at my son’s school yesterday and neighbor drama last night. I totally forgot it was Wednesday and thought, Oh, well. I can just do it tomorrow (Friday). BUT HOLY CRAP!!! That’s a lot of squares lol.
Can’t wait to get started though.
I can’t find Rosie’s jig…..Rosie, can you repost that for us? Thank you.
I believe it was in the blog for Clue #3. I love the jig. Just haven’t had time to make it yet.
Toni,
I asked the same question in clue 4 here is the link for your viewing pleasure it really is wonderful and easy to make.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roseyalexander/sets
Tip from LuckyRainbow. If you have pins that tend to rust, paint them with clear nail varnish or you’ll get rust spots on your yarn. Thanks Rainbow.
Also, I made it 7 1/2″ across, based on the fact that having the edge stitch hooked over the pins would make it 8″ finished size.
That does depend on your tension. If you’ve really had to stretch the square to get it on the jig, it will spring back a bit once you take it off.
Anything 7 1/2″ to just shy of 8″ will jig nicely.
I find if I hook the corners over first, its then easier to get the edges over the pins nice and straight.
Took a break to come see if there was anything new to read about square # 5. I’m loving this square!! I don’t mind the color changes in this square. Did not like last weeks so that is why I did those in solid colors. I don’t think that will matter when the afghan is put together. Worst case I will have to do those again. My goal is to have at least 6 done by the end of tonight. I made 2 last night but only 1 can be used. I’ll use the yarn in my other squares. I have had lots of luck with just loosening up on my stitch. This is the first square that I have had any gauge issues with but easily fixed the problem. Well, off to my squares! Good luck everyone!
The square is an awesome challenge. It’s the sc that drives me silly. Of all the stitches. My other least favorite is the popcorn or puff stitch. a lot of fuss and fuming to get the thing to grow to size…. LOL
I’m completely enjoying this project! What makes it even better is that my best friend of 30 years, who now lives in Florida, is also making this. We’re having a lot of fun exchanging notes.
However, since I’m not experienced at crocheting, I’m having a very hard time with the stitch count on clue #5. Does anyone have any helpful hints?
I have to keep checking each row. I’ve discovered that those rows where I change colors are where I’m most prone to error…pay attention to the instructions, follow exactly what they say, and then count, cuss, and do it again! It does work and I’ve got 12 more chances at perfection!
Thanks Marcia for your suggestion. I’ll keep counting and ripping….I really wish there was a picture of this weeks square. I’m finding my miters go zigzag instead of straight up from corner to corner. Could this be right? If all these squares look the same, who’s to say if it’s right or not.
My miters went zig-zag too when I used the decreasing method and were straight using the increasing. The zig-zag look will add more character.
As an experienced crocheter i am still finding this square to go a little wonky. (Great looking block though) After blocking my first square i thought it would keep shape but the block still wants to go more to a diamond shape. The 2 sides that start with the chain are great but as you get closer to the finishing corner it tends to get narrower or it pulls in to much. Does anyone have any tips for me??
This square does tend to tighten up a little as you go so you can try loosening up your tension or using a larger hook for the later rows. if all else fails you can try starting at the small end and increasing each row which is much easier. We chose this method to make it more of a challenge for those who were saying it was ‘too easy’! (Be careful what you ask for – we DO listen to you.)
Increasing actually makes the meter look more pronounced which I like better so I am doing mine that way.
I have found that if I work just a tad looser on the straight edge – and am really careful working a bit more loose on the 3sctog, I can obtain the 8″. The 3sctog must be made loose enough to keep the square shape.
I hope this helps!
I have had the same issue. I corrected it by altering the original pattern; I did not change any of the rows except rows 6, 8, 10 and 12. In those rows, I did not do the sc3tog. Instead I just sc across. This gave me a few extra rows at the corner of the block but I like the way it looks and the block is finally square! It no longer pulls to the center because there are extra stitches in the rows that were giving me problems. I just hope I have enough yarn to finish the afghan. I had to crochet 10 different versions of this block before I found something that worker for me. Hope this helps!
Thats what I ended up doing, but not as well organised. When I feel the sc3tog looks too ‘stretched’ when I pull the L out square, then I do a row of plain sc. It adds more rows, but it lays nice and flat.
But I’m ignoring the colour changes and going with my own flow. Such a rebel.
I may regret it when it comes to putting it together. Oh well, can always frog a few.
I just posted my experience. Someone had posted that she was doing the 3 sc tog. stitches too tightly. I loosed mine up and the square came out 8 by 8. Give it a try. The tightened stitches will cause the sq to loose it’s shape and get smaller
I had a problem with my first square, it started out fine until about halfway through the rows, and then it started to pull in. I finished it the way it was and blocked it and t turned out fine. On the next square I realized that I was pulling the 3sctog very tight, so after I finished the stitch I pulled the arn loose before finishing each row. The square still pulled in, but I won’t even have to block the rest of my squares now they will come out great just by joining them together.
After trial and error – mostly error(lol)- my mitered square looks good. Have four done and I used a I hook for the first 10 rows and a J hook for the rest and it turned out really good.
Got my clue just after midnight so I could start this morning. I got one whole square done and would you believe it measured a measly 7″? It was fine after the first two rows…and I followed the directions exactly little realizing there was an error in the clue (see how observant I am? lol) Anyway, the square is very pretty even with the error in the clue. I actually like it without Color A in there around Row 17. I had to go back and start over with a larger hook and it seems to be coming out ok so far. Naver thought about doing the decrease a bit loosely in order to keep it from pulling in. I’m glad I read a few posts before going gung-ho and finding I was still having a problem. Sixteen squares will definitly keep me busy more than a day and half like the others. Happy crocheting everyone!
2 down, 14 to go. Using my regular H hook and it’s turning out great and 8 ” square. Mmmm……I wonder what I did wrong? LOL
There is a great picture of someone that has four squares done on the ravely forum for clue #5 that looks awesome she inverted to square to put them together as a bigger block. I really hope they are put together this way in the end. Check it out.
Please tell me what a ‘ravely forum’ is and where I can find it. I really need to see a picture of this weeks square.
Go to http://www.ravelry.com
You can sign up and go to Groups and Bernat CAL is there. You can see alot of people’s in progress including individual Clues (Including Mine!)
Well now I don’t feel so dumb. My squares are not square at all. Start fine but get smaller as I finish. 2nd square tried to keep the stitches loose but still not a square. So I am going to try some of the suggestions I have read. What a relief knowing I am not the only one having trouble with this square. Love all the camaraderie that is taking place. Even this old timer is learning new techniques. Gotta love this CAL.
Think I finally got the Clue#5 square figured out. I ended up using an I hook and changing to a J on row 8. It worked for me. This mitered square is a new technique for me and I am really having fun wth it. 1 1/2 squares done so far. Can’t wait until next week.
Well, I have reached my goal of 6 squares for the night and still have time to do one or two more. They are taking me about 40 minutes each square and they are coming out at 8″ !!! I need to get this weeks clue completed so I can work on making my Iris fold Christmas cards and the crocheted wreath ornaments that I am putting inside them. So many projects and so little time. I would have plenty of time if I didn’t have to waste time going to work everyday! LOL!!!
Well, have to go load the dishwasher and prepare tomorrows dinner so I can make at least 1 more square before bed. Have a great night and better day tomorrow! Happy crocheting!
Oh, in response to earlier post…I hold my hook like a pencil in my left hand..I am not comfortable any other way.
The race is on! I am so jealous! I tried to beat your 40 minutes per square. I am at about 60min. But, I keep trying. How many rows do you have. I had to increase mine to 25 for one and 29 for the other 2 (amount of stitches around my perfect granny square)
Did anyone else run out of the color fern yarn? I was only able to do two mitred squares and ran out. Bummer! I ordered some more but this will put me behind.
Do you mean forest? Fern was the color we have the most of I believe if you went with Bernat’s colors/recommendations…………….
Oh my gosh! I must have ordered wrong, No wonder some haven’t been able to find forest, I have 5 extra skeins! So now what should I do? Re-do the squares and switch forest for fern and vice versa each time? I guess that is what I am going to do. I better get cracking!!
Lucinda: I agree, you should just keep the colors you have. No point in ordering more and then having extra yarn left over. I’m sure it will look great anyway. The only bummer is redoing the squares you’ve already done. I guess it comes down to what you have more of: money or time. It’s more money to order more yarn, but more time to redo the squares. You could always wait to see if the color pattern matters enough for you to change it. It could be that no one would notice if you kept the squares you’ve already done, the way they are and just started doing the future ones switching forest & fern. Best of luck to you!
I would just swap the colors and keep on going. I’m sure it will look fine! Good luck. LOL. The dumb mistakes we make huh? I was using the wrong color for 1/2 my #5 square and finally figured it out and had to tear it all out and start over.
You shouldn`t have ran out of the fern if u bought 7 skiens if ur doing Bernat color choice. And u only need 2 of the Forest. I hope u didn`t mix up the colors. Errrrrrr!!!
I am also having trouble with this one. My first attempt came out mostly square, but after blocking it stubbornly demanded to be 7 in. Frogged it. Second one, I was so worried about tension I was tense and made the kite shape. Now on my third attempt, I keep telling myself to relax and enjoy the feel of the yarn. I am also thinking about going to a bigger hook about 8 rows in.
I am so glad someone mentioned Russian joining earlier. I am using this technique so that I do not waste as much yarn.
What is Russian Joining?
I think if you “google” russian join it will tell you how…it’s great !!!!
Thanks, I did. That is amazing! I can’t believe all the stuff I have learned thru this CAL after crocheting for 30+ years.
My first square was 8 by 7. Couldn’t figure out why until I started reading these post. I was crocheting the 3 sc tog too tightly. When I did the second one and relaxed on my 3 sc tog. it came out perfectly. Thank you for an interesting square.
I gave up on the mitered square using the decrease method. It was too frustrating no matter what I tried..less tension, larger hooks, arg!! I have crocheted the mitered square using the increase method before, so I altered clue #5 using that method. My sanity is intact and now I’m humming and proceeding along nicely….
First off, I would like to say that I totally appreciate all the people who have posted their experiences on this blog.
After trying to work the pattern for Clue 5 most of the day yesterday and ripping out I turned to the blog for advise before I decided to scrap this project.
I am now a very happy camper!
I changed to the increased mitered square instructions and increased my hook from a J to a K and my squares are now “square”.
Thanks everyone!
Where Can I find instructions on how to do the increase Mitered Square? Help…
Actually, I posted it to this blog earlier, but you can just google it.
My first square turned out more diamond and only 6 in lol..i was in a bit of a panic mode! After reading the comments here, I forced myself to crochet looser (I really do crochet tight!) and my second square turned out perfect, 8 in and well a square!
I don’t think i’m going to follow the colour pattern but instead, mix it up and have fun! Thanks for all the great advice everyone!
It was suggested earlier though that if you mix it up make 4 blocks of each combination. Probably has to do with putting them together.
Oh, that’s cool. I must have missed that, but it does make sense. Sorry
I think these squares are being put together to make 4 larger squares so be careful with your color/pattern change so you don’t run in to trouble in the end. Don’t want to do all the work again!!
I’m so behind!!!! Have had a trying past two weeks so the crochet stuff has gone to the back burner. Still need to do two squares from last week. Does anyone think that there will be a week when Laura will say “No clue this week – we’re halfway through and this will be a week for everyone to catch up” – lol – I’m sure not but a girl can dream!
I’m dreaming that same thing after this one….
Hi Christine, Laura from Bernat said that we will have a few weeks to play “catch-up”, as the next few clues won’t have as many blocks . So, no need to stress!
I’m right there with you, Christine. I can’t seem to get caught up after some stressful things happening in my life too. I’m glad to see that we will have some catch up time with less squares to make.
Hope things are getting better for you Sandra – I finished one square last night and am thinking of just doing 4 of the pattern and then 3 of each colour to make things go faster and then be able to get back on track. I’ll be thinking about ya!
If you crochet your 3 decrease stitches loosely it will help with with the puckering effect. It took me a bit to figure this one out.
yeah !!!!!1!!!!! finally on my 3rd square it is ALMOST 8″ square…maybe 4th one will be perfect. Thanx for all the helpful hints from everyone ! greetings from St lawrence river rat !
Greetings back from another St-Lawrence river rat. lol
Love this square! was able to use my J hook and it came out at 8 inches on the first try. got 5 done so far and decided to use a suggestion from on here and do the rest “assembly line” style. they work up pretty quick! i think this is going to be a really pretty afghan when done, my big regret so far is I switched clue # 4 stripes around to make it more pleasing to me visually and now i am sort of wondering if maybe i should of just followed the pattern and left them….worst thing that could happen is i have to re-do them at the end…oh well happy crocheting everyone!
I thought about doing the same thing. I decided against it. I hope to make another after this one is complete. Then I will see about making changes.
Speaking of redoing…..I just ran out of fern and couldn’t figure out why. I ordered the right amount. Then I went back to check my colour chart. I switched two colours and i did clue 3 in the wrong colour…sigh…so now I took apart all my clue 3 squares so I can continue with clue 5 and I guess any free time will be devoted to catching up clue 3. That’s whatcha get when you don’t pay attention!:)
I did the same thing… only i refused to play with the frog.. I just went out and found more forest.
At least you already have experience in doing the clue 3 squares and v-st is fairly quick.
If those 4 squares are the same, I’m guessing you will be fine. I did the same thing with my 4 squares but made them all alike so I’m thinking they will be fine.
Oh my gosh, I think I may have invented a new shape!!!!! And it is not pretty…maybe they should rename this the Mystery Shape Crochet-along. LOL At least I’m off work today so maybe I can actually get a square started before midnight. It’s cloudy and rainy today so it is perfect crocheting weather, Soaps on the TV, hot chocolate by my side and crochet hook in my hand. Yep, its going to be a good day.
Thanks so much for the laugh!!! My first square is a little “askew” as well – perhaps the clue should read 8” rhombus?
amen…..lol
First I am enjoyng this mystery aphgan and was wondering if you have every did this before with other patterns like knitting or crocheting and is it possible to get the patterns still. Also will there be a clue next week
Thanks Charlene
they did a KAL last year, if you go at the top of this page and type KAL or clue #9 you should be able to find it
The will definitely be a clue next week. Last year Bernat ran a Mystery Afghan Knit-along which you can still access in the archives of the blog. Click on any month between November and January and there should be a link to all the clues. This is our first crochet-along but hopefully not the last!
I really hope there will be many more CAL and KAL and even other little project to come
Charlene, This is a knit along (search KAL) on Bernat site. But if you join ravelry.com go to groups and highlight crochet cal, there are many cal by other brands that will remain nameless here. I am printing off all the instructions to do a seater CAL (with a big kitty brand) after this is done. Happy hooking
If you search ‘knit along 2009′ at the top of this, you will get the 9 clues in last year’s knit along afghan.
Yes, there will be a clue each Wednesday until early December. It is online shortly after midnight EDT on Tuesday … for those who can’t wait for the clue!!
This is my 1st but there is a Mystery KAL from last year. Go to the top of the page in search and type in Bernat Mystery KAL. It is knitted. GL
Ok after 2 days of frogging I have 1 done. I did it by not doing the sc3tog every row. Dont know if I will make it through 32 at this rate ..lol, but I am still at it. GL all and Happy Crocheting with this CAL
how does that affect the mitered look? just interested to see if it is firm or relaxed when laid down. I have all sorts of ideas for this block idea in other patterns. Cheers
It lays down ok but you get extra rows too. Not sure if you want to do that. I also toyed with using a larger hook on just the sc3tog to make sure I kept them loose. I’m still trying to make it work…
I was reading a lot of the comments, with some helpful information to get this block square, so I am going to keep trying, starting by loosening the 3 stitches together in the middle because that may be my problem, if that doesn’t work I’ll try a larger hook on the last half of the rows. Wish me luck or I’ll never get 16 “squares”.
I loosened up all my rows except for the 3 in the center, if you loosen to much it will not make a sharp edge, some people are doing the first 10ish rows with 1 size hook then going up a hook size to finish the rest. maybe give that a try and see if it works. Good luck
Loosening them up really help turn mine from off-center diamonds to nice squares. Hope it works for you. Now, if I could only count!
Val, I noticed that when I was real careful to crochet a little looser than I usually do, the square actually looked like a square and it came out the exact 8″ that it is supposed to be. Also, when you get to the sc3tog, if you pull on the work slightly away from your hook while you make the stitch, it will help you to not make that stitch too tight. I had problems on my first 2 squares but now I am getting through each square in about 35-40 mins each. I hope this helps. Good Luck! Let us know how you are doing.
My yarn was so worn out from pulling it apart and starting over, I cut it off and started over. I switched to K hook, loosened up the 3 sc tog and counted EACH row.
Also, I must be old. When did ‘skip’ become ‘miss’ and ‘yo’ become ‘yoh’? Just curious.
Loosening the 3 center stitches is what made mine square.
Club #5 -Can someone tell me the best way to block the squares that I am doing for the Mystery Crochet Along. Thanks for any help.
I am using a jig made from wood and nails. Rosey suggested it first. It is working great for me.
Ellen:
There is a lot of discussion about blocking throughout the posts. Type, “block” into “find on this page” in your menu bar and that will take you to every time someone mentions the word “block” or “blocking”.
If you scroll through the comments for Clue 4 you’ll find lots of info on how to block. I do it by pinning the square to the cover of my ironing board using rust-proof T-pins (but any rust-proof pins will work) then laying a damp towel over it. Let the towel dry and voila – a perfect little aquare for your afghan!
Oops! I meant square. Getting tired I think!
Rosey has a great idea for a jig scroll up on this blog and you will see the link for it posted by me. It’s awesome.
Place sq on ironing board. Measure and pin to 8″. Steam piece holding iron above sq. Don’t rest iron on sq or it will get a shine. I’m hoping that once squares are sewn together, the ‘odd’ shape will correct itself.
I just looked at a website recommended by someone on Ravelry on how to block acrylic…http://beadknitter.blogspot.com/2009/03/you-can-block-acrylic.html
I will definitely block my squares this way. Someone else tried wet blocking and the squares maintained there shape only while being being blocked. Hope this helps!
Nice site and lots of good info here…Thank-You
Thanks, I checked out this site. I never knew I could use steam on acrylic. I think I will try this too. Blocking with the wet towel only made mine square until they dried
Thank you for the link. I wondered how I was going to block acrylic!!
I just completed my 5th square. Using my “K” hook for the base chain, every row fell into place, making it an exact 8″ square.
A tip: This worked for me. Making my chain 46 with a “K” hook, I measured the chain to 8 1/2″- 9″ Then all of the squares came out correctly. Try it, you might like it.
Happy hookin!!!
I first started with K and crochet so loose I was hardly crocheting at all. I found I had to switch to an L on the second row of C as I was forming a kite. This helped out where the kite was starting to form, when I did the switch… it was square all the way through.
I finally got this one right on my third try. The secret is really in the sc3tog stitch. It has to be l-o-o-s-e.
I wonder if we will be putting 4 mitered squares together to make 1 big square. I guess we will have to wait and see.
I’m actually enjoying doing this square and I’m starting to get ideas of what this will all look like.
Thinking these squares will make 4 bigger squares to make corners, then in between we will have the 8 squares forming a + and the remaining squares we will be making will probably go all around it. Just my guess and if I’m right it should be pretty
I’m thinking I should start squaring my squares now so I don’t have 45 to do at once later, and from what I’ve read here, I think the best way to do it is to take a hard cardboard measure an 8″ square and mark it, lightly spray my square until its damp not wet then pin every inch or so and let dry. Is that right?
That sounds good – you might want to cover the cardboard with plastic wrap so you can reuse it.
hmmm, now this is a blocking trick I have never heard of before… guess my day hasn’t started off being a total waste… I just learned something else new.
I’ve been learning new things: tips, tricks, and hints since we started this CAL. Thank you!
Well I just posted mine on Ravelry. You can see my board I did with checked material for blocking. You can also see the difference in between the first and second squares. There is alot of nice work being done…Keep it up all
I’m gonna make this little guy and sew him right in the middle of the afgan, in honour of all the frogging going on.
http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/files/treefrog.pdf
OMG how cute is that!!!!!
Oh, Rosie That is so sweet! I am going to make these and put them all around my house. I have definately become the queen of the frogging!!! Thanks I love the little guy
lol So cute!
Went to the website and checked this out – How cute and what a funny idea!
Row 12….what does break C mean? Do I cut it off, or leave it hanging? If I leave it hanging, how do I pick it up again?
Break C means you cut it off.
Worked til 8, came home and did a load of laundry so now I am ready to settle in to make more squares. Only have 6 completed so I hope to make at least 2 or 3 before bed. Are there any crochet alongs from previous years? I found the knit along but would rather crochet. I have a couple of questions… What is “Rosie’s Jig”? and what is “Russian Joining”? I hope they give us a good way to put these squares together. I have never made an afghan with squares because I never liked how it looked after joining the squares together. Does anyone have a method that they really like the finished look? I so afraid that I will get all of these squares completed and not like the finished piece because of how they are joined. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Happy crocheting!!!
Hi Cil:
We will have a tutorial on seaming – I think you’ll be happy with the result because the seaming stitches are almost invisible.
Russian joining is a way of mating yarn without making a knot, Google the term and you should be able to find the instructions to do it.
Rosey’s jig is a way to block your squares. Basically it is a piece of scrap wood with nails about 1/2 in. apart in a 7 3/4 in. square. It is named for Rosey because she originally posted instructions for making it.
After we finish crocheting all the blocks for this clue that we will have made 32 blocks out of 48!
I am doing Clue#5 using the increase method- it is much easier. I am going to try the hint that someone posted about using a larger hook for the first 4 rows, then switching to my usual hook. 3 down 13 to go!!!
So I’ve had 8 midterm exams in the past week and was all excited to start clue number 5 (it KILLED me to wait a week) and low and behold it turns out I did the 8 squares for clue 3 IN THE WRONG COLOUR…… frog frog frog
Now blocking my 6 & 7 of this Clue #5, and have completed half of another square. I just wanted to mention that I was having trouble at first as well, but then I realized I had to do first sc in the space after the chain one then I was able to keep them in a square shape. I like the idea also of working the pattern in reverse, using an increase of three and want to try that as well. Do you think it will make a difference in how it will look compared to doing it the pattern directions way?
I have a newbie question. Why does RS show on rows 1,3,5? Do I turn and continue always? Is it just marking the right side?
Yes that is telling you it is the right side.
Thank you Linda.
your very welcome
Hi Elaine:
I’m not totally certain what it is you’re asking. In the diagram for Clue 5 we show Rows 1, 2 and 3 and Row 10 and the last row. In this particular clue, all odd numbered rows (1,3,5,etc.) are RS rows and all even numbered rows are WS rows. This is why on Row 2 you start from the left and read across to the right on the chart. You will have turned your work and be working the stitches on the wrong side in the order shown left to right on the chart. On Row 3, you will read the chart from right to left – the same direction in which you’re crocheting. For Row 4, you turn your work and read Row 2 from left to right again (we don’t show Rows 4, 6, and 8 because they’re the same as Row 2.) We show Row 10 so you can see where to work the stitches of the last row (which is a RS row.) We show Row 3 (even though it’s the same as Row 1 because you need to know where to put your hook in the Row 2 stitches. In Row 1 you worked into the beg chain. Hope this helps.
Yes, thank you. I’m new to reading charts. I was concentrating on the words and got confused. I first thought that I should drop and pick up at the other end. Like I said, I’m a newbie.
Each week, I’m starting my squares a couple of days after the clue comes out, so that first I can read what everyone has to say about it. That’s been really helpful in avoiding errors and pitfalls. Thanks everyone for their posts; you’ve certainly helped me. Now I’d better get busy!!
Clue 5 was an interesting square. I think the trick was not to crochet too tight. I certainly won’t forget how to do this type of square after doing 16.
OMG, you have all 16 done already? I’m on #9 and feel like I’ll never be done!
Lois: Glad I’m not the only one who feels like that! I’ve got 8 done, and I keep thinking, “I’m only HALF-WAY done?!” LOL
I know how you feel, I still have 8 to go. I hope the next clue has a lot fewer squares
I have 10 done now, it’s Tuesday, and I’m at work contemplating closing my door and trying to do one or two here! LOL.
After reading all the comments, I think I am still getting a better finish using the increase method rather than the decrease-even with changing hooks and relaxing tension. Using the increase method I am able to get them done faster, and with 48 to do that is important!
I think it is great to have the challenge of doing it with a decrease, but the newbie’s might find it easier with the decrease-I know I am and have been crocheting for 30+ years. Mine are posted on ravelry
OOPS, I meant easier with the increase mitre not the decrease one
That is what I did as well. The increase method made a much nicer square although I had to add a couple of border rows to finish the 8″. I have 5 completed and using the “assembly line” method I have the first two colors of the center done for the other 11. Hopefully I will finish them before the next clue! Whew!!
Wow, after making a few of the Clue #5 squares I am really getting curious to know what the finished afghan will look like.
5 down, turning out pretty good. Boyfriend made me a blocking board today. What a great guy!
Just don’t think there’s any way I will have all 16 done by next Wed! Starting #6………I guess this keeps me from playing mindless games on Facebook! LOL. Carpal tunnel, here I come!
HAHA I know what you mean, I have limited myself to 2 games on facebook now and working on the CAL and KAL instead, more rewarding then those mindless games lol
I sometimes play those mindless games (Frontierville) while crocheting.
I’m having problems in that I count every stitch but when I get to having 11 stitches I have 10 and its not looking right. second one I have started and will rip it out again – along with the first one.
Even though the sides measure 8″ Doing 16 hopefully it will resolve itself with practice. Might run out of yarn ..
I am with you on this one.. It took me 3 days to do just one. I finally forced myself to finish one last night, instead of frogging it, I only have 15 to go, and I am not pleased with the first one. Can anyone point me to a site that tells you how to do it by increasing instead of decreasing?
You may have skipped your first stitch in the beginning of a row or not done the third one for the sc3tog. Just a thought….GL
Do u sc in the first sc of the chain 1?
No, you start with chain 2 on the decrease method. On the increase method you chain 2 and put 3 sc into the 2nd stitch from the hook ( your 1st chain made)
I am having the same problem Mary, how did you solve the problem? I have counted and counted over again it doesn’t seem to be working out correctly. I also sc in the same stitch as the chain 1 at the beginning, is that not what we are to do? HELP!
Yes – you ch 1, turn and sc in the same stitch as the turning chain, as you always do with sc.
Thanks for all the tips. I’ve got one square almost square. But I’ve had to really change the pattern. I really had to loosen my tension to make it ‘almost’ square but then it ended up being about 9in!! So I’ve reduced the chain length to 42 and omitted the second colour. It turned out ok. Still not very square but closer to 8in. I think for the next one I might try a few times using single crochets in place of the 3 stitches together. Maybe that will help.
It’s going to be a long haul getting 16 made! I work full time and have 2 little kids at home. I’ll try though!! Hopefully the next few weeks won’t be so many!
i had started this square and was frustrated as they did not end up as a square and couldn’t figure out why. Although i’m still not sure i have “loosened” the stitches near the center of the row…so far it seems ok…not a perfect square but close enough to it
Okay, I finally finished 1 of the 16 squares. OMG it took me 2 days to finally get my gauge almost right. I’m not frogging I’ll just tug on it to get it to 8 inches. It’s very pretty.
Finished four of the clue 5 squares, and they’re only slightly diamond shaped. I was really trying to do the sc3tog very loosely, as I tend to crochet on the tight side. I did mine in the ‘”assembly” method, because I’m growing weary of the mega color changes in these squares. Don’t get me wrong, they look really pretty, but I’m hoping for more portable squares next week. I’m also thinking about switching the order of the colors for this one, and continuing to assemble them in groups of four. As for the hook holding style, I guess I’m in the knife hold group. I learned to crochet when I was 8, and I’m soon to turn 49. I was taught by a right hander. I later re-taught myself lefty. I’ve never really noticed the difference in hook holds before. Is the pencil hold the one the lady in the demo for the CAL uses?
Hi Cheryl :
Yes I’m using the pencil hold in the photos partly so you can see the stitches clearly (not so much hand in the way) and partly because it’s my more usual method of holding the hook. Sometimes I use the overhand (or knife) grip, especially when using the larger hooks (N and up.) I believe it’s good to know both holds – for one thing you can give your wrist and fingers a rest if you switch holds every once in awhile. Some people find that the overhand (knife) grip is more comfortable for their hands and wrists.
On this square, I decided not to weave the ends in – as from what I am seeing, sewing together will be cleaner:-)
one thing that I noticed with this square is that the two sides are so different. The foundation row is firm, but the other two side are softer (of course).. makes a bit to measure correctly. if the two sides of foundation are your 8 and 8 then you should be good. I was not counting at first but after first frog.. I wrote a chart out and ticked off as I was going so as not to lose count of stitches before 3tog. I really like the “square” effect… and of course it looks like they will be joined to make a bigger one. I am also leaving ends now for joining. So 2 down and 14 to go. Lily pads and no more frogs (( I hope ))… all the best to everyone.
Finished four of the clue5 squares. Like the design, but mine aren’t exactly square either. I’m hoping blocking will help. I’ve always held my hook knife style. That’s the way I was taught so many years ago. Is the pencil hold the one the lady in the demonstration pictures for the CAL uses? I was wondering why my hand looked different than hers does when I crochet.
OMG I’m only half way done this clue and I’m finding myself dreaming of it, I swear I have done about 100 of these cute squares but when I look at my pile there are only 8!!! I feel like this clue is never ending, yet I’m loving it!!!
ok I may be going a little crazy, just a little. lol
I agree! After doing 10 I will be able to do them without even looking at the pattern! lol
So far I am enjoying this CAL! And thank-you for printing in chart format, I do so much better with that than written.
This is my first time doing a mitered square, it is way easier than I thought it would be. Now if I could just get the right size I will be happy. SO glad to read on here that I am not the only one having problems with that. I now start with “K” and do the last half or so with “L”. Yep, I crochet very tight. But even so I am still coming out a little bit smaller than 8in. Will try blocking them tomorrow, ugh!
Even though mine are coming out 8 inch square, I decided to block to make sure the stripes will line up together.
I will most likely block them again once sewn together, if they go together the way I am envisioning as 4 for a 16 inch block.
This was different to me as I had never worked a mitered square from outside in, only inside out LOL
I succeeded by loosening the 3 st. decrease AND the stitch before and after. Also, I had to switch to a larger crochet hook starting row 13. It is still not perfect, but I’m sure it’ll stretch just fine when assembled.
Way to go!! i think if you block them, you will get the results you would like.
I have a blocking board, nag, nag, nag – God bless my lazy ass husband who didn’t want to make jigs.
A piece of cardboard marked with 8″ square, covered in plastic wrap, placed on your ironing board, could be used to pin your squares. Lightly spray with water and let dry.
I have completed all clues as the directions indicated, changing hooks to get gauge; however did not have to change the directions, with one minor exception of doing a slip before the chain 3 or 4 thing to rid myself of the nasty gap.
I am most excited to see the final result of our efforts. I am assuming the last 16 are the four corners of the finished product.
This is really fun!!
I also have one of those husbands, but I became self-sufficient when it comes to something I may be able to create. I had a large carton, which a VCR came in. I held it for years, don’t know why. Took it apart, taped two ends together to make it large enough to hold 8 squares. Placed a piece if felt over the cardboard, then a layer of fabric, 8×8 squares of colored paper, a layer of plastic, and I had a blocking board.
I thanked my hubby for being lazy ass.
My only tools were staples, and packaging tape. And of course the 8×8 colored squares of paper. Posted on facebook and my blog.
If your square is still not “square”, I have a thought. Because of the 90 angle, the height of each sc must be the same as the length of each sc. If these are not the same, you will not get a square. The length of the sc is determined by the loop on your hook when you start the stitch. The height is determined by the loop you pick up with your hook after going through the sc in the row below. If you increase the size of this second loop, you will get a taller stitch which should help. If you can understand this, it might help. I’m sure having fun with my project!
Martha – I thought the same thing, but had NO idea how to put it in words! After I began pulling up my stitches a little more than normal, I started getting much closer to a square.
I ended up having to go to the next size hook up on the second row of C and finish stitching that way in order to keep it from looking like a kite. I was already crocheting as loose as I could, but the changing to a larger hook on the second row really made it come out square.
I love this block, but don’t think i’ll have it finished by Wednesday. I’ve made one three different ways, now just have to get busy with the one I liked..
Yippee! its finally a square! The increase mitre method worked better for me, I also had to increase # of rows worked, as I am using worsted weight. So my rows were 4E, 3A, 4E, 3C, 6E, 3B, 3A, and finished with 3E, making my stitches 29 on a side. 2 blocks down, 14 to go! Have fun everyone!
Wow! I didn’t even think of this method. I am using 4 worsted for mine as well. Ended up needing hooks K, L, M so far to keep gauge with the pattern. Lacy look to them, but never thought of trying to add rows/stitches to make gauge. In truth, this is the first time I ever made gauge on anything.
Two down and 14 to go. I’ll keep ya posted.
YESSSSSSSSSSSS ! They are all the 16 crocheted, in my bag with the first clues, and waiting for the next ! I tried to put them together … but we only have 32 squares …. and we need 48 …. Supposing the afghan will be 6×8, I need more elements to be sure that my puzzle is going the right way ! It was just funny to try to assembly them …. I don’t have the rigth color, so I’m not sure of the result. It is a really pleasant first CAL for me, and I enjoy a lot !
Wednesday is …. quite far !
WOW – you rock! I only have 5 done and I’m usually done by Suday with the week’s clues.
Thanks to those that gave me advice on clue #5 square, I am determined to not give up. I have made so many squares but really only one that has turned out close to square, oh well gotta keep trying.
Is it necessary to block squares if the yarn is acrylic?
I really think it helps and it looks a lot neater too.
Thanks, I’m new at crocheting & really enjoying the CAL .. love all the comments & helpful hints from everyone
My Grandma always told me that block, block, block… didn’t understand her until I watched her from step 1 to finished project. The blocking helps the stitches relax and stay put she says. I have blocked a few finished doilies…guess what…even after washing them and laying them out to air dry by a quick laying out of the piece as if to block… with out fail… comes out wonderful to the eye and straight too.
I have really struggled with clue 5. I have read all the hints and ideas so I am going to jot them down and hit the hook again. I would like to get at least one square crochet today. Happy crocheting every one.
This clue is just about to make me throw in the towel. I am a careful stitcher, have tried loosening, hook changing…you name it and I can’t get them square. So, I am resorting to making up a square using the same amount of yarn for each color. I have to say that I am disappointed that the very hardest for me is the one that you have to make 16 of. This is a real moral buster!
I am with you on this square. No matter what I do , I cannot make it square.I even tried the suggestion of crocheting a mitre in reverse – no luck! I decided to try just making the square by following the pattern of one of the semi-squares I have already made, crocheting straight across and switching colors where needed. I know I am not explaining it well, but it it comes out, I’ll let you know!
I feel your pain..I have found that my fern is the one that is thinner than the others and that is why I am having so much trouble. Hubby went out to get me some more and I just have 2 to try and make them work with some of the other colors. Just keep trying, thats what I am doing.
Phewwww, all my squares are done and the ends are all weaved in. Ready and waiting for Wednesday!
Hi everyone, I recently started crocheting again after a long hiatus–raising 2 children. My grandmother taught me how to make a ripple afghan over 40 yrs. ago, so that has been my only experience.
I have been teaching myself how to read patterns and I’ve learned so many new stitches in the last year. When I came upon this CAL I thought it would be a great way to further my crocheting experience.
I have not been disappointed, the help I’m getting from the blog is priceless.
I find crocheting relaxing and the pace of the CAL is great for me. I’ve learned a new (for me) technique with each clue.
Since I’ve never pieced together an afghan, I was wondering if it’s better to weave in all the yarn endings as I go or wait until it’s time to put them all together? Will we be using the endings to stitch it together?
Thanks for all your help and Happy Crocheting
If you’re leaving long enough tails for seaming and really enjoy all those color changes by all means leave them hanging! Otherwise darn them in and we’ll seam them later almmost invisibly.
I am happy to hear about this… I have yet to hide any of my tails yet. I have left them half incomplete (to me) because I didn’t know what way we’re working the ends. Thanks!
the other thing I noticed is the first sc in each row needs to be in the right stitch too. other wise you get a wobble going and a misdirected miter point. All in all an easy square. It is exercising my perservence thous with sc and changing colors and keeping it square. I still use the fold over method to check my “squarnish”.
Good luck only three sleeps till clue #6.. and I have 12 of # 5 to finish ((( LOL)))
After 40 years of crocheting, this is my first CAL and first mitered square. I love what I am seeing after doing 10 of them. I can see what is happening here, or what COULD happen! I had seen a pattern for a ‘log cabin’ square afghan and seem to think this pattern could be something like that too. Most Interesting. Don’t know that I will finish the squares before the Clue #6 comes out, but I am making proress!
Kaye, I hadn’t seen a “Log Cabin” afghan before and you sent me on a search. I have now, and saved the pattern (Will not use suggested yarn)
But, what I also found (I give you all credit) is the most beautiful afghan and matching pillow on Favecrafts.com it is made with Bernats Harmony Yarn. I have not used this have you (or has anyone) used this yarn? I am definately going to make this one next.
Laura from Bernat: Could you tell me if the Harmony yarn is as soft as this softy chunky? I would like to make the other afghan and put it into the same room.
I found it on Bernat site it’s called “Mitred square afghan and pillow” done in Harmony
Harmony is also soft but has a slightly different texture to Softee Chunky.
Thanks Laura, maybe I will just make it from the same stuff as this one-only 4 colors instead of 5. I really love it.
7 done. I am definitely not going to get them all done for both my afghans. Oh well. I do have the 1st 2 rows done for all 16 of afghan 1, so I guess it is possible, though not likely, that I can at least stay on track for one of them. I really love the way this square looks. I am having no trouble getting 8″ with a k hook and increasing the initial chain to 50. I do have to count constantly though or things fall apart in a hurry.
I am just about done with my first 16 – as I am working 2 afghans, will have to catch up for the second 16.
I am hoping for a textured square next clue.
I gave up on making clue 5 as per pattern
I had to modifiy it to work for me. Sorry Bernat but I tired and tried for 4 days every which way I could. I read and read everything posible to try and it just never worked. So I went on my own to just make an 8″ square. Hope everyone else doesn’t have this same problem. I think part of my problem is that some of the softee chunky is thicker than others. I tried to work with that but this pattern is tricky. Luv to see all the squares done. Good Job ALL
I have that problem with the yarn I’m using too, and I’m finding it quite noticeable as I am using an assembly line method with these squares ( all 64 of them!) doing between 4 and 8 at once depending on if I am using 100 gm balls or 50 gm. Some areas are looking quite thin.
Well, I’m finally starting clue #5 today. I did the first one as the pattern states and it is almost square. I don’t like how the mitered stiches look though, so I also tried the reverse of the pattern and increased the second time and it turned out awesome! I love it, it is fun to make and beautiful, I can’t wait to see how they all fit together!
Is it Wednesday yet? Even though I’m a bit behind, I can’t wait for the next clue. I have 8 or 9 (can’t remember how many I’ve done) left to go. Finally got my squares to come out the right size and I must say they are pretty.
ok so after frogging 2″kites” I finally got a square. I’ve finished 4 squares and now since I’ve loosend up a bit they are too big! so I guess it’s back to frogging for me. I like the look of this square but I think I might try the increase and see if it’s easier for me. since I have to start all over anyway I figure I might as well.
Well, home from work finally!! I have 10 squares of clue #5 completed!!! 6 more to go. I am hoping to get some done tonight but I have to work on a halloween costume that I am making..Somehow I think the costume is going to wait until after I do at least one square. Hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to Clue #6 as much as I am. Keep the great hints and tips coming!!! Thanks
Laura, I am concerned about having enough yarn in the end. Did your quantity allow for some “slippage”?
There should be enough of every colour to finish the afghan, even with a little ‘slippage.’
Oooooo, oooo, it took me a few “mistake” squares to get this one right! & I weave in my ends almost too well so I could not undo them; I’ll work with my mistakes though :~) It’s been a very fun week working these squares! I have 3 left & I will be ready for Wednesday!
helps it to move along a bit quicker.
As for my square not being square near the final tip of it; i shimmied & wiggled mine to the correct shape (its not fragile)
I can do this square without the patttern now
Hi all:
Glad to hear so many of you are having so much fun with this square. It’s wonderful to see all the helpful comments and advice that you give each other. My encouraging words for today – we’re more than two-thirds of the way through our s
wonder what happened there? As I started to say – through our squares and 3 more weeks until the big reveal! We have some more tutorials coming up and I’ll keep responding to your questions ASAP. For those having difficulty with the decrease method, the increase method may work for you. Start at the other corner of the pattern and work back. (begin with ch 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 2nd row: Ch 1, turn; 1 sc in first sc. 3 sc in next sc. 1 sc in last sc.Just follow the rows and the color changes from there.) I love mitered squares and all their possiblities so I think it’s well worth hanging there and learning how to make them!
Yes, doing it that way works great for me and I love making them. They actually work up pretty quickly! I love the mitered design.
I was so frustrated with the decrease method that I swithced to the increase with a K hook. It took a couple squares but I was finally able to complete a square in 30 minutes. All my squares are finished and I’m now looking forward to tomorrow’s clue.
After much debating if I was going to do this afgan (and many weeks) I bought the yarn and have started. I have week 1, and 2 done and a couple of clue 3 . I have a lot of catching up to do.
Happy crocheting.
Is anybody else being chased by single crochets in their sleep or whenever they close their eyes?
lol…its the frogging that I see in my sleep….;-)
HAHA yes I think by now I’ve crochets enough afghan squares to circle the earth a dozen times lol
I am! I stay up way too late working on my squares, then dream about them all night. My husband thinks I’m nuts.
Yeah! I am not the only one! In between getting the clues and working on them… I am doing my very first ripple afghan. Took me 24 years of trying on my own and devising a wanna be, my Grandmother finally send me a photo copy of her pattern. So I am crocheting that along with these clues. SCs… umm… beginning to be able to sleep and crochet at the same time… and to think it isn’t possible.
I am having trouble w/clue #5 on the first couple of rows it doesn’t seem to be coming out right. The # of stitches don’t work out w/the pattern. Am I the only 1 having this problem? Please Help……..
I had the same. trouble.try increasing starting from the other end.it’s easier to keep count of the stitches.
I;m sorry I can’t help you without more information about why it’s not working out ‘right.’ You need to count your stitches carefully every row in this pattern.
Make sure you are not counting the loop on your hook when you make your first sc. Hope this helps.
What I ended up doing was after Ch 46… I started counting. The very first sc from second ch from hook is 1, then worked until I had stitched/counted 21…did the 1,2,3 pull yarn through 4 loops.. then started with 1 up to ending at 21 again. I did this same counting method for each row taking one count each time… so was in reality counting down per row. So row 1 is 21.. 1-2-3 dec… 21. Row 2 was 20, 1-2-3 dec, 20… so on… Hope this may help in the counting process. I know it made it easier for me.
Well, i think I finally got my clue #5 square working (HURRAY!) after much trial and error. I am using 2 different hook sizes, 6mm on the first 10 rows and the rest with 6.5mm hook, it still pulls in slightly at the finishing corner but close enough to square. Thanks to everyone for all the tips on getting this square done.
I have lots of squares to make, hopefully get most of them done by Wednesday, looking forward to the next clue.
Wew! Clue 5: I Afghan done -16 squares, afghan 2 and 3 inprogress. The good thing is that there doesn’t look like there is much yarn left
I know what you mean. I keep getting a surprise when I am at the end of a ball and have to grab another one! I am four squares away from completing one afghan – two more to go.
what is the increase method? Mine looks like a diamond:-p
see Laura’s post up the page a little. Basically you start with 2 chain and do 3 sc in the 2nd from the hook, and then every row after you do a sc in every sc except the middle one where you do 3.
Thanks I’ll give it a try.
Tried increasing instead of decreasing as Laura from Bernet said. so much easier!May be i can do this!
Finished the last 5 of the 16 squares today. Ready for Wednesday…that was a lot of counting. I suppose tomorrow I will have to return to the world of dusting…cleaning windows…laundry…Maybe I should of saved a couple of squares for tomorrow….:)
Really excited about doing this square. I am a novice crocheter, I have been crocheting for only 10 years. This was my first mitered square. Stayed up late Tuesday to get the clue, did one square, noticed the misprint and had to re-download the pattern. If not for the misprint would have had all 16 done Thursday; but I waited on the revision. Finished all 16 by Friday.
Oh and as for holding my hook I am a “knife” holder.
I guess since I was able to do all of them so quick I should have made more than one afghan.
WOW you rock too. I normally have all the squares done for the clue of the week by the weekend, but as of Tuesday night, I only have 5 done. Good thing I have a 4 day weekend coming up in a few weeks (after I have report cards and teacher conferences done). My goal – to catch up on the squares.
Whew! Just finished #16 of the mitered pattern. Even have 15 of them blocked already. Needless to say, my other projects got neglected this week. This square was fun.
Hats off for those who are making more than one afghan. I have been working overtime to get ready for wednesday next clue. Yeah!!Only two more squares to go. The other one are set, darned and blocked. I have my one idea on how clue #5 will fit in the design, but I am not telling just in case I am right. I would not want to spoiled the mystery
Looking forward for next clue
as much as I enjoyed making this pattern I can’t wait to be done, I’ve done 9 so far and no longer need to look at the pattern, only to make sure I have the right amount of sc in my row. Wednesday isn’t coming fast enough though!! WOW we are almost done.
***Laura when is the next project coming out when this CAL is done???
All 16 squares done and blocked. That was a fun clue once I got the hang of it.
Thank heavens for all the sporting events this weekend. I have more patience for sports when my fingers have something to do, and more patience for craft projects when the games are on! Games are over til Wednesday (baseball World Series starts!) when my next clue is due. Inspired timing!
Whew I’m finally done with my 16. I don’t have the patience to do more than one at a time. Can’t wait for the next clue.
Ca anyone tell me what frogging means. Several of the ladies made reference to this term.
“Frogging” means to rip out what you’ve made.
It comes from the “ribbit” sound the frog makes, but instead of “ribbit”, it’s “rip it… rip it”.
I have been crocheting for a few years now, but I am learning so much from doing this CAL. I made all of my previous projects work, but I have now learned that I was not doing everything correctly, like tying the ends of my yarn together. So this has been very educational. But I have what seems to me like a very silly question, but I want to make sure that I am doing everything just right. when doing SC, after you turn, do you immediately stitch into the very first SC that you just made your chain off of, or do you go to the 2nd SC? I have never done a project with this many SC, so I have never noticed this before.
Also, I notice that people are talking about blocking. I have never done this. Is this something we need to do for this project?
you sc in the very 1st sc, right where you made the ch 1.
You can go to the FAQ’s for the CAL and it will explain how to block.
The chain 1 does not count as a stitch for a single crochet. You put the first sc in the very first stitch. Hope this helps!
Also done my 16 squares. Can’t wait for Clue #6.
This is a qustion for Laura about the colors for the afghan. I had changed my colors as follows: Buff instead of Natural; Pumpkin instead of Forest; Rustic instead of Topaz; Fern instead of Lavender; Bronze instead of Fern. That would make my mitered square rows come out as follows: Buff, Pumpkin, Bronze, Rustic, Bronze, Buff, Bronze.
So far I have liked the way the colors worked for me. But, in this square, I don’t like the Buff row between the Bronze rows. For your colors it would be Natural between Fern rows.
If I changed that last row of Buff (Row 17) to Fern, will I have enough Fern to complete the rest of the afghan. My Fern would be your Lavendar.
I know we all take chances when changing colors; I’m hoping that when it comes to the outer border and even joining colors, that my colors will work .
Thanks,
Elaine
I think you should have enough Fern even if you switch colors.
I am so discouraged with this clue. I cannot get the decrease mitre square to look square. (Blocking will not help.) I have tried all the suggestions that have been posted here and am at an impasse. I was wondering if someone had a pattern worked out for the increase mitre square. I am not experienced enough to work it out and am lost without having a pattern. I am ready to give up on this project, so any help will be greatly appreciated!
Laura from Bernet posted one yesterday. I was about to give up on this square.itried the increase method and it came out great.
Kathy, thank you for your response. I will keep trying to work this square out.
oh don’t give up now, have you tried looking on youtube? that way you can see how they are doing it and it might help you.
Angela, Thank you for your word of encouragement. I think I could do the increase mitre method, but am skeptical I can figure out the pattern.
Laura from Bernat and I have posted the increase method. Basically ch2 turn, 3sc in 2nd ch from hook, Turn ch 1, 1sc, 3 sc, 1 sc, turn ch1, each row will increase by 2. For more details see above.
Donna, thanks for the info. I am attempting the increase mitre square. but feel I need a pattern to follow. I am skeptical I can figure out the pattern on my own.
Lucinda, when you do the increase method you just write down each row. Like this:Row 1- chain 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook ( the 1st ch made)turn, Row 2- ch 1, sc in 1st sc, 3 sc in next (center stitch), sc in last stitch (5 sc made). You are increasing 2 stitches each row by doing 3 stitches in the center every row. Just write it down and make sure you count and check them off each row…Hope this helps.
Linda, thank you so much for the input. I will try and see if my “Neurological Lyme” brain can figure the pattern out. What I really need to know is how many rows before each color change and how many sc’s in the final row.
You do as many as it takes to make it square, 8″. As far as the color changing just go backwards from the original pattern. You can tell by how many sc are in the row. Hopes this helps…GL
Your very welcome…;-)
Lucinda don’t give up. i was frustrated also, i had never done a mitered square. My first square, i thought i was doing it wrong but when i looked at some that were posted on Ravelery, I realized i was doing it right. i had to count my stitches very carefully and mark my 3sctog with a marker to make sure i was on the right track. i did not use the decrease or increase method that others have talked about. I just took my time and followed the pattern counting my stitches and loosen my tension. i have not had to change my hook size, I kept it at J hook. of course i have not done my 16 but i feel good about the three that i have done so far and i can stretch the rest out. i will be up tonite to see what Clue 6 will be. This is my first time doing a CAL and i really like this pattern. Do not get discouraged, maybe if you put it down and go back to it another time will help.
Well, finished 8 of my clue 5 squares, and it’s only Tuesday. I’ve really enjoyed reading all of the posts, and struggling through this one together. I’m starting to wonder if the right angle pattern in this square isn’t some type of optical illusion that makes it look like a kite! I agree with those who think we’re going to be putting these together to make larger squares, but I still couldn’t resist the temptation to switch the colors a little, in groups of 4 of course. As I’ve said in previous posts, mine is a baby afghan, so I think it’ll look cute. No matter how today goes, I know I’ll be back tomorrow to get a look at clue 6! Happy hooking everyone!
Woo hoo!! I have just finished my first square for this clue. I am totally amazed that it came out perfect on the first try!! I was a little worried after reading about how many of you were having problems. Now I just have to get the other 15 done. I won’t have them done by clue #6 but that is okay. I was late starting this one because I was finishing up another project.
Happy crocheting!
I completed all my first and now 16th mitered square last night. I changed the colors but it looked really nice. This should be a great looking afghan
I am ready for clue #6.
I started this clue Thursday (I think), and was sailing along pretty well – got 4 of them done perfectly. But, while in the middle of the 5th square of clue 5, I got a phone call telling me about a close family member getting a divorce. Suddenly, my 5th square got really tight and I just couldn’t get it right. I haven’t touched it since then, so I am really behind! I’m going to try to get on them again today, and hopefully finish by tomorrow. (The first 4 only took about 3 hours to do.)
I am surprised that everyone seems to be having so much trouble with this square. I have done mitered squares before, but used the increase method. Thanks, Bernat, for doing these this way – I love doing new things.
OK – going to bed now. I only managed to get 10 done. Clue #6 will just have to wait a day or two. DARN!!!
I finally finished my 16 squares, will weave and trim my ends tonight and am so ready for my next clue tomorrow. this has been so much fun!
I finally finished all 16 squares yesterday. Nearly all are blocked. I have 3 squares completed for my second afghan. Will plug along on these until the next clue. Is it Wednesday yet????????
How do you block a square? Is it just ironing it so it is square?
I am pinning them out to the right size, spray wetting them and then allowing them to dry. I am blocking 2 at a time and it depends on how hot it is as to how quickly they dry. With this clue though I am putting a hot damp cloth over them for a while to steam them as well – just to make sure they stay square.
DO NOT iron your square. The heat will melt it. You can dampen the square and pin it out at 8″ to your ironing board until dry, Or pin it to your ironing board and lay a damp towel over it until dry. Or use the steam from your iron held about an inch away. Just make sure you use rust proof pins. Or you can hold ctrl and f which will open a search and look for blocking. There is a post earlier about a jig Rosey had made that looks easy .
You don’t want to put an iron on it, or the pretty pattern will flatten. Either hold a steaming iron about 1″ above the square which has been pinned into shape, or dampen the square and pin it to shape. Either way, let it dry before you take the pins out. Not everyone blocks acrylic yarn, but I think it gets much softer and prettier, and the stitches appear much more even when the blocking is done.
Hi… NO…. please do not iron them!! They will get all warped and stretched out of shape. Blocking them is shaping them to the 8 inch size with a jig of some sort or a blocking board where you would pin the edges to the 8 inch size , wet them thoroughly and leave them to dry completely before removing the pins.
Farther up this blog someone posted a link to a video on how to block as well as the reasons for blocking acryllic … no, it isn’t ironed – but steamed or dampened and let dry once it has been secured in the right dimensions … 8 x 8 in this case. The video was very useful to me and I plan to follow it using old long knitting needles as my blocking wires and secure the block to the size. Another has posted mention of a wooden jig with nails to hold the square in the required size and shape. Good Luck!
NO DO NOT IRON…. Blocking is getting it wet (damp) and pinning it out to 8″ and letting it dry. It can be steamed, but dont touch it with the iron. There is info on this posted by others. Bernat will also give us info on this, as per Laura.
Ruth-Do not iron the square. It will ruin it. To block I made Rosie’s jig she suggested in a previous blog on the earlier clues. I showed a picture to my husband and he made it for me. Took a piece of wood, measured out 8″ square with a pen, nailed (at a slant outwards) some paneling nails around the outside into the lines drawn. Later it was suggested to coat nails with clear nail polish so they wouldn’t rust (because of all the spraying with water). It really helped a lot because I was starting to see small rust spots. What you do is put the crocheted square on the nails stretching some (if needed) over the nails. Then you spray lightly with water and let dry completely. It takes some time to do all 16 but well worth it. I really needed the jig with this clue. Hope the explanation helps.
The way my Grandmother taught me was by using T pins and a few towels pined to the floor. She would either prewash and press most of it out…pin it to towels in size needed and let dry -or- just out and pin them to the towels then take the clothes steamer to it and leave them to dry over night.
I am SO jealous. I have almost 11 done, can probably do one more tonight, but the rest will have to wait I guess. LOL. Looking forward to the new clue tomorrow though!
Oh well, it is Tuesday, there will be a new clue in 6 1/2 hours. I had to housework
This is the first time I will not have all 3 of afghans good to go! Anyway, I am going to do Clue 6 in the morning and keep coming back to this one. Laura said there will be time-right?
I’m doing the same.
Housework? What is that? I just can’t keep up with all these new fads you kids have.
I stayed up until 2am (even took a nap today) waitingggggg for that #6 clue… To no avail, Bernat is on to us late bloggers & decided to post it in the morning….*Busted* heehee
Been waiting up for Clue 6. Always like to get one new square done before going to bed. Can’t stay up any longer. It will be like Christmas morning tomorrow. This is such a fun idea. If I had started this afghan on my own, I would have overdone to start and then set it aside. This keeps you interested and trying new things. I hope my mom loves the afghan present when I’m done.
I’m going to have to wait till tonight now to see what Clue #6 is since it is still not posted 6:07 AM Wonder what happened? Is not having a Clue#6 part of the mystery? That Clue #6 is to finish working on the 16 clue #5 squares? Who knows? Guess I’ll find out later. Have a good day everyone!
AmI the only one that can’t find the new clue? Where is it? I got up extra early so I could see it and now -nothing!
Where is the clue # 6? Does it have something to do with the storm?
I have been crocheting for over 50 years and I am really enjoying this and as you can tell I look forward to the next clue.
oh no 2 hours left till clue 6 and I’m not done clue 5 :S, Laura did say there would be time to do them in between the rest of the clues. Oh I can’t wait till tomorrow, such an exciting day way to much going on and gonna go to bed real soon so it can get here already
only have 9 of my 16 squares done, none of which are square but will be after blocking.
Just wanted to give some encouragement for putting the squares together. I have made a complete granny square afghan when put together resembles a quilt pattern. It was only 400 squares. The process of putting them together seemed overwhelming at first but soon became just another step in the process. The end product is what made it all worth it. So am looking forward at how we will be taught to connect the squares. 48 vs 400. I will take 48 any day.
It’s almost Wednesday and a new clue. yeah!!!!
Forgot to add I was taught to crochet using the pencil method of holding the crochet hook. Hard to beleive that was 38 years ago. Have the nice long afghan hooks, and those you have to hold with the knife method. Currently doing a snowman afghan with the afghan hook. Hmmm that makes 3 afghans project I am working on right now,
Drat! I have 9 done and the first 4 rows of the remaining 7 completed for my first afghan, and none done on afghan no. 2. And Wednesday is only an hour away. I really blew it this week. Oh well. I am really tired so I guess I will have to figure out how to catch up somehow this coming week. Hopefully this is a two square week so there is some hope for me.
One more sqaure to for this clue. Thought I’d never get them done. I think I’ll just do the last one tomorrow…fingers and hands a bit swollen tonight, but at least I won’t be too far behind. Come on clue #6!
Oups ! I wake up too early ! We are on Wednesday in Paris, France, but you are still sleeping …. chhhhut ! I’ll prepare coffee for the awaiting european crocheters !
I stayed up to get Clue #6 but it is not on line yet. Wonder why :~(
Well, I’m watching the Rocky Horror Picture Show just waiting and waiting for clue #6, It’s now 10:01 pm pacific standard time 01:01 am eastern standard time.
Open, Open, Open.
After 10 pm in CA (so it is after 1 am East Coast Time). Went on-line to check out the new clue and it is not posted yet. Oh well, just have to wait until after work tomorrow and the gym to check it out.
I was hoping that clue six wuld be out but here I am its 12:44 my time and its not out yet I guess they just want us to get really reved up for the next one but no worries I havent even finished clue five I just wanted to take a peak at the pic to make sure I was doing it right, I haven’t done any mitered squares before!
ta dum ta dum just waiting for clue #6….. it is seven minutes to midnight.
Sure, I”m up at 2 am with insomnia and no clue #6! LOL. Thought I would sleep better knowing what’s in store!
OK, it’s 1:29 a.m. Mountain Daylight time. Where’s Clue #6?? LOL I definitely don’t have all 16 of #5 done yet, but I can’t wait to see what #6 looks like!
Are there typos in both rows 3 and 5 of Clue #5? It says 18 single crochet, then 19 after the c3tog. Row 5 states 16, then 17 single crochets. Every other row have even number of stitches for before and after c3tog. I haven’t finished a square yet, but I noticed it was off on row 3 and added a single crochet on the first half before the 3tog. The increase instructions, does not say to leave out those two extra stitches on those rows. Thx
Row 5 states to do one sc in the same space as the slip st, then 16 additional stitches (1 + 16 = 17). Does this help?
You are drawing up a loop in the 3 middle stitches and then yo and pull through all of them. That reduces 2 stitches, and turns into 1 stitch. Just make sure your sc count is the same on both sides of that sc3tog.
count the stitches on the chart that should help
Ok, so it’s like 4:30 a.m. Eastern time and still no clue 6?! Very sad morning :*(
Were is Clue 6? Has it been downloaded from Bernat? Got up 3 am this morning, could not sleep , wanted to see Clue 6, no clue on the blog. HELP!
I finished #16 last night- where is the next clue?
Wednesday morning, finally finished Clue 5 blocks… just fastened off the tail for the 16th block. (takes big breath in)…. Bring on Clue 6!
I’m way behind on the mitered square. I tried the increase method after completing 2 with the decrease method. The increase method does seem easier but I like how the diagonal line is more pronounced in the decrease method.
I’m only on my 6th or 7th square, but getting better at them.
I don’t see clue 6 though?
I do not see clue #6. Got up at 4:00 so I could work one square before going to work.
Where in the world is clue six. it is now 6:35am on Wednesday and no clue… Im sure by the time this gets modified, clue 6 will be up.
It’s wednesday, where is clue #6? I wanted to get it before I go to work.
Oh well, have to be patient 
Wow. I have 13 squares done, logged in this morning and discovered Bernat ‘s mistake on 16 and 17. Wonder it there is another mistake, Bernat could have emailed members and saved a lot of us time!!!
Very disappointed.
The corrections have been posted since the first day the clue came out. They are right at the top of the blog.
OMG!!!!!!! WHERE is clue number 6???? Got my son on the bus and ran to computer to see new clue and there isn’t one. SOOOOO disappointed…………
Wow, got clue #5 done, what an interesting square, had fun with it, where’s number 6?
Good Morning one and all
It is now Wednesday 8:00 and I can not get clue #6. Has it been posted yet?
As for the people who helped me with clue #5 a big thank you. I now have 11 completed and am looking forward to #6.
I did not find a Clue #6 when I logged in this morning. I take it there is no square for this week, since we had to do 16 and you did state that we would need to spread this one out for the next few weeks. ???
This is my first time doing a CAL, I look forward to the clues. The last one has been a challenge and has almost done me in. If we do have more time I think I will redo a couple of sections that look a little odd. I also think that putting finishing edge on the blocks will make them look a lot nicer. Too many uneven edges.
Um, I know I still have 6 to make but where is clue #6?? LOL I need something new to look at AND I’ll be able to finish Clue #5 today (I hope). But, um, is there a clue this week? Did I miss something somewhere?
Isn’t today Wednesday? I can’t find clue #6.
Hello? Bernat? Clue #6 Please…..Thank You
I was looking for it too. It’s up now.
Where is clue #6?
I work nights and have looked all night for clue #6. Where did it go? I’ll have to check when I get up. Hope it is posted then. I am anxious to get started.
Maybe its late do to the fact that its #6…..
PLEASE RE-POST CLUE #5 PDF
WITH CORRECTIONS
I have transferred the PDF’s onto my Nook for portability.
LoL FOUND IT! And THANK YOU!
Hi Marleen – the pdf link in the post is accurate.
I’ve only done 3 mitered squares and had to frog it many times. I just couldn’t get the right count but I love the look and feel of this square. My sizes are definately not 8inches but it’s ok….I’ll just have a lopsided afghan. I’ll also try blocking them but I doubt it will make it to that size. Can’t wait to try this week’s clues!
Fri, Oct 29th, have been reading all the comments and have a smile on my face. You ladies are all delightful. Impatient too I might add, one lady was up at 4:00 a.m. looking for the clue. Thought this was priceless.
Wish we were all in a room together making this afghan. Must admit I’m getting curious and impatient to see what it will look like too. Someone said there are 48 squares? I hope that is all, as I wanted it finished for Christmas and if it is nice, meaning if I don’t bugger up any of the squares I was going to give it to my son as a gift who will be setting up housekeeping.
Thanks to Bernat !
I am having fun with this CAL, even though this clue is driving me batty! I have tried everything, loosened my gauge, bigger hooks, and still my squares look like stingrays, according to my 9 year old stepson. I tried the increase method, but wasn’t happy with the starting corner not being exactly square, so I’ve gone on my own and created my own perfectly square block. I decided that it’s my afghan, and if I want to change it, I can. Took me a week of torture before I got to that point, though!
I’m starting with the first row of a granny square in Color E, then began using the increase miter method with Color A onto two sides of the baby granny, and it is coming out perfectly square, and I am very happy with the way it looks. I will post the pic on ravelry when done. Now just 16 more to do, and still clue 6 after that. I have never had so much trouble with a square in all the years I have crocheted. Sheesh!
I know what you are feeling like. It took me a week of trying everything also. I did figure out away to do it but its not the miter, looks close though. I used different size hooks and made it very lacy looking. I did sc in a rows to catch up with the rows that were going in on me. It was truely a job in itself those 16. Now I’m doing the next 16 for the 2nd one I’m doing. I have never had so much trouble doing a pattern either….happy crocheting
Hi,
So I need to ask a really stupid question and I don’t know why this is suddenly screwing me up….well, I do know why and its because I never get the right number of stitches. When you first put your yarn on your hook, does that count as a chain? So when it says to chain 46, you chain 45 after putting the yarn on your hook? Maybe I’m just thinking too hard.
the chain on the hook does not count
No, you don’t count the loop from the slip knot.
No, you put the yarn on and then start counting. No question is a dumb question! You ARE thinking too hard. LOL
No, when you put the yarn loop on your hook it is not a chain, when you make your first chain it turns that loop into a chain stich. Hope that helps!
I need help getting the correct number of stitches on either side of center decrease. Someone please help me understand how you get the same number of stitches on either side, when you start off with 20 on 1 side and 21 on the other. I have tried and tried, but can’t seem to end up with the correct number.
Hi Peggy,
Are you looking at the 1st row in the directions? That had me confused as well, so let’s see if this helps. It reads “1 sc in 2nd ch from hook.” That counts as your first sc. Next it says “1 sc in each of next 20 ch.” Add them together, and you’ll have 21 sc. Then you do the decrease stitch (sc3tog) and then do “1 sc in each of next 21″. This means that on each side of the decrease, you’ll have 21 sc.
For the next row, you’ll do 20 sc, the decrease, and 20 sc. Each row after that, the number of sc will decrease by 1. By the time you get to row 22, you won’t do any sc, just the decrease stitch.
One more thing: don’t pull the stitches too tight, otherwise you’ll find that it looks more like a diamond than a square. That’s been my downfall on this particular clue (and many other crocheters as well).
Hope that helps! Good luck
BridgetW
First of all, I usually avoid patterns that include color changes. When I crochet I like to get into a rhythm and flow, and changing colors interrupts that flow. I look for unique stitch patterns instead. So this afghan is a challenge to my patience. As far as this clue (#5), I’ve just decided to keep moving forward with all the new clues and work on this one while I’m waitng for the next one to arrive. Eventually it will get done, I hope.
I’m plugging away at the mitered square – have 4 completed. Right know I’m crocheting the first 4 rows for the remaining 12 squares. I found the first row on the chain to require a lot of concentration to make sure that I counted right so i figured if I could get the remaining squares started it will be a a whole lot easier to finish them.
Finished my clue # 5 last night. Happy happy joy joy! lol I am all caught up now. I am working on tying off ends and trying to be prepared when we start putting it all together. I am really edge of my seat curious as to what the edging is going to be. Something spectacular to tie it all together! Can’t wait!
If anyone was stuck doing, sc3tog, here’s a neat video that shows sc2tog. Use the same technique to do sc3tog. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahd2xwWi-F4&NR=1&feature=fvwp