Clue #10
Well here we are at last! All seamed up and ready to work the edging. Does your afghan look something like this?
The edging is like the icing on the cake and every edging should add that extra special touch. Our edging will start off simply but becomes more lacy (but not difficult) as we progress.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF FILE OF THE BORDER (aka Clue 10)
The first round is sc. This is often the basis for an edging because it evens out the rough edges and creates a frame to build upon.
We’ve given you the exact number of stitches to work for the first round but for those of you who had tension issues and had to add or subtract more stitches or rows to get the right size square – here’s a tip. You may need more or fewer stitches than called for but as long as you end up with an odd number of stitches between your corner sc’s on the first round your edging will work out fine. Try to have the same number of stitches on each long side of the afghan and the same number on each short side because that will help your second round to look balanced. Be careful to work fairly evenly across your squares (more or less the same number of stitches for each square) otherwise your edging may start to ruffle (too many sc) or bunch up and pull in (too few sc.) Remember to work 3 sc in each corner stitch. At the end of this round, fasten off and join Contrast C for the 2nd round.
Edging - First Round
The second round consists of dc’s and chains. This is how it will look. Fasten off at the end of this round also.
Edging - Second Round
For the third round we’re going back to Contrast A and working another round of sc. Don’t fasten off at the end of this round though because we’re doing the 4th round with the same color.
The stitch we’re going to use for the fourth round is a variation of the lazy shell. It’s called lazy because it lies on its side instead of standing up straight. It consists of one sc, ch 3, and a dc2tog all worked into the same sc made in the previous round. This is how to make it. Fasten off Contrast A at the end of this round.
Edging - Fourth Round - chain 3
Edging - Fourth Round - dc2tog
Edging - Fourth Round
The fifth and final round uses chains and sc. I’m sure you can all handle this one on your own but here it is anyway.
Edging - Fifth Round
I’ll see you back here next week for the final installment – a photo of the finished afghan and some tips on professional finishing.
Don’t forget about the Contest! We’re awarding one person who completed the afghan with the yarn and pattern to make the Bernat afghan of their choosing. The Project may be made with yarn of your choice. Email or mail a photo of your completed project to crochetalong@bernat.com. Entry must include the entrant’s name, contact information (name, phone number, address, and email), and a complete list of the yarn(s) and shades used. Only completed Projects will be considered. Check out the contest rules for all of the details.
Even if you aren’t entering the contest, we’re excited to see photos of your afghans – submit them to Crochetalong@bernat.com. Happy crocheting!
Stay tuned on the blog after the CAL is over – our regular bloggers are taking over with some amazing new projects using Bernat yarns and patterns.
Laura
Oh what a pretty border! My afghan doesn’t quite look like the picture yet since I have not sewn all the blocks together yet! But I did post a picture of them all laid out in the recommended design. You can see it here… http://www.hookedonneedles.com/2010/11/bernat-mystery-afghan-crochet-along-all.html
Looking forward to starting that pretty border and entering the contest!
MGM
Mary,
Peeking though your site I ended up in your shop. There you have a mitered square Baby blanket. Are you kidding me! Did you already know how to do that I never could get one proper done)or did you head to the top of this class and knock that out along with everything else you have going on? ( blog, holidays, CAL quilting, store keeping) Wow, I bow to your awesomeness.
That’s an old pattern! Mitered squares have been around for a while, but I was excited to see the technique in this project because it’s a great step up for beginners to practice their increases or decreases, depending on where they start their square. Thanks for checking out my site! Come back and visit again sometime!
MGM
Hi all. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!
Um, am I the only one that doesn’t like the looks of this afghan? I love the border, but the afghan itself is wayyyyy to busy for me…I LOVED the anticipation of a new clue every week, and making the squares, but altogether, its too busy for me. Im sorry. Hopefully there will be another one, a little less busy.
I agree that it is too busy. My first look resulted in UGH. I love the colors, but not in that pattern. I had enough yarn to do it in a solid color, and I’m very glad I did. I’ll use the blocks in other variations, but I’d never make this particular afghan again. The mystery was fun, but a lot of work for an unsatisfactory conclusion. But I’ll probably do another one if it comes along!
No, you are not the only one that doesn’t like the layout. I loved the weekly clues and not knowing where I was going. I loved learning some neat things, like the mitred square, and ripping out and redoing a few until I got them right. But I really dislike the final product.
I am so sorry you don’t like the finished product. Perhaps you can donate it to charity where I am sure someone who will love it – because of the time and love that was put into it to create and make them feel wonderful!!
Great color combination! Looks wonderful!
Beautiful! Your colors look identical to mine except it looks like you used natural and I used linen so yours looks a little crisper than mine. It will be amazing when you get it put together!
Pretty! I have had a lot of fun with this project. I am so glad mine looks like the example. As long as I am happy with my finished afghan that is all that is important.It is not like Laura and the rest of the Bernat company is going to come to my house and have me rip it all out and start all over nor is my family going to refuse to use it because I am not a professional crocheter (hooker). I am just somebody looking for a time out from negativity.
I second that…!!!! Enjoy
I’m sure your afghan will be quite lovely Chrissy.
Well the edging looks very nice. Can’t wait for tomorrow to start the border. My afghan will look absolutely beautiful.
I still have 2 mitre squares and 7 flowers. Not to mention blocking. I was doing so well with keeping up! Until this past week or so.
But the final project looks nice.
The end ! I’m happy to see that your seming in the corners are a little bit like mine …. I’ll have to wait the end of this week to finish, and I’m really excited : it was a nice first CAL for me, and I’ll expect the next project …..
I am with you… After seeing their mitered corners, I relaxed a lot! (taking in a sigh of relief)
Maybe I don’t sux on seaming as bad as I thought. Glad to hear also that I am not the only one who is waiting for the NEXT TO COME…! CAL or KAL.
Have a safe Happy Thanksgiving and Holidays! We are not going to try to travel with the lake effects we are told to be expecting from what came through the midwest.
Wow…That certainly is a nice border. Sure hope I get the seaming done someday. Have fun crocheters and enjoy your Thanksgiving…
This is the first time I have decided to do a group project. It was a lot of fun and I can’t wait til the next one comes out. I want to thank everyone that has replied with helpful hints. I have been crocheting for over 40 years and I still learned some things I didn’t know. I would enter the contest, but I have no idea how to take a picture of it and then send it. Maybe that should be my next project…..”How to email photos” lol
If you do not have a digital camera — check with some friends who do — I’m sure they would be happy to take a photo for you and e-mail it to you, then you could forward to Bernat! After all that work you should send in a picture — who knows, you may win and then have more work to do on a new afghan!! : )
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
The rules state that you can mail it to them, so it can be taken with a regular camera.
Entries can also be mailed to:
Spinrite Head Office – c/o Crochet-Along Contest
320 Livingstone Avenue South
Listowel, ON CANADA N4W 3H3
Mail in entries also must include entrant’s name, a complete list of yarn(s) and shades used, and contact information (name, phone number, address, and email (if available).
Good Luck!
Hi Babs! Missed you last week.
How is the quilt coming along?
Except for the binding, the quilt is finished! Now I can concentrate on the afghan.
Hi Shirley,
I’m in the same boat, but I have a fifteen year old daughter who has volunteered to help, since I am so “computer challenged”!
I can loan you my husband for a week, then you will feel computer smart!
Kids are one reason why I have taught myself to get around the computer and such. With everything “electronic era” gadgits… well, gotta keep up. (smug look)
Well, my break is over. I am kneeling on the floor finishing up my stitching squares together. Got tired of my table throwing my work on the floor. lol If it is going to end up there, may as well work there.
The border looks great – can hardly wait to start on it tomorrow. I had to make a bit of a change with the v-stitch and shell stitch squares as I got the first strip joined together an realized I had made an error in joining. them. Mine is a bit different but still looks great. Will send a pic when I finish it. I’m sure my son and his wife will enjoy this when they receive it at Chritmas time.
I made the same mistake! I put the V stitch squares where the shell stitch squares were to go. So, instead of pulling out hours of seaming I adjusted the other squares. A bit different, but quite nice.
I only have 1 skein of A and C left. Is that the way everyone else is? Will this be enough to put on the border? I have loved doing this project. I am almost done sewing my blocks together. This weekend I will be able to put the border on. I am worried I won’t have enough yarn left for the border. What is the deadline to turn your picture and info in to be entered into the drawing?
I think you’ll be OK for the border. The contest closes on January 31, 2011.
The neat part of this border is that the afghan is very warm… so cozy up and enjoy the hooking…… LOL
Yes! That is one thing I look forward to as well. I keep telling myself that after I get the blocks together, I will be able to snuggle in and finish the project. I know, some of the ways we can motivate ourselves to get past the dreadful spots in this world of “hook-r-s” crazy world we keep ourselves in.
thank s for the final I love this afgan
it s my first cal with you and ravelry and I m very happy
I still have to finish seaming the blocks together and then hopefully can get to the border this weekend. It looks beautiful.
Happy Thanksgiving to all the US crocheters! This CAL was fun and I hope that Bernat will sponsor another one soon!!!
The border will finish everything off beautifully…just need to finished seaming (so boring). I got distracted this week with gloves, hat, scarf and some pine needle “weaving”. BUT, Now I can see how the end result will look I am eager to get back to finishing!!!
I know I said I was going to go back to work, but can’t just yet… enjoying hearing everyones comments.
What the heck is pine needle “weaving”… something old or new? I have never heard of it before you said something about it.
Enjoy the boarder… I really need to get busy so I can get my boarder started.
This looks absolutely great! Can’t wait to get mine finished!
Wow, I love it! It will be so pretty, I can’t wait to finish it!
Oh what a nice border this is! I still have some seaming to get done, but that will have to wait until the turkey dinner, pies and company are gone. This has been such a fun experience and I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s finished project. Happy Turkey Day everyone…GOBBLE, GOBBLE…
Still not caught up as myself and my two little ones have been sick for over a week. At least I know I’ll be done before Christmas – that’s the main thing or else my grandma will not have a gift!!
Best of luck to all with the edging
I got the pattern, to my guess… we did start with a single crochet and my mom said it would be scalloped.
I am finally behind on my blocks due to 3 yr old finding my shears and cut the chain section of one of my mitered squares before I could get the four sewn together. I balled for hours after that. I haven’t mustered enough to get back on them yet and it has been 3 days since he did this.
Now, though… I want to finish this… I have gotten this far. So I guess I better finangle that one section back together somehow so it won’t unravel in wash or use. Then get hopping on the rest. I only had 8 blocks left to attach to the whole piece.
The little darling! They sure do have their moments. Glad you’re getting back into the spirit though in spite of his best efforts.
I remember my “little darlings” and how upset I would get over their antics. Don’t be discouraged you can creatively fix the chain stitch by slipstitching over the damaged edges. Believe me, one day you’ll laugh over this incident with your son, his wife and his children!
If you are not already giving this afghan away, you may want to consider putting it away and give it to your sone for his wedding gift – there would be some great story’s to tell.
I’m so sorry to hear about your “loss”, but I’m glad to know I’m not the only one that happens to. I always intend to put my scissors away when I’m done but you know how that goes…someone starts crying, I’ll be back in a second and then hours later, I come back to see that some one “helped” me. I’ve re-done 2 squares so far and I have two more to repair before I can finish seaming. I needed something to do in the car this weekend, so I’ve been saving them for that. It is hard to get too mad when I know I should have put the scissors up and I know that he just wants to do what I’m doing.
Glad to know I am not the only one with the same little “helpers”. Guess I just need to tack my shears to the celing or some unexpected to look for place. I have been in the habit to put them in my latching sewing/hobby chest… guess he watched and learned more than I figured. Now to teach him how to chain, stitch, etc so he can appreciate the hard work later on. Now to get help locking hubby up in the broom closet as he feels this “suzy homemaker” art is for girls only.
Sorry to hear about your young sons helping hands. Just wanted to forewarn you that things like that will continue! I was stripping an antique radio table in our garage. Had it sitting upside down on a table to strip the legs. My darling adult son drop by and decided to borrow the table and set the radio table (still upside down) onto the garage floor. Next time I went to work on it, the top was sitting in a pool of water. Ruined. I have yet to tell my son what he accidently did. I too sat and cried as the table had sentimental value. That was a couple years ago. It still makes me sad but I’d rather have my son then the table anyday. Just one more thing to be thankful for at Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends, and thank you Bernat for providing so much enjoyable entertainment over the past few weeks.
Giggle.
You’re right I’d rather have my kids than my stuff. Although someimes its a close call….
Oh NO! Sorry about your table. But you are right There is no point in making them feel bad too after the damage is done. Although there are time when I must remind myself “I love my kids, I wanted them and I love them!”
Agreed Rosey. My favourite saying is that I call my children my little treasures because some days I would like to bury them….however I would never be without them! I adore all three – even though sometimes they frustrate me to tears.
Let me tell all of you whose children do things like messing up things you have in progress or even finished. When my son was youg he “helped” me on several ocassions ( maybe 15 in all) for some reason I fixed them all but left something to show he had helped. In June I lost him in a car accident and now when I look a one of the things he “helped” me with and I see the areas where he “helped” I have a happy memory to push the sadness away for a few miutes at a time. Happy and Blessed Holidays to all. Ski
Love the border! The clue came early last night so I did get the first round done before I went to bed. And I love that my afghan does look like it’s suppose to. Can’t wait to finish it today.
I love this afghan and everything about the CAL especially the mystery aspect. This was my first CAL. I’m not much of a blogger though so this is my first post. So far, I haven’t had any real problems except getting the mitered squares from being too tight and angled. I do have a question about the border. DC2TOG is a new stitch for me. The instructions on the pattern don’t make sense to me. Do you YO before you insert the hook into the space as in a regular DC? A more detailed “how to” instruction may be helpful. Thanks Bernat for a great, fun project.
Yes – you (yo, insert the hook, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops) twice, yo and draw through all loops on hook. This joins the 2 dc at the top giving you a dc2tog.
I like the border, think that I’m going to arrange mine a bit different, having problems with that mitered block, for me it wouldn’t block so I went to the center & put the first 6 rows together all 4 sqs. from there I went from the center out matching the colored rows all most square now i’m going to block it. sure have enjoyed this blog,wish had started reading sooner. there has been a lot of help,& knowing that other people were having the same problems as me hopeing that there is another one after Christmas, Happy Turkey Day every one
Laura; I’m almost sad hearted that this CAL is almost over. I had such a great time doing my first ever afghan. Along the way, I was blessed with so many crocheters from around the world. I’m a person who collects friends, and I’m hoping that I collected so many from this CAL. Please do not let this be the last. You and your staff were the greatest. I loved every Wednesday. Getting up early and printing out the clue was a highlight for my day. I’m almost completed in putting it together, and yes, it looks exactly like the prototype. It will be posted after the holiday.
May you and your, and the family of crochet bloggers of Bernat’s Mystery Afghan have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.
Love to all.
I’m sad too that it’s almost over – but I understand there’s another one coming up so stay tuned!
where do we stay tuned to for the notification of next CAL? This page?? I want more!
Thanks for a wonderful, exciting time!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Bonnie from Augusta Ga.
We’ll let you know here, on the website, on our facebook page, and in our email newsletters!
I echo your words, Katherine. It is all I would like to say.
Much love to all too.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too!! I’m way behind on my blanket but hope to finish in time to enter the contest!
Loving the border! This really has been fun. And my afghan has turned out better than I thought it might. Thank goodness as it’s for the MIL=) I’ll be kind of sad not to be doing this anymore… do you think there’s going to be another CAL in the near future?
Because I crochet blankets, and donate them to hospitals, one of my favorite edgings for a finished blanket is the “lazy stitch”. I completed an entire baby blanket with many soft colors, with just that stitch. Sometimes it’s also called the “slanted stitch” Such a beautiful way to end a blanket.
To Katherine I see you mention a lazy stitch or a slanted stitch could you please tell me what they are .. as I have never heard of them .. or better still if you could show me it stitch and how to make it .. I would certainly appreciate it Thank you very much … Vera from Canada
First would like to say, Wednesday will be sad with the CAL coming to a close…It has all been wonderful. Thanks to Laura and the Bernat team-look forward to the next one!
Love the border, Thank God it isn’t frindge-would have disliked that.
Now a question for Laura from Bernat, Can you only enter the afghan for the contest if you used Bernat yarn? I made 3 (should say making-far from done) and was wondering if they all can be entered, or only ones using Bernat yarn?
You can enter the contest with any yarn, not necessarily Bernat Yarn. But you’re limited to one enter per person and per project.
Here I was going along so good….going to get it all together and finished on time and all. Then I got sick…some kind of virus that just won’t give up. No sleep to speak of for almost a week (coughing horribly) and weaker than a newborn kitten.
All that aside, I want to say thankyou Bernat for a fun CAL and a beautiful blanket (once I get it together). I know I am going to love the border. A pretty border is often the making of a blanket. It has been a pleasure doing this project and learning a couple of things I didn’t know. I’m looking forward to another CAL in the near future.
Hope you are feeling a lot better soon!
I’m also way behind. I injured my right shoulder and haven’t been able to do anything on the blanket for over a week. To top it off I started 3 weeks late. I still have some mitered squares and the flower squares to do. Get well soon and hope to see your blanket finished as well as mine.
I absolutely love this afghan! I have made 3. I have the first ready for the boarder and the second half seamed. This wekend I will be able to finish all of them.
This has been so much fun. I have looked forward to Wednesday morning. This CAL has made me make Wednesday my crochet day. I love it. Just a day to relax and enjoy.
Thank you so much for putting this together. I have loved all the support that I have seen hear. Crocheters are truly beautiful people! Can’t wait for the next one!
I have really enjoyed this as well. I hope we do another very soon. I work as an accountant and during the tax season, crochet is my relaxation. Another afghan would be welcomed for the “second half” of the winter. What do you say Bernat?
We have another Knit and Crochet-Along planned for the new year, but that’s all we’ll say for now. Stay tuned!
That border is awesome!!
I have one more miter to make, and then I have to finish seaming the bottom two miter corners… but I’m almost done with that!
Can’t wait to start on the border.
I am seaming, after blocking which I wasn’t going to do, but it seems to be necessary on some of my squares. I’m using the hair dryer on low to hurry it up! I like instant! I’d like to do another CAL too, but how about not squares – many of us don’t like to seam. So we could just change colors at ends of rows. There are many stitches we haven’t done yet, like front and back posts, and different patterns. I’d love to do an afghan like that!
This will be the first time I’m not done in time for the next clue. I don’t get really thrilled about seaming so I only just started it yesterday – I had been previously occupied by raking leaves … a task I ordinarily avoid but at which I jumped eagerly when confronted with the alternative of seaming.
Wow! You really do hate seaming – I’d choose it any day over raking leaves!
Laura, Me Too!!
and I thought I was the Queen of Procrastinators!
HELP.
I am 4000 miles away from any pecan pie.
Someone have an extra piece on my behalf please, preferably with an inordinately large blob of squirty cream on top.
THANK YOU
thinking of you, we just had that pie for desert last night. I hope you can taste it
I know, I know it is sounds like I want to pull your leg but it is not ment that way, BUT I would certainly invite you for tea, pie and double ration of cream this afternoon if I lived closer.
I would be more than happy to do that for you!!!
I can do you one better! I’ll go out in the yard, pick up the pecans, have hubby do the cracking, make the pie and we will eat it all for you….how’s that? We have pecans all over the yard and even in the mule’s pasture.
Wow, thats dedication to the cause, bless you !
Almost done seaming. I’m also not a big fan of seaming, especially with crochet, but I have to admit that I really like the look of the seaming technique you showed us, Laura. Glad to see from the pictures that everyones seams show a bit on the mitereds. I had been previously obscessing about that, but I guess it adds to the look of them. Really liking the look of my baby blanket so far. I made a few changes, including replacing the striped squares with squares that require posting, which is a technique I enjoy. Will this disqualify me from the contest? If so, I’ll still submit a picture to show everyone. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving to all the US crocheters!
After I finished the first mitered square, I didn’t weave in the ends. I decided to leave long ends for sewing, as I had an idea how they might be put together. Had I been wrong on that, I knew I could always weave in the ends.
It was a bit of work, but all of the colors were sewn with the same color on the corresponding square. They came out great!!
Maybe there is something to be said about waiting to weave in the ends until the end!!
LIke many of you, I’m still seaming too, but looking forward to the edging and completing the project. Tip about edging: don’t do it with a pillow on your lap and watching tv, I sewed the blocks to the couch pillow accidentally! LOL. Oops! Trying to get my blocks done, but only 1/2 way there; plugging away but it’s getting better and better. Still not sure what to do about all these ends. Next week clue?? I did work some of them in but think Laura said something about that being the last clue……..Happy Thanksgiving to all and Happy Crocheting!
Yes that will be next week’s clue – getting rid of pesky ends.
Lois, what have you done to me?? Don’t you realise it’s too hot to be sitting under an afghan seaming and edging!!
Thank you Lois for encouraging me to do this, and a big thank you to Bernat for this CAL .. can’t wait for the next one.
Now I just need to finish in time for Christmas, it’s hubby’s pressie. When I couldn’t decide if I wanted to do it or not he said “I’ll have it” so I made him pick out all the colours. I’m already looking through my stash of wool and making changes/plans for the next one !!
Glad we could do it together Cassie….you in Australia, me in US. AND it is COLD here, so it feels nice on MY lap. LOL……
LOL! That really sounds like something I would do.
A blessed Thanksgiving to everyone!
Rosie, Pecan pie with whipped topping coming up tomorrow afternoon! Just finished picking the feathers out of the turkey and washing it down, singing off the pin feathers and it is all ready for the oven in the morning now.
Thought I’d be able to start putting the border on tomorrow evening after everyone leaves and the kitchen is back to normal. Since hubby is going back up to the cabin to hunt deer with one of our son-in-laws, I figured I had ME TIME and could crochet to my hearts content. But then my youngest daughter (who’s husband is going to the cabin also) informed me this morning while we were weighing the turkey that “Oh, by the way mom, the boys and I are spending the night tomorrow and I’m going Black Friday shopping while you take care of the boys!” GRRRRRRRR, probably won’t get to start until Friday night now (sad tears) since my youngest grandson is 3 years old and you have to watch him like a hawk.
Well, everybody have a happy Thanksgiving in the US and you Canadians enjoy being able to crochet!
Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends on the other side of the border. I’ll be thinking of you Berniece while watching football and crocheting the edge at the same time. lol
I hope you got your border done! The boys are in bed now, but I’m too bushed to crochet!
Spent all morning cooking, all afternoon eating and chatting with family and friends, and all evening cleaning up the kitchen! My stinky daughter left at 10pm to start her Black Friday shopping and said “Don’t know what time I’ll be back – wanted to check out a store that’s starting their sale at midnight and a few other stores that won’t start their sale until 5am.”
Looks like she’ll either come back here and sleep all day while I take care of the grandsons, or she’ll go to her own house and crash while I still have them.
DOUBLE GRRRRRRR.
No matter what, I’m starting the border tomorrow night – she can’t leave them with me another night – OR CAN SHE?
Daughters, who’d have ‘em.
Oh sh1t…… me!
Hope you can clear your house of freeloaders and get on to some ME time. Sounds like you earned a stress-free Christmas at someone else’s house !!
Oh, Rosie Don’t I Wish someone else would do Christmas at their house! Actually it is easier now. When my dad was still alive, I used to haul everything out to my parent’s house (an hour away) and do all the cooking (cleaning house while doing that) while trying to get my bedridden mom ready for all the company. I miss dad, but not all the work. My sister picks up my mom and gets her to my house for the holidays since dad died 6 years ago.
Actually my oldest daughter (who has my only granddaughter who just turned one Nov 3) just informed me that her family won’t be able to come home for Christmas until New Year’s Eve. So on New Year’s afternoon, we’ll celebrate Christmas dinner with all those from Thanksgiving, then have a New Years Party starting at 9pm. OH I’M JUST A GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT!
The freeloaders just left for home an hour ago- but I was beginning to think I was going to have them all for another night. About 8pm my daughter said she was feeling sick and didn’t want to drive home feeling that way. I’d taught my oldest grandson a new song on the piano this afternoon, so he wanted to play it for his mom. Then he wanted me to play some Christmas songs like we had this afternoon and we all started singing along. Everyone was picking favorites to sine and everyone got to feeling good, so an hour later, when we stopped singing – she took the boys home.
I’m too tired again tonight to start the border, just want to clean up the kitchen and go to bed.
I will start the border tomorrow afternoon. I’m going to have to haul some wood up to the house first thing in the morning as hubby was too excited to go back hunting to haul me up enough wood in the tractor front end-loader to get me through until he gets back sometime on Sunday even though I told him Thanksgiving morning I wouldn’t have enough wood. I couldn’t haul it today, the windchill was 20 , and the boys didn’t have the proper clothes to go outside, even though they were willing. I’ll have to haul the wood in a wheelbarrow, or maybe my garden wagon. I could drive our old tractor, but he got the new one with the front end-loader after I lost my vision, so I’ve never learned how to operate it at all. Sure don’t need to run into one of the fences, out building or a pond! I just hope I have enough wood on the wood holder outside the family room to get through the night! It’s supposed to be another cold day tomorrow, so having the afghan on me while doing the border will feel great! I’m going to start with the 2nd afghan that was made with worsted from my stash yarn since it is smaller.
I guess everyone is busy sewing their seams, and that’s why there isn’t as much chatter on the blog this week. So, HAPPY Stitching and border crocheting everyone!
Berniece,
Your house sounds like a cross between little house on the prairie and the simpsons!
Can I come drive your front-end loader and play on the piano? Sounds like fun!
Sure Rosie, you can drive the tractor and work the front-end loader! We just brought up 3 loads of wood for the log rack this morning, so you would get to drive it for fun! My oldest grandson when he was 3 1/2 years old helped my husband fill back in the dirt around the house (he had dug out the entire back side of the house and most of the south side by hand to check the basement for leaks and reseal it before he finished the basement with ceramic tile and paneling, put in another bathroom, etc). That little guy sat in Papa’s lap while Papa drove, but he operated the front-end loader to dump the dirt (very slowly just like Papa told him) back in. It was amazing to watch. Every load he operated the front-end loader to drop it slowly in when Papa told him. By the last 5 loads, he knew when to start moving it up over the hole and dumping it without being told! So I’m sure if he can do it, you can do it!
Sorry though, the last slice of the pecan pie went on Saturday, still have a little pumpkin though!
Piano is always ready for playing, and I also have a large old organ that wants to be played too!
It really used to be like Little House of the Prairie here when we first had the house built (34 years ago). There were only woods and farm fields around us and the nearest neighbor was at least 1/4 mile away. Not so any more, farm field were turned into subdivisions and houses are everywhere (I cried when the first one was built). We can garden, but we were forced to get rid of all our farm animals, I sure miss those fresh eggs! We do have deer and lots of other wild like that use our ponds and woods. It’s nothing to look out my kitchen window and see 7 or more deer feeding on my apples or my garden. From them going down the sides of the pond in their favorite places, it looks like we still have herds of cattle around. We do have fish in the pond, too many for the raccoons and herons to eat all of, so it’s nice to go back and sit by the pond (hubby built me a waterfall that is solar powered to run down into it last year) and if it’s cool, have a little fire in the fire pit.
I can’t wait to get back to this afghan! Had to stop before the seaming (blocks are all done though), because I need to get some Christmas projects completed. I am starting to panic about them – an “I Spy” quilt for 14 month old grand-daughter using 3″ hexagons of many, many cute fabrics and a granny-square afghan for my parents (they can’t have the CAL one because I used yarn that was perfect for my family room so I would have to keep it for me and not give it away)
Thanks Bernat and Laura for this project, love the border, hope to get mine done in time for the contest. Can’t wait to see pics of everyone’s completed.
Happy Thanksgiving from Canada!
I finished seaming last night & will take a pic before I start the border. I really like the border & can hardly wait to get started!! I just have to figure out which color to use since my lightest color yarn is in short supply.
Thank you Bernat & Laura for all the fun of my first CAL. Looking forward to the next one
OK photos up on Ravelry now:
http://www.ravelry.com/people/RuthA0909 I am RuthA0909 and only have one project
Hope that cat isnt trying to wee on it!
Looks great, well done! Love the colours
My 3 year old twin granddaughters who I watch everyday decided to take a nice long nap and so I was able to finish the border. I’m very pleased with the result. I’m quite surprised at how good it turned out seeing I went through periods of hating it and not understanding how it could possibly come together right. I’m glad I hung in there because I plan on putting this on my bed over my comforter, not just for looks but for extra warmth this winter. I live in Minnesota and it is snowing as I write this and it’s getting colder by the sec. BRRRRR!
Great idea! That will look gorgeous. Unfortunately I have a 62 lb yellow lab that sleeps on my bed, so she would likely snag the afghan. Hoping my oldest daughter will love it, as I’m giving it to her for Xmas…..
I’m in Richfield, where are you? And yes, it’s a bit nippy out there!
Lynne B, I live in Lake Elmo.
So close, yet so far!
In Bemidji – expecting another 6 – 10 inches of snow today
I have a friend who lived in Bemidji
for years…I know it is a small town ,,, do you know Kate Mader?
Haven’t started seaming yet, was waiting to see what the border was before I used too much of any yarns. I love the whole project! Can’t wait to see the next one, and hope it’s soon! NASCAR is done, CAL is done, got laid off my job, what to do now! Got a quilt waiting…..
Happy Turkey Day for all, a blessed day for family and friends.
I just want to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I won’t be blogging until Dec. 5th or so – going to be in Fiji. I hate that I am going to be so behind – I haven’t been able to start the border because of packing. I won’t even be able to get the last clue next week.
AND, my daughter called to tell us that her apartment was broken into! We don’t know if her birthday present was there or not – I sent her a hand-made filet crochet rose shawl.
Weird thing – they moved her guitar to get to the PlayStation and left the guitar! It’s a 1947 Martin!!!!!!!!!!! It was worth more then everything else in her apartment combined! And, they left her jewelry! Kids. God is Good. Her cats were still there even though the door was left open.
I should have known the assembly wasn’t the end of the clues. I love this border! Nearly done and I am loving the end result.
This has been a delightful project. I love the colors I chose, natural, taupes, grey and stillness. When I started I didn’t know whom the recipient would be. My cousin lost her home in a wildfire in Santa Barbara and these colors will blend in with the wood tones in the home that’s being rebuilt. I, too, am looking forward to the next “mystery crochet”. It was a nice break from all the prayer shawls I do.
Wishing all a very Happy Thanksgiving. My day was spent doing pumpkin pies, pumpkin-chai cheesecake and apple slices. Friday my 7 year old granddaughter wants to do clam chowder so we’ll have a fun day cooking that. She also wants to start on Christmas cookies, BUT there’s always time to crochet!
I’ve decided that I am only going to block the mitered squares cause I am still not through blocking and sewing. I only have the top 3 rows sewn and starting to get a little disinterested with it so I need to boogie and get it done or it will never be done.
I’m not sure is this was asked yet so if it was sorry. I know there’s a new CAL coming soon, but I’m wondering how soon? Are we talking about January, or more like summer? I’m asking cause I don’t think I’d participate if it was more during the summer hot weather, I would print up each clue but not actually do it then.
I forgot to mention, I love the boarder, its really cute, can’t wait to get to it.
this was an amazing and exciting project, I have never done one before and looked forward to the clue every week. I love the border and it definitely finishes this off to make a very lovely afghan. Thank you for the opportunity.
I love , love , love the border. I am still seaming but should be able to finish it on Saturday after all the Thanksgiving meal is cleaned up and Christmas decorations are put up. I am happy to say mine looks just like the picture , only in different colors. I am blocking row by row and it is working out fantastic. This has been so much fun and I am looking forward to the next CAL.
Happy Thanksgiving to all
Does anyone else have a lot of fern left over? I have 2 skeins left over. I can’t figure out why. My squares are all the right size. I thought for sure the border was going to have a lot of fern in it seeing I had so much left over, but it doesn’t have any. I’m confused. Well it won’t go to waste because I can always use it to make something. Perhaps a fern pillow to go with the afghan.
That’s how much fern I have too. I had been thinking the same thing about the border, it would be fern and natural, since those were the most we ordered. Now I’m worried I won’t have enough natural. I am glad the fern’s not in the border though, there’s already alot of green
Hope everyone’s having a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I had two skeins of fern left over also. I know what you mean about being confused. When I have a lot of yarn left over from a project, I feel like I have left something out. In this case, though, I don’t think I have left enything out and I’m glad someone else is as baffled as I am.
So do I! I just checked the closet I had my extra skeins stashed in, and I have 2 full Fern, 1 full Natural, and 1 full Topaz. That’s in addition to the partial skeins I have in my bag that I have been carrying around with me, of fern, lavendar, forest, and natural. I guess I will have plenty of yarn for the border, and maybe I’ll have to make a Fern scarf or something! LOL
Use your fern instead of your natural. It will still look nice.
I agree about having a lot of contrast E left over too, but I am glad I am finally using some C.
I also have two full ferns and 1 natural. The others have either been partially used (lavender and topaz) and mostly used (forest).
I totally understand 1 skein, as we all crochet differently, and even if I just needed a little bit of it, without it, I would not have been able to complete the afghan as presented. Two full ones is a bit off.
However, pillows to match are in the future!!
I’m just wondering about the contest. I made a few changes to my Afghan. Bernat Handcrafter (as I’m alergic to acrylic), re-arranged the color sequence in the centre square, re-arranged the positioning of the squares (I used hot green for color E and it was just too overpowering when two bright green V stitch squares were side by side), and I’m contemplating making the border with three colors. Will any of these changes disqualify my afghan in the contest? It’s okay if they do because I absolutely enjoyed everything about doing this mystery afghan, I’m happy with how it’s turned out and I know my 86 year old mother is going to love sitting in her recliner under this afghan (she too is alergic to acrylic). Being able to enter your contest would just be gravy.
You can enjoy your gravy because your afghan qualifies.
Hello everybody ! I too like the border and hopefully i will be finished in time to submit my picture. If i don’t finish in time , it is just fine with me. i learned a lot doing this CAL and hope we have another one soon. I really looked forward to Wednesday also getting the new clue. i really enjoyed how everybody helped each other and gave encouragement to those who needed it. i was doing fine until i had some personal things to deal with. My sister decided to go into a nursing home due to her illness. i go and visit her everyday sometimes two times a day. This has been a big adjustment for me and for her. i am going to try and finish my afghan after thanksgiving . I am not a fast crocheter and i like for my projects to look nice even for me so i had to frog some clues and start over. I hope everybody at Bernat, Laura from Bernat , and all bloggers have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Laura thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this CAL. Looking forward to the next one.
God Bless and protect you. You and your sister will be in my prayers.
Yay! Done!! and it is sooo comfortable and cozy. I’ was using it all week even before I put on the border since we were having extremely cold weather – 20′s and -30′s with wind chill ( celcius). I did the border while covered up with it. lol Bye for now, hope to see you next CAL !!
Hi everyone. Happy Thanksgiving. I’m finally done. One afghan completely done. It’s beautiful and BIG! Working on seaming the second one.
Finished the border yesterday and it looks great! Border was maybe a bit fancy for my taste but it certainly goes with the flowers and feminine feel of the afghan. Loved doing the CAL, thinking about going back and doing the KAL on my own because I don’t know if I can wait for the next new one!! This project was especially fun because I did it long distance with my sister Vicki S in New York (I live in Florida). She will definitely get more use out of the afghan!!
Considering how cold it has been in Florida over the last few years at wintertime (my sister and parents live there), you might get more use out if it than you think!! I live in NY like your sister!! I knew a Vicki S once – Shuck . . . . s
Reading this week’s blog has given me hope again that I may finish this project along with everyone else. It is nice to know that there are others for whom life has gotten in the way too.
Was flat out in bed for two weeks and couldn’t do anything but lay there. Couldn’t put my head up to watch tv, use the computer, read, or gasp! even crochet or knit. What good is two weeks in bed if you can’t do anything!??
Working on catching up. Only a few more squares of the last clue to go and then I can start seaming. Blocked most squares and darned most of the end as I went along. Hopefully, this will let me have time to do a border as I won’t need to be working on ends next week.
Will probably add a couple of extra rounds before doing the lacy part as I was using Satin and only have 7 inch squares. This will make it a little larger and uniquely mine. Did 4 extra squares for the KAL last year (1 repeat and 1 pattern twice reversed to opposite side – much debate over reverse side being nicer than “right” side anyway) and was happy with MY afghan.
Have missed working along with everyone the past couple of weeks. Can’t wait to see everyone’s personal masterpieces. It was as much fun looking at pictures last time as it was working on it.
I’m going to do a big sympathy hug over your illness. I totally understand both the inability to do anything and the frustration over not doing the things you love. I am so glad that when I was flat on my back in hospital they had the TV’s on the ceiling because I couldn’t move my head.
I’m glad you are feeling better. Good luck with finishing and putting it together!
Thanks for the Hug from the other side of the world to Canada. Got to love the internet. Thankfully only had to spend 1 night in the hospital this time around. TV on the ceiling. Great idea. Thinking of getting a new TV for our bedroom. Maybe a flat screen on a tilt wall mount!?? Sounds techy enough that hubby would go for it. Hope you are staying healthy as well at the moment. Big Hug back. Jane
My hubby is planning on doing that for our bedroom shortly. It will be great because as it is when he is in bed I can’t see our TV! I spent 10 weeks in hospital last year, 8 of those were the 8 weeks before Christmas. My kids got Mum home as their present we tell them (that worked for a day, and then Christmas was the following so they still expected more – luckily I had an occupational therapist who had me organise a Christmas list and took me out shopping in the final 2 weeks of my “incarceration”, otherwise it would have been a sad morning for 2 little boys. Somehow Dad’s aren’t quite that handy with the shopping! My sister is taking me for a lot of it this year and I am busy making CAL afghans as presents too
I am glad you are feeling better and raring to go on finishing this!! Down time stinks!! You go girl!!
My first one is almost done and I am sooooooooooo happy at the result. I don’t usually do back and forth squares in crochet, but this is coming out DA BOMB!!
Thanks, our hostess Laura, and the entire Bernat team.
This project has definitely been terrific! Over the 40 years, I’ve been crocheting, I have never taken part in a project like this. This has been great! The most challenging part for me was keeping up with the squares from week to week (I know I didn’t have to but for me I needed to stay on track). Although when it came to time put the squares together–I’ve slacked a little due to getting preparations done for Thanksgiving. My plan is to finish the project and submit a picture of the completed afghan. Thanks again for this project. I will be looking for future projects to participate in. Have a great holiday season!
My afghan is finished!! I have to admit that I hate seaming so much that it would never be finished if I had to do it by hand, so I used my trusty sewing machine (whom I am on a first name basis with, being a quilter), crystal serger thread, and the multiple zig-zag stitch. It worked fine!! (Absolutely can’t see the crystal thread!!) I finished the borders up about 5:30 this morning. It has been a great project and I want to thank everyone involved at Bernat for presenting this to us. Also, a Happy Thanksgiving to those of us in the USA. I just took a photo of it for my blog. I have not yet given it the “spritz and dryer” treatment, so it is just a tad ripply, but I am very pleased. Thank you!
I also quilt but have never used a sewing machine to do it. Entirely by hand. As I am getting older, I might just pull that machine out of the closet, dust it off, and see how that works!!
I do my quilts all by hand also; my sewing machine and I are NOT friends!
Happy Thanksgiving to all my U.S. crochet friends!
I’m just about ready to add my border.
I have really enjoyed this project and look forward to the new ones in the new year. Thank you Laura and Bernta.
Oops…Thank you Laura and BERNAT.
LOL
This CAL has really been a neat project! Thanks, Bernat! And thanks to everybody who posted helpful info & comments. I’ve never done a group project over the Web like this. I love the community feel!
I’m almost ready to sew my squares together. I have one last set blocking/drying. I’ve been working on another project too so I’m behind, but I’m ok with it. I’m making a refugee-child sweater, and our weather is cold & snowy so I’m hurrying to get it done.
Happy Thanksgiving! God bless all of you!
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Already looking forward to the next CAL. Here’s a link to my finished afghan on Ravelry:
http://ravel.me/craftingdiane/h8zcq
Your afghan is really pretty. I also checked out your Cathedral Afghan…I Love it!!! Where did you find the pattern??? I just think it is so beautiful, please share
Thanks DonnaD!
I bought that Cathedral Afghan pattern in leaflet form online a few years ago. I’m glad I always scan my patterns because I can’t find the leaflet anymore but I still have the pattern. When I posted the afghan I was going to share the pattern but wasn’t sure if I’m allowed to do that or not seeing it wasn’t a free pattern. If I find out I can do that, I will.
DonnaD,
Checked out Ravelry and it appears I can only share my own patterns or free ones. I’m new there so I don’t know all the rules yet. But I’m sure it’s still available online if you google Cathedral Afghan Pattern. If you know of a way I can share it with you, let me know and I sure will. Hope that helps.
to Craftingdiane
The Cathedral pattern can be purchased from Annie’s Attic. I bought it a long time ago, but haven’t had time to start it yet. It is beautiful, isn’t it?
Dana
Sorry – think I meant for the below to go to DonnaD.
That cathedral afghan is amazing. Could you guess how long it took you to finish it, perhaps against the time for the CAL? And could you rate the difficulty? I have a feeling Annie’s Attic will have a run on this pattern. I checked and it’s still available both in print and as a download. Thanks for the pretty pictures
Marcia Burns,
It took me about a month. I would put the difficulty as medium. Against the time of the CAL? I would have to say, we could have all made it in that time frame. Of course that would mean doing more crocheting than we did in some of the weeks we did with the CAL. The pattern is written in 4 sections. And a lot of area’s of the afghan were made first and then crocheted on the afghan, such as the round parts. I just looked at the pattern again and noticed I had written notes about how I crocheted certain areas in an easier way then the pattern states, ending up with the same result. Anyways, I think it would be a challenging but doable CAL and easily finished in the same time period as long as the people doing it know they have to spend more time during the week working on it. Hope that answered your question.
Looks great!!!
Have to wait to get new glasses to finish mine.
Have really enjoyed this CAL. Thank you to Bernat and Laura. Definitely will participate in future ones.
I’m on my way to finish my afghan, and I found a name for it, I call it “the gathering” because first when I look at it it reminds me of a table setting, for a fun get together, why not aThanksgiving dinner
and second having it done with all new crochet friends around the world the name fits perfectlly. Happy thanksgivig to all and Thank you Bernat and Laura for this fun project.
I LOVE IT!!! What a great name for this project!
Thank you
I had so much fun doing this project and it came out very good so far. I am on the border and next week I will have to get rid of all those ends. I am looking forward to see pictures of all those afghans. Ah! curiosity;)
Still plugging along seaming. Just finished sewing the last 4 mitered squares. Now everything is sewed in groups of 2 or 4, all laid out on my spare bed, so now to start sewing the groups together. Hoping to get it all put together in the next few days and then the border. Can’t wait to see the finished product! Lots of work, but have enjoyed every minute of it. My awesome boyfriend (who made my blocking board) is asking for an afghan of his own for my next project. Maybe the next crochet along project will be for him!
Happy Thanksgiving all!
I’m just about done with my border, ran out of color A about two feet from the end of the last row of the border. Grrrr!
I think I am in the minority here, but I’m not really thrilled with this afghan. It’s just not a style that I would intentionally make. I saw the KAL from last year and LOVED it, and hoped this would be just as nice and that I would learn a new technique or two. But this afghan really seems to just rehash a lot of the negative stereotypes that crochet struggles to escape. Every time I walk into a speciality yarn shop I don’t like to admit that I am a crocheter because the clerk will either be rude and superior or will pity me for my lack of “real” skill. A giant granny square as the center focal point? I mean, come on, really? What about some cable work? Or a few squares in various tunisian stitches? Smaller blocks of tunisian can be worked with a regular crochet hook so no special hooks required. Too many crochet designers are struggling to bring crochet into the 21st century with really great patterns and place it on equal footing with knitting. My mother called this a “grandma blanket.” She is a grandma, and she didn’t mean it nicely!
I started this CAL with the intent of giving it as a gift. I’m almost embarrassed to do so, especially as the recipient used to be a crocheter herself. But no one around here really likes it, so as soon as I get another skein of A, off it goes!
But as I said, I am definitely in the minority here.
I agree with you Sally. The greatest missed teaching opportunity for this afghan were the 16 mitered squares which turned into the 4 corner squares. I unraveled 8 of the mitered squares and redid them with the same color pattern as a granny square. Tha would have been a very good opportunity to teach participants how to achieve the same visual effect with 2 different methods. I also redid the V-stitch squares and crocheted them as rectangles which I crocheted directly onto the neigboring squares. Due to Thanksgiving’s family gathering I have not yet finished the afghan but I will do so before the contest deadline.
I am not sure you are in the minority, Sally. You may well be in the silent majority.
Unfortunately, I have to agree. I’ve been crocheting for years, but never really checked out websites until recently. When I stumbled across this CAL, I was very excited. Imagine my disappointment! This was a much more expensive yarn than I typically use, and I would have preferred to make the investment in something less “dated” looking. I’m really glad I changed the color scheme knowing what we all know now. I’m still open to trying another one, but it HAS TO be better.
Erm.. I’m kinda with you (but dont tell anyone).
It is a little dated. No great design skills. I’m glad I went my own way.
But I loved CALing along with everyone, and there is NO WAY I would have finished an afgan any other way.
Sitting on the fence so much its hurting my tush.
I too am disappointed. The most difficult clue was two bars- I think they might have all been two bars- I mean really- a granny square as two bars! I just don’t think it really shows off anything- I will not do another- I may look at the clues and select certain squares to do but it will be after when I can see the overall scheme and design. Sorry to be so negative but I am in the midst of seaming and sewing in ends-yech. I think the lesson on sewing in ends should have been one of the first.
I have to say that I’m glad mine is a baby blanket with baby colors, and so far is looking very Secret Garden like with the flowers. I don’t think I’d make this for an adult.
Calling this “dated” just made me feel like an old lady
I think the final result is beautiful; but if you don’t think so – donate it – and keep the yarn receipt for your taxes.
That’s funny Rosey! I feel your pain! LOL!
I also definitely had my moments of hating this afghan and can agree with you guys for the most part. I think I was just so happy I was able to complete it, I got caught up in the liking it part. I mean, I do like it, I’m just not thrilled with it. I don’t like how it had flimsy squares amongst the firmer ones. Makes the afghan kind of uneven in warmth and feel. I’m just glad it’s done and do look forward to another. I also knit and have never done a KAL so when they have another one of those I think I’ll try that.
I’m so fond of mine that I’m repainting a room to go with it. Unfortunately my cat is also fond of it, so will choose a room whose door is usually closed!
This was meant to be a project for beginners as well as experience crocheters. It is obvious from your remarks, you are most experienced, applause!! That means you are most dedicated!!
Someone voiced earlier on another square blog , that perhaps next time, there could be an experience – beginner square. Maybe that would better suit your expertise.
I personally would like that, but by no means would I be embarrassed to give this as a gift. Mine came out most lovely.
One final thought here, platform shoes were all the rage in the 70′s – they are back, Bell bottoms were all the rage in the 70′s, they too are back!!
This afghan would have been the rage then too – comeback!!
Hi Sally
If your really don’t like it, and don’t want to give as a gift, Please consider donating it to a worthy organization. I knit and crochet blankets for Project Linus and they would love to have one. Or, there are many other organizations or places you could donate to. They will all give you a receipt if you request it and you can use it as a charitable deduction on your Income Tax. Good luck
While this isn’t my favorite afghan that I’ve ever made, I always consider a project a success if I can say I learned something while doing it, and I definitely learned a few things with this project. I had never done 3-D flowers or mitered squares, but even better were some of the tips and techniques that others shared throughout this project. I love the idea of doing a CAL for more experienced crocheters as I know I would learn lots with that type of project.
Know what you mean. I learned a whole bunch of stuff along the way, and I may even still finish it (that F word again).
Learning is good. I dont feel the need to expand my brain with politics or philosophy, but a new crochet stitch and I’m a happy bunny.
Even if I dont love it in its context here, I’ll find a place where it belongs.
I think we’re in a quiet, if not exactly silent majority too. I’m brand new to this. At first I liked the idea of a “mystery.” But some surprises aren’t pleasant!
I didn’t like the finished look of it and I’m disappointed. It was a LOT of money and time to invest in something so…sad. I feel more experienced, and glad for what I learned, but honestly, even the directions weren’t great for “beginners” and I even ended up looking up a lot of things on sites with better instructional diagrams.
I do feel like the knit-along one was better looking. And knowing what I now know, I do think that the same stitches and techniques could have been taught, while making a more attractive project.
Wasn’t part of the idea of having the crochet-along to attract newbies? The finished project really is SUPER grandmotherly. I’ve seen much more stylish things out there now with similar techniques.
I too was hoping for something I could give for Christmas. I was actually doing two at a time so I could guinea pig on my own and hopefully do better on the second one to give as a gift. But now…well, my friends would admire my work and dedication and of course smile and be grateful, but I don’t know of anyone, even MY grandmother, whose home it would exactly fit in without looking frumpy. I mean, they’d love it because they love me, but it wouldn’t exactly blow anyone’s socks off. Maybe I WILL donate mine.
i agree… I do not think this is a pretty afghan. Don’t know why I am finishing…. I am disappointed that I spent all this time. (I should of known with the stripped square). Sorry folks.
I love the idea to call this afghan “the Gathering” how perfect. I have finished and now have the task of taking the photos. I needed to make a few changes here and there for my personal taste.
The funniest thing happened today though. I was short about half a ball of the natural (my own doing). The store that was closet to me did not have the softee chunky in natural… BUT I found a huge Bonanza ball of chunky Bernat ( the closest match ever). Mind you now I need to put the leftovers into a project 800g ball… used about 50g… ROFLOL toques for gifties… coming right up
lol
I did exactly the same thing.
I’m sure the entry deadline was posted somewhere, but not sure what the date is, does anyone know?
I still have a ways to go before I’m finished with all my catch up, that darn mitered square (finally turned out ok though). I started sewing together some of my blocks and still have a few mitered squares to do. I’m anxious to do the border.
Hope I get finished in time to enter the contest.
January 31, 2011 is the deadline so I’m sure you’ll be done in time!
Thank you.
The deadline is Jan 31 (http://bernat.com/CAL2010intro/) so there’s plenty of time to finish. I just started sewing everything together myself.
Thanks for the info
Congrats on getting that square!! Way to go on not giving up!!
Thanks, I was determined to stick with it, and want to be able to enter after all my efforts.
Afghan done!!! I’m luckly had a week off work for the holiday and was able to spend more time finishing up the afghan. Decided to not put the last round of the border on because I feared it would catch in both human and doggie toes. Can’t wait to see all the posted photos of finished projects.
Someone mentioned that they thought the afghan was a bit old fashioned looking. Yes it may be, but if you don’t like your finished project, there are many other people out there who would love the donated blanket to help them and theirs stay warm.
I’m already feeling a bit of withdrawls from the weekly postings and it’s not even done yet). I can’t wait for the next project, but in the mean time I can finish up holiday projects, start a new one (baby blanket to be done by May) and maybe even finish a major UFO I have out there – another afghan of knitted squares that I now know how to put together thanks to this project. SO thanks Bernat because my goals for doing this project were to learn some new skills (I did) and get inspired to finish other projects (I am).
What a great idea – setting yourself some goals. Glad we could help you achieve them!
I am done…. border and all. So where do we send the photos to??
I am posting on ravelry this afternoon.
All of the contest entry details can be found at http://www.bernat.com/contestrules
Congrats!
posted complete project on ravelry http://ravel.me/blazonr/9yrv5
I have so enjoyed this and am desperately seeking the next one. Could we use neutral softy (bonanza size) LOL LOL
auh…you must have some left over….lol
I finished the border last night, and my few remaining ends have been woven in (After having to weave in the ends from entire afghans in the past, I now always weave as I go….). I can’t wait to send in my pics. This has been so fun being able to read and comment with all of you. I can’t wait for the next CAL and KAL! I am on Ravelry, if anyone wants to add me, “luvmycairns” is my userid. I can’t wait to see all the finished afghans – the ones I have seen are very beautiful, and it’s so fun to see how the different color combinations came out!
What a lovely center square, I just love it, it is very special! and by the way, I will follow your suggestion, next time, I will weave as I go lol!
I just finished my afghan. From the assembly diagram, I wasn’t thrilled with the finale. But now that it’s done, I can’t tell you how excited I am about it. It came out great. I love it. And the border fits it perfectly. I have had so much fun doing this CAL and can’t wait for the next one.
I. too, have been crocheting for years but learned some new ‘tips’ from this CAL … like crocheting into the back of the starting loop so the bottom and top of the square look the same – I love it!! I will use this on other projects … yes, it is possible that there were some plain squares but when you consider that some of the group are new, all challenging blocks would have been daunting to them … the tips and help as each of us shared our experiences was without value … where else can you get such a tutorial? Thanks Bernat … Wednesdays took on a new meaning!
I’m finished!!!! It may not be perfect, but it’s mine and I’m so glad that I stuck with this project to the end. Waiting for the weekly clues was so much fun.
I opted to do a simpler border than the one Bernat posted. Although I love the border pattern, I wanted to pull in the stripes from the stripe squares. I also didn’t do the flower squares since this is going on our bed and Dh isn’t a fan of “frilly” ghans! I did a solid granny instead. For the border I did a row of sc in “A”, a row of SC in “C”, a row of HDC in “D” and a row of HDC in “B”.
To those who mentioned it, I also have 2 skeins of the Fern left over. I’m thinking of making a scarf with it and will think of all the fun I had doing this CAL with all of you each time I wear it.
the link over on ravelry for my finished ghan is http://www.ravelry.com/projects/imanurse55/bernat-2010-mystery-afghan-crochet-along
Wonderful idea and your way of thinking is much appreciated. Your afghan is Beautiful…..
I am so disappointed in this afghan. It is so ugly, that I’m not even going to bother putting it together. My son & one of my daughters also crocheted the afghan & they too are not happy.
I have been crocheting more years than I care to think about & I love the beautiful patterns & yarns that are available now. The possibilities for afghans are endless. I thought the mystery afghan might be a fun thing to do, since my son & daughter were doing it as well. We all used different colors & were looking forward to seeing what the finished projects would look like.
I even started putting mine together, but didn’t like the looks of it. I was trying to decide what to do with it when I saw the finished afghan on this website, I knew then that I would never finish mine. It looks like a hodge podge of squares. & is not pretty at all.
My first thought was to just throw the squares out, but I spent a fair amount of money on the yarn & lots of hours of work, so I’m giving the squares away to Blankets for Canada. Hopefully, someone can do something useful with them.
I’m sorry you’re so disappointed with your afghan – I guess beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. I applaud your generosity in donating the squares to a worthy cause – I’m sure someone will enjoy and appreciate all your hard work.
Oh…don’t give up on it! I wasn’t crazy about the assembly photo either but after I put all the pieces together I was so happy with it. The colors came together with a unity I didn’t expect and the border just brings it all together. I hope you try…good luck.
Maybe someone in your family would like to put it together and keep it.
I’m almost done sewing!!! I can’t wait to be done the sewing, its not fun, but I can see it coming together nicely and I’m looking forward to it being done. I can’t wait to start the border too, I still have a lot of yarn left though so gonna have to find something to do with it, maybe a bunch of toques and scarves.
My hunny is so sweet. I caught him taking pictures of the flower squares with his phone so he could “brag” how talented his wife is. He thinks the flowers are really cool. It’s a good thing, since he’s getting the afghan for Christmas!
I’ve been trying to find a pattern for a hanging plant holder for a little while now with no luck. Can anyone help me? I have this really cute goldfish plant and I want to hang it. Does anyone have a pattern for a holder?
Go to Raverly and put that on there, you might get more response.
I have a link to a website that has one free to print. I do not know if I can post it here beings as this is Bernat blog. If I know I can post it I would be more than happy too.
I found a great one in Macrame…Just google it.
Well did you find what you were looking for?
Just finished my border! I’m so excited to have completed it and I absolutely love it! It is so warm and pretty. Can’t wait for the next one! I loved to see all the different color combos on Ravelry, they are all so different and beautiful. I used the suggested colors but may make another one with new colors too. Take care everyone!
Love, love, love the CAL Want to do another. I am stitching blocks together and cannot wait to do the border. Got a bit behind, but have lots of time. I like doing the different blocks, and am going to donate it to my school to raffle off for the PTA and kids to go to science camp.
GREAT idea!!
What a great idea. I may do the same thing. I just love the way it turned out and I’ve been crocheting for 50 years and definitely did not find it “out-dated”. Everyone who has seen it just loves it.
I am so excited! I was so scared I would end up with four dozen potholders/trivets, but I assembled the squares and have completed the border. I now want to go my storage unit and pull out the Rubbermaid tubs (plural) containing yarn and just started projects and complete those!
I hope there will will be another CAL. I really enjoyed this!!!!
Still seaming…………..UGH! Not enjoying this part at all! Just trying to keep plugging away!
You can do it! I estimate the seaming time for me was between 25 – 30 hours. Is that about how long it took everyone else? Just finished that part last night and will begin the border. This has been so much fun and I enjoyed the mystery of not knowing what it looked like. Thanks to Bernat, Laura and everyone for all the helpful hints. I look forward to the next one…
thanks Verna. I worked on it alot over the weekend and took a break last night and didn’t work on it at all. Back at it tonight. I have 2/3 of it done. I think tonight might be the night! I figure I still have plenty of time before Christmas anyway! I think the finished project is going to be great! And for those who don’t like their afghans, I’m sure there are plenty of elderly people in nursing homes who would love a nice cozy afghan to keep them warm!
Glad to hear you are plugging along. I was so happy with how good the seaming went since it was new to me. I did the suggested colors and really like the results. Now I need to see how the ends will be darned or woven into place. Good Luck Lois!! and everyone else…
I started the project along with everyone else. Somehow I grew disappointed in the project. I hate to say I am glad I did not finish it. My niece would have not been happy with the finished product. I’ll find something else to give her for Christmas
I agree, but we may be a quiet, if not silent majority!
I am a brand-newbie. I liked the idea of the mystery at first. As I kept going along, though…well, some surprises aren’t pleasant!! I am proud of what I’ve learned, but super super disappointed in this project. It’s really frumpy and grandmotherly.
Wasn’t part of this endeaver to hook new “beginners” on crochet? I really liked the Knit-Along one! I started out doing TWO of these. A guinea pig one for myself and a second, more practiced one to give for Xmas.
For “beginners” i feel like the blog overall was really not very good at “teaching.” I ended up looking up most stitches and techniques on other sites that showed/explained things better.
And like I said…the thing looks straight out of 1945. Since I got started on this, I’ve had my doubts, but hey, I’d already invested too much time and money to stop, right? The finished product is just a real disappointment. Looking around now, I feel that the same techniques and stitches (and more!) could have been taught on a much more modern, stylish project that would appeal to a wider audience.
I, too, was going to give one of mine as a Christmas gift and now…I don’t know. My friends and family love me, so they would appreciate it for the work I put into it. But I don’t know of anyone, not even MY grandmother whose home it would exactly fit in. I mean, it’s not the beauty I thought it would be. Maybe I WILL donate mine?
Good for you for finishing it! For a brand-newbie, you will have learned a lot, and having finished two afghans is a big accomplishment, something that many crocheters never do! So congrats!!!
I do agree tho, I think it looks like something out of my grandmothers house circa 1970. But even she has updated since then! Someone suggested making changes, and I did change the placement of some blocks and the colors of others, which did make it better overall, but as it is a “mystery” afghan with clues coming out each week, you don’t know how things are going to look until it’s all put together, you’re going to have all (or at least most) of the blocks done before you decide that you don’t like it. And having spent all that money on yarn in the first place, I’m not going to go spend more to “fix” it when it would take redoing pretty much the entire afghan. And as it is somewhat “patchwork” in design, no, it is not my fault for not liking it! Interweave Crochet has been running a section on blocks, and a lot of them are really nice and would add a lot of visual and textural interest. I just don’t see why we have to keep doing the same old granny squares over and over because we crochet.
Also, I would have preferred something a little more challenging. I was under the impression that the clues were supposed to progress in difficulty as we went along. (A granny square is a granny square, no matter how big and what color it is!) I am at best an intermediate crocheter, but the only difficulty I had with the CAL was the written directions weren’t always 100%. But then I would just look at the diagram and move on.
That said, I did really enjoy waiting for the next clue to come out. Sometimes on Tuesday night I would wait to go to bed just to see if the new clue would be out so I could print it out and have everything waiting for me Wednesday morning! I will do the next CAL, if for no reason besides of the excitement of it all, but I will probably buy a cheaper yarn and then make nicer one if I like the finished product.
I wonder how many people all around the world participated in the CAL.
I’ve been reading the comments today and have come to a conclusion. If you are not happy with the way the afghan came out then change things around a bit and turn it into something you do like. I didn’t exactly like the final look but I did something about it. I took out the miter squares and made them into a different color arrangement granny square. I changed out 2 natural squares, changed the pattern and made them topaz. I love it now! If you are not happy, it is your own fault. Laura, thanks for the CAL. It was fun!
I have been keeping up pretty good. I have really enjoyed this mystery afghan. Even though I might not have picked out this pattern it has been great fun and I am hopefully going to give it for a Christmas present. I am starting to put it together, I have my blocking done. Can’t wait for the finished product. I would definitely do it again.
Don’t know it I will enter it in the contest yet or not. Will have to see.
I have to admit that if I had seen how the pattern would look in the start, I might not have done the CAL. But . . . I’m glad I didn’t see it before hand because I actually like it now that I’m wrapping it up (and not too mention myself). I made it my own and everyone one of those squares has a story and a little bit of me in little tweeks. I’m really happy with the colors I picked out. lol Now I just have to do the border! Thank you Bernat for giving us this opportunity to meet others with the same interests as ourselves and for teaching us new things!
Here I am, the one saying I would never put all these squares together, and I did it! This is my first “pieced” afghan because I have avoided them like the plague. I took my time and made sure all the squares were 8″ and it paid off. It went together beautifully! It looks better than the one in the picture! Mine is in wine, purple and rose tones. It is so feminine. I replaced the mitered squares with the large granny squares, perfect. Now, unfortunately, I have run out of Natural. Michael’s is the only store that carries Bernat and they don’t have any. I ordered it from Bernat and it looks like they lost the order so I ordered it from Herrshner’s. Hopefully I will do the border in a week. Sure have enjoyed this blog. I feel like I finally have a family. I don’t know how to take a picture to send in through the internet. I am looking for someone with a phone that takes pictures and have them email it to me. Any other suggestions?
Congratulations Lue – your colors sound beautiful! I can hardly wait to see the photo. Perhaps one of your friends has a digital camera and can submit a photo for you. Failing that you can use a regular camera and snail mail the photo in. Go to contest details for the address.
Thanks Laura! I feel so proud that I finished my afghan. It looks so pretty, even with all the strings hanging and no border! I just got the confirmation that my yarn is on its way, so I know I will finish in time to take a picture and send it in. In the meantime I am making a neck scarf to keep warm, it’s been really cold in CA this year. Happy Holidays!
I love the border,how pretty!I really enjoyed making the squares…but…I will never ever make mitered squares again..No matter what i did and what adjustments i made,i could not get them right,not even blocking them helped..So what i did instead is just used the colors of the mitered square and made them in the v-stitch pattern and the sc-dc pattern,8 of each..This crochet a long was so much fun to do,and i eagerly await the next one(there will be a next one,won’t there be?)
Yes there will and very soon – so stay tuned for the announcement.
Loved the blanket, now I want to make a biger one. I need three more squares in width to fit my bed, can you tell me how to make adjust
thank you
You could choose some of your favorite squares and make them in various colors and add them on to your afghan. Try drawing a couple of ideas first (maybe photocopy the layout diagram a few times and try drawing squares around it until you find something you like.) Have fun!
The border looks nice on the afghan, This is the first afghan project I have ever finished. I had a lot of fun with this CAL. I am looking forward to another CAL or KAL to do, as I want to make an afghan for the spare room and my Husband wants me to make one for livingroom and I would like to make one for my sister etc etc, so more CAL or KAL please.
I am just putting in my 2 cents worth on the making of these afghans. First; the Mystery that we recieve a clue a week, loved every minute of that part. Second; learned how to do a few things I had not done before. Third; the Post. It was great to read what everyone was saying, some things were cries of help…some were joys of excitement for finishing a square they had not done before and some were giving others help.
I struggled myself in the miter’s but got them done. I also had a tuff time making the gauge on others, but all n all I enjoyed the experience of the Mystery of it and I will have 2 warm blankets when I am done. I hope that will be soon as it was 32 this a.m.
I will also be making more of these with a few changes here and there. I will say Thank You to Bernat/Laura for the chance to be part of a Great Gathering of crocheters. Until we meet again Take Care everyone and enjoy what you have created.
Well, Thanksgiving must have really thrown me under the bus. Not to mention that my neice asked me if I could make some hats for her to put the flowers she makes on them to sell at a craft show she’s participating in today. I’m still working on the first round of the border on my afghan, and I have to work tonight, so that’ll have to wait for tomorrow, I guess. I have to say that as far as the squares go, I’m glad I decided to make a baby afghan. Mine is looking very fanciful with the baby colors and flowers. I could see it draped over the side of a crib, or a rocking chair in a baby’s room. I’m still not sure if I’m going to donate mine to a worthy cause, wait for someone in the family to have another baby girl, or just hang onto it as a sample of my work. I did learn some cool things, and really enjoyed the experience of working on a common project with others. The blog brought a smile to my face often! Hang in there everyone, we’re almost done!
Hi Cheryl K.
Did you make your afghan out of Baby Yarn????. Did you keep the blocks the same size or did you adjust for the lighter weight?
I was just telling my co-workers that i thought this would be cute as baby blanket. With a few adjustments. I would like to know what and how you did it? thanks Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. It took my comment a while to post the other day, and I just got around to checking on it. To answer your question, yes I did end up with smaller squares. Mine are 51/2″. I used Bernat Softee Baby, and my colors are pink, blue, yellow, green, and white. I did some switching of colors occasionally to suit my taste, and I ended up needing 7 skeins of yarn for the entire project: two in yellow and green, and only 1 of the other colors. My afghan is small, but I think it would work as a car seat or stroller blanket quite nicely. I’m still finishing my border ( 1 1/2 rounds to go). Then I left some ends hanging to try the suggested darning in method. When I’m finished, I’ll have my daughter or husband help me take and post a photo of it to the website.
IT’S DONE!!! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA ! Despite the frustration of having to take out seams and redo the lay out. I think it looks pretty awesome! Very Retro in Colors.
I edged my blocks with black, so it’s pretty hard to tell where the stitchs are.
Putting the afghan together was the frustrating part for me.
Had blocks laid in the wrong order, backwards or wrong direction. Took sections apart 3 different times. Almost said the HECK with it, but I get pretty anal about how something should look.
My petals on the flower block kept going towards the back, so I ran yarn through the back row and pulled the opening closed a little. Just enough to keep from distorting the shape of the block. Now the flowers lay on top of the block.
I am doing bans of color for the border, Gold & Orange. Still debating whether to add another ban of color and edge that with black.
Look forward to the next Crochet AFGHAN challenge. Not till after the first of the year. I have other Christmas projects to start and finish.
Thank you Bernat and Laura.
Merry Christmas to everyone and have a safe New Year!!!!
I have all of my squares, ends and blocking completed.
I didn’t work on it at all over the holidays as planned.
The thrill is gone
Like some of the others I don’t like the sewing part but this time around it will be different. This time I want to see what the end will be. I layed all the squares out, kind of like what I see, and hopefully the edging will pull it all together nicely.
Wish I could afford to pay someone to put it together for me, I would start on another one today.
The mitered squares were a pain but I actually like them the best. They were a challenge but to me the end result gives the afghan more character.
My first two attempst will be turned into granny slippers and I’m also planning to make pillows using the mitered squares.
Call me crazy if you must!!
I enjoyed this CAL thanks again Bernat !
Thanks Laua, I enjoyed reading your replies and learning.
To all of you hard working crocheters who aren’t assembling your afghan because you don’t like the picture of the Bernat completed one you can change the placement of your squares and what colors you use to put your squares together. You may be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
It took me a while to figure out what I didn’t like about the picture as it just looked off. I finally figured out what I would do. I flipped the single/double crochet and granny squares with the V-stitch squares (now the large granny is surrounded by the V-stitch and flower squares) and put the Single/Double and Granny squares on the outer edge. Also flipped the Stripey squares on the top so the narrow band of white was next to the mitered square (like it is on the bottom). I have to finish sewing this one together yet, and do the border. I am on the second row of the border for the stash afghan I was also making. I assembled it exactly as the diagram but since it was done in only 3 colors, it looks totally different. It took me forever to do the first row of the border since I have to crochet by touch, not sight, so trying to get the edging on those V-stitch and Shell squares – it took me 2 days to get all the way around! It was easier to sew them together than to do the crocheting!!! I am hoping once I finish this second row of border, that the 3rd and 4th border rows go quick.
WOW!! Way to go…get those babies done. Also way to encourage those who are having a difficult time with putting them together. Merry Christmas to you and Happy New Year…..
Thanks and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours too! I’m plugging away at border row 3 of the stash afghan today. Had my 3 year old grandson until 2pm, so just now getting to start crocheting!
I just finished the border and I love it!
I have really enjoyed this CAL and the final outcome. My husband wants it and my daughter also wants it! Anxiously awaiting another CAL or KAL. Learned so much from this CAL and last year’s KAL. Thank you Laura and Bernat.
My sister finished hers a couple of days ago and I will finish mine today. Doing this with my sister and the bloggers was a lot of fun. I’m sorry so many people are disappointed in the outcome – they probably should have known they were not the “mystery” type to begin with. Bernat never claimed that it would be a pattern everyone would love, did they? This was not a pattern I ever would have picked – but that, and the mystery is what made it fun. I am 64 years old and it was FUN to do something out of the box. Thank you, Bernat and bloggers!
I totally agree….:-)
Me too, and I’m actually loving it! Its nice and heavy and I’m covering up with it while I’m working on the edging. Helps keep me warm in the cold Wisonsin winter!
WOOHOO!!! baby #3 is on its way late July early August!!!
So that means I’ll be making the Corner to Corner Seed St Blanket k for me probably in the green
CONGRADULATIONS!
Thanks, I’m pretty excited
WHOOHOO!!! baby #2 is on the way due mid june. I too am excited and very happy. Congrats Angele That makes the 2 of us looking for a lot of joy in the coming year
Oops I forgot to mention that I am as excited as my daughter in law, So I will be a granny again.
congrats Nicole on the upcoming grand baby.
This is my 3rd baby, I already have 2 girls and now hoping for a boy
I’ve had my squares done for quite a while now. The Thanksgiving holiday got my attention and time, and now that it’s over, I can concentrate on finishing up my afghan. Started seaming today, while watching “White Christmas” with my hubby.
I too would have looked at the directions for this afghan, if it was not a mystery, and not started it as it would have looked too difficult to me — however am glad I participated as I have learned so much, and with small steps it was not hard at all!
I’m still finishing my flower squares. I made 4 large granny squares for the corners rather than the mitered squares, and now plan to make a pillow out of the 6 mitered squares I did make — can’t bear to frog them!
I really enjoyed doing this CAL with all of you! Thanks for all the suggestions and help, and thanks to Bernat for doing this CAL.
Best wishes for very happy holidays to all of you!
HELP!!!!! How do I post a picture of my CAL afghan.
Just email your photo to crochetalong@bernat.com
Hi Bernat Yarns,
Will we and where will we see every-bodies pics, can’t wait to see what every body produced. I just finished mine and will be emailing my pic.
You can view all of the afghans here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bernatyarns/sets/72157625374793781
We’ll keep adding to the list everyday.
I’m finally on the edging of Afghan #1!!! Since I’ve never completed an afghan before, I don’t know if all edging instructions are written like this, but… I really like how it tells how many stitches should be worked in each square around, instead of just saying “work 624 evenly around”… it’s a lot easier to make sure you are working evenly when they’ve already done the math for you!!!
And if you don’t come out exactly the same don’t worry, you can adjust easily enough. I had extra stitches. but it’s looking just fine. It just needs to be fairly even on both sides. I am NOT ripping (frogging) anymore! I am on round 3 of the edging and can see the end in sight!
I finally finished crocheting all my squares! The light at the end of the tunnel…
can I still send my finishing afghan@
Yep! just send it to crochetalong@bernat.com!
ok I have got to the point where I am on row 4 of the edging around my blanket – I have done what i thought it instructed and ended up with a hole at the top of the stitch.
I went on websites to see how to dc2tog and they are going down the row picking up more stitches – are we decreasing??? what am I doing wrong. I love the way the 3 rows look and want to finish it the right way..
The dc2tog is what some call the lazy stitch, cuz it had a fall over look to it. It is not decreasing but adding another dc in the same hole but together as one. Hope that makes sence.
Hello, I was not able to finish the mystery afghan until now. But I am not able to open up the PDF for the border. Can I still download it from somewhere
The fully Mystery afghan pattern (including the border) is available here
Thank you. I think it is lovely. I have been searching through all the blogs looking for it..