63 Squares Crochet Along

[Donna]

That's great Rachel! :cheer Can't wait to see!!

[Piper0110]

Donna,

That might be the problem. My stitches have loosened up since square one, but it's entirely possible. I think the initial problem is that my starting chain is still too tight. It looks loose and open to me, but by the end, I can't pull up two loops. I'll just have to make it ridiculously loose and then work backwards from there.

Thanks for the help!

[Donna]

You're welcome, Piper! For the starting chain, I always use a hook one size larger. It makes it easier because I don't have to concentrate on keeping it loose. Have you tried that?

[Piper0110]

I've tried multiple large hooks, all to no avail. Oh well, I'll just keep trying! I've given up for today though, too frustrated to continue. Maybe later this week.

I get too easily frustrated with things and give up. I really want to get this one right! :irked

[Donna]

Just so I'm sure you know what I meant... If I'm going to use an H hook to crochet the square, I use and I hook to make the starting chain and then move to the H hook for the rest of the square.

[Piper0110]

Right, I tried that. I even whipped out my gigantic hook that I never remember what gauge it is. And then worked with the H hook. That helped. For row one. But by the end, it was still a bit tight, leaving the next stitches tight.

You know, I'm probably doing something completely wrong. Something simple. It'll be figured out eventually! 8)

[Donna]

Ah, I see. :scratchchin I think you just need to keep practicing to get more comfortable with the yarn. You'll get it. :cheer

[Ambersafghans]

Piper, it sounds like you just need to loosen up your stitch. I am amazed at the diffrent stitching I come across. I had to watch my sisters sometimes because they would be too tight or too loose. But my younger brother Andrew is crocheting now and he has a wonderfull stitch! but you can change your stitching with practice. Which means you may need some more yarn to practice on.... :lol
I find that my hands will hurt with thick yarns, but sometimes with the normal Caron that I use:|
I hope it's just that I need to loosen up a bit!
Anyway, sorry to ramble on!
Amber

[MommaChelle]

I dont know if this would help or not, but Piper- how are you holding your yarn? I place mine under pinky, over ring finger, under middle, and over pointer finger...I let the yarn slide through and hold my tension with my pointer finger only. Some hold their yarn over their pinky, under ring and middle, and over pointer, again holding tension with pointer finger. Do you think changing the way you hold your yarn might help?

[Piper0110]

I hold my yarn by placing it over my index finger, then sort of along the underside of my fingers, and I bend my pinky down over the yarn, so it kind of slides through there. I guess that's sort of a strange way to hold it, but it works!

I think I'll perhaps start working up some squares to work on my tension. I'm a pro at the double crochet, whipped up a little bag of scrap yarn for my laptop last night, just to see how my tension was. Beautiful. It's these crazy complex stitches that get me! :)

[Ambersafghans]

MommaChelle,
are you left handed?
Amber

[MommaChelle]

No, Im right handed. I hold my yarn in my left hand, and hook in my right.

[Rachel]

I just had to tell somebody so y'all are it!
I finished the hated square 53! I have had so much trouble with that one. I have started it over twice and taken out about half of it. Not to mention the row or two I have had to take out as I move along and goof up. After tiff helped out with the placement of the puff stitch, I was still messing it up. My husband, who knows nothing about crochet, saw what I was doing wrong and now after taking out all the mistakes I am finished!! :woohoo
Now to finish puting the strips together.
Rachel

[Donna]

Yay, Rachel! That's so great! :woohoo

[MommaChelle]

:cheer Way to go!

[Julie]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I hold my yarn by placing it over my index finger, then sort of along the underside of my fingers, and I bend my pinky down over the yarn, so it kind of slides through there.<hr></blockquote>

Piper, that sounds exactly like the way I hold my yarn. It does work, even though it isn't 'technically' correct. I taught myself, I don't think I even hold my hook properly. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" />

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>It's these crazy complex stitches that get me! <hr></blockquote>

I did a LOT of frogging, and still do. The mid 20's seem to be working up fairly quickly for me, you could skip ahead and come back later to some of those earlier ones.

[Julie]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I finished the hated square 53!<hr></blockquote>

Yea Rachel!! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" /> <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/cheerleader.gif" /> <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" /> <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/cheerleader.gif" />

I can't wait to see!!

[Tiffany]

:cheer Yay!!! :cheer

I can't wait to see it when it's done. :)

[rebeccav]

i posted on my intro that i have this book. i had only made one square from it and then read about the cro-along and worked on it a bit last night. i made 2 more squares and realized that my first must have been done with another hook or something, it is quite a bit smaller than the 2 i just did, so looks like i will be frogging :frog that one. (i'm so excited to be using my new found 'hook slang" :p )
anyway, if it's not too late, count me in. i don't have time to read the 15 *GOSH!* pages ahead, so i'm just jumping in.
i am making mine out of a lilac and darker purple and a baby pink for my dtr out of typical redheart. my first blanket so i am not ready to commit that much money into it:lol
i do not have a blog --- but i've enjoyed looking at all of your's as i have the time :)

[Donna]

Never too late! I'm so glad you're joining us! :clap Don't worry about not reading all the previous posts, please do just jump in! :woohoo Lots of us are using regular ol' Red Heart. Nothing wrong with that! Your colors sound wonderful!

I will add you to the list (http://yarntomato.com/63squares/). :bigsmile For those that don't have a blog I'm using your Crochetville posting name and linking it to Crochetville. :thumbsup

[Julie]

Glad you're joining us Rebecca! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/wave.gif" />

[julianscat]

I'm about to finish square 7. I got really bogged down on square 6 (Trinity)--much frogging until I looked in Kooler's Encyclopedia, she has a much clearer explanation of the stitch than the afghan book.

postscript--I left Kooler open on my bed and after we brought the cats home from the vet one of them contributed a little gift right on the page (Hootie was feeling a little nauseous, apparently :worried . But he's all better and it's only a little spot:)

The gauge bit has been a challenge--I'm so glad to have had other peoples' posts to read to keep me going when the frogs are out. :frog

I want to know who originally managed to make all those squares with the same hook!

And hi to Rebecca, :welcome

Emily

[Julie]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I want to know who originally managed to make all those squares with the same hook!<hr></blockquote>

I think the same thing, Emily! For some reason now I'm making gauge without having to panic about it. That almost makes me more nervous than worrying about if I'm using the right hook or not!

[Ambersafghans]

Okay, lets see if I can figure out how I hold the yarn without having it with me. I let the yarn slide between my pointer finger and, the next one:b and then I hold the project with my Thumb and other two fingers.
Amber

[rebeccav]

i have been working my squares by the row and not numerically.

another thing that i have done: (which might be too late for most of you)
instead of carrying around my completed squares for size reference, i traced one of them in yellow highlighter on the inside of the front cover of the booklet. that way i can still read through it and i also wrote 'H' inside my tracing with the same yellow so that i would know what size hook produced that size square later.
make sense? anyway, thought i would share in case it might help someone else. :rock

[Julie]

That's a great idea! I've been hunting for my tape measure every time I finish one, but that would be much easier. I'm only up to #25, I've got plenty of time to try your idea out. Thanks!!

[shelbyro]

Oh, I love that idea of tracing the square in the cover! Good thinking--<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/thumbsup.gif" />

[rebeccav]

i didn't like doing #13 at all. i kept inserting in the wrong stitch... of course i was also halfway watching lord of the rings with DH (again) in the dark, not sure if that had anything to do with it had to frog it twice, once because it was WAY to big with my H hook, i switched to tighter stiches and a G and got it right. it looks better done fairly tight anyway IMO. oh, and i've decided to gift this to my niece for Christmas instead of for my dtr, i think i will do a floral granny motif for her.
that's about all i have to report on my progress today

off topic:
today is the last day of school for my oldest 2!! i'm so excited to have them home for the summer :woohoo
~rebecca

[Rachel]

I did it!! I dont' mean to brag but I am so excited that I finished this project! :cheer I wanted to include a picture but wasn't sure how to do that. Hope everyone else it progressing happily with this project.
Rachel

[Julie]

Rachel!! Congratulations!! If you have an online photo album you can post the link here. I know we all would like to see it! I know I would! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" /> <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/bounce012.gif" />

[Rachel]

Julie,
I don't have an on-line phote album or blog or anything like that. Is there any other way? Like including it in a message?
Rachel

[Julie]

You have to have the picture someplace online in order for us to be able to see it. If you can upload to a website, you can use one like <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_new">photobucket.com</a>. The account is free, it's really easy to upload to and they give you the codes you need to post the pictures. I host most all of my images there, and in fact, all of the smileys we use here at Crochetville are hosted on an account there. We really like photobucket! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" />

[Donna]

Yay, Rachel! :woohoo Can't wait to see it! As Julie said, photobucket is great for posting pics and is easy to set up. Let us know if you need help with that.

May I post your completed afghan pic on the 63 Squares Crochet Along (http://www.yarntomato.com/63squares/) page? I am going to set up a photo album there to display all the finished ones!

[shelbyro]

Congratulations Rachel!! You go girl!<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/cheerleader.gif" />

[julianscat]

Excellent! I can't wait to see it.
:clap

Emily

[rebeccav]

yippee! :clap how exciting it must be to finish an entire afghan!! i know i certainly am anxious to get there (this is my first one).

i'm soo excited for you. i hope you get the uploading thing figured out, i can't wait to see it!! :thumbsup

[rebeccav]

where are we all? everyone working so hard they're too busy to mess with the computer? ;)
i have my first row done. yippee.
how is everyone else progressing?

[Julie]

I'm mildly stalled on it, but only because I found a few little projects to occupy my mind. Once I finish the scarf for my niece, I need to get it out of the way, then I'll pick back up again where I stopped. Square #26 is halfway done. At least I'm more than a third of the way through, and I'm not tired of it yet! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/rocking.gif" />

[julianscat]

I've gotten to #24 although I skipped a few that were bogging me down can we say fpdc? bpdc?) Doing the different stitches has really improved my skills. Now what it's all going to turn out like in the end, and how puckery it will be, remains to be seen.

Of course I get interrupted for other experiments and WIPs.

Emily :knit

[Julie]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I skipped a few that were bogging me down can we say fpdc? bpdc?)<hr></blockquote>

Yes, we understand entirely! <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif" /> <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" />

[Nashville Crocheter]

I need your advice for colors to use.
I still haven't bought my yarn for this project. I crocheted several squares with left over yarn just to make sure I could do the stiches.

I have been looking at yarn at least once a week trying to decide on colors. I will use the ecru or something close as is called for in the pattern. My furniture is about that color. I am trying to match or get close to the colors in a watercolor painting that hangs over the couch for my other 2 colors. They are pastel purple, pink, blue, teal. I looked at pale plum, orchid and some greens today in Red Heart yarn. I don't want pink all. Anybody have suggestions on 2 pastel colors that would look good together with an off white or ecru?

The yarn doesn't have to be red heart, If you have other suggestions< please let me know>

[Julie]

TLC Expressions has some similar colors to Red Heart, but not all of them. What about two shades of blue, or purple, or green? Or even, scratch the ecru or off-white and do three shades of blue, purple or green. <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/scratchchin.gif" />

[Chie]

Hi Donna! Please put me on the list. :)

I am now waiting for yarns for this afghan to arrive. :woohoo

[Donna]

Hi, Chie! I've added you to the list! :bigsmile I meant to do it earlier, but we just got back Monday afternoon from five days of travel. Can't wait to see your yarn!

[Donna]

where are we all? everyone working so hard they're too busy to mess with the computer? ;) The last square I completed was #7. I got bogged down on #8 (the chevron) and haven't come back to it. I got distracted by those darn sleeves on my blue sweater, a bag, socks, and thread crochet... none of which I've made a ton of progress on either! :lol

[Donna]

What about two shades of blue, or purple, or green? Or even, scratch the ecru or off-white and do three shades of blue, purple or green. I like these suggestions, Julie! :thumbsup

[Donna]

crochetmom (http://p084.ezboard.com/bcrochetville.showUserPublicProfile?gid=crochetmom ) wrote:

I got the book about a year ago to learn how to crochet. I had done a few squares. I had a problem with gauge. I'm anxious to start again to see if my skills have improved this year. I'm going to do a red/white or ecru and blue afghan. Thanks for offering this crochet-along! :bounce Hi, crochetmom! Welcome to the crochet-along, glad to have you here! :thumbsup Feel free to post any questions about gauge or any problems you have and we'll be happy to help!

[Julie]

Yea Chie! Glad you're joining us! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/hug.gif" />

[Nashville Crocheter]

OK, here is another idea I have for the colors of the afghan. I need the group's opinion :grouphug Have any of you ever used cotton yarn for an afghan? I'm wondering about using Lily Sugan'nCream yarn. I like the purple and yellow together. There is also a varagated yellow, purple and white. would that be good for crocheting the squares or maybe just use that to join the squares?

if I decide to use that yarn, I want to buy it today or tomorrow. It is on sale for .88 per ball until tomorrow.:bounce
Barbara

[MommaChelle]

A gal on my other crochet board asked the same thing, about using cotton yarn for an afghan. If you want something lightweight and cooler (as in temperature lol) than if you used WW yarn, then I say go for it :) You can always buy the cotton yarn at the great sale price, try it out, and if it's not working up to what you'd like you could always set it aside for a project later on. Let us know if you use it and how it's working out!

[Donna]

Yes, I think you could use that! I haven't myself, but morici has a great Sugar 'n Cream afghan on her blog. Third photo down on this post (http://morici.typepad.com/bag_n_trash/2004/04/oooh_so_many_co.html).

[crochetmom]

I got my yarn today. I have my book. Which square should I start with? :scratchchin I'm so bad at making decisions today! Jody

[rebeccav]

jody, i'm going by row. it makes me feel like i've gotten more done to be able to lay it down and actually see it start to form. but i think most people are going numerically. plus, the first square is just sc (boring).... which is really what made my decision to start by rows :b

[Donna]

I'm going by number starting at the beginning.

plus, the first square is just sc (boring).... Not to me! I love sc!! :clap

[Julie]

I'm going numerically also. The first few are super easy and it was nice to get that immediate sense of accomplishment. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif" />

[Karen C.]

HEllo all,

Just popping in to let you know that I am still here! I am on the 15th square. I just got out of school for the Summer, so I will definitely catch up! This is so much fun!

Karen

[Nashville Crocheter]

I finally bought my yarn for this project. I decided to buy the cotton yarn. I am using violet, chiffon yellow and teal. Those colors match a painting in the room I am going to be using it in.

I am not crocheting the squares in any order, just look to see which one I want to do next.

Barbara

[rebeccav]

barbara, i bet it will beautiful!! i'm anxious to see yours.
what colors is everyone else using?

mine is a pale violet, dark violet and baby pink (RH supersavers)

is everyone's a personal blankie or are they going to be gifts?
mine will be a Christmas gift for my 5yr old niece.

[leaderladyk]

Ok, I was going to wait, but I am in, I am in, I am in. Let the crocheting begin.

crochetmyway.visualrhetoric.org (http://crochetmyway.visualrhetoric.org)

[crochetmom]

Morning. I finished my first square last night. It was block # 4 (Treble). Mine measures out to be 71/2 inches before the finished edge. Should I redo it tighter? or should I just see if all my squares measure out to be 7 1/2. I decided to do red/off white and blue. Blue is replacing the ecru in the pattern. I'm glad to see that others are just starting also.

[rebeccav]

my squares are coming out at 8 inches, but they are all consistent. i had a friend curse my normal tight stitches a while back, so i am trying to learn to crochet a little looser - guess it's working :lol
i figure, hey, who doesn't mind a little extra blanket to snuggle under? :b

[crochetmom]

I guess I'll try a few more and see if I still get a 7 1/2 square. Hopefully I won't get on 7 inch and one 8 inch! :lol
Jody

[Julie]

A lot of us have had to use different hooks to keep the squares to the right size. My squares are about 8 inches each, and I've had to use G, H, and I hooks to keep it that way. I think so long as you keep your squares to the same size, it doesn't hurt if they are a bit larger (or smaller) than what the pattern calls for.

[leaderladyk]

Ok, I have six hours until my auction ends at ebay. I am the only bidder do far and currently, I am getting the book for $1.99...can you imagine? I hope the seller goes through with it.

Kristina

[Julie]

That's really a great price, Kristina! I got mine at Walmart for $3.58, but I'll take $1.99 any time. Good luck! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/cheerleader.gif" />

[crochetmom]

Square #25 measures to be 5.25 inches. :cry . Will switch to an I hook make much of a difference? Any other suggestions?
Jody

[Julie]

What size hook did you start with, H? I ended up with an I for mine, had it almost done on the H and started over. If an I doesn't work, try the J, as much as I hate to tell you that. Sorry! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/oops.gif" />

[leaderladyk]

I lost the auction...long SHADY story that gave me a bad taste about Ebay, but I don't have the book. Walmart, AC Moore, JoAnne's did not have it there are no there stores around me that I can try. Any suggestions?

K-

[Julie]

I will probably be going to Walmart again sometime this week. $3.58, if you can find it cheaper go for it. If not, let me know and I'll grab it for you and send it. Probably Friday at the latest.

juliecrochets(at)tds.net

[Donna]

Hi, Karen! Thanks for checking in with us! Sound like you are doing great! :thumbsup

Barbara, your cotton yarn sounds wonderful! I know it will be beautiful! :thumbsup

Rebecca, I am using Patons Decor coralberry, light coralberry, and aran. You can see them in my 63 Squares photo album (http://www.yarntomato.com/gallery/my63/). :bigsmile I am keeping mine. I intended the colors to go with our bedroom, although we have yet to paint it, LOL!

LeaderLadyK, welcome to the crochet-along! Glad you've joined us! :woohoo I will add you to the list. Sorry you had a bad experience at eBay. I don't think that's the norm. I've done a lot of buying and a little selling on eBay and it's almost all been very pleasant. Try Witty Wife's Whimisies (http://stores.ebay.com/id=14737065&ssPageName=L2) eBay store. She has so many crochet and craft leaflets all the time at good prices. She is nice and I have bought a lot from her. She has the 63 book right now for $4.50.

Jody, it's okay if your squares come out larger than the pattern says, as long as they are all consistent. But remember that means you will probably use more yarn than the pattern calls for. I agree with Julie on your square #25. If it's coming out that small, you may need to go up to a J hook.

[Nashville Crocheter]

Donna,

I just looked at your crochet along pictures and was glad to see that you included the hook you used for each square. I completed 4 rows of the Trinity square and it was only 5" across and frogged it. :( Moved on to another square. Now I will go back and try the J hook. Maybe it will come out the correct size. :)

[Donna]

Glad my album was helpful, nashville_crocheter! Yes, the trinity square comes out very small. Let us know how it turns out after you tackle it with the J hook. :thumbsup

[rebeccav]

donna,
your squares look great! very pretty colors. my wonderful husband is working on setting me up a site so that i can share all of my things.
who did you go through to get your domain name?
(should i move this over to the blog section?)

[Donna]

Thank you, Rebecca! :fluffy I'm going to hop over to the blog topic to answer your question. :)

[Piper0110]

Just popping in to say hi. I've not been working on my crochetalong for over a week now, what with all my travelling, but I ordered Donna Kohler's book in hopes that it'll offer some advice to help me with my next few squares.

It's so hard to crochet in the summer when all I want to do is play outside!

[Donna]

Hi, Piper! Thanks for checking in! :bigsmile I haven't worked on my squares for a while. I keep getting distracted by other things. But I know I will eventually finish, because I have you guys to keep me on track! :lol

[bramble]

hi folks. i am planning on joining this crochet-along. i'm a newbie looking forward to learning the new stitches!

i don't have the book yet, but am starting to think about what yarn and colors (greens) i will use. i saw on the crochet-along page the yarn requirements in ounces per color, but does the book also give yardage? ounces are not very helpful across different yarns! it seems most haven't finished yet, and thus can't report how good the amount they bought was for the project.

also, has anyone 'wool sensitive' used the paton's decor? i like the range of colors but am afraid of the 25% wool. in any case i won't have to be rubbing my face against it, but just curious!

lisa

[Rachel]

I hope this is my afghan picture. I have been out of town and finally sat down and tried to figure out the photobucket thing.
Rachel

img78.photobucket.com/alb...afghan.jpg (http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v294/RHRue/63_square_afghan.jpg)

[Julie]

It works it works, very good! It's beautiful, you did a fabulous job! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" /> <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/cheerleader.gif" /> <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" />

[rebeccav]

very cute! i like the colors.....
now, i'm just hoping mine turns out that well :frog

[Donna]

Hi, bramble! Glad you're joining us! :clap I will add you to the list (http://yarntomato.com/63squares/).
i saw on the crochet-along page the yarn requirements in ounces per color, but does the book also give yardage? ounces are not very helpful across different yarns! You are right, bramble, thanks for bringing that to my attention! I hadn't realized I'd left that info out. I will add that infor to the crochet-along page tomorrow. Here it is:

Ecru - 33 ounces, 940 grams, 2,265 yards
Rose - 19 ounces, 540 grams, 1,305 yards
Green - 22 ounces, 620grams, 1,510 yards

has anyone 'wool sensitive' used the paton's decor? I'm using Patons Decor, but I'm not wool sensitive. Hopefully someone around here will know. It would be a good idea to post that question in the Yarn Talk (http://p084.ezboard.com/fcrochetvillefrm20) forum because people who aren't in this crochet-along might not see your question here.

[Donna]

Your afghan looks great, Rachel! :clap I'm planning on doing a photo album of the completed afghans in this crochet-along. May I post yours there?

[MommaChelle]

Rachel, your afghan is so pretty!! I love the colors...great job! :cheer

[bythehook]

:cheer Wow, Rachel, that's beautiful. Great job.

[shelbyro]

Wonderful job! It must feel great to have completed this project! It's gorgeous <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/bounce012.gif" />

[rebeccav]

just finished the trinity square (on my ball- i have to add).
i didn't have a problem with it being small. i used my regular h. hmmmmmm:scratchchin who knows. well, i got another WIP completed. so it should add some time for my squares :bounce

[Rachel]

Donna,
I don't mind you posting my afghan at all. Thank you all for the compliments.:fluffy It is wonderful to be done with this project, it gives me hope for some other big ones I'd like to do. Right now doing some hairnets for a dance group.:knit They are real quick to make up. But hoping to get some blankets made for my kids soon.
Thanks again!
Rachel:knit

[bramble]

thanks donna! i think i am going to use paton's decor aran, pale sage green, and sage green. just need to order the leisure arts booklet now! i can't find it anywhere in nyc, if you can believe it. no walmarts here!

[Donna]

You're welcome, bramble! Great color selection; those will be beautiful! I'm using the Patons Decor and LOVE it! :clap I believe the booklet is available in several online stores as well as eBay.

[rebeccav]

ya'll might kick me out:b ...
i decided i didn't like the #8 chevron relief stitch. it just didn't seem to fit the blanket to me. soooo, i am doing my own square. thought i'd use 'diamond stitch' from the beginner's guide crochet stitches (19)...
i'll be happy to post instructions if anyone is interested. there will be a few more that i am going to substitute too ---#11 horizontal relief stitch... maybe that's all :frog

[Donna]

Never kick you out!! :hug I may replace some of the ugly squares myself. I am going to crochet every square if I can, just to say I tried, but if a square is too ugly, I'm replacing it! :thumbsup

[Julie]

No Rebecca, it is your afghan after all, and you can stitch the squares you choose to stitch. I must say, you have incredibly good taste in which squares to avoid! LOL My two least favorites of all!! <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif" />

[antara]

Rachel, your afghan looks great! I recently remembered the Christmas Glitter yarn my mother bought me like six months ago, and decided to start my afghan over in that (roll eyes here). Fortunately, I wasn't very far along in the first one, and I have more squares finished in the Christmas Glitter than I did in my scrap yarn. I'm busy packing, but now that school's out for the summer and I'm not working, I hope I can get a lot done in the next few weeks.

[Deb]

I'd like to play too. Am I too late to join in?

[Julie]

No Deb, you're never to late to play! Donna will be along very shortly to add you to the ranks I'm sure, and in the meantime you can go <a href="http://www.yarntomato.com/63squares/" target="_new">here</a> (if you haven't already) to read all about the CAL. <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/bounce012.gif" /> The more the merrier!!

[Julie]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I wasn't very far along in the first one, and I have more squares finished in the Christmas Glitter than I did in my scrap yarn.<hr></blockquote>

Ooh, that sounds very interesting. I can't wait to see a picture of that! What a great idea! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" />

[Donna]

Hi, Deb! :welcome Never too late! I will add you to the list. :bigsmile :woohoo

[shelbyro]

Ha ha! I was too embarrassed to say, but I am replacing a bunch of these squares--all of the ones I can't figure out, or look weird! I have a binder of free square patterns from the internet, and am randomly making the 7" ones. I'm sorry to say that my 'ghan won't look much like the one in the book!

[leaderladyk]

Thanks to Julie (Yarngirl) I got my book today! I am so excited as I was really feeling down about not being able to start, but then the great Crochet Hero Julie answered my call. I am doing my afghan in different shades of browns....Read Heart Warm Brown, Coffee, and Buff. I am starting tonight. Thanks Julie.

[Julie]

Yay!!! I'm glad it got there so quickly, and I'm eager to see your first squares!! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/woohoo2.gif" /> Those colors you are using sound wonderful.

[Donna]

Hooray, Kristina!! :woohoo I'm so glad! Your colors sound fabulous! I love brown!!! I'm glad to see someone else does too! :clap

[rebeccav]

i'm a brownie too :) i love earthtones and neutral colors :bigsmile

[Tiffany]

Yay!!!! :woohoo So glad you'll be joining us soon! :)

[crochetlady]

Hi All,
Just stumbled along here through a myriad of links ;) . My name is Vims and I am from India. I would love to do this CAL as soon as I get my book back from my mil . Also I am going to do this in thread as its very hot here to work with yarn! I hope this is ok. Will probably be starting this weekend.

hugs
Vims

[Donna]

Hi, Vims! Yes, please do join us! :woohoo I will add you to the list.

[bythehook]

Those colors sound so yummy!

[leaderladyk]

Thanks for responding everyone. The colors are some of my favorites and they look really good together. I was going to post the pics of my completed squares here, but I will instead post the links to my gallery. Below is the picture of the yarn I am using.

http://crochetmyway.visualrhetoric.org/wp-images/DSCF0013.JPG


Square 1 (http://visualrhetoric.org/gallery//displayimage.php?pos=-1)

Square 2 (http://visualrhetoric.org/gallery//displayimage.php?pos=-2)

[Donna]

Great colors, LadyK! Love your gallery! Your squares look great! :clap

[crochetlady]

Your squares look very nice and the colors are so yummy:)

Great job!

Hugs
Vims

[bramble]

folks,
yesterday i got both the booklet and my yarn in the mail! yay. i made the first two squares last night, but after finishing the second one to the proper gauge, i realized that i must have been delirious when i decided that the first one was good! so i'll have to re-do that one.

how does everyone measure? i mean, since these things are stretchy, i don't know how to really get an accurate measurement. i am trying to just be consistent, but thinking maybe there is a standard way that i missed?!

[Donna]

Yay for getting the booklet and yarn AND finishing two squares! :clap

I lay mine flat on a table and measure without stretching. If I've messed with it too much (tugging and such) I let it sit while I go do something else so it can bounce back to normal before I measure. Hope that helps you. :bigsmile I have had to use different size hooks for different squares to get them the right size. I have my hook sizes listed in my 63 squares photo album (http://yarntomato.com/gallery/my63/).

[rebeccav]

i haven't had any problems with my squares being different sizes????
maybe i'm just weird;)

[bramble]

thanks donna. it helps just to know what even one other person is doing! i will try it that way. i have been trying to do it on my lap, b/c i'm deciding whether to make another row or not, and i guess that's not the best procedure. :blush

[Donna]

You're welcome, bramble! Yeah, I understand about wanting to take a quickie measure to see if the darn thing's the right size or not. But I force myself to clear out a little space amongst the junk on my coffe table so I can measure on a flat surface.

Rachel, that's great that you haven't had to change hook sizes! Mine just don't come out the same size without switching hooks.

[bramble]

donna, the other obstacles to leaving my squares anywhere are my two devilishly playful cats! in mere seconds i think that square would again be a pile of yarn if not finished off already. :rolleyes i'll have to keep a close watch. ;)

[Donna]

I understand! :b It's fine to just measure it without waiting as long as you don't stretch or tug it. I only let it sit if I've been messing with it, which is usually when I'm getting closer to the middle or end and I want to be sure I haven't gotten off gauge. I am constantly measuring my squares as I go along due to my Virgo perfectionism. :lol

[leaderladyk]

I did the first two squares without any trouble and then last night I did the third one...BOOM- problem. It measured at 9.5 inches when completed with the H hook...I will have to redo that one with a G or something... Glad to hear that i am not the only one having issues!

Kristina

[Deb]

I've been working like mad on squares since Sunday; completely neglecting my afghan project! Oh well...

I don't have a digital camera.. so I thought I'd try scanning my squares [hey.. they fit in the scanner - why not?]. The only thing is... the color doesn't show so well.

I am using a nice sturdy yarn, made by Red Heart (the TLC Essentials line). So far I have just used the 2883 Country Blue (seen below). I'm also going to use 2880 Steel Blue and 2772 Lt. Country Rose. I think I'll be putting them all together with the darker of the two colors.

Here are my scans. I'm doing them OUT OF ORDER. :rock (that's just how I am.. hahah :lol )

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v298/definitelydeb/63%20Square%20CAL/62basketweave.jpg
#62 - Basket Weave

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v298/definitelydeb/63%20Square%20CAL/58softclusters.jpg
#58 - Soft Clusters

I've got two more squares finished too. #1 - Single Crochet and #11 - Horizontal Relief Stitch

Thanks for letting me share. :)

[Tiffany]

They look great Deb! :) I'm doing the squares out of order myself - kinda fun. :)

[rebeccav]

those look really good deb! i've been debating on which color to do the joining with, too....
and i'm going all kinds of out of order ;)

[Piper0110]

I think I'm going to attempt the Trinity Stitch again tonight. That thing gave me fits for reasons I can't explain. Wish me luck!

[Donna]

Deb, your squares look great! :clap

Piper, I hope the trinity stitch worked out for you this time. If not, let us know if we can help! :fluffy

[rebeccav]

i feel like i've been absent for a while. i had to put my squares aside to finish a baby blanket that is needing to be done soon. i'll pick back up again soon..:blush

[Donna]

Don't feel bad! I let seven weeks lapse between square #7 and square #8! :p

[Julie]

Everyone has done such great work while I've been gone! I hope to pick mine back up this week, I've missed working on it. Deb, those squares look great! I'll never get it done if I don't work on it, and I have so many things waiting to start (and finish) that I hate to keep shoving this one aside. I need a push!!

[julianscat]

I've slowed down, too, took stuff to Utah but ended up buying more yarn there for other projects <g>. I did end up frantically working on squares to make room to pack (figured flat stuff packed easier!). I've started bouncing around, too.

Deb, your squares look so neat and purdy, especially the basketweave.:thumbsup

Emily

[Deb]

I'm plowing along at FULL SPEED still. I'm really enjoying this project. I've discovered a few stitches that I REALLY love and will use in the future projects.

Miss Tomato? <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/veryhappy.gif" /> You haven't added me to the 63 Square list yet. You will... won't you? hee hee.. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" /> Thanks!

[Julie]

Deb, I'm sure she will. Donna is out of town for a wedding until sometime tomorrow, so most likely on Monday I'm certain you will see your name on the list. <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/bounce012.gif" />

Congrats on blasting through 13 squares! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" /> I got sidetracked by socks, I need to get moving again. But then, socks are so much fun!! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/rocking.gif" />

[Deb]

Thanks Julie! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/bounce012.gif" />

I guess I HAD read that she was out of town... silly me! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/ha.gif" />

[Piper0110]

Still fighting the Trinity Stitch. Just don't get why it's not working out. I get through one row, then I can't work the second - it's just too tight. And I'm crochetting as loosely as I can.

So I frogged the whole thing and started square 32 because it looked easy. And it is. Yay!

[Julie]

LOL, good for you! I'll go back and look at the trinity stitch and see what's up. I don't remember that one specifically. All of them have their quirks, one way or another. <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/oops.gif" />

[Donna]

Deb... Miss Tomato, hee hee, I love that! :lol I'd forgotten to add you to the list; thanks for bringing it to my attention! You're on it now. :thumbsup That's great that you're going at full speed! I've let so many things distract me.

Piper, good for you for moving on to another square! You can always come back to the trinity stitch later. I'll have to go back and look at it, too, to see what the problem might be.

[Chie]

Hey all! :wave

I finally got my yarn and finished the first single crochet stitch square too!

http://img47.photobucket.com/albums/v143/chieyo/photos/062804squaresyarn.jpghttp://img47.photobucket.com/albums/v143/chieyo/photos/062804square_1.jpg

Everyone is doing very nice job! :clap I am working on the square #2, and it seems like it is coming out a bit too big using the suggested H hook.

[rebeccav]

ooooh, good colors! my mom would love it!!!!
she's a blue and pinky too<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/fluffy.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/fluffy.gif" />

[Donna]

That looks great, Chie! :cheer Nice colors!

You should feel free to change hook sizes as necessary to get the right size square. :sheep

[Chie]

Thank you Rebecca and Donna! :bigsmile

Yesterday I made 3 more squares and today I am planning on making s'more! I had been wanting to start this afghan so badly for months, now I've finally started and I can't stop. :knit

I am taking pictures of my squares soon. :cloud9

[rebeccav]

go chie:cheer go chie:cheer go go go!!!:cheer
:clap

[Julie]

Great colors Chie! I can't wait to see pictures! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/bounce012.gif" />

[Chie]

:rofl Thanks Rebecca.

I will try to take pictures of my squares tomorrow, Julie. ;)

[rebeccav]

does anyone else feel that this afghan is just totally puttering along? gosh, truthfully, i'm having a hard time making myself work on it because i am dreading the joining of the squares so badly....
somebody, kick me in the booty :wha

[Donna]

Here is your official booty kick, Rebecca, LOL! :kick

Mine's puttering along, too, but I'm not worried about it. I've got tons of other things distracting my attention. I haven't been concerned about the sporadic nature of my square production :lol , but I need to buckle down or I'll still be working on it next year! :p

[Stephanie]

I am new to this board (just posted an intro last night). I noticed this crochetalong. Since I ALREADY have this book and have been considering starting this project later this year, I'm going to join you and start now (like I need another project)! As yarn space is an issue right now, I'm just going to get the ecru and worry about the other colors later.

I'm not certain what yarn I'm going to use. I've been using Red Heart a lot lately, but Sayelle is actually my favorite. I'm going to check the Patons Decor as an option. I don't have a blog and although I have a web site at Yahoo, I haven't been able to get it operational very well yet. :mad So, I'll probably just make another little album at my picturetrails account for this until my web page works.

RACHEL, your afghan is beautiful!! Congratulations on your finish!

Take care all,
Stephanie

[Donna]

I'm glad you joined us, Stephanie! :woohoo I'm adding you to the list. I'm using Patons Decor and love it. :fluffy

[rebeccav]

donna, that one is FUUUNNNNY! i'm lovin all the new little guys. i've just got the ends to weave in on this baby blanket and it's DONE!!! my squares are next:clap

[JulieKay]

Hey everyone,
I got my pattern booklet today so will be getting started probably tonight or tomorrow. I have a baby dress I am finishing for my cousin , then will be ready to start something new . I havent decided yet what colors I will use for this afghan. You all picked a lot of pretty ones . It was interesting to see how you all are tackling the squares -- some are starting at number one, while others are starting in order on the blanket . Maybe others are just picking which square they like most and starting on that one . It sounds like the trinity square is giving some of you fits --- I hope it's not as hard as it sounds !
Wish me luck, and I'll drop back in to let you know what colors I choose and what square I'll do first .
It sounds like we all need to be cheerleaders for each other, since I just read a post where one of you is already dreading the putting-together !
Just take things one step at a time and it'll all work out ,you'll see !
Is anyone doing their afghan all in greens ? That is my favorite color !

[Donna]

:cheer :cheer Yay, Julie! I think we have some greens, but I can't think of one in all greens. The trinity square is not so bad once you figure out the stitch. You'll probably have to use a larger hook than for other squares, though. The chevron square #8 is the killer! I finally wrestled that one down to the ground and I'm so glad I did because now it's bee-ooh-tee-ful!

[antara]

I guess we're supposed to let people know how we're coming with this, so....I have a ton of other projects that kinda take precedence. I just thought I'd let you all know I'm withdrawing from this crochetalong.

[Donna]

I totally understand. Please come back and join us any time you want! :fluffy

[JulieKay]

Is there a place where you all have listed the squares you have done so far and size hook you needed for each , also would you all mind dropping back in to tell me what colors you all are using ?
Would it be possible to put all that on the crochetalong web page you made ? That'd make it easy to keep track of, unless I am missing them someplace else !
Thanks --
JulieK
( I'll call myself this, since there's already a Julie here )

[JulieKay]

Donna,
I just clicked on your web page and saw your chevron square-- boy , is that a nice job! Very pretty .
Are you the one using the rose colors ?
Juliek

[Julie]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>JulieK ( I'll call myself this, since there's already a Julie here )<hr></blockquote>

Glad to have you join us, Julie! There's always room for lots of Julies! <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif" />


<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr> Is there a place where you all have listed the squares you have done so far and size hook you needed for each <hr></blockquote>

Most of us who have blogs have been noting along as we go. Donna has done a great job keeping all her pictures in one place (I keep meaning to do that myself!), click <a href="http://www.yarntomato.com/my63/" target="_new">here</a> and under each of her photos she mentions which hook she has used.

I'm using the colors as they appear in the book. My sweetheart helped me to pick them out, so that's what we got. I'm just pleased when he offers a suggestion, so long as I can live with it! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/bounce012.gif" />

[Stephanie]

Wasn't able to get any Patons locally, so have gone with Red Heart. As I already have a sage and rose going for an afghan I'm making for my Mom, I decided to pick something in colors I haven't made an afghan in yet - purple and blue. My color selections are Periwinkle, Med. Purple and soft white. Periwinkle is a slightly purpled bright blue. I'll be starting this project tomorrow, but I'm really psyched to crochet-a-long with others!
:cheer

Oh, yes, and then this will make 4 afghan projects at the same time (1 is knitted, the rest crocheted). I average finishing 2 a year, so I'm not TOO bogged down! :blush

Stephanie

[rebeccav]

you sound like me...... fully loaded! this is my first afghan. i'm, using RH med purple, lilac and petal pink. i'll come back and edit in a picturehttp://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v254/rebeccav/crochet/63sq.bmphttp://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v254/rebeccav/crochet/63sqs.bmp
well, i was going for color accuracy, but my phone pic quality isn't that great:p

[bramble]

juliekay,
mine's not ALL green - i am using aran for the 'ecru', but the only real colors involved are green. :-) it's paton's decor sage, pale sage, and aran. i love green, too.

i'm in the middle of my trinity stitch square - was working on it on the subway and had to put it down when i got to my stop! it took me a while to get the hang of it, but i think it's going fine now. assuming i'm doing it properly! i found that a certain stitch was always coming out very tight, so i started pulling the relevant loop up further to loosen it. i can explain that more coherently if anyone is having the same problem and wants help.

[bramble]

oh, and btw, if you are going to use paton's decor, it is 20% off at beehivewool.com for JUNE. hope you can still sneak an order in today!

[Stephanie]

Ok.. as of today, I have my very own Blogspot. I just haven't figured out why photo won't show up. Something to fix, I guess. Anyway, to keep this crochet related, my blog includes the directions for my towel toppers (35 and counting).

worldofcrochet.blogspot.com/ (http://worldofcrochet.blogspot.com/)

Yeah, well, sortof a cliche name, but I couldn't think of anything on the fly, so to speak.

[JulieKay]

Julie
Thanks for sending the link to the squares so I can keep track of hook sizes .
That was sure nice of your sweetie to help you pick out the yarn !

[JulieKay]

Stephanie
Your color choices sure sound pretty ! I can't wait to see photos of some of your squares. I'm glad to know I'm not the last one starting this project. At least there are others at the beginning too !

[JulieKay]

Wow, Rebecca !
It looks like you have been hard at work . I love your color choices too. You guys have all picked out some beautiful colors .

[JulieKay]

Bramble-
Do you have your squares posted anywhere with photos yet ? I'd love to see those colors .
Thanks

[bramble]

julieK,
i haven't taken photos of my squares yet, but i have a picture of all of the swatches together <a href="http://www.implossible.com/artichokes/archives/000092.html" target="_new">here</a>

[Chie]

Hi all! :bounce
More people have joined this CAL! Goodie. :bigsmile

I finished more squares and you can see them by clicking the following:

My photo album (http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chiescrochetandknitting/album?.dir=/9e4e&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chiescrochetandknitting/my_photos)

OR by visiting my blog and click on the link on the sidebar:

Chie's Crochet & Knitting (http://chiescrochetandknitting.blogspot.com/)

I too had to use smaller hook for some squares.

[Stephanie]

<< I'm glad to know I'm not the last one starting this project.>>

I totally understand. I love the ongoing projects because everybody is at different stages and levels. You don't feel like you are competing. I had such positives from some cross-stitch SALs; it really is a motivator and does help that others are not finished!

I'm sure to get a bunch done right at the beginning and then slow down again. My problem with projects is "almost done." I'm almost done and never quite get done. :bang SALs (stitch-a-longs) really help with this!!

I hope to post the colors this week, but I don't know the current status of the scanner and/or camera connections (I use my Dad's or sister's computers for online as my Mac is too old and slow to manage the speeds needed anymore).

Off to crochet!
STephanie
My Blog (http://worldofcrochet.blogspot.com/)

[Donna]

JulieK, right now I'm working on putting together a photo album for everyone's completed afghans. It would take a ton of time for me to do an album with everyone's squares, so don't think I'll attempt that, but you've given me an idea. As the other Julie mentioned, some of us have photo albums for our squares. I'm going to try to find an organized way to link to those photo albums from the 63 Squares CAL (http://yarntomato.com/63squares/) page. I'll let you know how that goes.

JulieK, thanks for the compliments on my chevron square! :blush I am so happy with it now that I've finally tackled it! Yep, I'm using rosy colors: Patons Decor coralberry, pale coralberry, and aran. You can see my 63 Squares photo album here (http://yarntomato.com/my63/). Oh, and don't concern yourself one bit that you're just starting on this ghan! I hope more new members will continue to join! :bigsmile

Stephanie, your colors sound great and good job on your new blog! :cheer

Rebecca, your squares are excellent! :clap

bramble, if you wanted to explain more about how you figured out what you were doing wrong with the trinity stitch, I'm sure a lot of folks would be grateful! I know there have been some problems with it being tight. Thanks! :angel

Chie, your squares are excellent! :cheer

[JulieKay]

Who's up to trying the NEXT book in the set after this one ? Do any of you have it, or have any of you made one of these yet ? ( 63 MORE squares --- by leisure arts . The photo is sure pretty -it is all done in winter white, it looks like ! )

www.leisurearts.com/craft...&skill=KC# (http://www.leisurearts.com/crafts_needlework/item_detail.asp?page=2&rec_num=10&startRec=10&skill=KC#)

It'd sure be a nice challenge to tackle in case anyone wants a new idea for another crochetalong !

[JulieKay]

Chie ,
I went to your page and looked at your squares-- what a nice neat job you are doing ! Is the taupe color a more grey or tan , I can't tell by the photo . I thought it was a tan, but it looks grey .
I like the pink square you have done, whatever pattern that is , it is sure pretty !

[JulieKay]

Hi Steph
( Do you mind if I call you that ? It's my daughter-in-laws' name ,and I call her that ! )
I was wondering about the bedspread you have on your page-- that is sure pretty. How long did it take you to make it and are those granny squares or a different pattern of square ?
Thanks

[JulieKay]

Donna,
Thanks, that would be a great help if everyone's pages were all available in one place to compare colors and hook sizes, etc.
I'll be watching for them !

[bramble]

ok, so, here's what worked for me in getting the trinity stitch to be less tight. i noticed that the problem stitch was always the last one that i was trying to pull up a loop through. (if all of your stitches are equally tight, you may have a different problem!) so i figured out which one this was when i was making the stitches, and loosened it up so it would work for the next row.

so, when you YO and draw through the 4 loops on the hook, BEFORE you ch1, yank that loop on the hook up further than normal. really stop and pull it up where it doesn't seem it should be. then make your ch1 and proceed as normal. it may seem kind of huge, but when you get to the next row, you'll find it makes it even with the other stitches. takes a little practice to get the right amount of yank. :-)

hope that helps someone!

[Deb]

JulieKay...
I have that book too. AND I was wondering WHEN someone would bring it up! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/veryhappy.gif" />
I just want to get thru this project first... THEN I might consider another 63 squares! haha
(what? am I crazy???) <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/wow.gif" /> hehe yep!

[rebeccav]

Who's up to trying the NEXT book in the set after this one ?
have you lost your mind? :oops
i'm not so sure i'm going to make it through this one!!!:frog

[Chie]

Thanks Donna and Juliekay! :)

Juliekay, My Taupe yarn is more tan than gray. :blush Picture taking is so difficult! I was frustrated looking at those pictures because I re-took the pictures many times changing lighting etc., but the color still did not come out right. :bang

I have more squares done so I will try to take better pictures. If I get the colors right, I am going to retake other pictures, too. :fluffy

[Donna]

Juliekay, you have compelled me to expose my true intentions. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif" /> I just want you to know, people will whisper. They will shake their heads. http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/ohdear.gif They will say, "That Yarn Tomato!" Poor dear girl. What a shame. Bless her heart.

Why? Because I have the following collection of sampler afghan booklets, and I fully intend to crochet every one of them if I am physically sound enough to do so. (Of course, I won't mention anything about being mentally sound.) <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" />

<ul>
<li>63 More Easy-to-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan</li>
<li>Special Stitches Sampler (Annie's Attic)</li>
<li>A to Z Sampler Afghan</li>
<li>Scripture Afghan (24 Pattern Stitches Inspired by the Bible)</li>
<li>Bucilla Crochet Primer (48 Easy-to-Crochet Stitches)</li>
<li>35 Granny Squares Combine to Make a Granny Sampler Afghan</li>
</ul> <img src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/faint.gif" border="0" alt="" />

[Donna]

bramble, thanks for posting your tips on the trinity stitch square! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/angel.gif" />

[Julie]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Because I have the following collection of sampler afghan booklets, and I fully intend to crochet every one of them if I am physically sound enough to do so. (Of course, I won't mention anything about being mentally sound.)<hr></blockquote>

LOL I vaguely remember your telling me that was your evil plan, but I didn't think you were ready to share with the world. <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/wha.gif" /> <span style="font-size:x-small;">I wonder how many of those I'll end up doing along with Donna...</span>

[Donna]

I don't know that I was ready, but when is a person ever really ready to share such insanity? :rofl

[Julie]

<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/cutewink.gif" /> Let me get back to you on that one! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/nahnahbooboo.gif" />

[Stephanie]

Because I have the following collection of sampler afghan booklets, and I fully intend to crochet every one of them if I am physically sound enough to do so.

Donna, you're missing one. The Red Heart 52 crochet a square a week booklet (I've got that one). :nana

I started my afghan and immediately messed up the first square. Instead of crocheting THROUGH the stitch, I crocheted through the back of the stitch (as I had been doing for the Homespun afghan). So, I'll be redoing this square tonight after I finish square 2 (started). It is so hot, muggy and icky outside--I'm not going anywhere!

Stephanie
Whose personal idea of Independence Day celebration is to do so in a/c bugless comfort.

[Donna]

You're right, Stephanie! I've been meaning to get that one! eBay, here I come! :lol

I've also got Sampler Afghan on the Double and 52 Tunisian Crochet Stitches Combine to Make an Afghan Stitch Sampler, but I haven't learned either of those techniques yet, so who knows when or if I'll get to them. :p :lol

We've got the same lovely weather here! :sweat

[JulieKay]

Oh boy !

I just ordered the 63 MORE squares book .

I also just finished my baby dress . Now I can start on the 63 squares !

Here's a photo of the dress --

f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph...m=b76b.jpg (http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jlabo1/detail?.dir=/93a1&.dnm=b76b.jpg)

[Julie]

After a couple of mentions here on the board, I sat down and made a photo album of my squares so far. You can click on the gallery button in my signature to go to the album. Let me know if any of the links don't work!! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/scratchhead.gif" />

[JulieKay]

Julie,
I just went and checked out your page of square photos -- WOW, what a nice job you are doing !
That number 10 looks wickedly hard .
They are all turning out pretty - and you are doing great to have 25 done .
I just started on number 1 tonight .

[Julie]

Thanks JulieKay! #10 wasn't too hard, but I did doubt the pattern when I started it. I'm swiftly learning the lesson not to doubt the patterns. <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sweat.gif" />

[rebeccav]

juliekay - it won't let me see your page you linked :huh :cry

[Chie]

Julie, You've done such neat job on your squares! :clap

I had hard time getting #8 right. It was chevron relief stitch, and I had to rip it 3 times! :cry It's just that the instruction did not work for me. Today, I finally finished it by staring at the picture of the square.

This is my first afghan, and I am getting a bit worried. None of my squares are exactly 7 in X7 in (close though), when all the squares are done, they may not join well together... :worried

[Julie]

I saw your chevron square, Chie, it looked really good. It was one of the ones that gave most of us trouble, so don't worry.

Mine tend to vary about a 1/2 inch from largest to smallest. I think it will be okay. I change hook size to get it as close as possible, or even add an extra round of sc if necessary to get it right. It's a scary prospect, making sure they all match up! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/wha.gif" />

[rebeccav]

julie, thanks for posting the link to your gallery. you do absolutely beautiful work.... i'm very jealous!!:clap

[Donna]

I had hard time getting #8 right. It was chevron relief stitch, and I had to rip it 3 times! :cry I had to rip my chevron square about a dozen times. That one gave me fits, but I finally got it! Almost everyone is having problems with it. Chie, yours looks excellent. :thumbsup

None of my squares are exactly 7 in X7 in (close though) I'm having to add an extra row of sc (before edging) to some of my squares to get them the right size. Sometimes one more row of the pattern stitch is too much so the sc works well as a substitute. You won't notice it when the afghan is put together. If your whole square is too small (width and height) I wouldn't hesisate to add an extra round of edging, as Julie said. :bigsmile

[JulieKay]

Ok, try it again - maybe it will work now

f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph...m=b76b.jpg (http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jlabo1/detail?.dir=/93a1&.dnm=b76b.jpg)

[rebeccav]

aaawwwwwwwhhh! how cute is that!!! precious. little watermelon dress :fluffy

[Donna]

Hi, JulieK and everyone, I've updated the 63 Squares CAL (http://yarntomato.com/63squares/) page. There is a clickable little camera icon next to the name of each person that has a gallery of their individual squares.

So far I have myself, yarngirl, Chie, LeaderLadyK, Gulfskye, lissylaine, and vhanna26 with photo albums. If you have an album that was not listed, please let me know. Thanks! :bigsmile

[Chie]

Thanks Julie and Donna. I feel better now about my squares. :bigsmile OK, I think I will do the same.... add extra SC rows before edging to adjust the size.

Juliekay, the dress is toooo cute! :clap

[Chie]

Donna -

It is so much easier to see other people's squares now. Thank you so much, Donna! :bounce Everybody is doing such a nice job! :clap

Can you please change my URL to this?

f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph.../my_photos (http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chiescrochetandknitting/album?.dir=/9e4e&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chiescrochetandknitting/my_photos)

The above URL will take you to the pictures of my squares directly. Thanks. :)

[rebeccav]

wow!! everyone's looks so good! i love being able to see all the colors everyone is using. i have to run to my sissy's house and help her get her secret plans together (today is her first wedding anniversary and she is doing some things for her hubby shhh). when i get back, i'll get an album put together of my squares. :D

[Stephanie]

Everybody's stuff is looking so good! I redid the first square, so now I'm smoking on #3. We're going to practice with our new printer/copier/scanner combo unit from Cannon today and hopefully, I will have individual scans. Unfortunately, until they figure it out, I can't update PHOTOS in my picturetrail accounts. I have photos of 2 more afghans that I did for my Mom about 8 years ago (I'm trying to get photos of previously done stuff for my photo album).

I'm using Red Heart and as it was mentioned that it comes out larger, I'm using a G hook instead of H. My squares are coming out to about 7 inches, and since I like a G hook best, that's working out well (so far). I do have the other ones as I'm sure I'll have to switch sizes for different patterns.

Anyway, crocheting away...
Stephanie

[crochetgrl]

I just wanted to let everyone know that when I was in WalMart yesterday (getting yarn for a stadium blanket-:rock ) a certain little book caught my eye...I did buy it, but I don't have the yarn right now to make the blanket (or the money to buy the yarn--i spent enough on the book, the green and white yarn, another little booklet and two new hooks [I didn't have an N or a P, now I do]). My aunt said she had a lot of single skeins that she wouldn't use, and if they go together, I might just do a multi-color one...We will have to see tomorrow...I am just excited to have all those different square patterns:clap

[JulieKay]

Hi Bethy
You have my curiosity going-- what was the little book you bought , could you tell us ?
It sounds like you found a lot of neat stuff. Who are you making the green and white blanket for , and is that your school colors ? Ours are red and black !

[Julie]

Everyone's squares look great! Thanks for updating the CAL page Donna.

JulieKay, that dress is adorable! Too cute for words!!

[crochetgrl]

I bought that booklet "63 easy to crochet pattern stitches" to make that heirloom blanket. And yes, my school colors are green and white (go green! go white! go state!--Michigan State University) Sorry for the confusion!:bounce

[Stephanie]

Well, I'm learning to use the new scanner. :bow My color saturation is a little deep so med. Purple is coming out darkish plum, but we'll get it eventually. My first two squares are up. Please try this link first.

My Picture trail album of squares (http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=4663859&uid=1600103)

If it doesn't work, please tell me and then go to www.picturetrails.com/quiltsRUs. My squares are in the last album.

As it was mentioned that using Red Heart results in larger squares, I've been doing the squares using a G hook so far. Stays pretty close to 7 inches, so I'll continue with that size until patterns force me to change!

Stephanie

[Julie]

It works, Stephanie!! I love that periwinkle color, it's one of my favorites. <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" />

[JulieKay]

Stephanie
I think the colors you are using will be beautiful . Are you using a 3rd color or only the 2 with a white border ?

and Bethy -
That'd make a really pretty afghan if you did the squares in all different colors !

[Donna]

Chie, I fixed it. :bigsmile Thanks for bringing that to my attention. :thumbsup

Stephanie, your 63 Squares album looks great! :clap The link worked for me. I've added it to the 63 Squares page. Good job on the squares! :cheer

Bethy, it is great to have all those square patterns, isn't it?!

[rebeccav]

11 of 63:clap
and i actually finished finished 2 of them.:p
i have 9 that still need the main color sc edging. i'll be doing that as i get done with more of them. i haven't gotten the album up yet, but i did take all the pictures. the only thing is that the flash on my digital camera is so freaking bright that it totally kills the colors of my squares. it's hard to tell which ones are which color. trying to figure out a solution to that...:shrug . okay, off of here and back to work :knit

[Julie]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>the only thing is that the flash on my digital camera is so freaking bright that it totally kills the colors of my squares.<hr></blockquote>

I have that problem too. Usually I turn it off, can you do that? Lately I've been taking pictures of things outside, not in bright sun but just nice days. It seems to keep the colors more true and I have to do less tweaking to get them to look right when I see them on the computer.

[rebeccav]

julie - well, i was about to say that i'd take some more this evening.... but, i'll be at the fireworks show
Happy Independence Day!!!
so, tomorrow:p

hey, do we have a little patriotic smiley???

[Julie]

Here Rebecca, you can play with this one:

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/yarngirl/flag.gif

[rebeccav]

thanks julie! i love that guy. i put him on my blog. might even just add him to my siggy if i can figure it out. :cheer

[Tiffany]

I finished another square last night. <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/woohoo2.gif" /> My official count is 10. I also finished my photo album today. <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/cheerleader.gif" /> Here's the link - <a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~tiffcrochets/63squares1.htm" target="_new">home.earthlink.net/~tiffcrochets/63squares1.htm</a> I forgot to put what yarn I'm using, so I'll update that in a few days.

[Julie]

It looks good Tiff! I like how you put all the squares in the order they'll be in when you're finished. I'll have to change mine around when I'm done,darn it! <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eek.gif" />

[Donna]

Tiff, your album looks great! :cheer I've added it to the list! :clap

[Stephanie]

Julie, the soft white is the 3rd color. It's also a main color. I put the other colors next to various ecrus and it just didn't look right. The other two colors are too 'frosty' looking and just screamed for white. However, white/white doesn't usually show stitches that well. The soft white, which has just a hint of ivory seemed to be a good compromise.

I've finished 4 of my squares and uploaded them. :woohoo
Wish I could get my BLOG to work better, but I guess I'll have to fix it tomorrow.

Happy 4th everyone,
Stephanie (who is missing the fireworks due to head cold)

www.worldofcrochet.blogspot.com
www.picturetrails.com/quiltsrUs (look under Crochet-a-long-last album)

[Julie]

Feel better soon Stephanie!!

[rebeccav]

tiff - your album looks great! i think i might have to do mine in joining order too.... hope you don't mind if i steal your idea8o :wink those colors are really nice, too. :clap

[Tiffany]

I couldn't bring myself to work on my squares in order, so I figured the best way to show them would be in "afghan" order. Steal away! (the square order idea that is :)) <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif" />

[stormync23]

I am joining in, I have no blog although I am tempted to start one. I am using red heart yellow, white and blue. Summery! I am the biggest red heart fan so don't tease me too much!

[lauravee]

How odd. This book was the first crochet pattern that I ever bought and I was finally thinking of starting it, now I have even more incentive to. Count me in, I cannot wait to get started.

Laura

[Julie]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I am the biggest red heart fan so don't tease me too much!<hr></blockquote>

No teasing, I promise. I think most of us are using RH yarn because it is all we can get. I use it 90% of the time and like it just fine. Welcome to the CAL! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/wave.gif" />

Yay Laura! Glad to have you join in too! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/woohoo2.gif" />

[stuzie06]

My sister just bought the 63 square pattern and I have decided to join.
I was thinking about it, and I have so much single skiens around that I will just make it a glorious all color, just buy as I got when I need more,
I am going to pick a color to edge everything so it all ties together. Black seems like a logical choice, especially since I have tons of it!

[rebeccav]

my gracious, there are a lot of us in on this one, isn't there :yay2

let's do a check in on how many squares complete:

i have 11 1/2

[Donna]

Stormy, Laura, and Suzie, welcome to the crochet-along! I'm glad you've joined! :woohoo I've added all of you to the list (http://yarntomato.com/63sqyares/). :clap

Stormy, you are not late! There is no late. :wink There won't be any teasing about Red Heart! :box Lots of us are using Red Heart.

Laura, you will love crocheting with us! We'll cheer you on! :cheer

Suzie, your all-color afghan sounds great! :cheer

[crochetlady]

Hi All,
I still haven't started my 63 squares. Remember i told you all that I wanted to work this in thread? well when I went to get back my book from my mil she said that she couldn't recollect where she kept the book. I taught her to crochet about 4 years back and she says that she has been using that book for some time now. She said that she would look for it and give the book to me in about a weeks time. So I won't be starting till I get the book :(

Hope this is fine.

Hugs
Vims

[stormync23]

I am going to start this today!!! I am going right along with the pattern and not changing anything(yeah right!) I really need to start a blog! Can anyone give me any tips when starting this afghan?

[julianscat]

Stuzie, I love the idea of your afghan in all colors and black.

Stormy, glad you're joining us. Tips? Be prepared to change hooks to get your 7" square.

I've got about 20 squares done, I've paused to play with other stuff, and to improve my skills a little bit. The tension on some of my squares varies and I'm not quite sure they're actually, you know, square. :huh

Emily

[Chie]

Welcome newcomers, I am looking forward to seeing your squares. :wow

I have 3 more squares done, and now I have 11 squares! :woohoo

Emily - In order to make some of squares really "square", I had to add extra rows or one SC row before edging. Well, actually this is the tip Donna gave me before. :fluffy

[rebeccav]

:cheer
chie and emily - you're smokin right along :smokin

:woohoo :woohoo :woohoo

[Donna]

Vims, that's no problem. You can start whenever you want. :thumbsup

Go, stormy! :cheer Echoing Emily and Chie's advice about changing hooks and adding rows. Also, if you cut a 7" square of cardboard, you can check your squares against that, which is easier than using a ruler.

Yay, Chie! :cheer You are moving right along!

[stuzie06]

These are some really good tips for when I actually get started.

right now I am trying to finish a hobo bag, were the pattern came from you will have to ask my sister, (its so nice that she and my smom crochets I get to "barrow" patterns from them)
I have two other afgans in progress... I have all of a sudden became ambitious.
Priority is to get the bag done so I have a nice little thing to carry my crochet places, and then the baby blakent. I want it done before I get back home.:knit

[stormync23]

Crap! Changing needles? I have a G and H and a K, what other sizes should I have?

[rebeccav]

i think several people are using I... but i have used H on all of my 12 squares and have not had a problem with too small or too large yet...??? don't know why.. but you can try to give them a shot with the H first, you just might turn out lucky like me :fluffy

[Donna]

Like Rebecca says, you may be lucky and not need to change hook sizes. How did you do that Rebecca, LOL! :thinking2 :lol

You may need to go up or down a size. You've already got the G to go down a size. To go up a size you'll need an I. To go up two sizes, you'd need a J. I doubt you'd need any sizes other than those.

[stormync23]

Ok, I understand the gauge now! My question is now, how big are the squares suppose to measure BEFORE the final edging and After the final edging. I have discover on the first square I have to use a I hook.

[Donna]

Before edging, they should be 7 inches. After edging they should be 8 inches. Edging is one row of the same color as the square and one row of your joining color. The joining color is ecru according the colors they're using in the pattern, but, of course, yours is whatever you choose.

It's okay if your squares are not exactly this size as long as they are all the same size. But remember, if choose to do your squares a little larger (say 7 1/2 before edging and 8 1/2 after edging), you will most likely use more yarn than called for in the pattern.

But most important of all, enjoy what you're doing! :sheepjump

[stormync23]

Thank you! Even with using the smaller hook, I am still getting about seven and a half inches. So I guess it's destiny!

[Donna]

You're welcome, stormy! :hug I just looked back and saw that you are using RH yarn. So it is to be expected that your squares will be a little bigger because RH tends to be a bit thicker.

[rebeccav]

donna - i dunno :shrug

i think mine are 7 1/5 before any edging also...
no worries, more blankie to snuggle under :bigsmile (hey, good enough justification for me:wink )

[JulieKay]

Donna
Thank you for the idea of cutting out a 7 inch square from cardboard-- boy is that gonna make things easier ! I was trying to measure them out with a ruler .
I'm on square number 3 so far . Will try to get time this weekend to post some photos .
Julie k

[Julie]

I'm using two colors in the RH and one of TLC Expressions. The TLC is even thicker than the RH, and I never noticed it before. Maybe even a touch softer.

The big news for the day is that I got about a half of a row done on #26, before I fell asleep in the hopes of getting rid of a looming migraine. It worked, and it was nice to pick up one of the squares again after so long of working on everything but the CAL. Let's hope I keep it up!! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" />

[Donna]

:cheer Go, Julie! :cheer

[stormync23]

I have got two squares finished! Yeah!!:clap :clap :clap

I am not putting the white(ecru) edging on until I am all finished with the squares.

[Donna]

Yay, stormy! :cheer

[stormync23]

A question about sc and dc Are you suppose to work thpose in the back loop or front loop only? My blocks look a little diff. than others.

[Donna]

Work in both loops unless otherwise specified.

[stormync23]

Oh, so that's why my blocks are a little off.

[rebeccav]

oh no!:wha are you going to start again or leave them?

[stormync23]

I am going to leave the three I did, but will start the next ones the right way, now that I know what I am doing wrong!

[stormync23]

I am on block 4 treble stitch, this is the first time I have tried this stitch! I love it!!! It's so cool, I am doing this right! This is only my third blankie ever!

[rebeccav]

:cheer yay stormy! i'm so glad you are enjoying this afghan!!! :sheepjump

[lauravee]

Alright I am starting my 63 squares tonight. I am going to work them in yellow, blue and white RH, which I had lying around from a project that never got started. I will keep you posted on my progress. I really liked that cardboard square idea, I am definately utilizing that one.

Laura
<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/woohoo2.gif" />

[rebeccav]

go laura go:cheer :clap