63 Squares Crochet Along

[Donna]

Welcome to the 63 Squares Crochet-Along!

We are crocheting the afghan from the booklet 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan (Leisure Arts #555 (http://www.leisurearts.com/crafts_needlework/item_detail.asp?item_num=555)). It is widely available in Walmart, craft stores, online stores, and on eBay.

To join, you must fill out the Join Form (http://www.yarntomato.com/63squares/join.html). If any of your information ever changes, please fill out the Update Form (http://www.yarntomato.com/63squares/update.html). This is an ongoing crochet-along; I intend to keep it open as long as there is interest.

When you finish your afghan, please send me a photo for the gallery (http://yarntomato.com/gallery/63squares/) if you are able.

The button. If you would like a button for your blog or web site, please use this one. If you use it, link it to this page:

http://yarntomato.com/63squares/

http://yarntomato.com/63squares/63squares.gif (http://yarntomato.com/63squares/)

---------------------------
Original Message:

Hi, everybody!

When I posted in my blog about doing the 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan (http://www.leisurearts.com/crafts_needlework/item_detail.asp?rec_num=9&skill=KC), some of you guys said you might want to do it, too. So. . . I am now hoping to get a crochet along going. I've made an info page for it at yarntomato.com/63squares (http://yarntomato.com/63squares).

I will tempt you with a pretty button:
http://www.yarntomato.com/63squares/63squares.gif

[Julie]

I want to I want to! I just can't find my darn book! I'll look around more. Wah!!! <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/mad.gif" />

And it is a pretty button, too! <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif" />

Julie
<a href="http://yarngirl.blogspot.com" target="_new">yarngirl.blogspot.com</a>

[Jen]

You are EVIL!!!!! tempting me with buttons!
Must attempt this project....
already far too busy and have one throw in progress already!

I suppose I could make it one square at a time on the tram. But someone has offered to give me a lift t work, Oh WHAT to do!!!

[vhanna26]

Sign me up!

--Vera

[Donna]

I want to I want to! I just can't find my darn book! I lose things all the time! Drives me nuts! >:

You are EVIL!!!!! tempting me with buttons! Bwa ha ha! Resistance is futile! :) Seriously, though, you don't have to start right now. I am a super-slow crocheter, so I expect to be working on this a while. I spend a lot of time frogging ('cause I'm a Virgo).

Sign me up! --Vera Great! :D

[Donna]

Vera mentioned to me that this would be a good stash-buster project. Great idea, Vera! :)

[Julie]

My task for the day - find the book!! <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />

If you can't find the book - buy the book!! <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif" />

Wish me luck!

[Julie]

I bought the book. Less than $4 at Wal-mart. They have a couple listed on eBay for about the same prices, but they may go up. My sweetie saw the cover and said, "Oh, that looks familiar!" I know, I know, it's around here somewhere. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />

[antara]

I've never participated in a crochetalong, but it sounds like fun. Count me in.

[Donna]

Great, antarachik! Welcome to the crochet along! :)

[Donna]

Hi, everybody! I've listed everyone who's crocheting along on the 63 Squares page (http://www.yarntomato.com/63squares/) as well as on my blog (http://yarntomato.com).

So far, I've got:
me
Julie
Vera
Vicki
antarachik

Please let me know if I've missed anyone!

antarachik, let me know if you have a blog or web site so I can link to it. :)

Tiff, I saw on Julie's blog that you were going to get the book. Let me know if you want to be on the list now. :)

[antara]

Hi, yarntomato. I don't have a website or a blog, but thanks for thinking of me.

[Tiffany]

ok, I'm in :)

[Julie]

Yippeee!

[Tiffany]

I searched ebay today for a copy of the 63 squares book since I need to wait about a week to finish up some projects and was about to outbid someone for it, when I noticed that it was morici (sp?) from here, so I placed a bid on a different copy. :)

I'm thinking greens for my version for my mom-in-law... wool ease probably, I love the feel of it.

[morici]

aww thanks tiff -- yes that is me .... if you had wanted to outbid me that's perfectly alright. ebay is ebay. and may the best woman win! ;)

[Donna]

I don't have a website or a blog, but thanks for thinking of me. You're welcome, antarachik! Very glad to have you in the crochet along, website or no! :)

[Donna]

Goodie, Tiff, glad you're in! :)

Tiff and everybody -- don't forget to search eBay stores (http://pages.ebay.com/search/items/search_stores.html) -- I've gotten a lot of crochet leaflets there and it's nice to be able to just buy it and not have to bid. :rollin You have to search stores separately because those results aren't included in the regluar auction search.

Oh, and also -- Julie got hers at Walmart, Vera got hers at Michaels, and I got mine at Hancock Fabrics.

wool ease probably, I love the feel of it. I love Wool-Ease, too!

[Julie]

There were tons of colors of Wool Ease I never knew existed until we went Joann's. I'm sorry, I'm rambling here. My Michaels carries maybe seven colors. I didn't know how many more there are! I love Wool Ease too, I made some lovely scarves out of it.

[morici]

check it out -- www.lionbrand.com

what i find fascinating is how different chains are.

yesterday -- during my travels -- i went to joanns, ac moore, and walmart. the closest michaels wasn't on my route -- so i'll have to investigate some other time.

walmart had nothing -- other than redheart. now i don't have anything against redheart but i've kind of outgrown it let's say. joanns -- it had some stuff -- but in limited colors -- on the other hand it had gigantic skeins of bernat cotton. which is good to know. ac moore on the other hand, won the yarn competition for the day. they've really worked hard to up the quality and the quantity of their yarns. the last time i went to michaels, they didn't even have yarn. bast*rds.

ooh the piggie -- thanks pam!!! :pig :pig :pig

[Donna]

You can see all the colors of Wool-Ease at www.lionbrand.com (http://www.lionbrand.com/). Just pictures, I know, different than seeing the colors in person, but at least you get to see the variety. :)

*giggles* morici and I posted the same thing at the same time :rollin

[Julie]

I've been getting the Lion Brand catalog for ages. I've "seen" the colors, but like you say, it's completely different seeing them in person. I like seeing them in person. It also helps when you have your sweetheart saying "buy it buy it buy it buy it." <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif" /> You begin to notice all kinds of things when that happens!

[Tiffany]

We have two kids of Joann stores here, the regular one and then the Superstore. And oh boy, it's a superstore, just as big square-footage wise as a Best Buy or other store of that type. That's where I found the motherload of yarn that they don't carry at their regular stores. Heaven, I tell you. :)

Has anyone seen the Magic Tweed poncho on the back of the Lion Brand (http://www.lionbrand.com) catalog? I bought the pattern and got it in the mail yesterday. Since the weather here is heating up fast, I might wait until the fall to make it.

Morici - While you were bidding, did you see the copy of "63 Squares" that someone's listed as "vintage" and has a starting bid of $4.99?? I was tempted to email the seller to let her know they're selling at Walmart for $3.58..

[Ambersafghans]

Tiffany,
are you around the chat room?
I have a crochet question.

[morici]

ahh i love it when ebay sellers get greedy. ha! i went to Michaels this afternoon, and they had the booklet but for 5.75. nothing at walmart when i went yesterday. so even in stores prices are all over the place.

[Donna]

aww thanks tiff -- yes that is me Shall I count you in then, morici? :)

[morici]

you can count me in -- but i don't guarantee that i'll finish anytime soon :rolleyes

[Donna]

That's okay. I'm being quite the snail myself. :b

[3parrots]

I borrowed the book from a friend. I want to follow along on your journey...and I plan to attempt a square or two. :)

Margaret

[Donna]

Sounds great, Margaret! :Y

[lissylaine]

I haven't introduced myself formally, but I wanted to post that I'm joining you! I don't expect this pace to continue, but I have finished the first 2 squares in 2 days. I'm using 5 colors instead of 3, and hopefully you can see them on the web page I made for this project 63 Squares Afghan (http://www.doodle-head.com/crochet/63_squares.html).

I'm so glad I found this crochet along!

[Donna]

Hey, Melissa! Thanks for joining and posting. :-) I believe, if I am not incorrect, that you have the first finished squares of the group! :clap

[morici]

i still haven't received my booklet.

i don't know what colors i'm going to use. i'm thinking of doing it in white so that the stitches can be put on display.

[Donna]

I know what you mean. With white/off-white the stitches show so well.

[lissylaine]

I agree! That was my conundrum when going to look for yarn - all of the ombres and fancy yarns looked so pretty. But I knew that the patterns would be so totally lost with those yarns.

This is a lot of fun already. :) I finished up #3 last night. Of course, these are the easy squares so far. ;)

I hope you get your book soon, morici!

Melissa

[annette414]

Hi all!

Thanks to Melissa's blog entry I've found you working on this wonderful project! I started mine last year and have about a dozen squares completed in a purple/blue/variegated combination.

I'd like to add the button to my blog (annettesacre.blogspot.com (http://annettesacre.blogspot.com)) and to my website (Annette's Acre (http://www.annettesacre.com)) if that's ok :)

I started when 2 of my co-workers lured me into the fray with their versions (we're all about that far along...:lol )

[Donna]

Hi, Annette! I'm so glad to have you join us!! :clap

Yes, please do add the button to your blog. I will add you to the list of crochet-along-ers. Love your blog format, simple and so very pretty.

[Ambersafghans]

Hey! we used to live in Mesa Arizona!
Do you live anywhere near Gilbert?
Amber

[annette414]

Hi Amber - We live at Brown/Greenfield, kind of north-central Mesa. Previously we were at Southern/Gilbert, just north of the freeway from Gilbert proper :)

I pulled out my afghan last night and found I've been *much* more productive than I thought :lol I started square #20! Most don't have the second edging on most of them, I'll go back and add it later.

Here's a sample of the squares (picture is on the green side...)

http://www.annettesacre.com/pics/inprocess/afghan.jpg

[Julie]

Ohh! Looks like my good friend Ocean there, I love that color!

[Donna]

Lovely squares, Annette! :Y

[3parrots]

beautiful work!!! :)

Margaret

[vhanna26]

I've just finished the first nine squares, and it's been fun..

You can check them out here although I did make the photos too small. I'll need to fix that later.

vhanna26.typepad.com/phot...es_afghan/ (http://vhanna26.typepad.com/photos/63_squares_afghan/)


Cordially,

Vera
Vera's Crafty Blog (http://vhanna26.typepad.com/verascraftyblog/)

[Julie]

Very, very pretty! Good for you, they're gorgeous. I love your colors.

[3parrots]

beautiful work and lovely colors!!!

Margaret

[MommaChelle]

Oooh, I love the colors you're using! If I didnt have so much on my plate already, I would have joined you all in the 63 squares crochetalong...but I have 2 afghans in progress right now as it is :P And a square swap Im involved in.

It looks like it's going to turn out to be quite a lovely ghan!!


Chelle

[Donna]

Great work, Vera! Lovely! :clap

[Donna]

My first three squares. Haven't blocked them. The little tie at the bottom of each is my marker for right side. I'm using Patons Decor coralberry, pale coralberry, and aran.

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/dbelle/crochet/63squares/63squares_01_sc.jpg http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/dbelle/crochet/63squares/63squares_02_hdc.jpg http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/dbelle/crochet/63squares/63squares_03_dc.jpg

[Julie]

Very pretty! And it makes me wonder why I'm in here rather than stitching. I have to finish the baby afghan before I can start!!! Grrrrrr...

Very pretty Donna. I do love those colors!

[Donna]

Thank you! :)

[MommaChelle]

Beautiful color combinations! I cant wait to see all of your finished ghans when youre done!!

[Tiffany]

I love everyone's color choices for this project. :jump I can't wait to start mine. :)

[3parrots]

Donna,

Pretty, pretty squares! :) I like the idea of using a little yarn to mark the right side of your piece.

Margaret

[Donna]

Thank you! Those little markers will make the task of assembling so much easier. I'm also going to mark each square with it's number.

[vhanna26]

Thanks for the nice comments on my first nine squares;) .

Donna, your afghan has some pretty colors. Actually, I like the Paton's Decor better than the Red Heart I'm using, but for me, this is a STAsh Reduction project--so far at least.

I'm able to tell if a piece is on the wrong side or right side by looking at the first row, but I think, I'm going to number the squares with a peice of tape.

I'll work on more squares this week. This is fun, and I've certainly seen some patterns I'd like to use in future projects.

--Vera

[lissylaine]

Beautiful squares and color choices! I'm getting to the point where I really should label mine also. I finished 4, 5, and 6 over the weekend. This is really a lot of fun. I can have a mini-Happy Dance with every one I finish!!:rollin

Melissa

[3parrots]

I can't wait to see these beatiful squares come together. You must be excited too. :D

Margaret

[gulfskye]

Hi!

While reading some blogs I across the link to the Yarn Tomato site and now I'm obsessing over the 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches afghan. I picked up the leaflet at Walmart last night. I found it at my Walmart for $4.58.

I hope you all don't mind if I join your crochet along. I'm hoping to decide on colors by the weekend and pick up my yarn then. I'm leaning toward blues.

Do you mind if I add your link to my blog? My blog can be found at: www.gulfskye.blogspot.com

Melissa
N.W. Florida

[shelbyro]

Well, I just fell into this crochetalong too. As if the pillowghan one wasn't enough (plus all my other stuff)!:b

I went into Walmart for vitamins last night, and came out with vitamins (thankfully), 3 skeins of simply soft raspberry yarn, the 63 squares book, and other misc. stuff. The craft section just sucked me in. I couldn't help it.:hat

I rationalized that I can also use these patterns for making patterned dishcloths, which I can use in the exchanges, as well as making the actual afghan.

:^i^

[3parrots]

I know what you mean!!! The body drifts toward the yarn section, or the feet swiftly race to the yarn isle. Why is that :b ?

Margaret

[Donna]

Hi, Melissa! Yes, yes, please do join us and add the link to your blog! :jump I will add you to the list. Welcome to Crochetville and the 63 Squares Crochet Along!! Blues sound lovely!

[Donna]

Hey, Michelle! Bwa ha ha! :hat Glad yo got sucked in to our crochet along! I'll add you to the list, too! :D

[Julie]

Must crochet... must get started on 63 Squares... agh!

I don't know what was worse. Not being able to find the book and knowing I had it, or not letting myself start the squares until I finish the baby afghan.

Pardon me while I go and pout now. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif" />

[morici]

i received my book through ebay just the other day and i have done 3 squares, working on my 4th. i'm just doing them all in white. i have a lot of extra white yarn hanging around. i'm not even sure i'll piece it together, but figured it would be good practice. besides i'm one of those people who actually likes to swatch.

on the other hand...am i the only person doing this project who thinks the treble square is a b*tch and a half? i've had to redo it twice. and i may have to do it again with a smaller hook because it's too big. and it's ugly. i'm tempted to go looking for another stitch to replace it with.

:mad

[Julie]

I've done them several times before and I never have cared for them so much. The trebles look messy to me and I like my stuff to lay flat. It drives me nuts. What about doing alternating rows of dc and hdcs? I haven't looked at the pattern yet to see if that would work.

[morici]

ooh that's an idea

i'm currently working on a striped throw that has an alternating sc 1ch pattern going. which is actually quite pretty. i'll have to see if this is one of the patterns for the other squares.

i've been distracted by the recent vogue knitting *gasp* mag....so i may be jumping ship for awhile

:nono

[Donna]

Great on the squares, morici! :)

Yes, yes, yes, I despise the treble crochet!! It has got to be the ugliest stitch ever. I went down a hook size on that one. I went ahead and completed the square, but when I actually assemble the afghan, if I think it's too ugly, I may make another one to replace it. Maybe just a repeat of another square or some other stitch pattern that tickles my fancy.

[Donna]

No gasping, lol! :lol I'll let you in on a secret. *sshhhh* I taught myself to knit a few days ago. :hat

[morici]

oooh

welcome to the dark side ....:evil

i actually enjoy both crafts for very different reasons. knitting an afghan is tedious at best, but i do prefer knitted sweaters to crocheted.

so there you go. :evil :hat

[Ambersafghans]

Donna,
is there anyway that we could see a picture of that afghan?
And Knitting!:nono Well, my sister knits,:rolleyes and, my Aunt.:\
Oh well. I prefer crochet!:woohoo

[Donna]

Amber, there is a pic here (http://www.maggiescrochet.com/LeafletPages/Leisure_Arts/LA_555_63_crochet_stitches_main.htm). (Just for the record, I have no affiliation with Maggie's Crochet, she's just got the best photo I've found of the booklet.)

I know, I know, I have been a bad girl. :nono I know I'm new to knitting and all, but I must say it takes up an excruciatingly enormous amount of time. If I tried to knit an afghan, I think I might be 90 by the time I finished. :lol

[Donna]

Oh, and if you happen to go to Walmart, you can probably see it there. Most Walmarts seem to have the booklet.

[morici]

knitting can be very slow in the beginning

you definitely get faster as you get better. i can make a sweater in about a week.

[bmoorehooked]

Hi - I'd like to join the crochet along. I'm thinking of doing the 63 squares with red, white and blue. I already know that I will have to use a larger hook because I crochet too tight. Thanks for having me along!

Barbie :wave

P.S. I don't have a blog yet either

[Donna]

Hi, Barbie, glad you're joining us! :jump You don't have to have a blog to crochet along with us. :) Is your mom still going to crochet along, too?

[merryymari]

Hi,

I would like to join crochet along I am Barbie's Mom. I have almost got 2 squares done I chose shades of blue with Aran.
:clap
marilyn

[Donna]

Hi, Marilyn! Welcome to the crochet along and to Crochetville! :jump

[Ambersafghans]

Welcome Marilyn and Barbie!
Are you going to join the pal swaps?
Amber

[Tiffany]

I now officially have my copy of the 63 squares book, and I think I'm going to use a soft white, light blue, and blue (kind of a country blue). It's going to be a stash busting project for me. :)

[Donna]

Yay! Sounds great, Tiff! I love blue! :Y

[Donna]

Donna, is there anyway that we could see a picture of that afghan? I just updated the 63 Squares Crochet Along (http://www.yarntomato.com/63squares/) page and now there are good scans of the booklet there. :)

[annette414]

I finished square #20 last night and started #21!

[lissylaine]

Wow - you GO Annette! :woohoo

I've done through #7 now. This CAL is really picking up steam!

[bmoorehooked]

I went into Michael's today and came out with muted colors of red, soft white and blue. I decided muted would be best because it is an heirloom afghan. I think they all look great together. If I get a few squares finished soon, I will try to post a picture. Also when reading all of the messages, I realized I didn't want dark colors (I was thinking navy blue before) because it is true that you see the stitches oh so better with lighter colors. I am wanting to start NOW, but promised myself one more tax return and then I will! :^i^

I considered joining one of the swaps, but I'm afraid that I would never get anything else done! I learned to crochet when I was a kid, but I'm just getting back to it and so I am fairly slow. Plus this thing called life (husband, kids, job) keeps getting in the way! ;)

Barbie

[Donna]

Sounds great, Barbie! I know what you mean about time! I actually crochet pretty quickly, but I wind up being slow becasue I keep frogging, frogging, frogging!!

[gulfskye]

Hi Everyone!

Today I made a quick run to Walmart, not sure why I say quick, the closest Walmart is 15-20 miles in either direction, but I digress. I had dreams of blue and yellow and Provence. Those dreams were shattered when I discovered that our Walmart has no yellow. Ok, they have neon yellow or cornmeal, neither one really caught my eye. So I had to change my color scheme as places to buy yarn are very limited around these parts. I finally decided on Red Heart Blueberry Pie variegated for the edging and I'll probably do a few squares in it, just because I'm a sucker for those ombres. Then I decided on Red Heart Windsor Blue, dark but not too dark and Med. Purple. Both of these colors are in the Blueberry Pie. OK. It looked like it needed something else, another color for balance and I couldn't decide between the Red Heart Lt. Blue or Country Blue so I bought a skein of each. One lady in the yarn isle told me she liked the lt. blue better because it brightened up the other colors, but I still liked the way the country blue looked too. It seemed to blend in better with the other colors. I might just throw both of them in the mix. I went on and bought 7 skeins of the Blueberry Pie because it had a dyelot and since I am going to use it for the edging I wanted to make sure I didn't run out. The rest can just go in the stash for a future project.

Does anyone else agonize over color choices? I never trust my judgement. Must be the libra in me because making a final decision takes me forever.

I hope to get started on square #1 tonight. I'm going to make a copy of the layout and as I finish each block I'm going to mark on the layout the color yarn I used for that block. If I don't do that I'll have row after row of the same color.

Melissa
N.W. Florida

[Donna]

:Y I looove blues and purples. My favorite. Sometimes I have to remind myself that that there actually are colors other than blue, lol! :lol

Yes, yes, yes, I do agonize over colors all the time! I have such a difficult time making decisions. Sometimes I am in the yarn dept so long that I think they've probably called security to keep an eye on me, lol! Then I agonize when I get home, too. I'd been looking at my Patons Decor swatch card for weeks thinking of different afghan, when the right colors for my 63 squares afghan just jumped out at me. Probably the first time ever I've been totally sure about colors. :)

[Julie]

I lay awake at night, thinking about colors. I still haven't settled on what I want to do for this project, so the closer I get to starting, the less sleep I'll get.

Donna, I'll say again you have picked gorgeous colors for this. I almost think I'm jealous. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif" />

[Donna]

Donna, I'll say again you have picked gorgeous colors for this. Thank you, thank you, Julie! I am blushing.

[shelbyro]

I started on my squares last night! Do we have to start at #1? I am terrible about doing things in order.:hat I love to skip around, and spent 30 min. pouring over the book to pick something fun to start with. I made #9, the arched square. I used a variegated purpley yarn, and it looks really pretty. I need to save the easy early patterns for a time when I'm not in the mood to read a pattern!

[gulfskye]

My first block is almost at the halfway mark. It's going to be approx. 9". I started to switch to a smaller hook but as long as all my blocks are the same size I'm not going to worry about the gauge. The finished afghan is just going to be a lot larger which is fine.

The purpley variegated sounds pretty. I just finished a ripple afghan using Red Heart's Gemstone. Love those colors.

Melissa

[merryymari]

Hi Donna
Thanks for changing the spelling on my name, that does sound like a good idea what you did with the names. Well I am done with my 3rd one and am really enjoying it. Tell me something do you use the regular hooks are something fancy? I have heard that there are some that have texture on the handles making them easier to hold.:eek
Marilyn

[adultramblings]

I thought since I joined this crochet along, I should actually post something! LOL

I haven't started crocheting yet, but I may tonight. I'd like to, anyway. I'm doing mine out of scrap yarn, I think, and not sure what my edging/joining color will be yet.

I find an interesting link tonight while doing a search for 63 squares:

www.sandbenders.demon.co....rochet.htm (http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/crochet/crochet.htm)

one of the crochet lists a few years ago did this as a crochet along also, and this page is full of their comments about the afghan! I thought it was interesting to read.

[Julie]

Michelle,

I was at your blog a moment ago. The square is beautiful! I love the yarn, Monet. I've made a couple of scarves and hats out of it, but it does make a lovely square! Very pretty!! <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif" />

[shelbyro]

Thank you! I like it too--i'll be making more of the 63 out of what I've got left.
:)

[gulfskye]

Saturday evening I finished block #2 from the 63 Squares book. I crocheted it using Red Heart's Med. Purple and edged it with Red Heart's Blueberry Pie.

I posted a pic in my blog.

Melissa
www.gulfskye.blogspot.com

[gulfskye]

Just finished Block 3, Double Crochet. I crocheted it using Lt. Blue and edged it with the Blueberry Pie, both Red Heart. I'm not sure if I like it or not. This may be one I do over using different colors.

There's a pic up in my blog but the scan isn't too good.

Now I have to take a break from crocheting for a couple of days and catch up on some Cross stitch swaps and RRs.

Melissa
www.gulfskye.blogspot.com

[lissylaine]

I finished #8 and #9 over the weekend. #8 is really wonky, but I'm hoping it will even out when the squares are all put together.

[Julie]

I am very happy to report that I have finally finished the baby afghan I was working on. What that means to me is I can finally begin the CAL! I'm so excited!!

After consulting with my sweetheart as to what we would like for the afghan, we chose the same color scheme as featured on the book. Now, truly, I was pushing for a slightly rosier theme - shades of rose, maybe one green thrown in, or all creams. I do like that one though, and if he's happy then I'm happy. He's actually very happy because I tend to give away almost everything I make. This one I'm keeping so I was glad to let him help choose.

Tomorrow I'll buy yarn, though I had a little bit of each of the colors. Enough to get about midway through the first square before coming in here. It's starting to thunder and lightning and I wanted to read blogs and things in case we lost power. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/frown.gif" /> I don't like thunderstorms!!

[MommaChelle]

:woohoo Yay on finishing the baby ghan so you can work on the CAL! Doesnt it feel great to finish a project so you can finally work on another one that's been on your mind? :clap

[gulfskye]

Melissa

The more I see your squares the more I love your color choices.

I'm hoping to start block #4 after work today.

Melissa

[Donna]

Do we have to start at #1? I am terrible about doing things in order. I love to skip around, and spent 30 min. pouring over the book to pick something fun to start with. I made #9, the arched square. You can do the squares in any order you want! :D Your square #9 is beautiful with that yarn, Michelle!! :clap

[Donna]

Melissa, I just hopped over to your blog, and I love your colors with the blueberry pie edging! :clap

[Donna]

Tell me something do you use the regular hooks are something fancy? I have heard that there are some that have texture on the handles making them easier to hold. Marilyn, I just use regular metal hooks, sometimes plastic (for the really big hook sizes). There are a lot of fancy hooks out there made of wood and other stuff, but I've never tried them. My favorite hooks are a set of aluminum Prims (similar to Boye but much smoother) I won on eBay and also another set of aluminum ones (also very smooth) I've had for eons and don't know what brand they are, they just say Hecho en Mexico on the grip.

[Donna]

adultramblings, thanks for the link!

[Tiffany]

I purchased my yarn today and started on square #1. :) I'm hoping to finish a few tonight while the honey's in class until late.

I will post a picture later tonight of the ones I finish today.

[3parrots]

Again I picked up the book and looked at the front cover. I can see why this afghan has been chosen for crochetalongs. Very pretty and unique, I think. The more I study it, the more I appreciate it's beauty.

Margaret

[gulfskye]

Thanks Donna! I finished block 4 this evening but it looks lavender or light purple instead of country blue. Not sure what's up with my scanner.

The DH has a softball game tonight and won't be home until late so now I'm off to crochet my grandma some dishcloths as a belated birthday present. I'm sending them as wash/face cloths with a few bottles of bath gel from Bath & BodyWorks.

Hopefully these will be round...LOL

Melissa
www.gulfskye.blogspot.com

[Tiffany]

For those of you that have completed square #1, did you have trouble getting the gauge right? I've restarted it twice and both times I'm an inch or more over the 7 inches using the H (5.00 mm) hook. I think next time I attempt it, I'm going down at least to a G (4.25 mm). I moved on to different squares. I really liked #9, probably because it's the stitch I used on my cat's napghan.

[Donna]

Julie, hooray for finishing the baby ghan and being able to start on the 63 CAL! :woohoo

Margaret, it is pretty isn't it?! The thing I like most, though, is learning, relearning, or reviewing 63 stitches. :)

Tiff, I was fortunate that my gauge was right with the H hook. It's fine to go down (or up) in hook size if you need to. There's so much variation in hooks (they're not all the same size even when labelled the same size), yarn (one worsted weight isn's necessarily the same as another worsted weight), and the crocheter's tension, I'm sure a lot of people have to use different size hooks. I used H on the first three, but had to go down to G for square 4 (the dreaded treble crochet :rolleyes ). What kind of yarn are you using? Thick yarn like RH Super Saver always makes my work bigger than gauge.

[gulfskye]

Donna

For block 4 I may redo it using an F or G hook. My finished block is huge. I had thought at first it was about a 1/2 inch larger all around than my other blocks but after really measuring last night, it's probably more like an inch all around. I don't think I can fudge that.

Melissa
www.gulfskye.blogspot.com

[Donna]

Yeah, Melissa, you should redo that. :( An inch all around is too much to fudge. I'm trying to make my squares as accurate as possible because I want to be sure my afghan lies flat. As a matter of fact, on square 3 and 4, I added a last row of single crochet to get them the right size (before I started edging). One more row of dc (block 3) or tr (block 4) would have made the square too big, but without it, it was too small, so I made my last row sc. I figure once the ghan is put together, a row of sc won't be noticable, but a square that's not the right size could make it pucker.

[shelbyro]

I've noticed the same thing, but figured it was me, because I crochet super-tight. I am using an I hook and 4ply yarn.<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eek.gif" />

Anyways, my squares (6 so far, various numbers/patterns) are varying by about a 1/2 inch, and I am also adding extra sc borders if I need to. I figure as long as they're all close to the same size, the actual # of inches doesn't matter.

[Julie]

I had to drop down a hook too for number 4. I'm considering going up a hook for number 5, it's stretchy and keeps pulling back in. I hate to though, I'm almost done with it. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif" />

[morici]

i have to say that i'm lame. i've quit. square number 4 did me in. maybe i'll come back to it later, but i became way too distracted by other potential projects and yarns to continue.

oh well.

:nono

[Donna]

That's okay, morici. Not lame. Square 4, the dreaded, ugly treble crochet, is enough to do anybody in. And I understand the call of other projects! :lol

[morici]

thanks,
i was afraid to tell y'as:'(

ha

[Julie]

No, number four was nothing but drudgery. They should have knocked it back further in the lineup - or omitted it all together. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />

[Donna]

i was afraid to tell y'as Never fear the yarn tomato. She is all soft and squishy inside. :b

[Julie]

lol Donna <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif" />

[bmoorehooked]

I'm just getting started on square #4. I have always thought and also been told that I crochet tightly. So imagine my surprise when my first square was so much larger than I expected. After frogging several times, I finally decided to use the H hook for the initial chain and the G hook to do the rest of the square. My squares are a bit larger still, but at least they are all the same so far, so I won't worry about it.

One thing I am struggling with is the first row of edging and how to get 25 stitches evenly across each side. I'm writing this at work without the pattern in front of me, so I hope I'm stating that right. But it is hard to put stitches where no stitch was meant to go! Otherwise I'm loving this, but can't wait to get to more colorful squares!

Barbie :hug

[Donna]

I agree, the edging is difficult when your putting stitches along the sides. I use three safety pins to mark 1/4 way 1/2 way and 3/4 way. In small portions like that, it's easier to get the right number of stitches. Sounds like a lot of work, but it sure beats frogging and redoing it a few times because you haven't gotten the right number of stitches. :)

[antara]

I finally got busy and made my first square last night,except for adding the joining color to the edges. I'm using my stash for this project, so I'm making the squares in the order they appear on the blanket, rather than in the order the directions are given, so I don't do all that work and end up with squares the same color right next to each other.

[adultramblings]

I finally got a few squares done today as well! I'm up to 4 squares done. I'm also using yarn from my stash, I'm not worrying too much about the colors I use though, because I'm not planning on putting these babies together in order! As long as they decently match in the end, I'll be happy.

[annette414]

I finished square #21 on Friday and only have the final edging round left on #22.

I found I tend to go in bursts! I'll pick the squares up and knock out a couple before letting it languish for another week (due to other projects) :lol

[Karen C.]

Hello Everyone,

Thanks again Donna for allowing me to participate! I have had this leaflet forever and couldn't find a good time to start on it, so...now's a good time! <img border=0 src="http://members.aol.com/dustkittys/bow.gif" /> I am a Texan living in a college town North of Dallas but I'm originally from San Antonio. I've been crocheting forever and just recently learned to knit. I really enjoy crochet a longs and look forward to posting and reading how everyone is getting along with their project.

Karen

[Donna]

Welcome to the crochet along, Karen! :)

[shelbyro]

I have put some pictures of my squares up at <a href="http://shelbyro.diaryland.com/" target="_new">shelbyro.diaryland.com/</a>. They aren't the greatest of photos--I swear the squares look much better in person!

<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />

[Karen C.]

HI Michelle,

I think you did a great job on the squares and you've started them and took pictures! At least you've done that <img border=0 src="http://members.aol.com/dustkittys/approve.gif" />.I see you are doing them in different colors and I will change the colors, too. I just bought some yarn to get started this weekend in Aran, country blue and country rose.

Karen

[Karen C.]

Just checking in to say that I've completed my first square of the crochetalong...62 to go!

Karen

[Donna]

Go, Karen! :woohoo

[Paula]

Hi, I'm new at crocheting, and I'm trying to make the 63 Easy-To-Crochet afghan. I was able to complete the Ripple Baby Afghan in New Crochet Basics book (it's not perfect, but I don't think my new grandchild due next week will notice :) ), but I am struggling with some of the patterns in this one!

I'm having trouble with block #8, Chevron Relief Stitch. the chevron is just not coming out right! After the FDpc it says: skip 2 sc "behind" FPdc (now and throughout), hdc in the next 5 sc...... The "behind" and "now and throughout" are what are confusing me. Where do you put the next stitch after the FDpc? There's no mention in skipping after the FDpc in the following rows.

Thanks for any help!

Paula

[Donna]

Hi, Paula! :wave Welcome! I haven't done #8 yet. I think only a few people have gotten to that one. One of them should pop in here soon, and when they do, I know they'll be happy to help! :)

[Karen C.]

Hi all,

Well, I am up and running with this crochetalong! I've completed 1-4 of the squares and will probably be doing 2 a night?! Maybe that's too ambitious since I do work :( but that's my goal. I have been vacillating between a g and h hook to complete my squares to the required 7" has anyone else had to do this?

Karen

59 squares to go!

[Donna]

Great, Karen! :clap

I have used H, I, and J hooks on my squares so far.

[Paula]

Donna, How do you know what size hook you're going to need before you start the square. I'm thinking it comes from experience of having done different stitches before?

I have 10 of the squares done and they're not sizing up too evenly!

Paula

[Karen C.]

Hey Paula,

Measuring is the key to maintaing gauge(tension). I measure each square a couple of rows into it to see if it's 7", If it's too big, I go down a hook size and if it's too small, I go up a size. I am finding that it depends on the pattern stitch for me. I tend to crochet taller stitches loosely and short stitches tighter.

If your squares are not measuring up, it will be difficult to join them together later, so I would get them as close to 7" as possible before the edging. Just my two cents:)

Karen

[Paula]

Hi Karen,

Thanks very much for the info. I think I'm going to have to start over with my squares and chalk it up to inexperience, but that's OK. At least I have had a lot of practice with some different stitches!

Paula

[Julie]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I'm having trouble with block #8, Chevron Relief Stitch. the chevron is just not coming out right! After the FDpc it says: skip 2 sc "behind" FPdc (now and throughout), hdc in the next 5 sc...... The "behind" and "now and throughout" are what are confusing me. Where do you put the next stitch after the FDpc? There's no mention in skipping after the FDpc in the following rows.<hr></blockquote>

This one was a pain to figure out Paula. I did it but still was particularly unhappy with the end result. What I thought it meant that since having done the two FPdc, if you turn it around and look at the back, there are two sc stitches that you didn't actually crochet in. Skip those two, don't stitch back behind the FPdc's. And believe me, I tried it where I didn't skip them thinking I could get the chevrons to pop out a bit more. Begin your next hdc in the next sc after you do the second FPdc (does that make sense?).

I think "now and throughout" just means that they weren't interested in writing out the whole directions over and over again.

Hope this helps! You can see a picture of my block at my blog if you click on the link below. It's alright, not one of my favorites.

[Paula]

Thanks Julie, I thought that was what it meant about the two stitches. I think my biggest problem with crocheting is knowing where to start the next stitch, and I think my problem with this one is also knowing where to start the next row!

Your squares are great! I hope mine (starting over) come out as nice. :)

Paula

[Ambersafghans]

I'm not doing this, but would someone explain how many squares you are making? I've heard twenty eight, but it's a sixty three square crochet along!
Amber

[Julie]

Amber, this CAL is 63 squares total. You can read about it <a href="http://www.yarntomato.com/63squares/" target="_new">here</a>. The Pillowghan CAL is the 28 squares one, 24 for the body of the afghan and four for the pillow top.

[Donna]

Hi Paula, I don't know ahead of time what size hook to use. Like Karen, I do a few rows and then measure. If it's not right, I rip out what I've done and start over with a larger or smaller hook. I definitely don't have expereince with all these stitches. That's why I'm doing this afghan. :)

And as Karen also said, you need to get them as close as possible to 7" (without the edging, 8" after the edging is added). Even if you managed to join different sized squares together, your afghan wouldn't lie flat, it would pucker all over.

Julie, thanks for answering about square #8. I knew I could count on you! :)

[Paula]

Hi Donna, Being new at this, I didn't realize how important it was to make sure all the squares were even. I started over with #1 with a G hook (originally used an H) and got it to measure exactly 8". :clap

I'm wondering if I can re-use the yarn from my original squares after ripping them out.

Paula

[Julie]

You can Paula. If you switch up to a bigger hook you'll end up needing a bit more yarn to finish the square. I'll save some things to use for other projects, or edgings or whatever. One of these days I'll go through all my scraps and make my sweetheart very happy! <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif" />

[Donna]

started over with #1 with a G hook (originally used an H) and got it to measure exactly 8". Yay! :clap

Yep, like Julie said, you can reuse the yarn. If it's gotten too curly and is difficult to work with, check out this link about straightening out used yarn: Reusing Yarn (http://bagateller.tripod.com/tips/reusing_yarn.html)

[Paula]

Thanks Julie,

I already have somewhat of a stash. I bought some yarns for doilies and some yarns for baby products, but those are on hold because I had a terrible time trying to work with those skinny yarns and keeping the thread on the hook! Also bought some some "crinkly" time yarn where I couldn't figure out where the next stitch was! I'm hoping with experience I'll be able to use those yarns some day.

Paula

[Paula]

Thanks for the link Donna. I thought I had read somewhere something about reusing yarn!

Paula

[Paula]

That should have been "crinkly-type" yarn. Have to proofread better! :nono

[shelbyro]

Just had to chime in about my #8. I had a bad time with it too, and will probably do it over. The chevrons do not pop out at all. Generally I stay waaaaaaaaaaay away from Front and back Post stitches, as I haven't ever gotten my stuff to look like the pictures. <img border=0 src="http://members.aol.com/dustkittys/crying.gif" />

Oh well. Maybe I will try it again.

[Julie]

I'm about 7/8 of the way through #12 and will have to frog all of it. For some reason I must have forgotten how to use my tape measure. It's only about 3/4 of an inch smaller than the rest of my blocks. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/frown.gif" /> Where was my head! Gah! Luckily I like the block, but gee whiz I don't really want to have to start it over. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/mad.gif" />

[Donna]

I've done a lot of frogging, too. Especially on that darned #5 (front and back loop hdc). LOL, I should have called this The Great Frog Along! :rollin

I just finished #7, so I will be starting on #8. We'll see how it goes. I kinda like front post, not sure about back post.

[Tiffany]

Oh my, just wait until #11... My wrist hurt for a few days after that one. It's a row of FPDC followed by a row of BPDC, completely horrific experience. But, I've moved on to the Cluster Square (not sure of the number). I'm not going in any order. It depends on my "color" mood at the time, and I choose a square according to the color that I want to work with.

Hmm.. talking about the squares makes me want to go and start working on one. :)

[Julie]

Did your #11 curl up like a tube when you were finished it? I blocked it but it still wants to argue with me. I'm so glad it's done. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />

[Tiffany]

It did! I just hope that when it's joined to others it decides to lay down like a good square should. :D

[Julie]

I'll take a hammer to it if it doesn't. Maybe back the car over it. Steamroller? <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif" />

[morici]

well all i can say is that you ladies sure are tenacious. sounds like square number 11 is even worse than 4. :evil

[Karen C.]

Hi Ladies,

Just dropping a note to let ya know that I've completed 1-7! I don't like that I am constanly changing hooks, but this crochetalong is such fun:clap

Karen

56 squares to go!

[annette414]

I *hated* #11! My edges look horrible on that one - and yes, it does want to curl up :(

I'm on #24, I think..."Climbing Shells." I'm also being obstinate and *not* changing hooks :lol I may not end up with the same square arrangement as called for as I'll be matching up sizes :lol

[Donna]

I finished 4, 5, 6, and 7 and have posted pics on my blog! :woohoo

[Julie]

They look beautiful Donna! <img border=0 src="http://members.aol.com/dustkittys/hug.gif" />

[JPorter718]

Hi everyone...
I've decided to give this crochet-along a whirl! <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif" />
I'm hoping the squares won't be too difficult for a beginner like me <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />

I am going tomorrow to buy the book and yarn, so that I can get alot done this weekend... my question is,
what type of yarn did you all buy? Red Heart, Lion Brand, Caron, etc? I'm not sure what kind to buy and I'm not advanced in crochet to know the different kinds and what is best for an afghan like this.

Appreciate your opinions <img border=0 src="http://members.aol.com/dustkittys/hug.gif" />

[Julie]

Hi Jayme!

I'm using two colors of Red Heart Super Savers and one of TLC Expressions. Donna (yarn tomato) is using Patons Decor. I'm coveting her yarn selection and she knows it. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" /> Most I think are using acrylics, some are even using more than three colors to reduce their stash. I would personally stick with the four ply worsted weight yarns, like the Red Heart SS. Some of the three plys would be too soft and the squares probably would be difficult to work up.

Feel free to shoot out questions, we all love to help! <img border=0 src="http://members.aol.com/dustkittys/hug.gif" />

[Tiffany]

Jayme,

I'm so glad you're joining us! I think for a beginner, this might be a perfect project to venture into new stitches. And as Julie says, if you ever need help, ask away. :)

I'm using Red Heart SS because I felt guilty about spending what I wanted on yarn for it (I was originally planning on a wool blend) and I happened upon colors that I thought would make a wonderful combination. Plus, I like using acrylic when I'm learning new stitches. It seems to be more forgiving when I have to rip out mistakes.

Good luck, but be careful, this crochetalong is slightly addicting. :)

[Donna]

Hi, Jayme! So glad you're joining us! :woohoo

Julie and Tiff gave you awesome info about yarn. I would only add a couple of things.

If you choose Red Heart Super Saver, your squares will probably come out a little bigger than 7 inches. That's fine, as long as all your squares are the same size. If your best shot at the first square is, say, 7 and 3/4 inches, and you like it, then you can just make all your squares that size. If your squares are bigger than 7 inches, you will use more yarn than called for in the pattern. But if you're using yarn with no dye lot (like Red Heart SS) that's no big deal becaue you can just go buy more. If you're using dye lotted yarn you want to be sure to purchase enough and some extra just in case.

I haven't had any problems frogging away (ripping out) with my 75% acrylic, 25/% wool Patons Decor. ;)

Have fun and keep asking questions! We're here :hug

P.S. Thank you, Julie! ;)

[Paula]

Hi Jayme!

I'm glad to see another beginner is trying this. I was up to square #10 and realized they were all different sizes. Thanks to help here, I realized I need to use different size hooks for the different squares. I'm up to square #7 again and so far they are all 8 inches with the edging! I do think this particular afghan will be good for me to learn the different stitches and techniques, but I don't know if I will ever get it done! I'm using Caron Simply Soft and sticking to the colors suggested in the pattern.

Good luck!

Paula

[Paula]

I'm having a terrible time with #8 square, the Chevron Relief Stitch. After row 12, it says repeat row 10 (after sc across), but the Chevron just won't line up right. Does anybody know what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks,

Paula

[Donna]

That is a tough square, to me. I'm on that one right now. Maybe you could post a pic of what you've done to help us figure out why it's not lining up? Without seeing it, it's hard to say.

[Paula]

Okay, the only way I know how to show the pic is through my Yahoo account:

photos.yahoo.com/aluap_1 (http://photos.yahoo.com/aluap_1)

Go the the Crochet/Chevron album.

As you can see, the chevron doesn't show up well. The last row on top is sc, the row before that is the last row with the FPdc. They don't match up with the previous FPdc, although I did hdc in the first 5 sc as the patterns states for row #14 (which is a repeat of row #10). The chevron is supposed to start turning back here, but it won't do it! :(

[Karen C.]

That square gave me fits last night! I had to frog it twice and I still don't think it's right, but I preceeded on and it will be part of my afghan as is! :) I think this one is going to be one of those I have to block to size. If I have enough time later, I MIGHT do it over.

Karen
55 more to go!

[Tiffany]

I'm currently working on this square too around a few rows past. I had a problem with lining up the chevrons until I started counting my stitches. I don't have my book in front of me, so forgive me if I write numbers off - I think at the repeat of row 5, you do 5 hdc, and then the 2 FPDC. If you count, you'll have the turning chain and five hdcs, and then you'll be doing the FPDC around the hdc before the chevron and then you do the next FPDC around the first FPDC.

I hope that's a little understandable. I just realized that my chevrons will point in the opposite direction of everyone else's because I'm left handed. I tried to explain it by writing the way you will be coming upon the rows.

I hope this helps!

[Donna]

Paula, I can't figure out from the photo why your rows aren't matching up. From what I can see it looks ok. Did Tiff's advice help?

[Paula]

Donna, I'm so annoyed with #8, I'm going to skip it and go on to #9. I thought I was doing what tiff said, but it just won't come out.

I'm off to Pennsylvania in the morning. My daughter is going to be induced (a week late) for our first grandchild on Monday! I'm hoping I can check in here from her computer over the next week.

I really appreciate everyone's help!

Paula

[Donna]

Sounds good to skip it. That square's not pretty enough to fuss over too much. Hope everything goes well on your trip.

[annette414]

I'd skip it if it was causing me that much aggravation. You've got 62 others one to pick from...because I *very* much doubt anyone would notice if there are 2 of a couple in here.

I'm on #25. Seriously considering skipping all the popcorn squares...that's by far my least favorite pattern :lol

[lissylaine]

<Rant>
Okay, I just finished @#$ %^ #11. :mad Argh - I see just what you meant about the curling. I could have been okay with a few FPDC and BPDC sprinkled throughout, but to have the ENTIRE square in that?!?!?? So far, it's my #1 NOT FAVORITE square in the bunch. I can deal with even treble crochet so much easier than that. It seemed to take 3 times as long to finish that one too.:rolleyes
</Rant>

Funny Annette, I'm actually looking forward to the popcorn squares - I like those! :lol

[annette414]

Melissa - you do my popcorn squares and I'll do whatever ones you want to skip! :lol

[Julie]

Be careful Annette! There may be others who would pounce on that offer! LOL <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" />

[Donna]

Hey, everybody! Just thought I'd update. Square #8 (chevron) has caused me to sputter and stall. I really need to get back to it. But my attention has been drawn away by a crocheted bag from the Spring 2004 issue of Interweave Knits, which I mentioned in this thread (http://p084.ezboard.com/fcrochetvillefrm7.showMessage?topicID=39.topic). How's everybody else doing? :)

[annette414]

I've just got the edging to do on square 25 and it's in the bag! I can't remember what 26 is...I know it's blue, though (in my color scheme :lol )

[Julie]

I'm still stuck on #17, though I have high hopes of finishing it tomorrow. I hope I hope I hope.

[Tiffany]

Whew! I have just forced myself to finish the chevron relief square. I'm going to flip through and choose a nice pretty one next that will not be as mean. :)

[shelbyro]

I posted more pictures of my squares on my <a href="http://shelbyro.diaryland.com/040507_30.html" target="_new">blog</a>!

I have made an executive decision to replace the squares I hated the patterns for (or, ahem, that I couldn't seem to figure out or make work--can we say, "Chevron") with 7" patterns from <a href="http://www.denisecrochets.com/squaresindex.html" target="_new">elsewhere</a>. I just can never follow any instructions all the way through without tweaking it. Oh well!<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />

[MommaChelle]

Michelle, I wanted to post a comment at your blog, but didnt see a comments section. So I went to sign your guestbook and cant sign it unless I register a username with diaryland. So anyhow, I will leave my comment for you here lol.

Your squares are looking great! And I agree, your potholder does look like a lemon. When making potholders, do you all use worsted weight 100% cotton? Which brand do you like best to make your potholders?

[shelbyro]

Thanks!

I am glad to hear others say it looks like a lemon. =)

For potholders I usually use 100% cotton (any brand: Lion Kitchen, Sugar n Cream, Walmart equivalent), or else 2 strands--one 100% cotton and one acrylic. The lemon is a 2-strand one.

I also do alot of "hot pads" out of double layers of just acrylic. These we use on our table under pans, but they aren't heat resistant enough to use to remove stuff from the oven. I love acrylic yarn (guilty pleasure), because of the variety and cheapness!

[Donna]

Michelle, your squares look great and I like your lemon a lot! Looks like a lemon to me. :)

Anyhow, about comments on your blog... I was surfing the Haloscan help forum the other day and found this (http://www.haloscan.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=6&t=1148&st=0#entry4188), explaining how you can put comments on a diaryland blog, if you are interested.

[shelbyro]

haha! you must be reading my mind! I was sure there had to be free comment script out there, but was not yet bored enough at work to spend the time surfing for it (now what am i gonna do?!). Thanks, and I will be adding a comment tool soon (next week...).

[Julie]

Though I've hardly had a chance to crochet today, I have to speak up and say that I'm loving #19. A very pretty square and so easy to do! :bounce

[annette414]

Well, I was just rolling along the last couple days but have officially bogged down at #29. It's pretty...but it's single crochet and I've been spoiled with the primarily dc squares that were speedy to do!

Of course that fact that I found a perfect ripple for a baby afghan...and just *happen* to have the right yarn to start it didn't have anything to do with it.....:oops

[Julie]

Of course that fact that I found a perfect ripple for a baby afghan...and just *happen* to have the right yarn to start it didn't have anything to do with it.....

Oh, how many times has that happened to me!!! :frog

[Piper0110]

I have to say, you guys are so inspiring. I've had this pattern for a year or two now, and never got around to doing it. But now I'm thinking about it... the squares are so pretty!

[Tiffany]

Join us!! :cheer

We're having loads of fun sharing our progress on the squares. :frog

[Donna]

Oh, yes, do join us! :cheer

[Julie]

Megan, join us! The squares are fairly easy to do, I'm very surprised though I do have those "You want me to do what?" moments every so often. It seems to go quickly because each square is a different block, and you haven't got the time to get bored with it as a result. You'll love it!

:cheer :cheer :frog

[Piper0110]

Oh man, it's tempting. And I don't have a project going... Maybe I will! I'll be so far behind, but I'm sure others will join after me.

I've got some yarn I ordered coming in on Friday (it should have come today, but the mailman refused to leave it, even though I left a note saying he should), and I think some of that will be perfect. If not, it's off to the store!

I mean, it's fate, right? I've got the pattern right here. And I need small projects to work on in airports at the end of the month. It's perfect!

[Julie]

It is perfect. And you can easily tote a skein along with you and then put the edging on later. Everyone is working at their own pace, some are ahead, some just starting. Have you gone here - <a href="http://yarntomato.com/63squares/"><img src="http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/dbelle/crochet/63squares/63squares.gif" width="88" height="31" border="0" vspace="3" alt="63"Squares Crochet Along"></a> - to read about the CAL?

[Piper0110]

I've been checking it out and I think it looks great! It'll be nice to have advice on all the stitches I just can't get. Thanks for the push I needed to join :)

[Nashville Crocheter]

Well, I bought the booklet the other day with some of my Mothers Day money (my children gave me a gift card to Hobby Lobby). I haven't decided on colors yet. I will probably have to order the yarn. Haven't found any at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, JoAnns or Walmart that I want to use.

Since I have started coming here I am finding so many projects I want to do. I have to clean my house sometime.:eek

[Tiffany]

I find myself cleaning the house, watching the clock, and taking many breaks just to sit down and either check in here or crochet a little! We definitely have an addiction! :pig

[Piper0110]

Oh, I know about the cleaning, my ironing has been sitting piling up while I crochet all sorts of little things.

My yarn comes today, my yarn comes today! I think it's exactly what I want to use for my 63 Squares project, but I won't know until I see it. My post office was supposed to deliver it yesterday after I signed the little card saying they'd deliver, and they didn't! So I called and complained and they promised I'd have it today. I hope they're right!

[Donna]

Hi, Piper and nashville_crocheter! I've added you both to the list on the 63 Squares (http://www.yarntomato.com/63squares/) page! :welcome :cheer Isn't choosing the yarn exciting?! :pig I am using Patons Decor coralberry (http://www.beehivewool.com/page/bee/PROD/decor/decor1651), pale coralberry (http://www.beehivewool.com/page/bee/PROD/decor/decor1650), and aran (http://www.beehivewool.com/page/bee/PROD/decor/decor1602); I am loving these colors! I am only on square #8, and I started way before Julie (http://yarngirl.blogspot.com), who I think is on #22 now, lol!

For all of you who find the laundry and dishes piling up while crocheting (isn't that everyone?! :lol ), check out this article (http://www.crochetmagazine.com/features/spec_interest/pages/sp_may04_hooks_humor.html) at Crochet! magazine. :rollin

[Nashville Crocheter]

Ohhh Donna, I love those colors. I might just have to use those colors on another afghan. The 63 squares afghan is going to be used in a room that those colors would clash with.

But Coral and Peach are my favorite colors!
Barbara

[Donna]

Thanks, Barbara! Have fun choosing your colors! :rock

[Julie]

For all of you who find the laundry and dishes piling up while crocheting (isn't that everyone?! ), check out this article at Crochet! magazine.

Donna that is hilarious!!! :lol

[Piper0110]

I started, I started! Well, barely, I just did a few rows on square one.

I decided to go with Red Heart because my yarn budget is not what it should be. I'm using dark plum with... something else! I haven't picked the other colors yet, but I'm going to Walmart tomorrow, I think, to pull a few others. I picked the color because it goes well with my furniture and it's something I've got laying around.

I'm excited to be starting! Let's hope I finish this time :)

[Julie]

I'm sure you will, because each square is quick to do and you don't get so bored with it. Glad you've started!!

[Donna]

Great, Megan! :woohoo There is no shame in using Red Heart! :D I have a Super Saver afghan (http://www.yarntomato.com/archives/2004_03_01_ytarchive.html#107868112022808021) that has given me many years of good service and I still love it! :bounce

[Julie]

Almost every afghan I have made is from Red Heart Super Saver - or TLC Expressions which is practically the same thing. It's affordable, the colors are fabulous and the yarn lasts forever. What's not to like? :lol

[Piper0110]

I remember why I didn't finish this the first time.

Single crochet is sooooooo boring.

But I'm over halfway there. Had to stop for tonight. Supposed to be staying home sick and sleeping. Laying on the couch is like sleeping, right?

[Tiffany]

Of course it's like sleeping! :bounce

I skipped the first few squares - sc, hdc, dc, etc.. and started around 5 or 6. The sc square came close to convincing me I didn't want to do it because I couldn't get the gauge right. But, now I love working on this and can't stop! I know I couldn't do it without all of us sharing our experiences with the squares. :grouphug

[Donna]

Yep, it counts for sleeping! ;)

Oooh, I absoletely love single crochet! :rock Stop laughing! :lol I am serious! It's very relaxing to me to just keep rolling with the same motion, not having to think, hardly having to look, making a little fabric grow under my fingers. Ok, now you think I'm goofy. :b

[Julie]

I'm not as thrilled with a sc as I am the hdc. Don't ask why, I don't have a clue. But it just moves along nicely and I can do it without thinking. Maybe because it skips the step which makes it a dc, and therefore seems better to me somehow... I'm weird, I know. :o

[Donna]

I like the hdc, too. Almost as much as sc. :)

[Ambersafghans]

You are not goofy Donna, I do that as well!
Amber

[Donna]

Thanks, Amber! :hug

[Piper0110]

I finished the sc! And honestly, I'm in love with hdc. So much faster and more fun! Yay!

I think the problem is that I sc a bit too tightly. I need to work on that. But I don't think the square I finished should be a problem. It's blocked to the right size, so we'll see!

[Donna]

Go, Piper!:clap

[Nashville Crocheter]

I have completed 4 squares for the afghan, but I am just practicing with yarn that I have on hand to make sure I can do it before buying a lot of yarn. It is pink. I'll just keep the squares. I'm sure someone I know will have a baby girl that I can use the squares to make a baby blanket for.

I am new to crocheting but am finding the stiches easy to follow. I did have trouble with the Chervon square. I think I did the stitch correctly, it just doesn't show up very well.

I have completed the Double Crochet, Chevron Relief Stitch,Aligned Shells, and the Simple Shell stitch.

I am working on the Slit Stitch now.

[Julie]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I did have trouble with the Chervon square. I think I did the stitch correctly, it just doesn't show up very well.<hr></blockquote>

I'm certain you did the stitch properly, just because of what you've said! Nobody has had one to show up well yet, at least not that I know of. Good job!! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" /> <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" />

[Donna]

I have completed 4 squares for the afghan... I am new to crocheting but am finding the stiches easy to follow. Yay! :clap Glad the squares are going well for you. :rock

I haven't finished the chevron square yet, but mine doesn't show up very well either. I think that's just the way the square is. :(

[Piper0110]

I have a question - I'm not sure I'm doing my finishing correctly. I feel like the side sc is coming forward more rather than being on the side. Can anyone think of what I'm doing wrong? It's like the side is a sc row sort of on top of the edge.

[Rachel]

I just joined crochetville and am enjoying reading all that you all do! I have been working on the 63 square afghan since the end of January. I was wondering if anyone had worked on square 53 yet? I am having a time figuring out how to make it look right and keep the right number of stitche per row. Would sure appreciate any insights!
Rachel

[Donna]

I'm not sure I'm doing my finishing correctly. I feel like the side sc is coming forward more rather than being on the side. Can anyone think of what I'm doing wrong? It's like the side is a sc row sort of on top of the edge. Hmm... :scratchchin Can you post a pic of the problem?

[Donna]

Welcome, Rachel! I haven't done that square yet, but hopefully someone else has. Some of us are doing the squares in order and some are skipping around randomly. :)

[Piper0110]

I have a question. Another one.

In this pattern, what's the difference between slip stitch and single crochet? Other than their use, of course. Are they the same essential stitch? Insert hook in, yarn over, draw through two?

And does anyone know if that's a Leisure Arts standard? My new pattern book confuses me.

Or maybe I'm completely wrong on this, which is why my squares seem a bit off.

[annette414]

A slip stitch is kind of a half single crochet.

With a loop on your hook, insert into next stitch, yarn over and draw thru both loops on the hook.

Single crochet is similar, except instead of drawing thru both loops on the hook, draw thru one, yarn over and *then* draw thru both loops.

Make sense?

(And I finished that baby afghan tonight...but two more need to be done. I know waaay too many people having babies right now! I'll try to work a few squares before starting the next one when I get back from California on Sunday)

[Donna]

Slip stitch and single crochet are definitely different, which would cause a problem with your squares if you're doing the same thing for both stitches. (Just a note: If you have any publications from the UK, they call most of the stitches by different names.)

These links should answer everything! Stitchguide.com is excellent!

Slip stitch:
stitchguide.com/stitches/crochet/stitch_pages/cro_slip_stitch.html (http://stitchguide.com/stitches/crochet/stitch_pages/cro_slip_stitch.html)

Single crochet:
stitchguide.com/stitches/crochet/stitch_pages/cro_single_crochet.html (http://stitchguide.com/stitches/crochet/stitch_pages/cro_single_crochet.html)

[Piper0110]

Ok, but if you look at the guide in the beginning of the 63 squares book, single crochet is described exactly as you described slip stitch.

So confused!

Maybe I'll redo square 1, just to be safe. I just hope I can get by with not re-doing the others I finished. I think only the edging would be a problem. And here I thought if I followed the pattern, I'd be fine.

[shelbyro]

This slip stitch/sc thread reminds me how for my first 9 months of crocheting, I could NOT figure out the difference between the two, despite pictorial directions. LOL!

I get it now--sc has a extra step--but boy did I feel silly!!<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/oops.gif" />

[Donna]

if you look at the guide in the beginning of the 63 squares book, single crochet is described exactly as you described slip stitch. So confused!
Sorry you are having trouble with this, Piper! :( We'll help you until you figure it out!

I checked my 63 squares book, and I can't find any description of the slip stitch, only the single crochet.

I'll try to describe:

Single crochet:
1. Yarn over.
2. Insert hook in stitch and pull up a loop.
3. Yarn over and draw through both loops on hook.

Slip stitch:
1. Do NOT yarn over.
2. Insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, and draw through loop on hook.

Let me know if this helps! I will keep trying until you get it! :hug

[Tiffany]

Rachel,

I've been working on my squares randomly and since I was currently without a square, I've started working on #53 to see if I can help you out. Hopefully, with both of us doing it, we can figure it out together!

I'll write more after I get a few more rows done.

[Rachel]

Yeah!
I have only one and a half squares left not counting the problem square. When I was doing the first row of crossed puffs I wasn't sure if I take the thread behind the stitch or not. Then when I did the next row, sc, I had way too many stitches.
Rachel

[Julie]

I have only one and a half squares left not counting the problem square

Wow!! Good for you! You must be flying to get them done now, so close to the end. :woohoo

[Rachel]

I am pretty excited to get this far. I haven't ever finished such a big project all in one go at it. It usually takes several trys to get anything done. I get too excited about some other project and let the current one go. But not this time I have conquered the procrastination bug! :woohoo
Now I just have to keep at it and put the silly thing together and edge it!
Rachel

[Julie]

You can't stop now, Rachel. Keep going! :clap :cheer :clap

[Piper0110]

I would love to see pictures when you get it finished. And it sounds like that should be soon! :clap

[Tiffany]

I had a hard time which sc to skip. The first time I started, I was counting the first puff as the skipped stitch, so I was actually doing two puffs in that stitch when I was doing the crossed puff.

When I've been working in the skipped sc, I'm working in front of the puff I just completed and I'm ending up with the right amount of stitches.

I completely do not understand what I just wrote, so I hope that helps a little! :fluffy Once I do the sc row, I'll let you know if I had the right number of stitches there.

[julianscat]

Hi Donna,

Ok, you all have lured me in. I stopped by my local craft store after work and picked up the 63 squares book and some Red Heart SuperSaver in plumberry and pale plum. I finished the first square this morning!

Emily

[Donna]

Yay, Emily! :woohoo Welcome! I'll add you to the list. Your colors sound wonderful; I love purple! :bigsmile

[Tiffany]

Woohoo Emily! :woohoo

Your colors do sound gorgeous!

[Piper0110]

Finished the fourth square and started the fifth last night! It helps that I really don't have any other projects going right now. I'm sure this rapid pace will slow down, but I really want to finish this before the summer's out! I'm not so sure it's going to happen, but I can hope! And not let myself start anything else. Well, maybe one or two little projects :)

[julianscat]

Whoops, it's not plumberry, it's ocean (but it's still pretty), with soft white for the ecru parts.:fluffy

(I think I just like the sound of plumberry).

Emily

[Julie]

I love Ocean. I did a ripple out of two strands of that at once and love it. It's a great color!

[Donna]

Yes, ocean is so pretty!

[Piper0110]

Because I'm a fairly new crochetter, I'm having trouble with the Trinity Stitch.

You insert in the same chain and pull up a loop. Then in the next chain and pull up a loop. The instructions say to do that twice, but does that mean you pull up a loop in your first chain, then two loops in your second chain?

And if so, then I'm having trouble actually managing to pull up two loops in that second chain. It's too tight!

Note that I've not gotten past the first few stitches, so it might get easier, but this just doesn't seem right.

Thanks!

[Tiffany]

Then in the next chain and pull up a loop. The instructions say to do that twice, but does that mean you pull up a loop in your first chain, then two loops in your second chain?

When it says to pull up a loop twice, you're going to do that in the same chain, so YO and pull up a loop, YO again, and pull up a loop. You'll then pull through all four loops, or less (can't remember the exact directions for that one right now :p ).

I hope this helps! :bigsmile

[Piper0110]

That does help. So I am doing it right. It just ends up so tight that I can't pull up the two loops in the second chain. Suggestions? I've tried a few different hooks.

[Rachel]

Wow! I can't believe it. I am finished putting the first two rows together and half way on the third. :bigsmile Only thing is that when I am done putting the third row together that means I have to finish Square 53. The putting together has gone really fast. Hope the edging is as easy as the putting rows together has been.
Just had to share.
Rachel

[Julie]

Sometimes I think joining squares is better than crocheting. Not often, but sometimes. It is tranquil work, you don't have to study a pattern and you can just stitch away without worry. I love that. Can't wait to see the finished project.

[Donna]

It just ends up so tight that I can't pull up the two loops in the second chain. Suggestions? I've tried a few different hooks. Piper, I remember you saying your sc square was tight, too. It's possible that you are crocheting too tightly in general, which would make some stitches really difficult.

I've been crocheting for so long, that I might not have understood the problem had I not taught my niece to crochet recently. She had a really hard time holding the yarn loosely. She seemed to keep just pulling, pulling, pulling at the yarn. The yarn should lay loosely in your hand and you should be gently using your index finger to give the yarn a light tension as you crochet. There shouldn't be any pulling and yanking. If this sounds like the problem you're having, I suggest sitting down with some yarn and practicing. Pick a simple stitch (single crochet or double crochet would probably be best). Make a short chain, about 25 chains or so, and then just keep practicing rows and rows of the same stitch until your yarn is loosey goosey, but you can gently keep tension with your index finger. You should feel comfortable with the yarn and not be fighting it.

If you don't think that's the problem your having, let me know and I'll try and help any way I can! :bigsmile