Category Archives: Afghan Square CAL

BAW 2019 Palette Suggestions

December 14, 2018Afghan Square CALjulieyeagerdesigns

BLOCK of the WEEK coming soon, buy your yarn now to take advantage of Holiday Sales. There are going to be 48 patterns for 12″ blocks so you will have enough for 2 or 3 afghans. Using worsted or aran each block takes about 80 grams of yarn, so plan accordingly. I started with about 1600 grams for each project and I’ll buy more later if needed. Dye lot does not matter much for these multicolored blocks. Here are some suggestions:

Buy pre-made palettes – Sometimes I find the nicest palette collected for another blanket project. Don’t you love when someone coordinates for you? Check out the designer shops at Wool Warehouse and Deramores for the expert advice.
I’m making my first one with Scheepjes Stonewashed XL: 32 skeins should yield 20-24 blocks. I’m using 12 colors: 3 each of Canada Jade, Deep Amethyst, Lemon Quartz, Coral, and 2 each of Lilac Quartz, Brown Agate, Peridot, Enstatite, Morganite, Yellow Jasper, and Boulder Opal with about 6 skeins of Lepidolite for join and border. Try Wool Warehouse or Deramores.
Found this new yarn I like – Studio Classic by Nicole only available at A.C. Moore. I’m going with one skein each of Purple, Soft Purple, Orchid, Antique White, Orange and (not shown) Leaf Green, Soft Gold, and Deep Brown to surround each block and border.
Vanna’s Choice you will need about 16 skeins to start. A similar palette can be made with 2 skeins each of Purple, Dusty Purple, Terracotta, Fisherman, Dusty Green, Mustard, and 4 skeins of Chocolate for border. Get it at Lion Brand, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or Joann.

Thanks for clicking through to purchase from any of my links; buy anything once you get to the website through my link and I’ll receive a commission.

BAWJ2019 Tote Bag Info

December 13, 2018Afghan Square CALjulieyeagerdesigns

I’m getting excited about our upcoming Block of the Week Crochet Along 2019 to begin on January 7, 2019.

Thanks to U2Sadie for this rendition of the offered patterns.

EDIT 2/26/19: TOTE BAG now available without patterns – Tote Bag alone in this Etsy Listing. EDIT 1/7/19: TOTE BAG now available with any $25.00 purchase from my Ravelry Store or Etsy Store. Free shipping in U.S. ; International shipping at cost. The International Shipping can be calculated in the Etsy shop listing. PM me.

I’ve put together a package for Eighteen 12″ afghan square patterns by Julie Yeager with a free tote bag.

Purchase 18 afghan square patterns and receive this attractive and functional custom tote bag for the yarn and supplies you will need for the Block of the Week with JulieAnny 2019 as a free bonus. Large capacity tote with snap fastener – keep your yarn inside and use three outside pockets for your hooks, pattern, scissors, and notions.

Bag as shown in a pretty burgundy/beige two-tone with tan handles. Tote measures about 13″ x 12.5″ x 4″ and handle length is 24″. will Fits five giant 7 oz skeins (1000 grams) or over 30 small skeins (1500 grams.)

Come Crochet Along with us on my Ravelry board and Facebook Group (Crochet-A-Long with JulieAnny) starting January 7, 2019 as we work on a different free afghan square pattern for each week of 2019 (about 48 blocks – December is for joining and border.) Patterns will be announced here on the blog. The work of 40 talented designers will be featured, and I will fill in with my own designs, including several new designs.

Purchase these 18 patterns as a digital download on Ravelry for $26.75 and I will mail the tote bag free to your US address. Check out my Etsy listing for International shipping options. Edited to add: Offer of free tote bag applies to any purchase of $25.00 in my Rav or Etsy shop. Don’t forget BOGO18 good until January 31, 2019. PM me your address for mailing.

(These patterns were included in a previous CAL and can be mixed and matched with this years’ 48 squares. Patterns include In Treble, JulieAnny’s Stained Glass Afghan Square, Eight-Pointed Flower, Sun Catcher, Catalina, Clusters, Spiky Circle, Margaret, Spiral Circle to Square, Fantastic, Firenze, Floral Fantasy, Heart to Heart, Holiday Ornament, Loopy, Mum in Treble, Viva la Vida, and Sweet and Fair.)

Finishing our Afghan Block CAL

January 9, 2016Afghan Square CALjulieyeagerdesigns

There are many options when it comes to joining our afghan blocks. I am lagging behind but I plan to put the border from “Fantastic” Block on all the blocks and then just slip stitch the blocks together. I love to slip stitch through the front loops on the front side of the work and almost always use this join, especially when I do not want to distract from the design of the block.

When I first started joining blocks in afghan swaps I would add rounds of dc and sc in pretty color combinations to tie everything together. Simple but effective, and I think fringe is underrated. 🙂

A favorite and classic join is Priscilla Hewitt’s “Flat Braid Join.” Be careful at the corners; that part always trips me up! There are video tutorials out there for this method.

My designer friend Margaret MacInnis has done several tutorials on joining methods. Her “No Hook Out” method is a favorite, but check out her other tutorials.

Sandra at Crochet Cabana has a great description of a “Join As You Go.” Love this.

So there are many great resources out there for joining your blocks, and each time you finish an afghan you will improve your skills.

Week 9 – Heart to Heart, Circle Star, and JulieAnny’s Stained Glass Afghan Square

December 29, 2015Afghan Square CALjulieyeagerdesigns

We are at the last week of our Afghan Square CAL. Many of you have already completed gorgeous afghans! This week our free square was planned to be Circle Star, part of the Chain Reaction Afghan Project that I designed for an Interweave crochet contest and which appears in a free online e-book but some of you were having a hard time downloading it so I added another free block, Heart to Heart, which debuts here free on the blog. Heart to Heart is only a 9″ block but you can add a few rounds to bring it up to size. 🙂

Our featured paid pattern is the ever-popular JulieAnny’s Stained Glass Afghan Square, with over 560 project pages on Ravelry.

When I had this as a free download one day, it was downloaded 10,000 times! This block has been around for a while and was my first best-seller. Still fun to do and makes a striking result. Here is a recent project that Beth Stanton and her sister completed for their aunt:

As you finish your squares, you may be looking for ideas on how to join the blocks. My designer friend Margaret MacInnis has a few great tutorials for joining blocks; here is her No-Hook Out method.

Hope you enjoyed Crocheting Along and stay tuned for our next project!

Week 8 Afghan Block CAL – Viva La Vida and Mum in Treble

December 19, 2015Afghan Square CALjulieyeagerdesigns

This week’s free block is Viva La Vida – a fun design that incorporates yo-yos right into the fabric of the piece. Block makes its free debut right here on the blog.

Paid pattern is Mum In Treble, $3.99 on Ravelry or available as part of the 18-pattern e-book. I designed this block as a companion to In Treble, with its many treble clusters. I find a loose hand with the petals gives the best look.

Viva La Vida Afghan Square Free!

December 19, 2015Afghan Square CAL, Free Patternjulieyeagerdesigns

Viva La Vida Afghan Square

by Julie Yeager Designs

Materials: Color A: Duckie Color B: White Color C: Eggplant Color D: Pink Poodle Color E: Kelly Green Color F: Magenta Color G: Black

Suggested hook: Size I (5.5 mm)

Special Stitches:

Corner (over two stitches): (2dc,tr) in first st,(tr, 2dc) in second st

Beg. Corner (over two stitches): ( Ch 3, dc, tr) in first st, (tr, 2 dc) in second st

Yo-Yo: 14 dc in next st. After 14 th dc, with right side facing, rotate work clockwise and join with sl st to first of the 14 dc.

Notes: Ch 3 at the beginning of a round counts as a dc. The first round of the three yo-yo flowers are worked into the block, then at the end we go back and add the additional rounds.

Instructions:

Round 1: With A, ch 4, join with sl st to form ring. Ch 3, 11 dc in ring, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (12 dc)

Round 2: Ch 3, (corner over next 2 st, dc in next st) three times, corner, sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off A. (20 dc, 8 tr)

Round 3: Join B with sl to first tr of any corner, Beg. Corner, (dc in next 5 st, corner) three times, dc in next 5 st, sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off B. (36 dc, 8 tr)

Round 4: Join C with sl to next tr. Beg. Corner, dc in next 9 st, (corner, dc in next 9 st) twice, corner, yo-yo in next st, dc in next 8 st, sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off C. (51 dc, 8 tr, 1 yo-yo)

Round 5: Join D with sl to next tr. Beg. Corner, dc in next 8 st, yo-yo in next st, dc in next 4 st, corner, dc in next 13 st, corner, yo-yo in next st, dc in next 12 st, corner, dc in next 13 st, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (66 dc, 8 tr, 2 yo-yo)

Round 6: Ch 3, dc in next st, (corner, dc in next 17 st) three times, corner, dc in next 15 st. Sl st to top of beg ch-3, fasten off D. (84 dc, 8 tr)

Round 7: Join E with sc in first tr of any corner, sc in same st. 2 Sc in next st. (Sc in next 21 st, 2 sc in each of next 2 st.) three times, sc in next 21 st. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off E. (100 sc)

Round 8: (All st worked in BLO.) Join B with sl in BLO of 2 nd sc of any corner. Beg. corner, (dc in next 23 st, corner) three times, dc in next 23 st, sl to top of beg ch- 3. Fasten off B. (108 dc, 8 tr)

Round 9: Join E with sc in first tr of any corner, sc in same st. 2 sc in next st. [Sc in next 2 st, *sk 3 front loops in Rnd 7 and tr in next FL in Rnd 7. Sk 1 st in Rnd 8 and sc in next 3 st in Rnd 8.* Repeat * to * 5 times for a total of 6 tr. Sc in next st on Rnd 8, 2 sc in each of next 2 st] four times, omitting last corner. Fasten off E. (When turning the corner you are skipping 4 loops.) (100 sc, 24 tr)

Round 10: (All st worked in BLO.) Join F with sl in BLO of 2 nd of 4 corner sc, Beg. corner over this and next st. (Dc in next 29 st, corner) three times, dc in next 29 st, sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off F. (132 st)

Round 11: Join G with sc in first tr of any corner, sc in same st. 2 Sc in next st. (Sc in next 33 st, 2 sc in each of next 2 st.) three times, sc in next 33 st. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off G. (148 sc)

Adding to the yo-yos

“Round 4” yo-yo

Join F with sc in any st, hdc, ch 2, hdc, sc in same st. [Sk 1 st, (sc, hdc, ch 2, hdc, sc in next st)] 6 times, sk 1 st, sl st to beg st. Fasten off F.

“Round 5” – first yo-yo

1: Join G with sc in any st, sc in same st, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to beg st. Fasten off G. 2: Join B with sc in any st, sc in same st, (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around, sc in last st, sl st to beg sc. Fasten off B.

“Round 5” – second yo-yo

You will work one round through back loops of yo-yo, and one round through front loops.

Using Back Loops – Join E with sc in back loop of any st, (ch 5, sc in next st) 13 times, ch 5, sl st to beg sc, fasten off.

Using Front Loops – Join A with sc in front loop of any st, ch 2, sc in same st,*( sc, ch 2, sc) in next st,* 13 times, sl st to beg st, fasten off.

Copyright 2013 – Julie Yeager Designs. Please do not reproduce or distribute this pattern, even if it was obtained as a “free” pattern. See all my designs at http://www.ravelry.com/stores/julie-yeager-designs. Contact me at [email protected].

Week 7 Afghan Block CAL: Spiral Circle to Square and Firenze

December 13, 2015Afghan Square CALjulieyeagerdesigns

This week features Spiral Circle to Square, free now for a limited time with coupon code SPIRAL on Ravelry. (Coupon good until February 29, 2016.) It is an easy four-color spiral, and you may be familiar with the concept, but I thought the way I squared it up added something new. This is my original and then a lovely version by Marywalkerartist.

Here is what your pieces should look like after a few rounds, thanks to MadStitcher1 for pic:

The paid pattern this week is Firenze Afghan Square. Dedri Uys did a tutorial for this block on her blog last year. Here is my original, a bright version by lieslein, and a blanket version by mariaknits1508.

Please share photos and progress on my Ravelry board and/or our Facebook CAL page.

Week 6 – Margaret & Margaret; In Treble

December 6, 2015Afghan Square CALjulieyeagerdesigns

Week 6 of our 12″ Afghan Block CAL features Margaret , free here on the blog, a 12″ solid block done in the tapestry crochet technique. I designed this block a while back for a comfortghan for a designer friend, Margaret MacInnis; here is one by SueW28.

Now Margaret is offering one of her new original designs free to the followers of this CAL – here is her block, Mystery Puffed Wheat, now available free on Ravelry with coupon code Saskwheat. Thanks, Margaret!

Our paid pattern this week is the very popular In Treble. Worked almost entirely in treble crochet clusters, this block always makes a statement. Available on Ravelry for $3.99 or as part of the E-book. Here is the original plus a four-square by Vivilion:

Get all the blocks for the CAL in this E-book, and please share your progress on my Rav group and Facebook CAL group.

Margaret Afghan Square

December 5, 2015Afghan Square CAL, Free Patternjulieyeagerdesigns

Margaret 12″ Afghan Square

By Julie Yeager Designs

Suggested Yarn: Worsted or Aran weight

Color A: Gray Color B: Blue

Suggested Hook Size: Size J (6.0 mm)

Pattern uses American crochet terms.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

Sc – single crochet sl – slip ch- chain st – stitch sp – space yo – yarn over

This design uses the Tapestry Crochet technique. Change colors at the last yarn-over of each stitch and crochet over the color not in use.

Round 1: With A, ch 4, join with sl st to form ring. Ch 1, 8 sc in ring, sl st to first sc. (8 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st, sl st to first sc. (16 sc)

Round 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, (sc in next 3 st, 3 sc in next st for corner) x 3, sc in next 3 st, sc in same st as first 2 sc of round, sl st to first sc of round. (24 sc)

Round 4: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 2 st. (With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 2 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 2 st) x 3. With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 2 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (32 sc)

Round 5: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 2 st. (With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 2 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 2 st) x 3. With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 2 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (40 sc)

Round 6: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 2 st. (With B, sc in next 5 st. With A, sc in next 2 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 2 st) x 3. With B, sc in next 5 st. With A, sc in next 2 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (48 sc)

Round 7: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 2 st. (With B, sc in next 7 st. With A, sc in next 2 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 2 st) x 3. With B, sc in next 7 st. With A, sc in next 2 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (56 sc)

Round 8: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 4 st. (With B, sc in next 5 st. With A, sc in next 4 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 4 st) x 3. With B, sc in next 5 st. With A, sc in next 4 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (64 sc)

Round 9: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 6 st. (With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 6 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 6 st) x 3. With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 6 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (72 sc)

Round 10: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 8 st. (With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 8 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 8 st) x 3. With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 8 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (80 sc)

Round 11: Work even in A, with sc in each sc and 3 sc in corners. (88 sc)

Round 12: Work even in A, with sc in each sc and 3 sc in corners. (96 sc)

Round 13: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 4 st. (With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 13 st. With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 4 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 4 st) x 3. With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 13 st. With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 4 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (104 sc)

Round 14: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 4 st. (With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 11 st. With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 4 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 4 st) x 3. With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 11 st. With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 4 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (112 sc)

Round 15: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 4 st. (With B, sc in next 5 st. With A, sc in next 9 st. With B, sc in next 5 st. With A, sc in next 4 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 4 st) x 3. With B, sc in next 5 st. With A, sc in next 9 st. With B, sc in next 5st. With A, sc in next 4 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (120 sc)

Round 16: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 4 st. (With B, sc in next 7 st. With A, sc in next 7 st. With B, sc in next 7 st. With A, sc in next 4 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 4 st) x 3. With B, sc in next 7 st. With A, sc in next 7 st. With B, sc in next 7 st. With A, sc in next 4 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (128 sc)

Round 17: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 6 st. (With B, sc in next 5 st. With A, sc in next 9 st. With B, sc in next 5 st. With A, sc in next 6 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 6 st) x 3. With B, sc in next 5 st. With A, sc in next 9 st. With B, sc in next 5 st. With A, sc in next 6 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (136 sc)

Round 18: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 8 st. (With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 11 st. With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 8 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 8 st) x 3. With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 11 st. With B, sc in next 3 st. With A, sc in next 8 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (144 sc)

Round 19: With A, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 10 st. (With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 13 st. With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 10 st, 3 sc in next st for corner, sc in next 10 st) x 3. With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 13 st. With B, sc in next st. With A, sc in next 10 st, sc in same st as beg st, sl st to first sc of round. (152 sc)

Round 20: Work even in A, with sc in each sc and 3 sc in corners. Fasten off. Block lightly. (160 sc)

Copyright 2014 – Julie Yeager Designs. Please do not reproduce or distribute this pattern, even if it was obtained as a “free” pattern. Pattern may be downloaded at Ravelry.com; see all my designs at http://www.ravelry.com/stores/julie-yeager-designs. Contact me at [email protected].

Week 5 – Sun Catcher and Holiday Ornament

November 29, 2015Afghan Square CALjulieyeagerdesigns

(If you hit the little icon at the top of this post that says Afghan Square CAL, you can go to the archive of all posts about this CAL.)

Week 5 of our Afghan Square CAL features Sun Catcher Afghan Square, which is free on Ravelry until the end of 2015 and also free here on the blog. This block is a little challenging, but hundreds have successfully completed it. There are round by round photos on Ravelry in the Block of the Month group.

Holiday Ornament reminds me of those old glass ornaments that my Mom hung on her tree. I have been seeing some great versions of this block lately; this second one is by Isabella106:

This pattern is available on Ravelry for $3.99, and also in the E-book for this CAL, with all 18 patterns for $15.00.