And the Mystery is solved! Hope you all enjoyed MysteryGhan 2021 – last clue is in your email and Rav library – thanks to all who chatted and shared updates and results on our Rav board and FB Group. Pattern is now called Four Winds Afghan due to its four distinct pattern sections.

Please continue to discuss the pattern as you finish up and let me know if you have any problems. I sent out a first copy of this last clue that contained an error in Round 1 of the border, but the correction was sent out right afterward. The pattern lends itself to your own interpretation; you can always change the size length or width-wise, you can substitute a stitch pattern, or you can shape-shift the motifs, as some have done on my Ravelry group – they made the first four squares into a square and continued around in the next patterns to make the afghan in the round. It’s a great idea and while I am not going to work it up right now, I look forward to seeing you put your interprations out there.

Do not forget to sign up on this blog for blog updates, so you do not miss news of the next pattern or Crochet Along or Knit Along or any news from me. As you know, our next CAL will be working through my pattern Resplendent Afghan which appears in the Fall 2021 Interweave Crochet Magazine, available at newsstands and online. We will begin October 11, 2021, and yarn details are here.

I am happy to have a new affiliate relationship with Jimmy Beans Wool, a fun and exciting yarn shop selling only the best in crochet and knit supplies. I think the Craftvent Calendar 2021 sounds like a great time – you receive an Advent Calendar-like box with a different treat for each day of December, containing the yarn or notion needed to complete a crochet or knit shawl or mittens. Check it out and let me know if you want to CAL/KAL – I have my eye on the Tidings Wrap in Buttermint.

JulieAnny MysteryGhan 2021 can be downloaded on Ravelry. First Clue is going out right now free of charge to those who have downloaded the Intro using Coupon Code. It will be available as a pattern update in your Ravelry library. For new participants, the pattern will be offered at half-price, $3.49, for the duration of the Crochet-Along. The Clues will be released weekly for seven weeks. Share photos, progress notes, and ask questions on my Ravelry Board and Facebook CAL group as noted below.

Ravelry Chat but NO SPOILER PHOTOS:  https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/julie-yeager-designs/4143996/1-25

Ravelry Chat, PHOTOS ALLOWED:

https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/julie-yeager-designs/4141312/1-25]

Facebook Group – No photos in first post of a thread.  You can start a thread, saying that you will post photos in first reply.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/351656498338028/

If you need yarn, please purchase through my affiliate links and I will get a small commission.  For my first sample I used Loops and Threads Impeccable, available at Michael’s.  For second sample, Scheepjes Chunky Monkey available at Deramores and Wool Warehouse.  For third sample, try Paintbox Simply Aran available at LoveCrafts.  I worked out the colors for Stylecraft Special Aran and Special DK, available at Deramores and Wool Warehouse.  In aran weight, the size will measure about 48” x 66”, smaller in DK but you can enlarge easily. For Vanna’s Choice, try Lion Brand. 

As many of you know, I have been publishing a Mystery Afghan since 2011.  Previous designs were Hexaghan, September Morning, Garden State Afghan, Deco’Ghan, Summer Mosaic, Sweet Pea Afghan, Midday Mandala, and Octa’Ghan. The patterns are released piece by piece over a period of about eight weeks and we crochet along without benefit of photos or videos – it is a Mystery after all!  After a few days, photos start showing up on our spoiler threads on Ravelry and Facebook Groups, and we can all work together and ask questions.  We have seen some fabulous renditions of the afghans over the years, and there are over 1500 photos on Ravelry to look at!

Ravelry Chat but NO SPOILER PHOTOS:  https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/julie-yeager-designs/4143996/1-25

Ravelry Chat, PHOTOS ALLOWED:

https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/julie-yeager-designs/4141312/1-25]

Facebook Group – No photos in first post of a thread.  You can start a thread, saying that you will post photos in first reply.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/351656498338028/

I release the pattern for free as an introductory deal, but once the Crochet Along begins it becomes a paid pattern. Pattern is on Ravelry and for now is called JulieAnny MysteryGhan 2021. Coupon code is KODACHROME and is good from now until August 15 end of day. Updates will be free on Ravelry. File available now includes an intro and a tiny mini-clue which is the beginning of Clue 1.

This year’s design will be done in several large pieces to be pieced together into a rectangle shape.  So it is not as many pieces as last year’s Octa’Ghan, but it is not a one-piece design either.  There are about 6 large pieces plus a border, but each section works off the previous piece.  It will be mostly fun and easy stitch patterns with a few new techniques.

I was inspired by sun-drenched colors of a holiday beach resort and the hand-painted pottery a friend brought me back as a gift years ago.  I will give you my colors and yarn suggestions now so you can get ready but this design is also very suited to stash busting.  I’m using TEN colors and I think it works!

If you need yarn, please purchase through my affiliate links.  For my first sample I used Loops and Threads Impeccable, available at Michael’s.  For second sample, Scheepjes Chunky Monkey available at Deramores and Wool Warehouse.  For third sample, try Paintbox Simply Aran available at LoveCrafts.  I worked out the colors for Stylecraft Special Aran and Special DK, available at Deramores and Wool Warehouse.  In aran weight, the size will measure about 45” x 60”, smaller in DK but you can enlarge easily. For Vanna’s Choice, try Lion Brand. 

Yarn Suggestions

I’ve worked my sample in Loops and Threads Impeccable Yarn, a 100% acrylic medium weight #4 yarn available at Michael’s. My palette is bright and sun-drenched like a summer vacation by the sea, mostly greens and blues, a little yellow and orange, with black and white accents. I used the following amounts:

(Impeccable skein is 4.5 oz, 127 g, 285 y, 260 m)

Impeccable at Michaels: 3 skeins each of Clear Blue and White, 2 skeins each of Sea Green and Bright Sky Blue, 1 skein each of Royal, Sunny Day, Pumpkin, Aqua, Citron, and Black

Follow my colors or work up your own from stash. If you need yarn, please purchase through my links and I will get a commission.

StyleCraft Special Aran and PaintBox Simply Aran by LoveCrafts are of a very similar weight and can be substituted with the following colors and amounts:

StyleCraft at Deramores and Wool Warehouse: 4 skeins of Cream, 3 skeins of Cloud Blue, 2 skeins each of Royal, Aspen, Empire, 1 skein each of Saffron, Spice, Cornish Blue (or Turquoise in dk), Pistachio, and Black

Paintbox Simply Aran at LoveCrafts (on sale today only): 4 skeins of Paper White, 3 skeins of Dolphin Blue, 2 skeins each of Sailor Blue, Washed Teal, Kingfisher Blue, and 1 skein Buttercup Yellow, Blood Orange, Marine Blue, Lime Green, and Pure Black

Chunky Monkey by Scheepjes is of a heavier weight and these amounts are just estimates but the colors are soo pretty and saturated that I would definitely recommend:

Chunky Monkey at Wool Warehouse and Deramores: 6 skeins of 1001, 5 skeins of 1082, 3 skeins each of 1422 and 2015, 2 skeins each of 1117, 1821, and 1002, 1 skein each of 2008, 2002, and 1068

The blanket is coming out bigger than I thought at first so if you use dk yarn it will still be a nice size.

First Clue August 16, 2021.

I’ve worked my sample in Loops and Threads Impeccable Yarn, a 100% acrylic medium weight #4 yarn available at Michael’s. My palette is bright and sun-drenched like a summer vacation by the sea, mostly greens and blues, a little yellow and orange, with black and white accents. I used the following amounts:

(Impeccable skein is 4.5 oz, 127 g, 285 y, 260 m)

Impeccable at Michaels: 3 skeins each of Clear Blue and White, 2 skeins each of Sea Green and Bright Sky Blue, 1 skein each of Royal, Sunny Day, Pumpkin, Aqua, Citron, and Black

Follow my colors or work up your own from stash. If you need yarn, please purchase through my links and I will get a commission.

StyleCraft Special Aran and PaintBox Simply Aran by LoveCrafts are of a very similar weight and can be substituted with the following colors and amounts:

StyleCraft at Deramores and Wool Warehouse: 4 skeins of Cream, 3 skeins of Cloud Blue, 2 skeins each of Royal, Aspen, Empire, 1 skein each of Saffron, Spice, Cornish Blue (or Turquoise in dk), Pistachio, and Black

Paintbox Simply Aran at LoveCrafts (on sale today only): 4 skeins of Paper White, 3 skeins of Dolphin Blue, 2 skeins each of Sailor Blue, Washed Teal, Kingfisher Blue, and 1 skein Buttercup Yellow, Blood Orange, Marine Blue, Lime Green, and Pure Black

Chunky Monkey by Scheepjes is of a heavier weight and these amounts are just estimates but the colors are soo pretty and saturated that I would definitely recommend:

Chunky Monkey at Wool Warehouse and Deramores: 6 skeins of 1001, 5 skeins of 1082, 3 skeins each of 1422 and 2015, 2 skeins each of 1117, 1821, and 1002, 1 skein each of 2008, 2002, and 1068

The blanket is coming out bigger than I thought at first so if you use dk yarn it will still be a nice size.

First Clue August 16, will publish free coupon code here August 2. Free code good until CAL starts, paid pattern thereafter.

As many of you know, I have been publishing a Mystery Afghan since 2011.  Previous designs were Hexaghan, September Morning, Garden State Afghan, Deco’Ghan, Summer Mosaic, Sweet Pea Afghan, Midday Mandala, and Octa’Ghan. The patterns are released piece by piece over a period of about eight weeks and we crochet along without benefit of photos or videos – it is a Mystery after all!  After a few days, photos start showing up on our spoiler threads on Ravelry and Facebook Groups, and we can all work together and ask questions.  We have seen some fabulous renditions of the afghans over the years, and there are over 1500 photos on Ravelry to look at!

I release the pattern for free as an introductory deal, but once the Crochet Along begins it becomes a paid pattern.  So to get in at the beginning and receive the free Coupon Code, be sure to subscribe to my blog updates for the latest news.  I am finalizing the design now and it should be ready soon, hoping to begin the week of August 16, 2021.

This year’s design will be done in several large pieces to be pieced together into a rectangle shape.  So it is not as many pieces as last year’s Octa’Ghan, but it is not a one-piece design either.  There are about 6 large pieces plus a border.  It will be mostly fun and easy stitch patterns with a few new techniques.

I was inspired by sun-drenched colors of a holiday beach resort and the hand-painted pottery a friend brought me back as a gift years ago.  I will give you my colors and yarn suggestions now so you can get ready but this design is also very suited to stash busting.  I’m using TEN colors and I think it works!

If you need yarn, please purchase through my affiliate links.  For my first sample I used Loops and Threads Impeccable, available at Michael’s.  For second sample, Scheepjes Chunky Monkey available at Deramores and Wool Warehouse.  For third sample, try Paintbox Simply Aran available at LoveCrafts.  I worked out the colors for Stylecraft Special Aran and Special DK, available at Deramores and Wool Warehouse.  In aran weight, the size will measure about 45” x 60”, smaller in DK but you can enlarge easily. For Vanna’s Choice, try Lion Brand. 

This mini motif is not part of the pattern but gives you an idea of the color scheme I’m using. Mostly blues ,aquas, and green, with splashes of black, white , orange, and yellow.   So far, with Impeccable ( medium weight acrylic, 4.5 oz skein, 127.5 g, 285 yards, 260 m) the yarn estimates are as follows: 

Royal – 2 skeins

Clear Blue – 3

White-4

Sunny Day -1

Pumpkin-1

Sea Green -2

Bright Sky Blue-2

Aqua-1

Citron-1

Black-2