Whether you live up North, or down South, or somewhere easterly or westerly, we are all surrounded by seawater. My intention in creating the pieces for this CAL was to take photos on Puerto Rico, where my daughter was bringing me for some much needed rest, figuring the blue waters there would make a wonderful backdrop.
As it turns out, the US postal service did not get me my boxes there in time, and they also have not managed to return them to me in Maine. So, in typical extreme crochet fashion, I began from scratch when I got back. Please do not shake your fists at me because I have no photos of the full pieces. They are hopefully safe in those boxes somewhere and will eventually make it back to me. In the meantime, I'm stitching as fast as I can to try to get full shots within the next week of both throws. The good news is that I really know these squares. The bad news is, well, I've already told you the bad news!
Here is the link to: Both the Homespun and Vanna's Choice versions, both in text and full pattern pdfs; the construction chart; and the ship's wheel help. I didn't do a help for just the background square- if someone really needs it, I will do it, but in the interests of time (and what remaining sanity I have left), I didn't yet.
http://www.mainlycrochet.org/store/p339/By_The_Sea_CAL_First_Square.html
My intention with the Homespun Throw was to create an Impressionist view of the sea. Not many hard edges with this one. The Vanna's Choice version is crisper, with a nattier, navier point of view. Both will work just fine in your house by the sea! The construction diagram will have to do what my travelling boxes are not letting me do yet- give you an overall understanding of what will be coming designwise.
Week 1: A dc background is used for appliqued ships wheels and freehand birds in flight-4 squares
Week 2: A Multi granny- meaning each rnd is a different color-4 squares
Week 3: A Full Granny: meaning we learn how to make a granny with just one color (except for the edging)-4 squares
Week 4: Waves- you can't have the sea without waves! Changing colors at the end of rows will be explained.-4 squares
Week 5: Beach Glass: A center round of precious purple beach glass surrounded by colors of the sand and sea- 4 squares
Week 6: Moon in the water- only one square this week giving you a chance to catch up. A center sc circle to illuminate the night.
Week 7: Landscapes A & B- simple dc colorwork in 2 different colorways- 4 squares
Week 8: Intarsia A,B,C,and D will show you how to make color blocks move- 4 squares
Week 9: c2c squares to help you fall in love with this trending crochet technique-4 squares
Week 10: Whirlpool- color working within rnds for our hardest square here- these will be the last 2.
Week 11: Joining- I'm suggesting that the Homespun version get sc'd together; will explore different ways to join the VC version
Week 12: On the Edge: Two very different edges for the two versions, with a few suggestions for others.
Just to be sure....for this first week we are supposed to make 4 squares total? Two Hepplewhite and two Waterfall each with the corresponding appliques?
ReplyDeleteYes, two each of the Ship's Wheel and the Birds in Flight- you can see on the construction diagram at N,S,E,W the #s1 for these.Two backgrounds of Hepplewhite; 2 backgrounds of Waterfall for the Homespun Version; 2 Colonial Blue and Two Dusty Blue for the VC version. Coloration will be somewhat different as well as the yarn texture....
ReplyDeleteAlso, is there a gauge to achieve? Not seeing one in the pattern for the homespun. Sorry to be a pain! But, ty in advance!
ReplyDeleteYou will be aiming for 9 inch squares for the Homespun; 8 inches for the Vanna's Choice squares.Dare I say it won't matter if it's a little off? The important thing is to get the squares close to the same size to facilitate the joining.You don't want to be too tight or the throw will be stiff. I'm glad you asked- I think I will do a gauge discussion blog this week....
ReplyDeleteMy main concern was being sure I'd have enough yarn. I tend to crochet loosely and eat up yarn, but my first two squares are at 8" using the Homespun. Is it safe to use the iron method for blocking the Homespun yarn? I'm sure I can get another 1/2"-1" out of the squares with blocking, but I hate doing it the old-fashioned way.
ReplyDeleteIt is recommended to NOT use an iron with Homespun, even with using just the steam. If your squares are at 8 inches, you can either use a larger hook (usually K/10.5 is recommended, but I always feel more comfortable with my 10/J hook, and since hook comfort makes or breaks working with Homespun, that's what I chose to use) OR just accept that you'll have a somewhat smaller throw. I personally think the comfort with working it is the biggest issue, so you'll have to decide that one. Wet blocking does work to some extent- wetting (though NOT soaking) the square, and letting it dry makes it possible to alter the finished size somewhat. Just make sure you've got plenty of ventilation so you don't end up with a soggy mess. I don't think you are at risk for running out of yarn. even if you stitch loosely. Using this numbers of colors will leave lots of leftovers (which is why the next CAL will be leftover yarn projects!) Couldn't resist all these colors!
ReplyDeleteWhen I click on the link to the first square, all I'm getting is 4 pictures to look at. Where are the instructions and diagram. Michelle, the link you gave me last night does the same thing, only it's a square from your previous CAL. I'm really confused. Susan
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry! I thought you meant for the other CAL!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mainlycrochet.org/store/p339/By_The_Sea_CAL_First_Square.html is the website link that has both versions, in text and full patterns, the construction diagram, and the help for the ship's wheel.
Click BUY NOW- you don't have to buy anything-this pattern is free, though you have to give them your e-mail address. Sorry if this is confusing, but all the First Square info is there.
DeleteYea! Thank you for the clarification. I'm determined to muddle thru this project with everyone. Appreciate your patience. Susan
ReplyDeleteYAY! That's the attitude! One stitch at a time, ask if youy have trouble, and we'll see you through!
ReplyDelete