More Alongs...

Since I've been posting about some year long challenges on my blog, a friend shared a couple of more "alongs" with me.

The first is the "How to knit a sky blanket" which you can find here on the Bugs and Fishes blog.  This is a knit-along based on what the sky looks like at a certain time of the day (each day).

The second is the "52 weeks of granny squares" on ravelry.  Here's the link http://www.ravelry.com/groups/52-weeks-of-grannysquares .  You can also check it out on her blog, Words in a Jar http://wordsinajar.com/52-weeks-of-granny/ .

CAL

I was wondering about starting a CAL of my own choosing on this blog, but I'd like some feedback.  Anyone have any suggestions or comments on this?  I'd like to hear them.
Thanks.
Shelly

CAL Afghan Finished

Do you remember the CAL I started back in October?  If not, you can find all the details about it here http://blairpeter.typepad.com/weblog/granny-square-sampler-afghan-project.html .  I didn't like how I was putting it together, so I bagged it all up in early November and put it off to the side while I worked on other projects.  A couple of days ago, when I was thinking of starting something new, I spied the bag with the squares in it and decided that it was high time I finished this CAL afghan.

 So...I laid everything out and figured out where I wanted to put it all.

And this is the finished project.  Completed last night while watching TV with Big Daddy.  I don't hate it as much as I did.  I have to admit that.  In fact, it just might grow on me.

So Far....

this is what my CAL blanket looks like.

I'm still putting it together, but this is basically the inner rectangle.  I need to add a colored border yet.  Then I can start on the outer squares.  I still don't really like it, but it's getting better.  I think it's the blank or white spots that are bothering me so much.

CAL- Putting it together...

I learned something today....

As much as I love these squares....

And doing the CAL....

I do not like squares of different sizes...when it comes to putting them together.

I DO NOT like what I've done so far.

 Can you see the "ugly"?

 I am finally getting the sides more even....but still....

This is my current status on the blanket.

It's looking better, but I still don't like it.

I wonder how everyone else got their squares to go together so nicely.

Mine are really different in sizes.

Maybe it's how I placed them together.

Hmmm....

In any event, I'm not frogging this.

I'm keeping it as is.

I'm also keeping my mind open.

Surely, it will look better when I get more of the squares added.

CAL Squares

 Week 11 (part 1)

 Week 11 (part 2)

 Week 12

 Week 13

Week 14

I'm caught up on squares now (I think).  The next step is to assemble the inner rectangle.  I will work on that tomorrow since I finally have a day at home.  I've enjoyed working on all of these squares tonight.  I haven't had any crochet time at all this week.  Plus, these squares were all unique and I liked watching them unfurl before my eyes.  It's nice to see and learn new things sometimes.

CAL.....(again)

Squares for Week 9.

I happen to love these.

No new squares for Week 10.

On to Week 11.

CAL

Squares for Week 8.

This square fascinates me.  It's so different.

CAL Squares

I completed Week 7 of the CAL this evening.

I think these squares are "way to cool"!!!  :)

CAL Update

Squares for Week 6.

I added the colors Lilac, Ranch Red, Coral, and Delft Blue.

All are Red Heart Super Saver.

CAL Update

I grew tired of working on the Ripple, so I took a quick crochet break and finished up Week 5 of the CAL. Here are my squares for Part 2 (of Week 5).

I have a black circle outlined in bright yellow, a perfect pink circle outlined in white, and a teal circle outlined in charcoal.

CAL Update

Today, I have finished....

 Week 3 (adding the color Grey Heather in Red Heart Super Saver yarn),

 Week 4 (adding the colors Bright Yellow and Charcoal...also Red Heart Super Saver yarn)

and Week 5 - Part 1 (adding the colors Perfect Pink and Black in the same brand of yarn).

I'm having a lot of fun with this CAL.  I should have did one of these before now.

CAL

I needed a portable project since the ripple is getting too big to carry with me.  Yesterday, I started following the CAL over at "Wise Craft"  http://blairpeter.typepad.com/.  Of course, I'm really far behind everyone else, but that's ok.  The above photo shows the squares for Weeks 1 & 2.  Now, I just  have 16+ weeks to go.  At this point, I'm using the following Red Heart Super Saver yarn colors:  White, Teal and Aruba Sea.  My camera isn't doing the Teal color justice.  It's really much prettier.

CAL Throw is Finished!

My CAL throw is finished! Woo Hoo! I'm so excited! I decided not to do an edging around the entire blanket once I had all the squares joined. I really like the "edging" that it has on it now from just edging and joining the squares together.

My CAL Squares

I have finished all 12 of my CAL squares. Now I have to figure out what order I want them in and then I can start edging them together. I'm going to use a method very similar to the one posted here on this blog http://sewritzytitzy.blogspot.com/ . I'm wanting my blanket to lay flat without any ridges where the squares have been joined. I will be posting photos of this process to my blog.

Wheel Lattice 12" Square

Square 12 of the CAL was made using this pattern for the Wheel Lattice http://dayna.tdgservices.com/ShowPattern.aspx?PatternID=58 . I used Red Heart worsted weight yarn in white.

Double Framed Lace 12" Square

This is square 11 of the CAL. I used the Double Framed Lace pattern found here http://www.yarncrazy.com/double-framed-lace . The yarn is Red Heart worsted weight in black.

Flower Burst 12" Square

Square #10, for the CAL, is called Flower Burst. It's a free pattern and can be found here http://www.yarncrazy.com/flower-burst . The pattern calls for three colors, but I wanted to do mine in a solid color. The photo isn't the best, with the red background, but I think it turned out really well. I used Red Heart worsted weight yarn in Black.

Circles on the Square

Square #9, for the CAL that I'm participating in, is called Circles on the Square. It's a free pattern that can be found here http://www.heartmadeblessings.org/Patterns/Circlesonthesquare.php . I used Red Heart worsted weight yarn in Black.

Basic 12" Granny Square

Square #8, of the CAL I'm participating in, is another basic granny square. However, I added a row of sc for the last round. I used Red Heart worsted weight yarn in white.