63 Squares Crochet Along

[allimac]

Hi, I'm a newbie to the board, just found it yesterday in fact and have already found the book at Joann's and had to buy it. I wasn't even really looking that hard for it, so I think it was a sign from God. I'm totally serious, I don't think it would have been right in front of my face if He didn't want me to have fun! Anyway, I have a baby blanket to finish for someone in my church, a funky fur scarf to finish for my sister, and then I am going to get going. You all will probably be done even before I get started, but I hope not. I love the crochet along idea. I don't know anyone who likes to crochet, I thought I was doing the "little old lady" thing way ahead of time! Thanks for this awesome site, I will check back often.

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[allimac]

What did you use? -Alli

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[Donna]

Hi, Alli! Welcome! I'm glad you're joining us! :woohoo I've added you to the list. I promise we won't all be finished before you start! :)h

[Chie]

I'm glad you joined us, Alli ! )

 

The yarn I used for my afghan is Caron's "Perfect Match". The colors are Taupe 7751, Rose 7709, and Cape Cod Blue 7736.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing your progress! :cheer2

[allimac]

I'm thinking about Wool-Ease (LB) but have never used it. I want a good quality yarn, one that won't pill after using it for a while. Any suggestions would be great. Haven't been shopping yet. THANKS!<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif" />

[loranger329]

I'm using Red Heart in 533-Dark Plum, 531-Light Plum, and 313-Aran. So far, I've been using an H hook for all of my squares, and they are generally all the same size. As of today, I've finished 21 squares, including that wacky Square #6, Trinity stitch. For some reason, when I went back and read the instructions for the fifty seventh time, it made sense!

[Donna]

I'm using Patons Decor coralberry, pale coralberry, and aran.

[princsstrish]

I'm using random colors, scraps if you will. I did my first square last night actually. Here is a link to my online photo album of squares!!!!

 

63 Squares Photo Album

 

I look forward to doing the rest of them!!!

 

Tricia

Cape Cod, MA

[Donna]

Thanks for the link, Tricia! I've added a link to your photo album on the list. :thumbsup

 

Hey, everybody! If you have a photo album that's not listed on the 63 Squares page, or if your link needs updating, please let me know! It's hard to keep track of everybody!

[Guest hooky emmy]

I'm 3 1/2 squares into the afghan... I got started this morning on the fourth when I remembered I had a meeting for church (oops :thinking2 ) so I had to dash out the door. I'm gonna get back to it in a few though :cloud9

[loranger329]

I pushed through a couple of squares this weekend, and once I finish the edging on one tonight, I'll have completed 27 squares. I try to get through at least one a night, in hopes of finishing this thing before Christmas (when my baby is due).

 

I've never done an afghan before; I'm worried about throwing it in the washer once I'm done. Is there a special setting or detergent I should use to make sure that it doesn't get ruined in the wash cycle?

[Guest knuckles145]

hi everybody. I'm a newby that chose this afghan for their first crochet project. (started crocheting June 2004) I've learned ALOT but have realized that this project was too big for my first one so have modified it somewhat. I'm only doing 45 squares and have started repeating some of the "easier" squares. (I'm dyslexic and have problems working my brain around the more "complicated" patterns. ) I have 24 squares finished. I don't think I will be able to get it finished by Nov 1st for my best friends birthday, even though I take it EVERYWHERE with me.....bible study, griefshare classes, vets....etc.

 

 

I also chose to use Micro spun yarn because I loved the colors and the softness. (man am I a glutton for punishment or what )

[RebeccaVelasquez]

ooooooooooooo, micro spun... soooo soft and yummy:fluffy

[allimac]

Is Microspun hard to use? Is is slippery? I am still trying to decide what to use, thinking of Patons Decor or Wool-Ease.

-Alli:shrug

[Guest knuckles145]

I found that it splits alot and is slippery. but I LOVE the softness.

[Guest beanbug]

Hi Everyone!

I'm new here. I'm a beginnner...I've been doing really basic stuff for about a month now. I saw the 63 Squares book in Michael's last week and I thought it would be a great way to learn new stitches. I'm really happy that I found this thread! I started out just doing a few rows of each stitch, just to see if I could do it, and I ended up spending so much time on it by the time I got to square number 10 I decided it was time to get some yarn and just make the whole da*n thing!! I've chosen to use Caron Simply Soft and ordered it from Herrschner's last night.

I'm sure I'll need help with some of the stitches so you'll be hearing from me:help !!

 

Kim:D

[Chie]

I personally never machine-wash anything that I crocheted or knitted. I hand-wash in cold water with just a bit of regular laundry detergent. I never rub crocheted/knitted things in the water either. In case of an afghan, I fold it, soak it into the water, push it in the water, let it absorb the water again, and push it...., and I just repeat that. Rinsing is the same way. Then I put it in a mesh bag and let the washing machine spin-dry it before I hang it outside.

 

Above is just my way, and it's really simple. There must be some other ways too.

[loranger329]

Thanks for the advice, Chie! I'll give that a shot when it comes time to wash it...there is cat hair embedded in the afghan, but hopefully a soak will get rid of most of it. Three curious cats + yarn = cat hair afghan, I'm afraid.

 

And I am in LOVE with the Caron Simply Soft yarn. It's a little more slippery than the Red Heart that I started crocheting with, but it's the nicest stuff I've been brave enough to try so far (can you tell I'm new to all of this?). I really want to make an afghan with the JewelBox stuff by Caron, but I'm afraid that it would be hard to use. The Simply Soft would make a beautiful afghan using this pattern!

[princsstrish]

I just realized that I've been doing the edging wrong. You are supposed to do the sc's in the square color, then finish off and do sc around using your edging color. I haven't been doing that for the first 5 squares I made. Is this a problem???? Also, the squares are supposed to be 7 inches x 7 inches. Is this before or after the edging is done????

 

Thanks,

Tricia

[Deb]

Kim ~ Sounds like you are doing just fine. Good luck in making your deadline!

 

Knuckles ~ Micro spun? :wowdrool I really really REALLY :pump :pump :pump that yarn. I have started a black poncho for myself ... slippery? definitely! but the yumminess far outweighs any disadvantage!

 

Me? I'm still stalled at 23 squares. :o I have too many other projects going on.

[Donna]

loranger329 ~ washing crocheted items ~ First, Chie, let me say I totally respect your way of washing crocheted items , but I am exactly the opposite. I follow the instructions on the yarn for washing (although I haven't used Caron Simply Soft). I used Red Heart Super Saver for an afghan I made about 5 years ago and use in my living room ~ I've machine washed and machine dried it many, many times and it still looks like new. I would say you are safe with any yarn just following the washing instructions on the yarn label. I also find that heavy items like afghans can strecth out a lot when they are wet. Drying in the dryer helps them bounce back into shape. But, again, this is only if the yarn label says machine wash and machine dry.

 

knuckles145 and beanbug ~ welcome! ~ Hi, Knuckles and Kim! I'm glad you're joining us! I've added you to the list. :woohoo Feel free to stop in any time when you need help!

 

Princsstrish ~ edging rounds ~ Yes, Tricia, you are right, there are two edging rounds. It's up to you whether or not you want to frog those edging rounds and add the missing round in. It's only five squares, so it wouldn't be that much. Or you could just add an extra round using your edging color. That would bring the squares up to the right size and it won't be too noticeable after the afghan is assembled. The squares should be 7 x 7 inches before the edging rounds and 8 x 8 after the two edging rounds are done.

 

 

So, for those of you who were surprised to hear that there are two rounds of edging :eek2 , check page 5 of the instructions. The first round is in the same color that you did the square in and the second is in the edging/joining color. If you do only one round of edging: (1) the squares will not be the correct size and (2) the stitches down the sides of the squares (where you have to stitch into places where there really isn't a stitch) will be very obvious.

[Chie]

loranger329 -

 

I think Donna's way sounds better. ) Sorry I never had kitties so I just can't tell you my way helps get rid of cat hair from an afghan.

I just couldn't put the things crocheted/knitted into the washing machine/dryer because I get too worried that the they might get all ruined. But thank you Donna, I now know that I don't have to worry that much.

[Donna]

Chie, your way is very good for hand washing items, and that's exactly how I do it. ) But if the yarn says machine wash, I just throw it in the ol' machine, LOL.

[Swayde]

I was browsing the yarn department at Wal-Mart today when I saw this book just sitting there calling my name....Needless to say, I bought it and will be joining the Crochet-A-Long.

 

As a bonus, my grandmother was with me and she unloaded a bag full of yarn on me that she never got around to using, and is giving me her sewing machine since she never uses it anymore!!!

 

:yay2

[RebeccaVelasquez]

:woohoo barbara!!

gotta love free yarn!

so, are you going to make her something with it??? :)h