Welcome to my first CAL! Do you like murder mystery books? So do I! I thought it would be fun to do a CAL {crochet a-long} where we make a square and read a cozy murder mystery book each month. If this sounds fun, keep reading for the details!
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Now I love a good murder mystery no matter the kind, but cozy murder mysteries are a little tamer than most. Plus they are usually easy to get through in a limited time frame. Here’s the details for the CAL:
- I’ll post a new book to read & new crochet block pattern here on the blog the first Friday of the month. This first post is technically on the 2nd Friday, but I had another post to do the first day of the month. : )
- The books will be digital books from Amazon. All the books I’ve picked are under $5 and some are even free if you have Amazon Prime.
- I’m doing granny squares with a twist for each block. This will make them easy but still interesting. {I hope!} The pattern will be free here on the blog each month. See the yarn and book section for yarn and block size.
- You can share your finished blocks in my Teadoddles Makers Facebook group for now. If I have enough people join in, I’ll create a group just for the CAL.
- Everyone that shares their finished square in the Facebook group will be entered to win a Mini Maker bag made by me. I will post a pick in the group once I get it made. : )
I hope everyone enjoys the patterns even if you decide you don’t want to read the book. Let’s get started super sluethes!
Yarn and Book
In February, love is in the air! While it mostly revolves around romantic love, I like to encourage people to look at it as a time to share love in general. It doesn’t have to be about romance! It can be a time to celebrate the people and things you love as well. This book is about sweets, based in Georgia, and there’s a little romance as well. Perfection!
I’m using Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran {acrylic} in various colors for my squares. This is listed as a #4 yarn, but not listed in their worsted weight category. It feels a little thinner than the standard Red Heart yarn, but thicker than Caron Simply Soft.
Each block will be 10″ x 10″ {26 cm x 26 cm} and I will be making two of them each month. This will give me 24 squares total, so I can lay them to make a 60″ x 80″ afghan. If you make one block each month, you can make a 30″ x 40″ afghan.
You can use whatever yarn fiber and/or weight you would like to use. The pattern can be adjusted for different yarn weights. For example, add more rounds for lighter yarns if needed or leave off rounds for heavier yarns if needed to make the 10″ square. You could also just make smaller or bigger squares if you like. : )
Pattern – Square #2, February
This pattern starts off as a basic granny square for the first two rounds. Then we’ll add some different stitches to spice things up a bit!
Supplies:
- Yarn – Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran {acrylic}, #4 worsted weight {use the weight, fiber, & color you prefer}
- Hook – 5.5mm {I9}
Abbreviations:
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- You can start the granny square off any way you like. I just prefer the magic circle.
See January’s square for 1st two rounds instructions.
R1 – Make a magic circle and ch 3; 2 dc, ch 2, *3 dc, ch 2* repeat * to * 2 more times; sl st to top of beginning ch 3
R2 – ch 3, 2 dc into 1st corner, *{3 dc , ch 2, 3 dc} into next ch 2 corner* repeat * to * 2 more times; sl st to top of beginning ch 3
NOTE: I start my stitches in the first corner versus slip stitching to the next corner. Please use what works best for you.
Round 2 complete.
Every block in the CAL will begin with these 2 rows, so you can get them all started if you want to!
NOTE: Instead of crocheting in the space between sets, we are crocheting over the space with a criss-cross stitch. Corners are still basic granny square stitches.
R3 – ch 3, 2 dc into 1st corner, *ch 1, skip 1st 3 dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in last skipped dc, going behind 1st dc, ch 1, {3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc} into ch 2 corner* repeat * to * 2 more times; skip 1st 3 dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in last skipped dc, going behind 1st dc, ch 1, {3 dc, ch 2} into ch 2 corner, sl st to top of beginning ch 3 {see pictures below for visual}
R4 thru R8 – ch 3, 2 dc into 1st corner, [ch 1, skip 1st 3 dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in last skipped dc, going behind 1st dc, *ch 1, skip 1 dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in last skipped dc, going behind 1st dc* repeat * to * until corner, ch 1, {3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc} into ch 2 corner] repeat [ to ] 2 more times; ch 1, skip 1st 3 dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in last skipped dc, going behind 1st dc, ch 1, {3 dc, ch 2} into ch 2 corner, sl st to top of beginning ch 3 {see pictures below for visual}
NOTE: For round 9, it’s back to granny square basics. The 3 dc sets go between the criss-cross sets.
R9 – ch 3, 2 dc into 1st corner, [skip 3 dc, 3 dc in ch 1 space, *skip {dc, ch, dc}, 3 dc in ch 1 space* repeat * to * 5 more times, {3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc} into ch 2 corner] repeat [ to ] 2 more times; skip 3 dc, 3 dc in ch 1 space, *skip {dc, ch, dc}, 3 dc in ch 1 space* repeat * to * 5 more times, {3 dc, ch 2} into ch 2 corner, sl st to top of beginning ch 3
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Finished Squares
Completed square!
Here’s square 1 and 2 together….
If you want to make a bigger square, just keep repeating row 8 and add row 9 to finish off.
I hope y’all enjoy the pattern and the book I picked this month. I can’t wait to read it! Let me know if you find any errors & I will correct them. This pattern has not been tested by anyone but me. : D
