Cozy Murder Mystery CAL ~ July

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!

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

Yet another month has gone by and I still did not read the book! If I didn’t have to make the pattern for the square, I probably wouldn’t have it done either, lol! It’s been a busy summer, much busier than it has been in a long time. I’m enjoying it though! This month I’m going with a murder mystery set on a cruise ship. Seems appropriate for summer time travels. : )

I’ve been 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. I’ve run out of the yarn and need to get more {such a tragedy, lol}. I decided to try out this King Cole tweeded yarn I have in several colors, then I’ll have squares started for a fall blanket too.

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 40″ x 60″ 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 #7, July

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 – King Cole Fashion Aran {acrylic}, #4 worsted weight {use the weight, fiber, & color you prefer}
• Hook – 5.5mm {I9}

Abbreviations:

• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• clusters – 3 dc OR grouping of stitches
• 3 dc tog – *yo, insert hook around dc and pull up loop, pull yarn through 2 loops* repeat * to * 2 more times, yo and pull yarn through 4 loops on hook
• 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!

R3 – ch 3, 2 dc into 1st corner, *dc between clusters, ch 3, 3 dc tog around 1st dc, {3 dc, ch2, 3 dc} into ch 2 corner* repeat * to * 2 more times; dc between clusters, ch 3, 3 dc tog around 1st dc, {3 dc, ch2} into ch 2 corner; sl st to top of beginning ch 3 {see pictures below for visual}

R4 – ch 3, 2 dc into 1st corner, *dc between clusters, ch 3, 3 dc tog around 1st dc, dc in ch 3 below, dc between clusters, ch 3, 3 dc tog around 1st dc, {3 dc, ch2, 3 dc} into ch 2 corner* repeat * to * 2 more times; dc between clusters, ch 3, 3 dc tog around 1st dc, dc in ch 3 below, dc between clusters, ch 3, 3 dc tog around 1st dc, {3 dc, ch2} into ch 2 corner; sl st to top of beginning ch 3 {see pictures below for visual}

R5 thru R8– ch 3, 2 dc into 1st corner, *[dc between clusters or in dc between clusters, ch 3, 3 dc tog around 1st dc, dc in ch 3] repeat [ to ] to last space, dc between clusters, ch 3, 3 dc tog around 1st dc, {3 dc, ch2, 3 dc} into ch 2 corner* repeat * to * 2 more times; [dc between clusters or in dc between clusters, ch 3, 3 dc tog around 1st dc, dc in ch 3] repeat [ to ] to last space, dc between clusters, ch 3, 3 dc tog around 1st dc, {3 dc, ch2} into ch 2 corner; sl st to top of beginning ch 3

R9 – ch 3, 2 dc into 1st corner, *3 dc between clusters to the corner; {3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc} into ch 2 corner* repeat * to * 2 more times; 3 dc between clusters to the corner; {3 dc, ch 2} into last ch 2 corner, sl st to top of beginning ch 3

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finished Squares

Completed square!

Didn’t think to get a pic of them all together, but I will post one in the group later.

In case you missed it in the Facebook group, here’s a picture of the Mini Maker Bag up for grabs each month.

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