Today marks exactly three weeks until the Woodland CAL begins. That's only 21 days, or 504 hours, or 30,240 minutes, so you see it's not very long to wait at all!! There is still time to gather your yarn and hooks if you'd like to join in and start 2018 in a beautiful, blankety way.....honestly, I can't think of any better way to begin the New Year.
Following on from the Woodland CAL Introduction, I thought it would be useful to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Woodland blanket and Crochet-A-Long which starts on Friday 5th January 2018. But before I begin, I'd just like to say a huge big, massive, squishy thank you to everyone who has already bought a Woodland yarn pack, I really hope you enjoy swooning over the colours as you wait patiently for the CAL to begin. I am so so excited to start out on this journey, honestly, you have no idea how giddy it makes me feel when I think about how many gorgeous blankets will soon be under way all over the world.
So lets get cracking with the FAQ shall we?
Do I need to sign up to join in the Woodland CAL?
For those of you who are new to my blog or haven't ever joined in with an Attic24 CAL (crochet-a-long) before, I'd like to reassure you that I run a very relaxed and informal hooky camp here. There is no need to sign up or commit to anything, just gather together your yarn and hooks and join in the fun. The pattern and first CAL installment will be published for free here on my blog on Friday 5th January 2018, then every Friday after that throughout January and February 2018.
Is there somewhere I can ask questions or share pictures once the CAL starts?
I always read all comments here on my blog - they come to me as an email, so I will always try and reply to questions in person via the email address you leave with your comment.
You can also ask questions on my Facebook page and I will do my very best to catch them all (Facebook is quite tricky for me to keep up with at busy times, but I do try hard not to miss anything). Every week I'll invite you to show/post photos of your blankets in progress on my Facebook page and I'll choose some of them to feature on my blog, so do please share!
And lastly, there is a fabulous Facebook group (called "Attic24 Moorland and More") which started with the Moorland CAL and is still going strong. This is a very supportive and friendly group where you can ask for pattern help/guidance, share pictures and connect with lovely ladies who are crocheting Attic24 blankets all over the world. Just to mention that this isn't a group set up or moderated by me, although I do pop in most days.
What size blanket will I be able to make from one yarn pack?
One Woodland Yarn pack contains 15 x 100g of DK weight yarn. In my experience of blanket making, this is usually enough to make a single bed size blanket measuring 120 cm x 180 cm (approx. 4ft x 6ft).
I'll be giving advice about working a small sample piece before you begin your blanket so that you can decide on the correct hook size to suit your tension. If you follow my advice and make a blanket the same size/tension as mine then you shouldn't run out of yarn!
Will there be enough yarn to make a border, and what sort of border will it be?
If you are using the Woodland yarn pack and following my colour order, the design will allow for enough yarn to make a border. I'm planning to use Lime, Gold, Spice and Tomato for my border which I think are the most beautiful Autumn colours and look stunning together. This might be subject to change (eg I might only use 3 of the above colours). The border will follow the wavy line of the ripple (there won't be any straightening out of that beautiful curvy edge), and will be simple to create.
What if I want to make the blanket larger, to fit a double bed?
If you wish to make a double bed size blanket, you will need to buy two yarn packs.
When I write the pattern, I'll give guidance about the starting chain and pattern repeat so that you can work out exactly how wide you wish to make your own blanket. I'll give exact numbers for you to work either a 6ft or 7ft wide blanket, but once you know the pattern repeat and crochet up a small sample, you can work out your own starting chain if you wish. I'll also be giving additional, optional stripe info each week which will add an extra 30 cm / 1ft onto the length of your blanket.
What hook size do I need?
This is a tricky one to answer up front as the hook size you use will very much depend on your own personal hooky tension.
The standard hook size for Stylecraft Special DK yarn is 4 mm. However, after much sampling and experimenting, I've found that this pattern looks and feels much better if it's not worked too tightly. For example, I'm a tight crocheter so I'm making my Woodland Blanket using a 5 mm hook. If you crochet quite loosely, then you will probably find that a 4 mm hook suits you just fine, or maybe you might even drop to a 3.5 mm.
In Part 1 of the CAL, we'll be working up a small tension sample to test out the Woodland Ripple pattern and to decide on the right hook size. I would strongly advise you to do this with me (please don't think it's a waste of time!) as I would hate for you to find that your blanket comes out too small/tight, or too big/loose meaning that you run out of yarn.
I prefer coastal/pastel/bright colours, do I have to use the Woodland Yarn pack for this blanket?
I get asked this question about all of my blankets and the answer is always a resounding NO! Obviously, I would love it if you felt inspired by my colours enough to want to follow along, but I am equally thrilled if you want to use the pattern with your own choice of colours. If you fancy making a blanket using one of my other yarn packs, or your own colour palette, that's brilliant and I'm really looking forward to seeing you make this pattern your own.
Each week of the CAL, I'll be giving colour information for you to work up 18 Woodland stripes to create a yarny walk through the woods (I explained this colour idea in my CAL Introduction post). But really, the main thing is that we all enjoy making a blanket together.
I'd prefer a random stripe blanket rather than a blanket that tells a visual story, can you help me with choosing a colour order?
With this particular colour palette, I think it'll make a really stunning blanket if the stripes are worked up in a random order. So in addition to the Woodland colour story that I've got planned for the CAL, each week I'll also give you a random stripe option. There will be 105 stripes in the Woodland blanket, so if you are choosing to follow a different pattern (eg the cosy stripe which only has 90 stripes), you will need to make sure you stop in the right place!
Is the Woodland Ripple suitable for beginners?
Yes I think this blanket would be OK for beginners to have a go at, so long as you can crochet a chain and know the basic crochet stitches. I write my patterns in UK crochet terms, and the basic stitches you need are dc (double crochet) and tr (treble). Like all ripple patterns there is simple counting involved so you will need to concentrate on the repetitive rhythm of the pattern so that you don't miscount the groups of stitches. But other than that, the actual crochet part of this pattern is very, very straightforward. I'll be providing my usual full-on picture-heavy tutorial to help you every step of the way, so I'm hoping even newbie hookers will feel confident to give it a go.
I'd really like to practice the Woodland Ripple pattern before the CAL starts, what can you recommend?
The hardest thing about crocheting a striped blanket (especially for beginners) is working that first dc row into the foundation chain, so this is definitely something to practice. Try experimenting with going up a whole mm in hook size and see if this makes it easier for you.
The other thing you might like to try is creating a foundationless double crochet row (PLEASE NOTE that's UK double crochet = US single crochet). I know many people who worked my Moorland blanket found this approach helpful, although I've tried it and hated it! It's a very personal thing. Remember that if you are searching for information on this technique, please please make sure you know if you are following a UK or a US tutorial (especially if you are on YouTube as it's not always made clear).
Will the Moorland CAL information stay on your blog if I want to go at my own pace or make the blanket later in the year?
Oh yes indeed, always! Nothing ever gets taken off my blog, so all patterns and tutorials remain here for free so that you can dip in and find the information when it suits you. The CAL will run for 8 weeks in total but it really doesn't matter if it takes you a whole year to make this blanket - you certainly won't be alone! You can start and stop, hop in and out as you wish. There is no deadline, no strict timing, no guilt. I really want you to enjoy the whole process of creating this blanket so that you LOVE it every step of the way, and often that means that your journey may well have stops and starts, or be a slow pootle instead of an energetic run.
I hope that's covered everything - please do leave me a comment if I've not answered something you need to know.
🍂 WOODLAND BLANKET INTRODUCTION 🍂
One more quickie little thing before I go - The British Craft Awards are open for voting and I'm really delighted to have been nominated in the "Crochet Blog of the Year" category. The voting is open to both UK and Worldwide peeps (yippeee!) and closes at midnight on Sunday 17th December. There are only five categories in the Crochet section so it's a very quick vote, and I would appreciate it muchly!
Oh, it might help to give you the website (!)......here it is >>
http://www.britishcraftawards.com/
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Hi Lucy, I would like to make 2 throws out of the yarn pack for my sofas, do you think that is possible, I thought I would half the number of chain.
Posted by: Lesley Adams | December 21, 2017 at 07:21 PM
Fingers crossed Santa is bringing me a Woodland Blanket pack ;) Looking forward to joining the CAL! You got my vote too! :)
Posted by: Abi | December 21, 2017 at 06:34 AM
Hoorah! This is all a bit exciting... I was amazed at how reasonable shipping to NZ was, and now I'm thinking I should get some of those cute stickers from Elliebeth.... ;)
Posted by: Laura | December 20, 2017 at 11:54 PM
The colors are beautiful!!! You are a color wizard.
But I am not a fan of acrylic. Are your colors available in wool or cotton?
I am happy to cast a vote for you 😊 as I have been reading and enjoying
your blog for years. Thanks for all the inspiration and lovely jaunts into your world.
I wish I could wiggle my nose and be there to see it in person. My ancestors are from England and Wales so I do come by my wishes honestly. Until that day when I can pop into the coffee shop and join you, I will be content with the crochet and scenery you send my way.
Thanks, Lucy, you are a treasure!
Posted by: Gail Hollis | December 20, 2017 at 03:15 PM
I voted ! In December 2015 my daughters gave me 2 packs of the Coast yarn so that I could make a king size blanket. After about 75 cm realized it was too wide but inside of starting over I ordered another pack of yarn. It took me 22 months to finish with a 3.5mm hook and is 280 cm x 236 cm. It is beautiful but I am not ready for another ripple. Just started the cosy strip with the Sunny yarn pack following the order for granny sunny strip AND I am making it the size of the pattern. Merry Christmas to you and your family and many thanks for all you do to inspire me.
Posted by: Charlotte. | December 18, 2017 at 08:04 PM
I am thinking about participation. I love your yarn colors. How can I found out how much the yarn and shipping costs would be to USA?
Posted by: Karen | December 18, 2017 at 12:59 PM
Oh Lucy I am so sorry I missed the vote only picked you up this morning. I will be rooting for you anyway good luck. Denise.
PS I am looking forward to starting the new blanket a friend and I ar going to do it together w are both beginners. It should be great fun AND my summer harmony is nearly a taa daa moment its exciting.
Posted by: Denise | December 18, 2017 at 09:47 AM
Where can I buy the woodland pack yarn in the U.S..?
Posted by: Jackie clore | December 18, 2017 at 02:02 AM
I'm glad I tuned in tonight otherwise I would have missed the opportunity to vote. I spend far too much time reading your fab blog and drooling over yarns on the Wool Warehouse website and not enough time concentrating on finishing the 4 blankets I have on the go!! (they're all going to be very late for Christmas). Best wishes for Christmas and 2018. Thank you for being such a colourful inspiration in 2017 when some days were grey and drizzly. Good luck in the awards!
Posted by: Crafty Cath | December 17, 2017 at 06:50 PM
Hi Lucy,
I'm hoping & praying my broken right arm has healed by the start of the CAL!! I'm struggling so much to get my wips completed before Christmas. Very tricky & uncomfortable! My beloved was persuaded to buy me the pack as my Christmas present & I won't open it until Christmas day - very exciting....
How is your wrist/hand? I hope its much better now. I was already disabled & not being able to crochet for longelol Love your patterns & the wonderful photos xr than 15 mins is seriously cramping my style!!
Posted by: Ann Goodman | December 17, 2017 at 12:42 PM
sure the temptation is beautiful strong ... I have some wool that waits to be used and that I had taken for too complex pogetti that have turned into a weight instead of a joy
Posted by: monia | December 16, 2017 at 09:33 PM
Hi Lucy,
Voted for you, as always. I've been following your blog avidly since the neat ripple blanket (not sure how long that is, but I suspect it's a very long time). I love the pattern here, as I'm a big fan of Feather and Fan or Old Shale patterns. I plan to knit one as a baby blanket, although my little one is now 8 months and growing far too fast for my knitting or crochet skills to keep up. I am working on a neat ripple blanket, to be his 'Story Blanket' for when he's old enough to read.
Anyway, I love this pattern and most of the colour pack, but the blues don't work for me. I love autumn colours and warmth, though, so I'll take the pallet, with the brown and greys and possibly delete the two blues. I'd like to add a few colours back in their place, in particular, another autumn yellow. Do you have any recommendations, as you have the colours in front of you and my monitor isn't always the best at colour choice. Or would the mustard colour do? I think autumn yellow leaves can be quite bright. I'm already planning a garter stitch blanket (squishes knitted blanket you can make, and it's so easy, just knit stitch all the way - definitely TV knitting) in nautical colours, so there's already a lot of blue in my conservatory (blanket land). I may, of course, change my mind when I order the pack after Xmas, and decide to random-stripe the blues, but I can't tell. My husband may have an actual fit if I order any more yarn before Xmas, so I will have to wait ;-).
Keep inspiring us! Love, Christina xxx
Posted by: Christina Moxon | December 16, 2017 at 08:53 AM
I voted for you in the contest! I am happy you're using a 4mm hook as it's my favorite size to use. I have a sterling silver hook made by Celtic Swan Forge in Washington State, USA. I am so looking forward to the Woodland Blanket CAL. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | December 16, 2017 at 05:31 AM
My vote is in. Good luck. Love your patterns and love the wool you use. It's a pity I can't buy it in Australia but getting it sent from UK not too much trouble and the delivery time is excellent, I'm just impatient. Have a wonderful Christmas - I envy your cool weather. It is heading for the high 30s today here and everyone is melting.
Posted by: Julie | December 16, 2017 at 03:15 AM
Dear Lucy, I have not been commenting for a long time but I have been following you for almost eight years. This Christmas, the Reyes Magos will bring me the Woodland blanket and I am very excited to share this project with all of you. I love the color chosen and I know I will enjoy it a lot. Thank you very much for sharing. A hug from southern Spain.
Posted by: Esther | December 15, 2017 at 09:57 PM
Hi Lucy. Looking forward to this as loved doing the last blanket. Might it be possible to see a pic of the whole blanket to get an idea if what it looks like In it’s entirety? Thanks
Posted by: Joanna | December 15, 2017 at 09:39 PM
Hola Lucy, me encanta todo tu blog, aqui en costa rica solo tenemos dos estaciones definidas que es el invierno y verano, pero en la parte alta de costa rica si hace un poco de frio durante el año, yo vivo en esa parte por eso me encanta tejer mantas. te felicito, ya vote tambien.
Posted by: Geovanna Conejo | December 15, 2017 at 09:24 PM
Oh Lucy I can't tell you how thankful I am that you are also doing a random stripe order pattern!!
I love, love, love the colours of the Woodland blanket, but I don't like the idea of the colour story as much as I did with the Moorland (I don't want all the blues together), so I wanted to do a random blanket more like the Coastal Ripple which is my favourite so far. But... I tried and tried to come up with a random order & failed spectacularly! :-) So glad you have done the hard work for me as it was driving me mad trying to get it to look random!
Hubby has bought me the pack for Christmas so I'm really looking forward to making a blanket in all my colours!
Vote all done - hope you win! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and I can't wait for the CAL. xx
Posted by: Corinna Mazzotta | December 15, 2017 at 08:24 PM
I TOTALLY VOTED FOR YOU!!!
Posted by: Kathy | December 15, 2017 at 08:07 PM
Vote done, what a beautiful blanket you have for us here today, love the colors and I will love to make one for myself.
Posted by: Alejandra | December 15, 2017 at 06:04 PM
Think I voted for you Lucy. I love this blog. I thought the British Craft Awards site very badly designed for voting. So, as I said, I hope I voted for you but it was a strange site.
Posted by: Cath | December 15, 2017 at 05:59 PM
On the Knitting Paradise Forum this morning,
http://www.knittingparadise.com/t-512740-1.html
there was a discussion that the Stylecraft Special DK has changed the weight of some of it's colors and that some of the colors themselves have also changed from previous skeins. It appears they are changing color by color, so soon all the skeins will be the new lighter weight. If you are buying skeins individually, instead of a pack, you might possibly run into trouble.
Posted by: Jo Anna | December 15, 2017 at 05:38 PM
Can't wait to begin! Ordered my yarn pack today.
Posted by: Fiona M | December 15, 2017 at 04:44 PM
I clicked on 'comment feed' to subscribe but it doesn't seem to work. What am I doing wrong?
Posted by: Margo Thompson | December 15, 2017 at 04:37 PM
I am so excited to know I’m going to make this wonderful autumn blanket with your expert help. I’m a crochet novice and I now have my pack of wool from Wool Watehouse waiting for 5th January. My Christmas present to myself. My silly question is picking up your tutorial as I usually follow you through your Facebook notices and then they are gone and I can’t find them again. How can I be sure to find you on the fifth and be able to keep finding you and the forthcoming pattern? I’m sure this is a naive question. Sorry.
Jan
Posted by: Jan Macdonald | December 15, 2017 at 04:22 PM