Gloria Blanket CAL – Week 1 Instructions

Hello, and welcome to the first week of my Gloria Blanket Crochet-Along! This week we will make some of the Quarter-Mandala Squares. I am so pumped to get started and I’m very thankful that you’re joining me for this CAL. Have fun and share pics!

Please read everything carefully.

Gloria Blanket CAL Quick Links

Gloria Blanket CAL Main Info Page
Gloria Blanket PDF Pattern Ravelry / Etsy / My Shop – As usual, the CAL will be released free every week here on my website, but I will offer the full blanket pattern in PDF form as soon as I write it up (I’ll have a date soon!)
Instagram Sharing – I’m on Insta as @CypressTextiles. Hashtag your WIP and FO pics with #GloriaBlanket and #CypressTextiles so I can share and save them in my story highlights!
CypressTextiles Tree Huggers Facebook Group – This is my main FB group (join!). Share your progress pics in this group if you like, and I will share CAL highlights there as well.
YouTube Channel (Subscribe!) – Here I will be posting Gloria Blanket CAL pattern videos releasing the day after the Friday CAL release. Yay!

How This CAL Works

Find your chosen yarn down below. I list separate instruction for each of the yarns that I discussed in the main info post. If you aren’t working any of the listed yarns, you can check out the Stash Yarn Version section, or go completely rogue! I often say that’s my favorite part of hosting a CAL, the variety of blankets that everyone presents in the Facebook group or on Instagram.

There are 3 suggested yarns for which I am making a sample blanket during the CAL. These yarns have a full CAL schedule for the 12 weeks. You can see that schedule on the Main Info Post. (Scroll all the way down on that post.) There are some yarns for which I am not making a sample blanket, but I do give advice on them below to help you.

Under each Gloria Blanket version section below, you will find the following information:

How to organize your yarn into groups by color, if applicable
A photo of the squares that we will make in week 1
How many squares to make this week, in which color (MC, CC1, CC2), plus link to pattern for Quarter-Mandala Motif (US and UK Terms)
Where to share pics

If you need yarn quantity info and yarn ordering info, please refer to the Main Info Post.

Once you make your squares, you can take pics and share them in my Facebook Group, or on Instagram with hashtags #GloriaBlanket and #CypressTextiles

Now begin the yarn sections with instructions for Week 1 – read everything carefully – and have fun!!

Metropolis 10g Colour Pack Version

This version uses one Scheepjes Metropolis 10g Colour Pack and 14 x 50g balls of Metropolis, with a size 3mm hook. For more yarn info and where to order, head to the Main Info Page.

Follow the steps below to complete your work for Week 1.

Step 1: Organize your yarn for this week

Color Group 1 – Pull colors 041, 042, 043, 058, 059, 060, and 045 from the Colour Pack and store them together. We will not be using color 045 this week as it will be used for a Snowflake Square on Week 2, but it does belong with Color Group 1.

Color Group 2 – Pull colors 044, 065, 066, 057, 064, 075, and 074 from the Colour Pack and store them together. We will not be using color 074 this week as it will be used for a Snowflake Square on Week 2, but it does belong with Color Group 2.

I am storing my separate color groups in reusable zip-lock bags. There are 9 total color groups just in case that helps you sort out your storage system.

Step 2: Make 6 Quarter-Mandala Squares

The Quarter-Mandala Square Pattern will note when to change colors between MC (Main Color), CC1 (Contrast Color 1), and CC2 (Contrast Color 2). Follow the Color Notes in the pattern.

For this version, CC1 colors are from Color Group 1, and CC2 colors are from Color Group 2 (see below). Save all remnants in an organized fashion with their ball bands, as we will use the colors again in the following weeks. FYI, the CC1 and CC2 colors will vary week to week, but the MC will always be the same.

For Week 1, use the following yarn colors for your 6 squares.

MC for all = Metropolis Color No. 025
Square 1: CC1 = 041, CC2 = 044
Square 2: CC1 = 042, CC2 = 065
Square 3: CC1 = 043, CC2 = 066
Square 4: CC1 = 058, CC2 = 057
Square 5: CC1 = 059, CC2 = 064
Square 6: CC1 = 060, CC2 = 075

Here is a sample Quarter-Mandala Square labeled with the CC1 and CC2 color placement. This sample is a Whirl + Whirlette square, but the CC1/CC2 placement is the same for the Metropolis Version.

Here is the Quarter-Mandala Square Pattern: US Terms // UK Terms

Gauge

Check your gauge! The first 8 Rows of the pattern measure 3in on either straight side with Metropolis and a 3mm hook.

If your motif is taller, but still makes a 90 degree angle at the corner, then going down a hook size will help.
If your motif is taller and narrow, or if you know yourself to make very tall dc sts, please check out this Golden Loop video. If you are a “lifter” your square will be elongated into a diamond. Changing hook size won’t help much. Working on controlling your Golden Loop will be your solution to having a nice square shape.
Note: The square needs a light blocking to make straight, neat edges and open the lace; however, if the square is too much of a diamond due to very tall dc sts, focus on the Golden Loop may be required.

Instagram Sharing – I’m on Insta as @CypressTextiles. Hashtag your WIP and FO pics with #GloriaBlanket and #CypressTextiles so I can share and save them in my story highlights!
CypressTextiles Tree Huggers Facebook Group – This is my main FB group (join!). Share your progress pics in this group if you like, and I will share CAL highlights there as well.

Whirl+Whirlette Version

This version uses two Scheepjes Whirl and 6 x 100g balls of Whirlette OR 12 x 50g of Scheepjes Cotton 8, with a size 3mm hook. For more yarn info and where to order, head to the Main Info Page.

Follow the steps below to complete your work for Week 1.