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2022 VVCAL: Eclipse Motif

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 4 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Attention!

If you have not yet seen the Week 4 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Eclipse Motif pattern, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Eclipse Motif

Find the Ravelry Page for this motif here and add your project!

The Cosmos: Eclipse

An eclipse occurs when one heavenly body such as a moon or planet moves into the shadow of another heavenly body. Here are some fun Eclipse facts!

  • In ancient Greece, a solar eclipse was seen as a sign that the gods were angry and was thought to be an omen of bad things to come. The word eclipse comes from the Greek word ekleipsis which means “being abandoned”. In ancient China, eclipses were regarded as signs that foretell the future of the Emperor. Over four millennia ago, legend has it that two astrologers, Hsi and Ho, were executed for failing to predict a solar eclipse. In Viking fables the sun god Sol is chased by the wolf Skoll. When the Skoll catches Sol, a solar eclipse happens, and the people were instructed to bang pots and pans together to frighten off the wolf and return the sun.
  • The element helium was discovered on 18 August 1868 by the French astronomer Jules Janssen (1824-1907) when he observed the spectrum of the Sun during a total eclipse in India. Helium is the second most abundant chemical element in the Universe and it was first discovered in the Sun, hence the name “helium” from helios. [More]
  • A lunar eclipse only happens when the Sun, the Earth, and the moon are precisely aligned, with the Earth situated in the middle. In astronomy, such occurrence is called “syzygy,” when three celestial bodies are configured in a straight line. A lunar eclipse only transpires during a full moon. It also takes place only if the moon passes through some portion of the shadow of the Earth. [More]
  • The saros is a period of 223 synodic months (about 18 years or 6,585 days). Astronomers use the saros to forecast eclipses of the moon and sun. One saros period or 18 years after an eclipse, the moon, earth, and the sun comes back around the same relative geometry. They are also about in the same line, and almost the same eclipse will take place.
  • A total solar eclipse happens when the moon totally blocks the solar disk. A full solar eclipse is almost as dark as night and among other eclipses, the total solar eclipse is the only time when it is safe to look straight at the sun. [More]

Eclipse Motif Pattern

Reference

Chart

Note: Chart is meant as a visual guide to the written instruction and might not be able to stand alone due to special stitches.

Video

Note: Video is spoken in US Terms. Watch on mute to avoid confusion for UK Terms.

Subscribe on YouTube for more videos like this one!

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

Note: Scroll down for UK Terms.

  • 3trcl 3 treble cluster: * yoh 2 times, insert hook in st, yoh pull through, (yoh, pull through 2 lps on hook) 2 times, rep from * 2 times, yoh and pull through all 4 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg 3trcl (beg tr, * yoh 2 times, insert hook in st, yoh pull through, (yoh, pull through 2 lps on hook) 2 times, rep from * once, yoh and pull through all 3 lps
  • beg dc (1sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • beg pc beginning popcorn: (beg dc, 3dc) in st/sp, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back through beg dc, grab lp, pull lp to front of work to close beg pc
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • pc popcorn: 4dc in st/sp indicated, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back through first dc, grab lp, pull to front of work to close pc
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (US Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg dc, [ch1, 1dc] 5 times, ch1, ss in beg dc. [6 dc, 6 sp]

Rnd 2 Beg pc in first ch-sp, [ch3, pc in next ch-sp] 5 times, ch3, ss in beg pc. [6 pc, 6 sp]

Rnd 3 Beg 3trcl in ch-sp, [(ch2, 3trcl) twice in same ch-sp, ch2, 3trcl in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final 3trcl, ss in beg 3trcl. [18 3trcl, 18 sp]

Rnd 4 4sc in each sp around, ss in first sc. [72 sc]

Rnd 5 [1sc in next st, ch2, sk2] 24 times, ss in first sc. [24 sc, 24 sp]

Rnd 6 Ss in 1 ch, 1sc in ch-sp, [ch2, 1sc in next ch-sp] 23 times, ch2, ss in first sc. [24 sc, 24 sps]

Rnd 7 Ss in 1 ch, 1sc in ch-sp, * ch2, 1sc in next ch-sp, ch2, (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in next sc, [ch2, 1sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, rep from * 5 times omitting final sc, ss in first sc. [36 sc, 36 sp]

Rnd 8 [2sc in next 2 ch-sps, 3sc in next ch-sp] 12 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 sc]

Stitch Guide (UK Terms)

  • 3dtrcl 3 double treble cluster: * yoh 2 times, insert hook in st, yoh pull through, (yoh, pull through 2 lps on hook) 2 times, rep from * 2 times, yoh and pull through all 4 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg 3dtrcl (beg dtr, * yoh 2 times, insert hook in st, yoh pull through, (yoh, pull through 2 lps on hook) 2 times, rep from * once, yoh and pull through all 3 lps
  • beg tr (1dc, ch1) – counts as 1 tr
  • beg pc beginning popcorn: (beg tr, 3tr) in st/sp, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back through beg tr, grab lp, pull lp to front of work to close beg pc
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • dtr double treble crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • pc popcorn: 4tr in st/sp indicated, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back through first tr, grab lp, pull to front of work to close pc
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (UK Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg tr, [ch1, 1tr] 5 times, ch1, ss in beg tr. [6 tr, 6 sp]

Rnd 2 Beg pc in first ch-sp, [ch3, pc in next ch-sp] 5 times, ch3, ss in beg pc. [6 pc, 6 sp]

Rnd 3 Beg 3dtrcl in ch-sp, [(ch2, 3dtrcl) twice in same ch-sp, ch2, 3dtrcl in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final 3dtrcl, ss in beg 3dtrcl. [18 3dtrcl, 18 sp]

Rnd 4 4dc in each sp around, ss in first dc. [72 dc]

Rnd 5 [1dc in next st, ch2, sk2] 24 times, ss in first dc. [24 dc, 24 sp]

Rnd 6 Ss in 1 ch, 1dc in ch-sp, [ch2, 1dc in next ch-sp] 23 times, ch2, ss in first dc. [24 dc, 24 sps]

Rnd 7 Ss in 1 ch, 1dc in ch-sp, * ch2, 1dc in next ch-sp, ch2, (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in next dc, [ch2, 1dc in next ch-sp] 3 times, rep from * 5 times omitting final dc, ss in first dc. [36 dc, 36 sp]

Rnd 8 [2dc in next 2 ch-sps, 3dc in next ch-sp] 12 times, ss in first dc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 dc]

Links to Weekly Instruction Posts

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

Links to Published Hexagon Patterns

Pin the Eclipse Motif!

Thank you so much for stopping in for this week of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Supernova Motif

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 4 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Attention!

If you have not yet seen the Week 4 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Suoernova Motif pattern, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Supernova Motif

Find the Ravelry Page for this motif here and add your project!

The Cosmos: Supernova

A supernova occurs when a star reaches the end of its life and explodes. Here are some fun Supernova facts!

  • Scientists do not think our Sun will ever explode because it is not large enough.
  • The energy emitted from a supernova is so powerful it can take months for its brightness to fade. The material expelled from the star’s explosion can travel as fast as 30,000 KM each second. [More]
  • Supernovae happen more often than you might think: one occurs somewhere in the universe every second. However, the Milky Way only has an average of two supernovae per century and trying to spot one as it happens is still very tricky. The last one directly observed in our galaxy was over 400 years ago. [More]
  • Many of the elements we’re made of come from supernovae. Everything from the oxygen you’re breathing to the calcium in your bones, the iron in your blood and the silicon in your computer was brewed up in the heart of a star. [More]
  • When a star goes supernova, it either becomes a neutron star or a black hole. There are also high chances that the star is completely destroyed. Some supernova explosions can outshine an entire galaxy of stars before it begins to fade. [More]

Supernova Motif Pattern

Reference

Chart

Note: Chart is meant as a visual guide to the written instruction and might not be able to stand alone due to special stitches.

Video

Note: Video is spoken in US Terms. Watch on mute to avoid confusion for UK Terms.

Subscribe on YouTube for more videos like this one!

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

Note: Scroll down for UK Terms.

  • beg beginning
  • beg dc (1sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • pc popcorn: 4dc in st/sp indicated, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back through first dc, grab lp, pull to front of work to close pc
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (US Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg dc, [ch1, 2dc] 5 times, ch1, 1dc, ss in beg dc. [12 dc, 6 sp]

Rnd 2 [(1sc, ch5, 1sc) in next ch-sp, ch3] 6 times, ss in first sc. [12 sc, 12 sp]

Rnd 3 Ss in 2 chs, 1sc in ch-sp, [ch3, pc in ch-3 sp, ch3, 1sc in ch-5 sp] 6 times omitting final sc, ss in first sc. [6 pc, 6 sc, 12 sp]

Rnd 4 [4sc in next ch-sp, ch4, 4sc in next ch-sp, 1sc in next sc] 6 times, ss in first sc. [54 sc, 6 sp]

Rnd 5 Ss in next 3 sts and in 1 ch, 1sc in ch-sp, [ch3, sk4, 5dc in next st, ch3, 1sc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final sc, ss in first sc. [30 dc, 6 sc, 12 sp]

Rnd 6 Beg dc in same st as ss, [4dc in same st, ch3, sk 1 ch-sp, 5dc, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back in first of 5 dc, grab lp, pull lp to front of work – special pc made, ch3, 1dc in next sc] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [5 special pc, 30 dc, 12 sp]

Rnd 7 [1sc in next st, 3sc in next st, 2sc, 3sc in next ch-sp, 1sc in special pc, 3sc in next ch-sp, 1sc] 6 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 sc] 

Stitch Guide (UK Terms)

  • beg beginning
  • beg tr (1dc, ch1) – counts as 1 tr
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • pc popcorn: 4tr in st/sp indicated, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back through first tr, grab lp, pull to front of work to close pc
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (UK Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg tr, [ch1, 2tr] 5 times, ch1, 1tr, ss in beg tr. [12 tr, 6 sp]

Rnd 2 [(1dc, ch5, 1dc) in next ch-sp, ch3] 6 times, ss in first dc. [12 dc, 12 sp]

Rnd 3 Ss in 2 chs, 1dc in ch-sp, [ch3, pc in ch-3 sp, ch3, 1dc in ch-5 sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in first dc. [6 pc, 6 dc, 12 sp]

Rnd 4 [4dc in next ch-sp, ch4, 4dc in next ch-sp, 1dc in next dc] 6 times, ss in first dc. [54 dc, 6 sp]

Rnd 5 Ss in next 3 sts and in 1 ch, 1dc in ch-sp, [ch3, sk4, 5tr in next st, ch3, 1dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in first dc. [30 tr, 6 dc, 12 sp]

Rnd 6 Beg tr in same st as ss, [4tr in same st, ch3, sk 1 ch-sp, 5tr, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back in first of 5 tr, grab lp, pull lp to front of work – special pc made, ch3, 1tr in next dc] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [5 special pc, 30 tr, 12 sp]

Rnd 7 [1dc in next st, 3dc in next st, 2dc, 3dc in next ch-sp, 1dc in special pc, 3dc in next ch-sp, 1dc] 6 times, ss in first dc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 dc] 

Links to Weekly Instruction Posts

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

Links to Published Hexagon Patterns

Pin the Supernova Motif!

Thank you so much for stopping in for this week of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Week 4 Instructions

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 4 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

What to Expect Today

  • 3 blog posts: The Weekly Post with instructions for each blanket version (this post), plus 2 Cosmos Themed hexie designs
  • Patterns include written instructions in US and UK Terms, chart, step-by-step photos, and YouTube video (US Terms).

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Find your version below and get started!

Catona 10g Colour Pack version

Make 6 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

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1 Pack SW/RW 10g Colour Pack version

Make 4 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

2 Packs SW/RW 10g Colour Pack version

Make 7 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

Metropolis 10g Colour Pack version

Photo coming soon!

Make 9 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

Colour Crafter stash version

Photo coming soon!

Colors are not given for this version because it is made with stash yarn in any desired palette.

Make 4 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge. Note: Since this version does not use 10g balls, it doesn’t matter as much that your hexagons meet the spec below. As long as they are all the same size as your Plain Hexie A, you will be golden.

Chunky Monkey stash version

Photo coming soon!

Colors are not given for this version because it is made with stash yarn in any desired palette.

Make 2 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge. Note: Since this version does not use 10g balls, it doesn’t matter as much that your hexagons meet the spec below. As long as they are all the same size as your Plain Hexie A, you will be golden.

Thank you so much for stopping in for this week of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Tabby’s Star Motif

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 3 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Attention!

If you have not yet seen the Week 3 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Betelgeuse Motif pattern, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Tabby’s Star Motif

Find the Ravelry Page for this motif here and add your project!

The Cosmos: Tabby’s Star

Tabby’s star is known as the “most mysterious star in the universe” because it appears to dim and brighten at a constant rate. Here are some fun Tabby’s Star facts.

  • Its variability (consistently fluctuating, up to a 22% dimming in brightness) and periods of darkness has interested astronomers from around the world. One explanation is that an “uneven ring of dust” orbits Tabby’s Star, which could cause the visual disruption. But a new study offers another suggestion. Astronomers at Columbia University and the University of California, Berkeley suggest that the pattern of light could be explained if the star had eaten up one of more of its planets. [More]
  • The gravitational energy released as these planetary bodies spiraled into the star would have caused a temporary brightening, from which the star is now recovering – hence the observed dimming. Meanwhile, this cataclysmic event could have created clouds of debris as the planet was torn apart, or had its moons ripped away. This debris would go into orbit, causing the observed dips in starlight as it passed between us and the star.[More]
  • Astronomers believe that Tabby’s Star stole an exomoon from a nearby planet that no longer exists and pulled it into orbit. The star’s strong radiation has lashed the exomoon’s outer layer, which is comprised of ice, gas and rock.
  • Tabby’s star is A Main Sequence Star is a star that is fusing hydrogen into helium, just like our Sun. When a star is referred to as a Dwarf Star, it usually refers to a Main Sequence star. [More]
  • Being called Tabby’s star is a lot easier to say and pronounce than its other more official name, KIC 8462852. It gets its name from the lead author of the initial study of the star, Tabetha S. Boyajian, a American female astronomer. [More]

Tabby’s Star Motif Pattern

Reference

Chart

Note: Chart is meant as a visual guide to the written instruction and might not be able to stand alone due to special stitches.

Video


Note: Video is spoken in US Terms. Watch on mute to avoid confusion for UK Terms.

Subscribe on YouTube for more videos like this one!

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

Note: Scroll down for UK Terms.

  • 2dccl 2dc cluster: (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 2 times, yoh, draw yarn through 3 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg dc (1sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • beg 2dccl (beg dc, dc) in st/sp indicated – when joining rnd, ss into full dc st
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (US Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg 2dccl, [ch2, 2dccl] 5 times, ch2, ss in beg 2dccl. [6 2dccl, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 Ss in 1 ch, beg dc in ch-sp, [ch1, 2dc in same ch-sp, ch1, 2dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [24 dc, 12 sp]

Rnd 3 [(1sc, ch3, 1sc) in next ch-sp, ch3, 1sc in next ch-sp, ch3] 6 times, ss in first sc. [18 sc, 18 sps]

Rnd 4 Ss in 1 ch, 1sc in ch-sp, [ch3, 1sc in next ch-sp] 17 times, ch3, ss in first sc. [18 sc, 18 sps]

Rnd 5 Rep Rnd 4 [18 sc, 18 sps]

Rnd 6 Ss in 1 ch, 1sc in ch-sp, [ch3, 1sc in next ch-sp, ch3, (1sc, ch3, 1sc) in next ch-sp, ch3, 1sc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final sc, ss in first sc. [24 sc, 24 sps]

Rnd 7 3sc in each ch-sp around, ss in first sc. [72 sc]

Rnd 8 [6sc, 3sc in next st, 5sc] 6 times, ss in first sc cut yarn and weave ends. [84 sc]

Stitch Guide (UK Terms)

  • 2trcl 2tr cluster: (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 2 times, yoh, draw yarn through 3 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg tr (1dc, ch1) – counts as 1 tr
  • beg 2trcl (beg tr, tr) in st/sp indicated – when joining rnd, ss into full tr st
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (UK Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg 2trcl, [ch2, 2trcl] 5 times, ch2, ss in beg 2trcl. [6 2trcl, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 Ss in 1 ch, beg tr in ch-sp, [ch1, 2tr in same ch-sp, ch1, 2tr in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [24 tr, 12 sp]

Rnd 3 [(1dc, ch3, 1dc) in next ch-sp, ch3, 1dc in next ch-sp, ch3] 6 times, ss in first dc. [18 dc, 18 sps]

Rnd 4 Ss in 1 ch, 1dc in ch-sp, [ch3, 1dc in next ch-sp] 17 times, ch3, ss in first dc. [18 dc, 18 sps]

Rnd 5 Rep Rnd 4 [18 dc, 18 sps]

Rnd 6 Ss in 1 ch, 1dc in ch-sp, [ch3, 1dc in next ch-sp, ch3, (1dc, ch3, 1dc) in next ch-sp, ch3, 1dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in first dc. [24 dc, 24 sps]

Rnd 7 3dc in each ch-sp around, ss in first dc. [72 dc]

Rnd 8 [6dc, 3dc in next st, 5dc] 6 times, ss in first dc cut yarn and weave ends. [84 dc]

Links to Weekly Instruction Posts

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

Links to Published Hexagon Patterns

  • Plain Hexie A
  • Plain Hexie B
  • Half Hexie A
  • Half Hexie B
  • Stella
  • Solis
  • Sirius
  • Betelgeuse
  • Vega
  • Tabby’s Star (You are here!)
  • Supernova
  • Eclipse
  • Pulsar
  • Quasar
  • Uranus
  • Pluto
  • Kepler
  • Exoplanet
  • Gliese
  • Saturn
  • Planet Nine
  • Milky Way Galaxy
  • Andromeda Galaxy
  • Evil Eye Galaxy
  • Antennae Galaxy
  • Porpoise Galaxy
  • Sunflower Galaxy
  • Whirlpool Galaxy
  • Aurora Borealis
  • Nebula
  • Halley’s Comet
  • Meteor
  • Orionis
  • Leonis
  • Galaxia
  • Gravity
  • Night Sky
  • Universe

Pin the Betelgeuse Motif!

Thank you so much for stopping in for this week of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Vega Motif

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 3 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Attention!

If you have not yet seen the Week 3 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Betelgeuse Motif pattern, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Vega Motif

Find the Ravelry Page for this motif here and add your project!

The Cosmos: Vega

Vega is only 25 light years from the Sun, and is the brightest star in the northern constellation of Lyra. Here are some fun Vega facts!

  • Vega’s name comes from the Arabic word “waqi,” which means “falling” or “swooping.” “This is a reference to the time when people regarded the constellation Lyra as a swooping vulture rather than a lyre,” wrote Michael Anissimov on the website Wisegeek. [More]
  • Vega was the first star to have a car named after it and has since inspired many more vehicles. In the early 20th century, American aerospace company Lockheed developed the Vega six-seater airplane.
  • In modern times, Vega was the first star to be photographed, other than the sun. Astronomers captured the image through the daguerreotype process at Harvard College Observatory, using a 15-inch (38 centimeters) refractor, on July 16-17, 1850. The star was also chosen for the first spectrographic image, in 1872. amateur astronomer Henry Draper was the first to break down Vega’s light to reveal the various elements that make up the star. [More]
  • Vega rose to prominence in popular culture in the late 1990s after Carl Sagan’s novel “Contact” (1985, Simon & Schuster) was adapted into a Hollywood movie. Starring Jodie Foster, the movie followed an astronomer working on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) who discovers a signal appearing to emanate from Vega.
  • Telescopic observations in 2006 revealed that Vega is whipping around so quickly that its poles are several thousand degrees warmer than its equator. The star, which rotates every 12.5 hours, is at 90 percent of its critical rotation speed, or the velocity at which the object would tear itself apart.

Vega Motif Pattern

Reference

Chart

Note: Chart is meant as a visual guide to the written instruction and might not be able to stand alone due to special stitches.

Video

Note: Video is spoken in US Terms. Watch on mute to avoid confusion for UK Terms.

Subscribe on YouTube for more videos like this one!

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

Note: Scroll down for UK Terms.

  • beg beginning
  • beg dc (1sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • pc popcorn: 4dc in st/sp indicated, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back through first dc, grab lp, pull to front of work to close pc
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (US Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg dc, [ch1, 2dc] 5 times, ch1, 1dc, ss in beg dc. [12 dc, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 1sc in first ch-sp, [ch3, (1sc, ch3, 1sc) in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final sc, ss in first sc. [12 sc, 12 sps]

Rnd 3 Ss in 1 ch, 1sc in ch-sp, [ch3, 1sc in next ch-sp] 11 times, ch3, ss in first sc. [12 sc, 12 sps]

Rnd 4 Ss in 1 ch, 1sc in ch-sp, [5dc in next sc, 1sc in next ch-sp, ch2, 1sc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final sc, ss in first sc. [30 dc, 12 sc, 6 sps]

Rnd 5 [1sc in each of next 5 dc, 1sc in next sc, 1sc in next sc from Rnd 3 being sure to work around ch-2 sp also, 1sc in next sc] 6 times, ss in first sc. [48 sc]

This next photo is from further along in the motif, but it is the best way to show the motif flat after Rnd 5.

Mark the 6 sc shown with yellow lines.

Rnd 6 Release lp from hook, insert hook back to front through same st, grap lp, pull lp through to back of work; tilting motif toward you to see the back, 1sc through back bars of first sc from Rnd 4, [ch5, 1sc in back bars of next sc on Rnd 4, ch2, 1sc in back bars of next sc on Rnd 4] 6 times omitting final sc, ss in first sc. [12 sc, 12 sps]

Here is how the motifs looks at this point from the front.

Here is how the motif looks from the back.

Rnd 7 Ss in first 2 chs, beg dc in ch-sp, [ch3, 3dc in same ch-sp, 1sc in marked sc being sure to grab ch-2 lp also, 3dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [36 dc, 6 sc 6 sp]

Here is how the motif looks at this point, with the petals pushed inward.

Here is how the motif looks at this point, with the petals pushed flat.

Rnd 8 Ss in 1 ch, beg dc in ch-sp, [ch2, 2dc in same ch-sp, ch2, pc in next sc, ch2, 2dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [6 pc, 24 dc, 18 sp]

Rnd 9 Ss in 1 ch, 1sc in ch-sp, [ch3, 1sc in next ch-sp] 18 times omitting final sc, ss in first sc, [18 sc, 18 sp]

Rnd 10 * [3sc in next ch-sp, 1sc in next sc] twice, 3sc in next ch-sp, 3sc in next sc, rep from * 5 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 sc]

Stitch Guide (UK Terms)

  • beg beginning
  • beg tr (1dc, ch1) – counts as 1 tr
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • pc popcorn: 4tr in st/sp indicated, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back through first tr, grab lp, pull to front of work to close pc
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (UK Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg tr, [ch1, 2tr] 5 times, ch1, 1tr, ss in beg tr. [12 tr, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 1dc in first ch-sp, [ch3, (1dc, ch3, 1dc) in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in first dc. [12 dc, 12 sps]

Rnd 3 Ss in 1 ch, 1dc in ch-sp, [ch3, 1dc in next ch-sp] 11 times, ch3, ss in first dc. [12 dc, 12 sps]

Rnd 4 Ss in 1 ch, 1dc in ch-sp, [5tr in next dc, 1dc in next ch-sp, ch2, 1dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in first dc. [30 tr, 12 dc, 6 sps]

Rnd 5 [1dc in each of next 5 tr, 1dc in next dc, 1dc in next dc from Rnd 3 being sure to work around ch-2 sp also, 1dc in next dc] 6 times, ss in first dc. [48 dc]

This next photo is from further along in the motif, but it is the best way to show the motif flat after Rnd 5.

Mark the 6 dc shown with yellow lines.

Rnd 6 Release lp from hook, insert hook back to front through same st, grap lp, pull lp through to back of work; tilting motif toward you to see the back, 1dc through back bars of first dc from Rnd 4, [ch5, 1dc in back bars of next dc on Rnd 4, ch2, 1dc in back bars of next dc on Rnd 4] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in first dc. [12 dc, 12 sps]

Here is how the motifs looks at this point from the front.

Here is how the motif looks from the back.

Rnd 7 Ss in first 2 chs, beg tr in ch-sp, [ch3, 3tr in same ch-sp, 1dc in next marked dc being sure to grab ch-2 lp also, 3tr in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [36 tr, 6 dc, 6 sp]

Here is how the motif looks at this point, with the petals pushed inward.

Here is how the motif looks at this point, with the petals pushed flat.

Rnd 8 Ss in 1 ch, beg tr in ch-sp, [ch2, 2tr in same ch-sp, ch2, pc in next dc, ch2, 2tr in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [6 pc, 24 tr, 18 sp]

Rnd 9 Ss in 1 ch, 1dc in ch-sp, [ch3, 1dc in next ch-sp] 18 times omitting final dc, ss in first dc, [18 dc, 18 sp]

Rnd 10 * [3dc in next ch-sp, 1dc in next dc] twice, 3dc in next ch-sp, 3dc in next dc, rep from * 5 times, ss in first dc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 dc]

Links to Weekly Instruction Posts

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

Links to Published Hexagon Patterns

  • Plain Hexie A
  • Plain Hexie B
  • Half Hexie A
  • Half Hexie B
  • Stella
  • Solis
  • Sirius
  • Betelgeuse
  • Vega (You are here!)
  • Tabby’s Star
  • Supernova
  • Eclipse
  • Pulsar
  • Quasar
  • Uranus
  • Pluto
  • Kepler
  • Exoplanet
  • Gliese
  • Saturn
  • Planet Nine
  • Milky Way Galaxy
  • Andromeda Galaxy
  • Evil Eye Galaxy
  • Antennae Galaxy
  • Porpoise Galaxy
  • Sunflower Galaxy
  • Whirlpool Galaxy
  • Aurora Borealis
  • Nebula
  • Halley’s Comet
  • Meteor
  • Orionis
  • Leonis
  • Galaxia
  • Gravity
  • Night Sky
  • Universe

Pin the Betelgeuse Motif!

Thank you so much for stopping in for this week of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Week 3 Instructions

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 3 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

What to Expect Today

  • 3 blog posts: The Weekly Post with instructions for each blanket version (this post), plus 2 Cosmos Themed hexie designs
  • Patterns include written instructions in US and UK Terms, chart, step-by-step photos, and YouTube video (US Terms).

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Find your version below and get started!

Catona 10g Colour Pack version

Make 6 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-2.png

Here are all of the hexies together so far. It’s not the color layout, but just a way to celebrate our progress!

1 Pack SW/RW 10g Colour Pack version

Make 4 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

2 Packs SW/RW 10g Colour Pack version

Make 7 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

Here are all of the hexies together so far. It’s not the color layout, but just a way to celebrate our progress!

Metropolis 10g Colour Pack version

Make 9 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

Colour Crafter stash version

Photo coming soon!

Colors are not given for this version because it is made with stash yarn in any desired palette.

Make 4 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge. Note: Since this version does not use 10g balls, it doesn’t matter as much that your hexagons meet the spec below. As long as they are all the same size as your Plain Hexie A, you will be golden.

Chunky Monkey stash version

Photo coming soon!

Colors are not given for this version because it is made with stash yarn in any desired palette.

Make 2 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge. Note: Since this version does not use 10g balls, it doesn’t matter as much that your hexagons meet the spec below. As long as they are all the same size as your Plain Hexie A, you will be golden.

Thank you so much for stopping in for this week of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Betelgeuse Motif

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 2 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Attention!

If you have not yet seen the Week 2 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Betelgeuse Motif pattern, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Betelgeuse Motif

Find the Ravelry Page for this motif here and add your project!

The Cosmos: Betelgeuse

Betelgeuse, Latinised to Alpha Orionis, is usually the tenth-brightest star in the night sky. Here are some fun Betelgeuse facts!

  • If you look at the sky, Sirius is brighter than Betelgeuse. But Betelgeuse is actually 300 times more luminous or brighter than Sirius, so it emits far more energy. Betelgeuse is just much further away from us than Sirius; thus, it appears dimmer.
  • Betelgeuse is the second-brightest in the constellation of Orion, and it marks the eastern shoulder of the hunter. The name derives from the Arabic bat al-jawzāʾ, which means “the giant’s shoulder.” It is believed that the name was originally written with an initial letter y that was changed to a b by a translator’s mistake in 1246. About 1600, the current spelling was used for the first time by Joseph Scaliger to indicate what he thought matched the star’s original Arabic description as “the armpit of the Central One.” In Persia, Betelgeuse was called “the arm,” a name also used in India. To the ancient Greeks, Betelgeuse represented Orion’s right shoulder. [More]
  • In 1920, Betelgeuse became the first star to have its diameter measured by the beam interferometer invented by Albert A. Michelson. Betelgeuse was selected as the first test object since theoretical calculations suggested that the star was very large. The experiment was a success, but direct interferometer measurements can only be used with very large stars. The size of the majority of stars is found with more indirect methods. [More]
  • Betelgeuse is a huge variable star that fluctuates in size from between 700 times to 1,000 bigger than the Sun. If it replaced the sun in our own solar system it would reach the Asteroid Belt, and extend to the orbit of Jupiter. A variable star’s brightness fluctuates as it is seen from Earth, either due to its brightness actually changing (the star swells and shrinks), or due to something disrupting its light from reaching Earth (such as an orbiting companion star eclipsing it). [More]
  • The red supergiant star Betelgeuse suddenly dimmed more than usual in late 2019, dropping to a third of its normal brightness, and images from a massive telescope in Chile helped solve the mystery. Taken in December 2019 through March 2020, the photos revealed that Betelgeuse was partially hidden by a cloud of dust due a massive gas bubble ejected by the star. The temperature decrease was enough for the gas bubble to condense into solid dust. Stardust formation right before our eyes. [More]

Betelgeuse Motif Pattern

Reference

Chart

Note: Chart is meant as a visual guide to the written instruction and might not be able to stand alone due to special stitches.

Video

Note: Video is spoken in US Terms. Watch on mute to avoid confusion for UK Terms.

Subscribe on YouTube for more videos like this one!

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

Note: Scroll down for UK Terms.

  • beg beginning
  • beg dc (1sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (US Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg dc, [ch1, 1dc] 5 times, ch1, ss in beg dc. [6 dc, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 Beg dc in ch-sp, [ch1, 2dc in same ch-sp, 2dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [24 dc, 6 sps]

Rnd 3 Beg dc in ch-sp, [ch1, 1dc in same ch-sp, ch1, sk1, 2dc, ch1, 1dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [24 dc, 18 sps]

Rnd 4 1sc in each st and sp around, ss in first sc. [42 sc]

Rnd 5 [6sc, 3sc in next st] 6 times, ss in first sc. [54 sc]

Rnd 6 Ss in next st, beg dc in next st, * ch1, [1dc, ch1, sk1] twice, (1dc, ch1, 1dc) in next st, [ch1, sk1, 1dc] twice, rep from * 5 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [36 dc, 36 sps]

Note: The “ss in beg dc” to join the round is not shown in the photos.

Rnd 7 1sc in each st and sp around, ss in first sc. [72 sc]

Rnd 8 [5sc, 3sc in next st, 6sc] 6 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 sc]

Stitch Guide (UK Terms)

  • beg beginning
  • beg tr (1dc, ch1) – counts as 1 tr
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (UK Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg tr, [ch1, 1tr] 5 times, ch1, ss in beg tr. [6 tr, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 Beg tr in ch-sp, [ch1, 2tr in same ch-sp, 2tr in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [24 tr, 6 sps]

Rnd 3 Beg tr in ch-sp, [ch1, 1tr in same ch-sp, ch1, sk1, 2tr, ch1, 1tr in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [24 tr, 18 sps]

Rnd 4 1dc in each st and sp around, ss in first dc. [42 dc]

Rnd 5 [6dc, 3dc in next st] 6 times, ss in first dc. [54 dc]

Rnd 6 Ss in next st, beg tr in next st, * ch1, [1tr, ch1, sk1] twice, (1tr, ch1, 1tr) in next st, [ch1, sk1, 1tr] twice, rep from * 5 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [36 tr, 36 sps]

Note: The “ss in beg tr” to join the round is not shown in the photos.

Rnd 7 1dc in each st and sp around, ss in first dc. [72 dc]

Rnd 8 [5dc, 3dc in next st, 6dc] 6 times, ss in first dc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 dc]

Links to Weekly Instruction Posts

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

Links to Published Hexagon Patterns

  • Plain Hexie A
  • Plain Hexie B
  • Half Hexie A
  • Half Hexie B
  • Stella
  • Solis
  • Sirius
  • Betelgeuse (You are here!)
  • Vega
  • Tabby’s Star
  • Supernova
  • Eclipse
  • Pulsar
  • Quasar
  • Uranus
  • Pluto
  • Kepler
  • Exoplanet
  • Gliese
  • Saturn
  • Planet Nine
  • Milky Way Galaxy
  • Andromeda Galaxy
  • Evil Eye Galaxy
  • Antennae Galaxy
  • Porpoise Galaxy
  • Sunflower Galaxy
  • Whirlpool Galaxy
  • Aurora Borealis
  • Nebula
  • Halley’s Comet
  • Meteor
  • Orionis
  • Leonis
  • Galaxia
  • Gravity
  • Night Sky
  • Universe

Pin the Betelgeuse Motif!

Thank you so much for stopping in for this week of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Sirius Motif

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 2 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Attention!

If you have not yet seen the Week 2 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Sirius Motif pattern, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Sirius Motif

Find the Ravelry Page for this motif here and add your project!

The Cosmos: Sirius

Sirius is the brightest star in our night sky. Here are some fun Sirius facts!

  • Sirius is the brightest star that we see in the night sky, but the first bright object that you see after the Sun sets is not Sirius. In fact, it is not a star at all, but actually the planet Venus, and once it’s dark out, Venus is no longer visible in the night sky. The North Star, or Polaris, is not very bright, but is called the North Star because it is almost at true North. Polaris does not seem to move through the sky like the other stars; rather, it is like if you put a nail on the center of the ceiling in a spinning room. The nail does not move, it only seems to spin in place.
  • Sirius radiates about 26 times as much energy as our Sun. Temperatures on the surface have been estimated at 10,000 deg C / 18,000 deg F. It was discovered in 1844 by German astronomer Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel that Sirius had a “companion star” when he noted that the bright star was pursuing a slightly wavy course among its neighbors in the sky. This companion star, later named Sirius B (making our Sirius technically “Sirius A”) wasn’t actually seen until 1862 by Alvan Clark, an American astronomer, and telescope maker. [More]
  • Sirius was revered as the Nile Star, or Star of Isis, by the ancient Egyptians. Its annual appearance just before dawn at the Summer Solstice heralded the flooding of the Nile, upon which Egyptian agriculture depended. [More]
  • Sirius is located in the constellation Canis Major, or “big dog.” To find Canis Major, follow the belt of Orion down towards Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. A collection of medium bright stars flowing down and to the left marks out the body of the great dog.
  • This constellation was one of the original 48 that Ptolemy included in his 2nd century BCE work the Amalgest. It would remain a part of the astrological traditions of Europe and the Near East for millennia. The Romans would later add Canis Minor, appearing as Orion’s second dog, using stars to the north-west of Canis Major. [More]

Sirius Motif Pattern

Reference

Chart

Note: Chart is meant as a visual guide to the written instruction and might not be able to stand alone due to special stitches.

Video

Note: Video is spoken in US Terms. Watch on mute to avoid confusion for UK Terms.

Subscribe on YouTube for more videos like this one!

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

Note: Scroll down for UK Terms.

  • 2trcl * yoh 2 times, insert hook in st, yoh pull through, (yoh, pull through 2 lps on hook) 2 times, rep from * 1 time, yoh and pull through all 3 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg 2trcl (beg tr, 1tr) in st/sp – Counts as 1 2trcl
  • beg dc (1sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • beg pc beginning popcorn: (beg dc, 3dc) in st/sp, release lp from hook, insert hook front to back through beg dc, grab lp, pull through to front of work to close popcorn
  • beg tr (1sc, ch2) – counts as 1 tr
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • hdc half double crochet
  • lp loop
  • pc popcorn 4dc in st/sp, release lp from hook, insert hook front to back through first dc, grab lp, pull through to front of work to close popcorn
  • puff st yoh, (insert hook in indicated st/sp, yoh, pull up loop) 3 times, yoh pull yarn through all loops
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (US Terms)

Rnd 1 Ch4, ss in 4th ch from hook to make ring, all in ring: beg 2trcl, [ch2, 2trcl] 11 times, ch2, ss in beg 2trcl. [12 2trcl, 12 sps]

Rnd 2 Beg pc in ch-sp, [ch3, pc in next ch-sp] 11 times, ch3, ss in beg pc. [12 pc, 12 sps]

Rnd 3 Ss in 1 ch, elongate lp to height of puff st, (puff st, ch2) twice in same and next 11 ch-sps, ss in ch after first puff st. [24 puff sts, 24 sps]

Rnd 4 1sc in same ch-sp, [ch2, 1sc in next ch-sp] 23 times, ch2, ss in first sc. [24 sc, 24 ch-sps]

Rnd 5 3sc in first ch-sp [3hdc in next sp, (1dc, ch1, 1dc) in next sp, 3hdc in next sp, 3sc in next sp] 6 times omitting final 3sc, ss in first sc. [12 dc, 24 hdc, 18 sc, 6 sps]

Rnd 6 [6sc, 3sc in ch-sp, 5sc] 6 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 sc]

Stitch Guide (UK Terms)

  • 2dtrcl * yoh 2 times, insert hook in st, yoh pull through, (yoh, pull through 2 lps on hook) 2 times, rep from * 1 time, yoh and pull through all 3 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg 2dtrcl (beg dtr, 1dtr) in st/sp – Counts as 1 2dtrcl
  • beg dtr (1dc, ch2) – counts as 1 dtr
  • beg tr (1dc, ch1) – counts as 1 tr
  • beg pc beginning popcorn: (beg tr, 3tr) in st/sp, release lp from hook, insert hook front to back through beg tr, grab lp, pull through to front of work to close popcorn
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • dtr double treble crochet
  • htr half treble crochet
  • lp loop
  • pc popcorn 4tr in st/sp, release lp from hook, insert hook front to back through first tr, grab lp, pull through to front of work to close popcorn
  • puff st yoh, (insert hook in indicated st/sp, yoh, pull up loop) 3 times, yoh pull yarn through all loops
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (UK Terms)

Rnd 1 Ch4, ss in 4th ch from hook to make ring, all in ring: beg 2dtrcl, [ch2, 2dtrcl] 11 times, ch2, ss in beg 2dtrcl. [12 2dtrcl, 12 sps]

Rnd 2 Beg pc in ch-sp, [ch3, pc in next ch-sp] 11 times, ch3, ss in beg pc. [12 pc, 12 sps]

Rnd 3 Ss in 1 ch, elongate lp to height of puff st, (puff st, ch2) twice in same and next 11 ch-sps, ss in ch after first puff st. [24 puff sts, 24 sps]

Rnd 4 1dc in same ch-sp, [ch2, 1dc in next ch-sp] 23 times, ch2, ss in first dc. [24 dc, 24 ch-sps]

Rnd 5 3dc in first ch-sp [3htr in next sp, (1tr, ch1, 1tr) in next sp, 3htr in next sp, 3dc in next sp] 6 times omitting final 3dc, ss in first dc. [12 tr, 24 htr, 18 dc, 6 sps]

Rnd 6 [6dc, 3dc in ch-sp, 5dc] 6 times, ss in first dc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 dc]

Links to Weekly Instruction Posts

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

Links to Published Hexagon Patterns

  • Plain Hexie A
  • Plain Hexie B
  • Half Hexie A
  • Half Hexie B
  • Stella
  • Solis
  • Sirius (You are here!)
  • Betelgeuse
  • Vega
  • Tabby’s Star
  • Supernova
  • Eclipse
  • Pulsar
  • Quasar
  • Uranus
  • Pluto
  • Kepler
  • Exoplanet
  • Gliese
  • Saturn
  • Planet Nine
  • Milky Way Galaxy
  • Andromeda Galaxy
  • Evil Eye Galaxy
  • Antennae Galaxy
  • Porpoise Galaxy
  • Sunflower Galaxy
  • Whirlpool Galaxy
  • Aurora Borealis
  • Nebula
  • Halley’s Comet
  • Meteor
  • Orionis
  • Leonis
  • Galaxia
  • Gravity
  • Night Sky
  • Universe

Pin the Sirius Motif!

Thank you so much for stopping in for the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Week 2 Instructions

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 2 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

What to Expect Today

  • 3 blog posts: The Weekly Post with instructions for each blanket version (this post), plus 2 Cosmos Themed hexie designs
  • Patterns include written instructions in US and UK Terms, chart, step-by-step photos, and YouTube video (US Terms).

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Find your version below and get started!

Catona 10g Colour Pack version

Make 6 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-2.png

Here are all of the hexies together so far. It’s not the color layout, but just a way to celebrate our progress!

1 Pack SW/RW 10g Colour Pack version

Make 4 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

2 Packs SW/RW 10g Colour Pack version

Make 7 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

Here are all of the hexies together so far. It’s not the color layout, but just a way to celebrate our progress!

Metropolis 10g Colour Pack version

Make 9 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge.

Colour Crafter stash version

Photo coming soon!

Colors are not given for this version because it is made with stash yarn in any desired palette.

Make 4 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge. Note: Since this version does not use 10g balls, it doesn’t matter as much that your hexagons meet the spec below. As long as they are all the same size as your Plain Hexie A, you will be golden.

Chunky Monkey stash version

Photo coming soon!

Colors are not given for this version because it is made with stash yarn in any desired palette.

Make 4 hexies total:

Gauge note: All hexies should be compared back to the Week 1 Plain Hexie A hexagon that you made throughout the CAL to maintain gauge. Note: Since this version does not use 10g balls, it doesn’t matter as much that your hexagons meet the spec below. As long as they are all the same size as your Plain Hexie A, you will be golden.

Thank you so much for stopping in for this week of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Solis Motif

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 1 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Attention!

If you have not yet seen the Week 1 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Solis Motif pattern, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Solis Motif

Find the Ravelry Page for this motif here and add your project!

The Cosmos: Solis

Solis is a Spanish name derived from the Latin sol, meaning sun. Here are some fun facts about our sun!

  • The Sun has a diameter of roughly 1.4 million kilometers (870,000 miles). To put this in perspective, this is almost 110 times the diameter of the Earth. What this means is that about one million Earth’s could fit inside the Sun. [More]
  • The Sun accounts for 99.86% of the mass in the solar system. It has a mass of around 330,000 times that of Earth. It is three quarters hydrogen and most of its remaining mass is helium. [More]
  • The Sun is an average distance of 150 million kilometres from the Earth. Sunlight takes eight minutes and 20 seconds to reach Earth, but it will already have taken millions of years to travel from the Sun’s core to its surface. [More]
  • How does the Sun burn if there is no oxygen in space? The truth is that it doesn’t actually “burn.” It converts hydrogen into helium by using carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen as catalysts. [More]
  • Scientists believe that changes in the Sun’s magnetic field influence the surface pressure of the Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in changes in weather patterns. The Sun is responsible for 45 percent of the tidal forces generated on Earth – the Moon does the rest. [More]

Solis Motif Pattern

Reference

Chart

Note: Chart is meant as a visual guide to the written instruction and might not be able to stand alone due to special stitches.

Video

Note: Video is spoken in US Terms. Watch on mute to avoid confusion for UK Terms.

Subscribe on YouTube for more videos like this one!

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

Note: Scroll down for UK Terms.

  • 2dccl 2dc cluster: (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 2 times, yoh, draw yarn through 3 lps
  • 2trcl 2tr cluster: * yoh twice, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, (yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) twice, rep from * once, yoh, draw yarn through 3 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg 2dccl (beg dc, dc) in st/sp indicated – when joining rnd, ss into full dc st
  • beg dc (sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • puff st (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp) 3 times, yoh, draw yarn through all lps
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (US Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg 2dccl, [ch2, 2dccl] 5 times, ch2, ss in beg 2dccl. [6 2dccl, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 Beg dc in ch-sp, [4dc in same ch-sp, ch1, 1dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final st, ss in beg dc. [30 dc, 6 sps]

Rnd 3 Ss in next 2 sts, elongate lp on hook to accommodate a puff st, make puff st in same st, [ch3, puff st in same st, ch3, 1sc in next ch-sp, ch2, sk 2 dc, puff st in next st] 6 times omitting final puff st, ss in the ch after the first puff st. [12 puff st, 6 sc, 18 sps]

Rnd 4 Ss in 1 ch, 1sc in ch-sp, [ch3, (2trcl, ch3, 2trcl) in next sc, ch3, sk 1 ch-sp, 1sc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final sc, ss in first sc. [12 2trcl, 6 sc, 18 sps]

Rnd 5 Elongate lp on hook to accommodate a puff st, make puff st in same sc as ss, [ch3, sk 1 ch-sp, (2dccl, ch2) 4 times in next ch-sp, puff st in next sc] 6 times omitting final puff st, ss in the ch after the first puff st. [6 puff st, 24 2dccl, 30 sps]

Rnd 6 * [3sc in next ch-sp, 2sc in next ch-sp] 2 times, 3sc in next ch-sp, 1sc in first ch after puff st, rep from * 5 times, ss in first sc. [84]

Complete!

Stitch Guide (UK Terms)

  • 2trcl 2tr cluster: (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 2 times, yoh, draw yarn through 3 lps
  • 2dtrcl 2dtr cluster: * yoh twice, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, (yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) twice, rep from * once, yoh, draw yarn through 3 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg 2trcl (beg tr, tr) in st/sp indicated – when joining rnd, ss into full tr st
  • beg tr (dc, ch1) – counts as 1 tr
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • dtr double treble crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • puff st (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp) 3 times, yoh, draw yarn through all lps
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (UK Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg 2trcl, [ch2, 2trcl] 5 times, ch2, ss in beg 2trcl. [6 2trcl, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 Beg tr in ch-sp, [4tr in same ch-sp, ch1, 1tr in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final st, ss in beg tr. [30 tr, 6 sps]

Rnd 3 Ss in next 2 sts, elongate lp on hook to accommodate a puff st, make puff st in same st, [ch3, puff st in same st, ch3, 1dc in next ch-sp, ch2, sk 2 tr, puff st in next st] 6 times omitting final puff st, ss in the ch after the first puff st. [12 puff st, 6 dc, 18 sps]

Rnd 4 Ss in 1 ch, 1dc in ch-sp, [ch3, (2dtrcl, ch3, 2dtrcl) in next dc, ch3, sk 1 ch-sp, 1dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in first dc. [12 2dtrcl, 6 dc, 18 sps]

Rnd 5 Elongate lp on hook to accommodate a puff st, make puff st in same dc as ss, [ch3, sk 1 ch-sp, (2trcl, ch2) 4 times in next ch-sp, puff st in next dc] 6 times omitting final puff st, ss in the ch after the first puff st. [6 puff st, 24 2trcl, 30 sps]

Rnd 6 * [3dc in next ch-sp, 2dc in next ch-sp] 2 times, 3dc in next ch-sp, 1dc in first ch after puff st, rep from * 5 times, ss in first dc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 dc]

Complete!

Links to Weekly Instruction Posts

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

Links to Published Hexagon Patterns

  • Plain Hexie A
  • Plain Hexie B
  • Half Hexie A
  • Half Hexie B
  • Stella
  • Solis (You are here!)
  • Sirius
  • Betelgeuse
  • Vega
  • Tabby’s Star
  • Supernova
  • Eclipse
  • Pulsar
  • Quasar
  • Uranus
  • Pluto
  • Kepler
  • Exoplanet
  • Gliese
  • Saturn
  • Planet Nine
  • Milky Way Galaxy
  • Andromeda Galaxy
  • Evil Eye Galaxy
  • Antennae Galaxy
  • Porpoise Galaxy
  • Sunflower Galaxy
  • Whirlpool Galaxy
  • Aurora Borealis
  • Nebula
  • Halley’s Comet
  • Meteor
  • Orionis
  • Leonis
  • Galaxia
  • Gravity
  • Night Sky
  • Universe

Pin the Solis Motif!

Thank you so much for stopping in for Week 1 of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Stella Motif

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 1 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Attention!

If you have not yet seen the Week 1 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Stella Motif pattern, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Stella Motif

Find the Ravelry Page for this motif here and add your project!

The Cosmos: Stella

Stella is Latin for “star.” Here are some fun star facts!

  • Stars are huge celestial bodies made mostly of hydrogen and helium that produce light and heat from the churning nuclear forges inside their cores. Aside from our sun, the dots of light we see in the sky are all light-years from Earth. They are the building blocks of galaxies, of which there are billions in the universe. [More]
  • It might look like all the stars are out there, all by themselves, but many come in pairs. These are binary stars, where two stars orbit a common center of gravity. And there are other systems out there with 3, 4 and even more stars. [More]
  • Every star you see in the night sky is bigger and brighter than our sun. Of the brightest 50 stars visible to the human eye from Earth, the least intrinsically bright is Alpha Centauri, which is still more than 1.5 times more luminous than our sun, and cannot be easily seen from most of the Northern Hemisphere. [More]
  • Astronomers estimate there are about 300 billion to 1 trillion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy, but there are 9,096 stars visible to the naked eye in the entire sky, and on a very dark night, you can only see about 2,000 stars with the naked eye from any given place on Earth. [More]
  • Why do stars look pointy in our eyes and in photos? Our eyes have “suture lines” in the lens which bends the light, and in the Hubble Space Telescope, the light passes through mirrors, which bends the light. This gives stars their characteristic “points” even though they are not actually pointed. [More]

Stella Motif Pattern

Reference

Chart

Note: Chart is meant as a visual guide to the written instruction and might not be able to stand alone due to special stitches.

Special Stitches Key

Video

Note: Video is spoken in US Terms. Watch on mute to avoid confusion for UK Terms.

Subscribe on YouTube for more videos like this one!

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

Note: Scroll down for UK Terms.

  • pc popcorn 4dc in st/sp, release lp from hook, insert hook front to back through first dc, grab lp, pull through to front of work to close popcorn
  • beg beginning
  • beg dc (sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (US Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg dc, 11dc, ss in beg dc. [12 dc]

Rnd 2 2sc in next st, 2sc in 11 sts, ss in first sc. [24 sc]

Rnd 3 Beg dc in next st, [2dc in same st, ch3, sk3, 1dc in next st] 6 times omitting final st, ss in beg dc. [18 dc, 6 sps]

Rnd 4 (Beg dc, 1dc) in same st as ss, 2dc in next 2 sts, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back in beg dc, grab lp, pull lp through st to close – beg special pc made, [ch4, 1sc in next ch-sp, ch4, 2dc in next 3 dc, remove lp from hook, insert hook in first of 6dc, grab lp, pull lp through st to close – special pc made] 5 times, ch4, 1sc in next ch-sp, ch4, ss in beg special pc. [6 special pc, 6 sc, 12 sps]

Rnd 5 Ss in 1 ch, 1sc in ch-sp, [ch4, 1sc in next ch-sp] 11 times, ch4, ss in first sc. [12 sc, 12 sps]

Rnd 6 Ss in 1 ch, 1sc in ch-sp, [ch3, (1sc, ch3, 1sc) in next ch-sp, ch3, 1sc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final sc, ss in first sc. [18 sc, 18 sps]

Rnd 7 Ss in 1 ch, beg dc in ch-sp, [1dc in same ch-sp, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner sp, 2dc in next ch-sp, ch1, pc in next sc, ch1, 1dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [6 pc, 48 dc, 18 sps]

Rnd 8 [1sc in next st, 2sc, 3sc in corner sp, 8sc] 6 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 sc]

Stitch Guide (UK Terms)

  • pc popcorn 4tr in st/sp, release lp from hook, insert hook front to back through first tr, grab lp, pull through to front of work to close popcorn
  • beg beginning
  • beg tr (dc, ch1) – counts as 1 tr
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (UK Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg tr, 11tr, ss in beg tr. [12 tr]

Rnd 2 2dc in next st, 2dc in 11 sts, ss in first dc. [24 dc]

Rnd 3 Beg tr in next st, [2tr in same st, ch3, sk3, 1tr in next st] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [18 tr, 6 sps]

Rnd 4 (Beg tr, 1tr) in same st as ss, 2tr in next 2 sts, remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back in beg tr, grab lp, pull lp through st to close – beg special pc made, [ch4, 1dc in next ch-sp, ch4, 2tr in next 3 tr, remove lp from hook, insert hook in first of 6tr, grab lp, pull lp through st to close – special pc made] 5 times, ch4, 1dc in next ch-sp, ch4, ss in beg special pc. [6 special pc, 6 sc, 12 sps]

Rnd 5 Ss in 1 ch, 1dc in ch-sp, [ch4, 1dc in next ch-sp] 11 times, ch4, ss in first dc. [12 dc, 12 sps]

Rnd 6 Ss in 1 ch, 1dc in ch-sp, [ch3, (1dc, ch3, 1dc) in next ch-sp, ch3, 1dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in first dc. [18 dc, 18 sps]

Rnd 7 Ss in 1 ch, beg tr in ch-sp, [1tr in same ch-sp, (2tr, ch2, 2tr) in corner sp, 2tr in next ch-sp, ch1, pc in next dc, ch1, 1tr in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [6 pc, 48 tr, 18 sps]

Rnd 8 [1dc in next st, 2dc, 3dc in corner sp, 8dc] 6 times, ss in first dc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 dc]

Links to Weekly Instruction Posts

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

Links to Published Hexagon Patterns

  • Plain Hexie A
  • Plain Hexie B
  • Half Hexie A
  • Half Hexie B
  • Stella (You are here!)
  • Solis
  • Sirius
  • Betelgeuse
  • Vega
  • Tabby’s Star
  • Supernova
  • Eclipse
  • Pulsar
  • Quasar
  • Uranus
  • Pluto
  • Kepler
  • Exoplanet
  • Gliese
  • Saturn
  • Planet Nine
  • Milky Way Galaxy
  • Andromeda Galaxy
  • Evil Eye Galaxy
  • Antennae Galaxy
  • Porpoise Galaxy
  • Sunflower Galaxy
  • Whirlpool Galaxy
  • Aurora Borealis
  • Nebula
  • Halley’s Comet
  • Meteor
  • Orionis
  • Leonis
  • Galaxia
  • Gravity
  • Night Sky
  • Universe

Pin the Stella Motif!

Thank you so much for stopping in for Week 1 of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Plain Hexie B

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 1 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Attention!

If you have not yet seen the Week 1 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Plain Hexie B Motif pattern, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Plain Hexie B Pattern

Find the Ravelry Page for this motif here and add your project!

Reference

Chart

Note: Chart is meant as a visual guide to the written instruction and might not be able to stand alone due to special stitches.

Video

Note: Video is spoken in US Terms. Watch on mute to avoid confusion for UK Terms.

Subscribe on YouTube for more videos like this one!

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

Note: Scroll down for UK Terms.

  • 2dccl 2dc cluster: (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 2 times, yoh, draw yarn through 3 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg 2dccl (beg dc, dc) in st/sp indicated – when joining rnd, ss into full dc st
  • beg dc (sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (US Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg 2dccl, [ch2, 2dccl] 5 times, ch2, ss in beg 2dccl. [6 2dccl, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 Ss in first ch of ch-sp, beg dc in ch-sp, [ch1, 2dc in same ch-sp, ch1, 2dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [24 dc, 12 sps]

Rnd 3 Beg dc in ch-sp, * ch1, 2dc in same ch-sp, [ch1, 2dc in next ch-sp] twice, rep from * 5 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [36 dc, 18 sps]

Rnd 4 Beg dc in ch-sp, * ch1, 2dc in same ch-sp, [ch1, 2dc in next ch-sp] 3 times, rep from * 5 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [48 dc, 24 sps]

Rnd 5 Beg dc in ch-sp, [ch1, 2dc in same ch-sp, 2dc in next ch-sp, 3dc in next ch-sp, 2dc in next 2 ch-sps] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [66 dc, 6 sps]

Rnd 6 1sc in all st/sps around, ss in first sc. [72 sc]

Rnd 7 [11sc, 3sc in corner st] 6 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 sc]

Stitch Guide (UK Terms)

  • 2trcl 2tr cluster: (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 2 times, yoh, draw yarn through 3 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg 2trcl (beg tr, tr) in st/sp indicated – when joining rnd, ss into full dc st
  • beg tr (dc, ch1) – counts as 1 tr
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (UK Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg 2trcl, [ch2, 2trcl] 5 times, ch2, ss in beg 2trcl. [6 2trcl, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 Ss in first ch of ch-sp, beg tr in ch-sp, [ch1, 2tr in same ch-sp, ch1, 2tr in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [24 tr, 12 sps]

Rnd 3 Beg tr in ch-sp, * ch1, 2tr in same ch-sp, [ch1, 2tr in next ch-sp] twice, rep from * 5 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [36 tr, 18 sps]

Rnd 4 Beg tr in ch-sp, * ch1, 2tr in same ch-sp, [ch1, 2tr in next ch-sp] 3 times, rep from * 5 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [48 tr, 24 sps]

Rnd 5 Beg tr in ch-sp, [ch1, 2tr in same ch-sp, 2tr in next ch-sp, 3tr in next ch-sp, 2tr in next 2 ch-sps] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [66 tr, 6 sps]

Rnd 6 1dc in all st/sps around, ss in first dc. [72 dc]

Rnd 7 [11dc, 3dc in corner st] 6 times, ss in first dc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 dc]

Links to Weekly Instruction Posts

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

Links to Published Hexagon Patterns

  • Plain Hexie A
  • Plain Hexie B (You are here!)
  • Half Hexie A
  • Half Hexie B
  • Stella
  • Solis
  • Sirius
  • Betelgeuse
  • Vega
  • Tabby’s Star
  • Supernova
  • Eclipse
  • Pulsar
  • Quasar
  • Uranus
  • Pluto
  • Kepler
  • Exoplanet
  • Gliese
  • Saturn
  • Planet Nine
  • Milky Way Galaxy
  • Andromeda Galaxy
  • Evil Eye Galaxy
  • Antennae Galaxy
  • Porpoise Galaxy
  • Sunflower Galaxy
  • Whirlpool Galaxy
  • Aurora Borealis
  • Nebula
  • Halley’s Comet
  • Meteor
  • Orionis
  • Leonis
  • Galaxia
  • Gravity
  • Night Sky
  • Universe

Pin Plain Hexie B!

Thank you so much for stopping in for Week 1 of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Plain Hexie A

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 1 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Attention!

If you have not yet seen the Week 1 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Plain Hexie A Motif pattern, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Plain Hexie A Pattern

Find the Ravelry Page for this motif here and add your project!

Reference

Chart

Note: Chart is meant as a visual guide to the written instruction and might not be able to stand alone due to special stitches.

Video

Note: I recommend watching this video even if you are confident you won’t need it. There is information on the beg dc, as well as joining the round and weaving ends. This will be the longest of the videos, as it has a lot of deeper extra information.

Note: Video is spoken in US Terms. Watch on mute to avoid confusion for UK Terms.

Subscribe on YouTube for more videos like this one!

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

Note: Scroll down for UK Terms.

  • 2dccl 2dc cluster: (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 2 times, yoh, draw yarn through 3 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg 2dccl (beg dc, dc) in st/sp indicated – when joining rnd, ss into full dc st
  • beg dc (sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (US Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg 2dccl, [ch2, 2dccl] 5 times, ch2, ss in beg 2dccl. [6 2dccl, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 Ss in first ch of ch-sp, beg dc in ch-sp, [ch1, 2dc in same ch-sp, 2dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [24 dc, 6 sps]

Rnds 3 and 4 Beg dc in ch-sp, [ch1, 1dc in same ch-sp, 1dc in all sts across to next ch-sp, 1dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [48 dc, 6 sps]

Note: My photos for the remainder of the motif contain an error! The instructions are straight-forward, but please use chart and video if there is confusion. Check completed motif photo to make sure you have finished the motif correctly.

Rnd 5 Beg dc in ch-sp, [ch1, 1dc in same ch-sp, 4dc, ch1, 4dc, 1dc in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [60 dc, 12 sps]

Rnd 6 1sc in all st/sps around, ss in first sc. [72 sc]

Rnd 7 [11sc, 3sc in corner st] 6 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 sc]

Stitch Guide (UK Terms)

  • 2trcl 2tr cluster: (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 2 times, yoh, draw yarn through 3 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg 2trcl (beg tr, tr) in st/sp indicated – when joining rnd, ss into full tr st
  • beg tr (dc, ch1) – counts as 1 tr
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • sp space (ch-sp = chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (UK Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg 2trcl, [ch2, 2trcl] 5 times, ch2, ss in beg 2trcl. [6 2trcl, 6 sps]

Rnd 2 Ss in first ch of ch-sp, beg tr in ch-sp, [ch1, 2tr in same ch-sp, 2tr in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [24 tr, 6 sp]

Rnds 3 and 4 Beg tr in ch-sp, [ch1, 1tr in same ch-sp, 1tr in all sts across to next ch-sp, 1tr in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [48 tr, 6 sps]

Note: My photos for the remainder of the motif contained an error, so I do not have photos for these rounds. The written instructions are straight-forward, but please use stitch counts, chart, and video if there is confusion. Check completed motif photo to make sure you have finished the motif correctly.

Rnd 5 Beg tr in ch-sp, [ch1, 1tr in same ch-sp, 4tr, ch1, 4tr, 1tr in next ch-sp] 6 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [60 tr, 12 sps]

Rnd 6 1dc in all st/sps around, ss in first dc. [72 dc]

Rnd 7 [11dc, 3dc in corner st] 6 times, ss in first dc, cut yarn and weave ends. [84 dc]

Links to Weekly Instruction Posts

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

Links to Published Hexagon Patterns

  • Plain Hexie A (You are here!)
  • Plain Hexie B
  • Half Hexie A
  • Half Hexie B
  • Stella
  • Solis
  • Sirius
  • Betelgeuse
  • Vega
  • Tabby’s Star
  • Supernova
  • Eclipse
  • Pulsar
  • Quasar
  • Uranus
  • Pluto
  • Kepler
  • Exoplanet
  • Gliese
  • Saturn
  • Planet Nine
  • Milky Way Galaxy
  • Andromeda Galaxy
  • Evil Eye Galaxy
  • Antennae Galaxy
  • Porpoise Galaxy
  • Sunflower Galaxy
  • Whirlpool Galaxy
  • Aurora Borealis
  • Nebula
  • Halley’s Comet
  • Meteor
  • Orionis
  • Leonis
  • Galaxia
  • Gravity
  • Night Sky
  • Universe

Pin Plain Hexie A!

Thank you so much for stopping in for Week 1 of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL: Week 1 Instructions

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 1 of the 2022 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here!

Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20

What to Expect Today

  • 5 blog posts: The Week 1 Post with instructions for each blanket version (this post), Plain Hexie A Pattern, Plain Hexie B Pattern, Stella Pattern, and Solis Pattern
  • Patterns include written instructions in US and UK Terms, chart, step-by-step photos, and YouTube video (US Terms).

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Find your version below and get started!

Catona 10g Colour Pack version

Make 6 hexies total:

Note: This week, get gauge with Plain Hexie A by making sure it measures as the diagram below, unblocked. All other hexies should be compared back to this one throughout the CAL to get gauge. You will need to get 1 motif from 1 x 10g ball.

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1 Pack SW/RW 10g Colour Pack version

Make 4 hexies total:

Note: This week, get gauge with Plain Hexie A by making sure it measures as the diagram below, unblocked. All other hexies should be compared back to this one throughout the CAL to get gauge. You will need to get 1 motif from 1 x 10g ball.

2 Packs SW/RW 10g Colour Pack version

Make 7 hexies total:

Note: This week, get gauge with Plain Hexie A by making sure it measures as the diagram below, unblocked. All other hexies should be compared back to this one throughout the CAL to get gauge. You will need to get 1 motif from 1 x 10g ball.

Metropolis 10g Colour Pack version

Make 9 hexies total:

Note: This week, get gauge with Plain Hexie A by making sure it measures as the diagram below, unblocked. All other hexies should be compared back to this one throughout the CAL to get gauge. You will need to get 2 motifs from 1 x 10g ball.

Colour Crafter stash version

Colors are not given for this version because it is made with stash yarn in any desired palette.

Make 4 hexies total:

Note: This week, get gauge with Plain Hexie A by making sure it measures as the diagram below, unblocked. All other hexies should be compared back to this one throughout the CAL to get gauge. Note: Since this version does not use 10g balls, it doesn’t matter as much that your hexagons meet the spec below. As long as they are all the same size as your Plain Hexie A, you will be golden.

Chunky Monkey stash version

Photo coming soon!

Colors are not given for this version because it is made with stash yarn in any desired palette.

Make 4 hexies total:

Note: This week, get gauge with Plain Hexie A by making sure it measures as the diagram below, unblocked. All other hexies should be compared back to this one throughout the CAL to get gauge. Note: Since this version does not use 10g balls, it doesn’t matter as much that your hexagons meet the spec below. As long as they are all the same size as your Plain Hexie A, you will be golden.

Thank you so much for stopping in for Week 1 of the 2022 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

2022 VVCAL Tips and Tricks FAQ

Published by

Hello, and welcome to the 2022 VVCAL Tips and Tricks – FAQ – post. Along the way, I have already had a few common questions. I plan to address those here for everyone to see. Thank you for stopping in!

Here’s a quick link back to the Main 2022 VVCAL Page.

Getting Gauge

Take a look at the measurement diagram for the version with the yarn type that you are using. Make 1 Plain Hexie A, and ensure that you reach this measurement for this and all other full hexagon motifs.

What if my Plain Hexie A is larger than the given measurements with the recommended hook?

If you are using a 10g skein color pack, you will need to swap out for a smaller hook until gauge is reached. If you are using stash yarn, you can leave it, and just make sure all of your other hexies match the size of Plain Hexie A.

My Cosmos Design hexies are coming out smaller than my Plain Hexie A and/or B. Why? What should I do?

First, make the Plain Hexie A. Then compare all of the other hexies to it. If the hexies are within a quarter to half an inch, you will be fine when you join them all together.

There could be many reasons for the gauge of your Plain Hexie A and/or B to differ from your design squares.

  • If your dc (UK tr) sts are generally very tall, then your Plain Hexie A/B may be larger than your design squares since it is made of pure dc. Learn more about the Golden Loop to try and remedy this.
  • Since the patterns for the Plain Hexies are likely a familiar process, this design is often worked more loosely than the design squares. Folks tend to tighten up when they work a new and unfamiliar pattern. (Ever notice sometimes your gauge loosens up as you get into a rhythm with a project?)
  • Those are the common reasons for gauge discrepancy, but there are many more – even time of day, whether you are relaxed or tense, distracted or focused, etc.

What to do? If it’s a large size difference, consider working the larger motif in a smaller size hook to close the gap. Make sure your gauge is correct as well.

I’m using a 10g skein color pack. Can I go up a hook size to get larger motifs?

Yes, but beware you run the risk of running out of yarn on your 10g ball. Better to go down a hook size to achieve smaller motifs where needed.

Color Tips

How can I keep all of these hexies organized for the color layout?

Here are some ideas that fellow makers are suggested:

  • Take a photo of the motif and edit in text over it with the color number.
  • Roll up the motif and put it into the yarn ball band. (Love this one.)
  • Wrap your excess yarn around the ball band so you can compare it later.

Can I join my squares with a different color from the Colour Pack?

Yes! Here’s how: When your preferred joining color comes up in the CAL, you need to sub in the assigned joining color in the CAL.

Using Stash Yarn

How many colors should I use?

This project looks great with any number of colors. In one color, it looks lovely, but you can also use only a few or many shades. Go for a monochromatic with different shades of the same color, or a completely randomized layout. I have never seen a VVCAL blanket that didn’t look amazing!

I have six examples here of past Geometric Lace blankets I’ve made to demonstrate color options. You can choose 1) different shades of the same color, and/or 2) bold pops of contrast colors for your blanket. You can choose a few or many colors as well. If you want to see all 48 Geometric Lace Blankets for ultimate hexie color inspo, head here to my portfolio site!

Geometric Lace to me is all about the blending. The contrast colors are like when you put salt into a cake – to bring out the sweet taste. Don’t be afraid to go bold. Of course monochrome is great too!

Below, you can see what these six palettes above became. Scroll up and down to compare. I blended using the shades of the same color, and in some cases I added in pops of contrast color for visual effect.

On the center of the second row above, you can see how some colors are only represented by a couple of hexagons. This is because I might have had just a small amount of that color in my stash and I wanted to use it up. In this case, I like to place those color hexies fairly close to one another, this way the eye is guided around the blanket. For example, the royal blue motifs toward bottom center, or the magenta motifs toward the top.

That blanket is a great example of how you can lay out your colors if you have a lot of shades of a couple of colors, and then random odds and ends to use up. I had a lot of yellow and turquoise shades, so I put them at opposing corners, and then just went with the flow for the other two corners.

How should I create my random color layout?

When you lay out your colors, you can completely ignore the pattern of the motif. This is meant to be completely random. Color placement is very subjective, but I do have a certain way that I like to “randomize” a layout, by using a “weighted distribution” of color. I borrowed and condensed the color placement guide from my Geometric Lace Blanket pattern, since I have made it in so many different colors over the years, and it can give you hexie inspiration to use shading or pointillism.

Shading to Blend

My monochrome blankets shown above – the pink and the black – are perfect examples of shading to blend. This method of blending is achieved using different shades of the same color.

I made the illustrations below to show that I start with the darker colors, then add in each lighter shade. It’s important to group the colors together in clusters, and then solo motifs as you go out from the largest cluster. My largest cluster will be 3 hexies, and if I have enough shades of the color, I may not even do a cluster of 3, but for the purposes of this guide, I show how to place the darkest color. Clusters of 3, then 2, then 1.

You may think when you make a piece, you never want to place 2 motifs of the same color side-by-side, but actually it really helps to guide the eye around the piece if you cluster them together as shown below.

Shown: Darkest shade, medium shades, lightest shade to create a “weighted distribution” of color around the blanket.

Pointillism to Blend

Do you remember pointillism from seventh grade art class? Well I use this technique to blend colors together using contrast coloring. So where the shading used several shades of the same color, the pointillism technique will be using motifs of contrast colors to blend.

Below I have an illustration to show you the process. Let me explain it here first.

First: Place darkest colors in each corner, begin sure to use pointillism blending. Put contrast colors in their adjacent corners. You can see below that there is some blue in the red corner, green in the orange corner, and vice versa. This is crucial for blending these contrast colors.

Next: Fill in medium shades mainly sticking to their color corners, but also some placement in contrast color corners.

Finally: Fill in the lightest shades and I added in an aqua to more nicely bridge the gap between green and blue – just because. You can see that I still use clusters of 2 motifs, then dwindle down to gradually further spaced solo motifs at the “end” of each color.

For this demo layout, I only used 10 colors, but it looks like a very colorful blanket because of the blending.

Sometimes you have some very random colors that don’t seem to fit into the blanket color palette. That’s okay! You can put those colors all in one corner and just play around with them until you’re liking what you see.

Main Takeaways
  • Release some of the inner crochet meanie thoughts – you know, the ones that tell you your layout isn’t “perfect enough” whatever that means.
  • Remember that while 100% random color placement has its place, it is very eye-pleasing to have a “weighted distribution” of color. This placement creates movement and gently guides the eye around the piece. With completely random color distribution and placement, it can be hard to know where to focus on the blanket.
  • It’s important to place a few contrast colors for blending purposes. It may not seem right at the time, but once you step back and look, you have a beautifully blended color layout.

Reading a CypressTextiles Crochet Pattern

How come I don’t “chain up” at the start of each round?

I start my rounds with something called a “beginning stitch” which always starts with a single crochet (UK double crochet), and I do not chain up for an sc. So for each round, you will jump straight into making a single (UK double) unless you are instructed otherwise in the pattern.

What is a “beginning” stitch?

These are the stitches that I use to substitute any stitch taller than a single crochet (UK double crochet). In my patterns, as shown in their Stitch Guides, I use the following method (shown here in US terms).

  • beg dc = beginning single crochet = (sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • beg tr = beginning treble crochet = (sc, ch2) – counts as 1 tr
  • And so on for taller sts, adding in another chain for each taller stitch.

When you join the round, you join with a slip stitch in the top chain of your beginning stitch. Then, when you start the next round, I have you you work into the NEXT st/sp (unless otherwise instructed), and this is where the magic happens. You can see that when you work the beginning and end of the round in this manner, and then start the next round in the next st/sp that you have a lovely stitch substitution.

For a US double crochet, the single crochet forms the lower portion of the stitch, and the ch1 plus the slip stitch form the upper portion of the stitch.

Of course, you can use any method that you prefer for the first st of the round. Standing stitches, or just the normal chaining up will definitely work. There are other methods out there, but this is my preferred method, and the one that I teach in my patterns.

How do the repeats work?

I have recently updated the way that I use brackets to represent repeats in my patterns. These notes are included at the start of my patterns as usual, but I will add it here as well.

  • Square brackets [ ] are used for small repeats: 4dc, [2dc, 3tr, 2dc] 2 times
  • Asterisks * are used for repeats that include small repeats: * 5dc, [ch1, 1dc] 3 times in next ch, rep from * 3 times
  • Round brackets ( ) are used when a string of stitches are worked into the same spot: (3tr, ch3, 3tr) in next st
  • Important note: 3sc means “1sc in each of the next 3 sts”, whereas 3sc in next st means “make 3sc all in the next st”

How do I Join the Round for Decorative Stitches?

  • Cluster Stitch: To join the round with a slip stitch, place the hook through all loops of the cluster, and then make your slip stitch. This will create a beautiful and hidden finish.
  • Puff Stitch: To join into a puff stitch, make your slip stitch into the chain that is directly after the puff st, as it will result in the most hidden finish.
  • Popcorn: Make your slip stitch into the center of the popcorn, aiming for the loop that was used to close it.
More Notes on Puff Stitch

As my Stitch Guide will show, I do not add an automatic additional chain after my puff st, as I believe this to be too confusing for the final stitch count. Some stitch guides will have you ch1 to “close” the puff stitch, but I do not do this as an automatic instruction.

For example, the stitch guide indicates:

puff st: yoh, (insert hook in indicated spot, yoh, pull up loop) 3 times, yoh pull yarn through all loops

There is no mention of working a ch1 to “close the puff stitch.” In the actual pattern, the chains that follow the puff stitch are given. so you will work the puff st as indicated, and then chain the amount of chs instructed in the pattern.

You will notice that the number of chains before and after the puff st differ. This is because creating a puff st leaves somewhat of a chain looking thing before the puff. So, if you (ch3, puff st, ch3), then the ch-sp before the puff st will look larger. In my pattern, I will instead instruct: (ch2, puff st, ch3) for a more even look.

Finishing

How should I weave my ends in?

Weave your ends after each time you cut the yarn to avoid having to do them all at the end. I have copied my example from a different pattern, as this is the most common way that I weave my ends.

You have two yarn ends to think about at any given color round.

20140206-211314.jpg

Trap the first tail when you join the round.

20140206-211323.jpg

First, focus on your working yarn end tail. Take your hook and insert it through both loops of the stitch to the left of your joining stitch. In the photo, the working yarn end is wrapped around, ready to be pulled to the back of the work.

20140206-211332.jpg

Pull that yarn to the back of the work, as shown below. Both tails are now at the back. This is the only time I work with two tails at once – at the beginning round of a multicolor motif. For subsequent rounds, I work over my first tail when I can, weaving it back and forth so it is buried, and then I use this method shown for my second tail.

Note: Be sure to make your joining slip stitch loose enough that it reaches across your beginning stitch. If it is too tight, your stitch will look bunched.

20140206-211340.jpg

Insert your hook back to front in the back loop only of the stitch to the right of the joining stitch. Below, my hook is there with the two yarn tails wrapped ready to pull through.

20140206-211349.jpg

Keep inserting your hook back to front through back loop of each consecutive stitch to the right and pulling the yarn tail through until it disappears into the work. On the next round, you will be working over that tail, so it will not only be encased in these back loop stitches, but in your next round stitches as well.

In the photo below, my shorter tail is used up, and I only have the longer tail left, which is why only one tail is showing.

20140206-211359.jpg

Should I block individual motifs, or block the entire blanket?

I block the entire blanket, if I block at all. This is my preferred method since blocking afterward is good for the lacy join. I find it difficult to keep my gauge while joining when my motifs have been pre-blocked. If your motif sizes are all over the place, you can pre-block to set your mind at ease if you like. Of course do what works best for you!

If you have any other questions about the VVCAL blanket patterns, please ask in the VVCAL Facebook Group, and if enough folks ask the same question, I can address it here in the FAQ post.

Thank you for joining in!

Happy crafting,

Rachele C.