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2016 VVCAL Reboot: Week 3 Instructions

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Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 3 of the 2016 VVCVAL Reboot! I’m so glad you’re here!

Quick Links to Each Week

What to Expect Today

  • The Week 3 Post with instructions for each blanket version (this post)
  • Patterns include written instructions in US and UK Terms, chart, step-by-step photos, and YouTube video (US Terms). Videos release by Wednesday of the CAL week.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Week 3 Squares

Delton

Mary

Sofia

Ashley

Plain Granny Square

Striped Granny Square

Important Notes – Please Read

Remember, the versions below are made from color packs, but you can use any yarn you want! Stash yarn with full balls – whatever yarn you like. You can follow the color pack that most closely matches the yarn weight you want to use. I just like to make sure that the squares can be made with the packs because it’s a fun way to use them.

The first Plain Granny Square that you make will be the square that you use to make sure you get gauge with all of the other squares. Keep that first plain granny square handy so that you can match all of the other squares up to it for the duration of the CAL.

I’m not giving certain colors to use for each square, because the layout is more based on color than square pattern. I like to keep the square design layout completely random. My only advice may be to choose different hues for making multiple of the same square, especially if you are using a rainbow color-fade, if you would rather have identical square designs spread out in the blanket, and not next to each other.

Side note: I find it much more relaxing to just pull colors at random to make my squares, and not have to hunt down each color number as I go. Crochet is meant to de-stress you, not re-stress you!

Find your version below and get started! For more information on the versions, you can head to the main info page.

Metropolis 10g Colour Pack version – 2.5mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a light fingering weight yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. This demo blanket is 120 total squares = 15 squares per week for 8 weeks, then join and border in the last 2 weeks or until you finish.

Make 15 squares total: 3 Plain Granny Squares, 4 Striped Granny Squares, and 2 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Catona 10g Colour Pack Information – 3mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a fingering weight cotton yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. The 108 square layout is 9 by 12 squares. There will be 13-14 squares made each week for 8 weeks, then the join and border in the final 2 weeks or until you finish them.

Make 14 squares total: 6 Plain Granny Squares, and 2 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Stone Washed / River Washed 10g Colour Pack Information – 3.5mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a sport weight yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. For the demo blanket, I am using 2 packs of SW/RW. That makes 58 balls x 2 = 116 balls. There will be 13-14 squares made each week for 8 weeks, then the join and border in the final 2 weeks or until you finish them.

Make 14 squares total: 6 Plain Granny Squares, and 2 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Terrazzo 10g Colour Pack Information – 4mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a DK weight yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. You can always make more of the name squares or plain grannies to have a larger blanket! We will make a demo blanket of 7 x 8 squares for a total of 56 squares.

Make 7 squares total: 3 Plain Granny Squares, and 1 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Thank you so much for stopping in for this week of the 2016 VVCAL Reboot!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

You may also enjoy:

Support My Work

You’re supporting by just being here! You can read my blog (Start Here!), like and comment on socials, and message me for a chat. All of this supports my work free of charge!

  • Affiliate links – Shopping through my links supports me at no additional cost to you as I get a small commission through my affiliates. Jimmy Beans Wool // WoolWarehouse // Amazon.com
  • Buy my pattern book – I wrote a super neat crochet blanket pattern book, published under Penguin Random House. You can buy it here!
  • Browse my self-published patterns – I have over a hundred patterns on Etsy and Ravelry
  • Creative Art Blanket Course – Check it out on Teachable

Where to Find Me

Most Popular Free Crochet Patterns

2016 VVCAL Reboot: Week 2 Instructions

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 2 of the 2016 VVCVAL Reboot! I’m so glad you’re here!

Quick Links to Each Week

What to Expect Today

  • The Week 2 Post with instructions for each blanket version (this post)
  • Patterns include written instructions in US and UK Terms, chart, step-by-step photos, and YouTube video (US Terms). Videos release by Wednesday of the CAL week.

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

Week 2 Squares

Darlene

Melissa

Michele

Rachel

Plain Granny Square

Striped Granny Square

Important Notes – Please Read

Remember, the versions below are made from color packs, but you can use any yarn you want! Stash yarn with full balls – whatever yarn you like. You can follow the color pack that most closely matches the yarn weight you want to use. I just like to make sure that the squares can be made with the packs because it’s a fun way to use them.

The first Plain Granny Square that you make will be the square that you use to make sure you get gauge with all of the other squares. Keep that first plain granny square handy so that you can match all of the other squares up to it for the duration of the CAL.

I’m not giving certain colors to use for each square, because the layout is more based on color than square pattern. I like to keep the square design layout completely random. My only advice may be to choose different hues for making multiple of the same square, especially if you are using a rainbow color-fade, if you would rather have identical square designs spread out in the blanket, and not next to each other.

Side note: I find it much more relaxing to just pull colors at random to make my squares, and not have to hunt down each color number as I go. Crochet is meant to de-stress you, not re-stress you!

Find your version below and get started! For more information on the versions, you can head to the main info page.

Metropolis 10g Colour Pack version – 2.5mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a light fingering weight yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. This demo blanket is 120 total squares = 15 squares per week for 8 weeks, then join and border in the last 2 weeks or until you finish.

Make 15 squares total: 3 Plain Granny Squares, 4 Striped Granny Squares, and 2 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Catona 10g Colour Pack Information – 3mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a fingering weight cotton yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. The 108 square layout is 9 by 12 squares. There will be 13-14 squares made each week for 8 weeks, then the join and border in the final 2 weeks or until you finish them.

Make 14 squares total: 6 Plain Granny Squares, and 2 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Stone Washed / River Washed 10g Colour Pack Information – 3.5mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a sport weight yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. For the demo blanket, I am using 2 packs of SW/RW. That makes 58 balls x 2 = 116 balls. There will be 13-14 squares made each week for 8 weeks, then the join and border in the final 2 weeks or until you finish them.

Make 14 squares total: 6 Plain Granny Squares, and 2 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Terrazzo 10g Colour Pack Information – 4mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a DK weight yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. You can always make more of the name squares or plain grannies to have a larger blanket! We will make a demo blanket of 7 x 8 squares for a total of 56 squares.

Make 7 squares total: 3 Plain Granny Squares, and 1 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Thank you so much for stopping in for this week of the 2016 VVCAL Reboot!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

You may also enjoy:

Support My Work

You’re supporting by just being here! You can read my blog (Start Here!), like and comment on socials, and message me for a chat. All of this supports my work free of charge!

  • Affiliate links – Shopping through my links supports me at no additional cost to you as I get a small commission through my affiliates. Jimmy Beans Wool // WoolWarehouse // Amazon.com
  • Buy my pattern book – I wrote a super neat crochet blanket pattern book, published under Penguin Random House. You can buy it here!
  • Browse my self-published patterns – I have over a hundred patterns on Etsy and Ravelry
  • Creative Art Blanket Course – Check it out on Teachable

Where to Find Me

Most Popular Free Crochet Patterns

Free Crochet Pattern: The Color Riot Blanket (UK Terms)

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Hello, lovely crafter! Today I have a special release for you – The Color Riot Blanket free crochet pattern! Wildly colorful motifs come together more simply than you think. Helpful instruction to take care of yarn tails makes this a calming piece, perfect for remnants. Express yourself with this color riot!

You can hide all sorts of odd colored remnants in this blanket and it will look wonderful. This piece works great with different lengths of remnants as well. Use them all! Omit the border motifs and just join the Color Riot Motifs together if you like, for a whole different look.

PDF Format

The condensed PDF version of this pattern is available for convenient printing on Etsy and Ravelry, and both US and UK Terms PDFs are included in the purchase.

This pattern is in UK Terms – Click here for US Terms

Read More

Free Crochet Pattern: The Color Riot Blanket (US Terms)

Published by

Hello, lovely crafter! Today I have a special release for you – The Color Riot Blanket free crochet pattern! Wildly colorful motifs come together more simply than you think. Helpful instruction to take care of yarn tails makes this a calming piece, perfect for remnants. Express yourself with this color riot!

You can hide all sorts of odd colored remnants in this blanket and it will look wonderful. This piece works great with different lengths of remnants as well. Use them all! Omit the border motifs and just join the Color Riot Motifs together if you like, for a whole different look.

PDF Format

The condensed PDF version of this pattern is available for convenient printing on Etsy and Ravelry, and both US and UK Terms PDFs are included in the purchase.

This pattern is in US Terms – Click here for UK Terms

Read More

2016 VVCAL Reboot: Week 1 Instructions

Published by

Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 1 of the 2016 VVCVAL Reboot! I’m so glad you’re here!

Quick Links to Each Week

What to Expect Today

  • The Week 1 Post with instructions for each blanket version (this post)
  • 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

Week 1 Squares for Each Version

One of each square is pictured. From left to right: Metropolis, Catona, Stone/River Washed, Terrazzo.

The only square that is not pictured here is the Striped Granny Square that I made from the Metropolis Color Pack. Here is what that square looks like:

Important Notes – Please Read

Remember, the versions below are made from color packs, but you can use any yarn you want! Stash yarn with full balls – whatever yarn you like. You can follow the color pack that most closely matches the yarn weight you want to use. I just like to make sure that the squares can be made with the packs because it’s a fun way to use them.

The first Plain Granny Square that you make will be the square that you use to make sure you get gauge with all of the other squares. Keep that first plain granny square handy so that you can match all of the other squares up to it for the duration of the CAL.

I’m not giving certain colors to use for each square, because the layout is more based on color than square pattern. I like to keep the square design layout completely random. My only advice may be to choose different hues for making multiple of the same square, especially if you are using a rainbow color-fade, if you would rather have identical square designs spread out in the blanket, and not next to each other.

Side note: I find it much more relaxing to just pull colors at random to make my squares, and not have to hunt down each color number as I go. Crochet is meant to de-stress you, not re-stress you!

Find your version below and get started! For more information on the versions, you can head to the main info page.

Metropolis 10g Colour Pack version – 2.5mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a light fingering weight yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. This demo blanket is 120 total squares = 15 squares per week for 8 weeks, then join and border in the last 2 weeks or until you finish.

Make 15 squares total: 3 Plain Granny Squares, 4 Striped Granny Squares, and 2 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Catona 10g Colour Pack Information – 3mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a fingering weight cotton yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. The 108 square layout is 9 by 12 squares. There will be 13-14 squares made each week for 8 weeks, then the join and border in the final 2 weeks or until you finish them.

Make 14 squares total: 6 Plain Granny Squares, and 2 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Stone Washed / River Washed 10g Colour Pack Information – 3.5mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a sport weight yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. For the demo blanket, I am using 2 packs of SW/RW. That makes 58 balls x 2 = 116 balls. There will be 13-14 squares made each week for 8 weeks, then the join and border in the final 2 weeks or until you finish them.

Make 14 squares total: 6 Plain Granny Squares, and 2 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Terrazzo 10g Colour Pack Information – 4mm Crochet hook

Stash Busting: If you are stash busting a DK weight yarn, you can follow along with this pack’s demo blanket. You can always make more of the name squares or plain grannies to have a larger blanket! We will make a demo blanket of 7 x 8 squares for a total of 56 squares.

Make 7 squares total: 3 Plain Granny Squares, and 1 each of the Name Squares that are listed below.

Thank you so much for stopping in for this week of the 2016 VVCAL Reboot!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

You may also enjoy these completed CALs

A VVCAL Look-Back: Vibrant Vintage CAL Through the Years

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Hello, lovely crafter! With the 2016 VVCAL Reboot kicking off on May 19th, I thought it would be nice to take a look at the previous VVCALs through the years, and see the wide variety of blankets that can be made from the patterns.

I start with an introduction to the CAL so if you’re new to it, you can get a good sense of what it’s all about. I hope you enjoy this long and photo-driven post! I really brought out all of the good pics to show you the possibilities.

Quick Links

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Creative Clarity, Episode 3: Phase 2 of the Artist’s Journey and How to Beat Creative Burnout

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Hello, fellow crafter! Today I have the third episode of Creative Clarity ready for you. As a lifelong creative, I know there are a wide variety of barriers, blocks, and struggles in the life of an artist, and whether you are a hobbyist or a career artist, they can stop you from being your best creative self. Every month, the Creative Clarity series will share knowledge, tips, and know-how to help you overcome these obstacles and deepen your practice.

Creative Clarity is not written specifically for crochet artists; rather, it will benefit any type of creator who is looking to cultivate a thriving creative practice. But, we all know that I’m a crochet blanket designer, so for my crochet peeps, each post in this series has a relevant free crochet pattern released in the same month, so you can channel the energy of the Creative Clarity series into a fresh project. I am super excited to share this with you, and my goal is for you to have at least one ah-ha moment in every post.

Creative Clarity, Episode 3: Phase 2 of the Artist’s Journey and How to Beat Creative Burnout

This post is for you if you:

  • Wonder how to develop your personal style
  • Experience a fear of failure and possibly a fear of success
  • Are working to establish yourself without getting burned out

If this is you, let’s dive in!

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2016 VVCAL Reboot: Main Information Page

Published by

Introduction

Hello, gorgeous crafter! Today I am shouting out the announcement for the reboot of my 2016 VVCAL! You may have heard of my 2018 VVCAL, 2020 VVCAL, and 2022 VVCAL. Well, those are my latest VVCAL blanket projects, and as you may know, I design and host the VVCAL every 2 years since 2016.

But on the odd-numbered years, I have been missing the VVCAL so much! I decided to start hosting a reboot throwback on the odd-numbered years. So the first reboot will be the 2016 VVCAL! This will not be a full length VVCAL, rather an abbreviated 10-week version and I will update the patterns as well if needed.

Here is what the schedule will look like over the next few years:

  • 2023 – 2016 VVCAL Reboot (Theme – Lovely names of special people)
  • 2024 – 2024 VVCAL (Theme – It’s a secret!)
  • 2025 – 2018 VVCAL Reboot (Theme – Beautiful Trees)
  • 2026 – 2026 VVCAL (Theme – It’s a secret!)
  • 2027 – 2020 VVCAL Reboot (Theme – Around the World)

PDF Version

Updated reboot PDF coming soon! You can find the current 2016 VVCAL PDF on Etsy.

  • Updated PDF of the entire 2016 VVCAL
  • 33 mix-and-match squares
  • Joining option
  • Wide Lace Border
  • All motifs have charted and written instructions
  • Full layouts, motif progress tracker checklist, and yarn information for Scheepjes Catona Colour Pack, SW/RW Colour Pack, Terrazzo Pack, and Metropolis Pack
  • Guidance and blank layout for Colour Crafter stash yarn

Quick Links to Each Week

Theme

The theme for the 2016 VVCAL is Names of important people in my life (This is so personal because it was before I knew the VVCAL would become what it is today!)

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

This page will be updated with new information every Friday from now until the 2016 VVCAL Reboot is over on July 21st.

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Free Crochet Pattern: Gumdrop Garden Blanket (UK Terms)

Published by

Hello, lovely crafter! Today I have a special release for you – The Gumdrop Garden Blanket! A sweet mix of four different motifs with a continuous join and simple border, this project is perfect for a quick in-between projects stash buster.

You can hide all sorts of odd colored remnants in this blanket and it will look wonderful.

PDF Format

The condensed PDF version of this pattern is available for convenient printing on Etsy and Ravelry, and both US and UK Terms PDFs are included in the purchase.

This pattern is in UK Terms – Click here for US Terms

Read More

Free Crochet Pattern: Gumdrop Garden Blanket (US Terms)

Published by

Hello, lovely crafter! Today I have a special release for you – The Gumdrop Garden Blanket! A sweet mix of four different motifs with a continuous join and simple border, this project is perfect for a quick in-between projects stash buster.

You can hide all sorts of odd colored remnants in this blanket and it will look wonderful.

PDF Format

The condensed PDF version of this pattern is available for convenient printing on Etsy and Ravelry, and both US and UK Terms PDFs are included in the purchase.

This pattern is in US Terms – Click here for UK Terms

Read More

Scheepjes Colour Lab CAL: Bonus Pattern (Dutch Translation)

Published by

Hello lovely crafter! I can’t believe the Colour Lab CAL is already over, but there is a way to ride the wave for a little while longer. With every Scheepjes CAL there is a small bonus pattern, and today I want to share mine with you. I wrote the Rosalind Motif just for you all, and I hope you enjoy it!

This motif is a great way to use up leftover remnants of your Scrumptious Kit if you got one, or just add it to your pattern collection as a freebie on me.

The name comes from British chemist and X-ray crystallographer, Rosalind Franklin, whose work was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA. Unfortunately, her discovery of the structure of DNA went largely unrecognized during her life, as others took credit for her works.

Note: I made a full blanket with this motif! That FO Post will be live next Wednesday for you to check out!

More Free Pattern Versions

PDF Format

Coming soon!

The condensed PDF version of this pattern is available for convenient printing on Etsy and Ravelry, and the US Terms, UK Terms, German, and Dutch PDFs are included in the purchase.

Read More

Scheepjes Colour Lab CAL: Bonus Pattern (German Translation)

Published by

Hello lovely crafter! I can’t believe the Colour Lab CAL is already over, but there is a way to ride the wave for a little while longer. With every Scheepjes CAL there is a small bonus pattern, and today I want to share mine with you. I wrote the Rosalind Motif just for you all, and I hope you enjoy it!

This motif is a great way to use up leftover remnants of your Scrumptious Kit if you got one, or just add it to your pattern collection as a freebie on me.

The name comes from British chemist and X-ray crystallographer, Rosalind Franklin, whose work was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA. Unfortunately, her discovery of the structure of DNA went largely unrecognized during her life, as others took credit for her works.

Note: I made a full blanket with this motif! That FO Post will be live next Wednesday for you to check out!

More Free Pattern Versions

PDF Format

Coming soon!

The condensed PDF version of this pattern is available for convenient printing on Etsy and Ravelry, and the US Terms, UK Terms, German, and Dutch PDFs are included in the purchase.

Read More

Free Crochet Pattern: Rosalind Blanket (UK Terms)

Published by

Hello lovely crafter! I can’t believe the Colour Lab CAL is already over, but there is a way to ride the wave for a little while longer. With every Scheepjes CAL there is a small bonus pattern, and today I want to share mine with you. I wrote the Rosalind Motif just for you all, and I hope you enjoy it!

This motif is a great way to use up leftover remnants of your Scrumptious Kit if you got one, or just add it to your pattern collection as a freebie on me.

The name comes from British chemist and X-ray crystallographer, Rosalind Franklin, whose work was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA. Unfortunately, her discovery of the structure of DNA went largely unrecognized during her life, as others took credit for her works.

More Free Pattern Versions

PDF Format

The condensed PDF version of this pattern is available for convenient printing on Etsy and Ravelry, and the English Language US Terms and UK Terms versions are included in the purchase.

Read More

Free Crochet Pattern: Rosalind Blanket (US Terms)

Published by

Hello lovely crafter! I can’t believe the Colour Lab CAL is already over, but there is a way to ride the wave for a little while longer. With every Scheepjes CAL there is a small bonus pattern, and today I want to share mine with you. I wrote the Rosalind Motif just for you all, and I hope you enjoy it!

This motif is a great way to use up leftover remnants of your Scrumptious Kit if you got one, or just add it to your pattern collection as a freebie on me.

The name comes from British chemist and X-ray crystallographer, Rosalind Franklin, whose work was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA. Unfortunately, her discovery of the structure of DNA went largely unrecognized during her life, as others took credit for her works.

PDF Format

The condensed PDF version of this pattern is available for convenient printing on Etsy and Ravelry, and the English Language US Terms and UK Terms versions are included in the purchase.

More Free Pattern Versions

Read More

Scheepjes Colour Lab CAL Wrap-Up and Crafter Showcase!

Published by

Hello, lovely crafter! I absolutely cannot believe that the Colour Lab CAL is wrapping up! I had the best time with the CAL, and seeing everyone’s interpretations of the color layout made all of the hard work worthwhile. Today I decided to create a wrap-up post. This is mostly a show and tell post of lovely CAL WIP and FO images. Lots of eye candy!

First, let’s take a walk down memory lane to see all of the 8 CAL Parts, and then I want to show off a few of the many, many WIPs that you can find in the Scheepjes International Facebook Group.

Read More