Crochet-Along Clue 6: Spoilers and Photos

[MzMolly]

But the problem is, which other clue are you going back too, they are all light and airy.

In the effort to keep challenging myself I ended up doing a random internet search for octagons to find something that would work without repeating the old clues.

I found a pot holder that I thought was nice and just had to invent a few more rows to make it size up to 11".

I thought the first trial looked pretty good so I blocked it last night and this morning I was still really happy with it.

Now to make a few more, let's hope I can remember what I did on that first one and repeat it.

[MzMolly]

just a message to the designers, I may make changes, but that doesn't mean I don't love it and enjoy the challenge of not knowing how it will all turn out.

I AGREE!!! I may not use one motif but I still appreciate the fun I'm having the new stitches I'm learning and all the effort that went in to organizing the whole CAL.

I think as a crafter I've learned to have a bit of a thick skin. I've sat with a table FULL of things and had someone say .. oo that's nice, do you have it any other colour? I realize it doesn't diminish my work in any way, it's just a comment or a preference from another person.

[SubaruChick64]

I finished my first block of Clue 6 last night and wanted to share. I am really proud of myself because I never thought that I would be able to do this.

[fjacksonfive]

Like many others I found this motif to be a bit light and airy for an afghan but I am going with it just the same. I tend to lack the vision to design so I will see what the end product is. Plus, after this afghan I am sure I can use my favorite motifs to make another. A reason to buy yet more yarn! Hooray!

Plus, I can never seem to make a doily that lies flat with thread so I was very pleased with the doily look!

[dogfoster]

In all fairness, the Bernat people did say that the CAL would be light and airy and it is. I guess for the super warm afghan one needs to learn to knit. So I am very happy with my CAL, and sorry for the rant last night.
On clue 6, mine looked like loose leaf bunch of lettuce and absolutely horrible. I have sloppy tension, using variegated yarn which is really uneven. So this AM with cheerful attitude, I went down from an H to a G hook. Thanks to BigFunFam, I did the 2 tr together for center, very nice. Followed the pattern, really focused on my tension, and it was looking too small. So I have actually had room to add one more of beading so that there are 32 of them, fiddled around with the last rows to add 8 corners and get it to about 11 inches. It looks less airy, and I am very happy with it. The variegated yarn just does not do much for the pattern, though I think it is just too much for any of the motifs, but it is all I have. Plus running out of one and will have to use another variegated. Yikes. But I am sure the motif will look nice using the MC.

So thanks to Bernat for giving us these patterns, all to all the posters that share their problems, tips, fixes, etc.,
it makes this so much fun.

[erin557]

Here is my B color clue 6, done completely as written.

clue #6.JPG

And both colors together.

clue #6 (2).JPG

I still don't think I am going to block it. I believe that once the seaming is done that it will pull into shape. I really like the clusters in this one. Not a huge fan of all the laciness, but I am going with it. I am doing the KAL for my thick and warm blanket. Although it may take me all year to finish that one.

And here is a preview of all my colors together.

all colors.JPG

[karenarp]

Here is my motif all blocked now

CAL 6 blocked.JPG

I really like how it opened up and spread out and no longer looks floppy. I personally thought clue 2 was way lacier than this one
Now you see what I did for my first CAL
Here is what I made in place for my second CAL

78 smaller.JPG

I got it from an old doily book. Instead of making the doily with thread I used Handicrafter Cotton in this sample to see if I liked it. I love it, so now I am off to make 6 more in my second CAL colours.
This idea was inspired by a few people saying this reminded them of a doily
Here is a detail shot,

78 detail smaller.JPG

once I get this done with my Waverly I will update you all so you can see the true beauty of this
I never ever ever would have attempted such a switch up especially with this design, it had stitches in it I would skip over before working on this CAL. So even though my second blanket / afghan is different than the main clues, the heart and soul is there and my first afghan is as expected

[kathieh]

Here is my B color clue 6, done completely as written.


And here is a preview of all my colors together.

all colors.JPG

Great job! I love your colors!!

[dogfoster]

They are both very, very pretty. I am having to use variegated for this clue, and I think you will agree from your sample doily, the variegated does not look too good with these sorts of patterns. You are fortunate that you have some Waverly yarn to use for that pattern for your second afghan.

That is one wonderful thing I think we have all learned from doing this CAL. I don't remember which one it was but I think most of us had sizing issues, so we just figured to use different stitches. Now we are changing the patterns to suit our tastes as well. Next thing you will be designing your own afghans using patterns from your doiiy booK!
11 x 4 1/2 and you're set! Great job!

[svmatt]

After reading all the other posts, I'd just like to say HURRAY to whoever designed this CAL. You have to be a designer, artist and mathematical genius to get these motifs to meld. As an artist and designer myself, it takes a lot of work to think of something that will appeal to experienced crafters and also allow beginners to participate. For everyone who has complained, just look at the chart. It is so self-explanatory. You can also fudge whatever is bothering you. Turning a beautiful round doily into a perfect octagon is a mark of sheer genius.

I agree, Angelart! You expressed my feelings exactly! I consider myself an intermediate to advance crocheter and have enjoyed doing these motifs. The best thing about this CAL is I have learned how to read crochet charts better. I am a visual person so charts work great for me with the written instructions to clarify when I get stuck.
So to add to Angelart's HURRAY, I say THANK YOU for the great motif designs.

I could not agree more. My first CAL, but definitely not my last! Now, off to do clue six myself, as I have been travelling!