The Official Feedback Thread!

[dcrozier]

Agreed on almost all counts - except - OMG. You must be a crazy awesome crocheter... two in one year! ACK! I definitely could not pull that off. I also like the anticipation of waiting for the next one.
And... "new crochet techniques" this one was rather lacking in those. The clusters were nice, as was the "star" clue, but otherwise, nothing new for me - and I consider myself to be a beginner - easy intermediate skill level!

HOWEVER, BIG AGREE on larger swatches! That would make a HUGE difference!
YAY FOR LISTS!

Actually, this is the third afghan I have completed since the fall--I have discovered the joys of retirement!!!! I am in the process of putting border on another, am in the middle of a baby blanket (last year's Bernat project Linus), and have a mitred square pattern and yarn in a bag ready to begin. I limit my crocheting to evenings except during the winter when there are no gardening and few yard chores. I really wish I weren't so adicted to crochet--I might have managed to get my kitchen and sunroom painted last winter. What I learned from this one was combining octogons and squares--I had never tried that before. None of the stitches was new for me either, but probably would not have tried chosen a pattern like that on my own.

I love lists--they keep me organized and focused and help me keep my sanity!!!

[Tiffanna]

My first time doing a KAL!
Probably my last time. Not really because of the KAL itself, but I don't need anymore afghans (or my family and friends)
What I liked:
I liked the weekly anticipation of the next clue.
I enjoyed reading the forum.
What I didn't like:
Having to figure out the gauge for each week's square. Did someone really make this afghan before we did - to test it?
Having clue 3 given on February 29, 2012 and the corrected clue 3 on March 20, 2012. Clue 3 was frustrating and I figured a way to do it on my own. But then to get a corrected clue 3 WEEKS later was maddening.
It seemed to me that no one made this afghan as a test, before the KAL started to correct any errors. When I started the KAL, I figured that an afghan had been made and the "Official Finished Images" page would show each of the squares and the borders would be posted the day of the clue or at least the day after.

You can always make the next one and donate it.

[Kodikins]

The only thing I would change is that sometimes I would read something and want to go back to it a day or two later, and there was no easy way to search for it. Maybe a bookmark option would be good. That way if someone wanted to mark a post they can easily find it again!

I can help with that one!
If you want to save a spot in the forum, just click the title of that post, then copy the link which is displayed in your address bar. You can email that link to yourself, or save it in a memo document.

When you pull up the link, it will take you to the exact post you were reading before.

You can also bookmark it just like any other website after you click on the title of the post.

This is a great idea! I bookmark so many other things and never thought about doing it here.

[Shandeh]

If you want to save a spot in the forum, just click the title of that post, then copy the link which is displayed in your address bar. You can email that link to yourself, or save it in a memo document.

When you pull up the link, it will take you to the exact post you were reading before.

You can also bookmark it just like any other website after you click on the title of the post.

This is a great idea! I bookmark so many other things and never thought about doing it here.

Be sure to check to see if it works. I can't bookmark specific spots in the discussions. If I make a bookmark, it takes me to the first page of the discussion. So, I just keep a document on my computer, and paste links for certain posts I want to review.

[zhanie]

I have to say that this Bernat KAL/CAL was a huge success! I can't believe how many people participated, not to mention how many people have already posted their finished blankets. Both patterns are beautiful I feel very inspired to design since completing these projects. Shandeh, Kaleigh, and Jen, you were all so wonderful with your help and jokes and organization. The participants were also positive, helpful and friendly. It has been a joy to share a hobby with so many kind people. For me this experience has been like taking a class. I leave with many skills and with a new confidence that I didn't have before. I still enjoy browsing though all the finished blankets. So, to everyone here, thank you thank you thank you....for all of the above. Bernat!

[zhanie]

looks like I made my own post before I saw this thread.
I crocheted a vest during this CAL/KAL and although it is not perfect I felt very confident changing the pattern a little, knowing that blocking will make a difference and the end, and basically feeling much more confident that a garment will fit at the end. I couldn't have done this without the learning from this forum. I have blocked! I have adapted my tension and changed hooks to "make it work". I have "frogged" when previously I couldn't bear to do this! I think of myself as a good knitter now... definately the most beneficial thing about this experience has been my boost in confidence!

I was not that excited about the previous KAL's and CAL's and was not expecting to end up with a beautiful piece of work. But I love the designs of the 2012 KAL and CAL. I love seeing other people's work. They all look so wonderful. I have taught at least five people how to knit or crochet face to face during this experience. Two people have made the CAL, and two have made the KAL. Other people are working on other projects and I feel confident teaching. A big big bonus of this experience for me has been knowing that I CAN finish a project once I start. Thank you for the kind words and the help, Jen, Shandeh and Kaleigh. I will definately be coming back for more.

[Laina]

This is my second CAL and I have loved every minute (well, except for the frogging) of the experience! Thanks to Bernat and all of your employees who have made this such a great experience. Since I usually make lists for everything, here is my CAL list:

Things I really liked:
***The format of the forum
***The excitement of the weekly clues
***Sharing and comparing with others
***All the helpful and encouraging people and their comments
***Learning new crochet techniques that have taken me out of my comfort zone

Things that disappointed me:
***Thinking there were more clues than there were

Suggestions I would like to make to Bernat:
***Maybe you could make the color swatches larger on your website (they seemed bigger when I chose for the 2010 CAL). It is difficult to see how colors will look together with sections of yarn pieces instead of blocks of color.
***Run a big project CAL/KAl twice a year!!!!!!!!!!! I am ready!!!!

Ditto dcrozier. Great list!


Now that I've learned to seam, I'd like to learn to crochet motifs together so that would be my suggestion for the next Cal.

I'd like to suggest having two Cals; an earlier Spring or late Winter and a Fall or late Summer one right after school starts so it doesn't creep into the holidays.

For new techniques that don't have a video already prepared, it might be easier for us if we didn't have to wait on a video to be made before we can begin crocheting the motif.

One other thing that would have been nice, is if the motifs had the same number of stitches. It made it a little cumbersome seaming and the seams weren't as pretty as they could have been. Hope that doesn't sound petty.

Overall Bernat ladies and fellow crocheters it's been an A+ experience. Thanks so much to everyone!

Laina

[dtucker4520]

Thanks for the great KAL. I really enjoyed it. I would never had finished the afghan if it were not for the encouragement and following the KAL. I will do more KAL's. My sister was doing the CAL but she did not work on it much and did not finish. I can't wait for the next one.

[svmatt]

What really surprised and pleased me with the CAL project in general is the creativity of the finished product from the participants! I cannot wait to get started on the KAL on my own!
- I had to change the original layout design because my color choices just did not do well in the given layout. Preferrably, I would have liked a sneak peek at where the contrast vs. main colors would have gone, but it also gave my creative side a run for the money, oops, yarn!
- The guage was just not suitable for one sized hook for every design, so making the guage ahead of time was not necessarily the best use of time. Got over it, however, and kept working! I learned a new word, "frogging." Hillarious!
- Perhaps the initial notice from Bernat could include a "clue" about the type of design to be completed. For those who have not liked the laciness, it may have been good to give that hint. Won't stop me in the future, though. The diligence to keep working and looking forward to Wednesdays is something I already miss!
- Bernat designers, please proof by several people to eliminate the flaws in the instructions.
- Please add more colors to the Wavery line. It's great to work with!
- I look forward to the next project! Do I have to wait until next February?!

[Shandeh]

....Shandeh, Kaleigh, and Jen, you were all so wonderful with your help and jokes and organization.

I look forward to the next project! Do I have to wait until next February?!

We are doing lots of smaller KALs and CALs all year long right here:
Bernat Crochet Alongs and Knit Alongs