Today Block #7 of the 2021 Moogly Afghan CAL was released.

Wait, block #7?

If you’re scrolling back through the posts to read about blocks #5 and #6, let me stop you right now. We didn’t do posts! I know, right? We had this plan, and then….and then…no excuses.

So this is the post for Blocks #5 and #6. Square 5 was Ternion Square by Hooked for Life. Square 6 was Guiding Light by Oombawka Designs.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Let’s review the players. We have newbie crocheter Rah-Rah and experienced crocheter Heidi (that’s me). We are crocheting the CAL together (though mostly from separate houses) and learning from each other. (Yes, you heard that right! I’m learning from her, too!)

The score is tied 6-6, though Rah-Rah might actually have a couple more squares because she’s done more than one of some of them. (She’ll correct me later, I’m sure. We’re a bit competitive like that).

Six blocks equals six opportunities to learn.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Newbie Rah-Rah’s Six Things I have Learned

1. I can do it. The first square gave me so much confidence that I could make this blanket.

2. Starting over may be the correct choice when you are just totally lost and confused while working on a square. For me, square two just could not be completed by looking at the written pattern. When I began a second time (with better colors) with a diagram, it made more sense, and the design came together.

3. Sometimes you must fake it a little to make it. Square three is one of my favorite patterns. It may not be perfect, but I love the colors, and to my eyes, it is just beautiful.

4. Do not crochet when you do not feel well; you may have to make it twice. I finished this block four twice. The first one was just as off as I was.

5. Read all the instructions even if you do not understand them. Slowing down and watching videos I was able to get square five completed with no tears. Though I did attempt the surface crochet.

6. Do not give up. For some odd reason, I could not get square six started. Instead of throwing in the towel, I set up things, watched videos, read through the instructions, and dug in. The block is just fabulous. I still do not follow the direction very much. Honestly, I try to follow them, and at some point, I find that I get going and end up looking at the pictures.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Experienced Heidi’s Six Things I’ve Learned

1. There are always new stitches. In the first square I learned a new joining technique. In the fifth square I learned the trinity stitch (and also discovered that I’d forgotten how to surface crochet.) As someone who writes my own crochet patterns, I always wonder if we aren’t just reinventing the wheel every time, but there really are an endless combination of stitches, and it is possible to invent a new one!

2. Crochet outside the box. Square 5 taught me that squares can be constructed in many different ways. Square four also taught me how to construct rows differently. It seriously has been an amazing education.

3. Color choice is everything. Over on the FB page for the Moogly CAL where everyone posts their complete square (like lots of people—the site has over 20,000 members), squares are transformed by making different color choices. Some don’t even look like they were made from the same pattern!

4. At the same time, color choice doesn’t matter (if that makes any sense at all). Some people stress and agonize over color placement. When you’re using all of the same colors, you can’t really mess up. I have a harder time when it comes to decided which square goes where. On the FB page, I have also seen beautiful blankets made completely from scrap yarn where I wouldn’t have put colors together, but they look lovely.

5. Blocking is important. When I was new to crochet, I had no idea what blocking was. I still don’t always block a project, but sometimes it is necessary. Square 4 wasn’t even close to square before I blocked it. After, the crisp edges are beautiful and lovely to work with.

6. Sometimes Robin just does it better. On block five, I was worried that Rah-Rah was going to have problems with the construction and the special stitches. Guess what? She was sailing along. She knew just what to do. Her squares are gorgeous. I don’t think I would have done that well when I was just starting out!

Both of us have learned SOOO much, and we’re only a quarter of the way through our blanket! I can’t wait to see what the rest of the squares hold.

In fact, I think we’re both ready to find out what we learn while making block #7. If you need us, we’ll be crocheting.

If you’ve missed out on posts for blocks 1-4, check them out here, here, here, and here.