I know you’ve all been on the edge of your seats waiting for the next installment of the Heidi and Rah-Rah saga. You’ve probably been wondering if we were ever coming back–if we’d given up on our endeavor.

Alas, we’re back!

Why the delay? Life. As the school year comes to a close for both of our families, school stuff and other activities have gotten in the way. I’d say we won’t let it happen again, but that is a promise we can probably not keep.

This is me. I’m the hare. I finished squares eight, nine, and ten in great time. In fact, I don’t know that I’ve gotten any of the squares on the same day the pattern came out as I did with number 10!

This is Rah-Rah. She’s the tortoise. She needed a little extra time to cross the finish line. Here’s what she had to say:

“The Tortoise and the Hare decide to crochet together. The hare is so confident because she has experience behind her. Slowly the tortoise is learning how to crochet, and with each step, she is gaining confidence. Please allow me to define slowly. In this case, slowly means hours, sometimes days, to complete one block. So far in this story, we are ten squares into this blanket. The hare is kindly standing at each square and giving the tortoise encouragement to catch up. This morning it happened; the tortoise is caught up!“

Square #8: Striped Hourglass Square by Tamara Kelly of Moogly

Tamara Kelly has been playing with the Striped Hourglass pattern in rugs and various other items. This means that she had a video tutorial of the stitch. I am always amazed at how much more there is to learn about crochet. She introduced me to a new method where you only turn the work every couple of rows. But it worked. The square turned out beautifully.

Rah-Rah: Striped Hourglass was almost fun to do. I use the word almost because I started this square three times before I finally got it. Counting and turning gave me the confidence that I had this pattern down until I got to the front post and back post stitches. Once I watched the tutorial, I picked up the design quickly. It kind of looks like the picture.

Square #9: Galaxy Flower by The Lavender Chair

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I love patterns by The Lavender Chair. I have done quite a few of her squares for different projects. She generally writes her patterns clearly and has lots of pictures to help through the instructions. This one seemed like one that Robin could do with no problem.

But…

Rah-Rah: Galaxy Flower was amusing. For the first time, I used the pattern. Thinking that I counted correctly and followed the design to the T, I soon found out that counting is not my strong suit. Or is it my continued lack of understanding of how to read a crochet pattern? I fell in love with the flower; I did not have the heart to frog the square to the start or begin again. I accept that my square is like a book that was made into a movie, an adaptation of the original. So, I extend my apologies to the hundreds of extraordinary yarnies on the Moogly Afghan CAL.

Square #10: Planet Earth Square by Fiber Flux

I took one look at Block #10 and I thought for sure Robin would have problems. Forget granny squares, this was four granny squares in one! And the ends! I still haven’t woven all of mine in yet.

Of course, Rah-Rah thought this one was made in the shade.

Rah-Rah: Planet Earth brought another new experience. It was the first time making four motifs and joining them. It was not as difficult as I thought it would be because the designer offered a full tutorial. She spoiled me, and I appreciated it. Adding the edge was again not so dreadful. I did end up making it too large, and I took a row off and finished it shy of the border that the designer had indicated. Overall, it took me some time to finish it, but it was worth it. The concern with the square is that my stitches are too loose, and if I make the square again, I may try to work it tighter.

Remember back when we started the Crochet with Friends posts, we said it wasn’t a competition? It’s still not.

Here’s how Rah-Rah brings her story home: “Slow and steady may not win any races for this tortoise, but it will get me across this finish line. In the end, there will be a reward for me, a warm and cozy blanket for the winter. I don’t think the hare will cross the finish line for me, but she will continue to cheer me on to the finish line.”

Check out our previous posts to learn more about this project here, here, here, here, here, and here. And make sure to check out Moogly blog and see all of her great projects in addition to the Moogly CAL.