2015 Knit & Crochet-Along: Mystery Afghan
Solve the Mystery Afghan
Together with Yarnspirations.com, I will be teaching you one of the most amazing afghans I have ever seen. Join me for a 10 week mystery crochet along.
I learned a new few crochet tricks myself with this afghan, I suspect many of you will as well. One of the techniques I learned had me absolutely baffled but once I got it… I was over the top enthralled by it. It’s a technique I would definitely use in the future.
For those who would like to expand their skills of crochet, participate in an online community project together and much more, this is definitely for you.
This mystery crochet along is open to all crocheters globally.
Introduction
All Patterns Will Include the Following
- Written Instructions
- Crochet Diagrams
- Video Tutorials
Whether you are a new crocheter or even advanced, we have you covered for all of the instructions you will need.
Post your WIPS (work in progress) Photos
We would love to hear from you throughout the mystery, right from if you are going to participate or not. Don’t be shy, post your photos and progress reports on Yarnspirations Facebook Page, The Crochet Crowd Facebook and/or even Crochet Challenges Facebook Page. We want to see!
We will be featuring your WIPS on our Facebook. Be part of the fun!
How Do You Know What Colours to Pick?
The smart designers of Yarnspirations.com have come up with 4 colour combinations. Afghans in each of the 4 colour palettes have been completed. In fact, colour kits are available directly from Yarnspirations.com if you would like to place an order to have the exact colours that the designers have chosen.
This afghan isn’t a typical afghan. The point of the challenge is to teach you new skills but colour combination play a strong factor in this design.
See the get started link at the bottom of this article to see colour details.
Materials Information
The pattern consists of 4 colours. The pattern is recommending Caron Simply Soft and 4 colour options are given to you when you sign up. If you are substituting yarn, which you are allowed to do, here are the yarn specs. Be mindful of the gauge of the yarn verses the hook.
Caron Simply Soft, 170 g / 6 oz Balls, 288 meters / 315 yards. Machine wash and dry.
- Contrast A – 4 Balls
- Contrast B – 2 Balls
- Contrast C – 2 Balls
- Contrast D – 2 Balls
- Size 5.0mm or H/8 Crochet Hook.
- Tapestry Needle
Contrast A is the main colour of your afghan and will be a dominant colour. Choose this colour wisely.
Though you have the power to make different parts of the afghan all different colours and are welcome to do so, this afghan looks extremely effective when the colour suggestions as stated in the pattern are maintained. You are the artist, decide what you prefer to do. You may just blow us away.
What Can You Expect to Learn
- Learn to Read Patterns
- Learn to Read Crochet Diagrams
- Unusual Stitching Techniques
Be Part of The Crochet Along Community
- Share your WIPS on our Facebook Pages to show others where you are in the project. As you complete each week, share an updated photo of your project.
- Receive ‘likes’ and positive feedback from community members cheering you on.
- You should encourage other community members by ‘liking’ or adding positive comments too!
- Watch as 100’s – 1000’s of crocheters work together to build the mystery afghan together.
Timeline – Tuesdays are Clue Days
- Jan 20 – Feb 10th – Introduction to Materials List. Optional: Place orders on Yarnspirations to get your custom colour kits to be delivered before we start.
- Feb 10th – Clue 1
- Feb 17th – Clue 2
- Feb 24th – Clue 3
- March 3rd – Clue 4
- March 10th – Clue 5
- March 17th – Clue 6 & 7 (two weeks to complete)
- March 31st – Clue 8
- April 7th – Clue 9
- April 14th – Clue 10 Final
- April 14th – May 15th – Submissions of Final Photos for Yarn Draw
How to Get Clues
Using the sign up below, reminders of the clues will be sent to you each Tuesday. You can go directly to Mystery Crochet Along to get your clues at any time. They will be released each week until they are all revealed.
There is no sign up fee to particpate.
For those who have questions, you can visit the Frequently Asked Questions to check to see if your question has already been answered.
Sign Up To The Crochet Crowd Newsletter
We will have updates on our Crochet Challenges with The Crochet Crowd Facebook and The Crochet Crowd Newsletters. We will also be featuring random photos for Facebook Show’n Tell and Newsletter Highlights each week.
Do Not Deviate from Pattern
To qualify for the yarn package at the end, do not deviate from the pattern. Do not skip ahead and make assumptions on where the afghan is heading. All steps must be completed as per the instructions on the pattern to qualify for the giveaway at the end.
The order of presentation is in order of constructing a typical afghan. There is no back tracking or clues out of order within this challenge.
Late Starters Welcomed
For those crocheters who are on the fence in the beginning and/or other crocheters who do not know about this crochet-along, you can begin at anytime, even if you are extremely late. All qualifiers for the giveaway must have their final picture submitted to us by May 7th to qualify. It is very possible to begin the afghan on April 7th and finish it in a month… HOWEVER, I would recommend going week by week so you are not overwhelmed or feel the pressure.
You can still sign up after we start so the clues will begin coming to you as well. You will need to refer the website to get the clues you have missed along the way.
Get Started
If this Mystery Crochet-Along peaks your creative interest, even if you are unsure whether you will or not, sign up anyway so you can make an informed decision. For many of you, this afghan, once completed will be one of the most amazing afghans you will ever complete in your lifetime.
Hi mikey’blog, I’m a late starter to your project and was wondering why the second video is deleted
I want to join in, a little late but I think I can catch up. I’m not a Facebooker, does it matter?
where is week three’s clue
I am having a hard time getting the patterns for the week. I can’t find week 3. what am I doing wrong.
I’m still waiting on my yarn to arrive. I do have some catching up to do. I just love a challenge!!!
My friend, Shirley and I are so excited about this project, it is our first crochet along. I haven’t seen the 3rd clue yet but am hoping it comes out today. Thank you so much for this great experience. We both plan to do more in the future and can’t wait to see what this one looks like when finished.
Pingback: Confession Time: Unfinished Work | Crazy Creative Chaotic Claire
My friend wants to make the knitted mystery afghan but it takes considerable amount more yarn. Is this normal? I do knit myself and I can see how it would take more yarn too. I am crocheting mine and want to commend you on the instructional video on clue #2. Without that I probably would not have a clue how to do this part. Thank you again for all the wonderful things on the crochet crowd site. It is really the BEST!!!!!
If we use a yarn substitute do we still qualify for the drawing
https://s3.amazonaws.com/spinrite/pdf/WEB-C-SIMPLYSOFT-C-MysteryAfghan-Week1.pdf
direction says size should be 5″. mine is 4″ . so do I go up to I or J hook??
not best thinking day for me.
what is finish size of crochet block? directions says 5″, mine came out 4″, so I need to go up to I or J hook or is 4″ correct. I notice on websites a few others are 4″ also.
Cant get that page to open for pattern directions
Mikey, I learned watching your videos, you are a great teacher! Crocheting keeps me from getting down and I just received some bad news, so I thought what better way to stay positive than to join the mystery afghan crochet along.
Look forward to it, thanks!
I’m not completely understanding the pattern. I usually don’t have a problem with patterns but this isn’t clicking. It’s the first round actually. 3dc, 3ch,3dc three times? Didn’t you say there was a tutorial as well? Help
ok. I’m WAY TOO OCD…I bought the yarn…and did the first 10 squares…in the wrong color. I will buy more and just swap a and b…is that ok? UGH! AND I didn’t get the chocolate. How did that even happen? I thought we got the “kit”? I’m confused..it’s all good…a shopping I will go!
We have the first pattern of granny square today, an was told to make 20 an wait for new pattern next week. It looked like someone was sewing together the squares in a pic on Facebook, did I misunderstand or did they? I don’t want to sew them together if we are doing something else, an others might think they need to do that too, but if that’s wrong they will have to take lots of time taking them all apart! Maybe it should be put in email or on challenge page an Facebook page if we are to do that, or if that is wrong, an let everyone know for sure! Thanks ! Craftyheart1@hotmail.com
Mmmm…. there is nothing in the clue about joining the squares…..
At the end of the video, Mikey instructs you to find a bin or bag to store them in until the next clue is released.
you do not sew anything together till you have all the parts made
What about the knitting challenge. It says knit and crochet but I don’t see anything for knitting.
Has anyone gotten the week 3 clue yet?
Did the clue pattern say to stitch them together? If we were supposed to stitch them together, it would have said so.
Just wanted to make a statement concerning the post about the mystery crochet along being sewn together, that is not what we will do. So if someone has sewn them together they will have to tske apart in order to follow pattern.
Where is the video for clue one..?
sittin here with hooks and needles in hand waiting for the first clue to be released. Its Feb 10 12:28AM Arizona time. Im bored, what can I say…..lol.
I am very upset. Had a hard time trying to find how much yardage for challenge. So ordered from yarnspirations. All 10 skeins. Now I see 6oz. Skeins. The ones I ordered are 5 oz. what do I do? Am in tears.
What do you mean by awaiting moderation? How long do I have to wait for help?
I have been thrilled to find this group. Mikey, you are a wonderful teacher. I have been crocheting for 40 years but very plain patterns. After watching your videos and trying dozens of new stitches I have completed many new patterns, reading patterns myself for the first time in my life. Because of this I now have the confidence to tackle a Wedding Ring Afghan for my oldest son who is getting married in July. So far the pieces are coming together well. Thanks again Mikey for giving me jump start I needed to really grow.
So what is the cost?
Oh I’m counting down the days!
Hi, I’m from England (UK) and I bought my wool today ready for the CAL! Can’t wat to get started on Tuesday!
Can we use a variegated yarn for one of our yarn selections?
Wow~~ I do not know how many of you have stores like Meijer etc., but I stopped to get groceries at the superstore in MI and just happened to check their yarn aisle and I was so pleasantly shocked to find not only did they carry the Caron Simply Soft in several colors but they were priced at $2.99. I have completed the purchase of the last two colors very inexpensively and I know we all love that!! Have a great challenge! I plan to….