Part 4 of the Ava Shell has been added to the pattern! If you're just joining us you can get all the info about the CAL, including a complete schedule and links to previous posts HERE.

This week you'll be working the back of the shell. You will begin at the waist and work up to the armholes. Next week we will be working the armholes and neckline of the back.  

Reminder: Gauge is critical with this pattern! I swatched 3 different brands of DK yarn and 2 had one gauge size and 1 needed a different hook size from the other 2 brands.

If you're just joining us, here's a little sneak peek of the stitch pattern for the main body of the shell.

Head over to the Ava Shell pattern for the CAL instructions. 

Join in the crochet-a-long and share your progress with other crocheters.

• Get more information about this crochet-a-long here.
• Stop by our Ravelry group or Facebook group to chat or ask questions. We can’t wait to see your progress! 
• Ravelry members can also add the pattern to your Ravelry favorites.
• Share your progress on social media with hashtag #cgoasummercal and #cgoacal 

Kristine

Ambassador Crochet

Ava Shell CAL - Part 3 - Front Neck & Armhole Shaping

Welcome back to the Ava Shell Crochet-a-Long! If you're just joining us you can get all the info about the CAL, including a complete schedule and links to previous posts HERE.

This week you'll be working the armholes and neckline of the Ava Shell. Once this section is complete the front will be finished. Next week we'll work the back of the shell. 

Reminder: Gauge is critical with this pattern! I swatched 3 different brands of DK yarn and 2 had one gauge size and 1 needed a different hook size from the other 2 brands.

If you're just joining us, here's a little sneak peek of the stitch pattern for the main body of the shell.

Head over to the Ava Shell pattern for the CAL instructions. 

Join in the crochet-a-long and share your progress with other crocheters.

• Get more information about this crochet-a-long here.
• Stop by our Ravelry group or Facebook group to chat or ask questions. We can’t wait to see your progress! 
• Ravelry members can also add the pattern to your Ravelry favorites.
• Share your progress on social media with hashtag #cgoasummercal and #cgoacal 

Kristine

Ambassador Crochet

Ava Shell CAL - Part 2 - Front Bottom

Welcome back to the Ava Shell Crochet-a-Long! If you're just joining us you can get all the info about the CAL, including a complete schedule and links to previous posts HERE.

This week you'll be working the front of the Ava Shell. The pattern is worked from the bottom up, so this week you'll work from the waist up to armpit. You'll stop at the armpit so we can save the armhole shaping for next week.

Reminder: Gauge is critical with this pattern! I swatched 3 different brands of DK yarn and 2 had one gauge size and 1 needed a different hook size from the other 2 brands.

Here's a little sneak peek of what the stitch pattern for the main body will look like.

Head over to the Ava Shell pattern for the CAL instructions. 

Join in the crochet-a-long and share your progress with other crocheters.

• Get more information about this crochet-a-long here.
• Stop by our Ravelry group or Facebook group to chat or ask questions. We can’t wait to see your progress! 
• Ravelry members can also add the pattern to your Ravelry favorites.
• Share your progress on social media with hashtag #cgoasummercal and #cgoacal 

Kristine

Ambassador Crochet

Summer 2017 CAL - Ava Lacy Shell - Part 1 Getting Started

Summertime is here!  We're going to be making a lacy shell/tank top which is perfect for over a tank top of swimsuit.  The shell was designed to be a good top for those who have never taken on the challenge of a garment, but it will be great for any level crocheter. 

Getting Started

Are you ready?!?!  The Ava Shell is a lacy tank top made with a variation of the v-stitch. It's worked in sections, which makes it possible even for an advanced beginner to be able to tackle and finish. Today's section has the materials list, gauge, special stitches, and other info you may need to get a good understanding of what we'll be working. There is also a gauge swatch so that you can make sure you can match gauge before we get started. A few notes about matching gauge:

Gauge:

I highly recommend blocking, but I know many of us don't follow that part of the instructions. With that being said, gauge is critical to getting this to come out the right size! I did a gauge swatch with 3 different brand yarns and 2 of them had to use a different hook size other than the one recommended to match the gauge. 

Note: The sample in the photo was made with a linen/cotton blend yarn, but we also swatched a cotton yarn, as well as an acrylic yarn. 

You can substitute other yarns, but please swatch this to make sure you don't end up with a shell that is 2 sizes too small. Cotton will block easily, so if you choose cotton and your gauge is only slightly off, blocking will work. If you don't plan on blocking - and know this ahead of time - make sure you get gauge! 

Recommended Resources:

Below are some resourses that will help you pick out a yarn that you will be happy with. 

• Is Gauge Important?
• 5 Tips for Choosing a Yarn Substitution - Things to consider when substituting yarn.
• Tips for Substituting Yarn - What to look for on the yarn label.

CAL Schedule:

The link to the actual pattern instructions is here: Ava Shell CAL.

• July 19th: Getting started (this post)
• July 26th: Part 1 - Front Bottom
• Aug. 2nd: Part 2 - Front Top
• Aug. 9th: Part 3 - Back Bottom
• Aug. 16th: Part 4 - Back Top
• Aug. 23rd: Sewing, Finishing, & Border
• Aug 30th: Giveaway deadline (11:59pm, EST). Winner to be announced Aug. 31st. 

Head over to the Ava Shell post for yarn info, gauge swatch, and more. 

Join us on Social Media

Don't forget to join the fun in our CGOA CAL group on Facebook. You can also ask questions and connect with others that are working the CAL in our Ravelry forum thread. If you want to share photos of the CAL on social media, please use the hashtag #CGOACals so we can see everyone's progress. 

Giveaways & Sponsors:

We will be adding our sponsors and giveaways shortly. Please come back soon to check them out! 

Kristine Mullen

Ambassador Crochet

Summer, 2016 CGOA Crochet-a-long: Layers of Texture Infinity Scarf

Everyone had so much fun with our Across the Board crochet-a-long that we've decided to host another!

Like our last CAL, our summer crochet-a-long features a pattern designed by a CGOA member - me! You may know me as the host of the monthly CGOA member spotlight series, but I'm also a crochet (and knitting) designer and the blogger behind Underground Crafter. 

I've been holding onto this pattern for a while, waiting for just the right time to share it! Let me tell you about more about it and the crochet-a-long.

About the Layers of Texture Infinity Scarf

Explore intermeshing crochet (also known as interlocking crochet or double filet crochet) by making this reversible sampler infinity cowl. The pattern includes 6 different stitch patterns.

Intermeshing crochet seems hard at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be happy you tried it! You need only basic crochet skills since intermeshing crochet uses just chains and double crochet stitches. This unisex project is a great way to get a head start on your own fall accessories or holiday gift-making, or to make something special to donate to charity.

About the Layers of Texture Infinity Scarf CAL

This pattern will be released in 6 parts. Each section will include both a written pattern and a video tutorial to help you as you make your first (or latest) intermeshing crochet project.

How to Join the CAL

You can crochet on your own, but isn't it more fun chat with other crocheters? 

• Stop by our Ravelry group or Facebook group to chat or ask questions. We can’t wait to see what you come up with! 
• Ravelry members can also add the pattern to your Ravelry queue or favorites.
• Share your progress on social media with hashtag #cgoasummercal. 

Summer 2016 CAL Schedule 

Here is our CAL schedule. As each new part is released, this page will be updated to include links.

• Monday, July 18: Supply List 
• Monday, July 25: Part 1: Getting Started; Staircase Stitch 
• Wednesday, July 27: Part 2: Divider Rows; Horizontal and Vertical Stitch
• Monday, August 1: Part 3: Chains and Spines Stitch 
• Wednesday, August 3: Part 4: Grids and Columns Stitch 
• Monday, August 8: Part 5: Morse Code Stitch and Giveaway Sponsor Update
• Wednesday, August 10: Part 6: Dots and Dashes Stitch; Assembly and Finishing 
• Crochet at your own pace 
• Sunday, August 28: Deadline to share a completed project picture to enter giveaway 
• Wednesday, August 31: Giveaway winners announced

We'll be sharing more details about giveaway prizes in an upcoming post. Until then, if you'd like to join in, let us know on Ravelry or Facebook. Share your progress with hashtag #cgoasummercal. You are welcome to use the button below to spread the word! Link back to this post so other crocheters can join in. We're looking forward to crocheting with you.

Thanks so much to the rest of the CGOA Now! blogger team for their support, especially Stitches'N'Scraps for finding giveaway sponsors and Art, Like Bread, Crochet Kitten, and Jessie At Home for sharing ideas.

And, of course, thanks so much to our giveaway sponsors:

• Crochet Guild of America
• GMC Books
• Mad Mad me
• Quarto Group

P.S.: You can find more details about the supply list and how to choose yarns for this project in this video.

In Honor of National Crochet Month: Crochet-Along with CGOA!

National Crochet Month March 2010: A CGOA Crochet-Along

Your CGOA Board of Directors invites you to join us in a Crochet-Along (CAL) during March 2010 in honor of National Crochet Month!

For this CAL, pick any crochet project that you like. If you joined CGOA or renewed your CGOA membership during or after our 2009 Chain Link Conference last August, you were given access to Across the Board Crochet, a pdf pattern booklet featuring patterns designed by some of the 2009 CGOA board members. Perhaps you’d like to work on one of these projects. Or perhaps there’s a pattern from Crochet! magazine (which you receive as one of your member benefits) that you’ve been anxious to try. Don’t forget all the other countless crochet patterns available in books, magazines, and on the internet.

We’d love to hear from you as you try to decide what you’d like to work on during the CAL. Please feel welcome to post comments to this blog post and let us know what patterns and yarn you’re considering. Share links when available! Don’t forget to leave a new comment when you make your final decision. Your selection may inspire others to make the same thing right alongside you!

You can share your photos on the CGOA flick group via these links:

Main CGOA flickr photo pool

CGOA flick photo pool CAL discussion thread

March Is National Crochet Month!

Join us for an exciting crochet-along (CAL) here at CGOA Now! during March to celebrate National Crochet Month. Crochet your favorite project(s), share links to photos of your work-in-progress or finished item(s) and leave comments to share about your chosen project(s). Even if you aren't able to participate in the CAL, you are still invited to leave positive comments about what others have made. Be sure to participate in this fun event and be inspired by all the lovely items people will be crocheting!
If your chapter is doing anything special for National Crochet Month, let us know! And be sure to share photos!