You made it! The final touches have been added to the pattern! 
If you're just joining us you can get all the info about the CAL by beginning HERE.

This is the final week. You'll sew the pieces together, work the peplum, and finish up the armholes and neckline.    

Reminder: Once you've completed the shell post photos in our FB group for a chance to win a prize! 

The pattern is free so it's not too late to join us!

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 - Part 5 - Back Top Shaping

Part 5 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 remainder of the back. We will complete the armhole and neckline shaping. Next week we will be doing all the finishing work - sewing, border, and peplum.   

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.

The pattern is free so it's not too late to join us!

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 - Part 4 - Back Bottom

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