Christmas 2021 will ring in an unconventional stitch along called The Study of the Journey. It is rare for a paid pattern to be filmed but as a tutorial host and our other Study of Series are filmed, I felt it was important to film this to lend support to our community.
The blanket is a journey of stitches I have learned since 2008. It's a heavy mix of textures that will have you feeling an incredible sense of pride. A tremendous amount of thought when into the execution of the ordering and colours. Designed with only 3 colours.
Errors Located In the Book - SEE ALL ERRORS
This pattern is in our first ever book that launched in September 2021. Simply called The Crochet Crowd, Inspire, Create and Celebrate.
I'm Taking a Chance On You
Usually, when a paid pattern is filmed, it lends itself to people handing over the pattern illegally through doing copies and distributing the pattern without purchase. No, the individual pattern isn't available for purchase as the cost of the book is affordable with 15 patterns with high-quality photography and diagrams that Daniel has done.
The yarn inside the trunk is Patons Inspired.
So, I am directly asking you not to hand over the pattern freely and allow people to purchase the book as literally there are 1000's hours invested into the book. I took a stand with my publisher to trust in us and he agreed it was okay. I told my publisher that I cannot put out a book with no pattern support for at least one project.
The finished sample was done with the following:
Patons® Inspired™ (150 g/5.3 oz, 203 m/222 yds)
- Contrast A - Silver Gray Heather 4 Balls
- Contrast B - Pacific Blue 4 Balls
- Contrast C - Sapphire Teal 3 Balls
Use size 6.5 mm, U.S. K/10.5 hook or hook size to obtain gauge. The project total is 1547 m/1692 yds. You will have some yarn leftover on the last ball of each colour assigned. Measurements approx 60” x 60” [152.5 x 152.5 cm]. Gauge 12 sc and 13 rows = 4” [10 cm].
I did this afghan in chunky format, which is unusual for me, but it grows faster and gets you to the finish line faster.
The design really taxed me in conceptual and thought processes. Our testers did multiple different yarn options that are in the book such as Caron Simply Soft, Caron Cotton Cakes and Scheepjes Colour Crafter. I did the original prototype in Caron Cotton Cakes but I wanted something heavier.
Cotton Cakes Gauge: 13 sc and 14 rows = 4” [10 cm]. Colours I used in prototype shown above as as follows:
Caron® Cotton Cakes™ (250 g/8.8 oz, 485 meters/530 yards)
- Contrast A Silver Cloud, 2 Balls
- Contrast B Cream, 2 Balls
- Contrast C Lilac, 2 Balls
To get this monster to sit down flat from going from the huge circle to the square was my nemesis but I kept trying. I vowed I wasn't going to leave the table until I had the right mathematics and trials. I sat at the dining room table from the morning to sunset during July 2020 to figure it out. Testing, frogging, testing, frogging and so on.
The Crochet Crowd Book
Our book is available for ordering (pre-orders depending on stock levels), available for order at your local book stores and/or online sources.
Book officially launches in September 2021 though pre-orders are now being processed and shipped.
ISBN: 978-1-77276-160-3
This was one of the hardest things I have ever done to create. Your purchase means a lot to me personally. We do almost everything pattern and video support for free. Investing in me keeps the tutorials and free patterns pumping out.
Please consider a purchase and if you want to play along with the free tutorials for this stitch along, the book will be our guide and the pattern won't be shown on camera but just following the book instructions step by step.
Bonus Free Week 1
Here's what you can expect in the book. Here's Rounds 1 to 10. Diagrams are included in the book. For the remainder of the afghan, please refer to the book.
- Join stated at the end of the rounds is assumed to slip stitch to the beginning stitch or top of the beginning chain. Unless otherwise stated.
- For the instructions in rounds, each instruction is followed by a breakdown of stitches.
Where It All Began
1st rnd: (RS) With A, ch 3 (ch 3 doesn’t count as st in this rnd). 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with sl st to top of first dc. 12 dc.
2nd rnd: Ch 1, 2 sc in same sp as sl st. 2 sc in each st around. Join. 24 sc.
3rd rnd: Ch 1, 1 sc in same sp as sl st. 1 sc next st, ch 2, sk next st. *1 sc in next 2 sts, ch 2, sk next st. Rep from * around. Join. Break. 16 sc and 8 ch 2 sps.
4th rnd: With C, join with sl st to next ch 2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc in this round and throughout). 4 dc in same ch 2 sp. *5 dc in next ch 2 sp. Rep from * around. Join. Break. 40 dc.
TIP: In the next round, our testers thought it would be easier for you to put a stitch marker at the top of trfp. It’s easier to find where the 2 sc goes into the top of the trfp in rnd 6.
5th rnd: With B, join with standing sc in the same sl st. 1 sc in next 4 st. 1 trfp around both sc sts in 3rd rnd. The trfp is an extra st that is in front to help the circle grow bigger. Start next st in the next group of 5 sts. *1 sc in next 5 sts, 1 trfp around both sc sts in 3rd rnd. Rep from * around. Join. 40 sc and 8 trfp.
6th rnd: Ch 1, *1 dcfp around the last trfp st that we just passed in rnd 5. 1 sc in next st, ch 2, sk next st, 1 sc in next st, 1 dcfp around next trfp in rnd 5, 2 sc in top of trfp st. Rep from * around. Join to beg dcfp. Break. 8 ch 2 sps, 32 sc and 16 dcfp.
7th rnd: With A, standing sc in same sp as sl st. 1 sc in next st. 2 sc in ch 2 sp. *1 sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next ch 2 sp. Rep from * around to last 4 sts. 1 sc in last 4 sts. Join. 64 sc.
8th rnd: Ch 6 (counts as dc and ch 3 sp). 1 dc in next st. *Sk 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, ch 3, 1 dc in next st. - big v-stitch made. Rep from * around. Join to 3rd ch of beg ch 6. Break. 16 big v-sts.
9th rnd: With C, join with sl st to next ch 3 sp. Ch 1, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, ch 1) in same ch 3 sp. *(1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, ch 1) in next ch 3 sp. Rep from * around. Join. Break. 32 sc, 32 hdc, 32 dc and 16 ch 1 sps.
10th rnd: With A with standing sc in ch 1 sp of the next petal point. Ch 5, *1 sc in next ch 1 on the next petal. Ch 5. Rep from * around. Join. 16 ch 5 sps and 16 sc.
The tutorial will have added hints and tips that really only verbal teaching can do. I used standing single crochet and standing double crochet when I can that is not on this pattern.
Crochet Diagram Week 1
You can click on the picture to save or print it.
Timeline - Launching Wednesdays
I have one ball of every colour on hand and a few that has several balls. My goal is to randomize the blanket to use up what I have. Tutorial Version will be randomized in colouring with Patons Inspired that include the following colours:
I will record if I use more than 1 ball of colour in the tutorial as I go.
- Gray Heather
- Raspberry
- Honey Spice
- Olive - I USED 2 BALLS
- Burgundy
- Cocao
- Ginger
- Rich Teal
- Celery (not shown in the group shot)
- Violet (not shown in the group shot)
- Fucshia (not shown in group shot)
- Purple Gray (not shown in group shot)
- Rich Teal (not shown in group shot)
- Clay (not shown in group shot)
See the bottom of the article for the ordering of the colours done in the tutorial.
Gauge Check
- November 24, 2021 - Rnds 25 - 29
- December 1, 2021 - Rnds 30 - 37
- December 8, 2021 - Rnds 38 - 46
- December 15, 2021 - Rnds 47 - 59
Tutorials
Releasing November 3rd, 2021
All yarn is Patons Inspired.
- Rnds 1 & 2 = Honey Spice
- Rnd 3 & 4 = Silver Gray Heather
- Rnd 5 = Burgundy
- Rnd 6 & 7 = Mineral Teal
- Rnd 8 = Olive
- Rnd 9 = Raspberry
- Rnd 10 = Cocoa
Releasing November 10, 2021
All yarn is Patons Inspired.
- Rnd 11 = Cocoa
- Rnds 12 & 13 = Ginger
- Rnd 14 = Olive
- Rnd 15 = Cocoa
- Rnd 16 = Mineral Teal
- Rnd 17 = Silver Gray Heather
- Rnd 18 = Raspberry
- Rnd 19 = Silver Gray Heather
Releasing November 17, 2021
All yarn is Patons Inspired.
- Rnd 20 = Celery
- Rnd 21 to 23 = Fucshia
- Rnd 24 = Rich Teal
Releasing November 24, 2021
All yarn is Patons Inspired.
- Rnd 25 = Mineral Teal
- Rnd 26 = Purple Gray
- Rnd 27 = Burgundy
- Rnd 28 = Honey Spice
- Rnd 29 = Clay
Releasing Dec 1, 2021
All yarn is Patons Inspired.
- Rnd 30 = Clay
- Rnd 31 = Fuschia
- Rnd 32 = Violet
- Rnd 33 = Olive
- Rnd 34 = Ginger
- Rnd 35 = Celery
- Rnd 36 = Mineral Teal
- Rnd 37 = Silver Gray Heather
Releasing December 8, 2021
All yarn is Patons Inspired.
- Rnd 38 = Honey Spice
- Rnd 39 = Cocoa
- Rnd 40 & 41 = Olive
- Rnd 42 = Cocoa
- Rnd 43 = Rich Teal
- Rnd 44 = Clay
- Rnd 45 = Fucshia
- Rnd 46 = Mineral Teal
Releasing December 15, 2021
All yarn is Patons Inspired.
- Rnd 47 = Raspberry
- Rnd 48 = Celery
- Rnd 49 = Cocoa
- Rnd 50 = Purple Gray
- Rnd 51 = Fucshia
- Rnd 52 = Honey Spice
- Rnd 53 = Burgundy
- Rnd 54 = Silver Gray Heather
- Rnd 55 = Purple Gray
- Rnd 56 = Olive
- Rnd 57 = Raspberry
- Rnd 58 = Orchid
- Rnd 59 = Ginger
Krista says
Which of the Caron Cotton Cakes was the one you used for your prototype here? It’s gorgeous.
Mikey says
it was like silver cloud, lavender and blue... I don't know the exact names but it's the large format. I used 2 balls of each of the colours.
Heather says
Hi Mikey got your book today love it can't wait to start my first pattern keep up the wonderful work you do
Heather from ontario
Raymond (Ray) Knight says
Hi there Mike,
My name is Ray and insomuch as have an insatiable passion for all things fibre related, being a male knitter and hand spinner my interest is being taken from the beauty of quite amazing knitting designs evolving as they are to the equally evolving beauty of crochet!
I need to put the 'bkinkers' on the eyes (so to speak) to keep focused on my objective.
Recently, I have been seeing some incredible designs formulated in crochet that leave me quite mystified and equally engaged.
Surely, I know that all the stitches eg. single crochet, double, treble. etc, etc. but I have so much difficulty in finding the 'stepping stones' from learning and identifying individual stitches that go into the creation of the overall patterns.
Can you please guide me to understand crochet patterns.
I have the knowledge of the most basic of granny squares but I also have a picture of a table piece in my phone that I could show you but I don't know of the legallity of forwarding the image and it is that image that is giving me the desire to call upon you for help.
Incidentally, I do not have a credit card but would agree to offer you oayment for items via international money order if that is agreeable with you?
It has been such a long time since I have bought anyting from overseas I don't even know if international money orders still exist.
My ever present reason: above my desire to become more wonderfully creative with the world's enhancement of crafting excellence is such that I'm trying to save to bring my overseas family here to Australia obviously si as to bring our relationship to ultimate TOGETHERNESS!
Withe so much torment, brutality, drunken abuse within families throughout the world (need I elaborate?I think not) I frequently tell people that I cannot come home from work at the end of each day and simply and softly touch just one fingertip to that of any one of my family let alone give them each a loving hug or kiss. They are not even living at the end of the street from me, They are indeed in anither country!
My craft work is my 'escape' (to some extent if you will) from some of life's traumatic reality! Please Mike I plead with you for help!
Thanking you in anticipation.
Ray
Mikey says
Morning Ray, I don't want your money nor do I sell my services like this to the consumer base. What you are asking of me is to reverse engineer a pattern by looking at the stitches which technically I cannot do without it impacting the designer or publisher that holds the rights to the design. Even if you knew the stitches, you would still need to figure out the stitch counts and much more, so it will get dicy on the legality as you mentioned.
I prefer not to do that to another designer's concept, even if the pattern is really old. We strive to stay above the table.
I'm sorry, I don't want to go off the rails and do something where I don't feel it's morally correct to do. If I was an average crocheter and just crocheting for fun, it may have been different but I think people rely on me to play by the rules and I prefer to stay within the rules so I don't compromise myself.
Hugs from Canada. Michael
Ella Guillot says
Hi Mickey, Just ordered my book. As we speak am working on the Study Geometry and so looking forward for the Christmas follow along. Thank You for all you do. Since, I’ve turned back to Crocheting after being absent for a period of 20yrs., It’s been such a wonderful journey for me. And am amaze how far crocheting as come. Be good to yourself and as always God Bless you both.
Mikey says
Welcome back to the wonderful stitching journey. Thank you for purchasing our book. It's crazy really on the yarn choices people have and they still complain. LOL. Have a great long weekend, wherever you may be. It's a long weekend here in Canada.
Raymond (Ray) Knight says
Hi there Charlene,
My name is Raymond but please call me Ray as it is somewhat more casual which suits my lifestyle.
As a male knitter (dating back to around 1951) under the guidance of my much loved but of course now, sadly departed grandma, my knitting has proved to be very much my 'escape' from trauma in my life!
More about this a little later.
Added to my knitting, I have also gladly included hand spinning and dearly want to add crochet and (believe it or not) Navajo weaving.
At 79 years of age, do I have the years ahead of me to clearly master the pinnacle of all that is to learn and enjoy from these beautiful crafts? I think not but I sure want to master all I can!
One of two other added concerns is such that I do not have a strong knowledge of the internet and how to navigate around within it, plus, my age again creates concerns as to how to develop a powerful absorption of learning capacity.
I have pleaded with a number of ladies both near and far for hrlp to understsnd it slk but sadly the returns of such help have been faaaarrrr less than provided by loving but lost grandma.
Can I therefore call upon you please to assist me to climb to higher levels of crochet from the most basic of granny squares
Cami Smith says
How does crochet make me feel?
I learned the basics at a very young age from my great grandma. She did not have a lot of money so made ‘yarn’ from bread wrappers that she cut into strips Everyone in our family has a special pencil holder Grandma created from her very own ‘yarn’ and empty tin cans ?
A few years back I was asked to help crochet hats for a VA hospital. I wasn’t sure that I would remember enough to make anything after all those years!!
With the help of YouTube and Mikey…I soon was in my way to making more than hats for the VA ?
Crochet makes me happy and relaxed…even more so when I can donate my projects to help out others! I have several different non-profit organizations that all my creations end up going to.
I love to use Mikey’s tutorials and CALs to learn new stitches and techniques from. He is an awesome teacher and I am amazingly relaxed to just listen to his voice during the instructions.
I cannot wait for this next Study of the Journey to create and learn by making another great blanket for someone in need ?