Let’s Crochet Along!

By Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 164 Comments

I wanted to write this week’s ramble about a recent experience I had with a crochet along. In case you are not familiar with the concept, a “crochet along,” abbreviated CAL, is an event where a group of people decide to crochet the same item, similar items, or an item of their choice at the same time. There are also “knit alongs” (KALs) which are -you guessed it- the same thing, but with knitting. Finally there are CAL/KALs, where people crochet and knit along.

That’s a lot of group solidarity, isn’t it? Personally, I enjoy these group events, because they are usually a lot of fun and they motivate me to try new techniques and/or yarns. Recently I was in a CAL/KAL that did both. With my local crafting group, I committed to crocheting a shawl all in single crochet. What’s more, the shawl was also in lace weight yarn.

Now, I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this to all of you, but I am incredibly drawn to projects that are small and complete quickly. A single crochet + lace weight shawl is not small and does not complete quickly. Still, I decided, through encouragement commonly referred to as peer pressure, to give it a go.

To make a long story short (too late), I gave it a go and, while I can not say that I enjoyed crocheting it, I did enjoy preparing for the event and also the camaraderie I felt amongst my peers. I finished one section, took a look at it, and, before I forged forward over my next hurdle, my more experienced crafting pals advised me to rip the whole thing back and go at it with a larger hook. May I reiterate that this was all single crochet and lace weight yarn? Hm. I appreciated the advice, because although I had already worked well over 3600 SINGLE CROCHETS, I didn’t want to end up with a dud project at the end that would leave me traumatized! Rip all that back? Guh.

Well, I decided to drop out of the KAL/CAL. And one of my dear pals did the lion’s share of the work with ripping back my one million single crochets. (Probably about 3000 or so. It took her approximately 2 hours because of the tight stitches and the halo on the yarn.)

Sigh. The upswing? Well, I did learn to love working with lace weight yarn, and I would have finished if I had thought my finished product would have been worth it. Therefore, it wasn’t a total wash. I just have to pick the perfect pattern for my laceweight yarn!

That brings me to the point of this whole article- let’s do our own crochet along right here on Crochet Spot! We have to make this a quick and painless CAL because I can’t take another challenge like my last one. Are you in?

If you think you’d like to do a fun, quick, and painless crochet along using one of Rachel’s patterns, please let me know in the comments! We’ll have fun working on the same project and maybe we can even share photos in the Ravelry thread! 🙂

UPDATE: You can find the list of crochet patterns for the CAL here: The Quick and Easy Holiday Crochet Along!

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164 Comments

  1. Marilee says:

    I just recently found your blog. I love crocheting. Its my peace. 🙂 and i love meeting new crochet buddies. I haven’t been able to find any crochet groups around where I live and not many of my friends think crocheting is fun. Lol glad to find your blog! 🙂

  2. Kristin says:

    I would love to do a CAL that is quick. I usually stay away from them because the ones I’ve seen are to involved and I don’t always have the time.

  3. Andrea says:

    I would love to do a quick and easy project as a CAL.

  4. Mie says:

    Hi,
    Count me in, this will be my very first CAL, can’t wait.

  5. Van says:

    I am willing to give it a try.

  6. Brenda says:

    I love quick and easy. I’m in!

  7. Katy says:

    I’ve only recently come across the term CAL, and only found out yesterday what it meant so, if you are doing something quick and easy, I’d live to be a part of my very first one 🙂

  8. Barb says:

    Me too! How do we find out the what and when etc?

  9. Suzanne says:

    Like you I prefer quick and easy but also a bit quirky. Do like to be different!!

  10. Emily says:

    yes sounds good!!

  11. I would love to do a CAL!

  12. Ooo, I love hearing all these affirmative answers! I’ll get to planning! Stay tuned to the blog for more info in the weeks to come! 🙂

  13. Cogaroo says:

    I’d like to do a CAL! I will have to see if I can manage it when the time comes, though. I’ve done CALs before and they’re really fun, but your laceweight shawl catastrophe sounds awful, I’m sorry about that. 🙂

  14. Lynne says:

    I’d join too. I’ve got a large knitted project going (an afghan for my daughter) that’s meant to be a Christmas present and I can use a crochet break from that.

  15. Lydia says:

    I’d like to do a CAL too. I’m pretty new to crochet and I lot it.

  16. Rinnie says:

    Count me in!

  17. Jayne says:

    I would be willing as long as you definitely keep it short and not too hard lol

  18. Miya says:

    I would! As long as it’s quick and painless!

  19. martha says:

    i’ll give it a try! 🙂

  20. fleurdelis says:

    Will you post a pattern? Posting times for 2 nights may be helpful. If I have a meeting or paperwork I may need an alternate night. Time? After 6:00 P.M.?

  21. I hear you about the laceweight CALs. I’ve just dropped out of a shawl CAL that was very beautiful but very repetitive – and it wasn’t even all sc.

    So, a nice quick and easy CAL is just what I need! (Although once September is here and the new school term I’m not going to have much time for crocheting I think.)

  22. Debbie says:

    I would love to attend a CAL. I’ve never participated before but would love an easy project!

  23. AnnieM says:

    My schedule is very unpredictable, but for the moment I’m going to say count me in anyway! I did my first crochet-along this summer and enjoyed every minute.

    P.S. Cami–I’ve been working on Rachel’s v-lace shrug lately (the one here: http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-v-lace-shrug/). It’s coming out beautifully! It’s not a shawl, and it’s a little heavier than you might expect for lace-weight, but still. You could totally improvise on this pattern to make it into something that fits the bill. 🙂

  24. ginny says:

    I would LOVE to do A CAL. I’m in.

  25. Joyce Seagle says:

    Count me in!

  26. M. Lynne says:

    I like reading your blog! I prefer crochet over knitting because I, too, like the quick & dirty project that gives an outstanding result. I love the top-down sweater/dress projects because you can see progress right away. (That’s also why I prefer crochet over knit, although I know how to do both.) I think a CAL would be fun to try to do! As long as it’s quick & dirty, of course…

  27. pfeery says:

    I am interested, depends on yarn and project. I am ok with quick and ready but can’t afford expensive yarn.

  28. Arnetta Jones says:

    Yes, let do it. I love quick and easy

  29. Toni says:

    I would love to try a quick and easy crochet along.

  30. Deb Kauffman says:

    Have always been intriqued, but never found a current CAL/KAL! Would love to join your group! I love to read your blog!

  31. paty says:

    I’m in. As long as it’s easy. Don’t have to be too quick .but I can’t do the intricate stitches. Just let us know when you are ready. Might be a good idea to pick 2 different patterns and let us pick the one we like best.

  32. Stephanie says:

    I’m with you on the quick and painless. I’m working on my first commissioned afghan it seems like it is taking foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrr……..and, now I don’t think I priced it right…lol I do love those quick projects that look awesome!

  33. Rosemary says:

    I am a beginner but really enjoy what I have done so yes I would be interested.

  34. martha says:

    Sounds like a fun idea. Make it simple, though!!

  35. Gigi Lee says:

    I think your idea is spot on! I agree, the concept of CAL’S is nice, but sometimes overwhelming. Recently I wanted to make a beautiful throw with lots of different stitches and colors. Well, the latest post, they’re on row 87! Somewhere I lost track. I’m sorry, I do go on. Count me in.

  36. Claudia says:

    Sure! Sounds like fun 🙂

  37. Rosemary says:

    I look forward to seeing the choices. I am interested if they are not too hard.

  38. Barb says:

    Would love to try. Thanks, Barb

  39. Erma says:

    I have always wanted to join a crochet a long. count me in

  40. Ladybug Lover says:

    i would love to participate in a CAL. I always wanted to.

  41. Mary says:

    Count me in!

  42. LaTonya says:

    Count me in

  43. Kelly says:

    Love reading your blog every week. Also love quick crochet projects. Would really enjoy joining along with you and everyone here on a CAL! What do you have in mind?

  44. Denise Royal says:

    I would be interested.

  45. Brandi Thayer says:

    I would be very interested. I can only make so many hat-scarf sets for family and friends. I’m interested in other quick, easy, and practical items.

  46. Mary Ely says:

    Yes please, I would love to do a cal. Bless you for thinking of it. Count me in

  47. Misha says:

    Hi,
    I’d love to follow a CAL in real time. Again like many others love the idea of a smaller project.

    Can’t wait to start if you do set one up.

    Love your site and blog
    Misha

  48. Mary says:

    I would love to do a CAL. I just tried to join one that I could not afford the yarn at $90.00 I would love to do something small and affordable! Cannot wait to hear more!

  49. Tina M says:

    CAL sounds fun. Especially the “Quick & Painless” CALs. =)

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