Original Blog Entry

This Summer Direction CAL is my 5th Crochet-A-Long (CAL) since I started designing just over a year ago.

My first CAL was some large flower squares for Mother’s Day 2020. Then I did a Father’s Day CAL of scarves that joined together to create a blanket. My third CAL was the Abstract Queen; it was the first one to be available with written instructions for both interlocking and overlay mosaic crochet (before that, the other CALs were just interlocking crochet, but they have been updated since then to include both techniques). A few months ago we did the MusicCAL (which had an easier and smaller repeat section compared to the Abstract Queen CAL). I also contributed to the Friends Around the World 6th Anniversary CAL, but since I didn’t host that one I don’t consider it one of “MY” Crochet-A-Longs.

You can find the links for all my Crochet-A-Longs (CALs) in one place here: https://ashleeslint.com/cals/

All of the images below (showing each of my previous CALs) use the interlocking crochet technique. Overlay Mosaic Crochet will produce the same images but you will have to deal with the tails on the sides from cutting and joining your yarn each row.

My MusicCAL runner.

Summer Direction CAL

My newest CAL, the Summer Direction CAL, like all of my patterns now, is written up for two different techniques: interlocking crochet and overlay mosaic crochet. This CAL has video walk-thrus for both techniques! That’s the big new thing about this pattern. I have also been updating all of my patterns to include charts marked with X’s for mosaic crochet – so this pattern includes those X’s.

You are viewing the landing page for the INTERLOCKING CROCHET version of the Summer Direction CAL. You may also wish to go to the overlay mosaic crochet landing page. I also pre-released the yardage charts, but those charts are also in this post.

I created a video walk-thru for each section in this Summer Direction CAL! I began in the winter and I figured I would definitely be ready by summer. I know it is nearing the end of August now but IT IS STILL SUMMER! I insist on not living for pumpkin spice yet! Slow down, people!

The written instructions can be found FREE here online (one section released at a time) or you can purchase a nice PDF of the entire pattern (including a plain chart for interlocking and a chart marked with X’s for mosaic as well as links to each YouTube walk-thru for every section) on Etsy or Ravelry.

Offer expired. Get 50% off when you use code, “SUMMER2021” (offer ends 11:59 pm, CST, September 30, 2021; valid on Etsy and Ravelry on the pattern “Summer Direction CAL” only).

Summer Direction CAL Schedule

This is where you can find the links to each section. This is our interlocking crochet landing page so all of these links go directly to that technique for each section. Try overlay mosaic crochet here.

Each section has a free written option on my website along with a free YouTube video.

If you’re looking for the charts, they’re included in the paid PDF version of Summer Direction. I appreciate all the support!

Interlocking Crochet Pattern for Summer Direction CAL

Let’s get started, shall we?

Remember, the written instructions can be found FREE here online or you can purchase a nice PDF of the entire pattern (including the X-marked chart) on Etsy or Ravelry. Get 50% off when you use code, “SUMMER2021” (offer ends 11:59 pm, CST, September 30, 2021).

What Size?

To create a full-sized blanket, do 9 repeats for the width. You repeat the stitches between the stars as many times as you want. Each repeat will add about 4.5” in width.

When repeating the pattern 9 times your foundation rows will have 84 MC windows or chain 172, skip the turning chain and single crochet 171 back. Foundation row step 2, using AC: chain 170, then continue as described.

Take note that when using the interlocking crochet technique your stitches do not always create an opposite image on the reverse side. Due to starting on the right side or the wrong side you have different instructions to create the same image.

Yarn weight and hook size can easily be adjusted, just keep in mind your finished project will use a different amount of yarn and be a different finished size. A gauge swatch can help with that.

Brackets

Each line has instructions between stars, like this: Ch3 in back, 1F, *2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 4F*, EB

If you are doing 2 repeats you will crochet: Ch3 in back, 1F, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 4F, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 4F, EB

If you repeat 3 times: Ch3 in back, 1F, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 4F, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 4F, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 4F, EB

To figure out how many stitches you begin with:

I’ve done an example for 3 and 9 repeats wide but you can choose any number of repeats!

Yardage Estimates (worsted weight, gauge 16 DC x 8 rows of one color = 4”)

Interlocking Crochet Details for Summer Direction CAL

• US terminology
• Full blanket chart 169 x 165
• Repeatable chart is 18 squares wide (plus 7 non-repeatable border lines) x full chart height of 165 squares tall
• 4.5 mm hook (US7)
• Gauge 8 (dc, ch) x 16 rows = 4″
• Full blanket measures 42″ x 41″
• Worsted weight yarn (1970 – 2020 yards needed for full blanket)
  • Main Color – 985 yards
  • Contrasting Color – 985 yards
  • Plus optional envelope border – 50 yards

Key

I have my key posted on another page.

Please jump to https://ashleeslint.com/2021/03/23/copyright/#lfm

Interlocking Crochet Technique

For more tutorials see https://ashleeslint.com/tutorials/#lfm

Summer Direction CAL: Interlocking Crochet Foundation Row

If you’re ready to start crocheting, here’s the place you want to begin: the foundation row.

WS – ACB (wrong side facing you, AC to back)

4 MC – Ch3, 1B, *9F*, 1B, ES

Thus concludes our foundation rows! I know, I know, that wasn’t many rows. But, this is the tricky and sometimes frustrating part of interlocking crochet projects.

The foundation rows are boring, involve a lot of long counting, can get a bit twisted, and don’t look very exciting when you’re done. But this is a very important part of our project so it must be done!