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 OVERLAY MOSAIC CROCHET version of the Summer Direction CAL. You may also wish to go to the interlocking 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 overlay mosaic crochet landing page so all of these links go directly to that technique for each section. Try interlocking 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!

Overlay Mosaic 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.

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 may have brackets which you repeat the designated number of times, and the stars denote the sections you repeat based on how wide you want your project; like this:

JS, (dc1, sc1) x2, *sc8, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc7*, dc1, sc1, dc1, ES

To expand the brackets, it looks like this: JS, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc1, *sc8, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc7*, dc1, sc1, dc1, ES

For a 2-width repeat, it will look like: JS, (dc1, sc1) x2, sc8, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc7, sc8, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc7, dc1, sc1, dc1, ES

Foundation stitches and repeats, and yarn usage

To figure out how many stitches you start with: (four and nine repeats are just examples, you can use any number of repeats)

When determining yardage, I design for two colors: Main Color and Contrasting Color. You could do a gauge swatch to get a more accurate representation of your yarn and personal gauge but if you’d like to use my estimates keep in mind I use a 4.5 mm hook and a thicker worsted weight yarn (4 – medium).

Overlay Mosaic Crochet Details for Summer Direction CAL

• US terminology
• Full blanket chart 169 x 165
• Single width chart 25 x 165; repeat width 18
• 4.5 mm hook (US7)
• Gauge 16 sc in blo stitches x 16 rows = 4″
• Full blanket measures 42″ x 41″
• Worsted weight yarn (2280 – 2780 yards needed for full blanket)
  • Main Color – 1140 yards
  • Contrasting Color – 1140 yards
  • Plus optional envelope border – 500 yards

Key

I have my key posted on another page.

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

Mosaic Technique

That link above will also give you a brief overview of the stitches needed for this technique (including some photos). Or check out more of my tutorials.

Summer Direction CAL: Overlay Mosaic Crochet Foundation Row

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

My foundation rows are also called row 0 because technically we are looking below the chart to determine whether there are any dropped double crochets in this row. Spoiler alert: there are none because we haven’t done any crocheting yet so there’s nowhere to drop a double crochet into.

Foundation Row (Row 0): use Main Color (MC) (black on the chart)

Use a chainless SC technique to create repeats of 18 +9 SC. Or, chain repeats of 18 +10, SC in 2^nd from hook and all the way back across. Cut and tie off. See the chart with more details.

Switch to Contrasting Color (CC) {Even- rows use MC; odd-numbered rows use CC}

Repeat between the stars 9 times for a blanket.

1 – JS, sc4, *sc18*, sc3, ES

2 – JS, dc1, sc3, *sc18*, sc2, dc1, ES

3 – JS, sc4, *sc18*, sc3, ES

4 – JS, (dc1, sc1) x2, *sc18*, dc1, sc1, dc1, ES

The foundation rows can be a bit boring with all the counting. I apologize. It will be worth it!