Free Monthly Mosaic Mystery CAL | Overlay Mosaic Crochet Along
A new blanket for 2022.
As I was wrapping up my Nordic Winter Blanket C2C CAL this past Christmas (let’s be honest though, I’m still weaving in my ends) I was scheming up next year’s winter CAL. I had some requests to make it simpler and some requests to make it NOT C2C. So I have an idea now for it. (Spoiler alert) Overlay Mosaic Crochet.
But before I launch that collaborative CAL, I need some more content about the style of crochet I want to use. I need tutorial videos, tips, and tricks to share with my designers AND the participants. Really, what I need to do is become an expert in overlay mosaic crochet. What better way to accomplish all of those things than by having a year-long CAL with different mosaic designs. This will give me practice, allow you to practice, and will naturally cause me to make more content and become an expert in this technique. Hooray!
Let me officially introduce you to the 2022 Monthly Mosaic Mystery CAL.
What is a Crochet Along?
Perhaps you have never participated in a Crochet Along before and you may be wondering what in the world I am talking about. A Crochet Along (CAL) is essentially an event where you crochet along with other people creating the same project. Each part of the pattern is released bit by bit, and you work at the same pace as other participants. This way, you can work on larger projects over a period of time, according to your comfort, and also interact with others to gain ideas and learn lots of new things.
Interested in other blanket CALs?
No time to make this pattern up now? Pin this image for later.
How it will work.
There will be 12 afghan strips to abstractly represent the 12 different months. The chart for each design will be free on this blog. Each part of the CAL will be released near the end of each month in 2022.
I will send out an email to announce the release of each new design, or you can simply come to this page and click on the new design to be directed to a FREE chart for that month’s strip.
If you would prefer to have the written instructions you can purchase the full pattern which includes the charts and written instructions for each blanket strip as they are released. Because of the nature of the Mystery CAL, only the patterns that have been released up to this point will be available for immediate use. The pattern will be updated in Ravelry and a notification sent as each new strip is released.
After grabbing each new pattern, make sure you hop on over to the Juniper & Oakes Crochet Community. You can ask questions, post pictures of your WIPs and finished squares, watch live videos, and join our virtual Sip & Stitches. It will be a lot of fun! If you don’t have Facebook, you can still participate in the CAL by creating your blanket on your own. Definitely post pictures and share about the CAL on any social media you have. Be sure to tag me @juniperandoakes and use #monthlymosaicCAL so we can see your progress.
Don’t miss an update.
I will be sending out an email each time a new design is released. You will be the first to be notified of the next part of the CAL or any other news. Sign up now!
In real life.
What happens when you’ve got your blanket WIP beside the bottle-feeding station?
Cuddle time!
I am trying to soak in these little baby/toddler cuddles. She’ll be grown and crocheting her own blanket soon enough.
The Schedule.
Near the end of each month in 2022, a new part of the design will be released. If you don’t want to follow just the chart, go ahead and purchase the full pattern on Ravelry. Not only will you have instant access to all of the charts for each blanket strip as they are released, you will get the written instructions as well. I don’t know about you, but I think it is easier and faster to follow the written instructions.
How big will my blanket be?
Such a good question!
The answer will depend on many factors: yarn, hook, tension, etc. Since this is a mystery CAL that I am making as I go along, I do not have a completed blanket. But based on some quick math, I am estimating my blanket will be approximately 50 inches x 66 inches. Again, that is just a rough estimate.
The Yarn.
The yarn I used for this blanket is Heartland worsted yarn by Lion Brand.
This blanket was designed in two colors: Great Smoky Mountains and Congaree, but you can choose whatever colors you want. Get creative! Maybe you want to make each strip in a different color? Maybe you want to throw green in there somewhere? I will NOT get offended if you take creative liberties on the color scheme. Be sure to share pictures in the FB group so I can see what you come up with!
The amount of yarn needed depends on different factors like yarn weight, hook size, and tension. Each strip uses approximately 150 yards of each color, and there are 12 strips in the blanket. That’s roughly 1800 yards of each color if you’re making a dual-toned blanket. To be safe, you might want to get 2000 yards each especially since there will be an envelope border enclosing the whole thing.
The Hook.
I am using a H/5.00 mm hook to make my blanket. I love this Streamline Swirl hook in Cream from Furls Crochet. Furls sent me this hook for me to use for my CAL. This hook feels so good in my hands and the yarn slides easily across the resin. If you have never tried a Furls hook, I suggest you head on over to their website and order one now.
You don’t have to use an H hook. I usually use a J, but wanted to try something smaller for this blanket so my finished project wouldn’t get too large! Be sure to make a swatch using the yarn and hook of your choice, and use the calculator above so you are not surprised by the size of your blanket.
What is overlay mosaic crochet?
I have written this whole post with the assumption that you all now what mosaic crochet means.
Overlay Mosaic Crochet is a technique that requires you to work in the BLO and then drop down to pick up the front loop of stitches from lower rows which created textured stitches that lay over the stitches from previous rows and can be used to create wonderfully intricate patterns. These patterns are worked in one direction only, fastening off the working yarn at the end of each row, and beginning again at the beginning of the piece — no turning involved. Each new row consists of only ONE color but with the use of the sc and drop down dc stitches, you get the mosaic design. Most overlay mosaic patterns come with a chart. The symbols on the chart tell you when to use a dc and when to use the special drop down dc.
It seems complicated, but I promise, it’s super easy (and addictive) as you go.
I hope to have more resources for you as the year goes on. Feel free to watch the video below to familiarize yourself a bit with the technique.
Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel, comment that you joined in from the Monthly Mosaic CAL, and like the videos. Thank you so much!
Mosaic YouTube Playlist
I have a playlist on YouTube with some of my favorite mosaic videos. Click here to access.
Some of my favorite designers who also do overlay mosaic crochet:
I was also involved as a designer in the Friends Around the World CAL – “Adventures in Mosaic Crochet” in 2021. This is where I learned how this technique and how to design the patterns.
The Pattern.
As mentioned earlier, the free charts for each blanket strip will be released slowly over the 2022, but if you would like the full blanket pattern today, purchase the full pattern now! The full pattern includes charts AND written instructions for each section as they are released, plus pictures and video tutorials on mosaic crochet, and how to add a border.
Ready, Set…
OK — now that you know the plan and all the details, go get your yarn and hook ready, because the fun starts NOW!
January Strip
Peaks & Pillars
This was my first mosaic pattern, and I am happy to feature it as the first pattern of the Monthly Mosaic Mystery CAL. This pattern is an abstract representation of how I am looking at the new year of 2022. It will have highs and it will have lows, and that’s normal. I am not entering this year with revolutionary resolutions nor am I anticipating a dumpster fire. I’m ready for whatever adventures await.
February Strip
Hearts Galore
Of course, Valentine’s month is heart-themed!
This pattern was so fun to create and work up. I made a video tutorial of this sample and crocheted it while on TikTok and IG Live. It was so fun crocheting along with you all! I think I will do it again.
March Strip
Celtic Knot
This is a nod to my Irish roots, and to St. Patrick’s Day – which came and went already, but that’s OK!
I can totally see me releasing a full-on pattern with this design next March for St. Patty’s Day. A blanket? Pillow? We shall see!
April Strip
Mosaic Squares
This strip checks all the boxes!
I thought it reminded me of tax season – so many boxes to check! What do you think when you see these boxes?
May Strip
May Flowers
April showers bring May flowers, right?
This strip has 3 different flowers that form a happy little garden. I also think gardens are in full bloom during this season, adding color all around.
June Strip
Mosaic Monstera
Of course I needed a Monstera pattern to add to my Monstera leaf collection! Plus June just had to be plant-themed during my Plants with Yarn Blog Hop month. Right?
Hope you don’t mind two plant-themed patterns in a row.
July Strip
Tybee Waves
You’ll be glad we’re going back to a geometric design with this one.
The Tybee Waves pattern is designed after our summer family vacation to Tybee Island. Have you ever been?
August Strip
The Plus Side
The Plus Side pattern is designed for another project, but the stitch count fit this CAL instead so I’ve decided to include it in this CAL as well. Plus this strip reminds me of math!
September Strip
Lovely Lattice
The colors I used to design Lovely Lattice are so cozy and remind me of Fall! The lattice pattern also has me thinking of argyle – which is also the essence of Autumn. Since Fall begins in September – I think it totally fits!
October Strip
Mosaic Pumpkins
“Of course, October would be pumpkins!” You’re all thinking.
Haha! Well, you were right! This month is dedicated to the spooky holiday we have in the end and I had to include it in this afghan.
November Strip
Thanksgiving
This design will help you meditate and think about what you’re grateful for as not only the year comes to an end soon but also because of Thanksgiving Day.
December Strip
Nordic Star
Festive and fun! This strip is a slight adaptation from the Nordic Star section in the Mosaic Nordic CAL. I just love these star/snowflake patterns and think they’re perfect for this time of year. Don’t you?
Envelope Border
Use this technique to crochet up a double/envelope border around your blanket instead of weaving in those pesky ends!
Action Items:
- Subscribe to the J&O newsletter
- Join the J&O FB Page
- Gather your yarn & hook
- Purchase the ebook to get the written patterns as they are released.
- or click here to start with January’s section of the CAL!
The Fine Print
This pattern and its images are the property of the Juniper and Oakes ©2021. The pattern is for your personal use only. Please do not copy/paste, distribute, or alter and claim as your own.
You may sell products made by this pattern, but please credit @juniperandoakes and link back to juniperandoakes.com or credit Juniper & Oakes on the craft fair tag.
If you make this pattern, please email a picture to [email protected] and I will include it in a gallery on my website. You may post pictures on social media and tag @juniperandoakes and use the hashtags #juniperandoakes and #jaomosaic and #peaksandpillars. You can also post pictures on my Facebook Page, or in the Juniper + Oakes Crochet Community Facebook Group.
I would love for this pattern to be included in your round-up. Please ask for my permission to use a photo, and please link back to this post. Also, share the link to your round-up post with me so I can promote it as well. Thank you!
Let me know if you run into a problem. I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.
This is such a creative idea for learning overlay mosaic crochet! I love that the mystery CAL gives participants a chance to build their skills one section at a time while enjoying the excitement of not knowing the final design. Your focus on tutorials, tips, and making the technique approachable is especially helpful for crocheters who are new to mosaic crochet. Thanks for organizing such an inspiring project and bringing the crochet community together!
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You are so welcome! I’m glad you are enjoying it. Your kind words mean so much to me. Thank you