Tunisian Blanket CAL 2022

The Tunisian Blanket CAL of 2021 was wrapped up a few weeks ago. There was so much to learn from each square and I enjoyed every bit of making my blanket! This year saw us getting some normalcy back into our lives but with the new emerging COVID variants, we are still wearing our masks and being very careful. I have continued to make new friends in the crochet community and I managed to publish a few new patterns even though the pandemic has slowed me down quite a bit. Since the blanket CALs of 2020 and 2021 were so well received, I have decided to host another one next year!

Here’s a picture of my Tunisian Blanket from the CAL of 2022:

Here’s a picture of my Tunisian Blanket from the CAL of 2021:

Disclaimer: Materials provided by KnitPicks, KnitIQ, Denise, and Walnut Farm Designs; this post contains affiliate links.

I am teaming up with 24 Tunisian crochet designers (we also have 2 returning designers!!) from all over the world to bring you a set of squares that you can join and make a blanket (or any other project that you can incorporate the squares into) in the end!

The idea behind my CALs is to bring designers from the Tunisian crochet community together and to introduce new stitches and techniques to people who are starting to get interested in Tunisian crochet. The CAL will introduce beginner to intermediate level techniques and if you are a beginner and are feeling intimidated, check out the Sampler Blanket CAL from 2020. That is a good starting point to learn all the basic stitches and techniques in Tunisian crochet. In the 2022 CAL, we will try different techniques and stitch combinations and, just like the previous years, we will focus on learning and helping each other! No matter what skill level you are at, join us and there will be plenty to learn 🙂

Meet the designers

Tunisian Blanket CAL 2022 Details

This is going to be a free mystery CAL where one 12″ x 12″ square will be released every 2 weeks – at 10 AM Central Time on alternate Wednesdays. Each square will be designed by a different designer and will be available either on the designer’s website or as a free PDF download. I will make the blanket along with everyone else so you will be able to see my notes and recommendations along with the pattern from the designer. The last square will be released right before Thanksgiving so that you can use the holidays to work on other projects and to join your squares from this one!

The patterns in this CAL will also be available for purchase as a bundle. If you purchase the bundle, you will receive the PDF version of all the squares as they are released (you pay less than a dollar per pattern!). This is a mystery CAL so, if you purchase the bundle, you will NOT receive all the patterns at once. You will receive a new pattern every 2 weeks as the squares are released in the CAL.

Release Schedule

• January 5 – Square #1 by Stitches N Scraps
• January 19 – Square #2 by Handmade by Roeska
• February 2 – Square #3 by Muis Creations
• February 16 – Square #4 by Frayed Seams
• March 2 – Square #5 by Yarn Andy
• March 16 – Square #6 by Naughty Knotz
• March 30 – Square #7 by Mere Et Fille Tricots
• April 13 – Square #8 by Knot Bad Britt
• April 27 – Square #9 by Blue Star Crochet
• May 11 – Square #10 by Coco Crochet Lee
• May 25 – Square #11 by Exquisite Crochet UK
• June 8 – Square #12 by Ruth Brasch Design
• June 22 – Square #13 by Cheryl Dee Crochet
• July 6 – Square #14 by Kabila Sri Ponnusamy
• July 20 – Square #15 by Btrix Designs
• August 3 – Square #16 by Heart Hook Home
• August 17 – Square #17 by The Purple Poncho
• August 31- Square #18 by ACCROchet
• September 14 – Square #19 by Janean Crapo
• September 28 – Square #20 by Richard Gartland
• October 12- Square #21 by Glitter.Sparkle.Sprinkle
• October 26 – Square #22 by Creations by Courtney
• November 9 – Square #23 by Ambassador Crochet
• November 23 – Square #24 by Morine’s Shop
• November 23 – Square #25 (bonus) by KnitterKnotter

Join and Border

Join

I used the single crochet (in the back loop only) join to join my squares. This is a modified version of the Single Crochet Join by Repeat Crafter Me.

Since I had crocheted a border for all my squares and made sure that I have equal number of stitches on each edge of every square it was easy for me to join my squares with this technique. Instead of picking the two loops of every edge stitch, I picked up only the back loop of the stitches on both squares. With the exception of this, I followed the rest of the technique exactly as mentioned.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 17 WAYS TO JOIN SQUARES

Border

I wanted to keep the border simple so I made rounds of half double crochet (hdc) and single crochet (sc) in this order:

• [C1] One round of hdc stitches by picking up one stitch in every edge stitch of every square (3 hdc stitches in the corners).
• [C1] Two rounds of hdc stitches in the back loop only (3 hdc stitches in the corners).
• [C2] One round of hdc stitches in the back loop only (3 hdc stitches in the corners).
• [C1] One round of sc stitches in the back loop only (3 sc stitches in the corners).
• [C2] One round of hdc stitches in the back loop only (3 hdc stitches in the corners).
• [C1] One round of sc stitches in the back loop only (3 sc stitches in the corners).
• [C2] One round of hdc stitches in the back loop only (3 hdc stitches in the corners).

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 25 CROCHET BORDERS

Technique and Difficulty

Advanced Beginner / Intermediate – This blanket will be similar in skill level to the 2021 CAL, we will build on the basic stitches and techniques that we learnt in the Tunisian Sampler Blanket CAL from 2020 and explore slightly complex stitch combinations. If you are a beginner, I recommend practicing some basic stitches before starting this CAL.

That said, this is going to be a very slow paced CAL with a focus on learning. There will be plenty of time to learn new stitches and techniques in between squares. I have a Facebook group where you can find some amazing people who love to learn and support each other! There, you can also see photos of the squares made by the participants of the previous CALs for inspiration 🙂

Size

I am going to make the blanket with you all so I will be making my squares as the CAL progresses. Each square will measure 12″ x 12″.

There are multiple possibilities of putting these squares together:

1. 6 squares x 4 squares – makes a 6′ x 4′ afghan or throw
2. 5 squares x 5 squares – add an extra square and make a 5′ x 5′ blanket
3. Use them individually as dish cloths
4. Add more squares to make a larger blanket – you can pick some from my earlier blanket CALs (you will have 50 squares to choose from!) – 2020, 2021!

Gauge

6 rows of 8 Tunisian simple stitches is a 2 inch square.

If your gauge swatch is smaller, go up a hook size. If it is larger, you can try going down a hook size but be sure to use a hook that is at least 2 sizes larger than the one recommended for the yarn you are using – this is to avoid curling.

What you will need

Yarn

Worsted (medium) weight yarn – Each square needs about 130 yards of yarn. You will need approximately 4000 yards to make the full blanket – 24 squares, joining and border. Make sure to get more yarn if you plan on making extra squares.

I am going to make my blanket with the Preciosa Tonal Worsted Weight yarn by KnitPicks. Unfortunately, this yarn is going to be discontinued. My friends at KnitPicks tell me that they have quite a few in stock right now. They won’t restock once it is all gone! If you dye your own yarn, the bare version of this yarn is not being discontinued. The colors I picked are:

• Pluot
• Cacti
• Ballet
• Purple Haze
• Dusty Rose

Other yarn options:

• Muse Hand Painted by KnitPicks
• Brava (Worsted) by KnitPicks
• Lion Brand Heartland
• Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
• Scheepjes chunky monkey
• Caron Simply Soft
• Loops and Threads Impeccable

Hook

A 8 mm Tunisian crochet hook will be used to make the squares in this CAL. You are welcome to go up or down a hook size to match gauge. A double ended hook will be needed to make squares that are worked in a round. If you do not have a double ended hook, it is possible to make a double ended hook using two hooks of slightly different sizes from an interchangeable set – use the smaller hook for the reverse pass.

I am using hooks from my Denise2Go 2 hook set to make my squares.

Other hook options:

1. Knitter’s Pride Ginger Interchangeable Hook Set
2. Clover Takumi Interchangeable Hook Set
3. Furls Tunisian Crochet hooks – These cannot be used for squares that are worked in a round.
4. Chiaogoo Interchangeable Hook Set

Blocking Supplies

A blocking mat and, depending on the material of the yarn you choose, you will need some other blocking supplies. I am using my KnitIQ crochet blocking mats to block my squares.

If you are using acrylic yarn, you could steam your squares after pinning them on blocking mats. Here are some other products would be useful for blocking:

1. Knit Blockers and Pin Set by Knitter’s Pride
2. Garment Steamer

Stitch Markers

Some squares in this blanket will require the use of stitch markers. I am not sure how many will be needed because it would depend on the design of each square but I recommend having at least 4 markers in your notions bag for this project. I am using these lovely stitch markers from Walnut Farm Designs.

Here is another set of markers that you could use:

1. Crochet Locking Stitch markers

Other notions

Here are a few more notions that you will need to make your blanket:

1. Scissors
2. Tapestry needle
3. Measuring tape

How to participate

You don’t have to do anything special to join the CAL. You can follow it on my website or on my social media. Here are some helpful links that you can use to keep track of the CAL:

• Get notified by email:
  • Newsletter: If you haven’t already done so, you can subscribe to my newsletter to get all important updates of this CAL (I also send out updates after a pattern release so you won’t miss any!).
  • Post Notifications: Leave me a comment at the end of this post and click on ‘Notify me of new posts by email’ to get an email every time a new blog post is created on KnitterKnotter.
• Join my Facebook group: If you would like to connect with other people who are participating in this CAL, join my KnitterKnotter Hangout group on Facebook. This CAL, along with any future CALs, pattern releases, giveaways and anything else I would like to share can be found there. It is a great place to share your progress and to ask questions. The group is very focused on learning and everyone there is amazing at helping each other out! I request that you respect the rules of the group while posting.
  • Facebook: If you would not like to join my group, you can also find updates related to this CAL on my Facebook page.
• Purchase the pattern bundle: If you purchase the bundle, you will receive the PDF version of all the squares as they are released (you pay less than a dollar per pattern!). This is a mystery CAL so, if you purchase the bundle, you will NOT receive all the patterns at once. You will receive a new pattern every 2 weeks as the squares are released in the CAL.

• Instagram: If you are not on Facebook (or even if you are ???? ), you can follow this CAL on Instagram. You can follow me to get updates there and if you choose to share photos of your project, please use tags @knitterknotter,  #knitterknottertunisianblanketcal2022 and #knitterknotter for a chance to get featured in my stories!
• Pinterest: Follow this Pinterest board for all the squares in this CAL.

Giveaways

There will be 3 giveaways with some amazing prizes from our sponsors! The giveaway is open worldwide but free shipping is limited to certain regions. See the note below for shipping related information.

Also, watch this space or subscribe to my newsletter to find out more about how you can participate in the giveaways.

Giveaway #1 at the end of Square #8

1. A Yarn Swift – Birch by Knit Picks
2. A Love2Crochet set by Denise
3. 1 set of stitch markers (or any other product in their shop) by Walnut Farm Designs
4. A PDF copy of a Tunisian crochet pattern by Morine’s Shop
5. 4 patterns of your choice from KnitterKnotter (upto $30 value)

Giveaway #2 at the end of Square #16

1. WeCrochet Magazine Bundle by KnitPicks
2. A Love2Crochet set by Denise
3. 1 set of stitch markers (or any other product in their shop) by Walnut Farm Designs
4. A PDF copy of a Tunisian Cushion cover pattern by Morine’s Shop
5. 4 patterns of your choice from KnitterKnotter (upto $30 value)

Giveaway #3 at the end of Square #24

1. A yarn value pack by Knit Picks.
2. A Denise2Go Interchangeable Hook Set by Denise
3. 1 set of stitch markers (or any other product in their shop) by Walnut Farm Designs
4. A PDF copy of a Tunisian Cushion cover pattern by Morine’s Shop
5. A pattern bundle of all Tunisian Crochet patterns from KnitterKnotter (25+ patterns – over $140 value)

Shipping

Here are the list of regions where shipping is covered by each sponsor:
1. Knit Picks – USA
2. Denise – Worldwide
3. Walnut Farm Designs – Worldwide
Winners outside of the shipping regions mentioned above will have to pay for shipping.

Let’s get started!

1. To get updates you can
   • Join my Facebook group
   • Sign up for my newsletter
   • Leave me a comment and check the ‘Notify me of new posts by email’ checkbox.
   • Follow the Pinterest board for this CAL.

2. Get your yarn and hooks

Make sure to get enough yarn to make the entire blanket at once to avoid difference in color between dye lots. You could also make this blanket from yarn in your stash – it could be a great stash buster!

I also recommend getting a set of Tunisian crochet hooks so that you can try different sizes. I usually have to try a few sizes before I can settle on one that feels right for the yarn I am using. With an interchangeable set, it is also possible to build a double ended hook that will be required to make squares in the round.

3. Share your pictures – I’d love to see your yarn and your squares! Please share some pictures in my Facebook group and your social media. Make sure to tag me  @knitterknotter, #knitterknottertunisianblanketcal2022 and #knitterknotter so that I can see them and share them in my stories!

4. Patiently wait for the first square to be launched on January 5th 2022 🙂

5. Buy the pattern bundle if you’d like to receive the PDF version of every pattern as it is released.

Meanwhile, you can check out the Pinterest boards for my earlier CALs.

Pin this post to find it easily later!

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Disclosure

This page may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission. While using these links doesn’t cost you more, it helps me continue to offer patterns for free. Thank you for your continued support!

I strive to offer my patterns for free and that is possible only with your support. Please share this post and your pictures as much as possible. Every share counts 🙂

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