Tunisian Blanket CAL 2026 – Neev Blanket

We recently concluded the Tunisian Blanket CAL of 2025, which focused on the Blackwork with Tunisian Mosaic Crochet technique. Before we delve into the details of this year’s CAL, take a look at my completed Tunisian Blanket from the 2025 CAL:

If you’re new to Tunisian crochet, this year’s CAL is a great place to begin. You’ll only need one stitch — the Tunisian Simple Stitch — and I’ve included detailed videos and practice materials to guide you. The crochet portion itself is simple and approachable, even for complete beginners. The project as a whole is rated intermediate only because of the detailed embroidery that comes later.

As always, the focus will be on learning and supporting each other. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn and grow together.

You can find all the projects created by participants in previous years’ CALs and join this year’s CAL in the KnitterKnotter Hangout Group.

About the Neev Blanket

The Neev Blanket is worked in 50 individual panels, each featuring its own unique embroidery design. Once they’re joined and framed with the border, they come together to create a beautifully embroidered blanket.

Why ‘Neev’?

The name Neev comes from the Hindi word for “foundation,” and it felt fitting for this project. We’re going back to the basics — the building blocks of Tunisian crochet. Decades ago, many people embroidered over their Tunisian crochet fabric, and even though the technique has grown so much since then, it felt meaningful to revisit those roots. The Neev Blanket is a gentle reminder of where this craft began and how beautifully it continues to evolve.

Tunisian Blanket CAL 2026 Details

This will be a free CAL where we’ll create 50 panels, each featuring a different blackwork embroidery design. New panels will be released according to the schedule below, every Tuesday at 10 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

As with last year, I’ll be sharing the joining and border instructions earlier in the year. Many makers have said they like starting the joining process while working on their panels, and since the border is made in separate panels and attached to the blanket, having those instructions early lets you work on everything in parallel.

The blackwork chart for each panel will be available for free on the blog. Additionally, you can download the chart with the embroidery guide for each panel for free, but it will only be available for 24 hours starting at 10 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on the day of the release.

CAL 2026 Schedule

• January 6 – General Information & Practice Swatch
• January 13 – Panel 1
• January 20 – Panel 2
• January 27 – Panel 3
• February 3 – Panel 4
• February 10 – Panel 5 & Panel 6
• February 17 – Panel 7
• February 24 – Panel 8
• March 3 – Panel 9
• March 10 – Panel 10
• March 17 – Panel 11 & Panel 12
• March 24 – Panel 13
• March 31 – Panel 14
• April 7 – Panel 15
• April 14 – Panel 16
• April 21 – Panel 17 & 18
• April 28 – Panel 19
• May 5 – Panel 20
• May 12 – Panel 21
• May 19 – Panel 22
• May 26 – Panel 23 & 24
• June 2 – Panel 25
• June 9 – Panel 26
• June 16 – Panel 27
• June 23 – Panel 28
• June 30 – Panel 29 & 30
• July 7 – Panel 31
• July 14 – Panel 32
• July 21 – Panel 33
• July 28 – Panel 34
• August 4 – Joining Instructions
• August 11 – Panel 35
• August 18 – Panel 36
• August 25 – Panel 37
• September 1 – Panel 38
• September 8 – Panel 39 & 40
• September 15 – Panel 41
• September 22 – Panel 42
• September 29 – Panel 43
• October 6 – Panel 44
• October 13 – Border Instructions
• October 20 – Panel 45
• October 27 – Panel 46
• November 3 – Panel 47
• November 10 – Panel 48
• November 17 – Panel 49
• November 24 – Panel 50

Pattern

When I was making my blanket, the embroidery was the part I found the most challenging. I hadn’t done much embroidery before starting this project, and it took me some time to understand the stitches and how they work with Tunisian crochet. Because of that, I created what I call “Embroidery Guides.” These are step-by-step charted instructions that walk you through how to embroider each design.

Some of the blackwork patterns in the blanket are quite detailed, and having a clear plan for how to approach the embroidery makes a huge difference. If you’re already comfortable with embroidery, you may not need these guides. But if you’re newer to it—or simply want the extra support—I recommend using them.

The Ebook that includes the embroidery guides has over 400 pages of detailed, step-by-step charts to help you create each design without having to plan anything on your own. I hope they make your embroidery journey easier and more enjoyable. There will be 3 ways to get the patterns of this CAL:

#1 Free on the Blog

This page will be the central hub for all content related to the CAL on my blog. Be sure to check the schedule and visit this page on each release day to access the latest panel instructions.

* The embroidery guide will be downloadable only on the release day, available for 24 hours starting at 10 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

To avoid missing a block or the chance to download the free embroidery guide, sign up for my newsletter. I’ll send you a reminder whenever a new block is released!

#2 Ebook

The patterns will be available for purchase as an Ebook. By purchasing the Ebook, you’ll receive the PDF versions of all the panels and the border pattern as they are released. The Ebook will be available to purchase from two places (Ravelry and a non-Ravelry platform).

* Since this is a year-long CAL, purchasing the Ebook means you won’t receive all the patterns at once. Instead, you’ll get each new pattern based on the CAL’s release schedule.

Here is why you’d want the Ebook:

• You won’t need to keep track of the release schedule to download the chart each time a new pattern is released.
• There will be no ads in the Ebook.
• The PDF version will be print-friendly and include:
  • List of supplies and general information about the blanket.
  • Written instructions for the panels and the border.
  • Charts for every panel.
  • Bonus empty chart for creating your own designs.
• You’ll have lifetime access to work at your own pace.

#3 Ebook and Ad-free Videos

You will get everything mentioned in #2 along with access to ad-free video tutorials with all the material presented in a course format so you can download the PDFs and view the videos all in one place.

Purchase on ThriveCart

* Since this is a year-long CAL, purchasing the Ebook means you won’t receive all the patterns at once. Instead, you’ll get each new pattern based on the CAL’s release schedule.

Purchase on Ravelry

Technique and Difficulty

Intermediate – This pattern requires familiarity with starting and ending a Tunisian crochet project, as well as the Tunisian Simple Stitch.

Note: This pattern is beginner-friendly where you’ll only need to know one stitch — the Tunisian Simple Stitch. It is rated intermediate, only because of the intricate embroidery work that follows.

Yarn

Choosing the right yarn is important for this project. I’ve found that a cotton base creates a dense, firm fabric, which makes the embroidery easier to work. While you can use any yarn, DK or sport weight is ideal. The pattern features plenty of blackwork embroidery, so I used a light-colored base with black yarn for the stitching, along with two contrasting colors that stand out against each other as well as the base and black. This ensures the design really pops. Be sure to check that the yarn doesn’t bleed before starting your final project.

For my blanket, I used Scheepjes Stonewashed / Riverwashed yarn in the following colors:

• Moonstone (Stonewashed): 3800 yd / 3480 m / 47 oz / 1338 g (27 skeins)
• Black Onyx (Stonewashed): 921 yd / 842 m / 11 oz / 324 g (7 skeins)
• Steenbras (Riverwashed): 190 yd / 174 m / 2.4 oz / 67 g (2 skeins)
• Danube (Riverwashed): 174 yd / 159 m / 2.2 oz / 61 g (2 skeins)

Note: As of this pattern’s release (December 2025), the Riverwashed series has been discontinued. A good alternative is Scheepjes Catona, which works well for this project. You’ll need similar quantities of yarn, even though it’s listed under a different weight category. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Hook

Pick a hook that is compatible with the yarn you chose. I usually make a gauge swatch with a few different hooks before I pick one. The gauge swatch will give you a good idea of how the fabric will work up and if you would like it to be more or less dense. 

For my panels and the border, I used a 4.5 mm (size 7) Tunisian crochet hook. To add the finishing touches to the blanket, I used a 3.25 mm (D-3) crochet hook. 

KnitDenise have kindly offered a discount code that you can use to get a 15% discount on all their products: KKCAL26. This code is valid through Dec 1st, 2026.

Notions

• Embroidery needle – a sturdy needle with a large eye for threading yarn. This will also be used to join the panels and to weave in yarn ends. 
• Stitch markers – I highly recommended them to keep track of your embroidery. Detailed instructions on how to use them will be included in the supporting videos. 
• Measuring tape 
• Scissors
• Thimble (optional) – I recommend this because even with a blunt needle, the amount of embroidery in this pattern can be tough on your fingers.
• Disappearing ink pen (optional) – To trace the pattern or for marking stitches in complex embroidery sections.
• Reading light (optional) – While it is not required, I highly recommend using a focused reading light if you’re working with dark yarn.

If you’d prefer to wait for more details before buying your supplies, that’s completely okay. And if you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out at arunima@knitterknotter.com.

How to follow the CAL

Stay up to date with this CAL by following these links:

1. Pinterest – Follow this Pinterest board for all the blocks in this CAL.
2. Facebook Group – Join my KnitterKnotter Hangout group on Facebook to connect with other participants, share progress, and ask questions. It’s a great community focused on learning and supporting each other. I request that you respect the rules of the group while posting.
3. Instagram – Follow me for updates and share your projects using @knitterknotter and #knitterknotter so I can see them!
4. Email – Subscribe to my newsletter for important CAL updates.
5. Purchase the Ebook – scroll up to find all the details.
   

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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