I am publishing this blog post a few days earlier than planned because I thought you would appreciate a little more time to prepare for the CAL.  I was spurred on by an email from one of my regular yarn suppliers to say that deliveries would take a little longer in the current new lockdown in the UK!  I wouldn’t want anyone planning on joining the CAL to be held back because of yarn delays, so I pulled out all the stops, polished the patterns and prepared to launch today.

The patterns are called OctaCal Blanket and OctaCal Wrap.  The name derives from the octagonal motifs and the fact that this is a CAL. The patterns are now live but, of course, only the introduction so far which provides details of yarn, sizes, number of motifs to make, colours used, layout, abbreviations and tips. Each is available in UK and US crochet terms.  The motifs and border will include charts and joining diagrams.

The CAL starts on 30th January when the first motif will be added to the patterns.  Each pattern uses 3 octagonal motifs, a joining round, a filler motif and a border.  That makes 6 parts in all, released at weekly interval.

The blanket uses chunky weight yarn, I used Stylecraft Special Chunky in 7 colours:

The wrap uses a 4ply/fingering yarn in 8 colours, I used a luxury yarn called CaMaRose Tynd Lamauld but I have included actual meterage used in the pattern so you can choose a more affordable yarn if you like:

The patterns are on Ravelry and are available with early bird discounts for a few weeks:   

OctaCal Blanket and OctaCal Wrap

Early bird discounts:

75% discount for purchases from now until midnight GMT on Sunday 10th January, making a reduced price of only £1. Use coupon code SUPEREARLY at checkout

50% discount for purchases after midnight GMT on Sunday 10th January until midnight GMT on 29th January, making a reduced price of £2. Use coupon code EARLY at checkout.

The CAL will be hosted in my Ravelry group and on Facebook.

So come and join the fun!

Happy crocheting xxx