
Join the Traveling Afghan CAL/KAL
Hi Maker Friends! Thank you so much for joining me for this CAL/KAL of the Lion Brand Yarn Traveling Afghan crochet and knit pattern project!
I wanted to make things easy for this one-year-long CAL/KAL, so I decided to create this page to contain all of the links and info you will need to join in on the Traveling Afghan CAL/KAL that I’m hosting.
Be sure to bookmark this page and check back often as I will update this page as needed.
Ok, so here’s what you need to know!
What is The Traveling Afghan?
In conjunction with Lion Brand’s “My Life in Yarn” 2020 campaign, the Traveling Afghans will be a collaborative effort amongst 49 knitwear designers and bloggers from seven different countries!
Lion Brand Yarn, Instagram
There will be 2 versions of The Traveling Afghan – a knit one and a crochet one. Each will be approximately 40″ x 60″.
Every 2 weeks, over the next 12 months, a new designer will each create a FREE pattern for a 10 inch x 10 inch square. (Important note: There will be different designers for the crochet squares vs. the knitted squares, with the exception of Alexandra Tavel from Two of Wands who will be creating both.
This year-long collaborative effort will feature stories from the designers about their paths as makers, and will give you the opportunity to learn new stitches and make new friends in the community along the way.
Lion Brand Yarn, Instagram
Where Do I Go to Join in on the CAL/KAL?
To join in on the CAL/KAL that I’m hosting you will want to join the Facebook Group that I hang out in the most: YarnHookNeedles Community. Click HERE to Join, or search “YarnHookNeedles Community” on Facebook.
Is This a CAL or a KAL? (crochet-a-long/knit-a-long)
It’s both! I’ll be working the crochet version of the afghan, but crocheters and knitters are welcome to join the YarnHookNeedles Facebook Community, share their work, ask questions, make new friends, and have a chance at winning some pretty great prizes!
Did You Say Prizes? Yes, I Did!
Prizes
Some of the amazing 49 makers featured in this CAL/KAL will be contributing PRIZES! So far 11 featured makers have agreed to contribute a prize to the CAL/KAL and I hope to be adding to this list as we go along!
***Prize giveaways will be hosted in the YarnHookNeedles Community Facebook group and will be given away all throughout the year-long traveling afghan cal/kal.
Be sure to show these makers some love by visiting their websites or following them on Instagram. Click on each makers name to visit their Insta’s and click on their brand name to visit their websites!
- Lee Sartori from Coco Crochet Lee will be contributing a pattern from her shop – any pattern of the winners choice.
- Nicole Riley from Nicki’s Homemade Crafts will be contributing a pattern from her shop.
- Wilma Westenberg from Wilmade will be contributing a pattern.
- Cecilia Losada from Mamma DIY will be contributing 3 patterns from her shop.
- Bailey Williams from Hooked on Tilly will be contributing 5 pattern pdfs of the winners choice from her shop.
- Meghan Ballmer from Meghan Makes Do is contributing one of her amazing handmade medium size pouches.
- Melissa Fisher from Woods and Wool will be contributing a free pattern.
- Arica Presinal from Skeinsnsticks will be contributing a free pattern from her Etsy or Ravelry shop.
- Jennifer Pionk from A Crocheted Simplicity will be contributing 5 pattern pdfs to one winner.
- Tia Edwards from Simple Things Crochet will be contributing 1 pattern pdf of the winners choice from her shop.
- Lion Brand Yarn will be contributing the final prize of the CAL/KAL!
What Supplies Will I Need to Join the Traveling Afghan CAL/KAL?
A 6mm crochet hook or set of 5mm knitting needles, and, of course… yarn! This project was designed with Lion Brand Wool-Ease size 4 yarn. The kits available on their website come with 16 balls, 197 yards each, so 3,152 total yards.
***You do NOT need to purchase a kit to participate in the CAL/KAL or to have a chance at winning the prizes. Any size 4 yarn of your choice will work perfectly. In fact, this would be an amazing project for using stash yarn!
If you do plan on buying the kit, I encourage you to follow one of the makers listed in the prize section of this page and use their Lion Brand affiliate link. This way those makers will earn a small commission from your purchase (at no extra cost to you) and is a great way to say both “Thank you for creating” to your favorite makers and also let’s Lion Brand know that you enjoy working that makers’ designs.
Skill Level
All of the squares will be beginner – easy+ level and many will have photo/video support. This is a great way to learn new stitch combos! If there’s a square you find too intimidating, you can just skip that one and repeat one of the others you like.
Alexandra Tavel, Two of Wands
Alexandra gives a great tip in case you find one of the squares too difficult, but the great part of being involved in the CAL/KAL is the fact that loads of other people will be making the project along with you and will be able to help with any tricky parts!
Important Links
Click HERE to see the full itinerary of the traveling afghan cal/kal.
Block #1 – The First TWO Squares by Two of Wands (knit and crochet)
Block #2 – by Mamma DIY (crochet)
Block #2 – by Nomad Stitches (knit)
Block #3 – by Wilmade (crochet)
Block #3 – by The Queen Stitch (knit)
Block #4 – by Lottie and Albert (crochet)
Block #4 – by Knitbrooks (knit)
Block #5 – by Lakeside Loops (crochet)
Block #5 – by All About Ami (knit)
Block #6 – by Coco Crochet Lee (crochet)
Block #6 – by Knitatude (knit)
Block #7 – by Knits ‘N Knots (crochet)
Block #7 – by Christie Bodden Designs (knit)
Block #8 – by Knits And Knots By AME (crochet)
Block #8 – by Hanks And Needles (knit)
Block #9 – by Skeins N Sticks Designs (crochet)
Block #9 – by Designs by Phanessa (knit)
Block #10 – by Meghan Makes Do (crochet)
Block #10 – by Whistle And Wool (knit)
Block #11 – by Nicki’s Homemade Crafts (crochet)
Block #11 – by Gorilla Knits (knit)
Block #12 – by Hooked On Tilly (crochet)
Block #12 – by JellyKnitting (knit)
Block #13 – by Evelyn And Peter (knit)
Social Media Sharing
Sharing your project WIPs on social media is encouraged. Please use these hastags when sharing: #thetravelingafghans #lionbrandyarn #mylifeinyarn and either #thetravelingcrochetafghan or #thetravelingknitafghan #onelittlehook #crewofwands
Pin the image below to save this project for later!
20 Comments
Susan Wyckoff
This is such an amazing project! I wish I had come across this so much sooner than now, in December. 🤦🏻♀️ I’m sure this has given so many knitters and crocheters something fun to look forward to every few weeks while we’ve all had our lives constricted by Covid. What a great idea!
If I started tomorrow and was able to complete a square every day or so I could finish around the same time as the rest. Hmmm….
Donna Howard
I am wondering if there is going to be a fourth knitted square and when it will be posted? Thank you for any info you can provide me.
Nancy Johnson
Hello! My yarn arrived today and I can’t wait to get started. Is there a way to print the patterns without purchasing the ad free pdf separate? I guess I assumed the pattern would be part of buying the kit. Thanks!
Julies Crochet
No, I don’t think there is. Patterns usually do come with kits, but this one likely did not because of the nature of the project. I’m so glad you are joining in on the fun! I love learning new stitches on a small scale like these squares.
Katie V
How would we get the 2nd block pattern? I thought it was supposed to be released on the 15th
Julies Crochet
Hi Katie, It should be released sometime between Jan 15th and Jan 28th.
Donna
Can’t wait to get started!!! Sounds exciting
Julies Crochet
Me too!
CarrieAnne
WoooooHoooooo!!
Let’s go! 🥰😘❤️🐾
Häkel-Kaja
You got me! I totally wanna join. 🙂
Barbara Allen Douthit
My niece and I are going to do this. She’ll knit and I’ll crochet. We live in different states and thought this would be a great way to keep in touch. We can text each other pictures of our progress. Then when we get together next Christmas we can show off our finished products!
Julies Crochet
Oh my gosh, that is amazing! I’m so glad you two can connect this way. Love this maker community!
Lori Smith
Yay! I’m totally doing this! Even though I have other WIPs I should be working on…..😉
Julies Crochet
LOL! A girl can never have too many wips!
Debbie Griggs
Just ordered some new colors this will be a good place to use them
Julies Crochet
It absolutely will!
Anne McCallister
I am so excited to learn some new stitches. 🙂
Julies Crochet
Me too! I’m a visual learner too so I’m super excited that many of these squares will have video tutorials as well 🙂
Barbara A Hyland
I can’t wait to start both of these…sound fascinating.
Julies Crochet
I thought so too!