The Web is a wonderful place to learn about new crafting techniques and challenges. Earlier today I ran across a Facebook announcement from Michael Sellick, the founder and leader of The Crochet Crowd, an online community of crochet enthusiasts. Mikey, as he is known among his friends, invites everyone who crochets to participate in the 2014 Stitch-cation Summer Challenge, basically a patchwork afghan made out of squares of assorted stitches and colors. The challenge begins on Tuesday, July 1, 2014.
The goals behind the 2014 Stitch-cation Summer Challenge are as follows:
- Learn and/or be refreshed with 10 different stitch combinations.
- Learn how to change colors effectively without hideous knots hanging out.
- Explore color with a minimum of eight different colors by crocheting squares, playing with color in each square, not necessarily one color per square.
- Use your imagination when assembling your afghan.
- Create a Free Choice Border using your own design of at least 4 rounds.
Mikey provides you with a free Stitch-cation Workbook containing all of the crochet stitch patterns that are required in the challenge. Although you can certainly print the 22-page PDF document, I recommend that you download it to your computer or portable digital device, since it contains links to how-to videos.
The sample afghan that Mikey commissioned has 20 squares crocheted from economical Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, but you can make your afghan any size you wish, as long as you have at least 20 squares using each stitch twice. You can also use any yarn you wish; it does not have to be Red Heart Super Saver Yarn. If you use variegated yarn, that counts as one of the eight minimum colors. You can also make as many afghans as you wish, and each one counts as a separate entry in the challenge.
Complete your project by September 1, 2014 and send an e-mail to Mikey at mikeyshelpdesk@hotmail.com with a photo of your completed project so that it can be included in a gallery and be eligible for a random drawing of 3 winners. Make sure you include “Stitchcation” in the subject line. The winners will each receive a Red Heart Fully Loaded Yarn Bag with Crochet Crowd Gifts. You are also encouraged to post a photo on the Crochet Crowd Facebook page.
I’ve decided to use yarn that reminds me of Easter eggs, definitely bright and summery.
If you are going to participate in this fun learning challenge, make sure you follow the complete rules found HERE. Happy hooking!
© 2014 Judy Nolan. All rights reserved.
fun! for those who crochet. which isn’t me. I am passing this on to a friend.
I haven’t crocheted in years — but I might take it up in retirement — or make some crocheted rugs with my fabric scraps. I’m more inclined to try my twining loom for the rugs, though. We’ll see how that goes.
Good luck with your challenge!! Love the photo of all the colorful yarns. We have a wonderful local yarn shop with yarns and buttons to die for — very tempting.