Craft Gossip

The largest independent craft review site since 2007

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT CROCHET-ALONGS?

by

Have you ever participated in a CAL (crochet along)?  Neither have I.  Oh, a bunch of readers will have participated in them.  I can’t really determine how I feel about them.  The Mystery CAL’s seem like they might be more interesting than a ‘regular’ CAL.  I’m not quite sure what benefits there might be for a CAL.

This is the first motif in a Lion Brand CAL that I just received information about.

CAL motif 0909Aside from the fact that I don’t want to join motifs, I find this hexagon to be quite pretty.  Don’t know where this CAL is headed – if it’ll be an afghan, scarf, or garment.  I’d have to sign on every Thursday to find out.

Therein lies the rub.  I won’t remember on Thursday.  Will you?  Yeah, I know I could maybe figure out how to use the calendar feature on my browser and have it remind me – but I’d probably have piles of other work to do on Thursday and would overlook the reminder.

My friend Ronnie has made several interesting things on CAL’s.  The latest of her projects that I’ve seen turned out a unique, very smart cardi-wrap that I would like to make.  But, it was a Mystery CAL, so since I didn’t know which way it was headed, I woudn’t consider joining.

So, what are the pros and cons of CAL’s.  Let me here from YOU!

Read These Next

Have you read?

Cute Father’s Day Crafts Kids Can Make

Last year I wrote a bunch of posts around things to make for Father’s Day, from printables to hand print crafts and other crafts. But in case you need yet more ideas here are some more Father’s Day crafts that kids can make.

I’m not a fan of cliche Father’s Day gifts using tie motifs, fishing, grilling and the like, but if the dad in your life does happen to enjoy grilling, this painted grill caddy from Sustain My Craft Habit is a fun option. Buy a plain wooden caddy and kids can paint and decorate it to enjoy all summer long.

Picture frames and holders are always a great option. I love this painted rock and bead photo holder from Buggy and Buddy. Kids can paint the rock and string the beads, and choose a photo of themselves to put on the holder.

I also like this salt dough picture frame from The Soccer Mom Blog. It’s made in the shape of the word dad with holes in the letters for photos, but you could use the same idea to make a heart or another shape if you don’t need three openings.

Speaking of salt dough, of course you can use it for all sorts of crafts. Handprint and footprint crafts are lots of fun as a keepsake, and if your littles still have tiny feet, this salt dough footprint craft from Roaming Rosie is a fun project. Or make a bigger stepping stone footprint or handprint project with a stepping stone kit. I Watch Them Grow has the tutorial.

If your older kids are into string art, you can make a Dad themed project like this one from DIYnThings. If you don’t want to spell out dad, you can make a heart shape or some other symbol of your relationship with the dad in question. (Jump to about 1:53 in the video for this tutorial, or watch the whole thing for more crafty Father’s Day ideas.)

I also love this quick and easy building blocks gift from The Seasoned Mom. It gets kids thinking about things they love to do with dad, and offers options of things they can do together if they can’t think of what they want to do some future weekend.