A few weeks ago, I was chatting with members of the Underground Crafter Ravelry group about a summer crochet-a-long (CAL). Everyone agreed that the project should be both portable (for summer travel) and lacy (so it could be used right away).
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I found Malabrigo Sock in a beautiful colorway, Lotus, at my local yarn shop, Knitty City. I spent some time swatching and thinking about special techniques, like broomstick lace or hairpin lace, but I wasn’t convinced that carrying the extra equipment around would meet the portability requirement. It’s no secret that I love pineapples, and I eventually settled on this lovely stitch, which reminded me of a picnic basket.
And this shawl definitely meets the portability requirement.
If you peek inside, you can see that the bag is only half full, even with 2 skeins of yarn, a scissor, the hook, my pattern notes (including several extra pages of revisions and handwritten notes), and my Chibi tapestry needles and case.
The finished shawl will roll up small enough to fit easily into your picnic basket.
The Picnic Basket Shawl pattern will be released free on the blog in 4 weekly clues during the CAL. (If you’re feeling impatient or want an easy-print format, you can opt to buy a PDF version of the pattern on Craftsy!)
I’ve shared a schedule below, but of course you can crochet at your own pace, and you can make your shawl larger or smaller. To be entered in the giveaway, you must share a picture of your completed shawl by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, August 31, 2015. More details about prizes will be available in after all the clues are released.
Picnic Basket Shawl CAL 2015 Schedule
Wednesday, July 1: Gather your materials!
- You can find the full materials list here on the Ravelry pattern page. Don’t forget to add the Picnic Basket Shawl to your favorites!
- Ravelry members, join us here in the Underground Crafter group to chat. Use project tag picnic2015.
- Facebook friends, say hello on the Underground Crafter page.
Monday, July 6: Rows 1-3
Monday, July 13: Rows 4-6
Monday, July 20: Rows 7-9
Monday, July 27: Final Row and Fnishing Instructions
Monday, August 3: Giveaway prizes and how to enter
Crochet at your own pace!
Monday, August 31: The big reveal: Flash your shawls on Ravelry, Facebook, G+, or Twitter, and/or your blog for a chance to win awesome prizes!
I’m looking forward to crocheting together!
I’ll be joining. 🙂
Great, Kristie S!
I’ll join
Welcome to the CAL, holly!
count me in
Great, thanks for joining in, Jean!
I’ll be joining in!
Welcome, Pat!
I would love to be a part of this!
Great, Diane! Thanks for joining in.
I am a beginner compare to others. Will the pattern be explain so a newly like me will be ok. Thanks
I do not known how to blog just Facebook
Elaine, thanks for asking. You don’t need to know how to blog to participate and you are definitely welcome to say hi on Facebook (I’m there a lot, too)!
The pattern will be written in a style similar to what you might find in a magazine, but I’ll be sharing some pictures to help people out. Please do let me know if you have questions.
Hi:
I shall be joining your Picnic Basket Shawl Crochet along. But I think I’ll be a bit late as I have purchase my wool and also find a LYS that sells Malabrigo Sock Yarn. I really like your crochet alongs, because they are very interesting and easy to follow. I’m kind of a slow crocheter but I do eventually get my projects done.
Thank you, shirley
Shirley, welcome to the CAL. Malabrigo has a store locator on their website here: http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/locate-a-store-10#.VZRBuu1Viko You could also substitute another sock yarn of your choice (though theirs is extra cozy!).
Thanks so much for your kind words about the CALs, and I look forward to seeing your version when you finish :).
I am looking forward to participating in this CAL! Thank you!!
Welcome to the CAL, Betty!
Looking forward to trying this stitch as it looks lovely. Xx
Thanks for joining in, Alex! I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
I’ll be joining in on this lovely shawl pattern. Hope I can remember to come back to this page when it starts next week. 🙂
Welcome, Peggy. You can join my email list here if that helps: http://undergroundcrafter.us9.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=a88c8c29239cfb45ec5ec45a4&id=f26665ccbd I send out a weekly email and will include links to every part of the pattern as it is released.
I think I have yarn that will work for this. Thanks for the CAL!
Great, I love using stash yarn for CALs, Judy.
First project like this I’ll be attempting but I absolutely love how it looks.
So glad you could join in, Karen!
I’ll be joining.
Great! Welcome, Debbie!
I’ll be joining
Thanks for joining in, Vikkie!
I’m in. Fingers crossed I can use up some of my hoard. LOL nothing like having another reason to buy yarn. 🙂
Haha, well I bought the yarn for this project, too, Heather – it was just calling to me. And yes, there might have been something else suitable in my stash ;).
I would like to join CAL
Great, thanks for joining in, Beth!
The shall join along
That shawl is so pretty and perfect for warm California on those cool autumn nights. I’m going to give this a try.
Oooh, you’re making me think of a trip to California, Becky! Thanks for joining in.
I’ll be joining.
Malissa, thanks for joining the CAL!
This looks beautiful! I hope I have a suitable yarn in my stash!
It’s always fun to stash dive, Lisa! Welcome to the CAL.
I’m in, I have some luxurious Ruby yarn that is very thin (but rated as a 3?) that I’m going to use. I just ahead to go ahead and buy the pattern on Craftsy tho, but will follow with the group! Hopefully this one will stay mine!! I usually gift or sell most of what I make.
Shelia, I know all about that problem! I give away a lot of what I make, too, but this one’s a keeper :).
I’ll be joining! Looks beautiful
Thanks for joining, Stacey! I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Beautiful pattern – looking forward to trying this.
Thanks so much, Debbie! Don’t forget to share a picture of your finished project :).
This is the first CAL that I am joining. I am fairly new to crocheting and looks like a great project to take on a long flight. I am really excited to try this shawl, think it will make a nice gift for my sister this Christmas.
Thanks for the link for the Underground Crafter, already signed up so I don’t miss the information at the end of the month!!!
Many Thanks!!
Welcome, Christina, and I always love to be part of someone’s first CAL. I think you’ll have a great time!
Count me in
Thanks for joining in, linda!
Would love to join in but it seems that once I find websites like this I forget where it was. I am not a fast “hooker” but I am hoping I would be able to finish this before my son’s wedding on Aug 8th.
Ooh, this would be great for a wedding, Wendy! You can join the email list, bookmark this page, or follow me on Facebook or Ravelry to stay on top of the updates.
I’ll be joining. I like the pattern 🙂
Thanks so much, feza! I’m looking forward to seeing what you make!
Count me in! I’ll be starting late because I’ve got to finish up a present for someone, but I’m looking forward to this!
Susie
Thanks for joining in, Susie!
Joining! Lovely pattern … Can’t wait!!
Thanks, Diane! Welcome to the CAL!
I’m excited to join!
Welcome, Maria!
I’d like to join in the fun.
Thanks for joining in, Karen!
My 1st CAL, and I have just the yarn for this project in my stash…
Wonderful! Stashbusting is always fun, Kristen.
i am joining in!
Great, sandi0263!
I’m gonna try it… hehehe see how well I can do…
Thanks for joining in, pockets!
Joining all the way from Scotland x
Welcome from “across the pond,” Fran!
I will be going
Welcome, Mary!
I love shawls and wraps and am really looking forward to this CAL. Thank you for presenting this as the stitches you chose are just lovely. Love the colors, too.
Thanks, Sharon! I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Hi Marie,
I’m ready and looking forward! Hope I can follow 🙂
Barbara/Eireen (on Ravelry)
Welcome, Barbara! Let me know if you have questions.
Thanks!
I’ll be joining, as soon as I can get to my LYS for the yarn. Lovely pattern!
Thanks, Beth! I look forward to seeing your yarn choice!
I am just now seeing this CAL. I would like to join in if isn’t to late. I have some cashmere yarn, could this be used for this project?
Welcome, mary! You can definitely use cashmere for this project. Depending on the thickness of the yarn, you may need to start with more or fewer chains.
It is very thin. There is no needle gauge on the ball. There is 698 yards in one ball. I have never worked with cashmere yarn or mohair. I have 396 yards of mohai, silk and rayon as well.
mary, I think you are best off trying the skein with the most yardage, unless you are planning to make a smaller shawl.
I’ve never done a crochet along in real time before- I always seem to find the time to start the project towards the end or or after everyone else is done. I started on part 1 yesterday, making your CAL the first time I’ll actually be doing the same thing everyone else is (possibly a first for me in all parts of my life…. :^ }
Thanks for the opportunity!
So glad to hear it, Kathleen! Thanks for joining in.
I’ll join in! Thanks for posting this. I’ve been looking for a pineapple shawl pattern that was simple.
Welcome to the CAL, Shannon A!
It would be nice if you started your tutorials on a weekend. Instead of on a Monday.
I am fairly new at crochet but I look forward to trying a cal this will be my first.
Welcome, Wanda S!
Looking forward to this. A little late, but I just finished the first three rows after finding this last night. Thanks
Welcome, Anika! There’s plenty of time to join in :).
I’m gonna jump in late with some pink Merino stashed yarn – fingering.
Sounds lovely, aardvark! I’m looking forward to seeing your version.
I’d like to join you, I just found this but I haven’t done this before.
Welcome, Vickie!
I just found this and it looks interesting.
Welcome, shelley!
I’m in… It is my first CAL as well. Thanks for the pattern, it’s lovely! XD
Welcome, Nana!
Hi! It’s funny, another vendor at the market where we sell asked me on Saturday if I could make a lightweight shawl for her. I looked through my patterns and found one, then I found an even lighter one on All Free Crochet (new post) and yours showed up as “You may also like”! I believe this may fit the bill for what she wants–a lightweight shoulder wrap to wear with her anniversary dress! I’m so excited! I think she’s going to love it! Thank you! Your timing couldn’t be better!
Thanks for stopping by, Vicki, and I’m so glad to hear that this shawl might be perfect for your customer! I’d love to see pictures when you finish.
Hi,
I would like to join if it’s not to late. I just purchased some Merino Lace yarn. I just had to have. Lol
I’ve never worked with anything but worsted weight. I would like very much to make your shawl. A cal and fine yarn a first for me. 🙂
Welcome, Cynthia! It is definitely not too late to join in.
If I can find enough fingering I’ll be with you!
Great, Susan, we look forward to having you join in!
Just stumbled over your CAL. What a lovely pattern! I’ll go rifle through my stash, there should be some suitable yarn somewhere…
Welcome, Susanne! I look forward to seeing what you make.
Joining late but Im in!
Welcome, johnsyoko!
I just found your CAL and would like to join. I hope it’s not too late!
Welcome, Fran! THere’s still plenty of time.
A little late to the party, but I’m in!
Welcome, Michele!
Better late than never…just starting
Welcome, Jo!
I just found this CAL and I am thrilled! I have this beautiful silk lace weight yarn from Darn Good Yarn that I want to make a light weight summer wrap with. I have been looking and looking for the last few weeks for the perfect pattern, and I believe I have just found it. I’m in with a big smile on my face and looking forward to catching up.
Debra
So glad to hear you’re joining us, Debra! I can’t wait to see your version.
Hi I just found your cal via moogli.com I hope it isn’t too late to jump in. I am new to lace so want to practice, if it comes out allright it
will be a Christmas present for a family member.
Tina
It’s certainly not too lady, Tina. Thanks for joining in!
I tried to buy the pattern from craftsy but it says you don’t accept pay pal payments outside of US so I cant get it.
Thanks for writing, Tina. I sent you an email.
I just saw the news of this CAL on the Moogly newsletter. I want to join in (hope its not too late). I have the PERFECT yarn for this (somewhere in my stack of yarn… I’ll have to dig… I might need a shovel!). I was keeping it for a nice shawl but never found a pattern I like, until now. Can’t wait to get home and find my yarn to get started! 🙂 I’ll join the group on Ravelry tonight.
Welcome, Chantal! I think you’ll have enough time to join in and even enter the giveaway.
I would love to be a part of this!
Paula, thanks for stopping by! The “official” crochet-a-long has ended, but you are welcome to crochet at your own pace and share your pictures when you finish up!
I just found you, so I’ll b e doing it late, but it should not matter. Pretty pattern.
Thanks, Julie! Please share pictures when you finish.
Looking forward to working on this, my first CAL
Let me know if you have any questions, pat!
I always find these things too late! I’ll be following along at this much later date!
You can always share your pictures at any time, Susan!
I’m a complete and total idiot, but I’m thinking I’m in! (Actively working on two blankets, a sweater vest for my guy, four hats, and the slip stitch Agatha Shawl; and a bunch of sewing projects–hence idiot!)
Count me in!