The Sunburst Blanket Crochet Along

Back in 2020, I launched the Mix and Match Sunburst Crochet Along. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, I recommend that you take a look at this post, The Sunburst Blanket Crochet Along, which introduces the CAL fully.

Below, you’ll find a brief overview of this previous CAL and also details of the yarn, the stitch and links to tutorials if you want to take it on as a project now.

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WHAT’S A CAL?

A CAL or crochet along is where a group of people work on a large pattern or series of smaller patterns together. The pattern is released in segments, one video and blog post weekly, and there’s a communal space to chat about progress, get help and generally enjoy the community feel of a group crochet project.

In the Sunburst Blanket Crochet Along the communal space was in the Cosy Club in the Bella Coco Crochet Club Facebook group. This happened at 12pm (GMT) every Tuesday. Everyone was free to join in and crochet and chat with us while creating their make.

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WHAT ARE THE DETAILS?

The Sunburst Blanket Crochet Along ran from May 8th-30th June 2020. It was a very casual affair – while the videos were uploaded weekly, there wasn’t a limit or any pressure on how much, or how little was managed each week. I loved seeing all the progress shots as well as chatting to those taking part.

PART ONE: THE SUNBURST SQUARE

MATERIALS & TOOLS

Yarn: Aran/Worsted weight yarn in four different colours. The amount you need will vary on your personal gauge and the size of the blanket you are making.

In the Sunburst Blanket Crochet Along videos I used: Caron Simply Soft in Orchid, Soft Green, Light Country Peach and Off White.

The beautiful blanket that you can see in the photographs used in this blog was made by my amazing test crocheter Emma and uses Stylecraft Aran in Wisteria, Duck Egg, Pale Rose and Cream.

Hook: 5mm

PATTERN NOTES

Written in UK terms.

SIZING

The most common question received was: “how much yarn do I need to make the CAL?”⁠

The answer isn’t a straight forward one I’m afraid. Everyone uses yarn at a different rate depending on personal gauge, hook brand and yarn brand. ⁠

The blanket shown in the images used one ball of the pale rose and one ball of the duck egg, one and a half balls of wisteria and almost two full balls of cream. It’s a small baby blanket measuring 33.5 inches long and 23 inches wide including the border.  The squares measure at 4X4 inches each.

I would suggest ordering the amount of yarn you would usually use for an Aran weight blanket, with extra of the two outer colours.

You may also find this post helpful: How many chains for a blanket?

CROCHET TERMS

Puff Stitch: *yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull through stitch* three times (7 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook. Chain 1 to lock into place.

Cluster stitch: *yarn over, insert hook in next stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops* 4 times (5 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

Half treble crochet (htc): yarn over, insert hook, yarn over pull through stitch (3 loops on the hook). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

Treble crochet (tr): yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook (2 loops on the hook). Yarn over and pull through 2 remaining loops on hook.

Double treble crochet (dtc): Yarn over hook twice, insert hook into next stitch. Yarn over, pull through stitch (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through two loops (3 loops remaining on hook). Yarn over, pull through two loops (2 loops remaining). Yarn over, pull through the last two loops on hook.

Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your stitches? In my ‘How to crochet: A handy reference guide’ EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. You can find my EBook HERE.

SUNBURST SQUARE PATTERN

Using colour A

Ch 3, join with ss in 3rd ch from hook to form a circle. A magic ring can be used if preferred.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as tr) 15 tr in centre circle. Join with ss in top of ch-3. Tie off (16tr)

Attach colour B in any st

Round 2: Ch 1 (does not count as st) work 1 puff st into each st around. Join with ss. Tie off. (16 sts)

Attach colour C in any ch-1 sp

Round 3: Ch 2 (does not count as st) *cluster st into each ch-1 sp, ch 2; repeat from *15 more times. Join with ss . Tie off.

Attach colour D in any ch-2 sp

Round 4: Ch 4 (counts as double treble) 2dtr in same sp, ch 1, (3tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) three times. *(3 dtr, ch 2, 3 dtr in next ch-2 sp) ch 1, (3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) three times; repeat from * twice more. Working in next ch-2 sp (which already has sts in) 3 dtr, ch 2, join with ss. Tie off.

Join the Bella Coco Crochet Club on Facebook. It’s a friendly, helpful place to get tips and share your makes with others!

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NEED SOME COLOUR INSPIRATION?

STYLECRAFT SPECIAL ARAN

Delightful

Juicy Fruit

Spring

CARON SIMPLY SOFT

Bippity Boppity Boo

Neon

Seafoam

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VIDEO TUTORIAL

RIGHT HANDED

LEFT HANDED

PIN FOR LATER

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Want to keep on top of the latest Bella Coco news? The best way is to subscribe to my newsletter…you get a weekly inbox packed full of news, patterns and tips!