Back in 2008 and 2009 I crocheted two squares each month thanks to the Ravelry block-a-month crochet-a-long (BAMCAL).  At the end of the year all the squares were joined together, and I now have two crocheted blankets that are in fairly constant use.  I had time out from BAMCAL-ing in 2010 and 2011, but in 2012 I’ll be back with a vengeance!

I have the yarn, now I just need the January block patterns to be posted! I suppose that I should wait until January for that. The yarn is all 8 ply Classic (machine washable wool) from Bendigo Woollen Mills. I’m mixing things up a bit this time around and rather than using just one colour of yarn per square, I’m planning on using at least four different colours in each one. Lots more ends to weave in, but quite a different effect to my previous two blankets.  If you look closely at this photo you might be able to make out the names of each colour.

They are Chilli, Raffia, Feijoa, Guava, Lichen, Mid Green and Mulga.  This yarn is readily available from BWM, so I won’t be doing what I unfortunately do far too often and playing yarn chicken and losing. If I run out of a colour that I need, I’ll easily be able to buy another ball.

You can join the Ravelry group for the 2012 BAMCAL here.  Links to the free patterns for each month’s square are posted to the group at the beginning of each month, and you can ask questions, get clarification, and show off your finished squares.  It’s a great way to learn new stitches and new techniques and end up with a very handy heirloom item.