Much imitated but never beaten, The Mindful Blanket CAL is proudly celebrating its FIFTH (wow) anniversary! Since its launch in 2020 – mid-pandemic and amid 100% anxiety and stress for most of us – it’s been a genuine pleasure to see how many of you have taken to this non-stop CAL, created such beautiful blankets filled with love and care, and poured your hearts into your gorgeous creations. From tiny baby blankets and loveys to XXL throws full, it’s been a privilege to see so many of you share your work and be part of The Mindful Community!
The Mindful Blanket CAL started because I was looking for a relaxing project that not only used up scrap yarn effectively but also minimized waste and, above all, provided me with a sanctuary to switch off from the chaos of everyday life. As someone who has suffered on and off from depression since my teenage years, I think I speak for many of us when I say that knitting and crochet have been a welcome creative outlet in my life, allowing me to channel my emotions into something tangible and comforting. The Mindful Blanket CAL is an extension of that and I hope you can join in this year as we celebrate its special half-decade birthday! So, let’s go ahead and tell you how to take part in this iconic CAL…
The Idea
This CAL is all about creating a project that brings joy, relaxation, and a sense of calm. I want you to truly enjoy every stitch, feel excitement over each color choice, and cherish every moment spent crocheting. This blanket should be a reminder of why you love to crochet. Why? Because it’s a soothing, happy experience.
I chose a simple granny square blanket for this CAL because it’s a design most crocheters are familiar with. Plus, it’s a timeless pattern that can be easily customized to any size.
How It Works
Starting from the center, you’ll crochet a classic granny square, increasing at the corners, until your blanket reaches the size you desire. The best part? No weaving in endless ends, no sewing together a mountain of tiny squares, just continuous, enjoyable crochet!
We’ll be working with leftover yarn or stash yarn, creating one large ball by joining the strands together. This makes it a fantastic destash project that’s both sustainable and creatively fulfilling.
If you aren’t sure how to create a magic yarn ball you can just add new yarn when you need to, but you can find a useful Reel HERE.
The Guidelines
- You should know how to crochet a basic granny square.
- No need to buy new yarn or purchase a pattern—this CAL is completely free to join!
- Use several balls of yarn in the same weight and colors that bring you joy. Take your time choosing shades that make your heart sing!
- Stick to yarn already in your stash to keep it sustainable. Any fiber type is fine as long as the weights match. Feel free to use a single strand of yarn or double/triple/quadruple the strands up for a chunkier look.
- Connect your yarn using the magic knot method, then wind everything into one large ball to work from.
That’s it! There’s no official start or end date, so you can begin whenever you like and go at your own pace. The focus is on community, inspiration, and mindfulness, all while making good use of those leftover yarn scraps.
If you join in, tag me @emmaknitty on Instagram and use the hashtag #MINDFULBLANKETCAL so we can all share in the journey together.
I hope you absolutely love this CAL!
Leave a Reply