So, today, after completing part four, we made a video of my hubby chucking all the pieces at me. Hahah! It was a great boxing workout!! Video is on Instagram and facebook.
I’m sort of grieving right now. I had so longed to share this journey with my fellow crafters. I was so so looking forward to it. But, for sure I’m going to post far less in the facebook group, most likely none at all after this first part. I’ve made a blog about the experience, and it is truly sad that I had to, but when I find myself at a crossroads and full of so much emotion that no yarn can touch it I find I need to write it all out to get it out of me.
Omg. The CAL Facebook page has me just grrr! Let me say, this is a great pattern. It is not your typical zoom zoom done pattern. But if you stop whining about it and actually progress through a few squares you will totally get the hang of it and the zoom zoom will come. Such disrespect I have seen given to this designer who has given us a joyous gift of her talent. Maybe not directly but indirectly. Much of my joy has been sucked out of me reading through so many comments of complaints. Bruh, not every pattern is for every crafter.
01-03-2020
My colors are sort of loosey goosey…I may switch them up a bit, I am considering yellow or green instead of the light purple and light pink
01-04-2020
Not gonna lie, I was a wee bit overwhelmed with the first square. I find changing colors repeatedly during one round really slow. I think it will go much quicker as I make more, but my brain wanted to see if I could do it differently….just in case. So, I do have a backup plan, which breaks up the color rounds into two parts so I can zip along. Looks the same on the front, but more bulky in back.
01-04-2020
So, it gets to be a faster process if you just take little notes and follow those instead of wading through all the instruction for every square after the first.. That’s what I did, I’m now done with 9 squares so I’m zipping along nicely, after that initial shock haha!
01-05-2020
21 squares done total now. I am going to do 24. According to my calculations, with my larger gauge if I cut off one row I will have an afghan at least 5 feet across (the shirt end) and it will be rectangular which i prefer anyhow
01-06-2020
Still plugging along! :) I have completed 22 squares as of day 2.5 :) I’m really looking forward to seeing it all come together!!
01-08-2020
Now that I am zooming along, I timed my square…22 minutes for one square. Only need 3 more!!
Most of the facebook drama has died down, thankfully. There are many people, however, shaming the crocheters that work a little faster than the rest, claiming they can’t possibly enjoy the process if they are fast. 
please. I crochet and knit VERY fast. I assure you, I am having fun and not judging anyone. Wtf is the matter with people? Totally not a competitive sport folks, just enjoy your OWN path and keep your eyes on your own paper. I’m so annoyed at this point I don’t even want to participate in the discussions.
01-08-2020
YEAH! Squares are done and ends are woven in! YIP YIP YIPPEE
01-10-2020
I think they are doing a better job keeping the negative comments in check. I will still post far less because of the sour taste before, but I am happy to see less potholes
01-23-2020
Triangles are done for part 2. I am so happy to be able to make this blanket. I so want to just go crazy with color, but for once I want to just stick with a scheme. …I was determined to not change my colors so I am sticking to it haha! Very glad the Facebook group has settled down. Mostly just a happy place now and for that I am truly thankful!
02-28-2020
So, not gonna lie. I was not a fan of how we are joining. Mostly because my color a is black and I wanted a little bit of a better border. But, I attempted three other methods, just so I can stop fixating on it, and am just doing it how the pattern says. I tried whipstitch, sl st on the front, sc around each piece then sl st together. I wasn’t a fan of any, but now that I did it like the pattern calls for I am loving it put together. Just have faith in Catherine.
04-22-2020
On my breaks from making facemasks (the count is 385 today) I am managing to keep up with the Kaleidoscope CAL I am participating in! Wampa was very happy that I finished the latest part on time! She even helped me weave in ends!! Good job Wampa, the REAL Yarn Chicken.
05-08-2020
My total facemask count is 539, and this CAL has really helped keep me sane (shhhh, I’m ignoring the snickers). I will always have a fond memory of this afghan, and am so in love with the pretty dancing colors!
05-17-2020
So, as I begin joining all of the pieces I am realizing just how large this is!!! I am going to fit my entire family underneath this afghan while still being able to keep a nice social distance from each other haha!!!
05-18-2020
It measures 90 inches, without the border. I am in love with it. I need to weave in ends and do the border but the end is in sight. I think my border will just be a few rounds of black, it fits my queen with extra drape down the sides.
05-23-2020
From my facebook page:
I have completed the Kaleidoscope CAL and cannot be more happy with my result! This project has gotten me through the quarantine with my sanity in tact (ignoring the snickers in the peanut gallery). I made and donated over 550 facemasks to date, and I tell you I HATE SEWING. I really do. But, I felt it was something I needed to do, so I could do one small part to help keep people safe. At the end of each day, I would pick up the lovely colors of this afghan and go to town. It was my fun little unwinding, and stress relief. I also did a lot of yoga during this time.
This afghan fits lovely on a full or queen sized bed, and at this time I am unsure what I am going to do with it. I had originally planned on selling it in my Etsy shop, as I wound up using all of my own materials for face masks. I did have a lot of people donate material and supplies for my face mask endeavor, but I will need to eventually buy material for the quilt I had been making since I used up all the material I had purchased for that project. I thought I could use the money I earned from this afghan to restock my fabric, but honestly, I think I am attached to it. It has embedded itself into my soul. I must think on it a bit. For now, I will just finish up the border and give it a good washing (as I always do with my finished projects.
Many thanks to Catherine Bligh, the lovely designer for this afghan. She did a great job designing it and making it a free pattern, so the entire world could participate, if they were so inclined. Some, however, found all the small pieces a bit much-but good things come to those that put in the work and keep their eyes on the prizes!
05-23-2020
I have completed my journey. I have loved this thing so much. This has been the shining joy during this dark time. I am so happy to have been able to take this path, a little sad that the road has ended, but the destination is a beautiful place! NAMASTE!
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