(Not sure about the color, as I’m using unmarked remnants. Maybe “Lace”?)

This is a lovely block with great texture. Once you get a few rounds in, the pattern emerges. It’s easy to see and fun to crochet. The video tutorial is great, if you like to learn by watching and/or listening!

I started this block over several times using five different hooks, trying to decide which one to use for the CAL. I think I’ve finally settled on a 5.5mm hook (size I/9). Though that’s significantly larger than I typically use when crocheting afghans, I found that my work was uncomfortably tight, working all these single crochets with my usual 4 or 4.5mm hook, and since I believe that most (if not all) of these CAL blocks will be based on lots of sc, it made sense to go up a couple sizes.

I toyed briefly with the idea of joining in the corners, but in the end I used the easier method I saw suggested by mugginsquilts of simply leaving out the sl st join and subsequent “chain up”. Instead, you basically crochet in a spiral. A stitch marker helped me keep track of the first stitch in each round, and when I reached it, I didn’t do any special joins-- just worked the first stitch of the next round in the marked stitch and moved the marker up. It’s easy and eliminates the visible seam.

Made a second one (in “Iced Violet” I Love This Yarn). This time, I joined in the corners, which is how I plan to do all of my blocks from now on.

The spiral method worked well for some of the patterns, but for others, it skewed the texture design slightly.

Instead, I now chain up in the corners. Work the first sc in each corner as usual, then ch 1, sc into next sc. The ch 1 and sc put you into the center of the first corner of the next round. Ch 1 and sc into this (c1, sc) loop and carry on as usual. The join is nearly invisible.

Following the chart instead of the written pattern is easier for me-- especially since I’m starting each round in a different spot than you will if you follow the written instructions.