I started this journey in March 2018, and now I have been rewarded with a beautiful afghan.  It took me a little longer than normal, because as we all know life sometimes just happens.  Now I would like to share with you some of the things, good and bad, that I have learned along the way.  And throw in a  few tips that I thought would make your experience a little more enjoyable.  This post is a little longer then normal, and for that I apologize, but there was so much to cover.

Before I start this recap of my journey in crocheting the “Annie’s Crochet Afghan Block of the Month club”, lets first talk about  Kit 11, our final kit.  This kit was a little different from the other kits, since it came with a blocking board and T pins.

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I did not take a picture when the kit arrived and since I put my project down for a few months, I am going by memory.  So if I am wrong about the content of the kit, please feel free to correct me.  So in addition to the one blocking board and T-pins; kit 11 also came with a  booklet with finishing instructions and an accompanying DVD.

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This is the finished afghan.  I  have to say it is beautiful.  In this post I would like to share a few suggestions for other crocheters to consider when finishing your afghan.  And if you will permit, I am also  going  to share my personal opinions on what I believe are the good and the bad things I found out when I was in the club.

First, a few suggestions before you sew your blocks together. 

1. Take the time to put your blocks in the order before you sew the strips.  

2. Take the time to look over your blocks, make sure they are all facing the way you want to sew them together.

3. When I was looking over my blocks I found a mistake that I  had  done. Luckily it did not take long to go back and redo it.  Now I have an afghan I can be proud to show people.

4. Watch the finishing DVD before starting.  

5. When sewing your blocks together, take special care around the corners so that they line up correctly.

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Now for the pro’s and con’s for me in this club.  It is probably the teacher side of my personality, as I always start with the positives in anything.

1. The club is designed very carefully for the most inexperienced crocheter.  Starting with the basic stitches and then building each new block upon a  stitch that was already shown.

2. I love the fact that I now have an eleven DVD video library that if I wanted to  – I could loan out or go back and use for my own personal training.  

3. Unlike Annie’s Hook N Needle Club (that I was in for over six years and they were still sending kits when I stopped) this club had an end.  You know exactly what you are signing up for.  In order to finish the afghan and reach the end of the club, there will be an eleven month commitment by the student.

4. The colors and the yarn they chose for this afghan were not only wonderful to work with, they look amazing pared together.

5. I personally think this is a good value.  I will still receive my two skeins of yarn, a pattern booklet,  but unlike the other club I was in ( Hook N Needle club) by receiving a DVD, it makes this kit a better value in my opinion.

6. There was more than enough yarn to finish the afghan with some left over.

We all know that are two sides to every coin, so let’s explore what I thought were the  negatives

1.  The most obvious one is the cost.  By the time the eleven months are done with the cost of each kit you will be investing $296.45 ($19.00 + Shipping) into one afghan.  This is a much more than I usually spend when making an afghan.

2. I am one of the lucky ones, testing evenly in ALL learning styles.  This means I can learn and teach in visual , audio and hands on with ease.  This is not the case with everyone.  If you are a person who finds it hard to learn a new stitch from YouTube, then this might not be the best club for you.  You might be better off to find a crochet class in your area with a teacher who is there to help you over the hurdles.

3.  I understand why they give you a blocking board at the end, but I wish it was sooner in the club.  With it coming in the in end, and with only one block board, you find yourself doing a slower job trying to block 30 squares at once.

4. This is a personal preference , but I like the same color edging around all my blocks, so that the yarn will be more hidden when sewing them together.  If I was to crochet this afghan again, I would add an extra row around each block in a matching color.

I am reposting my earlier tips and am trying to add one more to the list each month.

1. Make sure you keep all unused yarn, as it will be needed to finish afghan.

2. I like to keep my squares in 1 gallon zip lock bags. A year is a long time and I do not want to lose one of the blocks, or get them dirty. You can fit 6 in each bag with plenty of room to spare. Also this way I can keep them in order.

3. If you are someone who is trying to learn to read crochet patterns. This is a good club. In the DVD they take you through the pattern, row by row. First they explain what to do, and then they demonstrate what the instructions are saying.

4. When you are ready to work the edging always remember, that no matter what hook you use to work your block, always work the edging in a H hook.

5. If you had to use a different hook to obtain the desired gauge or size, make sure you write it down next to the instructions. This way if you want to crochet it again, you will already know which hook to use.

6. Take the time to gauge your works. There are not words to describe the disappointment you will feel at the end of the 24 blocks when your blocks lay before you in all different sizes. It is important to remember that gauging a project takes far less time than reworking one.

7. Annie’s seems to being using this club for building steps, since each block and its stitches build upon the previous. I would suggest that you work these blocks in order for best results.

8. The DVD tutorial is helping in developing good habits, make sure you take advantage of them.  For example, counting at the end of each row and using stitch holders.

9. In one of the comments a lady shared that with her own yarn she has been crocheting additional blocks.  If you have the time and yarn I think this is a great idea.  Not only does this reinforce what she has been learning, when she is done she will have an extra matching afghan to give to her son.

10.  Now that I am looking at the end of my afghan, I wish I had started blocking the squares sooner instead of waiting for kit 11 and the blocking board.  You may want to plan ahead. 

11.  I used a 5×7 plastic sleeve to keep my pattern in while crocheting.  This keeps them from damage.

With this review I will be ending the Annie chapter in my crocheting journey and looking for the next project that is always just a skien and new inspirational pattern away.  If you are in the club also, would love to hear your thoughts in your journey .  

Just a reminder:  Please remember I am not associated with Annie’s in any way.  I am a customer the same as you.  If you find you have any questions about Annie’s or the club please contact (Customer_Service@AnniesCrochetAfghanBlock.com).  They have always been very helpful whenever I have spoken to them.

Until next time keep those hooks flying!!!