2021 Temperature Throw CAL

Happy 2021 lovelies!  January is a perfect month to start a temperature project!  I have absolutely adore these kind of projects, and I’m really excited about this one!  If you’re not familiar with the concept, a temperature project is where you create a motif or row on a project you’re making based on your local temperature outside…fun!  It goes on for a year and at the end of the year, you’ll have an interesting representation of the temperatures for an entire year!

Queue up on Ravelry!

Below is the video…check it out for a full introduction to the project, supplies, planning out the blanket, organizing your blanket, how to make the squares, and how to join the squares:

A couple of years back,  I made a granny temperature blanket with each day’s high and low temperature.  This time around  I wanted to simplify things a bit and do a one color/one round of the day’s temperature.  We’ll be doing a small daily square in just one round, then joining them together as we go with a common color (I’m using black) to frame them all in.

Here’s a brief summary of how we’re going to do it in 2021:

  • We’re going to create a beautiful, colorful granny motif blanket.
  • We will do one tiny granny motif per day, one round with the average daily temperature.
  • We will join the squares together with a single color to frame them all in using the JAYGO (join as you go) technique.
  • Each one round square before joining is about 1.5 inches.
  • Each square with the JAYGO “frame” added is about 2.5 inches.
  • Try to weave in the ends as much as possible because of the number of motifs and colors used.  This will be very helpful in the end and save you tons of time along the way.
  • Even if you get a few weeks behind, you can easily catch up, as the squares are very small.  (Use the historical weather tool link HERE) 
  • I will provide seasonal updates on the progress of the blanket throughout the year showing the progress as I go.  At the very end of the year, we’ll recap the whole year and add a simple border if you like too!
  • Important to note: my chart is in degrees Fahrenheit.  However, you can adjust yours to Celsius if you need to. 
  • I did a wide range of temperatures because it gets both cold and hot where I live.  Please adjust accordingly to your area of the world, if you live in a region where the climate does not change dramatically, you can use the same number of colors, you might just need to break the ranges down in to smaller increments
  • Try experimenting with different color palettes too!  You can go with brights like me, or try neons, pastels, heathered shades and lots more!
  • Try putting a stitch marker on the first square you make so you’ll always know where the top of the blanket is.  This is helpful if you put the blanket down and come to it later.

I have created some tools to help you keep everything straight and totally organized as you go.  One thing I really dislike doing is counting squares over and over again, so hopefully one or all of these tools will help you!!

Here’s what you’ll need to make the blanket:

  • Worsted weight acrylic yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver from last year’s temperature project) in grenadine, perfect pink, bright yellow, pumpkin, spring green, minty, delft blue, turqua, amethyst, orchid, and black.  This yarn has no dye lots, so easy if you need to pick another skein of one of the colors later in the year…you don’t need all of the yarn now!
  • 6.0 mm “J” crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle
  • Scissors
  • Tape Measure
  • Stitch marker (optional)
  • Pens, highlighters
  • Blank calendar 
  • Swatch Chart (see below)

*Need to substitute yarn?  Try some of the suggestions below or discover some on your own too!

  • Loops & Threads Craft Smart
  • Caron Big Cakes
  • Premier Ever Soft
  • Lion Brand Basic Stitch
  • Cascade Yarns Anthem
  • Caron Simply Soft

Let’s talk about the temperature scale next, I created this little chart with some card stock and bits of the yarn…as you can see below, I will be using similar ranges as last year, only difference is we’re adding black for the JAYGO color.

To get your average daily temperature, check out your local weather forecast or an app.  If you need past temperatures, you can easily look them up by clicking HERE. 

Another tool I am using to keep organized is a calendar, you can customize and print one for yourself for free HERE.  This is SO helpful for recording daily temperatures and jotting in the color needed too:

For the layout of the motifs, we’re going to do 18 squares across and 21 squares down.  This will include all 365 days of the year…but then there are 13 squares extra…no worries!!  We’re going to create a “marker square” at the beginning of each month (12 total) + one extra (this can mark a special day or just add one at the end to “close” off the year.  This will give us a nice and neat rectangle shape.  Plus I kind of wanted to see a little bit of division in the months so visually you can see where you’re at in the year…neat, right?!?

As I make a square I highlight it on the calendar, then when I JAYGO it to the blanket, I cross it off.  I also made note in bright orange where each month marker would be.  This keeps it clear and organized for me…it helps a lot!

Ok let’s get started on those cute little squares, shall we?  We’re going to be making a one round square, and then learn how to join them all as we go…no need to save that part till the end…your blanket will grow before your eyes!

Instructions for the square:

Chain 4, join into a ring with a slip stitch.

 Round 1: Chain 4, work (3 dc into center of ring, chain 1) 3 times, then 2 dc into center of ring.  Join to close with a slip stitch.

How To Join Squares Together (JAYGO/Join As You Go):

Note: It really helps to keep everything flat as you work, I like to lay mine on a table or lap as I go. Also be sure the right side (side that faced up as you stitched up your squares) is facing upward.  I’ll be making the JAYGO part in the white yarn, but you can use any color you like!

Part 1: The Very First Square (worked independently, nothing is joined to this one yet)

Tie on the round 2 color (I used black) into any corner space of a square you’ve previously made and ch 3. In the same space, work (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc). Work (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in the next corner (ch 1 corner space), then repeat in each of the next two corners. Join with a slip stitch to close the round. Fasten off yarn.

Part 2: Joining The Second Square

Grab a second square and tie on the round 2 color into any corner space of a square you’ve previously made and ch 3. In the same space, work (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc). When you reach the next corner…this is where we’ll make our first join. In the corner space work 3 dc. Instead of the ch 1, work a slip stitch into the other square’ corner space, then work 3 dc back into the square.  When you get to the next corner, work 3 dc, slip stitch into the other square’s corner space, then 3 dc into the corner to finish the joining. Work the rest of the square the way you normally would then join with a slip stitch to close round, fasten off yarn and you’re ready to join another square!

Part 3: Joining Subsequent Squares

As you join the rest of your squares, you’ll basically be repeating part 2 (see above), except the only difference being that sometimes there will be an area where you’ll be joining into a corner that has two or three squares (instead of simply joining into another square). In this case make you slip stitch join in the spaces between the squares (not the corner space). Always go directly across in your join to avoid it being off center. To see this join in action in greater detail, be sure to check out the video. In the video, I join two squares together, then three, then four squares, showing all possible joining scenarios that may arise as you work on your blanket. The rule of thumb is that when you are not joining, you work a ch 1. When you at a spot that requires a join, simply replace the ch 1 with a slip stitch into the other square.

*Important: If you have never tried the JAYGO technique, I highly recommend the video. 

Be sure to check out our two special communities for our CAL makers! Each has a welcome area/thread, so please hop on and introduce yourself. You can get info, ask questions, help each other, see what everyone is doing, and show off your work too!

Click HERE to join the Facebook group!

Click HERE to visit and join the Ravelry group!

So, that’s all you need!  Just keep adding those squares and I’ll see you at the beginning of spring for our first update!  

Use the hashtag #fiberfluxcal to share your work or tag @fiberflux on social media!

© Jennifer Dickerson 2021


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2 thoughts on “2021 Temperature Throw CAL

  1. I love the idea of granny squares rather than rows. I think it's much more interesting. Besides who doesn't like Granny Squares! Thanks for sharing.

  2. I can't seem to find the link for the instructional video. I am new to crochet and never joined squares together. Hoping to find a video to show me how.

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