The Under the Sea CAL Blanket – PATTERN is an exciting and imaginative crochet project that invites you to dive into the depths of creativity. CAL stands for “Crochet Along,” which means this blanket is designed to be worked on in sections over time—often with a supportive online community following the same pattern together. Inspired by ocean life, this pattern combines various sea-themed motifs like starfish, shells, sea turtles, waves, and coral reefs to create a stunning, textured blanket.
Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or just starting your yarn journey, the Under the Sea CAL Blanket – PATTERN offers something special: a guided experience that helps you grow your skills week by week, all while creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Each section of the blanket introduces new stitches, colors, and textures that mirror the enchanting beauty of the sea.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn what to expect in a CAL blanket, how to prepare, and how to personalize the project to make it your own. From materials to tips on staying motivated, this article covers everything you need to succeed in making your own Under the Sea CAL Blanket.
1. What Is a CAL Blanket and Why Choose “Under the Sea”?
A CAL Blanket, or Crochet Along Blanket, is a community-driven crochet project where a pattern is released in parts over several weeks. Participants work on the same project together, often sharing progress and tips online. The Under the Sea CAL Blanket – PATTERN adds a magical marine twist to this experience.
This particular CAL is designed to explore a variety of sea-inspired crochet motifs. Each section introduces a different element from the ocean—waves, fish, starfish, jellyfish, coral, and even underwater plants—making it not only visually interesting but also a fantastic skill-building journey.
What sets this CAL apart is its modular design. You can complete each motif individually and then assemble them into the final blanket, giving you the freedom to work at your own pace and customize the layout. This flexibility is great for beginners and advanced crocheters alike.
The “Under the Sea” theme is perfect for nurseries, beach homes, or anyone who loves ocean life. With its vibrant colors and playful shapes, it appeals to both children and adults.
Many CALs also include support communities—Facebook groups, forums, or YouTube channels—where you can ask questions, get help, and share your progress. This turns a solo hobby into a social and inspiring activity.
Participating in a themed CAL like Under the Sea offers a rewarding sense of accomplishment. By the end, you’ll have a beautiful, detailed blanket full of meaning, memories, and handmade charm.
2. Materials and Skills You’ll Need
To create your own Under the Sea CAL Blanket – PATTERN, you’ll need to gather a variety of materials and become familiar with some essential crochet techniques. Fortunately, most items are beginner-friendly and easy to find.
Start with worsted weight yarn (category 4) in a palette of sea-themed colors. Popular choices include shades of blue, aqua, green, sandy beige, coral pink, and pops of yellow or purple. Choose yarn that is soft yet durable, like acrylic or cotton blends, which are ideal for blankets.
You’ll need a crochet hook, typically size 5.0 mm (H/8), though some sections might suggest adjusting the hook size depending on the motif or stitch. Check your gauge if you want your motifs to match the recommended dimensions.
Basic tools include scissors, a yarn needle, stitch markers, and possibly a small blocking board. Blocking is useful for shaping individual motifs before joining them into the blanket.
In terms of skills, this CAL uses foundational stitches such as chain (ch), single crochet (sc), half-double crochet (hdc), and double crochet (dc). Some motifs may include cluster stitches, bobbles, puff stitches, and surface crochet for texture.
Familiarity with working in the round, increasing/decreasing, and color changes will be helpful, but don’t worry—each part of the Under the Sea CAL Blanket – PATTERN usually includes detailed instructions or video tutorials to guide you.
Optional materials include buttons, beads, or embroidery thread if you want to add eyes to sea creatures or embellish your blanket further.
3. How the CAL Works: Step-by-Step Structure
The beauty of the Under the Sea CAL Blanket – PATTERN lies in its structured, step-by-step release format. Each week or scheduled interval brings a new design element or motif, helping you stay organized and motivated.
Step 1: Preparation phase.
Before the CAL starts, gather your materials and join any online group or mailing list associated with the CAL. This helps ensure you stay on track and get support along the way.
Step 2: Week 1 – Ocean Base or Wave Panel.
Most CALs begin with a foundation or repeating background, such as rows of wave stitches. This sets the tone and dimensions for the rest of the project.
Step 3: Week 2–5 – Sea Creatures.
Each week might introduce a new sea creature—like a fish, turtle, crab, or jellyfish. These are often made separately and attached later, adding a playful, 3D effect to your blanket.
Step 4: Week 6–8 – Coral and Plants.
These motifs focus on texture and creativity. You might use bobble stitches to mimic coral or create wavy plant shapes using chain loops and increases.
Step 5: Week 9 – Assembly and Layout.
Once all motifs are complete, you’ll arrange them on the base panel or granny square format. Layouts vary, but the CAL usually includes placement diagrams.
Step 6: Final week – Border and Finishing Touches.
The final step is to crochet the border, which ties all the motifs together. You might use a simple shell border, wave ripple, or a crab stitch edge for a nautical finish.
Each step encourages experimentation while guiding you with tutorials and community support, making it enjoyable from start to finish.
4. Design Tips and Personalization Ideas
While following the Under the Sea CAL Blanket – PATTERN, there’s plenty of room for customization. Your creativity will make the project even more special and personalized.
Experiment with color gradients. Transition your background from light blue to dark navy to mimic ocean depth, or use variegated yarn for water-like textures.
Add personal details to the sea creatures. Use safety eyes, embroidery, or buttons to make each one unique. Give your turtle a smile or name each fish for a fun family keepsake.
If you prefer a minimalist look, stick to a monochromatic theme using shades of blue and white. The texture and motif shapes will still shine without bright colors.
For a baby version, use soft pastel yarns and skip small embellishments like beads. You can also make a smaller blanket by reducing the number of motifs.
Turn leftover motifs into matching accessories like pillows, wall hangings, or tote bags. This makes your sea-themed decor cohesive and adds value to your handmade collection.
If you’re feeling bold, mix and match with other CAL themes. Maybe add a mermaid, a ship, or a message in a bottle motif to tell your own underwater story.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What does CAL stand for in crochet?
CAL stands for Crochet Along, a group project where participants follow the same pattern over time and share progress, tips, and support.
How long does the Under the Sea CAL Blanket take to complete?
Depending on the release schedule and your pace, it typically takes 8 to 12 weeks to complete the entire project.
Can beginners participate in this CAL?
Yes! The Under the Sea CAL Blanket – PATTERN is beginner-friendly, with step-by-step instructions and community support. It’s a great learning opportunity.
Do I need to follow the exact color scheme?
Not at all. Feel free to use colors that match your personal taste or home décor. The pattern is designed to be flexible and creative.
How big is the finished blanket?
The final size can vary but generally ranges from 40 x 60 inches to 60 x 80 inches, depending on the number of motifs and border width.
Can I sell blankets made using this pattern?
Yes, as long as the pattern allows it (check for designer permissions). Handmade items using the pattern are typically fine to sell at markets or online.
Conclusion
The Under the Sea CAL Blanket – PATTERN is more than just a crochet project—it’s an adventure in stitches, color, and community. Through each motif and wave, you learn new skills, explore creativity, and create something truly magical that celebrates the beauty of ocean life.
Whether you’re joining your first CAL or adding another masterpiece to your collection, this pattern brings joy and inspiration from the first stitch to the final border. We hope you feel confident and excited to start your underwater crochet journey.
If this tutorial helped you or brought you inspiration, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave your honest feedback and suggestions in the comments—your voice helps keep the crafting community growing and vibrant.
