You have probably heard of a Crochet-A-Long (CAL) and a Knit-A-Long (KAL), but have you ever heard of a Design-A-Long? A group has been formed on
Ravelry sponsoring a Design-Along. Basically, they have gotten members to cooperatively choose a theme, then contribute pictures for a mood board. Then members can submit sketches and discuss their design process over a few months. The goal is to have a written pattern that has been edited and tested and is ready for publication by the DAL deadline. I think after that point there will be some voting (and maybe even prizes!) for qualifying designs(i.e. those with ready-for-publication patterns that fit the theme and mood board).
The theme for Summer 2011 is "garden" and I have been mulling over what I might have to offer on that them (and whether I have time to work up a design and pattern in time for the end-of-August deadline). I am toying with the idea of a net market bag crocheted from cotton that folds into an attached strawberry - shaped pouch crocheted from thread.
I am moving at the speed of cold molasses, so will probably not make the August 25 deadline but at least I am getting my toe in for the future :')!
