Granny Square Making and 4 Free Crochet Patterns

As many of you know, I just love to crochet. One of the most simple and beautiful things to make, in my opinion, are Granny Squares (or as my teen just called them Granny 'Patches' lol).  There are so many types of squares you can make from the very simple basic square to the more involved designs that 'patched' together can make the most beautiful blankets and projects. 

My friends over at A Child's Dream were so sweet and generous and sent me my very own care package of goodies after I worked on their Handwork Basket Giveaway (be sure to enter!). These products really are so beautiful. I prefer natural fibers and the vibrant colors of this 100% wool yarn they offer are so hard to find. It is so soft and does not feel like wool at all. I also just love their Brittney birch hooks. For those of you who are used to the metal crochet hooks typically found in craft stores, you have to give these a try. Use coupon code ACORN10 for any of your purchases through the end of the month to receive a 10% discount created just for us. 

Many of the students in our Beginning Crochet Course have really mastered the craft. It would be a natural step for them to start experimenting with Granny Squares next and I hope to share these patterns below with them as well. If you have always wanted to learn how to crochet, please join us. It is an ongoing five week ecourse that you can do at your own pace including emails, written and video tutorials. One of the most valuable parts of the course is our private support group where we all share and help one another. You can stay in that group as long as you wish even long after you complete the course.

I've been making these squares a little each day. I love idea of making a nice pillow or even a bag out of them. I may cut some pretty flowers out of the wool felt they send along and see if I can add them to the center of my squares or make some pretty hair clips like I used to offer in our Etsy shop. 

For those of you who already know how to crochet, below are some really wonderful squares to try out for free. 

Daisy Granny Square

    

Primavera Flower Granny Square

Owl Granny Square

Retts Granny Square

I would love to see what you make! 

Guardian Angel Day

Today is Guardian Angel Day. If you come from a Christian background, you may find this day to be a special way to connect with your angel. As caregivers, teachers and parents who practice this type of belief system, we can pray to our Guardian Angel for guidance, assistance, patience, courage and the strength to lead our children the right way.  

While those deeper concepts are too heavy to bring to the consciousness of very young children, sharing a new verse while lighting a candle at mealtime or at bedtime that welcomes our children's angel is a beautiful way to stay connected to the spirit world.

Here is a sweet verse and craft that may inspire you today.

Angel of God, my guardian dear,

To whom his love commits me here,

Ever this day be at my side,

To light and guard, to rule and guide

Guardian Angel Doll

Supplies:

Clothespins with Rounded Top
Yarn for Hair
Fabric or Felt for Clothing
Thread
Hot Glue Gun
Needle and Thread or Sewing Machine

Lay out clothespin on felt or fabric.  Cut the material the shape and length you wish for the doll’s dress.  Hand or machine stitch the two pieces together at the short ends with the right sides together – leave your threads long for gathering later.  Turn it right side out.  Hand gather around the long edge, turning the edge down as you go.  Put the dress on your clothespin and pull threads around the neck of the clothespin.  Gather tight and tie off.  Make wings out of fabric or felt.  You can cut a square and hand gather it in the middle.  Hot glue it to the back of the angel.  Add hair by wrapping yarn around your two fingers 8-10 times, slide off and tie in the middle and then hot glue on top of head.

Be sure to check out all of the Little Acorn Learning guides and publications for more activities like this.