Easy In-the-Round Ribbed Hat - Beginner Knitting Project - First Grade Curriculum

This week in our First Grade Curriculum, many children (and their parents!) are learning how to knit in the round. For those of you teaching your child to knit this year, I recommend using size 10 circular knitting needles and bulky weight yarn for this easy ribbed hat pattern. 

This simple pattern is a wonderful way to teach your child to learn to knit in the round while following a pattern with more than one stitch. It also knits up very fast, making it an enjoyable project for both children and adults. 

I had purchased a pom pom maker a long time ago and finally got to use it. This hat will look very cute with one or two of them added when it's done. I'll post photos when I finish it but thought I'd share it with you now if you and your child would like to knit along with us! 

Be sure to familiarize yourself with how to 'join in the round' before trying to teach your child and remember to have patience. It is very hard to learn a new skill and there is no rush. It isn't easy teaching children how to knit but take your time and keep trying.. they will get it!

Here's the pattern:

Easy Knit in the Round Ribbed Hat

Supplies Needed:

Size 10 Circular Knitting Needles 16" in Length 

(length matters to be able to make the proper sized hat)
Bulky Yarn (I used this amazing Filges Plant Dyed Wool Yarn... it's my absolute favorite yarn and it comes in so many nice colors)

Cast on 90 stitches 

Place a marker, then join in the round – before doing this, be absolutely sure your stiches are not twisted. Look carefully making sure all loops are facing the same direction on your needles before joining the row together.

K2, P2 to marker

Continue K2, P2 around, making ribbed pattern until hat measures approximately 9”. Be careful not to get off pattern. The knits should go into knits and the purls should go into purls, all the way around.

To close up the hat:

K2, P2 together to marker

K2, P1 to marker

K2 together, P1 to marker

K1, P1 to marker

Continue K2 together all the way around until there are only two stitches left on the needle.

Finish off, pull yarn through last stitch and weave into hat. 

Add pom-poms if desired to top or with braids on each side. 

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! 

A Handcraft Giveaway from A Child's Dream and 10% OFF`

We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with yet another amazing sponsor who works with the same intention of helping caregivers create magical childhoods while also nurturing their own creativity. 

A Child's Dream is such a magical place.. a dreamy source for all natural materials to support all of your crafting needs. It has been a place I have gone to over and over again while my children were growing up, for supplies for my little school and still now for my own handwork projects.

This generous giveaway basket (a $70 value), will be gifted to one lucky winner. Additionally, A Child's Dream has created a special coupon code for all Little Acorn Learners who would like to get 10% off their purchase for the next two weeks! Just use coupon code ACORN10 upon checkout. 

Giveaway

What's included? 

Nature Spun Wool Yarn (3 skeins worsted)

Brittany Knitting Needles (7)

Brittany Crochet Hook (G)

Holland 100% Merino Wool Felt (5 sheets)

DMC Pearl Cotton (3 skeins)

Embroidery needles

Holy Dream Come True is Right!  What will you make? 

How to Enter:

1. Simply comment below or on our Instagram Post telling us what your favorite type of handwork is and what you are working on or hope to work on soon.

2. Share this blog post link on Facebook inviting friends to check it out or Tag 3 friends on our Instagram Giveaway Post who are also crafty!

3. Head over to A Child's Dream and look around! If you see something you like, use the special coupon code just for Little Acorn Learning customers and followers: ACORN10 (this coupon is valid for 2 weeks after today)

Best of luck to you!  

Our Giveaway will end on May 11th and a winner will be randomly selected and announced from the comments here and on Instagram. Come back to see who won!

Beginner Crochet Five Week ECourse

Beginner Crochet with Instructor, Jennifer Tan

Only $34.95 for ALL 5 Weeks!

Learn how to crochet a variety of projects with one hook through a 5 week online course at Little Acorn Learning. Beginners and those who know a bit of crochet are welcome! Taught by fiber artist Jennifer Tan of Syrendell, this 5 week course includes step by step directions, tips and inspiration in words, pictures and video each week. 

Work at your own pace from home! 

What You Will Learn In This Course: 

1.  Basics of crochet, history, supplies, making a washcloth
2.  Three new stitches, making an afghan
4.  Basics of Tunisian crochet, history, supplies, making a scarf
5.  Two new Tunisian stitches, making a “knit-look” toy ball

Supplies You Will Need For Your Course:

1.     One size I or J or K crochet hook (we recommend wood for all hooks)
2.  One size L or M straight (no cable) Tunisian crochet hook
3.  6-10 skeins of yarn in different colors, worsted weight (or bulky weight if you want a chunkier look on any of the projects). Light to medium colors, only.  No multi-color skeins.  Wool is best, or a wool blend for 8 of the skeins.  If allergic to wool, alpaca, silk or acrylic blends are fine.  For the washcloth, 1-2 skeins of cotton yarn.  These skeins will get you started on the projects in the course.  

Jennifer Tan, MA is a fiber artist, professional flutist, aromatherapist and educational consultant who leads workshops for parents in the areas of Waldorf curriculum, homeschooling and handwork. Jennifer has 14 years of experience as a public school teacher, school principal and university professor. She has homeschooled her own three children in a Waldorf-inspired environment. Jennifer enjoys leading teleseminars, writing eBooks and sharing her love of yarn with others!  She may be reached through her website http://www.syrendell.com, blog www.syrendell.blogspot.com, or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/syrendell.

7 Simple Snowflake Patterns For Every Kind of Crafter

Winter is a perfect time to start a fire, make a hot cup of tea and pull out your crafting supplies. And with some snow approaching this weekend in Connecticut, it was a perfect night to make some pretty crocheted snowflakes. 

I complied a list of 7 Simple Snowflake Patterns that are fun, easy, free and will appeal to every type of DIY crafter. Knitting, crochet, felting, embroidery, paper, beads and fabric are all included here.  Dig out your stash and see what you can make!

Many of these snowflakes would make perfect gift toppers, ornaments and decorations.  If you decide to try one out, be sure to pop back over and leave a link in the comments. 

Enjoy the Snow - Real or Homemade! 

Pretty Snowflake Crochet Pattern (the one I made tonight here:)

 Easy Cross-Stitch Snowflake Pattern

Needle Felted Snowflake Pattern

Felt Snowflake Pattern and Banner

Paper 3D Snowflake Pattern

Pretty Beaded Snowflakes

Fabric Snowflake Star Pattern

Day Three of Clean Eating and a Snowy Spring Giveaway!

Ok I'm on Day 3 of "clean eating" and I feel like I've eaten too much. Nothing I ate was processed which is great and no sugar at all but I did have potatoes tonight (my favorite - red potatoes with olive oil). They are clean but not low-carb. I actually think I've gained about 2 lbs since starting this. In either case, at least my food is pure and healthy.

At dinner the girls were asking me about a woman we know who was a child that survived the holocaust. She still has the numbers on her arm. I do not know her entire story but I do know that the story should never be forgotten. The girls are very curious and all three of them are at different ages so I have to be careful how I share things. We decided to read Anne Frank's Diary together a little every night and talk about it. As we read tonight, it amazed me to realize that this all happened when my own grandmother was nearly 30 years old and living her life here in America with no worries. Anne mentioned how her two uncles fled to North America because they were Jewish and the rules were getting so intense. My grandmother met my grandfather in New York and he also came here from Germany. We do not know the exact reasons why but I believe it was because he wanted to get away from the ugliness of what was happening over there.

Today is the first day of Spring and it did not feel like it one bit. My girls got dismissed early from school because of a snowstorm on its way. In order to try to bring Spring indoors, we made some new wool barrettes for the Little Acorn Learning Etsy Shop. I haven't added any to the shop yet as I hope to make a bunch first. They are 100% wool plant dyed felt and very sweet.

Then we enjoyed our first Spring day by putting on two layers of clothing, our snowpants, hats, gloves and boots and jumping around in the snowstorm!  Funny isn't it?

I promised something fun and free today so here it goes:

To celebrate the very first day of Spring, I will be giving away 5 FREE Spring Festival E-Books randomly!  

Here's how to enter to win:

1.  Like our Facebook Page

2. Join our Discussion Group

3. Sign up for Our Mailing List

4. Leave a comment letting us know a little bit about you and your family and where you live. What is the first day of Spring like where you live?

Good luck to you - check back here tomorrow night after 8 p.m. EST to see who won!

Happy Spring!

xoxo

Retreating into Sisterhood

I am back from a weekend away in the woods with a group of amazing women.  We share a large cabin with a wood stove, kitchen and bunk beds.  Knit, read, walk, talk and laugh... a lot.  Disconnected from Internet service and the constant demands of family life and obligations.  

Bliss.

There are a lot of things I do not like about the idea of organized religion but there are many things that are nothing short of beautiful gifts sent from above when you are a part of a congregation of any type.  I was not raised in this church but came here in an effort to find a place where my less conservative views about Christianity would be appreciated and where my husband would feel comfortable. I now find myself a part of an entirely new family of soul-sisters.  Women who listen, laugh, cry and enjoy one another.  Being an only child, I never realized how much I missed not having a sister until I was able to witness my own daughters' relationships.  I think it is very important that women find other women that they can connect with.  It has taken me a lifetime to seek out healthy friendships with other women and I find myself in a time in my life that I am so blessed to have found many...

While on our retreat, we taught ourselves to Arm Knit.  We were quite proud to say the least :)

A few of us also worked on clips to sell at the church fair.  I brought along supplies and found a few good tutorials online.  I can't believe I haven't made these for my own girls sooner.  

\

The felt flower clips are by far my favorite though.  I love them so much that I continued to work on some when I returned home.  They are so Waldorfy and soft.  I made a few for my girls and I'm making some to sell to a few women on my Waldorf Tag Sale Facebook page as well.  

Luckily, I am not short on adorable models to help promote the product.  :)

“Women who understand how powerful they are do not give into envy over meaningless things, instead they fight to maintain the beautiful bond of the sisterhood. These are the real women who know that we need each other’s love & support to survive in this world. Love is the essence of being a woman. We must be that light of love that seals the bond & unique beauty of our sisterhood.”  ~Bindu

((Yarn Along))

Well sort of.  The idea behind Yarn Along is to post a photo or photos of what you are knitting/crocheting and reading.  Unfortunately, although I have so many beautiful books I could have thrown in this photo, I have to be honest that I've found very little time to read at all and rarely do.

In either case, I have been busy with yarn so I guess that counts for something :)

On Monday, Brian and I went into NYC to the Natural Museum of History and then the Billy Joel concert.

Both were amazing and the train ride back and forth gave me a good three hours of time to work on Maia's Roselette Top.

I already made one for Brianna and I promised Maia one as well so I'm happy it is coming along.

In addition to Maia's top, I'm almost done putting the finishing touches on this sweet Baby Hooded Sweater for my neighbor's baby.  It's taken me longer than expected (as it always does) and the baby is a few months old already but at least it is still FREEZING enough in Connecticut for her to get some use out of it, I hope!

What will I work on next?  I have one sock done that's been sitting in my knitting bag for over a year.  Maybe it's time to think about the other one?

What are you working on?