Who can resist the charm of a crocheted granny square? It was the catalyst that ignited my crochet journey nearly two years ago. The abundance of patterns available provides a perfect starting point, and platforms like Instagram and Pinterest  offer endless opportunities. The granny square with it's timeless appeal, is a straightforward pattern typically composed of double crochet clusters, and corners made up of clusters and 2 chain spaces. Once the pattern becomes second nature, you'll be amazed at how quickly a stack of squares accumulates.  Check out this fun  video  I posted to Instagram.  In my crochet journey, I've curated a list of my favorite creations, complete with links to the patterns, where available. Some patterns are free, while others can be purchased — I encourage you to support these small businesses whenever possible. The beauty of granny squares lies in their versatility. With countless color combinations, the creative possibilities are boundless. In my...

My crochet journey began on a roadtrip to Philadelphia. A year ago in March 2022, my husband and I headed to Columbus to pick up our son and continue on to Philadelphia where he had just been accepted to Drexel Medical School. My plan on any kind of trip is to bring some kind of fiber art project to work on. In the past I've brought a small weaving loom and an embroidery hoop for punch needle work, but this time my bag was filled with a couple of crochet hooks and a few balls of yarn. I had also jotted down notes on on how to crochet different stitches. I was determined to teach myself to crochet. I had watched a ton of Youtube videos on how to hold the hook and yarn and how to do the basic stitches, I was ready... or so I thought.  The flat lands of the Midwest My main goal for this crochet journey was to make the beloved granny square.  I have always loved granny squares and all the different things you can make with them. But honestly, I had no idea how to even start the process...

Ah, the Flossie Willy studio, it's where all the magic happens. Of course it's not always a magical place filled with unicorns and rainbows. There is a lot of staring at my work up on the wall while drinking copious amounts of coffee and contemplating my next step. But for the most part it is my little oasis where I create fiber art, sew and work on design projects for my freelance clients.  The studio is located at the back of my 100 year old house, about nine miles west of downtown Chicago. I have filled this 12' x 12' room to the brim. Is it usually messy? Yes! Is there yarn or fabric scraps all over the floor? You betcha! Am I embarrassed by it, no way! I tend to work on several projects at the same time and don't always clean up before switching focus.  I have rearranged the studio so many times, I've even pulled in creative friends, thanks Sharon and Asia, to help with the layout. I tend to switch things up when I'm about to start a big job. This is ...