Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days: February 2026

Saturday, 28 February 2026

Ice Pop Sleeves

Ice Pop Sleeves
Knit Crochet

These might be just a simple tube - but they are very practical !

Ice Pop Sleeve Knitted Version

Requirements:

Cotton / Cotton & Acrylic Mix DK yarn

4mm needles

Size:

Width - 1½“ (3” all around)

Length - around 3½“ – 4”

Instructions:

Cast on 17sts

Work in garter stitch (every row knit) until the piece measures around 3½“ – 4”

Cast off

Join side seam

Darn away ends

Ice Pop Sleeve Crocheted Version

Requirements:

Cotton / Cotton & Acrylic Mix DK yarn

3.5mm hook

Size:

Width - 1½“ (3” all around)

Length - around 3½“ – 4”

Instructions:

Chain 15 stitches and join into a loop with a slip stitch

Chain 1, work 1 half-treble crochet into each chain, join with a slip stitch

Continue working in rounds, 1 half-treble in each stitch all around until the piece measures around 3½“ – 4”

Fasten off

Darn away ends

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.

In addition: You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.

However, please do not copy my patterns

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, reproduced

or republished on any webpage or website

Thursday, 19 February 2026

Verona Baby Hat

Verona Baby Hat ~ Newborn

Verona Baby Hat ~ Large Preemie

Verona Baby Hat Medium Preemie, Large Preemie & Newborn Baby Hats

Medium Preemie Hat

Size:

Width: 4¼“ (11cm), 8½“ (22cm) all around

Height: 4¼“ (11.cm)

Requirements:
DK yarn ~ around 8g - 10g
4mm needles

Instructions:

Cast on 45sts

Row 1: S1, *k2, p2, rep from * to last 4sts, k2, p1, k1

Row 2: S1, k1, * p2, k2, rep from * to last 3sts, p2, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows twice more

Row 7: S1, knit to end

Row 8: S1, k1, * p2, k2, rep from * to last 3sts, p2, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows 8 times more

Shape the Top ~

Row 25: S1, knit to end

Row 26: S1, k1, p2, * k2tog, p2, k2, p2, rep from * to last st, k1 40sts

Row 27: S1, knit to end

Row 28: S1, k1, p2, k1, p2, * k2tog, p2, k1, p2, rep from * to last 5sts, k2tog, p2, k1 35sts

Row 29: S1, knit to end

Row 30: S1, k1, * p2tog, k1, rep from * to end 24sts

Row 31: S1, * k1, p1, rep from * to last st, k1

Row 32: * P2tog across row 12sts

Row 33: S1,* k2tog across row to last st, k1 7sts

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’ to use for sewing up

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and darn away ends.

Large Preemie Hat

Size:

Width: 5“ (13cm), 10” all around

Height: 5” (13cm)

Requires:

DK yarn ~ around 15g

4mm needles

Instructions:

Cast on 53sts

Row 1: S1, *k2, p2, rep from * to last 4sts, k2, p1, k1

Row 2: S1, k1, * p2, k2, rep from * to last 3sts, p2, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows three times more

Row 9: S1, knit to end

Row 10: S1, k1, * p2, k2, rep from * to last 3sts, p2, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows 9 times more

Shape the Top ~

Row 29: S1, knit to end

Row 30: S1, k1, p2, * k2tog, p2, k2, p2, rep from * to last st, k1 47sts

Row 31: S1, knit to end

Row 32: S1, k1, p2, k1, p2, * k2tog, p2, k1, p2, rep from * to last 5sts, k2tog, p2, k1 41sts

Row 33: S1, knit to end

Row 34: S1, k1, * p2tog, k1, rep from * to end 28sts

Row 35: S1, * k1, p1, rep from * to last st, k1

Row 36: * P2tog across row 14sts

Row 37: S1,* k2tog across row to last st, k1 8sts

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’ to use for sewing up

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and darn away ends.

Newborn Hat

Size:

Width: 5¼ “ (13.25cm), 10½ ” (26.5cm) all around

Height: 5¼“ (13.25cm)

Requirements:
DK yarn ~ around 18g – 20g
4mm needles

Instructions:

Cast on 61sts

Row 1: S1, *k2, p2, rep from * to last 4sts, k2, p1, k1

Row 2: S1, k1, * p2, k2, rep from * to last 3sts, p2, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows three times more

Row 9: S1, knit to end

Row 10: S1, k1, * p2, k2, rep from * to last 3sts, p2, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows 11 times more

Shape the Top ~

Row 33: S1, knit to end

Row 34: S1, k1, p2, * k2tog, p2, k2, p2, rep from * to last st, k1 54sts

Row 35: S1, knit to end

Row 36: S1, k1, p2, k1, p2, * k2tog, p2, k1, p2, rep from * to last 5sts, k2tog, p2, k1 47sts

Row 37: S1, knit to end

Row 38: S1, k1, * p2tog, k1, rep from * to end 32sts

Row 39: S1, * k1, p1, rep from * to last st, k1

Row 40: * P2tog across row 16sts

Row 41: S1,* k2tog across row to last st, k1 9sts

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’ to use for sewing up

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and darn away ends.

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.

In addition: You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.

However, please do not copy my patterns

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, reproduced

or republished on any webpage or website

Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Classic Crochet Granny Squares

I was brought up in a thrifty family, and I hate waste.

Whenever I have oddments of yarn – I save them. Even short lengths.

As long as a length will fit between my 2 outstretched hands ….. I can use it for the first round of a granny square.

Anything smaller goes into a zip-lock bag to be used for teddy or doll’s faces. No waste here !!!

Once you have mastered how to crochet a Granny Square – then the fun begins.

There are loads of pretty variations available – you might enjoy trying out a few different ideas. A search of the Internet will bring you lots of ideas.

But – for me – I often keep things simple – plain classic Granny Squares are a great way to use up all my oddments. Mostly they will be used to make blankets – doll’s blankets, lap blankets for the elderly, bed blankets for the homeless, shelters or hospitals ….

So, I make use of my oddments, and donate then either unjoined – or joined if I have time. Some charities have dedicated ‘square joiners’, and I know many crafters who are happy to make squares but hate joining them, so this works out really well.

I like variety – and every blanket (or set of squares) I make is different – not in method – but in style or use of colour.

If you are making a throw, afghan or blanket for yourself – you may wish to use 6 or 8 colours that complement each other, in your favourite colours or shades.

But, as my squares are usually donated, and anything goes. I use what I have.

Sometimes charities ask for a particular size – so please check what is required.

I like to play – sometimes I make the first 4 rounds using different colours of oddments, then use bigger half-balls for subsequent rounds as I don’t want to have endless ends to darn away for each square. This works well - it is a practical and pleasing method, and always looks good.

Continue until your square is the size needed.

I use DK yarn and a 3.5mm hook. I work 7 rounds to give me a 6” square.

If you use a 4mm hook you will probably find that 6 rounds will measure around 6”

For a 12” square I make 14 rounds.

However you choose to make them, I know that your squares will be appreciated.

If you can find somewhere local to you – then that saves on the cost and effort of getting your squares to where they are needed.

There are many charities in the UK who would welcome your squares.

Or if you are willing to send squares, or live in the Nottingham area, I can recommend Operation Orphan – they have collected squares for many years and their mission is …. "Keeping orphans & vulnerable children safe, warm, healthy & learning."

My latest squares will soon be making their way to PUMA Plymouth Ukraine Medical Aid

I recently joined their fb craft group PUMA 🇺🇦 knit & crochet group – and the need is great. I can’t change the world, but I can do something…. And together, with others, we can bring joy and comfort to someone in desperate need.

If you are local to the Plymouth area – you might like to join me in supporting this group. This is what is needed ~

At the moment we are looking for bed size blankets 5' x 4' or 6'x 4'. They can be knitted or crocheted in whichever weight wool and pattern you are comfortable using.

We ask for squares to be 6"X6" or 12"x12" preferably crocheted (we are very low on these) but knitted are fine as well. Again, any weight wool and pattern of your choice. Please don't worry if your squares are not those sizes as we will use all the squares you send in to us thank you

If you would like to sew up your squares into blankets that is fine as well. I would ask that you put a little note with how many squares are in your blanket, to save us counting. Thank you .

We have 2 stitchup groups at the moment with more planned, and also, ladies out in the community who stitch/crochet the squares together.

Thank you to everyone who is a member or who does this in their own home. You are very much appreciated.

If anyone is interested in helping, I can deliver and collect from you locally (in and around Plymouth) or you would be welcome at either group at any time.

We have a café meetup on Wednesday from 12 till 3pm, and also on Thursday from 12 till 3pm

Our friends in Ukraine absolutely love our handmade blankets. Not only for warmth and the fact they are made with love, but also as a sign of protection, and it reminds them they are not forgotten. PUMA February 2026.

Happy Hooking .........

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.

In addition: You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.

However, please do not copy my patterns

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, reproduced

or republished on any webpage or website