Reflecting on My Mood Blanket
So far, 2026 has felt like a whole game of catch-up to me. I had strong intentions coming out of the holiday season, but then my family was hit with everything from the flu to unpredictably cold weather.
Life always has a way of reminding me of how little I really control. No matter how much planning I make, there are powers greater than me. A thought that was once, and sometimes is still, the cause of so much of my anxiety.
Mindfulness has a saying that life is an ocean. I cannot control the crashing waves or storms. Being anxious about the ocean… doesn’t change the ocean. It just changes me, adding a layer of anxiety that is uncontrolled and unnecessary. I can stop to enjoy the calm waters. To dip my toes in and feel the comfort in letting the world just be, as it is.
If you’re here for the free 7-petal flower granny square, you can jump straight to it below.
Intention and Letting Go
This time last year, when I set out with this goal, it seemed so much bigger than me. There was so much fear that I would start the whole process only to let life stop me. But I kept going with the waves of life.
I let the lows be low, and the highs be high. At the start of 2026, I told myself, “Just finish it in the time I have.” I let go of the need to do it quickly and to be done by the end of January.
Now, I only have some embroidery to complete, and she will be done. What a long process it has been. But I have never made something so big with my hands. A year of emotions in one beautiful king-sized blanket.
As I grow this website and all my social media, I want to continue letting go. Not rushing to fill the algorithm's need for me to make multiple posts weekly. That’s not life. That’s not what this is about.
Lessons from a Year of Mood Tracking
There are definitely things I would do differently if I had to remake the blanket. And I have ideas in my mind constantly about another one (though I am going to take a break for 2026 for sure, I need it).
My main change would be adding more colors for each day. So many days we start out with one emotion, and we end with another. Or maybe mental health sends us into a hole, which wouldn’t look nice in a blanket. So I keep playing around with the idea that might help actually capture a day. In a way that highlights the whole day. Because even depressing days can have a little color.
There are small things, like not using the slip stitch to attach the squares (I did this on the wrong side, which I thought at the time would make a nice ‘grid-like’ look). This didn’t help the flowers lay right. The grid look is there, but I’m also not in love with “separating” the days now. I also wouldn’t do granny squares again; the ends were a nightmare.
But even with all the small things I would change, there are so many things I love. I love the flowers, and how they have 7 petals. Not symmetrical, not ‘perfect’, but very me. I can point out the bright moments in a year. It looks like a field, and every moment is part of the whole garden. A year of growth.
It’s the first year, the year of yarnful mind. A year of regaining my voice and calm. And no matter where I end up, I’m so proud of this journey.
Would I Make Another Mood Blanket?
Absolutely, and I plan to. I want this to be something I expand on, something that can help others see the good in everyday life.
Mood tracking continues to be a great tool for anyone dealing with mental health and struggles. It helps us see patterns in our lives. It helps point out what might be triggering, and helps us think about ways to cope or get ahead of our emotions.
It makes us more self-aware, and that is always a perfect starting point. Even just seeing one good day in a field of bad can help us appreciate that day so much more. Appreciating the small moments makes us feel alive. Even if only for a day.
Research from Arizona State University suggests that mood tracking can help boost overall positivity and well-being. It can remind us that yesterday was a good day, and we will carry that with us into the next day. Making a chain of good days.
If you’re interested in reading more, I do have another blog discussing how I got started on my first mood blanket. This process has been a huge learning experience for me, and I’m so thankful for your support.
7-Petal Flower Granny Square Free Crochet Pattern
I did want to make sure I shared my 7-petal flower granny square. I have made so many of these that I could make them with my eyes closed. So please reach out if you have any questions.
Gauge
One square for me was a 4x4 block after blocking
Pattern Breakdown:
Round 1: Flower Center
Round 2: Flower Petals
Round 3: Foundation Chain Spaces for Attaching Square
Round 4: Square Shaping
Round 5: Continuing the Square
Hey, I’m Abby!
The hands and heart behind Yarnful Mind. I’m a stay-at-home mom, wife, and longtime lover of yarn. I turn to crochet not just for creativity, but for calm. What started as a way to quiet my depressingly anxious mind has grown into something much bigger: a gentle space where I can share patterns, mindful moments, and the slow magic of making.
Stitch slow, breathe deep, stay mindful.
Abbreviations (US Terms):
- mr= magic ring
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tc = treble crochet
- sp = space
Round 1: Flower Center (Yarn A)
Begin with a mr.
Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch). Work 14 dc into the mr.
Join with a sl st to the first true dc. Fasten off. [14 dc]
Pull tail to close mr.
Round 2: Flower Petals (Yarn B)
Attach Yarn B with a standing sl st into the front loop of any dc. Ch 3.
In the next st, work 4 tc into both loops, ch 3, sl st into the front loop of the next st.
(Ch 3, 4 tc into both loops of the next st, ch 3, sl st into the front loop of the next st) 5 times
Ch 3, 4 tc into both loops the next st, ch 3. Pull the loop wide and remove the hook. [7 flower petals]
Reflection
Take a small moment when you've completed your 7-petal flower, to look at the flower.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Now take time to list the good in your day. A small reflection. Remembering that even the smallest things, like a smile or a breeze, can brighten the darkest days. If even just for a minute.
This world holds both pain and beauty. Let this moment be about the beauty.
Round 3: Foundation Chain Spaces for Attaching Square (Yarn B)
Insert the hook (without any yarn attached) from the back of the work through both loops of the round 1 stitch with the standing sl st and through the front loop of the 1st sl st.
Put your working loop on the hook, tighten, and pull the loop to the back of the flower.
See the front and back of the hook placement below.
Turn to the back of the flower to make foundation chain spaces that will be crocheted over to attach the square border.
(Ch 2, sc in the next back loop, ch 2.) Repeat around, completing the round by sl st into 1st ch-2 space [7 ch-2 spaces]
Fasten off.
Round 4: Square Shaping (Yarn C)
Attach Yarn C. With the flower's right side facing you, ch 3 (counts a 1st dc and ch1), dc (corner made), hdc, sc in the same ch sp from round 3.
In the next ch sp: sc, hdc, dc, ch 1
In the next ch sp: dc (corner made), hdc, sc, sc
In the next ch sp: hdc, dc, ch 1
In the next ch sp: dc (corner made), hdc, sc sc,
In the next ch sp: hdc, dc, ch 1, dc (corner made).
In the next ch sp: hdc, sc, sc, hdc.
Join with a sl st to the first dc (ch2 of starting ch3)
Helpful Tip: The stitch pattern is dc-ch1-dc for all corners and hdc sc sc hdc for the middle sections. Repeatedly worked throughout the 7 chain spaces.
Front and back of the completed round below.
Round 5: Continue Square (Yarn C)
Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 2), 2 dc corner ch sp
(1 dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc-ch 2-2 dc in corner ch sp) 3 times.
1 dc in next 4 sts, 1 dc in starting corner space. Sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch4.
Fasten off.
If you want a bigger square border, continue working 1dc into each st and 2dc-ch2-2dc into the corner sp.
Final Touches
Weave in all ends securely. Lightly block your square for a flat, even finish.
Please do not copy, repost, or distribute this pattern as your own. You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern, but please credit Yarnful Mind as the designer. Thank you for supporting my work and honoring creative boundaries.