With leftover yarn create enough squares to make a checkerboard. Save and clean cat food cans or tuna fish cans (enough for 2 sets of checkers). Paint cans first with primer. Then paint the cans with a color that contrasts the squares. You can crochet a simple chain to tie the board into a roll and make a simple granny square bag (two large squares sewn together and add two straps) to store your checkers in.
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For the sweater and cap you crochet 18 granny squares for sweater. Sew them together run ribbon around neck and sleeves, tie a bow. For the cap you crochet 4 granny squares, sew together, sew ribbon on to tie under chin, crochet a border around the cap and the sweater.
The granny square is a simple crochet project in its own right. It is also very versatile and the basis for a lot of different crochet projects including afghans. You can choose the color and weight of the yarn used, and the pattern. Then use the granny to create a variety of lovely and fun afghans.