486 pixels were stitched over the past few months and each one was made with love. The creation of this pixel blanket was made to be given to Nate in time for his birthday today, March 30th, 2016.

Nate is a video game enthusiast and early on I decided to create something epic for his special day. My idea formulated around a discussion about vintage video games we each played as kids. He loved Zelda, and mentioned the Nintendo NES system as a favorite. Of course, this had me scrambling in my creative way to find the perfect project to bring this favorite retro past-time to life. Behold the creation of the Nintendo NES Controller Pixel Blanket!

I searched the internet for ideas on how to bring my vision to fruition and came across the blog from Repeat Crafter Me who created a Cupcake Pixel Blanket and I went into crazy creative overdrive!!

I decided to try to graph this project out on paper and found a photo of this controller by just doing a Google Search.  Once the graph was made, it was a series of mathematics calculations to figure out how much each square would equal in a measurement of inches. I wanted the overall size to be about the size of a queen-size bed. The calculations for this blanket equal the equivalent of 54 inches wide x 80 inches long.

Once the size was determined, then the calculation of how many pixels of each color would have to be figured out.

All these calculations can be found in the pattern below.  Each square has to be individually created based on these initial calculations. It was easiest for me to work color by color. I began with grey, black, red, then lastly white. Once each square was made, I began to lay them out to determine if the vision in my mind was exactly what I pictured. This was the part where I held my breath hoping that I hadn’t made any mistakes in my calculations!  Below you will see the pixels all laid out on the floor.

Once the pixels were laid out and my design was satisfactory, the process of sewing these tiny squares was my next major step. Working in rows, I worked my way across first, then down, as shown in the tutorial video. Soon this project began to come together in the perfect work of art I envisioned!

 I added a few details to enhance this design. Instead of pixels, I crocheted two circles for the buttons on the controller and a crochet chain to emulate a cord coming from underneath the controller going to an invisible console. Once complete, this labor of my love became one of the most amazing creations I have made thus far. It was, by far, the best gift and was received with delight!

Happy Birthday Nate!!

**You can always contact me via Facebook if you have any problems with the pattern. I am happy to help if you have any questions along the way.
***These patterns are copyright YARNutopia © so PLEASE DO NOT COPY, SHARE, ADJUST OR RESELL MY PATTERN. I wrote and tested this pattern myself, from beginning to end. It took a lot of time and work, and I would really like to have it remain “my pattern.”

***You can sell anything you make from my patterns, please just link back to my website YARNutopia.com. Thank you!

Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat (My Daddy)
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Follow along with this video tutorial to learn how to make this pixel blanket:

Pattern:

Designed by Nadia Fuad
You may sell items made from my pattern, but please reference my website YARNutopia.com.
Please do not copy, sell, and/or post this pattern and claim it as your own.

Materials:

**Click here to get the kit of supplies for this project!**

–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Black
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in White
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Gray Heather
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Cherry Red
Amount: Black: 760 yards White: 1400 yards Gray: 740 yards Red: <200 yards
–Size H-5.00mm Crochet Hook
–Yarn Needle
–Scissors

NOTES:

-You can use any yarn brand you want, as long as you stick to the colors White, Black, Gray, and Red to make the pixel photo in the end as long as it’s an 8ply or 10ply yarn (worsted weight/double knitting).
-This took me a very long time to make. I started it in January 2016, but haven’t worked on it consistently, and I finished it on March 26th, 2016.
-You could use a smaller hook to make this smaller.
-This measures 80 inches across and 54 inches tall
-When you attach your squares in the back, they puff up making a 3D look to the pixels. It looks great!
-The Cord is optional, but the circle buttons need to be included to make the Pixel photo complete

Special stitches:
Ch: chain
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl st: slip stitch
SC: Single Crochet
DC: Double Crochet

My dad will continue to be the videographer, editor, and photographer for our videos when I move away.
Support YARNutopia today so we can continue to bring you clear, quality crochet tutorials even after I move into my new home!
There will be an added expense of more travel and hopefully this won’t deter our ability to provide consistent videos on a weekly basis.

Pixels:
Make 231 White
Make 5 Red
Make 107 Gray
Make 143 Black
Total Pixels: 486

Time started in video tutorial: 00:10:04

Rnd 1: Chain 3 and make 2 DC in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1, 3 DC in same ch, ch 1, 3 DC in same ch, ch 1, 3 DC in same ch, ch 1 and join to the top of the ch 2, ch 2

Rnd 2: DC in same stitch as your ch 2, DC in next 2 stitches, [DC, ch 2, DC] in the ch 1 sp, DC in the next 3 stitches, [DC, ch 2, DC] in the next ch 1 sp, DC in the next 3 stitches, [DC, ch 2, DC] in the next ch 1 sp, DC in the next 3 stitches, [DC, ch 2, DC] in the next ch 1 sp, DC in last 3 sts, DC in corner and chain two and join to the first DC, ch 1

Rnd 3: SC in first 4 stitches, [SC, ch 1, SC] in corner, SC in next 5 stitches, [SC, ch 1, SC] in corner, SC in next 5 stitches, [SC, ch 1, SC] in corner, SC in next 5 stitches, [SC, ch 1, SC] in corner. Join to first st with an invisible join (see video tutorial)
Fasten off and follow video tutorial to learn how to make an invisible join.

Circle (Buttons A and B on Controller): Make 2

Time started in video tutorial: 00:22:42

ch 2.
Round 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook. (6)
Round 2: Sc twice in each st. (12)
Round 3: *Sc twice in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from * 5 times. (18)
Round 4: *Sc twice in next st, sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from * 5 times. (24)
Round 5: *Sc twice in next st, sc in next 3 sts. Repeat from * 5 times. (30)
Round 6: *Sc twice in next st, sc in next 4 sts. Repeat from * 5 times. (36)
Round 7: *Sc twice in next st, sc in next 5 sts. Repeat from * 5 times. (42)
Round 8: *Sc twice in next st, sc in next 6 sts. Repeat from * 5 times. (48)
Round 9: *Sc twice in next st, sc in next 7 sts. Repeat from * 5 times. (54)
Round 10: *Sc twice in next st, sc in next 8 sts. Repeat from * 5 times. (60)
Round 11: *Sc twice in next st, sc in next 9 sts. Repeat from * 5 times. (66)
Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Cord: (Optional) With Black.
Time started in video tutorial: 00:43:25
Chain 40 (or an amount that is long enough)
Row 1: DC in 3rd ch from hook and across.
Fasten off with  long tail for sewing.

Assembly Step:
Sew your squares together following along with the photos and video tutorial for visual instructions.
Attaching Pixels
Time started in video tutorial: 00:35:25
Then it starts again at 00:46:05

Sew Circles on blanket using video tutorial for visual instructions.
Attaching circles: Time started in video tutorial: 00:58:40

Sew Cord on blanket using video tutorial for visual instructions.
Time started in video tutorial: 1:03:11

Border:
Single crochet around entire blanket using video tutorial for visual instructions. Put 3 sc in each of the 4 corners of the blanket.
Time started in video tutorial: 00:54:18

Enjoy!

“Keep calm and game on.” ~Unknown

~Nadia

This post contains affiliate links, which I may be compensated for when you make a purchase. That means if you click on any link and buy from the linked websites, I will receive a small percentage of the value of your order. The amount you pay is not changed. Thank you for all your support in clicking the links in my blog!! You all are so amazing!! ~Nadia

The yarn provided for this pattern is courtesy of Red Heart Yarns