I DID IT! I CROSSED THE FINISH LINE!
It has been no secret that for the past 8 years, I have been battling severe illness as I continue to fight Crohn’s disease. By the end of 2015, I had spent a good portion of another year hospitalized after having 2 major surgeries. I was determined to go into 2016 with hopes for better health. There was a scary episode at the end of 2015 where I went septic and things were pretty bleak. That experience, and the fact that it brought me too close for comfort to no longer being here on Earth, was what inspired me to take on the challenge of a 365 day project. Yes, I know, nothing like a brush with death to make you want to look forward in life! Seize the day; or, in my case, more than 365 of them!
This was my status on Personal Facebook Account on the very last day of 2015. Thank you for being my stars! I love you all!!
I wanted to start the new year with a project that would chronicle days I could try to stay out of the hospital. Following surgery in December 2015, I remember late night talks with my mom about challenging myself to work toward a long term goal. This particular challenge had to be something that wasn’t too overwhelming. (Note: a 365 day project, no matter how small it seems at the time, can sometimes get overwhelming) I decided on crocheting a single granny square each day with the help of my dad who would record a video tutorial of each afghan block. Each day that I was able to stay out of the hospital was another day that I would work toward health and wellness. Each square represented a step in this journey. I was able to make it nearly 8 months before I ended up in the hospital again, but even then, I was able to continue filming my tutorials from my hospital room. I remember saying often that nothing could happen to me all year because I HAD TO get that daily square filmed and posted! Not only were people counting on me, I was counting on myself!
And so it commenced, we started filming our first granny square on December 31st, 2015 to launch on January 1st, 2016. YARNutopia’s 365 Days of Granny Squares tutorials were born.
Beginning and Near Endings
This project began as a very personal goal, I had a small following on my Facebook page and YouTube channel, and wasn’t sure if this would even be something that would catch on. Would I just be on my own for a year making squares? Honestly, I had zero idea of how this would turn out, and because of that, I failed to foresee a few issues that arose during the process. For the most part, it went quite well right out of the gate. I was keeping up the pace, squares upon squares, one a day with no problem. Until…I had a problem.
In my zeal to get started, I failed to garner the proper permission to film some of the squares that had free patterns available online. I was contacted by some of the designers that I filmed their squares without their OK. They had a totally valid position, and for the most part, handled professionally and successfully. It was my own misunderstanding to not consider going through proper channels, and it resulted in a few squares being removed from the early part of the project. This helped to change my course. I went through the correct procedures moving forward. It forced me to push myself even further to design my own squares. A total of 33 of my own designs were part of this project. It taught me extremely valuable lessons in the process. That can be humbling to go through.
Sometimes, it takes finding yourself in an uncomfortable position to really push yourself to get more creative. I remember considering giving up. That was until one particular keyboard warrior wrote to me with a few intense, nasty, and unnecessary insults to really push me right back up again. To anyone I hurt in this process, my sincerest apologies. For anyone who tried to come at me to hurt me or get me to quit, thanks for everything. It was because of what you did that made me want to finish. That was a turning point. Moving forward things were otherwise very successful and positive.
A Debt of Gratitude
There is no way a project this lofty could have been accomplished solely on my own. As mentioned earlier, I was able to garner permission from a wide array of incredible designers that allowed me the opportunity to use one or many of their patterns in my project. There is a list at the end of this blog linking every designer that contributed their designs. PLEASE, I implore you all to visit their websites, blogs, Ravelry stores, and Facebook pages. “Like” and “Follow” these amazing, creative people. There would be no 365 Days of Granny Squares without their help. I wish I could gather everyone who helped me on this daily endeavor and give these ladies and gentlemen a standing ovation! I owe each of them a debt of deep genuine gratitude. I learned so much from every square. I am literally in tears writing this part of the blog because it is difficult to put into words what this entire process meant to me. I can look at certain squares and remember what they represent in this journey. There is a square on the day I had to have another biopsy. There are squares that represent health victories and squares that represent some rough patches. 2016 brought so many highlights, and there is a square that reflects many of those amazing personal moments. Although this started out as my own journey, it became so much more than I could have ever imagined. These granny squares truly became my journal written in yarn.
The hunt for squares
The process of finding squares for my year long quest was somewhat of a challenge to search online for free patterns from designers. If their written patterns were easy to follow and understand, I would contact them to ask permission to use their design. As I said, were numerous amazing designers that lent their patterns. Up until the very end I was receiving requests and replies to use patterns, but the year ran out of days! Their patterns are an incredible tool for those who are participating in the 365 Days of Granny Squares project. Having the accompanying written instructions to assist with the tutorial has helped tremendously for people wanting to learn how to read patterns, as well as those who prefer that over a video tutorial. At the bottom of the 365 Days of Granny Squares blog, I listed the designers’ links to their written patterns. In my video tutorials, I mention the designer and pattern name for that particular square, and I share a link to the written pattern in the description of each video tutorial on YouTube. I also share a link to their written pattern on social media when I share the square of the day every morning. All of these things help followers network with so many in our crochet community.
Yarn for days!
When taking on a project of this magnitude, planning ahead was a necessity. Thankfully I had scrap yarn to get things started which saved me from having to purchase a bunch of yarn for this monumental project. This ENTIRE task was accomplished using ALL scrap yarns that I have collected in my stash over time. I began the project using Red Heart Yarns in Super Saver and kept that constant through the entire year. There was no waste when using yarn scraps, and it keeps everything consistent by using the same fiber and brand for each square. I tried keeping the supplies for this project as modest as possible.
You can’t plan for everything!
Taking on this mission also meant that I had to plan for all sorts of situations. There was so much concealed when I took on this project that lasted for 365 days. Over the course of the year, we experienced many technical difficulties. We had upload fails, we accidentally released videos in the wrong order, and we mixed up footage. If you can imagine all the possibilities of accidents that could go wrong over an entire year adventure, we probably encountered a majority of them. My dad and I had a very good system worked out, and filming a daily video went fairly smoothly. However, nothing about this was predictable. Filming in the hospital became necessary at one point during this journey. If I was able to keep the squares in order, and not have any breaks, it meant having my dad bring the studio to my hospital room. Again, at this point while feeling so ill, I thought about giving up on this project, but I had gotten so far, so giving up was no longer an option. Sometimes it was necessary to film a few days in advance to bank up some tutorials in case I was unable to be in the studio. Whether I filmed one video a day, or filmed a few in a day to take some time off, I would always add the daily square to the blog, and I posted the new square to my social media sites every single morning when I woke up. Although we had a few mix-ups and personal mishaps, there have been no late granny squares, and I was able to accomplish everything I had hoped for.
To those who participated in the journey
The feedback throughout this process has been unbelievable. Along the way, I was lifted up in ways I cannot put into words. The growing following that came every day to post, discuss, and share their thoughts about the day’s square was incredible.
I want to take a moment to thank every one of you who were here. Even if I didn’t comment on each post every day, I read and saw it all — every single square, every beautiful color combination, and every kind word you said to me and to each other. How do I say thank you for all that you did for me and for one another? I’m so proud of my YARNutopia community! Thank you for showing up every single day. You may not know this, but it was each of YOU who inspired me each day to show up, work hard, and keep going. Every message and kind word went straight to my heart. This project was a collective effort from all of us. WE DID IT! Myself, my dad, the designers, and YOU the crocheters. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of this epic journey. I witnessed something truly remarkable as this year unfolded. It makes me sad to see this project come to an end. I won’t have you here with me every single day for our daily square, but I’m so grateful this brought us together over our mutual love of crochet. I feel like I know all of you as we crocheted together through it all. There are seriously no words. #uglycry
What the future holds
I will be keeping the 365 Days of Granny Squares page up for a while and may replace a few squares here or there at some point. This one year commitment to a project of this magnitude was satisfactory to achieve. Many have asked me to do another year, but I think one year was sufficient to prove to myself that I could do this. I am happy and have no regrets looking back. I learned invaluable things about our crochet community, about myself, about commitment, about the power of positive thinking, about having a passion to pursue a goal, and about how yarn can tie so many across our globe together. I was happy to be the one to share this experience with all of you who came every day or just stopped by for a few favorite squares. This isn’t the end of what I am capable of doing. I look forward to new challenges in 2017 including some fun monthly projects! The work to do this project took a lot of effort not only on my part but also for my dad. We both look forward to a bit of rest and relaxation before we get back in the studio. There is much more to come from us in the future! So stay tuned!
To my Daddy
First and foremost, I could not have done this project without my supportive family, and of course, Nate! I cannot finish this blog without a huge mention of what role my dad played in this yearlong endeavor. Where do I start when it comes to thanking him? How does one encapsulate the gratitude I feel for someone who was with me at every single moment of every single project? He stood tirelessly by my side and filmed 365 squares (plus our bonus square). There he was, right by my side, ready to go each day until the very end! I don’t think anyone could understand what a colossal task this project was other than my daddy. His exemplary video and editing skills made every square come to life on the screen. He was the one who worked tirelessly through the year, late into the nights making our videos, making edits, taking out the bloopers (yes, one day, we will have a blooper reel), corrected me, helped me, supported me, challenged me, encouraged me, energized me, untangled yarn for me, laughed with me, and by indirect means, learned crochet along side me! He never gave up. He never complained. His dedication and commitment to this project cannot go unnoticed. Thank you, Daddy. Your patience and sense of humor made doing this monumental project so much more fun than I could have ever imagined. I love you so much! SHOUT OUT TO MY AMAZING DADDY!
All these squares
Throughout this project, I demonstrated how to make each granny square in a video tutorial. Participants are then on their own to decide what to make using their squares. Some have participated from the beginning of the year making each square, and some jumped in on occasion to make a square that stood out. The creativity of what we’re sharing has been fabulous! Projects that have been made and shared on our Facebook page have left me speechless! You are all so talented!
Throughout the year, I have collected the squares and have been using them in blanket projects. From the start, I planned to pay it forward and make blankets for people in need. So far, I have managed to make 3 blankets using a variety of the squares. Each blanket has found its way to a very special home or charity and will continue to do so as I finish using all the squares in this project. This was my way of giving back for a year of healthier and happier days.
Read about my first project I made using the Granny Squares from this year so far.
Read about my second project I made using the Granny Squares from this year so far.
Read about my third project I made using the Granny Squares from this year so far.
Goodbye 2016
Now the year has come to an end. It will be strange not having a square to post tomorrow morning, but at the same time I am thrilled over a successful goal achieved. Today is so bittersweet! Not many can say they crocheted a granny square every day for an entire year and got healthier doing it! That’s a pretty great ending to 2016 and an even better way to start out another great year! Together we came so far! Here’s to a year ahead of more epic crochet days! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! Cheers to 2017 being a wonderful year for all!
~Nadia
Find the list of contributing designers here: (AGAIN, please visit their pages, “Like” their work, and “Follow” them on social media!)
Murray Stewart at http://www.madebymurray.co.uk
Amelia Beebe AKA champygirl at http://www.crochetville.com/
Kinga Erdem at http://www.myhobbyiscrochet.com/
https://thegiraffeshat.wordpress.com
Margret Willson’s Ravelry Store
Eline Alcocer at www.pastaandpatchwork.com
Ali Burdon at http://veryberryhandmade.co.uk/
Jackie Tyler at http://www.crochet-knit.com/
Maz Kwok at http://www.beacrafter.com/
Ali Crafts Designs’ Ravelry Store
Vicki Brown at http://www.vickibrowndesigns.com/
http://www.vickibrowndesigns.com/
Megan Mills at http://megan.cc/MotifWheel/
Natasja King from Crochetime.net
Red Heart Design Team
Ruth C. Roy at 365grannies.blogspot.com/
Yuli Nilssen at Yuli Handmade
Beverly A. Qualheim at Bev’s Country Cottage
Nina Leon at Hookers Don’t Bite
Fiona Kelly at Tangled Blossom Design
Pia Thadani at StitchesnScraps.com
Manda Robertson at Raising Robertsons
Laura Avery Home Makers Insanity
Jeni Entwistle at Messy Mama Makes
Sonya Blackstone at Blackstone Designs
Naomi Garcia lanadebaa.blogspot.com/
Sandra Paul of Cherry Heart
Kara Gunza from Petals to Picots
April Garwood of Banana Moon Studio
Jennifer Ofenstein from Sew Hooked
Jeni Entwistle at Messy Mama Makes
Donna Mason-Svara at Smooth Fox
Cynthia Boylan At SpinnyThingy.Blogspot.Com
Aurora Suominen from MyBlueAngels.Blogspot.com
I think what you have accomplished is truly amazing. You are an inspiration to all and I have learned to do stitches I never thought I could. Continued good health and wishing you a Happy 2017!
I only know your blog for a very short time, but you had inspired me to do my first big project: The G.G. (Gorgeous Gal) Cardigan. I´m only a beginner so, without you, I could’n have done it.
I wish you a Very, Very Happy 2017!
From Portugal!
I am truly humbled by your courage Nadia. You should really be very proud of yourself in overcoming so much and you greatly inspire others that are going through trials that may be different but still hard in life. I am one of them. You may have heard this a few times, but I’ve come to the conclusion that the type of person that tries to ruin someone’s day shows me how narrow their lives are, their need to lower themselves to nastiness of any sort and we really should feel pity for them. Their lives are very shallow and the kicks they get out of hurting someone else is so short lived. Not ever looking around to see His Blessings and His creation of the beauty in this world, makes me so sad for them. It holds true for all of us, we need to stop being hurt by this pitiful type of person and be glad we aren’t like them. Hugs and many, many Blessings for you in your future. K
I loved reading your letter and all you go through. I know every time I see your picture, I think how beautiful you are. Just glowing! Thank you for all your hard work and your daddy. He is so supportive. Happy New Year and I pray you will be better and healthier. You are so strong and so talented. I love to crochet and have been busy making messy bun hats. I have made 65 in the last two weeks. I’m sure this time next year the stores will be full of them. Thank you again for inspiring all of us crochet addits. ❤️
Sent from my iPad
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Thank you for all your hard work. I had been crocheting six months when I started this project and before you started this I said to myself “I want to learn to make a granny square.” Within a couple of days you announced this project and I was excited to get started. It taught me more than you will ever know. By the last square I was able to see what you did and do it before I watched the video. I have enjoyed many squares and some not so much. 🙂 Many challenged me and some I had to start over a few times but I got there in the end. Several have inspired me to create afghans using one particular square. I think the pinwheel one was my favorite out of all of them. I am looking forward to putting them all together in various projects. Best wishes for a fantastic 2017!
Thank you, Nadia, for your year long effort. Thank you to your daddy also. I didn’t find the 365 days of granny squares until April. I caught up in June and had to stop again in Oct. (I had some Christmas projects to do). Now I’m trying to catch up again, so I hope you do keep this project on line for awhile. I have so enjoyed these granny squares. I put one blanket together for a great granddaughter and another one for a daughter. I want to put several together during 2017 and donate them to the local nursing home for their patients. I wish for you a healthy 2017.
Thank you and thank you for your fabulous squares, tutorials and videos. Amazing accomplishment. Can’t wait to find out what is next on the horizon!
Congrats…. please keep up the good work….. c
Colette Gallagher
What a wonderful achievement Nadia! You must be so proud of this outstanding project. Thanks are also due to your wonderfully supportive daddy, whose videos have helped so much. I wish you, your family and your fiancé Nate a wonderful 2017 and I look forward to sharing your continuing crochet journey. Thank you for all your great patterns, I have used many of them and all have been received well. I also hope you are able to enjoy better health in the future.
You are an amazing woman. Thank you for this inspiring message ________________________________
Nadia,
As I mentioned in an email that I sent to you, you are truly an inspiration. What you have gone through in your short life is terrible and would have broken many.
I was shocked to read some of what you wrote. I am saddened by what you endured from some of our crochet community. I could write a novel about this. However, I won’t. I will sum it up by saying:
Shame on those that wouldn’t work with you.
Double shame on those that were nasty to you.
Bless those that did work with you.
Also, double bless your father for his tireless video work. Your videos are some of the best on the internet.
Bless you for your perseverance on successfully making it through this project. And thank you for the “bonus” square. It made the leap year complete!
I look forward to your next project.
A safe and prosperous Happy New Year to you and your father.
Sco
Congratulations Nadia!!! You did it!! I started following your blog and youtube channel after a friend linked me to your Granny Cocoon Cardigan and I’ve been “hooked” ever since. Your spirit and personality really shines through and your dad’s skills with filming are superb!!!
I’m so happy that for the majority of 2016 you were well. I read your story and I’m so grateful that your health is continuing to get better and better! I look forward to what this new year has in store for you and Yarnutopia. Be Blessed!!!
Hello Nadia, you’re amazing, an inspiration to so many people and myself………
I’d like to wish you and your family a very Happy New Year, l hope you have many successes and lots of happy moments to make into memories xxxx
I haven’t been downloading or saving the squares from you 365 days of Grannies, l just keep your blog page open all the time and chose a square when l want one.
Does this mean that at some point in the future l wont be able to access them anymore?
Hugs xxxxxx
Thank you so much for taking on this project I have learned a lot. I could use another year to finish all the squares. I hope they will be available for sometime. You are very curageous keep going. I love your patterns. Have made mermaid for you granddaughters, she loves it.
What an accomplishment!!! As a fairly new person to crochet these videos are very helpful. I learned to crochet starting with a granny square and can’t wait to try all these squares and then make an Afghan (or two or three). I’m hoping to maybe even submit one to a local fair in October. Thank you to you and your dad for this wonderful year long project and I can’t wait to see what projects are to come in 2017.
Jackie
WOW! What an inspiration your story is to me. I have recently come across your site via the youtube videos searching for granny square projects. Thank you for your dedication and strength to make this project happen. I have already in 2 days found SEVERAL (like over 30) squares that have jumped out at me begging for me to try them. Also, thank you to your family and support network that have seen you through this project. I’m so very happy to hear that it has given you strength at times when needed. I’m SO excited to see what the new year has in store for YOU and feeling very fortunate that I have happened onto your journey and that you share it with us via the internet. Best of EVERYTHING to you and your family in 2017!
Congrats! So proud of you.
I just wanted to say that I was happy to find your squares, as I am in DESPERATE need of a challenge that will push me to focus on something, and see it through. I have NEVER, once in my life, been able to see anything through. Not even a yarn project I had a few years back. So, at the age of 35, I needed this. I have started a blog today, to help document it all. I feel that the blog will be my way to make sure that I stay on track.
Having read your reasoning for doing this, we are on similar paths. I do hope that, if you are ever free to do so, you will check my blog. I would love to have your thoughts on things.
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