FREE Crochet Video Tutorial: Hand Sanitizer Cozy

April 27, 2020 By Nadia Fuad in accessories, Crochet Pattern, Crochet Projects, Video Tutorial Leave a comment

I was always a hand-washing and hand sanitizer kind of girl. 🧼 It’s a major part of keeping healthy! You can make your very own hand sanitizer cozy to carry one on your key-ring or loop it on your purse or in your car. It’s handy and practical. Plus, you’re now able to carry it with you wherever you go because you never know when you will need it! 😷 You’ll be able to make this in any size when you follow my instructions! These are great for everyone!

Follow along with this video tutorial to learn how to make this project:

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.

**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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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 you will need:
Get the supplies individually by clicking the links below
–Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn
–Hand Sanitizer (Mini)
–Size F-3.75mm Crochet Hook
–Yarn Needle
–Scissors

NOTES:
-Use a smaller hook to make these smaller
-Use a bigger hook to make these bigger

FREE Written Crochet Pattern: Hand Sanitizer Cozy

April 27, 2020 By Nadia Fuad in accessories, Crochet Pattern, Crochet Projects Tags: basic, beginner, crochet, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, free crochet pattern, free pattern, hand sanitizer, handmade, hands, how to, how to crochet, keychain, learn, pattern, purell, sani, sanitize, sanitizer, stitch, teach, travel, tutorial, video, video tutorial, wash, yarn, yarnie, yarnutopia Leave a comment

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 you will need:
Get the supplies individually by clicking the links below
–Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn
–Hand Sanitizer (Mini)
–Size F-3.75mm Crochet Hook
–Yarn Needle
–Scissors

NOTES:
-Use a smaller hook to make these smaller
-Use a bigger hook to make these bigger

Special stitches:
Ch(s): chain(s)
YO: Yarn Over
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl st: slip stitch
SK: Skip
SC: Single Crochet

Pattern:

If you have any confusion or difficulty with reading this pattern, please watch the video tutorial that is linked above in this blog post to have visual instructions.

Hand Sanitizer Cozy:

Work in continuous Rounds

Ch 6 or any amount that will fit across the bottom of your hand sanitizer base (see video tutorial for visual instructions)

Rnd 1: SC in 2nd Ch from hook and across, put 3 SC in last Ch, continue working on opposite side of foundation ch, SC across, put 2 SC in last st.

Rnd 2: SC in next st, *Ch 3, Sk 1 st, SC in next st, repeat from * around ending with Ch 3, skipping the last stitch, SC in first st of previous round. (See video tutorial for visual instructions)

Rnd 3: *Ch 3, SC in next Ch 3 sp, repeat from * around

Rnd 4-? You can repeat Round 3 to get to the height of your hand sanitizer bottle, once you are at the neck of your container, go onto the next round.
Insert your bottle of hand sanitizer before you close up the top.

Last round: Ch 1, SC in next Ch 3 sp, Repeat from * around.

If you need to do one more round, just SC in each ch 1 sp to close up the top.
Strap: Ch 10 or any amount that you want the length of your strap to be, then sl st to the opposite side of the top

Fasten off, Weave in all ends.

Add a key-chain (optional)

Enjoy!!

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 Yarnspirations

FREE Written Crochet Pattern: Tiger Hat with Earflaps

April 6, 2020 By Nadia Fuad in Baby Items, Crochet Pattern, Crochet Projects, hats Tags: animal, animals, babies, baby, basic, beanie, beginner, big cat, cap, cats, character hat, crochet, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, earflap hat, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, free crochet pattern, free pattern, halloween, handmade, hat, how to, how to crochet, kitties, kitty, learn, pattern, red heart yarns, stitch, stripes, teach, tiger, tigers, yarn, yarnie, yarnutopia 2 Comments

I could not help myself and had to jump on the Big Cat train. You never know when you will get inspired and what will lend itself to that inspo. A recent streaming docu-drama became the precipice to making my Big Cat Tiger Hat, and who better to demonstrate how adorable this hat is than Nasir?

Using the selections of yarn in my present stash (due to quarantine, I am limited to finding projects to which lend themselves to what I have because making a yarn order is off the table for the time being) I decided to construct a tiger hat using a selection of Red Heart Yarns in Hygge, With Love, Soft, and Super Saver.

Here is the step by step pattern that will walk you through this project so you can make your very own.

Due to the constraints that our present situation has put on us. I am continuing the practice of SAFER AT HOME. Therefore, am unable to film a detailed video tutorial right now. Once the mandate is lifted and I am able to travel, my dad and I hope to film this project. A detailed piece like this deserves a top notch video tutorial for everyone. In the meantime, I hope this will suffice.

Stay safe and keep crocheting!

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 you will need:
Get the supplies individually by clicking the links below
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Black, White, Gold
–Red Heart Soft yarn in Rose Blush
–Red Heart With Love yarn in Mango
–Size H-5.00mm Crochet Hook
–Yarn Needle
–Safety Eyes
–Scissors

NOTES:
-Use a smaller hook to make these smaller
-Use a bigger hook to make these bigger
-This hat will fit a 12 month old baby, you can continue the increase as established to make the head part wider. End the increase sooner to make it smaller.

Special stitches:
Ch(s): chain(s)
YO: Yarn Over
BLO: Back Loop Only
FLO: Front Loop Only
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl st: slip stitch
SK: Skip
SC: Single Crochet
SC2TOG: Single Crochet Decrease
HDC: Half Double Crochet
DC3TOG: Double Crochet 3 together
DC: Double Crochet

Pattern:

If you have any confusion or difficulty with reading this pattern, please watch the video tutorial that is linked above in this blog post to have visual instructions.

Hat Shell:

Work in continuous Rounds and in BLO
With Mango orange

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 10 SC in 2nd Ch from hook. (10)

Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st around. (20)

Rnd 3: [2 SC in next st, SC in next st] 10 times. (30)

Rnd 4: [2 SC in next st, SC in next 2 sts] 10 times. (40)

Rnd 5: [2 SC in next st, SC in next 3 sts] 10 times. (50)

Rnd 6: [2 SC in next st, SC in next 4 sts] 10 times. (60)

Rnds 7-20: SC in each st around. (60)

Sl st into next st, Do not fasten off. Continue to work the first earflap

First Earflap:

Work in Both Loops, Ch 1
Row 1: HDC in next 10 sts, Ch 1, Turn. (10)

Rows 2-3: HDC in each st across, Ch 1, Turn. (10)

Row 4: HDC2TOG, HDC in next 6 sts, HDC2TOG, Ch 1, Turn. (8)

Row 5: HDC in each st across, Ch 1, Turn. (8)

Row 6: HDC2TOG, HDC in next 4 sts, HDC2TOG, Ch 1, Turn. (6)

Row 7: HDC in each st across, Ch 1, Turn. (6)

Row 8: HDC2TOG, HDC in next 2 sts, HDC2TOG, Ch 1, Turn. (4)

Row 9: HDC in each st across, Ch 1, Turn. (4)

Row 10: [HDC2TOG] twice, Ch 1, Turn. (2)

Row 11: HDC2TOG. (1)
Fasten off first earflap.

Skip 20 sts

Second Earflap:

Attach Yarn in both loops, Ch 1

Work in Both Loops
Row 1: HDC in next 10 sts, Ch 1, Turn. (10)

Rows 2-3: HDC in each st across, Ch 1, Turn. (10)

Row 4: HDC2TOG, HDC in next 6 sts, HDC2TOG, Ch 1, Turn. (8)

Row 5: HDC in each st across, Ch 1, Turn. (8)

Row 6: HDC2TOG, HDC in next 4 sts, HDC2TOG, Ch 1, Turn. (6)

Row 7: HDC in each st across, Ch 1, Turn. (6)

Row 8: HDC2TOG, HDC in next 2 sts, HDC2TOG, Ch 1, Turn. (4)

Row 9: HDC in each st across, Ch 1, Turn. (4)

Row 10: [HDC2TOG] twice, Ch 1, Turn. (2)

Row 11: HDC2TOG. (1)

Fasten off Mango.
With Black,
Edging: SC around the entire brim of hat.

Mouth Piece:

With White
Ch 15

Row 1: SC in 2nd Ch from hook and across, Ch 1, Turn. (14)

Row 2: SC2TOG, SC in each st until 2 sts remain, SC2TOG on last 2 sts, Ch 1, Turn. (12)

Rows 3-7: Repeat Row 2 until there are only 2 sts left.
Do not fasten off
Continue to SC around entire piece. Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Nose:

With Rose blush Pink

Ch 10
Row 1: SC in 2nd Ch from hook, HDC in next 2 Chs, DC3TOG, HDC in next 2 Chs, SC in last Ch. Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Assembly Step:

Sew White mouth piece to Hat, Sew Nose to the top of the mouth part. Embroider a line down the center of the nose all the way to the bottom of the mouth piece. Weave in all ends. (see photo for visual location)

Eyes:

Make 2 of each part.

Large part:

With Black, Work in continuous rounds and BLO

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 6 SC in 2nd Ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [2 SC in next st, SC in next st] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 SC in next st, SC in next 2 sts] 6 times. (24)

Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Medium Part:

With Gold,

Work in continuous rounds and BLO

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 6 SC in 2nd Ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [2 SC in next st, SC in next st] 6 times. (18)

Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Small Part:

With White,

Work in continuous rounds and BLO

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 6 SC in 2nd Ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st around. (12)

Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Assembly step: Sew the gold part to the black part, then sew the white part to it, then add a safety eye, position the eyes so they are more oval shaped than circular shaped. Just pull the side and sew the pieces toward one side (see the photo of the eyes as a guide on how to sew them together)
Sew the eyes to the hat, weave in all ends.

Ears:

Make 2 in Mango

Work in continuous rounds, and in BLO

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 6 SC in 2nd Ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [2 SC in next st, SC in next st] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 SC in next st, SC in next 2 sts] 6 times. (24)

Rnds 5-8: SC in each st around. (24)

Rnd 9: [SC2TOG, SC in next 2 sts] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 10: [SC2TOG, SC in next st] 6 times. (12)

Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Inner Ear:

With White
Ch 6

Row 1: SC in 2nd Ch from hook and across, Ch 1, Turn. (5)

Row 2: 2 SC in first st, SC in each st until 1 st remains, put 2 SC in last st, Ch 1, Turn. (7)

Row 3: 2 SC in first st, SC in each st until 1 st remains, Put 2 SC in last st, Ch 1, Turn. (9)

Row 4: SC across, Ch 1, Turn. (9)

Row 5: SC2TOG, SC in next 5 sts, SC2TOG, Ch 1, Turn. (7)

Row 6: SC2TOG, SC in next 3 sts, SC2TOG, Ch 1, Turn. (5)

Row 7: SC2TOG, SC in next st, SC2TOG, Ch 1, Turn. 3
Do not fasten off, Continue to SC around the entire piece. Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Back of ear piece:

With White,
Ch 2

Rnd 1: 6 SC in 2nd Ch from hook, Sl st to first SC. Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Assembly Step: Flatten orange part of ear, Sew inner ear to one side, sew the smaller circle to the back of the ear.

Surface crochet the black stripe (or you can embroider it), around the curve of the ear using black Hygge yarn.

Surface Crochet all the stripes on the hat with Black Hygge Yarn or any Black Yarn (you can also embroider these or make chains as long as you want your stripes and sew them to the hat), I did surface crochet and made my stripes at random.

Tie Braids to each earflap (optional)

Enjoy!!

The yarn provided for this pattern is courtesy of Yarnspirations

Scary and Uncertain Times

April 2, 2020 By Nadia Fuad in Blog Posts Tags: anxiety, anxious, dad, essential, family, frightening, guidelines, health, home life, house life, human, mom, options, our family, pandemic, safe, safety, scary, stay safe, staying home, update, work, work related, workers, worried, worrisome, yarnutopia 20 Comments

Like most of America, and the world, I am staying home as ordered by our state officials. It is such an unusual and unprecedented time and everyday things are changing. Our situation is so fluid meaning what we hear on the news in the morning, can completely change by the evening. I don’t know about many of you, but this unsettled world has me feeling so anxious and nervous. It also puts me on high alert because, as a person with a severely compromised immune system and a long history of health issues including asthma, I am fearful of everything I am learning about this illness.

Presently, I take immuno-suppressant medications that keeps my chronic disease under control, but severely taxes my system leaving me little to fight off infection or illness. I fall into that segment of society who are at high-risk of danger if I come into contact with anything going around.

Plans Change

I have not left my house for over 3 weeks. I don’t know if you recall through my recent posts and videos, but Nate and I had a trip to Colorado planned for our second anniversary and Nate’s golden birthday. (He turned 30 on March 30th) We were going in early March to Denver. Everything was booked, ski-hill passes were purchased, airfare and lodging reserved and paid for, sightseeing plans and a special anniversary/dinner was in the works. Nasir was going to Grammy and Grampy’s house for the week. We were so excited.

As more and more news broke out, it became apparent that we would have to cancel our vacation. I called my doctors and they advised me NOT to travel. They had insisted that in my condition and with little to no immune system to fight, going into an airport or on a plane was too dangerous at this time. Was I sad and disheartened to cancel all our plans? Absolutely. However, I trust my doctor, and if my doctor issues a grave warning like she did, there is no way I would go against her recommendations. I have been through too much in my life not to heed her warnings.

Everything Is Canceled

So, we, like many of you, decided to retract and cancel all our plans and reservations and stay home. Glued to the TV and internet we watched everything unfold in real-time. Rapidly changing, constantly fluid and more frightening by the moment, we stayed in and were gripped by what was happening in the world and right here at home. I needed to walk away from the screens and try to salvage what I could of our “vacation” by re-inventing a plan to enjoy our anniversary and Nate’s birthday. And we did. We kept Nasir home and the three of us did a “stay-cation” in our living room. We binged Netflix shows, took a few countryside drives, walked a trail or two in isolated places, we cooked a nice dinner on our two celebrations and WE STAYED INDOORS. My extent of “leaving the house” is going into my backyard.

Our Options

Nate is fortunate to have several weeks of vacation and PTO (Paid time off) that he is using up from his “essential” job. He works in a plant that has numerous employees, and from all indications, we felt that his going to work at this time was not wise because of community spread and he was able to use up his vacation to stay home so far. On the advice of my doctors, they suggest he take time off and stay home indefinitely, as to not bring anything home with him that puts me or Nas at risk.

It has been extremely stressful to work through the decisions of him returning to work versus staying home if he is able. Like many people, this serious crisis is forcing our hand to make hard choices to protect our family and none of the choices are easy. He stays home, we cut off our main income for the indefinite future. If he goes to work, then he risks exposure and bringing “it” home in a household that deals with an individual with little to no immune system to fight off any of this. I can’t tell you how scared or anxious I have been!!! I know I am not alone in saying this. ALL of us are scared.

We will find a way

As we navigate through the uncertainties and worries of this ever changing situation and confide in our doctors and families, we have been able to come up with Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C. Each one comes with its own set of concerns and heartaches. Do we take no pay? Can we survive on just my income? (I have exhausted myself looking into options –FFCRA-the Families First Act or Paycheck Protection-none of which apply to us) Do we send Nate to work? Should Nas and I stay with my parents and be apart from Nate for an indefinite duration?

We, are faced with life-altering decisions while we press ahead into the unknown. At least we have what we need. At least we can manage through each plan despite the difficulties of each choice. At least we have support. I remind myself all the time of the blessings I have before me and focus upon those. Many are not so fortunate, and it hits me over and over to imagine the unimaginable. We will work this out. No matter what sacrifice we make, it is small in comparison to so many others. No matter what, we all have had to work through so many rough spots of this situation and it’s not easy.

Moving forward

As we move forward, sometimes slowly, sometimes at a mad pace, the least I can do to keep myself occupied is what I do best. Crochet. So for the next weeks, months, whatever it takes, I will continue to bring you what I can of my craft. I will show up. Every day. I will bring some new projects, new patterns, light, laughter and a distraction from the craziness that is swirling around us. So, join me as we keep moving forward. Bring your hooks and your yarn, and for a few minutes a day try to focus on other things that distract us from our worries, and relax with our craft. Because in a time when so much is out of control, one thing we can be in control of us the choice to take a few moments to do something we love.

“It is how we embrace the uncertainties in our lives that leads to the great transformation of our souls.”

When we reach the end of this, and we will, I hope we can all move forward with more love, patience, and understanding of one another. The lessons we learn will be immense.

I hope you all stay healthy…

~Nadia

P.S. A huge thank you goes out to everyone in the world who are on the front lines of this insanity. ALL the helpers. ALL the essential workers. ALL the people who risk their lives so we can be home. Our gratitude knows no limit. And for the families this may reach, I hope and pray that all of you are well and safe. I am sending every bit of goodness your way.

I don’t know who needs to hear this as I hope no one is breaking these rules, but if you are one who was told to stay home, please do. Follow the guidelines of what has been mandated so that those who are unable to be home with their families can stay as safe as possible during this time.

Sending you lots of love.

Share with us how you are getting through this difficult time.

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Monthly Archives: April 2020

FREE Crochet Video Tutorial: Hand Sanitizer Cozy

FREE Written Crochet Pattern: Hand Sanitizer Cozy

Pattern:

Hand Sanitizer Cozy:

FREE Written Crochet Pattern: Tiger Hat with Earflaps

Pattern:

Hat Shell: