WIP in Hand: To Commit or To Quit?

When we were children, my two older brothers and I were given many opportunities to try out any extracurricular activities we wanted. My parents’ rules were, if we decided to try something new, we couldn’t quit the entire season. We had to stick it out even if we didn’t like it. We NEVER had to go out for it or try it again if we hated it, but once we joined, we had to finish. It was a lesson in not giving up, not quitting, not letting your teammates down, and a whole lot of life lessons bottled up in that one rule. It was good and bad. Good because I found out that I enjoyed being part of the chess club and became the chess club president, but bad when I realized my athleticism consists of how hard it is to dodge a volleyball coming straight for my face. Yeah, that smarts.


My mother is an avid reader. On average she is able to read three books a week. She told me long ago that when she decides to read a book she has a rule; once you commit, finish it. Even if it’s challenging, once you begin, don’t stop until the end. That rule, again.

I am to crochet, what my mother is to books. Crochet is my passion, my delight, my respite and relaxation from the crazy chaos of life, but my threshold for commitment has yet to reach the standard of sticking it out no matter what on each project I begin. I have a half dozen WIPs (Work in Progress) as we speak, maybe more, all unfinished and no definitive plan to finish. I need to re-learn that rule to commit and finish, but my attention span is different with crochet, and it isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Sometimes, the easiest thing to do is walk away and leave a project alone for a little while…or a long while.


Several years ago, I purchased beautiful wool. I had begun to make lovely granny squares with the intent to put them together for a blanket; this was BEFORE I started the 365 Days of Granny Squares Project. Those early squares are still waiting in a basket to be made into that beautiful throw I always planned to get to.


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I started a butterfly project a month ago, it sits in a bag unfinished because I didn’t like the shape of the thorax and it was frustrating to frog and change it over and over so I tucked it away for an “I will revisit this someday” project.


As I sort through my crochet and craft area, preparing to transfer several things to my new home, I am surprised by how many projects I have stumbled across that I have yet to finish. A partially finished cowl, a graphgan, a cute start to a hat, a baby blanket in its early stages. What in the world was I thinking?! It’s a bit sad really, I have a great beginning but no ending to these lovely pieces that sit in boxes waiting to be brought back to life.

I have resolved to get to work on finishing what I started, to revive that rule. Maybe now is the time that each project can be brought back with the potential that was always there, it just took this time to realize it! The future is bright for those lost works in progress! My work is cut out for me, but a stockpile of great material awaits our YARNutopia community! I see lots of tutorial and pattern potential!

I know I am not alone when I say I have a few projects left unfinished. Are you that “commit and don’t quit” crochet artist? Or are you the one who has your works in progress on hold to revisit someday? Share here on your strategy on tackling your long lost WIPs (Work in Progress)!

~Nadia


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My Contribution to an Eco-Friendly Fashion Show!

For those of you following my blog posts, I had showcased back in early May, a blog about a recycled halter top that I created using plastic bags. The item was created for an eco-friendly fashion show: Catwalk for Water held on May 7, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. This environmentally friendly fashion show featured “creative and inspiring hair, makeup, and fashion created by area artists. This event was sponsored by Indira Aveda Salon Spa in Chicago. All proceeds benefit their Earth Month Partner – Alliance for the Great Lakes.”


I was contacted earlier this year by a friend who was the driving force behind this Chicago event. She asked me if I could create a piece using plastic bags, and together we collaborated on a vision. Using her guidelines, I created this fun piece that used 70 recycled plastic grocery bags that I cut into “plarn” and crocheted into this wild halter top.


I sent the piece to Chicago for it to be added to an ensemble created by my friend Tracey, owner of Indira Salon and Spa, and used in her vision for this outfit. All items used were recycled, re-used, re-purposed pieces that were put together to make amazing fashion statements.


Many incredible creations were part of the show and it was a lot of fun to be a small part of such a great event even from a distance. The photos from the event show a lot of amazing talent! What a great event for such a fabulous cause that inspires change for our planet and environment besides providing enormous inspiration for creating environmentally fashion.


The ensemble created for the event included my eco-friendly plarn halter top, vintage sunglasses from Fiore in Green Bay, WI, a handmade up-cycle necktie skirt, braided rags to riches Coachella inspired hair both done by Tracey herself. Her entire vision came together perfectly and was worn by a remarkable model who flawlessly showcased all of these items together! She SLAYED! This attire won Best Interpretation of the Theme: Coachella-Art and Music Festival! What an awesome win!


I want to say a special thanks to Tracey and Indira for asking me to take part in this project. It was a great experience to create a piece for this event and expand my talent in such an imaginative way. It was a lot of fun! I hope to do more events like this in the future!


Photos from event were provided with permission by Tracey (Indira Salon and Spa, Chicago Illinois)

Crochet Tutorial: Pop Art Wig

Influenced by the Pop Art Movement of New York artists, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and James Rosenquist, I decided to add this hot pink wig creation to my crochet costume collection. This is my very own version of being a comic strip character with a bit of YARN power!

This bold color works perfectly in the creation of this costume, however, don’t just stop there! This wig can make a great hat! Walk on the wild side with this bold pink fashion statement anytime of the year!

There was a point in time when I was going through treatment and I lost my hair, this would have been a great piece to wear to cover my head. I could totally rock these crocheted bold colored wigs! They make great chemo hats! Add a bow for a little flare!

go BOLD, go CRAZY, go WILD! Whatever you do, have fun!

Pop Art
Pop Art

Watch this video to learn how to make your own Pop Art Wig:


Pop Art
Pop Art

Pattern:

Designed by Nadia Fuad
Questions? Leave a comment!
You may sell items made from my pattern, but please reference my name and Etsy Shop (YARNutopia).
Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own.

Materials:
-Red Heart Super Saver (Less than half skein–I Used Pretty N’ Pink)
-Size J-6.00mm crochet hook (You could use I-5.50mm crochet hook)
-Yarn Needle
-Scissors

NOTES:
-For special stitches (FPDC & BPDC) see video tutorial for visual instructions

Ch: chain
St: Stitch
Sl st: slip stitch
SC: Single Crochet
DC: Double Crochet
FPDC: Front Post Double Crochet
BPDC: Back Post Double Crochet
Ch 4,
Rnd 1: 11 DC in 4th ch from hook, sl st to ch 3 at the beginning of round (12 DC)Rnd 2: Ch 3, FPDC around Ch 3 from previous rnd, *DC in next st, FPDC around same st (See video for visual instruction) Repeat from * around, sl st to beginning ch3 (12 DC, 12 FPDC)Rnd 3: Ch 3, DC into the FPDC from prev. rnd, FPDC around same st, *DC in next st, DC in next FPDC from prev. rnd, FPDC around same st, repeat from * around, sl st to beginning ch 3 (24 DC, 12 FPDC)

Rnd 4: Ch 3, DC in next st, DC into the FPDC from prev. rnd, FPDC around same st, *DC in next 2 sts, DC in next FPDC from prev. rnd, FPDC around same st, Repeat from * around, sl st to beginning ch 3 (36 DC, 12 FPDC)

At this point, you can skip to round 6 if your hat is big enough to fit a child.

Rnd 5: Ch 3, DC in next 2 sts, DC into the FPDC from prev. rnd, FPDC around same st, *DC in next 3 sts, DC in next FPDC from prev. rnd, FPDC around same st, repeat from * around, sl st to beginning ch 3 (48 DC, 12 FPDC)

Rnd 6: Ch 3, DC in next 3 sts, FPDC around FPDC from prev. rnd, *DC in next 4 sts, FPDC around FPDC from prev. rnd, repeat from * around, sl st to beginning ch 3 (48 DC, 12 FPDC)

Rnds 7-13: Repeat rnd 6

This next part is worked in rows (See video for visual instructions)

Row 14: Ch 3, DC in next 3 sts, FPDC around FPDC from prev. rnd, *DC in next 4 sts, FPDC around FPDC from prev. rnd. Repeat from * 7 times, ch 3 turn work (39 sts)
(Leave the rest of the stitches unworked)

Row 15: Ch 3, DC in next 3 sts, BPDC around FPDC from prev. rnd, *DC in next 4 sts, BPDC around FPDC from prev. rnd. Repeat from * 7 times, ch 3, turn work (39 sts)

Rows 16-23: Repeat Rows 14 and 15

Continue to SC around entire wig.
Fasten off, weave in ends.

Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Enjoy!!

***You can always contact me 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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“Art is anything you can get away with.” ~Andy Warhol

~Nadia