Are You Hooked on the Eclipse?

Are You Hooked on the Eclipse?

I took the day off from work and filming in the studio to attend an eclipse viewing event here in Central Wisconsin. This was a free community event that was hosted at our local high school. The event coordinators passed out special glasses so everyone could view the eclipse safely.

They had pinhole boxes, telescopes reflecting the eclipse and other viewing devices to make this a pretty spectacular viewing event. There were about 200 people in attendance from our small community which made this even more exciting to share it with others as equally eager as we were.

Central Wisconsin was at its peak of 83% totality at approximately 1:13pm CST. The moon left a small crescent of sun still peeking out from behind it before things began to slowly brighten up again. We did not experience complete darkness, but we did have a dusk-like light and definitely experienced a drop in temperature cooling things by several degrees. I have to admit, as someone who is fascinated by our solar system, astronomy, and space/universe in general, I was a pretty excited to experience this cosmic event. It makes you feel small in such a vast universe.

My dad, who we all know and love for his behind the camera work in our videos, was once again behind the camera during this event as he tried to capture small clips of the various stages of the eclipse.

He was able to capture a couple pretty remarkable photos of it as well.
Since the event at the high school began nearly 2 hours before the actual eclipse would occur, we brought blankets and lawn chairs as well as a picnic lunch to make our viewing party even more fun.

I also brought along my crochet project presently in the works. I am in the process of designing a mesh tunic for under Nate’s Halloween costume. I’m never far away from a project, so it was inevitable that I would pull out my latest project to work on during the time before viewing the solar eclipse!

I have to say, this was an above average viewing event and not one bit boring even if it was not full totality. I loved that the weather cooperated. It was a beautiful sunny 78 degrees Fahrenheit with very little cloud coverage which made visibility pretty neat. I’m happy to say that I lived to experience this in my lifetime as the last one was nearly a dozen years before I was born. It was “totality” worth it! What a memorable day this was!

Where were you viewing from and what did you see? What was on your hook while the moon passed over the sun? Share your Eclipse story in the comments! Enjoy a few clips from today’s view from Central Wisconsin, USA.

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Crochet Tutorial: Winter Snowman Coasters

Crochet Tutorial: Winter Snowman Coasters

These Winter Snowman Coasters will be perfect on any table this holiday! Make this fun holiday accent for your guests. It’s perfect for serving your beverages! Try a new technique of working with cork board to crochet with!

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Some fun suggestions by changing up the color are that you can change the look of the coasters. Going around the coaster with black yarn and putting a beak instead of a carrot nose, you can transform these snowmen into penguins or other varieties of characters. Want to change the shape? Use square coasters or cut squares out of your cork board and work around the squares using the same technique. Also, you can use the same technique on a larger cork and create a single hot pad for your Christmas Tabletop. Have fun with these ideas! They don’t have to be holiday related. You can make a few changes and have them all year round.

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Follow this video tutorial to learn how to make these coasters:

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.

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**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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Leave a comment, and share with your friends!

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.

**Get the full kit of supplies here**

Materials:
Red Heart Yarns Super Saver in White
Red Heart Yarns Super Saver in Black
Red Heart Yarns Super Saver in Orange
Red Heart Yarns With Love in Holly Berry
E-3.50mm Crochet Hook
Cork Board or Cork Coasters (4 inch coasters)
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Ribbon for the scarf

NOTES:
-If you want to use a different yarn, go to YarnSub.com and type in Red Heart Super Saver and equivalent yarns will show up
-Finished size is about 5 inches (15 cm)

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

Pattern:

If you have any confusion or difficulty with reading this pattern, please watch the video tutorial to have visual instructions.

Coaster

Cut Cork into 4 inch circles
Punch holes around cork coaster measuring 1 inch in between them and a half inch into the coaster (see video tutorial for visual instructions.)

With White:
Row 1: Sl st into one hole, ch 3, sl st into next hole, ch 3, repeat around, sl st to 1st sl st. Ch 1.

Row 2: Sl st into ch 3 sp, Ch 1, 3 SC in ch 3 sp, ch 1, 3 SC in next ch 3 sp, repeat from * around. Sl st to 1st SC.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in 1st 3 sts, sl st into ch sp, ch 4, TR in same sp, 2 TR in next 3 sts, TR in ch sp, ch 4, sl st in same ch 4 sp, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 SC in ch sp, repeat from * for the rest of the round. Sl st to 1st st.

Row 4: Sl st in each st to ch up 4. Sc in each ch of the ch up 4, HDC in next 2 sts, 2 DC in each of the next 4 sts, HDC in next 2 sts, sc in each of the next 4 ch, sl st in next 3 sts. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Carrot nose: with Orange
Ch 5
Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next, HDC in last 2 chs, Fasten off, Sew onto head

Eyes: with Black
French Knots for eyes (See video tutorial for visual instructions)

Mittens: with Holly Berry Make 2
Ch 5
Row 1: SC in 2nd ch from hook and across, 2 SC in last st, CH 1, turn (5)
Row 2: 2 SC in 1st st, sc in next 4 sts, ch 1, turn. (6)
Row 3: SC in 1st 3 sts, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook and in same st where last sc was worked. Fasten off.
Sew to coaster.

Assembly:
Sew all the pieces to coaster and tie ribbon around neck.

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 Red Heart Yarns

 

Crochet Tutorial: Rustic Evergreen Ornament

This Rustic Evergreen Ornament is a simple yet festive touch to your country Christmas decor. This darling accent also makes a great gift topper embellishment! Using your scrap yarn, this easy to make project is a lovely touch that will make your home feel warm and welcoming.

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Crochet strips tied and shaped around an everyday stick accented with rich shades of green and brown, topped with a small star make this item one of the easiest and most cozy DIY projects you will make this holiday season!
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Follow along with this video tutorial to learn how to make this ornament:

**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)
Share your work on Facebook!
Add me on Snapchat: YARNutopia
Follow me on Instagram
Visit My Ravelry Store and add this to your Favorites!
Follow me on Twitter: @YARNutopia
Enjoy this video and subscribe to my channel on YouTube for more tutorials on how to crochet!
Leave a comment, and share with your friends!

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:

**Use all the supplies in this kit to make this ornament**

Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in any color you want. (Scraps only in shades of green/tan)
E-3.50mm Crochet Hook
-Twig (Stick from outside)
Thread (to make it into an ornament)
Yarn Needle
Scissors

NOTES:
-The smaller the hook, the better
-The stick I used was about 7 inches long
-Be careful tying your knots to not snap the twig in half

Special stitches:
Ch(s): chain(s)
YO: Yarn Over
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl st: slip stitch
SK: Skip
SC: Single Crochet
HDC: Half-Double Crochet
FHDC: Foundation Half Double Crochet

Pattern:

If you have any confusion or difficulty with reading this pattern, please watch the video tutorial to have visual instructions.

Tree:

Top Strands: Make 2
FHDC 15, Fasten off. Weave in all ends

Next Strands: Make 2
FHDC 19, Fasten off. Weave in all ends

Next Strands: Make 2
FHDC 23, Fasten off. Weave in all ends

Last Strands: Make 2
FHDC 27, Fasten off. Weave in all ends

You should have 8 strands in total.

Assembly step:
Tie all strands to twig (See video tutorial for visual instructions

Star:
Ch 2
Rnd 1: 10 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st to 1st st
Rnd 2: *Ch up 5, SC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC in next ch, DC in last 2 chs, Sk 1 st, sl st in next st, Repeat from * around. Sl st to beginning. (5 star points)
Fasten off, weave in ends

Assembly:
Attach Star to top of tree on twig and tie a strand of thread for an ornament. See video tutorial for visual instructions.

Enjoy!!

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on the 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.

Happy Halloween!

This blog is compiled to show the costumes I made for Nate and myself. You can find them all in one place rather than navigating through my blog to find each individual pattern. Here, I have them all in one spot for your convenience. You can click the links in the paragraphs before the photos or you can simply click the photos to view the video tutorials and written patterns for each individual piece for these costumes.

We start with the Beast Hat. It’s perfect not only for a costume (although, I will warn you, it is very warm, and won’t last long in a crowd of people), but also for cold days! It’s an easily adaptable and versatile pattern by changing colors and embellishments to make any animal-istic creature that you fancy!

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Second, you will find the Beast Gloves here. With some simple modifications, you can take these very scary beast gloves and turn them into an easy pair of hand-warmers, just by omitting the finger portion of the pattern. These were made to enhance the crochet costume. Have fun with it!

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Next up, by making a very simple chain, I was able to create this embroidery embellishment detail that I sewed onto the costume jacket. I first traced out the design in a chalk pencil, chained the length needed for each scroll design and sewed it on using a yarn needle. I added some lace and just pinned it inside the sleeves and on the collar.

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Lastly, I made these simple foot coverings. These are a very basic flat panel using double crochet with an ankle cuff that wraps around the bottom of the leg. Once complete, I sewed fur through the stitches to give it a paw-like look that can be worn over shoes. (These do not have a written pattern or a video tutorial)

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For the Princess costume, I created the shirt here. This is one of two pieces for the dress ensemble. I added tulle and embellished the outfit with medium sized flower roses that I used in my Floral Dream Crown tutorial.

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The Princess Costume Skirt was the second piece I crocheted for this ensemble. As you will see in the pattern, you can make this as big or as small as you want it to be. This can modified to be made in a variety of princess dresses by changing colors or adding different embellishments.

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Lastly, I added the Enchanted Rose Cape that can be found here as a finishing touch to this princess costume. This cape can also be modified into a poncho or a bridal cape.

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Here are the photos of us together in our costumes! Photos do not lead to any patterns.

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DIY: Repurposing a Rocking Chair

My love of crafts doesn’t start and end with just crochet. I have creative ideas running through my mind 24/7. I think it comes from being part of a family of creative people. My mom is one of the most creative people that exist on the planet. She can see potential in anything and turn it into a masterpiece. My dad is a professional photographer and videographer, My brother, Nyle, is a culinary genius, and he is a professional chef and food artist. My other brother, Nabeel, is an incredibly talented musician and video artist. I am at the tail end of all this talent with a hook and yarn trying to stitch my way through the creative process with a few added detours to do a few other crafty things. Hopefully, my family apple hasn’t fallen too far from the proverbial tree.

Near my home, there is a Bethesda Thrift Shop that periodically has in-store sales. Last Friday, they happened to have a 50% Off on almost all their merchandise! I happened to come across this 1970s rocking chair that had a hint of musty smell coming from the cushions (ewww), hidden back in the corner of the store with a price tag of $8. Did I read that right!? $8.00??!! Does that mean it would be only $4 on the sale?? Surely, that isn’t possible?! Well, Shirley doesn’t work there, but Darlene did, and she confirmed that YES it was $4.00. WHAT A STEAL! I ran out of that store so fast, yet awkwardly, because carrying a chair like that isn’t easy when you are running.

I didn’t bring that into the house. NOPE. NO WAY! It stayed out in the driveway overnight while I combed over the pages of Pinterest looking for tips on what I could do to this chair to bring it back to life again. Pinterest never fails me. NEVER! Ideas were pouring out of me and before long a plan was hatched. By Saturday morning, I was ready to hit the ground running! My season of repurposing was about to begin and I was ready!!

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Of course, Saturday arrived and my personal friend, Mother Nature, decided to bring clouds, cooler weather, and a forecast of rain. That deterred my planning ’til later in the day, but hence, I would not be stopped. I ran to the store buy paint, fabric, stuffing for the chair and other supplies needed for my project. I was looking for things which could stand the test of time and one day be in my “forever home.” I decked myself out in my super sexy sweatpants, bandana, oversized painting shirt, flip flops, and my trusty mask and decided to get the party started!

I began the process of disassembling things first and removing all the hardware from the chair. Once I removed the cushions and ruffle, the batting and cover underneath were gross and there were probably 45 years of skin flakes that came out in a ball of brownish dust, but if that was the worst of it, I would live. Whoever assembled this back in the day, (could not find a stamp or label) did a decent job, but the amount of furniture tacks used was astronomical. I had a bad thought cross my mind about someone who would do that, until I rethought that, and praised them for being so mindful of making a quality piece when this was once shiny and new.

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This is where I stop and have a moment of reflection. Every time I embark on a new DIY project, I reflect back on the history of a piece. It may sound odd, but I think of whose home this belonged to. Who sat in this chair? Did someone rock their crying baby trying to nurse or to cuddle? Did someone’s Grandpa read his newspaper every night by the old lamp while his wife cooked him dinner? There is history in here. There is a story in this chair and I love that and the mystery surrounding the journey of what it took to end up in my care. That is pretty powerful stuff! Because of that, I always try to respect each piece and bring it back to life. Sometimes, items I find are so tattered and beaten, I just love to breath new life into it. Everything deserves that. Even people. Especially people. Ok, Ok, let me jump down from my metaphorical and philosophic soap box and get back to the nitty-gritty of this project.

Here is what the rocking chair looked like when I brought it home from the thrift shop:

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These are the cushions. Just look at those cushions. Look at them for a little while. Did you see the steam boat? The pistol? That Anchor though!

Into the trash it went!

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Here is a picture of the rocking chair without that filthy cushion.

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I had to make a stop at the store for some supplies. Below you will see what I needed for this project.

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These were the two colors used:

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I got this fabric and some batting on sale for $4.88.

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Once I added the priming coat and it was fully dry, I took this sponge with some Vaseline and applied it to areas that I did not want my second (darker) coat to stick. By placing Vaseline, it allowed for me to apply the paint and then later wipe it off when the second layer was dry. That way, the bottom painted layer shows through, making a distressed look. I also chipped at the paint a little and took a paint brush to it to give it a more worn out look.

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I used a hammer, a sander, screwdrivers, and pliers.

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Once I got all the fabric off the chair, I sanded it with a fine sandpaper. My glasses were fogging up during the sanding process!

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Then I applied the first coat of primer. Once that dried, I spread the Vaseline on the edges and areas I wanted this color to show through.

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Spray Paint can get a little messy!

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See the video of me applying the second coat. Once the darker coat of paint was applied and dried, I took a cotton cloth and wiped down the areas where the Vaseline was applied. The rain forced me to do the rest inside.

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I cut the pieces of Batting and Fabric to fit around the seat of the chair.
I used the tacks that came with the original rocking chair to secure the new fabric.

I may have hammered my thumb a few times and had to ask my dad for assistance. He generously helped attach the rest of the fabric.

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I wrapped the fabric neatly around the wood posts since they were not removable and tacked it all underneath so it was hidden.

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Voila!! Here is a before and after photo of this beautiful piece! 13150065_10204853580098780_1100234469_nI added a lovely throw pillow to jazz this piece up a little bit!

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Have you repurposed a piece of furniture or something you’ve found at the thrift shop? Share your experiences by leaving a comment to this post!

“One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” ~Anonymous

~Nadia

Crochet Tutorial: How to Crochet a Badger Hat

Enjoy making this Badger hat! I made this one an adult size (to fit myself), but if you click here, you can follow this link to the written pattern make smaller sizes. Share this video with your friends and leave a COMMENT on what your favorite animal is–I might make a video on how to crochet it!

Click this link to purchase this pattern for all 6 sizes.

Supplies:
H-5.00mm Hook

Red Heart Yarn in White, Black, Red, and Warm Brown

Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat

Share your work on Facebook!

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Add me on Snapchat: YARNutopia

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Follow me on Twitter: @YARNutopia

Enjoy this video and subscribe to my channel on YouTube for more tutorials on how to crochet!
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