An Open Letter to the Yarn Community

An Open Letter to the Yarn Community

Dear Creators,

As a BIPOC creator and maker, it is a powerful time in history to watch as so many companies and corporations take a stand in support of Black lives and stand against racial injustice. That is how it should be. I stand on my platforms to support Black Lives and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) creators because they have long been overlooked. There is SO much talent in this community and BIPOC need more recognition and elevation. Our world is full of color and diversity. More companies have to stand for their diverse audience and understand their needs. Not turn a blind eye. Makers of color deserve recognition. Many of the fiber companies have taken a stand. Yet, some have not.

Many of you know that I was a Joy Creator for Red Heart Yarns which was bought out by Yarnspirations/Spinrite. I continued to use and promote their product in nearly all my video tutorials and projects. I stood behind their product. I was not a paid spokesperson nor was I paid money for my videos. I was given yarn support and like all makers, we do generate a small stipend from using affiliate links that generate a sale from time to time. I was always transparent about that. It is one way we can provide free patterns while still generating a small avenue of income to bring you our patterns.

In the face of recent events, the company I had been representing as a stitch ambassador and Joy Creator has not made a public statement nor taken a stance in support of the Black Lives Matter movement or to denounce the killings of black men and women. There has been no statement against racial injustice that we all witness all too often. There has not been a show of support for the community of makers of color in this industry. With that weighing heavily on my mind and my heart, I reached out in a private email and asked them to remove me from their platform and asked them to stop using my likeness on their website.

I decided it was time to move on to a company I felt better represented people of color and community as a whole. I sent Yarnspirations an email with a knot in my gut and a prayer in my heart. I waited. I did not receive a reply. I kept waiting, refreshing my inbox, checking over and over. Nearly a week had passed when none of my requests were acknowledged nor was there anyone from the company who reached out to me at any time to say anything encouraging – not even a one liner. Their silence spoke volumes. It was apparent to me that my voice was not worthy of a reply.

I decided to raise my voice then, in a more public fashion today. It was only in that route did a round-about apology come forth, yet no stand has been taken publicly on any forum. After taking things to the next level in a series of group emails and on a private blogger group did I receive this apology.

It should not be the job of the BIPOC community or BIPOC ambassadors/makers to handhold companies and tell them how to represent their community of color/diversity OR to tell the company to take a stand. The company should already know that the time has come to stand up to racial injustice and discrimination and speak for their customers and creators of color. We need to be seen. People of color have done enough for them by working for free. The company should have been doing this work LONG before now. They should have come with a BOLD and POWERFUL statement in the beginning that made everyone, ESPECIALLY Black makers and creators and creators of color feel elevated and supported.

We should not have to plea with anyone to make a stand. A statement for BIPOC creators and customers should have been the FIRST step of action and then further action could be taken going forward. That is Anti-Racism in action. A company that stands with their creative artists of color and with the nation to say their community of BIPOC matter. That would have gone so far in quelling the fears and anxieties that many of us feel. Those of us that are here as representatives of color, NEED to HEAR that companies like Yarnspirations/Spinrite stand with Black lives and other people of color as a community.

I have decided to use my voice on my platform because, like me, it is compiled of a large percentage of people of color across the entire globe. Many use their product. I used Red Heart Yarns/Yarnspirations products. I shout it out on every video tutorial on every crochet project. Yet they stay silent on my behalf and on behalf of millions of voices. That is unacceptable. The fact that there was no reply and my request for communication about this matter was ignored in my personal email was an eye-opening revelation.

My blog and YouTube channel reach over 150 countries and my nearly half-million followers on all platforms make up only 18% of my actual viewers.  I use it to speak my truth as a creator of color, as a woman, and as a PROUD young mother of a child of color – and if that truth and Yarnspirations’ stand do not align, then it is imperative for me to move on and to let others know my intentions and why. This wasn’t a hard decision, just painful to recognize that this company has taken a no stand approach and continues to take no stand other than an obscure Equal Opportunity statement.

Silence is complicit and silence is ALWAYS the voice of the oppressor. ALWAYS.

I am moving on and divorcing myself from this company that has not seen the importance of lending their voice to Black lives or makers of color, nor the enormity of what that could mean financially from me or others, walking away. If a company wants to be anti-racist then TRULY be anti-racist.  There is no tiptoeing around and waiting for the “right time.” The time was long before today.

~Nadia

 

Quick follow-up edit:

I hear and see ALL the comments on this post. Don’t worry, I AM listening. For those of you trying to call me out or say this is political-understand this – this is about human rights and human rights are NOT political. Let’s get that straight. Or those who are asking now that I posted this where am I? I am right here. Same place I am everyday – working to bring you more of this craft because that is what I do and love and I am also taking care of Nasir. Just because I am not commenting back to every comment, that doesn’t mean I have gone into hiding. This is my platform, and I do have the right to stand where I stand just as every person on this feed has the right to say and feel the way they do. I have no objections to any of that. This is about being heard in a place that has not lent more voices to this important racial matter and over the injustices that continue to be ignored or passified in this industry.

It seems like some are ok with this being ignored, that it will be swept under the rug and forgotten and everything will go back to being “comfortable” again. Do you know who stands behind the camera in every video tutorial I post? It’s my dad. Even if you don’t know him or see his face on here or he is not as vocal on this platform, he is still a HUGE part of YARNutopia. He is a HUGE part of ME! I stand for Black makers and makers of color in this industry, and I stand for my father and many people who are unseen but still have a voice that is not being heard-Don’t you get it?? My dad always says to me, “Anything worth fighting for is not going to be comfortable or easy, Nadia.” This, right here, is not comfortable, but it is NECESSARY! It is only when we feel uncomfortable that big changes can come and my hope and prayer is that change truly does come. He also tells me that sometimes you have to lose to win. Not win in monetary ways or in fame, but win in a way that you can sleep at night and wake up the next day and look at yourself in the mirror. For anyone who truly knows me, knows where I stand when it comes to racial injustice and how I feel about the Black Lives Matter movement. They know this was the right thing for ME to do. You don’t have to agree and despite all the negative things some may say, I do respect and see everyone’s comments and I am not afraid or hiding from any of it nor does it change the way I feel. Thank you.

The Wood Be Fancy Story

The Wood Be Fancy Story

Many of you have seen my videos on YouTube and commented on the type of crochet hook I am using in a majority of my tutorials. My dad started mass producing these crochet hooks after so many inquiries flooded in. Each hook handle, as demonstrated in this video tutorial, is individually crafted and designed. A great deal of time is spent on every single hook handle.

These special crochet hooks are ergonomically created to fit perfectly into the palm of your hand. I use these in each and every video we film.

I spent much of my early crochet years in the hospital. My mom taught me the basics, and I used crochet as a time pass for those long stays trapped in a hospital bed. I loved watching YouTube just like many of you. I watched the Crochet Crowd, Moogly, and Naztazia and learned more advanced techniques through their tutorials.

I started noticing when using a traditional aluminum crochet hook, my finger and wrist joints would start to pain while holding the thin hook. Most of the pain was in part from being so ill. The disease, and side effects of my medications caused bone deterioration and joint problems. It wasn’t unusual to have swollen hands and rusty joints almost every day. My dad saw my struggle, and when I would tell him it hurt to crochet, we started to brainstorm ways to make things easier.

My dad is not a master craftsman. He didn’t even own many power tools. He didn’t carve or do woodworking, yet, he decided to experiment a little and began to design handles for my crochet hooks.  In fact, his early introduction to the world of wood craft had him on a first name basis with the local Emergency Room doctors from all the mishaps he encountered trying to perfect his design. Eventually, he was able to craft this final design, have less trips to the ER, and rarely ends up with stitches anymore!

Not only are these the most comfortable in my hand, but due to those arthritic effects from long term illness, the joints in my hand and wrist feel better with this handle when I work. These handles make it so much easier to crochet for a duration of time and reduce the stress on my joints.

This blog is in part a plug for the hooks my dad makes because, why not? Besides filming and editing my video tutorials, he works so hard to make each and every one of these crochet hooks as demonstrated in his documentary video. Each individual hook is made exactly like shown. The time and care put in to each one is unsurpassed! Just check out the testimonials on his Etsy Shop to hear what others have to say.

More than a shameless plug for this product, this blog is about a dad who cares so much about his daughter that he found a way to make her passion easier on her. He designed this amazing hook handle so that I don’t hurt any more. He took to learning wood crafting and carving, taught himself how to use all these power tools and even sacrificed his own hands to make mine feel better. Those numerous ER trips to get stitches in his hands are testament to how far he would go to make me happy and pain-free.

With Father’s Day approaching, let’s remember the selfless sacrifices our dads have made. The hard work and dedication they show us and their unending acts of love they provide. I am pretty lucky to have one of the best! Thanks, Daddy for everything!

Love, Nadia

If you would like to try one or more of these hooks, you can visit his shop here.

 

Crochet Tutorial: Floral Dream Crown

Crochet Tutorial: Floral Dream Crown

Inspired by the Coachella Festival flower crown filter on Snapchat, I designed this fun and ethereal headband. I filmed The Floral Dream Crown video tutorial and am excited to share it with all of you. Perfect for summertime festivals and events for all ages! Join me on Snapchat for behind the scenes look at YARNutopia!

This demonstration will show you how to create a variety of crochet flowers in different sizes combined to create this impressive headpiece.

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This would look great as a bridal or bridesmaid headpiece, a little flower girl, or any young girl hair accessory. This would be cute for a photo prop on babies also! This crown works well for a hairband to wear to music festivals or any other fun summer event! Make a statement and stand out with this great head piece!

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

**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.

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.

Donate Button with Credit Cards

Materials:

**Click here to get the full kit of supplies!!**

Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Light Orchid
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in White
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Pale Yellow
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Spring Green
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Perfect Pink
Size G/6-4.25mm Crochet Hook
Headband from the Dollar Store (Or you can crochet your own headband)
Yarn Needle
Scissors

NOTES:
-You can make as many flowers as you want and use any colors/yarn type that you want.
-If you cannot find a headband at the dollar store, you can crochet your own by checking out this link.
-You can use any type of yarn for this project. Gauge is not important.

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

Pattern:

Small Flower: Make 4

Before making your slip knot, leave a 6-8” tail;

ch 12

Row 1: sc in 4th ch from hook (first ch 1 sp made). * Ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch. Repeat from * to end.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2sc and 1 sl st, in first ch 1 sp, 3 sc and 1 sl st in each of the next 4 ch 1 sps. Fasten off with long tail for sewing. Roll strip into a flower, stitch flower together at base.

Medium Flower: Make 2

Before making your slip knot, leave a 6-8” tail;

ch 34

Row 1: sc in 4th ch from hook (first ch 1 sp made). * Ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch. Repeat from * to end.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, [2 sc and 1 sl st] in first ch 1 sp, [3sc, 1 sl st] in each of the next 3 ch 1 sps, [3 hdc, 1 sl st] in each of the next 4 ch 1 sps, [4 hdc, 1 sl st] in each of the next 4 ch 1 sps, [4 dc, 1 sl st] in each of the next 4 ch 1 sps. Fasten off with long tail for sewing. Roll strip into a flower, stitch flower together at base.

Large Flower: Make 2

Ch 5, join with sl st to 5th ch from hook to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, working in ring, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 4 dc, 1 hdc, 2 sc, 1 hdc, 4 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, sl st on the 1st sc. (16 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, (Ch 3, skip one st, sc on next st) repeat around, join. (8 ch-3 loops)

Rnd 3: sl st into first ch 3 sp, ch 1, [(Sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in ch-3 loop, sl st in sc] repeat around, join. (8 petals)

Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Center of flower:
Ch 2
Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Fasten off, sew to center of Large flower

Extra Large Flower: Make 2

Before making your slip knot, leave a 6-8” tail;

Row 1: Ch 44 (Or any even number)

Row 2: sc in 4th ch from hook (first ch 1 sp made). * Ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch. Repeat from * to end.

Row 3: Ch 2, turn, skip the first stitch of the previous row, tr first ch sp, ch2, 2tr into same sp. 2DC, ch2, 2DC in each ch sp across. Fasten off and change color.

Row 4: [ch 3, 5dc] all in first ch 2 sp, *sk 2 sts and sc in between 3rd and 4th dc (see video tutorial for visual instructions), 6 dc in next ch 2 sp, repeat from * across. Fasten off. Roll strip into a flower, stitch flower together at base.

Leaf: Make 3
Ch 10
Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next 3, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st in last. fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Assembly Step:
Sew all pieces to your headband (See video tutorial for visual instructions), make it as fancy as you want!! TIP: Be sure to stretch out your headband when sewing on your pieces. That way the headband won’t show through when you put it on your head.

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