Crochet Tutorial: Tic Tac Toe Game and Tote

June 21, 2018 By Nadia Fuad in amigurumi, Crochet Pattern, Crochet Projects, Video Tutorial Tags: babies, bag, bags, basic, beginner, blocks, board game, car, car ride, carride, cotton, crochet, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, free crochet pattern, free pattern, fun game, game, gamer, games, grandma's house, granny, granny square, handmade, home, house, how to, how to crochet, learn, pack, pattern, project, red heart yarns, sack, summer, summer fun, summertime, super saver, tac, teach, tic, tic tac toe, toe, toes, tote, travel, tutorial, vacation, video, video tutorial, yarn, yarnie, yarnutopia Leave a comment

Summer is here and the kids are home all day long! What better way to bring in the summer than with great activities that don’t require the TV or any electronic devices.

Do you have a roadtrip planned? How about a day at the beach? Camping anyone? No matter where you go, even if it is just outside to your back yard, this totable Tic-Tac-Toe game board will promise loads of entertainment for all ages. Perfect for around the campfire when you are hanging out with the kids, perfect to pull out at the beach for some fun in the sand, perfect for picnics where you can open this up for some competition across the picnic table. There is nothing like an old fashioned game of Tic-Tac-Toe to bring on a some competitive spirit!

This is the perfect solution to long boring “I don’t have anything to do” blues! This game board easily cinches up into a bag or satchel and stores all the game pieces. Open it up and you are ready to play. Make up rules, make competitions, make point goals to claim a winner! First person to get 25 Tic-Tac-Toes takes the prize!! Whatever way you play, it is sure to provide lots of old school fun without relying on modern technology to fill those hours.

This project is a great stash buster for using up that extra yarn. It also would be a nice project to make in cotton for all-weather, all-terrain play. I would also suggest that you can put velcro on the back of the X’s and O’s as well as the squares to provide more stability. Make the O’s in one team color, the X’s in a rival color and make this a sport related rivalry game! The possibilities are endless! There are so many options with this game board!

Get yours started today and watch how much fun this pattern will provide! Follow along with my step by step tutorial and written pattern for year round enjoyment!

Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make this fun game:

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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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 you will need:
Get the supplies individually by clicking the links below
–Red Heart Super Saver in Royal, Rouge, Aran, Green, Carrot, Yellow, Aruba Sea, Gray Heather, Baby Pink
–G-4.25mm Crochet Hook
–Polyfil
–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
BLO: Back Loop Only
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl st: slip stitch
SK: Skip
SC: Single Crochet
SC2TOG: Single Crochet Decrease
DC: Double Crochet

Pattern:

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

Board:
Ch 62
Row 1: DC in 4th Ch from hook and across, turn. (60)
Row 2: Ch 3 (Counts as DC), DC in each st across. turn. (60)
Rows 3-31: Repeat Row 2
Be sure your piece is square, if it is not, do more or less rows to make it square.
Continue to SC around entire piece.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Assembly:
Make a very long chain and weave it around the outer edge of the whole board and tie together. (This is the drawstring)
Surface crochet straight lines to make the Tic-Tac-Toe Lines (See video tutorial for visual instructions)

O’s (Make 5)
Work in continuous rounds and in BLO

Ch 21
Rnd 1: SC in 1st ch to form a ring, SC in each ch around. (21)
Rnd 2: [2SC in next st, SC in next 2 sts] 7 times. (28)
Rnd 3: [2SC in next st, SC in next 3 sts] 7 times. (35)
Rnds 4-6: SC in each st around. (35)
Rnd 7: [SC2TOG, SC in next 3 sts] 7 times. (28)
Rnd 8: [SC2TOG, SC in next 2 sts] 7 times. (21)
Fasten off with long tail for sewing.
Sew “O” Closed and stuff with stuffing (see video tutorial for visual instructions)

X’s (Make 5)
Work in Continuous Rounds and in BLO

First and Second Arm of the X:
Make 2 of these pieces:
Ch 2
Rnd 1: 6 SC in 2nd Ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st around. (12)
Rnds 3-7: SC in each st around. (12)
For first piece, fasten off. For 2nd Piece, DO NOT fasten off

This next part is Attaching the First and Second Piece (See video tutorial for this part)
Rnd 8: SC around current piece, continue to SC in each st of the other piece. (24 sts)
Rnd 9: SC in each st around. (24)
Sew the hole between the arms closed (See video tutorial for visual instructions)
Next part is creating the third arm of the X
Rnd 10: SC in 12 sts, Sk the last 12 sts. (12)
Rnd 11-14: SC in each st around. (12)

Assembly:
Stuff the piece of what you have done so far then continue with round 15

Rnd 15: [SC2TOG] 6 times.
SC 1st and 4th sts together. Fasten off.

Next part is creating the 4th arm of the X
Attach yarn to the free stitch on round 9
Rnd 10-14: SC in each st around.
Stuff the rest of the X then go onto the last round.
Rnd 15: [SC2TOG] 6 times.
SC 1st and 4th sts together.
Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

Assembly:
Tie a string around the center of the X to cinch it in to create an X letter.
Weave in all ends.

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: Simple Basket

February 12, 2018 By Nadia Fuad in Crochet Pattern, Crochet Projects, home decor, Video Tutorial Tags: basic, basket, beginner, bulk, bulky, crochet, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, free pattern, gleam, handmade, home, house, how to, how to crochet, learn, pattern, red heart yarns, stitch, teach, thick, tutorial, video, video tutorial, yarn, yarnie, yarnutopia Leave a comment

I’m *vine-ally* coming to the last few days of puns! I’ve been a *basket-case* trying to think of great ideas that are *ex-straw-dinary* and fun. I know some of you can’t *container* feelings about what you think. Some think they are *unbe-weave-able*, others think they are pretty *rattan*! I have been a bit *bamboo-zled* over the response! With so much on my *plait* right now, a *wicker* woman might give up and quit these puns. Not me! I would be in a *bushel* of trouble! Doing 14 projects in 14 day isn’t easy, but I am someone who *sticks* with it! These projects and puns are a tradition and this tradition has become *woven* in my heart because these are all for Nate to *reed* and crocheters to enjoy! Once these are over, however, I plan to *braid* around and celebrate that I *willow*-nly have the wedding to *carry* out! Yayyy! Stay tuned for the Mini Basket tutorial! It will be up on the blog later today-just in time for Easter!

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

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 Gleam Yarn
–G-4.25mm 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
BLO: Back Loop Only
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 to have visual instructions.

Work in Continuous rounds
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)
Rnd 5: [2 SC in next st, SC in next 3 sts] 6 times. (30)
Rnd 6: [2 SC in next st, SC in next 4 sts] 6 times. (36)
Rnd 7: [2 SC in next st, SC in next 5 sts] 6 times. (42)
Rnd 8: work in BLO, SC in each st around. (42)
Rnds 9-13: Work in both loops, SC in each st around.
Rnd 14: Ch 7, Sk 3 sts, SC in next 17 sts, Ch 7, Sk 3 sts, SC in last 19 sts.
Sl st into ch 7 sp and fasten off.
Weave in all ends.

Enjoy!

The yarn provided for this pattern is courtesy of Red Heart Yarns

My New Craft Room

October 9, 2017 By Nadia Fuad in Blog Posts Tags: arts and crafts, basic, beginner, bought a house, boxes, build, built, color, colorful, colors, craft room, craft room diy, Crafts, crochet, crocheted, crocheting, decor, decoration, decorative, diy, exciting, exercise, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, filmings, free crochet pattern, free pattern, handmade, home, house, how to, how to crochet, idea, ideas, in home, interior, learn, new, new home, organization, organizer, organizing, paint, pattern, primer, red heart yarns, redo, remodel, room, room diy, sanctuary, stitch, storage, studio, teach, tutorial, unpacking, update, video, wall, wall unit, work, work area, yarn, yarn storage, yarnie, yarnutopia 28 Comments

When Nate and I bought our house this past July, one of the bedrooms was in pretty rough shape. It had a behemoth wall cabinet built around a bed that fit into the center. I remember Nate’s dad remarking that it looked like the drawers in a wall at a morgue, and my first thought was this thing had to go!

Behind the bed was exposed wall and mortar. We even discovered a small hole where we could see light from outside! We found little critter poo in the area behind where the previous owner had their bed. I had total heebie-jeebies following that discovery! The first step was to ensure that there were no openings to the outside where critters can enter, so my dad filled the cracks and holes both inside and out. That went a LONG way to giving me peace of mind!

Where to start?

The room was poorly painted in a funky celery green color that was dirtied with age, with patches of the former paint peeking through. Our first inclination was to tear everything out and gut that insanely HUGE cabinet. After careful consideration, we decided to repair everything, repaint the room a soft gray with white accents, and try to work with the massive shelving (that was actually very well constructed). The previous owner had built the cabinet by hand out of solid oak, so the quality and construction was excellent. We all felt it would be a shame to completely destroy it. But what to do??!

The idea of facing this DIY project was a bit daunting, yet, when we started to disassemble and remove the drawers my mom came up with the idea of using this as a yarn storage wall! That had me shifting into 5th gear with an excited, “YES, PLEASE!” So, Nate, myself, my mom, and dad reinvented this wall unit into a yarn storage and turned the bedroom into my new studio/craft-room! It’s a night and day difference, and I couldn’t be happier with the results!

A little hard work never hurt anyone. It can however make me scream.

We started with the carpets. We rented a Rug Doctor and shampooed the carpets several times over. Once the floors dried, my dad removed the remaining drawers and hardware, leaving empty openings in their place. He measured and cut the wood for each “shelf” that needed a bottom. Then, we inserted each shelf into its cubicle and secured them with nails. We had 23 to reconstruct. I left two of the bottom drawers intact for notions, crochet hooks, and other supplies.

We decided then to paint the room. Since this room eventually will be my filming studio, I could only choose from white, cream, or gray paint so the lighting didn’t cast a strange color on my videos. So, I chose the soft gray with white trim. What should have been a simple paint job, was a disaster. One, we had to wash years of grime off the existing walls. Two, it took more than 3 coats of the light gray to cover the green color beneath. Three, I stepped off the ladder and the can of gray paint tipped over spilling and splashing paint EVERYWHERE all over the carpet! I screamed!! What a mess to clean up!! It took two full days to finish painting this small room. I still have a bit of trim to fix, paint, and replace, but overall it looks 100 times better than it did!

The Fun Part

Now the task of filling those compartments of my wall unit was next. My mom and I unpacked boxes upon boxes of yarn and began organizing them into colors. That took hours and hours! I think I went up and down the step ladder a hundred times that day. My legs were burning by the end! But what a difference it made! It transformed from being this massive thing with cold, empty caverns, into a wonderful warm, colorful work of art (haha!). My excitement just grew by leaps and bounds!

My dad and Nate repaired the back wall and constructed the table where I will be filming. They custom built the table for me to work and do my tutorials. They also added lighting fixtures to illuminate my work area. Once that was complete, my mom and I began to add personal touches to the room. The first thing to be hung on the wall was my Silver Play Button I was awarded from YouTube for surpassing 100,000 subscribers. One of the last pieces to be done was changing the ceiling fan into a hanging light fixture. We also accented with a black room darkening curtain so we can eliminate light coming through the window while filming. Soon the room began to truly come to life.

Finishing touches

Over the course of the past few weeks, I added a big comfy chair and additional artwork to the room. Most of the items are second hand or gifts that add to that personal charm to make this space my own. It is one of the coziest and happiest places in our new home. It is the perfect place for me to spend most of my time!

I am still transitioning between homes as I still live with my parents until our wedding. In 5 months, I will be getting married and will be moving ALL my yarn to our home permanently and those shelves will be full! YARNutopia will have a new home with a new beginning! I am excited to make these changes not just in my personal life, but in the life of our online community! Lots of exciting things to come and I am so happy to share this journey with all of you!

We still have to add some finishing touches. I will be keep you updated on more changes to come as well as posting about the day we film our first tutorial in my NEW studio!! Thank you for joining me and sharing this adventure!

Let me know stories of your own home DIY projects! Have you remodeled a room? Share in the comments section!

My dad will continue to be the videographer, editor, and photographer for our videos.
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.

Crochet Tutorial: The Cozy Colossal Blanket

August 19, 2017 By Nadia Fuad in Blankets, Crochet Pattern, Crochet Projects, Video Tutorial Tags: afghan, bed, bedroom, blanket, bulky, chunky, colossal, cozy, crochet, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, for the home, free crochet pattern, free pattern, handmade, home, house, how to, how to crochet, irresistible, jumbo, learn, pattern, red heart yarns, single crochet, stitch, teach, thick, throw, throw blanket, tutorial, video, video tutorial, yarn, yarnie, yarnutopia 5 Comments

Days turned into weeks, that turned into months, and I finally finished. My crochet hand and arms had a mega workout, but it was so worth the effort. This beautiful chunky yarn blanket using Red Heart Irresistible Yarn is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever made for the home. Just in time for cold nights and winter winds, it truly is…irresistible.

This blanket is an investment piece. These chunky yarns are not skeins you are going to find in a bargain bin. They can be pricey. This is one of those projects where coupons and sales come in handy!! This is definitely a piece you want to have for your home or for a gift to someone VERY special. Side note–this blanket does shed, and I personally have not felted mine to reduce the shedding, but you can opt to do whatever you feel.

I made my project in stripes, but you can make it in a solid tone. It’s a striking blanket no matter what you decide to do. This afghan is extremely heavy–I would guess about 10-12 pounds, maybe more! This is a very trendy and popular piece that you find in high end home decor.

Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make this fabulous blanket:

Support YARNutopia today so we can continue to bring you clear, quality crochet tutorials

**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 definitely sell anything you make from my patterns, please just link back to my website YARNutopia.com. Thank you!

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.

NOTES:
-Watch the FULL introduction of the video tutorial for frequently asked questions and watch the full video for tips on how to make these smaller or bigger.
-You will need 760 Yards of yarn for this whole project.
-You can use any type of Bulky or Jumbo yarn to crochet this blanket. I would recommend using 2 or 3 strands of bulky yarn together to crochet the same thickness as my blanket. You can add as many strands of yarn to your likeness to make a super chunky blanket!! Have fun with it!
-Different Afghan Sizes can be found in the middle of this page here.

Materials:
–Red Heart Yarns Irresistible in Grey
–Red Heart Yarns Irresistible in Vintage
–Xtreme Wood 9″ Crochet Hook
If that’s out of stock, try this link for a different 25mm Crochet Hook
–Yarn Needle
–Scissors
–Measuring Tape

Shop Red Heart Yarns Website Today!

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 to have visual instructions.

Pattern:

Work in the BLO
Starting with Grey,
Ch 75 (or any amount for the measurement you want your blanket to be)
Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and across, ch 1, turn. (74 sts)
Row 2: SC across, ch 1, turn.
Rows 3-35: Repeat Row 2.
You can make your blanket as wide as you want, just repeat the pattern to make more rows.
End with Grey yarn (the same color you started with)
Fasten off, weave in any ends.

Assembly step:
I changed color every 5 rows. See video tutorial for visual instructions on changing color and if you run out of yarn during your project.

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.

The yarn provided for this pattern is courtesy of Red Heart Yarns

Like this blanket? Try the Star Stitches and Stripes Blanket here!

Crochet Tutorial: How to Crochet a Mandala in an Embroidery Hoop

July 23, 2017 By Nadia Fuad in Crochet Pattern, Crochet Projects, home decor, Video Tutorial Tags: basic, beginner, crochet, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, daydream, decor, dream, dreamcatcher, embroidery, embroidery hoop, free crochet pattern, free pattern, granny, handmade, home, home improvement, house, how to, how to crochet, learn, mandala, mandala art, mandalas, pattern, red heart yarns, squares, stitch, teach, tutorial, update, video, video tutorial, wall, walls, yarn, yarnie, yarnutopia Leave a comment

Over the past couple of years I have collected embroidery hoops and used them for crochet mandala wall art. In today’s blog, I will demonstrate how to make this mandala hoop art for your very own! Start your day with coffee or chai, and crochet!

Lately, I’ve been fascinated making mandala art. I made a mandala for a table covering, and here is my Spring Sun Mandala Vest. It’s no surprise that I made more mandalas in hoops to decorate my wall.

Not all designs on my wall are mine. I used patterns like Sophie’s Universe and some designs from A Creative Being (Marinke Slump) to complete this arrangement. My wall is not complete and there is room to grow! I see more mandala art in our crochet future!

Turn your Mandala into a dreamcatcher!

Here is a color resource and information about Mandalas for guidance when creating yours.

“RED for strength, high energy and passion
PINK for love, intuition and the feminine
ORANGE for creativity, transformation, self-awareness and intuition
YELLOW for learning, wisdom, laughter and happiness
GREEN for physical healing, psychic ability, love of nature and caring
BLUE for emotional healding, inner peace and meditation
PURPLE for all things spiritual
WHITE for spiritual focus
BLACK for mystery, deep thinking and individuality”

Please check out the new beginning graphic in the video tutorial designed and developed by my brother Nabeel. He and his wife own and operate NFD Graphics. Please hop over to their Facebook page and show them some love! For all your graphic and video/logo design needs be sure to contact them today!
http://www.nfdgraphics.com

Follow along with this video tutorial to make this mandala:

Support YARNutopia today so we can continue to bring you clear, quality crochet tutorials

**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.

***You can definitely sell anything you make from my patterns, please just link back to my website YARNutopia.com. Thank you!

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.

NOTES:
-Use a smaller hook to make these smaller
-Use a bigger hook to make these bigger
-Watch the FULL introduction of the video tutorial for frequently asked questions and watch the full video for tips on how to make these smaller or bigger.
-This is a scrap yarn project
-This is for a 10 Inch Embroidery Hoop

View the full kit of supplies you will need for this project here!!

Materials:
–Red Heart Super Saver in Berry
–Red Heart Super Saver Spring Green
–Red Heart Super Saver in Flamingo
–Red Heart Super Saver in Dark Orchid
–Red Heart Super Saver in Jade
–Red Heart Super Saver in Pool
–Red Heart Super Saver in Gold
–Crochet Hook Size H-5.00mm
–Embroidery Hoop (10”)
–Yarn Needle
–Scissors
–Measuring Tape

Shop Red Heart Yarns Website Today!

You can buy any of the items in this kit. Buy all or buy one item. Check it out to see the supplies you can get online to make this project!

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
DC: Double Crochet
TR: Treble Crochet
DTR: Double Treble Crochet
BPSC: Back Post Single Crochet
BPHDC: Back Post Half Double Crochet
BPDC: Back Post Double Crochet
BPTR: Back Post Treble Crochet
ETR: Extended Treble Crochet

Pattern:

Ch 4, Sl st to first ch to form a ring
Rnd 1: Ch up 3 (Counts as DC), 15 DC in Ring, sl st to first ch up 3. (16 sts)
Rnd 2: In any st, Ch 1, SC in same st, *Ch 3, Sk 1 st, SC in next st, repeat from * around, sl st to first SC. (8 Ch 3 sps)
Rnd 3: Sl st into Ch 3 sp, Ch 1, [SC, HDC, DC, TR, DC, HDC, SC] in each ch 3 sp, sl st to 1st SC. Fasten off.
Rnd 4: Attach Yarn to Back Post of any TR, BPHDC around every stitch around, Sl st to first BPHDC.
Rnd 5: In Any Stitch: BLO, Ch 3 (Counts as DC), DC in each st around working in BLO, sl st to beg ch up 3. Fasten off.
Rnd 6: Start in the Stitch to the left of the stitch that’s worked into the stitch of the TR of round 3, Work a FPDC around the stitch, BPDC around the next st, [FPDC around the next st, BPDC around the next st] 2 more times, *ETR in TR from Rnd 3, [FPDC around next st, BPDC around next st] 3 times, repeat from * around. Sl st to first FPDC. Fasten off
Rnd 7: Starting in an ETR, Ch 1, SC in same st, *Ch 8, SC in next st, Repeat from * around. (8 Ch 8 sps)
Rnd 8: Sl st into Ch 8 Sp, Ch 1, [SC, HDC, DC, HDC, TR, DTR, TR, HDC, DC, HDC, SC] in each ch 8 sp around, sl st to first SC. Fasten off.
Rnd 9: Attach to a BACK POST of any DTR, *BPSC around DTR, BPHDC around next st, BPDC around next 3 sts, BPTR around next 2 sts, BPDC around next 3 sts, BPHDC around next st, repeat from * around, sl st to first BPSC,
You can either fasten off or continue to crochet around the embroidery hoop and the mandala.
See video tutorial for visual instructions

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

Enjoy!!

The yarn provided for this pattern is courtesy of Red Heart Yarns

Like this blanket?? Try making the Spring Sun Mandala Vest

Broken Roads Point the Way

May 17, 2017 By Nadia Fuad in Health Update, Milestones Tags: ahead, basic, beginner, bright, broken road, business, buy, changes, crochet, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, crohn's disease, destiny, engaged, engagement, fashion blogger, free crochet pattern, free pattern, future, getting married, god, handmade, health, heath, home, home buying, house, how to crochet, learn, living, love, lyrics, married, milestone, move, moving, music, new life, nothing can stop me, rascal flatts, reality, road, so bright, teach, transition, tutorial, update, video tutorial, yarnie, yarnutopia 33 Comments

Yesterday, I had a follow up physical and doctor appointment after having a bit of a health scare last week where I ended up in the ER. After going through a number of tests and scans, it was determined that we will postpone any surgery for now, and I will undergo additional testing and possibly a HIDA scan, for newly discovered issues that are affecting my gall bladder and other organs. Other than that, things were looking pretty “Normal for Nadia” as my doctors like to say! I’ll take that!

During this appointment, I was telling my doctor about my recent engagement and how Nate proposed on our trip to Europe. She was so genuinely excited for us. She hugged me three times and was overjoyed because she has seen me through so much. She also asked about how the transition will be as I prepare to transfer some of my medical care to a new city. Although it is far down the line, I will need to find a new physician and leave her behind. That’s a very difficult thing for me to do. It began to hit me how many changes are about to take place not only in my health journey, but life and business as well! Oh Boy!

Support goes a long way

My entire life has been spent with my parents; it is no secret that my Mom is my best friend. Although I did spend a short time away from home attending university, illness/surgeries impeded my ability to continue. After 6 separate attempts at going back to college, I decided to postpone it indefinitely. Illness won that battle. (I am still winning the war) I may consider going back one day, but for now, it was the best decision.

During those struggling years, my parents encouraged me to start a small Etsy shop and website to showcase my crocheted items. It was also during those times that, while in the hospital, so many nurses, nursing assistants, and doctors asked for help learning how to crochet. I began showing them basic techniques and taught while I was in the hospital. Teaching crochet in that setting helped me SO much. It also gave me a great idea!

Planting the seeds to grow a dream

I will always be grateful to my mom for her insight to give me yarn and a hook so long ago. She pushed me to do something constructive during those long months when I was in isolation or just spending a month hospitalized for whatever health problem I was having that kept me there.

When you are isolated and feel alone, having a skill or hobby to pass the time becomes invaluable. It becomes a lifeline that keeps your mind occupied and stops it from wandering straight into depressing thoughts. Thankfully, I was able to take that time to hone my skills in crochet and develop my craft into such a blooming network and community. It helped to open a platform that I could teach others my craft. My dad helped me start a YouTube channel, and I could reach others with my video tutorials. Having that connection to others quite literally SAVED me. There, an idea born out of a desperate situation, became the seed to grow this dream.

Challenges ahead

Looking forward to next year (2018), I am excited to be getting married and starting my life with Nate. Out of respect for my Pakistani culture and my personal beliefs, I will not live with Nate before we get married. What has me feeling a bit anxious is how my life will be structured to continue YARNutopia from a distance. I will not only have a new marriage, new doctors, a new home, and a business to balance, but an entire change from everything I know. Moving even a few hours away from home hits me at times that is both exciting and scary. This weekend, while celebrating Mother’s Day, we sat down to discuss this.

Structure and Discipline

Presently, we try to film 2-3 videos a week. Prior to filming, my mom and I design several items that I create off camera. I perfect and refine the pattern and then proceed to head into the studio for filming. It is in the filming process that we decide what videos to keep, what projects will be popular, or what ends up on the cutting room floor. Sometimes only one video will make it to our channel. This process is lengthy and tedious. It requires many hours invested and a lot of trial and error. Our days are planned, structured, scheduled. We each execute our particular tasks and responsibilities. My mom handles a majority as she also takes care of our home on top of everyone in our family as well as running and managing our business.

Having the structure and discipline of working with parents who have built a photography/videography business from the ground up so many years ago has been priceless. I just hope when I move away into my own home and start my life with Nate, the lessons they taught me will carry over into our life. I have never had the opportunity to work outside the home and this will be a big challenge to maintain this work ethic on my own, which incidentally, I never have had to be alone. Nate’s career has him working 8-12 hours a day. That is another idea that will take some getting used to.

Nothing Can Stop Us

Recently, Nate and I have begun to search for our “build a dream” home. We have been scouring the listings for a house that can accommodate our must have list. We sat down and made a checklist of things we want in a forever home.

My top priority is a place for a craft room/studio (and a dishwasher, but that’s another story!) We have gone through several places that have potential. Let’s see if we are able to find a place where we can create our life and provide me with the ultimate craft room! (That will be a future blog post of its own).

My dad will set us up with an in-home studio, and his plan will be to travel and film at our home. My mom and I plan to design, create, and work remotely via Skype. So many fun and exciting changes to come in the next 300 days as we plan out this move! As much as I look forward to all these changes, leaving my old life behind and starting over feels a bit daunting and overwhelming at times. I’m just eternally grateful for the support of a wonderful man, my parents, and all of YOU, who will continue to accommodate all these changes in order to see YARNutopia through this growth and transition.

Oh song lyrics, you give me the feels!

When I look back and reflect over the past nearly nine years of health challenges and life detours, I never pictured this being the way my life would turn out. I honestly wasn’t sure I would ever meet anyone willing to accept not only the voluminous health issues I came with, but also accept that I would need to manage a job that would fit my abilities and challenges. I could not ask for more in anyone and somehow through God, or destiny, it led me down this path. There is a song lyric that says, “This much I know is true, that God blessed the broken road, that led me straight to you.” No words could ever be truer to describe how I arrived to this place in my life. At times when I faced another health challenge, I always asked “Why!??” maybe this was always the answer.

~Nadia

“What is meant to be will always find a way” ~Trisha Yearwood

Crochet Tutorial: On the Fringe Cushion

December 20, 2016 By Nadia Fuad in Crochet Pattern, Crochet Projects, home decor, Video Tutorial Tags: basic, beginner, christmas, comfy, crochet, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, cushion, decor, decoration, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, free crochet pattern, free pattern, fringe, handmade, holiday, home, home decor, homey, homie, house, how to, how to crochet, knit, learn, on the fringe, pattern, pillow, pillows, slip stitch, stitch, teach, tutorial, video, video tutorial, yarn, yarnie, yarnutopia 1 Comment

Today we have the On the Fringe Cushion pattern! This great piece of home decor has a boho-inspired look and can be made in any color for your home. The slip-stitches give a look of knit, and it is accented with a bobble fringe. Get your hooks ready ladies and gents, this is a pillow cover you don’t want to miss out on making!

You can use any size pillow you want and make this easy pattern that really dresses up your holiday decor this season! Use different colors and have this pillow for all year round!

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

***You can sell anything you make from my patterns, please just link back to my website YARNutopia.com. Thank you!

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:

Click here for the whole kit of supplies!!

–Red Heart with Love in Holly Berry (10 Yards)
–Red Heart With Love in Evergreen (10 Yards)
–Red Heart Yarns with Love Metallic in White (350 Yards)
–12mm crochet hook for Main part of pillow
–I-5.5mm Crochet Hook for the outline reverse single crochets and for the puffs
–Yarn Needle
–Scissors
–14 inch Pillow Form

NOTES:
-Use a smaller hook to make these smaller
-Use a bigger hook to make these bigger
-You can also chain more or less for the size pillow you are making.
-Make your slip stitches extra loose to help with the next row and inserting your hook
-Slip Stitches are very short, so you will need to make your piece more of a rectangle piece instead of a square so it doesn’t stretch and look weird on the pillow form.
-The pillow I used was 14 inches but you can use any size pillow you want, just measure your panels to be the size of the pillow form you use.

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
Cluster: [YO, Insert Hook, YO, Pull through, YO, pull through 2 loops] 3 times, YO, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Pattern:

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

With White and 12mm crochet hook: Make 2 Panels
Ch 31 or any amount that will cover the pillow you are working over.
Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook VERY LOOSELY and Sl st in each ch across. (30 sl sts)
Rows 2-75: ch 1, turn, sl st in each st across. (30 sl sts)
You can end this part early or keep going to make this as big as you need it to be to cover your pillow
Fasten off, weave in ends.

Fringe: Make as many as you want. (I made 3)
Row 1: FSC 48 or any multiple of 6
Row 2: *Ch 6, 3DC cluster in 3rd ch from hook, Ch 3, 3 dc cluster in 3rd ch from hook. Sl st in ch where 1st cluster was made, ch 3, sk 5 sts, sl st in next st, repeat from * across. (8 bobble fringes)

Assembly:
Reverse single crochet attaching the 2 panels of your pillow, stuff pillow form inside before completely closing it.
Attach fringe in a cool design, either a zig zag or scoops or straight across.

Enjoy!!

The yarn provided for this pattern is courtesy of Red Heart Yarns

Crochet Tutorial: Winter Snowman Coasters

December 10, 2016 By Nadia Fuad in Crochet Pattern, Crochet Projects, kitchen, Video Tutorial Tags: apple cider, applique, basic, beginner, board, carrot, character, christmas, christmas crochet, cider, coaster, coasters, coffee, cork, cork board, craft, crafter, crafty, crochet, crochet for home, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, decor, decoration, egg nog, free crochet pattern, free pattern, frosty, handmade, holiday, holidays, home, house, how to, how to crochet, learn, mittens, nose, pattern, scarf, snow, snowman, snowy, stitch, tea, teach, tutorial, video, video tutorial, yarn, yarnie, yarnutopia 4 Comments

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!

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.

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

**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.

***You can sell anything you make from my patterns, please just link back to my website YARNutopia.com. Thank you!

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!!

The yarn provided for this pattern is courtesy of Red Heart Yarns

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Crochet Tutorial: On the Fringe Cushion

Click here for the whole kit of supplies!!

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Crochet Tutorial: Winter Snowman Coasters

Get the full kit of supplies here

Pattern:

Pattern:

Pattern:

Pattern:

**View the full kit of supplies you will need for this project here!!**

Pattern:

**Click here for the whole kit of supplies!!**

Pattern:

**Get the full kit of supplies here**

Pattern:

View the full kit of supplies you will need for this project here!!

Click here for the whole kit of supplies!!

Get the full kit of supplies here