One year ago, and the memories are fresh as if it were yesterday!! I think we can agree that Nate and my dad are pretty good on the dance floor.
(And how cool is the surprise dholi we had enter during the father-daughter dance?! Watch the video to see my surprise reaction. On a scale from 1-10 that was a solid 10 epic surprise)
Up until I was 21 years old, I was a true daddy’s girl. Every hardship, illness, and setback my parents were there to help me through everything. As I grew and gained independence, I met a man and was engaged in a semi-arranged match. Initially, after finding approval by both sides of our families we decided to arrange our marriage. Unfortunately, this guy was not as forthright as I had anticipated and after a series of eye-opening events, I ended the engagement. Thankfully these revelations came before marriage, but it didn’t come without a huge price.
During that trying time, my dad and I had a deep falling out, when looking back is a very raw and painful period. The entire situation was a dark and sad chapter. As more and more things came to light about this guy, I wasn’t sure what to believe. I chose to believe him over my dad who had the foresight to know after a few encounters, this person was not who we thought he was, and as the strict Pakistani father that he is, he gave me the ultimatum to end the engagement or I was going to be on my own without his support. I chose the guy, and with that decision, I closed the door on my dad and hurt him probably more than I ever thought possible. But I was a big girl, and I knew better, right? Wrong. I could not have been more wrong.
Choices and Consequences
But the damage from that decision was done and when all the chips fell and the engagement ended (my decision), he went back to teach in Jordan, I stayed in the USA, I was left to pick up the pieces of a terribly embarrassing and heartbreaking time. My parents separated and my mom came back with our family to take care of me in Wisconsin. The stress and anxiety of everything that happened took a toll on me and my illness attacked my body with a vengeance. My dad stayed in Texas dealing with his own obligations coming back and forth to spend time with us several times before deciding to finally stay.
During that year following this episode it was extremely awkward and uncomfortable to face my dad. Gone were those days where I could call him Daddy and be at ease like I always was. He didn’t talk to me the same way, he didn’t act the same way toward me and most of the time I just felt like a complete disappointment even though I know I wasn’t. One act did not define my entire relationship with my dad. But it is difficult to describe what it is like to be a Pakistani daughter to a dad that once looked at you with pride and now all you saw in his eyes was hurt and disappointment. We both had a lot of work to do to repair this relationship, but one thing I have learned from my dad is to not be afraid of doing hard work.
Things Take Time
Even if we struggled in those early days, the love between father and daughter was always strong. Slowly but surely (and with so much encouragement from my mother and brothers and sister-in-law) my dad and I began to repair and recover from this difficult time.
It happened gradually. Mending any relationship doesn’t happen overnight. Pretty soon we started joking again. Anyone who knows my dad, knows he is the master of the lame jokes. He isn’t funny AT ALL, but being not funny makes him so funny. He has this contagious laugh and when he laughs at his own bad jokes, you cannot help but laugh along too. Things became lighter, easier, and soon everything fell into place and we arrived where we needed to be. Now our relationship is stronger and better than ever.
It has been 5 years since that fated time. In 5 years, so many changes have taken place in our lives and my dad and I have been through a lot. Together we built YARNutopia.com. We collaborated to bring our videos to a channel on YouTube. We both share the same work ethic and understanding on what it takes to build a dream into reality. We also have developed a deeper understanding as father and daughter.
Although he is still a very strict, and a traditional Pakistani dad, he has loosened his grip and supports his children’s decisions and choices even if we don’t always see eye to eye. This understanding has led to a better relationship between us. Now that I am facing my future with Nate, I am grateful that this growth and understanding between my dad and me has allowed him to accept and love Nate so much, accept my decisions that are somewhat less than traditional, and support us as much as he has! Growing up between two cultures is a difficult challenge, and unless you have gone through it, most won’t understand. Together my dad and I have been working on finding an easy median. I think we have found that common ground. I am happy to say that all the difficulties of the past are gone and that having gone through it has made us stronger! Yarn really can help stitch together relationships!
Onward and Upward
Today, through all the ups and downs, we have arrived in a better place. With hard work, our loving and supportive family, better respecting one another, and the unending love between a daddy and his baby girl.
On this Father’s Day, there is so much I want to tell my dad. How can I put into words to express what all he means to me? How many times I wish I would have listened, how many times I needed him and he was there no matter what? How much I love him? I don’t think there are words to express that gratitude that exist in any language. Thank you for loving me through all the good and the bad times. Thank you for being as loving and protective as you are. Even if I rebel against it, I realize you only have my best interest at heart. Thank you for encouraging me to build YARNutopia and always being here to make our amazing videos. Thank you for it all. I would not be who I am without you by my side. A simple I love you doesn’t seem to be enough, but I will say it anyway. I love you, Daddy.
So please help join me in wishing my daddy and all the other great dads, step-dads, granddads, moms who fill the role of dads, foster dads, and anyone who is there for a child, Happy Father’s Day!
~Nadia
Need a creative yet quick and easy gift idea for Father’s Day? These Geometric Arrow Coasters are just the project for you!! Whip this set up in an afternoon. Perfectly paired with a great mug or any beverage glasses, these coasters are a nice way to show Dad how much you care. An accent for the home and a great way help protect the tabletop.
These coasters can be made for anyone, anytime! Make these for your own home or as a gift for anyone!! Change colors to match decor. They really are a nice touch to a dinner party or table setting!
Follow along with this video tutorial to make these coasters:
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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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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.
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Buff
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Soft Navy
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Carrot
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Redwood
–G6-4.25mm Crochet Hook
–Yarn Needle
–Scissors
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!
-This project uses less than 40 yards of yarn.
-Use a smaller hook to make these smaller
-Use a bigger hook to make these bigger
-Watch the FULL video tutorial for visual instructions for each row and tips on how to make this smaller and bigger.
-Weave in all the ends as you go so you don’t have to weave them all in at the very end.
-If the instructions above are confusing, please message me on Facebook, and I will answer any questions you may have. Please be specific in your questions. Thank you!!
-The measurements for these coasters are 4 inches
-Use this awesome guide to learn Graph Pattern Designs
-This pattern does not have a graph available. I just have the written instructions
-I recommend to drop the yarn in the back and not trail it under your stitches when changing color, you won’t see it under your stitches then. (See video tutorial for visual instructions)
Special stitches:
Ch(s): chain(s)
YO: Yarn Over
St(s): Stitch(es)
BLO: Back Loops Only
prev.: Previous
Sl st: slip stitch
SC: Single Crochet
SC2TOG: Single crochet decrease
HDC: Half Double Crochet
Pattern:
If you have any confusion or difficulty with reading this pattern, please watch the video tutorial to have visual instructions.
Coaster:
Ch 2
Row 1: With Blue, SC in 2nd Ch from hook, ch 1, turn. (1)
Row 2: With Blue, 3SC in 1st st, ch 1, turn. (3)
Row 3: With Blue, 2SC in 1st st, 1 SC in next st, 2 SC in last st, ch 1, turn. (5)
Row 4: With Blue, SC in 2 sts, Change to Redwood, SC in next st, Change to Blue, SC in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (5)
Row 5: With Blue, SC in 2 sts, Change to Redwood, 3 SC in next st, Change to Blue, SC in last 2 sts, Ch 1, turn. (7)
Row 6: With Blue, SC in 2 sts, Change to Redwood, 2 SC in next st, SC in next st, 2 SC in next st, Change to Blue, SC in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (9)
Row 7: With Blue, SC in 2 sts, Change to Redwood, SC in next 5 sts, Change to Blue, SC in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (9)
Row 8: With Blue, SC in 2 sts, Change to Redwood, SC in 2 sts, Change to Carrot, SC in next st, Change to Redwood, SC in 2 sts, Change to Blue, SC in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (9)
Row 9: With Blue, SC in 2 sts, Change to Redwood, SC in 2 sts, Change to Carrot, 3 SC in next st, Change to Redwood, SC in 2 sts, Change to Blue, SC in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (11)
Row 10: With Blue, SC in 2 sts, Change to Redwood, SC in 2 sts, Change to Carrot, 2 SC in next st, SC in next st, 2 SC in next st, Change to Redwood, SC in 2 sts, Change to Blue, SC in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (13)
Row 11: With Blue, SC in 2 sts, Change to Redwood, SC in 2 sts, Change to Carrot, SC in next 5 sts, Change to Redwood, SC in 2 sts, Change to Blue, SC in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (13)
Row 12: With Blue, SC in 2 sts, Change to Redwood, SC in 2 sts, Change to Carrot, 2 SC in next st, SC in next 3 st, 2 SC in next st, Change to Redwood, SC in 2 sts, Change to Blue, SC in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (15)
Continue to SC Down Side of Triangle Shape with Blue, and up the other side of the Triangle. (See video tutorial for visual instructions)
Fasten off, weave in all ends.
With Buff Working down the side of the triangle
Row 1: SC in 13 sts, Ch 1, turn. (13)
Row 2: SC2TOG, SC in each st until 2 sts remain, SC2TOG, ch 1, turn. (11)
Row 3-4 Repeat Row 2 until you have 7 sts left. Pull up loop and work the other side of the triangle with a new ball of yarn.
Other side of triangle:
Row 1: SC in 13 sts, Ch 1, turn. (13)
Row 2: SC2TOG, SC in each st until 2 sts remain, SC2TOG, ch 1, turn. (11)
Row 3-4 Repeat Row 2 until you have 7 sts left.
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Go back to other side and Continue to SC around entire coaster. Use Surface Crochet to outline each Triangular shape. (See video tutorial on how to do that)
Fasten off, weave in 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
