Oh My-Planta! Gnats Attacked Our Plants!

July 28, 2023 By Nadia Fuad in Blog Posts, Product Review, Uncategorized Tags: advice, bugs, fix it, get rid of, gnats, help, how to, i love my plants, lifestyle, monstera, neem oil, pesticides, pests, plant, plant gnats, plant parents, plants, products, rare plant, rid, swiss cheese monstera, tips, treatment, tricks, what to do, yarnutopia 3 Comments

We are plant people! We love our plants. Over the years, we have been building our plant family one at a time. Presently, we have between 30-40 plants that we have either bought, inherited, or propagated. Recently, we have discovered our propagated tiny Swiss Cheese Monstera had gnats flying and running around in the soil.

macro close-up of gnat taken with my iphone 13 pro max

Our baby Monstera plant

We tried several home remedies such as using hydrogen peroxide mixed with water to water the soil, completely drying out the soil, setting apple cider vinegar and dish soap traps and more; all to rid the soil of these nasty pests to no avail. Soon, we noticed other plants started having issues. It was time to go up a notch in our pest control.

Bring out the heavy-duty pest control.

After several days of researching some of the best ways to rectify this issue, we found that most plant enthusiasts used various sprays or water treatment that did not harm the plants but combatted only the bug issue. We hoped that their tips would help so we went to Amazon and ordered a few things to help tackle our issues.

Sticky gnat traps: These traps are placed into the soil and have a VERY sticky surface to capture the gnats. You can find these HERE.
Neem Oil: Kills eggs, larvae, and adult stages of MANY plant invader insects. You can use it safely on plants and is more organic than some other plant pesticides. Find product HERE.
Bonide Systemic House Plant Insect Control: Granules that can be applied both via watering or sprinkling on your soil to effectively treat your insect issue. Find this product HERE.

We are currently treating our plants with the three above products and have seen some mild results initially. We hope these products work and we look forward to happy and healthy plants for years to come.

Any Advice?

Now that you are learning about our plant issues, tell us what you would do. How would you treat this issue? Do you have any tricks or tips to share with us? Have you dealt with this before? We are always trying to educate ourselves and look forward to your feedback!

Happy Planting!

Shannon and Fuad

We have affiliate links in this post and do receive a small stipend if purchased. #ad

12 Days of Christmas: Holly and Berries Ornament

December 11, 2017 By Nadia Fuad in Crochet Pattern, home decor, Video Tutorial Tags: basic, beginner, berries, christmas, crochet, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, free crochet pattern, free pattern, handmade, holiday, holidays, holly, holly and berries, holly berry, how to, how to crochet, leaf, learn, leaves, mistletoe, pattern, plant, red heart yarns, stitch, teach, tutorial, video, video tutorial, winter, yarn, yarnie, yarnutopia 1 Comment

This Holly and Berries Ornament is our eleventh pattern in the 12 Days of Christmas Ornament collection! This is such a cute little crocheted gift to adorn your tree or use it instead of a bow on a package for anyone on your gift giving list!

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

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)
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 you will need:
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in any colors you want. I used Cherry Red and Paddy Green
–F-3.75mm Crochet Hook
–Stuffing
–Yarn Needle
–Scissors

NOTES:
-Use a larger hook to make this larger.
-This ornament measures approximately 3 inches tall and 4 inches wide

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
HDC: Half Double Crochet
DC: Double Crochet

Pattern:

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

Leaf

Make 2 in Paddy Green
Ch 10
Rnd 1:
Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, SC in next, HDC in next, DC in next 3 chs, HDC in next ch, SC in next, Sl st in last, Ch 2, Sl st into the same ch,
Continue to work on opposite side of foundation chain
SC in next st, HDC in next, DC in next 3 sts, HDC in next, SC in next, Sl st in last, continue working round 2

Rnd 2: Sl st in next 2 sts, Ch 1, SC in same st, [Ch 2, Sl st in 2nd Ch from hook, SC in next 3 sts] 2 times, Ch 2, Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, SC in next st 2 sts, [SC, ch 2, Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, SC] in Ch 2 sp, SC in next 2 sts, [Ch 2, Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, SC in next 3 sts] 2 times, Ch 2, Sl st in 2nd Ch from hook, SC in last st, Sl st in next st, Do not fasten off. Continue on to make the stem

Ch 4, Sl st in 2nd ch and next 2 chs, Continue to surface crochet up the center of the leaf.
Fasten off, weave in all ends.

Berries: Make 3 in Cherry Red
Ch 2
Rnd 1: 6 HDC in 2nd Ch from hook.
Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Assembly:
Sew 3 berries to Holly Leaves
See video tutorial for visual instructions.
Add string/ribbon to make it an ornament
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

12 Days of Christmas: Cactus Ornament

December 7, 2017 By Nadia Fuad in amigurumi, Crochet Pattern, Video Tutorial Tags: beginner, cacti, cactuar, cactus, crochet, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, desert, flower, free crochet pattern, free pattern, handmade, holiday, how to, how to crochet, learn, pattern, plant, red heart yarns, stitch, succulent, teach, tutorial, video, video tutorial, yarn, yarnie, yarnutopia 3 Comments

This Cactus Ornament is our seventh pattern in the 12 Days of Christmas Ornament collection! This is such a cute little crocheted gift to adorn your tree or use it instead of a bow on a package for anyone on your gift giving list!

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.

***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 you will need:
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in any colors you want. I used Paddy Green, Jade, Gold, Light Orchid and White
–F-3.75mm Crochet Hook
–Stuffing
–Yarn Needle
–Scissors

NOTES:
-Use a larger hook to make this larger.
-This ornament measures approximately 4.5 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide

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
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.

Cactus:

Large Piece:
With Paddy Green
Ch 21
Row 1: SC in 2nd ch and across, ch 1, turn. (20)
Rows 2-15: SC in each st across, ch 1, turn. (20)
Fasten off with long tail and sew up seam, then cinch top closed.
Turn right side out.

Arms:
With Paddy Green Make 2
Ch 13
Row 1: SC in 2nd ch and across, ch 1, turn. (12)
Rows 2-8: SC in each st across, ch 1, turn. (12)
Do not fasten off, Fold in half and SC up the seam (See video tutorial for visual instructions)
SC in 1st 4, SC4TOG, SC in last 4 (curve made)
Fasten off and cinch top closed.
Turn right side out.

Bottom circle: With Paddy Green
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, SC in next] 6 times. (18)
Fasten off with tail for sewing.

Assembly:
Stuff the cactus and attach the arms and the bottom circle.
Use the video tutorial to learn how to make the poms and attach the “garland across the cactus” also make “tick” marks to give detail of cactus.
Add string/ribbon to make it an ornament
Weave in all ends.

Enjoy!!

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

Crochet Tutorial: Mushroom Amigurumi

February 5, 2017 By Nadia Fuad in Crochet Pattern, Crochet Projects, Video Tutorial Tags: amigurumi, basic, be mine, beginner, crochet, crochet tutorial, crocheted, crocheting, day, flower, food, free crochet pattern, free pattern, fun guy, fungi, fungus, handmade, holiday, how to, how to crochet, learn, love, lovely, morel, mushroom, nature, pattern, plant, puff, shitake, teach, tutorial, valentine, valentines, video, video tutorial, yarn, yarnie, yarnutopia 4 Comments

You may think that making up puns is no “truffle” at all. But, Holy “Shiitake,” it’s not easy!! I “moss” say that I have really taken a “lichen” to this. At least I have “morel” support from everyone. You give me “mush-room” to be creative, so I can “button” down and get these done! Once I get a good pun figured out, I feel like the “porto-bell-o” of the ball! I appreciate your encouragement because that’s what friends are “spore.”

mushroom
mushroom2

Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make this amigurumi:

**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!

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 to get the full kit of supplies to make these mushrooms!

–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn Flamingo
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn Jade
–Red Heart Super Saver Yarn Aran
–E-3.50mm Crochet Hook
–Yarn Needle
–Scissors
–Stuffing

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
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.

Stem of Mushroom:
With Off-White:
Ch 2
Rnd 1: 6 SC in 2nd ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st around. (12)
Rnds 3-12: SC in each st around. Fasten off.
Stuff Stem

Top of Mushroom:
With colored yarn:
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: SC in each st around. (18)
Rnd 5: [2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next 2 sts] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 6-7: SC in each st around. (24)
Fasten off with long tail for sewing

Assembly step:
Sew top to stuffed stem. 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.

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Tag Archives: plant

Oh My-Planta! Gnats Attacked Our Plants!

12 Days of Christmas: Holly and Berries Ornament

Pattern:

12 Days of Christmas: Cactus Ornament

Pattern:

Crochet Tutorial: Mushroom Amigurumi

Click here to get the full kit of supplies to make these mushrooms!

Pattern:

Pattern:

Pattern:

**Click here to get the full kit of supplies to make these mushrooms!**

Pattern:

Click here to get the full kit of supplies to make these mushrooms!