I was strolling through Michaels trying to find some nice sock yarn. I saw that they have new products. The Crochet Dude has these awesome hooks with nice cushions. I felt bad leaving without getting them, but I will the next time. They also have a Loops & Threads sock loom that looks very similar to the KB sock loom. It’s really cute and they numbered all the pegs. That is one thing I really liked and it makes the beginning steps much easier. I am already starting a new sock. What I am realizing as I started is that #1 I already know how to knit socks with dpns, straights and circulars. I love to loom knit ponchos, slippers and other things. But socks, I don’t know. It seems to me as I venture upon this loom sock knitting path is that I don’t like it very much. I have to learn how to cable and do other things on the loom that I already know using needles. I feel using needles is easier for me, or even a crochet hook. So I am going to sell these socks looms and stick with the needles, even though I just bought one. I am going to put them on Ebay and I will sell the book too. I am going to keep my double knitting looms, bc I like to use them.
I also placed an order with Annie’s Attic for patterns books and tools that were on sale. One thing that I don’t like about Michaels is that they never have there books on sale, not even %10 or %20 percent off. Every time I go, the same books are there. I usually get the small pamphlets for like 3 or 4 dollars. I was able to get pattern books at Annie’s for $1 or $3 dollars. I bought only one book for $14.95 and the was “101 Easy Tunisian Stitches”. When this book first came out in 2004 , I said to myself, nah, I don’t need it. Then after a while I wanted it and then it went out of print. I was so happy when Annie’s decided to reprint it. It really has wonderful stitches to make projects with.
Right now I am trying to organize my stuff. I am thinking of buying some organizers for patterns and notions to make the shelves look neater. Picking out some books that I can part with and putting them on ebay. My ebay ID is Strawberrycake9 just in case. Thinking on how to do this, I am also having a nice cup of coffee on this beautiful Michigan afternoon.
My neighbor in MI told me that a sister bought a new house which has items from the owner who passed away. She said to go to the garage and see if you would like any of the items because she didn’t plan on keeping anything. I went with my husband and while I was looking I found a very large orange and cream granny square blanket. In my mind I know the labor that can take a person to make such a large blanket and against my husbands wishes I brought it home. Put it in my washing machine and added some good smelling fabric softener. The blanket came out beautiful, not only that, everyone wants it because it is sooo warm. I counted the squares and there are 100, each sewn together by hand. Its huge, big enough for a queen size bed. I can really appreciate it. It probably would have landed in the garbage because some people don’t understand the time it takes to make a blanket like this. Here is a pic.
I decided to try a new project that included weaving. In the book “New Stiches on Circle Looms” there is a pattern called “ Woven-top Hat”. The top of the hat is woven on the KK yellow loom. My first mistake was that I didn’t purchase the required yarn, so please stick to the material list. It will definitely affect your project. I made it with 3 strands of worsted weight yarn. Here is my hat. How did I do?
I started reading the Knitting Workshop. So far I really like the book. Its not a book that gives you patterns on each page. Its more like a one on one class. She gives you tips and tricks along the way and at the same time we are knitting. Right now I am knitting the hat. I am up to color knitting. Knitting alternate stitches with two colors. EZ says it’s the simplest ever. I made a nice design where I am carrying over the yarn. This is a technique that I was scared of doing because it always looks so sloppy, but now it looks great, I am making the hat on circular needles. T he problem with me is that I had to use a smaller circular because I brought a short one. I was at my mothers house at the time. So now that I am almost done the hardest part to figure out is the decrease. After this, I won’t do this again. Meaning, I will stick to the pattern and if I don’t have the tools I need, I just won’t start. Elizabeth provides very precise tricks to finish the cap with ease.
Facebook is really boring, just thought I would say that.
Anyway, I sewed up a neat bag for my long loom. To make this short, I used the bottoms of my boys pant because the knees had holes. Made them into squares and sewing them up. Now all I is a soft lining to sew it on the inside. I found a fleece baby blanket in the thrift shop, but I didn’t get it. I will try to go back this week and get it. I will post a pic of it once I am done. I am thinking of decorating it, but I don’t know how. Now all I need is to know is how to shine the pins on my loom
Its been a long time since my last post. The boys had a good school year and both passed into the next grade. My year was full of PTA meetings, trips and Yankee stadium and lots of volunteer work. The Bronx Little School is awesome, full of dedicated teachers and staff. I can say I had a very busy year. I didn’t do a lot of knitting but I was able to meet with the Parkchester Knitting and Crochet Club and talk and share. Members come and go but we always have a nice bunch ready to lend a helping hand. It’s my little 2 hour me time.
Ismaeel at Yankee Stadium.
Ismaeel on a fishing trip with his 2nd grade class and Ms. Noble.
Flashback, boys ages 1 and 3 at my sister’s house.
Parent trip to Ellis Island. Sponsored by The Bronx Little School(awesome)!
Katherine and the cutest baby ever, with Sumi on the Statue Ferry.
Ismaeel with Ms. Noble (2nd grade)
Mrs. O’Conner (4th grade) with Ibraheem on Field Day.
Now its September, school starts on the 8th. I have to go buy school supplies, 1 book bag, and 2 uniform shirts. I need to get everything ready for next week. Then I have to get a schedule for homeschool with my girls at home.
My family and I just finished fasting the month of Ramadan. It was tough, but wonderful. We celebrated Eid with the morning prayer in Bronx Park next to the Bronx Zoo. It was wonderful and peaceful. We packed up a picnic and went up to Rockland County State Park. What a nice and clean park. We cooked up a storm and had lost of refreshments and fruits. We made bbq chicken, jerk chicken, and some apple rub chicken. There was shrimp, steak, hotdogs, and hamburgers. I made my famous rice and beans! So Yummy! By the time the afternoon came I was ready for a nap.
Wilmarie, Sumaiyah and Ameenah
Ismaeel and Ibraheem at the Eid Salat.
My hubby cooking on the grill!
Ha, we got of pic of Juana smiling!
Nadirah and I.
Muneerah, Hanaan, Ibraheem, Ismaeel, Dawood and Yusuf.
Brothers cooking on the grill.
I was able to order lots of goodies. I bought some yarn, a straw bag, patterns books and The Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann. You know, she guarantee’s that you can become a master knitter by the time you finish her book. Tell me. Have you every read a guarantee like that? I haven’t. So I ordered it on sale at Knitting warehouse for 11 bucks! Master Knitter here I come! I am ready EZ! I also got some new tips from Knit pics and lots of cute notions. I love my notions. So I don’t feel badly for buying stuff. I took a bunch of pattern books and magazines that I didn’t want and gave them to my knitting and crocheting club. They were eager to have them too. I just had too much! I had to make room for my new stuff.
I got this huge straw tote bag from Lantern Moon for 10 bucks on Knit Picks. What a deal!
The guarantee!!!!
Okay, I had so much more to add but didn’t want to stuff everything in one post. I like the fact that I was able to have this blog since 2006. I have so many memories. I have wasted putting pics on Facebook . So I am going to try to create slide shows so I can have them on my blog. Blogging is so much better.
Yes, I became crazy. I bought some new knitting and crocheting books, but no yarn. How silly I am. I need to save some money specifically for some yarn. I can’t wait to get the books by mail. Just receiving a package is a big deal. I never received mail in Egypt. I would probably have received a letter after 3 months. Anyway, they had a big sale on Crafter’s Choice Book Club, any book for $10.99. Compared with Amazon and found out that CC had better prices. I also checked the reviews to make sure they were worth the price. After these no more ordering anymore (yeah right). Selling some books that I never used would be a good idea to make some money to buy yarn. I am probably going to sell them in stacks of 3 or 4 on Ebay.
Right now I am trying to finish some squares for the charity project that we are making at the Parkchester Knitting Circle. So far we have one full size blanket and one baby blanket. We have enough for one more. It amazing how everyone made 10 squares and we were able to make something so beautiful.
Large blanket
Baby blanket
I was excited to point out the squares that I made. This week I will be handing in the last few squares left and some wrist warmers that I made with extra yarn. Maybe when this project is finished I can get back to my son’s sweater.
