before I left Algiers ... I started dyeing yarn ...

... and I seriously don't know what had taken me so long! I fell in love instantly! Since then, I've been experimenting, I dyed yarn in my parents' kitchen and sent out my first order to the States and then opened up an etsy shop! Yes ... the deed is done! Fruitful Fusion Dyes is open! Anyone that follows me on instagram will probably be aware of my dye pot adventures. 

Although the shop has been open, it had to take a back-burner until this month, with moving my whole family over and getting everyone settled into school and what have you. But Alhamdulillah things are falling slowly into place. So let me share some of my colourful creations with you! 

Alger La Blanche 

As I was leaving Algiers, I felt even more compelled to create a little tribute to my home city for the last 4 years and dyed up Alger La Blanche (Algiers The White). 

Lavender Lemonade

I also dyed up Lavender Lemonade and went on to use it in a faded Pavement sweater.

Yarns used: Ultimate Booger by Casual Fashion Queen, Commander by Dusty Dimples, Moonstone by Black Elephant, Lavender Lemonade by Fruitful Fusion Dyes :) and Bohemia by CFQ

Other colourways:

Experimenting with different colours and techniques

A Spring inspired colourway

Blossom

Cherry Garcia

Indian Summer

There are others in the etsy shop but for now, I'm thinking of using these in a Fading Point Shawl!
No, they're not my usual colours for accessories or garments but I'm enjoying exploring new colour combinations.

I have all of these in the shop to make up a Fading Point kit just let me know if you're interested

The Fading Point Shawl by Joji Locatelli

And with all my macbook woes, I called on the talented Farhana of Sketched Soul and she came to the rescue with this ...

Do check out the shop and let me know what you think. It's still a little baby of a shop but I have ideas brewing in my mind for new colourways, some sets and even collaborations! I love the creative community! And can I just say, I've really missed this space <3 nbsp="" p="">

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where did 2017 go?

Seriously. It seems like yesterday, that I was at my dear friend's house, attending one of the monthly get-togethers for foreign women in Algiers. We chatted and laughed, drank copious amounts of coffee and tea ("English" tea in a country where milk and tea don't go together), feasted on snacks and cakes and conversed in English. But that was in December ... 2016! Somehow, a whole year and a bit has passed me by and I am sat here wanting to give my blog some attention. I am back in the UK, albeit in a new city. I am getting to know my surroundings once again. This time in Nottingham. I am missing friends and sensing a teeny tiny bit of reverse culture shock. After all, it has been almost 14 years since I've lived here. So I'm finding my feet again.

For now, I've kicked off this year with a finished object. A Half Moon Oracle shawl! 

It's a pattern by Kristin of Voolenvine, a wonderful yarn dyer and podcaster. I used 3 yarns that were hand dyed by 3 inspiring women. Last summer, my sister in-law met Sheena of Casual Fashion Queen in Florida and picked up yarn for me. Then, later in the year, I managed to get over to the Nottingham Yarn Expo and have a little chat with Amy Florence of Stranded Dyeworks and the Stranded Podcast. That was brilliant!  I also got to meet the dyer behind Dusty Dimples. I love that this shawl is made up of yarn from these 3 dyers! It was my first attempt at Brioche knitting. I love the squish factor!

I've started another project with my CFQ yarn. I think this shows the effect of the colourway much better.

I am having to deal with PROPER winter after quite some time. This has got to be the only way I can do that!

I was lucky enough to have a yarn wish granted over on Instagram, by a former swap partner. Once again, she spoilt me rotten!

And so my other more long-term wip is my Granny Stripe blanket using up all my mini skeins and scrap yarn.

Funny enough, I first crocheted a Granny Stripe blanket about 7 years ago!

And speaking of Instagram, I tend to post there more than anywhere else. Feel free to follow me!

I also have socks on the needles.

The Charade socks

And because I'm really appreciating hand knit socks this winter, I have cast on another pair for the Commercial Yarn-Along hosted by Amy. 

Smooth Operator socks

And if you're still reading this humble blog ... or perhaps you've just stumbled across it somehow, thank you for reading! How have YOU started this year? 

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just before spring springs

... and because this winter did seem to drag on a bit, I managed to knit up a couple of cardigans.

My gift to you

I started with one for baby. I find myself extremely drawn to the offset button-band and anything geometrically straying from the norm.

And then the 3 year old wanted a "princess sweater" too. So I knit this. Yes, another offset!

Leaf Love

As it happened, once they were both blocked, the girls ended up swapping cardis! Due to the weight of the cotton stretching it slightly and the wool being more "clingy", they fit better the other way around ... and sisters can share clothes anyway! 

And here's another one of those button-shots! 

This time last year, I was waiting for my baby to turn up. Oh how time flies! Subhan Allah.

I had knit these up while I was waiting. And now one just about fits!

Autumn Leaves

Jeudi and Hurricane Hat

I just had to share my outtakes or what REALLY happens when a mum tries to take photos of her knits!

This goes out to all the mums that try to get their yarny thing going ... and then try to take pics of them! 
Happy knitting, crocheting, general yarniness with kids! 
And those without little monsters around, ENJOY! :)
Alhamdulillah <3 font="">

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winter

I've spent so many years away from you
Just catching rare glimpses here and there,
And now you are in my life once more
But I am still caught unaware

I mean not to be ungrateful
For your refreshing gusts of wind,
Your showers of rain and biting cold
And the change in temperature you bring

The sniffles and coughs and other ills
Do often get me down,
As does the limited warm sunshine
Whenever you're in town

But then, I get to indulge a bit more
In soups and various hot drinks,
Creamy custards and piping-hot puddings
And lemons, oranges and mandarins

Cozy crocheted blankets and various hand-knits,
I love, as they really are the best -
Thing about you being here and
Make you a welcomed guest!

Chrea National Park - the snow up there, brought us a whole load of cold down here!

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now

After seeing the taking stock post on Meet Me At Mikes, I thought a quick capture of where I am right now would be fun (and a nice way of getting back in to blogging). I've used some of Pip's prompts but not all, so if you'd like to take part, check out her post for the full list.

Making: things to keep little ones warm

Cooking: stuffed peppers with tomato sauce

Drinking: herbal tea - This is really good!

Reading: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown - an eye-opener to say the least

Trawling: paleo sites - no matter how far I stray, I love going back!

Wanting: to get everything done

Looking: forward

Deciding: on which way to go

Wishing: peace to all

Enjoying: Sherlock 

Waiting: for things to pan out

Liking: bullet journaling 

Wondering: when the water company will turn the water back on :(

Loving: The Year Compass 

Watching: my baby take dramatics to another level!

Marvelling: at my friend's stairs

Needing: more hours in the day?

Smelling: a scented candle from a beautiful friend

Wearing: hand-knit socks 

Noticing: composition - for a little photography club I've joined

Knowing: that I don't know what's best for my family ... only Allah (God) does 

Admiring: the efforts of so many regarding the Syrian crisis

Celebrating: community and friendship

Embracing: winter - well, trying to!

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socks

Warning: This post is all about socks. Yes, nothing but socks and knitting here. Feel free to move along if socks are not your thing. Can I say socks one more time in this disclaimer? 

I'm not too keen on winter! After living in Jeddah for so long, I did miss the seasons BUT I do prefer warm weather and sunshine to rainy, bone-chilling, windy greyness! So I tend to seek out things that will get me through cold weather and well, socks, not your ordinary bog-standard, shop-bought socks, but hand-knit socks, definitely make the list.

I'd tried knitting socks for quite a few years  ... and no, I never ended up with an actual pair. I'd get bored. And I had a funny relationship with knitting for the longest time,  but then who wants bumpy crocheted socks?! Fast forward to 2016 and I'd knit a couple of baby socks. By then, I had continental knitting and magic loop under my belt, so to speak, and then I came across the Knitting Expat Podcast. Mina was taking part in a sock-athon, where she was competing with another knitter to see who could knit the most socks in the month of January. I started getting that sock vibe! Then Kirsten of the Yarngasm Podcast started a Box-O-Sox KAL running throughout the year, in which you had to knit 12 pairs of socks and store them in a box of your choice. Fuelled with inspiration, I thought I'd give it a go. But then, yes, I had a baby, and things came to a bit of a halt on the sock front. 

I wore these socks for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I didn't think anyone noticed until my 15 year old daughter noticed and voiced that my socks don’t match. She knew that I’d want to hear that. She knows me well. They’re nothing fancy. No special ribbing. No lacy patterns. They don’t even “match” in the conventional sock sense. But I love them. I love that they are my first finished pair of socks. I love that they keep my feet so warm and toasty during the wintry days that we’re having right now. I love that I can make a little statement by wearing mismatched socks. Not the kind that’s in your face. Just the kind that peeps out from under a pair of jeans. And most of all I love that I made something that I can wear and feel this joy! Have you made something that just warms you right up and makes you feel fuzzy and warm?


My Sock Story So Far: 

1. Mina's Two At A Time Socks (free pattern) - A cuff down, two-at-a-time (duh) vanilla sock with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel. This was the game-changer for me ... no more knitting socks one at a time! My first complete PAIR of adult socks! 

2. Tennarisukka (free pattern) - A cuff down, ankle sock with heel gusset. I love the stitch pattern on the front and the heel.

3. Nurturing Fibres Vanilla Socks (free pattern) - A toe up sock with an afterthought heel.

My first contrasting heel! I'm a rebel, aren't I?

I loved trying the different heels. I'm not sure which my favourite is yet. But I did realise that with very little wear my socks are getting really, really baggy. So I need to reduce that 60 stitch count for sure! 

To be continued ...

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a year

It's been that long ... Plus a bit more! In a new country, a new culture, a very different set-up, with a new little person in our family, for just over a year.  We left what we were familiar with. We left our friends and family and moved to a different set of friends and family. It has been an experience. There were some bumps along the way. Although it wasn't an unwelcome change for me, we've all had to adapt. And things like that take time. But for now, I'm happy to feel more settled. I've found some lovely new things. I've found some lovely familiar things too. The most surprising thing of all, is that I seem to be finding myself more and more. I guess that's how adventures go! 

We've had new experiences but we've also had picnic iftars by the sea just like we would have in Jeddah!

My parents visited Algiers. It was wonderful to have them here but I was so new here back then, I'd just had a baby AND my husband had to go back to Jeddah ... yes two days after I gave birth!

My aunt also came over in the summer. 

I'm pleased to be knitting and crocheting again. I want to knit and crochet ALL the things! Especially for my one-year old.

In fact, we were inspired by others, such as Ines, to start up our own little craft sessions! Need I mention that much tea and coffee is drunk and much cake is eaten at these weekly, knitty, hooky sessions? Lots of chatter is thrown in too! And one of the best things about having craft-y friends is that they make wonderful things for you (and your baby)!

It's extremely cold here these days. 

Summery days went on for quite a while but then December brought plenty of rain and the kind of weather that has you bundling up before heading out. Better still, you might want to just stay under the covers with hot drinks! Perfect weather for knitting up things to keep everyone warm. 

I've been wearing this cowl to death this winter. I received it in a swap and just LOVE it! 

And oh was I excited when I received it all the way from America and I got post from my family in Malaysia (goodies for baby)!

If you'd like to read more about life in Algiers, you might like to read this and this, where my friends blog all about their lives in this crazy, quirky, place!

I do hope you've all been well this past year and faring well during the winter (if it is indeed winter where you are)!

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