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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pink, mainly

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The girls' have a new dressing table and in true girly-girl style, my girly girl wants to dress it in pink.  She'd like the entire room (that she shares with her not-as-girly sister) to contain more pink.  But, oh well.

I started things off for her with a doily.  Yes, a Grandma Twinkle Doily!

Following on from the pink theme, I crocheted a bit of edging for above-mentioned daughter.

And a couple of sweaters for a couple of tiny babies!

Twins?

I don't know how many teddy bear sweater patterns are out there but this was one I made up as I went along.  These teddy bears are about 30cm or 12 inches tall.  If you'd like a pattern, just let me know! 

Some other things I'm into:

Lovely "smelly" candles.  The Caramel Apple smells delicious and is my kids' favourite.  But the Evergreen one is mine!  

 

And more colourful crochet.

 

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