Knitting for Charity

Ok, this is my New Year's Resolution... a bit late but I didn't bother making any this year as couldn't think of anything that I would possibly stick to.. the old 'go on a diet', 'go to the gym more' etc.. just doesn't work for me but I think I've found something that I would very much like to stick to. As I said before, I've recently moved to Saudi and my old hobby has been replaced by sock knitting which I'm sure will continue for some time and being in a privilaged situation where I'm neither likely to suffer from extreme cold or excessive heat (air con is great !) then I've decided to put my new found hobby to good use. Also I can move into the mittens and hats area too so no need to get bored I'm sure. I can also afford to make the small items in quality yarns like alpaca etc., to make sure they are really suitable for their intended purposes.

I've found a couple of charitable organsations that I'd like to contribute to, one which I found on the Ravelry site, the other is Afghans for Afghans.

http://www.afghansforAfghans.org

Eagerly Awaited Deliveries

Simply Knitting Magazine issue no. 52
I have just subscribed to this magazine due to my move to Saudi...I miss just being able to run to the shop and grab it immediately it hits the shop. I've a feeling its going to be a couple of weeks before I recieve it so counting the days to find out how long the post will be for future deliveries !

9th March....ok not going to get issue no 52 under the subscription as it doesn't start till no 53 so have asked MIL to buy and send on so it could be another couple of weeks before I get it... unfortunately ! Will have to be patient I suppose... still I have received a special delivery of more alpaca 4 ply and a pattern from Alpaca Select so I can get on with that one as well as get those unfinished socks ... well ... finished !

Alpaca 4 ply Sock just finished

Another pair of socks made using Alpaca Select 50%/50% from another of Liz Baxter's patterns. I love this yarn, its just so luxurious and beautiful to work with.
The model in the background is something we just had to bring back from one of our visits to the desert.. well not me but hubby and the kids ! Nice !

I did find that I knit quite tight so the ankle was a bit of a struggle so next time I'll probably try a slightly bigger needle to get the gauge right, apart from that I love these socks.

Ravelry Group

http://www.ravelry.com Recently joined this great site where I've found some fab patterns and advice. I'd been trying to find likeminded people out here who love knitting and crochet but hadn't been successful until I joined this site. Sooo excited and can't wait to chat with the girls nearby on where, how, who, which, what to buy regarding, wool and patterns out here in the Kingdom.

Thank you to 'Simply Knitting' (again!) for a great recommendation... I'm very new to the site but so far its all been great.

A day at the beach ..

.. just thought I'd post of picture of me at Murjan Beach, Half Moon Bay today holding my prized copy of the latest issue of Simply Knitting. I'd been having to ask family to send it over or ask hubby to bring it back with him from his recent trips back to the UK. I've now subscribed to ensure that I get a copy a little quicker but I will see how long it takes as it has to travel to Riyadh from the UK first and then onto me in Al Khobar.. could be a couple of weeks I guess but at least I'll get it eventually and not have to rely on others remembering to get it and send it for me.

This beach was totally taken over by the youth of Saudi enjoying their weekend by bike quadding and driving up and down the sand dunes... or even driving whilst hanging out of their windows... all this without the aid of a tipple ! This was also the family area where women are allowed with children but an abaya has to be worn at all times including the hijab for muslim women. Luckily we'd been to the privately owned beach a little bit further on where we had a lot more freedom.

Had a fantastic day and even encountered a fabulous fast food called shawirmah (not sure of spelling)which is a thousand year old recipe... MacDonalds take note !

Ok, back onto knitting !

Latest Addition

Just love this pattern from 'Wise Hilda Knits' ... perfect everytime. These ones were knitted in Wendy Happy 4 ply Bamboo yarn in Gemini, which is beautifully soft and looking forward to finding out how they wear.

I thought I'd try to incorporate a bit of the stunning scenery out here in Saudi but it was a bit difficult so I took this pic at the compound swimming pool during my husband's diving lessons. Wanted to catch the palm trees in the background but it was just too sunny and I couldn't quite see what I was snapping. Will try again tomorrow at the beach in my abaya !

Onto the next pair which are going to be an alpaca mix... I found the 100% alpaca not really hardwearing enough and a hole appeared pretty quickly... The mix should be about right this time.

Latest Socks

Here are my latest socks just finished today for my daughter, however she wouldn't pose in them for me today so I had to force them onto my feet for the photoshoot ! They do look better on my daughter who has an 8" foot.. mine are 10" !


These are so far my favourite pattern and they're the Basic Rib pattern by Wise Hilda Knits and were made using Wool Craft Superwash 4ply Sock Yarn. Not sure how they will wear but will let you know.