Here is some progress on my Basbousa sweetheart mittens. Is it terrible to admit how much I love them? This is a fun design for me. The challenge is going to be getting photography since Rich is going to have to be the other half of the modeling and he normally is behind the camera. I had hoped to have the sample and pattern ready to publish by Valentine's Day, but I am thinking it is more likely to be ready for beta knitting then.

However, it should be published in time to be entered in for a physical prize in our second annual Around the World Stitch Along. If you are interested in joining as a participating designer, please join the group on Ravelry and check out this informational post (link to Ravelry) with a link to the sign up form. We are looking for both knit and crochet designers from all around the world, but especially from Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia from the Middle East to the Far East, South America, and Australasia. You must be willing and able to check in on both Ravelry (daily) and Slack (at least weekly - for planning and informational purposes) to participate as a designer.

If you are interested in joining in the fun as a crafter, please also join the group and see what we are up to and if it is something you might enjoy. You can also take a look at our Instagram feed to get a feel for what was happening last year. We are always thrilled to have sponsors for physical prizes, too, but please stick around and join the fun, too. We would love you to join us as knitters and crocheters in the group and chat.

Giveaway!
This next bit of news is not a challenge, however. Because of the weirdness with postal service, the hard copy of Serendipity: Luxury Knits didn't get to me in a timely fashion. In fact, it had to be re-sent (so I am now wondering if another set will show up in a few months out of the blue). I have two copies, though, and I wanted to give away a copy of this fabulous book of designs. It is a point of pride that my work has been included with the 12 other lovely designs in this book, and I would love to share it with one of my followers. Please contact me to enter, including your name, mailing address, and I will pick a winner at random on February 4! Remember to use the e-mail address you want me to use to notify you if you win.

As for our reading, we finished Little Women and have begun Little Men. I'm getting a little more reading done in Desert Queen, and hope to finish it before the SAL starts. I haven't been sleeping nearly enough, though, and trying to read in this state of exhaustion has been a challenge.

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday.

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Labels: Around the World Stitch Along, Books, Contests, Design, Giveaway, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Knitting, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 4:22 PM