Broken Rib Beanie for Madelyn

Jane's Barathea Mitts for Autumn

I love how these look, but there were enough small, annoying errors in the pattern that getting going on them was a little frustrating. Also, the stitch pattern in the cuff was distorted with the decreases, and by the time I realized it I was far enough into the pattern that I didn't want to rip back, but I would have written it a little more elegantly. The pattern is beautiful, though, and I left notes on my project page in case anyone else was befuddled.

Winter Weekend Socks

These are for me! They are so soft and cushy, and I really loved how fast it was to knit them. The project page says that it took me a month, but it was really about six days' worth of knitting time.

Labels: FOs, Homemaking, Knitting

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 10:54 AM 0 comments

This past week has been a week of finishing. Besides the mitts, I finished my socks that I started in the Gift A Long. Even though, technically, I started them a month ago, it was really only about six days of knitting time on them. I put them aside while I worked on the hat for Madelyn, and then the mitts for Autumn. Now, they are finished, and I am working on Basbousa (as you see above), Nafas (which is going fairly slowly, but steadily), and Crossandra (also up there, in the green). I'm hoping to have all three of those finished relatively soon. The final mitten for Basbousa might be finished by Friday and count toward my January totals, or it might not be finished until early next week, but it is close.

In the meantime, I have just cast on for another heavy weight pair of socks, as a gift to a dear friend, and a late, late Christmas present. I'm going to have to consider when the Presentation and Purification are in the Old Calendar, if I want to offer it as a Christmas present.

My four project at a time plan, and the categories for them, do seem to be keeping me more on track, and feeling less restricted. So far, I am already finished with three projects, and pretty close to finished on the fourth. I will be able to work on another UFO when I finish Basbousa, and another design besides Nafas when I finish that. When Crossandra is finished, I plan to start a red vest for me. I need to find a similar system to work on my sewing projects.

One of the goals of my using up stash and finishing WsIP and UFOs is to clear out a couple yarn bins in my room and have more space to work on my sewing machine in there. That way, sewing isn't as much of a set up and tear down chore, and I can practice more and make more progress there, too. One day, between knitting, sewing, and crocheting, I'd love to have a wardrobe that is mostly handmade. I'm not so sure about making jeans for myself, but with the dearth of 100% cotton denim, that may be a task for the future one day, as well.

I'm just flying through the brain candy books. So, I finished Pumpkin Roll, as well as Banana Split. Since I finished those two, I picked up You Are Peter, and I'm a little more than half way through it. Reading about how East and West both understood the Primacy of Peter, and his Sees, and the development of thought around it is interesting. The move to supremacy comes much later, and I look forward to how the book will explain more. We are about to start Pride and Prejudice. That is my original copy from when I was about 10 years old. We have three copies at home, but this is the one I always return to for myself.

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.

Labels: Books, Design, Homemaking, Knitting, Patterns, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 8:32 AM 0 comments

It is the last week of Christmas! I am scrambling to get the last of the Christmas gifts sent out to folks. Most of our packages were already sent, but we were waiting for a few things and time got away from me.

This week has another feast of Saint Ignatius, and we love him enough to celebrate him on every single calendar and feast day. He is unique in having been a personal witness to Christ as well as being a successor to the Apostle John. He is both an Apostolic Father and a contemporary of Christ Himself. His witness is powerful and important.

My Sit and Stitch Christmas party is an end of Christmas party this year. I welcome everyone, with spouses and children, and we have a potluck, bring our stitching, and do a yarn/thread/notions/book swap. It's fun and I am looking forward to that. Even if it signals the end of the Christmas season for us.

I covet your prayers and pray for you, as well. Have a blessed end of Christmas and return to Ordinary Time.

• Sunday - Third Sunday after the Epiphany and Theophany of Our Lord
  Breakfast: Chorizo and Vegetable Hash, Toast, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Slow Cooked Moroccan Beef, Basmati Rice, Sides/Salads/Bread/Desserts brought by Parishioners
• Monday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Brown Sugar and Raisins, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Fish Bites (Tuna Burger for Jerome), French Fries, Baked Potato for Jerome, Fruit Plate
• Tuesday - Feast of Saint Ephraim of Syria
  Breakfast: Yogurt and Jam, Toast, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Lengua Tacos*, Salsa, Cabbage and Carrot Slaw, Mango Cubes with Lime Dressing
• Wednesday - Feast of Saints Vincent and Anastasius
  Breakfast: Apple Coconut Breakfast Bowls with Peanut Butter Drizzle, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Vegetable and Cashew Stir Fry, Jasmine Rice, Green Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing, Sliced Oranges
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Ground Beef Fried Rice, Fruit Plate
• Friday
  Breakfast: Potato Breakfast Burritos with Avocado and Salsa, Sliced Apples, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Besan Chila, Marinated Vegetable Salad, Sah'awiq, Sliced Oranges
• Saturday - Feast of Saints Ignatius of Antioch and Saint Brigid of Ireland
  Breakfast: Bacon Stuffed Savory Griddle Cakes, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Herb Roasted Turkey, Bourbon Gravy (GF for Jerome and guests), Potato Stuffing, Pear and Pomegranate Pies, Eggnog, Side Dishes/Salads/Desserts brought by my Sit and Stitch Friends

Labels: Christmas, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Nativity, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 10:28 AM 0 comments

I just finished the knitting on Autumn's mitts, but I still need to weave in ends and block them. Working on Nafas and about to cast on for the Crossandra sweater for Amelia, and I am working on Basbousa again. The plan is to get back to my slipper socks this weekend, too. I love all of these, so it really is a pleasure to work on them. My four project limit is helping and I think will ultimately give me the structure I need, with a little freedom to play, as well.

I finished Blame the Beignets and am back with Pumpkin Roll. I know these are silly, brain candy, but the doughnut ones are written better. I'm trying to decide if I will still finish the other series. I'm about a third of the way through You Are Peter. I keep thinking I should just read it aloud to Rich, so we both can finish it. He likes to listen to books, whereas I tune them out unless I have another way to interact with them while listening.

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.

Labels: Books, Design, Homemaking, Knitting, Patterns, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 3:15 PM 0 comments

This is your weekly reminder that Christmas isn't over yet! We have another two weeks of it!

Today is Madelyn's actual due date, and since they couldn't have the original baby shower date, as she was born the week before, it was moved to today, in between morning and afternoon services, so everyone could attend. Big brunch with loads of food and fun and folks who love their family. Rich was kind of on his own with the rest of the kids at home (the girls came with me) and made a manly man breakfast while we ate quiches, fancy lady salads, fruit plates, mixed nuts, smoked salmon, meat and cheese platters, fruit platters with sour cream fruit dip*, carrot cake muffins, cinnamon rolls, Prosecco, and sherbet punch. It was a good party with beautiful weather and lots of friends and family to share in the joy.

Because of the busy weekend and morning, our church family has generously put together the dinner for after church tonight, which is such a huge gift. We always appreciate their sharing and cooking for us, as it allows me a little rest on Sundays.

We have loads of saints' days this week. Monday includes Saint Sebastian who was famously "grilled" over a live fire by Diocletian and told his torturers to turn him over, because that side was done. Rich once had us make little kofta "men" in honor of him and we grilled them. This is kind of like his suggestion to make skinless hot dogs for the feast of the Circumcision of Christ. He has an interesting sense of humor.

With a holiday tomorrow, Rich gets to stay home and do projects he wants to work on and we get to sleep in, which is fantastic because our whole weekend was rather busy and exhausting. The kids still have some make up school work to do, but mostly it's a relaxing day. We will listen to some of the more obscure (but better, in my opinion) speeches from Martin Luther King Junior, and read and rest. My prayer for you is that you get to rest this week also.

• Sunday - Second Sunday after the Epiphany and Theophany of Our Lord
  Breakfast: Farmer Breakfast Casserole, Sliced Pears, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Pot Roast with Carrots and Onions, Gravy, Rice, Steamed Broccoli, Beef and Beans, brought by Parish, Plus Leftover Salads, Carrot Cake Muffins, Fruit and Cheese and Crackers from the Shower.
• Monday - Feast of Saints Fabian, Pope, and Sebastian
  Breakfast: Quiche Lorraine and Zucchini, Shallot and Cheese Quiche, Cinnamon Rolls (both ways), Sliced Pears, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Cream of Poblano Soup, Fried Tortilla Strips and Crema, Salad with Smoked Salmon and Lime Vinaigrette, Mandarin Oranges
• Tuesday - Feast of Saint Agnes of Rome
  Breakfast: Cottage Cheese, Olives, Toast, Sliced Apples, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Spaghetti with Italian Meat Sauce, Garlic Bread, Faux de Crèmes
• Wednesday - Feast of Saints Vincent and Anastasius
  Breakfast: Steel Cut Oats with Chopped Apples, Raisins, Brown Sugar and Cinnamon, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Spiced Samosa Patties, Basmati Rice, Green Salad with Pomegranate Pips
• Thursday -
  Breakfast: Yogurt and Jam, Toast, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Street Corn Nachos with Chorizo, Brown Butter Ginger Chews
• Friday - Feast of Saint Timothy
  Breakfast: Ful, Sah'awiq, Toast, Fruit Plate, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Thai Cashew Coconut Rice Salad, Sliced Oranges
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Biscuit Breakfast Sandwiches (GF for Jerome), Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Carnitas, Refried Beans, Quick and Dirty Mexican Rice, Corn Tortillas, Limoncello Zabaglione

Labels: Christmas, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Nativity, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 11:24 AM 0 comments

So I'm already a little derailed. I forgot how much a new grandbaby and us being sick and beginning the school session again would throw me off of my knitting time. This is the first of a pair of fingerless mitts. I was not going to give myself any hard deadlines for anything but designs this year, but then a birthday party was planned and my idea of just giving this gift when it was finished as a birthday gift was lost. It kind of needs to be finished by Saturday. And that is not likely to happen. It might end up being given on Sunday.

This pattern has given me some fits. It's beautiful, but there are just enough errors in it to make it confusing and difficult to navigate in a few places. It was in a magazine, and I cannot find errata, but I know how sometimes errors are missed or introduced in that whole process.

I am still knitting on the scarf design, and also have a mitten to work on for another design, as well as casting on a sweater for Amelia. The two latter are a bit on standby at the moment.

I put aside Pumpkin Roll for a bit while I started up with the latest doughnut mystery, Blame the Beignets. You Are Peter is next for non-fiction, and I've restarted it.

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.

Labels: Books, Design, Homemaking, Knitting, Patterns, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 5:10 PM 0 comments

Christ is illumined! Let us shine forth with Him!

It's the last two days of the Epiphany octave, and we are still in the Christmas season. It's been a different Christmastide this year, with the new grandbaby and illness in the house. We are enjoying it, even if it is more subdued.

This week is pretty full, and after a busy weekend this weekend, too. There is a birthday party this Saturday and we are preparing for a baby shower. Plus normal life, schooling, catching up on some things that were not finished before Christmas, and so on.

I pray that your year is filled with blessings and that you can see God's hand in your life. In your generosity, please pray for ours.

• Sunday - First Sunday after the Epiphany and Theophany of Our Lord
  Breakfast: Leftovers, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Pork with Sauerkraut, Sides/Salads/Desserts brought by Parish
• Monday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Sha Sha Chicken with Scallions, Jasmine Rice, Orange Cranberry Cookies
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Yogurt and Jam, Toast (GF for Jerome), Sliced Oranges, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Bolitas with Bacon and Chorizo, Salsa Rice, Sliced Avocados, Faux de Crèmes
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Apple Coconut Breakfast Bowls with Almond Butter, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Vegan Dan Dan Noodles, Mandarin Oranges
• Thursday -
  Breakfast: Labneh with Za'atar and Olive Oil, Toast, Mandarin Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Chicken Tikka Masala, Basmati Rice, Roasted Zucchini, Mandarin Oranges, Hot Chocolate Cookies
• Friday - Feast of Saint Anthony of Egypt
  Breakfast: Ful, Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome), Shatta, Sliced Oranges, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Vegetarian Ranchero Beans, Salsa Rice, Fruit Plate
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Vegetable and Cheese Scramble, Toast (GF for Jerome), Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Arabic Beef and Vegetable Soup, Tamis, Harissa, Gluten Free Persian Love Cake with Pomegranate Pips

Labels: Christmas, Church Year, Epiphany, Faith and Morality, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Nativity, Tales from the Kitchen, Theophany

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 12:42 PM 0 comments

One of my goals this year is to have a box/bin of gifts from things I have made a little more at the ready, rather than hustling at the last minute to finish gifts for people. I will make things I love and think others will like, and then block and put them in the bin. Likewise, I have taken a little motto for my projects this year: Something Old, Something New, A Design, and From My Queue. This permits me to start something fun and new, but also focuses me on things I want to complete (like designs and UFOs).

I have a huge scarf design (only because it is knit lengthwise) on needles, but this little coral bit of knitting is the swatch for how it is supposed to work. I also have a pair of fingerless mitts for a gift on needles, a third mitten from a sweetheart trio to finish, and a sweater for Amelia to cast on to match her mitts. There's only a deadline for one of those things, and I am feeling a bit better about managing my projects and UFOs this way. We will see if it is sustainable all year.

I finished another happy, little murder: Blackberry Crumble and I've started the next one in the series, Pumpkin Roll. We have postponed most of our school from this past Tuesday to next Monday, because we were all recovering from illness, so we also haven't started our next book we are reading together. However, I have You Are Peter and The Dress Doctor in line for my next non-fiction reads.

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.

Labels: Books, Design, Homemaking, Knitting, Patterns, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 8:26 PM 0 comments

Christ is illumined! Let us shine forth with Him!

Today is 12th Night - the last day of the Christmas feast. Normally, I would make a Twelfth Night cake, but we are still recovering from the past week and a half. It would have been a perfect time to make it, though, as whoever found the baby in the cake would be obligated to make it next year.

Our wonderful church family has been providing quite a lot of the church dinners, either by rounding out what we are bringing or providing the meal entirely. It is such a gift to us.

More of us have fallen ill, however, so things are still a bit out of whack here at home. Please pray for us to completely beat this cold. The good news is that, while it hits pretty hard, it seems to go through fairly quickly, too.

• Sunday - Second Sunday after the Nativity
  Breakfast: Waffles (Gluten free for Jerome) with Raspberry Syrup and Chantilly Cream, Sausage Patties, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Mexican Pork and Black Bean Stew, Rice, Sides/Salads/Fruit/Desserts brought by Parishioners
• Monday - Feast of the Epiphany and Theophany of Our Lord
  Breakfast: Norwegian Griddle Cakes with Buttercream, Bacon, Mandarin Oranges, Milk, Tea, and Coffee
  Dinner: Slow Cooker Faux Gyros, Naan Bread (GF Turkish Flatbreads for Jerome), Sumac and Dill Pickled Red Onions, Feta, Decorated Sugar Cookies, Peppermint Easy Fudge
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Labneh with Za'atar and Olive Oil, Toast, Mandarin Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Stuffed Roasted Walleye, Herbed Rice Pilaf, Roasted Carrots and Onions, Faux de Crèmes
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Steel Cut Oats with Chopped Apples, Cinnamon and Brown Sugar, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Kung Pao Broccoli, Jasmine Rice, Mandarin Oranges
• Thursday -
  Breakfast: Yogurt and Jam, Toast (GF for Jerome), Sliced Oranges, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Red Beans and Rice, Pepper Vinegar, Cranberry Cake with Hot Butter Sauce
• Friday - Feast of Saint Gregory of Nyssa
  Breakfast: Potato Hash Burritos with Salsa, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Mejeddarah with Crisp Onions, Sliced Oranges
• Saturday - Feast of Saint Alexander, Bishop of Fermo
  Breakfast: Bacon Stuffed Savory Griddle Cakes, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Osso Bucco, Polenta, Fruit Salad (with Pomegranate), Lemon Ricotta Cake

Labels: Christmas, Church Year, Epiphany, Faith and Morality, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Nativity, Tales from the Kitchen, Theophany

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 11:42 AM 0 comments

Each year, I like to do a recap, a wrap up, of all I have made and read in the year. I will share the update since my last Craft On post, but I will also put that wrap up and the end of this post.

Since my last post, we have had an amazing change! Our newest granddaughter, Madelyn, was born, three weeks earlier than expected. She and mama are well, but of course, everyone's life is a little turned over since then.

During the past two weeks, I did find the buttons for her vest, and I just today finished a little hat for her (which still looks a bit too big!). You can see above that I started a pair of socks in the GAL, and they were quick to make, but I finished the first about the time that Madelyn came into the outside, and life was a little busier after that. Also, I caught a cold from Amelia, while we were caring for her, that it seems she caught from an aunt, and so I've been down for the count since Monday. It is quick moving, but also grabs you pretty suddenly, so while it slammed me pretty hard, I'm also feeling quite a bit better than I was Monday and Tuesday.

Here are my finished projects from the GAL, though the hat was finished after the event ended.

I just finished Milk: The Surprising Story of Milk Through the Ages, so it didn't make it on the 2024 list, but it is a good start to my new year of reading.

For my year end review I will start with my books:

2024 Books

• February
• The Mysterious Affair at Styles
• March
• Mansfield Park
• Romans (N. T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guides)
• Paul for Everyone: Romans, Part 2, Chapters 9-16 (The New Testament for Everyone)
• April
• Northanger Abbey
• May
• Charming Colorwork Socks: 25 Delightful Knitting Patterns for Colorful, Comfy Footwear
• June
• Knitting for Anarchists
• Murder on the Links
• The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh
• July
• Sense and Sensibility
• Death of a Knit Wit
• August
• Irish Knit Murder
• Knitmare on Beech Street
• September
• Everthing Sad Is Untrue (A True Story)
• Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love, and Food
• Survival of the Fritters
• Goodbye Cruller World
• Jealousy Filled Donuts
• Boston Scream Murder
• October
• Beyond a Reasonable Donut
• Deck the Donuts
• November
• Cinnamon Twisted
• Double Grudge Donuts
• Lemon Tart
• December
• English Trifle
• Devil's Food Cake
• Key Lime Pie
• From Crook to Cook

Now for my finished objects. Technically, I have finished a sewing project, but the buttons are still not on it, so I am not counting it this year.

2024 Finished Projects (knit, crochet, or sewn)

• Adam's Rib, Design Sample and Gift - knit January 12
• Nafhat, Design Sample for me - knit January 21
• Fir Cone Ornament, Shawn's parents - knit January 23
• Midnight Snow Ornament, Shawn's parents - crochet January 28
• Sunshiny Washcloth, Shawn's parents - knit January 31
• Cabled Headband, Amelia - knit February 3
• One Tone Tawashi, Shawn's parents - knit February 6
• Shamse Drawstring Bag/Facecloth for H'ammaam, Prototype Sample - knit March 14
• Altilal wal’Akhdud Bath Mitt for H'ammaam, Prototype Sample - knit April 9
• Dahha, Design Sample for me - knit May 8
• Altilal wal’Akhdud Washcloth for H'ammaam, Prototype Sample - knit May 25
• Jamal (Dromedary), Sample for Me - knit August 6
• Jamal (Bactrian), Sample - knit August 23
• Fir Tree Garland, Dominic and Shawn - knit August 30
• Scrap Yarn Basket, Dominic and Shawn - crochet August 31
• Altilal wal'Akhdud Soap Sweater, Sample for Me - knit September 12
• Shamse Bath Pouf, Sample for Me - knit September 27
• Secret Stripe Hat, Liberty - knit October 5
• Shallal Prototype, Gift - knit October 10
• Shallal, Sample for Me - knit October 18
• Newlywed Kisses, Shawn - knit December 16
• Rock, Skip and Jump, Madelyn - knit December 17
• Cozy Stocking, Amelia - knit December 21
• Spruce Tree Garland Alexander and Autumn - knit December 22
• Bunny Tail Beanie Madelyn - knit December 25
• Baptismal Gown Amelia - knit December 26
• Gauntlet Mittens Amelia - knit December 28

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.

Labels: Books, Design, FOs, Giftalong, Homemaking, Knitting, Patterns, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 7:52 PM 0 comments