I was looking into the history of knitting in Egypt when I stumbled across a photo of these Coptic socks that were made in the 4th century. The divided toe is so that they can be worn with sandals. It looks almost identical to knitting, but it is really a very different technique called naalbinding. There are also ancient sample of Naalbinding found in Peru where the craft is still practiced today. In fact, variations of this craft have been found all over the world. There are many different types of stitches that you can do using this technique. What makes it different from knitting and crochet, however, is that instead of working loops into other loops you pass the entire length of your working yarn through each stitch. To do this you use short lengths of yarn and a large blunt sewing needle. This makes it a little unforgiving, but it also makes the fabric very sturdy and difficult to unravel. If you want to know more about the basics of Naalbinding you can check it out on Wiki...

I started this scarf while relaxing during the holiday at a resort on the Red Sea and finished it just a few days after my return.  I bought a really nice variegated brown and tan cotton yarn several months ago at a local yarn shop and I think this was the perfect project for it.  I have been wearing this scarf ever since I fastened off and weaved in the ends.  It has recently become chilly in Cairo and the added warmth around my neck is welcome.  This scarf is light enough to be worn during warmer months as well. It is just a simple Chevron lace stitch so the project was mindless and easy to do while lounging on the beach. Cheers, Jenn

I just got back from a trip to the Red Sea with my parents, my husband and my kids.  On my way to the beach I took the car ride as an opportunity to make this pair of barefoot sandals.  An old friend placed an order and I needed to get them finished before my parents headed back to Texas.  I am sending them back to the states tomorrow with my parents. I'm going to miss them (my parents... not the sandals)... I hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday.  I am making lists and preparing for a new year of projects and resolutions.  I hope that this year will be filled with many finished objects and finished projects! Cheers, Jenn

Our Christmas Tree in Egypt Amid all the chaos here in Egypt right now we have just been trying to make things as normal as possible for the kids: Soccer games, school functions, dinners at Gaya Korean restaurant, and.... Christmas.  With the holiday season coming it has been a bit of a difficult task.  Thankfully many of the local garden shops and stores have trees and decorations for sale.  It is hard to get in the Christmas spirit so far away from family back home and in a land where Christmas is just a holiday celebrated by "others". We didn't bring our Christmas decorations to Egypt so this year we've had fun making our own. My daughters have interesting senses of humor and so our tree has a bit of the "Nightmare Before Christmas" feel to it. I like it! We bought our tree down the road at a nearby garden shop and one of the employees followed us back to our apartment, winding thorough nighttime traffic with our tree in a wheelbarrow. My husban...

I made this custom cover for a GPS receiver. My husband loves geocaching and it seemed the perfect match for geocaching in Egypt. I can make custom covers for phones, MP3 players, laptops, etc...

Five little mummies sleeping in a tomb One mummy said "We need a bigger room!" So he jumped right up and marched out the door. He went on his quest and then there were four. Four little mummies sitting in a crypt. One mummy said "I think I'll take a little trip." So he packed his bags and soon he was free. He left them all behind and then there were three. Three little mummies resting in their grave One mummy said "It's time to be a little brave!" So he marched out the door because he knew just what to do. He walked across the desert and the there were two. Two little mummies in a pyramid in the sand. One mummy cried "I want to visit distant lands!" So he called his travel agent and said "It's time I had some fun." He booked his flight to Memphis and then there was one. One little mummy was sent to the museum. He was sad and alone until his brothers came to see him. So by day th...

E or F hook Sport weight or worsted weight yarn embroidery thread or yarn to sew on eyes yarn needle Abbreviations: sc- single crochet inc- increase or single crochet twice into one stitch Row 1:  Start by making 6 sc into a magic ring (6) Row 2:  (sc, inc) around (9) Row 3:  (sc, sc, inc) around (12) Row 4-11:  sc in each stitch (12)  fasten off Ears (make 2) Row 1:  Start by making 6 sc into a magic ring (6) Row 2: inc into each stitch (12) slip stitch into next two and then fasten off attach ears to either side of body Trunk   Find stitch in center of body where you want the trunk to be.  Insert the crochet needle into the stitch diagonally.  Use a bit of yarn about a foot long.  Fold in half.  Pull the center part through as if to make fringe, but instead of pulling the yarn all the way through use the loop as the first stitch in a chain.  Chain stitch 5 more times with this...

I made this mini flye r using plarn (plastic yarn).  You make plarn out of plastic shopping bags.  Here in Egypt there are tons of plastic bags and no way to recycle them so I decided to make them into something my kids could use.  Between now and Earth Day I plan to work on some other projects using plarn and other recycled materials.  You can check out my Ravelry project page here .

I have started making my little creatures here in Egypt.  Here they are on my front gate.  There will be more to come.  I'm starting another line of smaller ones that I am working on right now. Stop by our Facebook page if you are interested in getting a Little Creature of you own. If you happen to crochet then take a look at the sidebar.  You can buy a Little Creature pattern for only 2 dollars US and make as many as you like. Cheers, Jenn