Loom Knitting: Weekend Shawl Pattern

When I got my first set of knitting looms in 2004, I had no clue how to use them and at that time I couldn't find much information.  There was one little sheet of paper in the set of Knifty Knitters that explained how to do the ewrap stitch and how to cast on and bind off, but it was really basic and left me with more questions than answers.  I did know the basics of needle knitting, I just was really horrible at it and wanted to be able to knit, which is why I bought the looms.  

This pattern was made up as a last minute gift that I needed.  I had made only one other thing, a shoulder wrap type thing, on my looms; which my sister ended up with and still has!  So I made this pattern up so that I could finish it quickly and still have a nice gift.

This pattern can be used on any loom with at least 40 pegs (or multiple of 5 pegs, so if you have a smaller gauge loom you could use say 60, 80, or even 100 pegs to get your desired width) and with any weight yarn.  For the basic pattern I used a 41 peg Knifty Knitter loom, but you can use a 40 peg Boye loom, or any of the other 3/4" gauge looms with 40 pegs.  Using a 3/4" gauge loom the thicker the yarn the less lacy the shawl and the thinner the yarn the more lacy the shawl.

Really, you can take this basic pattern and experiment and make many things that are very unique, just by changing the yarn you use and the gauge of the loom you use.

This pattern works up really fast!!  That is the reason the name Weekend Shawl was chosen as the name.  Until just a few days ago, I had never even thought of giving it a name, since I hadn't really shared it with many people and didn't plan to write it up as a real pattern.  In the looming group Loomaholics Anonymous on Facebook, someone that I'd shared it with awhile back asked about it again and several more people decided to give it a try as well.  One of those ladies is actually the one that named the shawl, thank you Donna for finally giving it a name!

Pattern:

Notes:  Mark your pegs before you begin, so you know what you are knitting and what you are skipping.  Work in a flat panel back and forth, do not join or knit in the round.  Use the ewrap knit stitch to make this faster, however it will work just fine with any knit stitch you prefer.

Cast on using any cast that you prefer, I use the simple ewrap cast on

Row 1:  Knit 4, skip 2, * knit 3, skip 2; Repeat from * around to last 5 pegs (4 if you are using a 40 peg loom), Knit 4 (if using a 41 peg loom do not use the last peg for anything.)

Repeat Row 1 until the desired length.  This length will be from wrist to wrist across your back with your arms stretched out.

Bind off:  I bind off in a weird way using a crochet hook and adding in some crochet chains to keep it from being tight on the bind off end.  If you don't feel comfortable doing this, another member of the Loomaholics Anonymous group suggested using Jeannie Phillips Loose Cast Off Stitch.  I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like it would work great.  Thank you Dani for suggesting it!  Here is the video for that:

I hope this helps you to make a shawl that you will fall in love with!  If you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to leave me a comment below or join Loomaholics Anonymous Group on Facebook to get in touch with me.

Loom Knitting: Make a simple afghan or blanket

I'm going to explain how to make your own pattern for an afghan or blanket using a knitting loom.  These directions will work no matter what size you are making or what yarn and loom you are using.
Start by picking your yarn and loom.  Do a swatch, to determine the gauge you are getting using the yarn you picked with the loom you are working with.  I explain how to do a swatch here:  Ask Mary:  Do I have to do a gauge swatch?

After you know how many stitches and rows you need to make the size you want, pick a cast on method.  I suggest using one of the cast on method demonstrated and discussed in this video:

I suggest using one of these because further down I will tell you how to keep your edges neat and give another video of bind off methods to pick from which will have all four edges of your piece looking very neat and matching.

Cast on the required number of pegs you need.  If you need all the pegs on your loom mark the first and last pegs so that you remember to turn on them and not keep going as if you were knitting in the round.

All knitting curls unless you mix some purls in with the knit stitches to stop it.  So making a garter stitch border around the whole piece as you go will stop the curling.  Use the numbers from your gauge swatch to determine how to many rows at the beginning and ending need to be done in garter stitch and how many pegs on each side of every row need to be done in garter stitch.  This is where many new loom knitters start to get frustrated.  Don't let yourself get bogged down with this, take a deep breath and wade right in... once you get the hang of it, you will think it is simple.  If you are having trouble with this part leave a comment below or reach me on Facebook at:  Loomaholics Anonymous Group

A side note here... when working a garter stitch it doesn't matter which type of knit stitch you use with the purls.  You can use a regular (or some call it a true knit) stitch, a U stitch, a L stitch or an ewrap stitch.  They all work.  So use whichever one you prefer.

A way to keep your edges nice and neat is to use a slip stitch on both ends of every row from start to finish.  If you are not familiar with how to do a slip stitch watch this video:

After your garter rows use what ever stitch you want for your afghan or blanket.  The ewrap is a popular stitch because it is so fast and blankets tend to take so much time just because of their size.  Don't forget to do the garter stitches on both sides (ends of the row) of the whole blanket though to keep those edges from curling.  Mark those pegs so you remember.

When you are finished with the main part of your blanket, do the same number of garter rows before you bind off.  Pick one of the 2 bind off methods demonstrated and discussed in this video to match your cast on edge:

I hope this helps you to make your first afghan or blanket on a knitting loom and takes the stress out of figuring it all out!  If you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to leave me a comment below or join Loomaholics Anonymous Group on Facebook to get in touch with me.

Loom Knit Stitch: Andaluz - Andalusian

I found this stitch on Pinterest and after doing some research I can not really find anything written in English with any information.  I typed ‘Andaluz’ into Google translate to come up with the name ‘Andalusian’.  This may be wrong.

This is a double knitting stitch for a knitting loom.  Both sides look different.

Multiples of 3 + 2

Front Board Side

Back Board Side

This is the original wrapping diagram picture that I worked from, found on Pinterest.  I wrapped starting on the left side, following the red line.  I do not flip or turn my board, so when I got to the end I followed the blue line from right to left to wrap the remaining pegs.

I worked my swatch using:  Loops & threads Snuggly Wuggly in Fresh Green on the Tadpole Knitting Board 6 inch made by Authentic Knitting Board.

Loom Knit Stitch: Barra Inglesa Simulada - Simulated English Bar

I found this stitch on Pinterest and after doing some research I can not really find anything written in English with any information.  I typed Barra Inglesa Simulada into Google translate, which gave me Simulated English Bar.  

This is a double knitting stitch for a knitting loom.  Both sides look the same.

Multiples of 4

This is the original wrapping diagram picture that I worked from, found on Pinterest.  I wrapped starting on the left side, following the red line.  I do not flip or turn my board, so when I got to the end I followed the blue line from right to left to wrap the remaining pegs.

I worked my swatch using:  Caron Simply Soft White on the Tadpole Knitting Board 6 inch made by Authentic Knitting Board.

Loom Knit Stitch: Croque

I found this stitch on Pinterest and after doing some research I can not really find anything written in English with any information.  I typed ‘Croque’ into Google translate, which gave me ‘crunches’.  I did find a few references to Ponto Croque, which Google translate to:  Point Croque in Portuguese.  If you happen to know the English name of this stitch please leave me a comment.

This is a double knitting stitch for a knitting loom.  Both sides look the same.

Multiples of 4 +1 pegs per board

This is the original wrapping diagram picture that I worked from, found on Pinterest.  I wrapped starting on the left side, wrapping to the right.  All pegs are wrapped in one pass.  Your working yarn is then on the right side of the board (if you don't turn the board).  To make learning this stitch easier, I did turn my board, then wrapped from left to right again, following the diagram.

I worked my swatch using:  Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly in Fresh Green on the Tadpole Knitting Board 6 inch made by Authentic Knitting Board.

Spring Cleaning: Kitchen Organization

I took a whole day to work on the deep cleaning of the kitchen, pulling the stove and refrigerator out to clean under and behind them, but while I was at it I decided there were a few areas that needed just a little more organizing.

Here are the before and afters of the few areas I re-did.  Hopefully this will give you some ideas for your kitchen too.

Time:  Less than 5 minutes  I used a Double Duty Caddy by Thirty-One because of the 2 different sides and 4 outer pockets.

Time:  Less than 5 minutes  I used 4 of the Oh-Snap Bins from Thirty-One because they snap together and will stay put.

My extra plastic shopping bags were all piled in the floor and all over the pantry, so there is no before picture.

Time:  About 5 minutes  I used reusable shopping bags to stuff all the plastic ones into and then hung them from the shelf with a Hang-It Up Key Fob from Thirty-One

I hope this has given you some ideas.  If you have any kitchen organization tips you would like to share, please leave a comment.

Ask Mary: Do I Have To Do a Gauge Swatch?

Q:  Do I have to make a gauge swatch for all of my projects?  If I do need to make a gauge swatch, how do I do it?

A:  First off, no… you don’t have to make a swatch.  For some items where it doesn’t matter what size something is you can get by without making a swatch.  Scarves, shawls, wraps and afghans are the main things that I rarely do gauge swatches for, since as long as these items are close then they will be good enough.

However, even when making an item where the exact size isn’t important, you may still want to make a gauge swatch to make sure you are in the ballpark at least.  It would be horrible to spend hours on what is supposed to be a king size afghan and it comes out twice the size and too heavy to use or it comes out queen sized and adding a border to make it bigger will ruin the design.

Do a gauge swatch is the same regardless of whether you crochet, knit with needles or loom knit.

Designing a Pattern Yourself
When you want to design an item to be an exact size you need to figure out your gauge to ensure your finished item is the size you want.  I usually try to make my swatch about 4 to 5 inches wide and 4 to 5 inches long so that I have enough to measure to get an accurate count.

A good starting place is looking at the yarn label to see what it says should be the length and width of a swatch done with the size hook or needles suggested.  When you are making your own pattern, it doesn’t matter if your gauge matches what the yarn label states, you can just use those numbers as a starting place.
I almost always cast on or chain at least 20 stitches and then work back and forth in rows until I have a little over 4 inches in length.  When you are finished with the little square you are ready to measure and do a small amount of math to determine how many stitches and rows you need to make for your item.

Measure how many stitches and rows you get in 4 inches, then divide each number by 4 to see how many stiches or rows you get per inch.  You may be thinking:  “Well why don’t I just measure an inch and see how many stitches?”  You can do it that way, but you will get a more accurate gauge by using at least 4 inches or more.

When figuring how many stitches or rows per inch make sure to include half stitches and half rows.  If you come up with 18 stitches in 4 inches, that means you have 4 1/2 stitches per inch, those 1/2 stitches will add up over a few inches and will throw off the overall size.  This is another reason to make a swatch of at least 4 inches, if you only make a swatch of about an inch you may end up not noticing the partial or fraction of a stitch and will end up with something much larger than you intended.

Ok, so now you know exactly how many stitches and rows you get per inch, you can multiply that by the total number of inches needed.  So, if you need something 35 inches wide by 50 inches long and you figure out that you have 3.25 stitches and 3.5 rows per inch, multiply how many stitches and rows by the total number of inches needed.

     35 X 3.25 = 122.5  (cast on or chain 123 stitches)
     50 X 3.5 = 175 (work this many rows)

NOTE:  Make sure you don’t get your numbers mixed up!  Make sure you are multiplying by how many stitches you get in ONE inch rather than the starting number that you have in four inches.  Also, determine which way you want to work (side to side, bottom up, or top down) and don’t get the length and width mixed up. 

Using a Pattern with Gauge Info Included
If you are using a pattern that has the gauge included, then just do a small square in the stitch indicated in the gauge area of the pattern.  If the gauge says something like:  20 sts X 28 rows = 4 inches   I will usually do exactly what it says and then measure.

If you have more stitches per inch than the pattern states try a larger hook or needle.  If you have less stitches per inch than the pattern states try a smaller hook or needle.  If you just can’t get the gauge right, you can follow the general pattern and using the method above (for designing your own pattern) to determine your own overall number of stitches and rows needed.

Now that you know how to do gauge swatches, what do you do with all those little squares?  I used to keep my gauge swatches and attach a note to them with the yarn, hook size (and brand), and stitch information.   I ended up with way too many swatches to sort through all the time, so I took all of those and made them into an afghan to donate.  Now, I make my swatch, take a picture of it and keep it electronically with all the information for reference.  Once I have taken the picture and recorded everything I need to know about it, I rip the swatch out and re-use that yarn for the actual project.  This is just what I do with mine, what do you do with your gauge swatches?

 If you have a question you would like for me to answer in my weekly Ask Mary series, please send your question to:  insidemarysworld@gmail.com.  Put ASK MARY in the subject line to make sure that I don't over look your question.

Loom Knit Stitch: Cat Tail - Rabo de Gato

I found this stitch on Pinterest and after doing some research I can not really find anything written in English with any information.  I typed ‘rabo de gato’ into Google translate to come up with the name ‘cat tail’.  This may be wrong.

This is a double knitting stitch for a knitting loom.  Both sides look the same.

Multiples of 2 pegs per board, greater than 6.






This is the original wrapping diagram picture that I worked from, found on Pinterest.  I wrapped starting on the left side, following the red line.  I do not flip or turn my board, so when I got to the end I followed the blue line from right to left to wrap the remaining pegs.


I worked my swatch using:  Caron Simply Soft White on the Tadpole Knitting Board 6 inch made by Authentic Knitting Board.

Spring Cleaning: Getting Started

Over the next few weeks I will be posting about spring cleaning tasks.  We all hate it, yet we all know that it must be done.  I like to think that I'm a clean person all year long... but pull out my stove or refrigerator and I'm absolutely horrified at the mess that accumulates under and behind them!

This year to make my spring cleaning a little more fun for me I'm documenting some of it and writing up tips and tricks I've learned over the years.  I hope this will help out some of you that dislike this daunting task as much as I do.

First thing I always do is gather my supplies.  I usually don't have all my cleaning stuff in one location throughout the year.  I keep certain things in certain cabinets or rooms.  When I start my spring cleaning though, I gather everything together in an easy to carry container, so that I can move from room to room without running all over the house to grab this or that.


Speaking of running from room to room, some tasks are better split up for me, while some I do all of throughout the house at one time.  Each week when I dust the ceiling fans, I do all of them first before I get started with the weekly cleaning, rather than doing the fan in each room while cleaning each room.  I take the same approach to certain tasks during spring cleaning.

Baseboards, on the other hand, I do while doing the room they are in.  One year I thought it would be a great idea to do all the baseboards in the whole house in one day.  Ummmm, yeah, I couldn't stand up after a couple hours of that and didn't even manage to get them all done that day.  So, for me baseboards get done for each room on a different day!

I like to make a realistic list of what tasks I want to accomplish and make myself a schedule.  Then I try really hard to stick to that spring cleaning schedule and not get distracted or side tracked with daily or weekly tasks.  As much as I dislike making to-do lists (mainly because I forget where I put it when I need it) I do make a list on my phone of everything I want to get done and mark it off as I do it.  I usually allow about a month to get everything done, but that is mainly because I only work on my tasks in small chunks of time, rather than killing myself trying to get it all done in one weekend.

The last little thing I do before I get started is to find a few audio books and make a few playlists.  I have found that when I'm doing tasks that are mundane and boring (like scrubbing baseboards) listening to an audio book is a lot better for me than music.  However, on the flip side of that, I must have up beat dance type music on when I am shampooing the carpets.

So, gather your supplies, make a schedule, put together your listening pleasures and let's get our houses organized and cleaned together!

Ask Mary: How to Translate Needle Knitting Pattern to Loom Knitting

Q:  Can I use needle knitting patterns for loom knitting?  If so how?

A:  The short answer is yes, needle patterns can be used for loom knitting.  It isn't overly difficult to translate the pattern, but to cut down on the frustration of it not looking right, there are a few things to take into consideration.

If the needle knitting pattern is written for knitting in the round, no changes are needed.  All you have to do at that point is figure out your gauge and which loom to use or how many pegs to cast on.  You can't always follow the stitch and row count of a needle knitting pattern exactly, unless your gauge is exactly the same.

TIP:  Find needle knit patterns for circular needles and work them as flat panels on a loom to create something that is not round or a tube.  Such as, you really like a hat or cowl pattern that is worked on circular needles... no one said you can only make a hat or cowl with it.  Work the pattern back and forth without connecting the ends to make a scarf or shawl.  The only thing to figure out then will be your gauge and how many times to repeat the pattern to achieve the desired size.

Speaking of gauge, when you first start doing your own pattern translations it is easy to forget that one minor thing that will actually make or break your project expectations.  GAUGE!!!  Check it!!  Yes it is a needle pattern, but it should tell you what yarn and needles to use.  Use that information to cross check it using the chart I posted on Knitting Loom Gauge and Size.  This will at least give you a starting point.

Now on to how to take a straight needle knit pattern and make that item on the loom as a flat knit piece.  The simple way to do it is to change every other row to the opposite of what it says.  Pick either the even rows or the odd rows, and write it all out before you start, then work from your written pattern.

For example for simple stockinette stitch:

Needle pattern:  Row 1: Knit every stitch
                           Row 2: Purl every stitch
                           Continue repeating Row 1 & 2

Loom pattern:  Row 1:  Knit every stitch
                         Row 2:  Knit every stitch
                         Continue repeating Row 1 & 2

NOTE:  If a needle pattern calls for you to 'work in garter stitch' for so many inches or rows, on needles that means knit every row... but on the loom it means to work a row of knit then a row of purl.

Sometimes I will convert all the odd rows (which usually are considered the Wrong Side (WS) in needle patterns.  This is simply so that I don't confuse myself.  However, occasionally I run across a project where it is easier to convert the even rows.  Let's look at the needle version of the Old Shale Stitch (which by the way, is actually the Old Shale stitch, but most refer to as the Fan & Feather Stitch.  For a close look at the two and the difference take a look at the post:  Knitting Techniques:  Old Shale Stitch over on the Craftsy Blog.)

Usually written as:
Multiples of 18
Row 1:  (Right Side) Knit across
Row 2:  Purl across
Row 3:  *(K2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times; repeat from * across
Row 4:  Knit across
Repeat Rows 1-4

In this case the only difficult line is Row 3, so rather than trying to do the opposite of that I simply do the opposite of the even rows.
Looks like this:
Multiples of 18
Row 1:  (Right Side) Knit across
Row 2:  Knit across
Row 3:  *(K2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times; repeat from * across
Row 4:  Purl across
Repeat Rows 1-4

I want to point out that when I say do the opposite of what the needle pattern says, I don't mean work the row backwards.  I mean do the opposite stitch.  Knits and Purls are the opposite of each other.  In the example above IF for whatever reason you wanted to stick to converting the Odd Rows it would look like this:
Multiples of 18
Row 1:  (Right Side) Purl across
Row 2:  Purl across
Row 3:  *(P2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (p2tog) 3 times; repeat from * across
Row 4:  Knit across
Repeat Rows 1-4

That to me is WAY too much purling!  That's why I use the Even Rows to do the opposite on this one.

If you run across a pattern that has a lot of yarn overs and k2tog (like above), you will have to be patient while you learn the stitch.  You may have to move your stitches around on your loom as you are working (so the yarn doesn't get so tight you can't keep going) or you may have to use stitch holders like when making cables.  Some needle patterns are just too fiddly or time consuming to even worry with... for me anyway.

Keep in mind that needle knitting with straight needles requires you to turn your work at the end of each row and go back the other direction.  With loom knitting you don't turn you work, you simply just go the other direction while your knitting is still facing the same way.

I hope this will help you to get started in translating patterns!  It takes time and effort, but with a little patience you can make just about anything on a loom that is made on needles.

If you have a question you would like for me to answer in my weekly Ask Mary series, please send your question to:  insidemarysworld@gmail.com.  Put ASK MARY in the subject line to make sure that I don't over look your question.

Knitting Loom Gauge and Size

Using the correct gauge loom for a certain project and yarn can make all the difference in the world how the finished item will look when done.  I encourage you to make notes for yourself when you make gauge swatches, so that you don't have to constantly repeat your swatches.

Different Loom Gauges

Most loom manufacturers state the loom gauge as a fraction of an inch.  The measurement is the distance from the center of a peg to center of the next peg.  You may see it written as C2C Space or C2C Gauge or just as Gauge.  

The standard gauges used by various loom makers are in the following chart.

This chart is just a guide.  For various types of yarns you can use a larger or smaller loom to achieve various looks.  For example most lace is done with Fine yarn or smaller but using a larger loom to achieve the open, airy look.  Another example is using Twisted Knit Stitches (ewrap) with a larger yarn on a smaller loom or using multiple strands of a smaller yarn on a larger loom.  This chart doesn't cover the various ways to set up a double rake for double knitting.

Loom Knitting Patterns

If you are following a pattern specifically for loom knitting try to use the loom and yarn listed in the pattern.  If that is not possible substitutions can be done and still achieve an item fairly close to the pattern.  This takes some trial and error and some practice.  Do a gauge swatch with the loom and yarn you wish to use to determine if it will work for that pattern.

Needle Knitting Patterns

If you are following a needle knit pattern get a yarn as close to the same weight as the one used in the pattern that you can get.  Look at the size needles the pattern calls for and use the chart above to determine which loom to use based on the needle size in the pattern.  I always suggest doing a gauge swatch and comparing it to the gauge measurement listed in the pattern.  If your swatch is too big (your number of stitches is the same but it measures bigger in inches) use a smaller loom, and if your swatch is too small (same number of stitches but measures smaller in inches) try using a bigger loom.  There is no fool proof way to get it exactly right.

I hope that the chart and notes I have here will help you get started.  Remember to make notes for yourself as you go.

Ask Mary: Can I make this?

Something I get asked a lot is if a certain item can be crocheted, knitted or loom knitted.  Usually there is an accompanying picture, but not always.  Most of the time it is either a crocheter wanting to make something that was knitted or a knitter wanting make something that was crocheted.  Another scenario where I am asked this question is someone wondering if they can make an item they have never seen a pattern for.

First of all if you can imagine it or think of it, then yes you can make it.  That doesn't mean it will be easy to figure out or that someone else already has a pattern written that you can follow.  But, if you can think of something then you can make it if you take the time to put in the effort of figuring out how to make it.  One other small point along these same lines:  If you are a beginner at your craft and see a pattern for something marked expert or advanced don't be afraid of it.  You can still make it.  Take your time, read all the directions first and look up the things you don't know and make notes.  Then when you actually start to work on the item take it one step at a time, you will be surprised at what you are capable of doing!

Now onto "Can I crochet this knit item?" and "Can I knit this crochet item?"  The simple answer is:  You can make something very close, but not something identical.  There are a few stitches in crochet that are mock knit stitches and a few stitches in knit that are mock crochet stitches.  But, in general if you want something that looks identical to the picture then use the craft and methods that the item in the picture was made with.  If you want an item that in general is close to the item in the picture then sure you can make it with a different craft but the exact stitches won't be the same.

There are a few books that I have seen over the years that will help you translate crochet into knitting and knitting into crochet.  There is also a club (Annie's Hook and Needle Kit Club) ran by Annie's Attic that will send you a project each month that has the yarn and instructions for making an item that has the pattern written for knitting and crochet.

Another question I am asked frequently is if needle knit patterns and stitches can be converted to loom knitting, and if so how.   Next week I will be answering the question of how to convert needle knit patterns to loom knitting.

If you have a question you would like for me to answer in my weekly Ask Mary series please send your question to:  insidemarysworld@gmail.com  Put ASK MARY in the subject line to make sure that I don't over look your question.

Loom Knitting: Design Your Own Ski Mask

Someone in a group I am in was looking for a warm, easy to make ski mask and in the search there are not many patterns out there for loom knitting a ski mask... so I decided to attempt to help by writing up a basic overview for designing a ski mask.

This isn't a step-by-step tutorial or a pattern, but a basis to get started with.  I don't have any of the pictures of ski masks I've made, but the next one I make I will take pictures of it and add them in here.

For this, you can use any loom and yarn you want that will work with your measurements.

Facebook Crash Course for Small Business Owners

I’m seeing more and more Small Business Owners making Facebook Fan Pages for their shops and I love it!  It is an easy way to show off new items listed and communicate with customers and potential customers.  It gives your business a personality of its own, while still showing the real person behind your small business.

Facebook in and of itself can be so in-depth that people are writing articles and marketing technique books that cover nothing but Facebook Fan Pages and how to leverage their use for your business.  I’m going to limit this article to just a few small tips and pointers to get you going.  So if you are new to Facebook Fan Pages or want to start one, this article is for you!

Moms Helping Moms

I have recently been asked to assist in an effort to help empower DV victims and survivors, especially those that are mothers, to stop their own personal cycle of economic abuse.   Many times women return to their abusers simply because they can not afford to do anything else.  Those that do not return quickly find themselves needing to pay bills and legal fees for a divorce or custody battle that they simply can not afford.  A Facebook Page and Group have been set up for just this purpose!

The FB Page:  Moms Business Idea and Support is a collective effort to bring buyers and sellers together in one place.  It is a page where women can buy and sell things and know that they are supporting another woman out there that is in the same position they are, or has been there before.  Some of the women selling things on or through the page have online stores and shops already set up, others do not.  Those that do not have an online shop are encouraged to post a picture and description of the item on the page.  This is a cost effective way for women to offer items they wish to sell to a wide audience, while gaining tips to economic freedom along the way.

The FB Group:  MBIS Discussion Group is a closed group affiliated with the Moms Business Idea and Support FB Page.  The discussion group is more of a behind the scenes area where no advertising takes places.  The group discusses ways to make money, ideas for starting a small business, and information on how to run a small business.  The group is a great place to network with other women/moms, brainstorm ideas and ask questions.

Please stop by the Page and ‘like’ it to show your support.  If you have questions about your own small business or have items you need to sell please post them to the page and join the discussion group by clicking the links to them above! 

 

Invisible Moms

This was passed to me via email the other day and rather than forwarding it on in the same manner I decided to just copy and paste it here:
Invisible Moms -
This is a story for all moms out there. And to the men reading this, it really shows what our mothers go through.

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road

While partaking of one of my favorite time wasting activities of Stumbling around the internet I came across the below on the Rutgers Math Department site.  I thought so many of the answers were so funny that I wanted to share the whole thing rather than just snip-its.  In all fairness to whoever came up with this the link I found it at is here:  http://www.math.rutgers.edu/~lenci/jokes/chicken
Let me know which answers are your favorites!

My Christmas Wishlist

This year I decided that I am only buying Christmas gifts from small businesses. Along with that I thought it would be good for me to put together a list of items I want for Christmas from small businesses as well. Below is the wishlist of things I want from shops on Etsy. I have picked shops whose owners are in one of the Etsy Teams I'm in.

The Pope and the Rabbi

I received this joke in an email, and it really is just too amusing to not share...

Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to convert or leave Italy. There was a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal. He would have a religious debate

Where is your purple gonna be?

I usually dye my hair purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) which is October, and I choose purple because that is the awareness color of Domestic Violence (DV).  People always stop me in public and ask me why my hair is purple; cause I do NOT look the type you’d think would normally have purple hair.  When they ask, I get the chance to tell them!!  Others aren’t so pushy with it and just hang purple lights around their house or purple ribbons on their cars.

Each year around this time I try to write up something about DVAM being just around the corner.  I like to make people aware of this month to encourage them to get involved in activities in their local areas.  Now is the time to start looking into what activities the DV agencies are hosting during the month of October, so that you can plan and won’t miss the event you want to attend or help with.

I feel that as a society we should be ‘aware’ of domestic violence year round.  However, I also realize that by setting aside a certain month to view a certain issue gives us time to focus on and process the information we receive during that specific month.  I encourage everyone to become involved in community programs through out the year, which are focused on preventing DV.

If you are not already involved in your local community or surrounding area with helping in the areas of DV Awareness and/or prevention, or helping the victims of DV then the following may be some ways in which you can get involved.  This is a general list to give you ideas.  If you would like more specific options on how you can help, please contact your local DV Shelter or State Domestic Violence Coalition.

Here is the post that I posted the lst two years and I feel it still works, so I’m giving it to ya again!

So... I get asked: "Great, you tell me to help DV victims during awareness month, but how am I supposed to do that when I have never even met a DV victim?"

There are many people that would be more than willing to do something during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, however they just aren't sure what to do, or where or when or how...

This list is copied from this ARTICLE.  

In your place of worship
1. Encourage information about domestic abuse in the congregation's programs, youth groups, marriage preparation, study groups, etc.
2. Establish a committee to promote awareness of the problem and how the congregation can help.
3. Organize a drive to collect food, toiletries, household goods and other needed items for a local domestic violence service.

In your workplace
4. Display posters or brochures (in break rooms, restrooms, or meeting rooms) to promote awareness of domestic abuse and how to get help.
5. Organize a Brown Bag lunch or other event for co-workers and invite a speaker to talk about solutions to the problem.
6. Ask what policies your employer has developed to keep employees safe from a domestic abuser who threatens the workplace.

In schools and daycare
7. Encourage the editor of the school newspaper to have a special issue about teen dating violence and partner abuse.
8. Write a paper about domestic violence to share with students.
9. Educate teachers and other staff about the connection between child abuse and partner abuse.

In civic organizations, clubs or neighborhoods
10. Invite a speaker to educate organization members about domestic violence.
11. Organize a fundraising event or food/toiletries drive to benefit a domestic violence service agency.
12. Publish information about domestic violence and available resources in the newsletter.
13. "Adopt" a family seeking independence from an abuser, to assist with practical needs.

As a Citizen
14. Ask your local library to stock books on domestic violence and to set up displays to educate the public about the issue.
15. Speak out against domestic abuse: Expressing your view that domestic violence is unacceptable has a powerful effect on changing the norms that support abuse.
16. Write letters to newspaper editors or send commentaries to TV and radio to help raise awareness about domestic violence.
17. Vote for public leaders who take a strong stand against domestic abuse.
18. Call 911 if you see or hear a crime of domestic abuse in progress. Write down license plate numbers, locations, and any other information that may be helpful to law enforcement.
19. Volunteer with a domestic violence service. Organizations need help with office activities, fund raising events, technical and professional services and assistance to clients.
20. Donate used clothing and household goods to a program that gives these vital items to families seeking independence from an abuser.
21. Participate in neighborhood crime watch programs.

Hang information flyers and/or awareness flyers in public restrooms, or anywhere else you think would they would be noticed. Now keep in mind that you don't have to stop doing some of this stuff after October!  By all means...continue your efforts throughout the year.

The more the merrier!

So in stating this, I implore all of you out there to stand up and do something for domestic violence victims not only in October, but throughout the year. Turn these victims into proud SURVIVORS!!! Give them some hope and some help. To borrow a phrase used quite often, give them a hand-up not a hand-out.

All of these are really general and will take some research, time and effort on your part.  But, the way I look at it is this...the time I take to do even one of these activities just may save someone's life.....so are a few minutes of your life worth the life of another?