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Friday, May 15, 2026

Casting off (or binding off) loom knitting project by @T1naBa1ley

Casting off (or binding off)  loom knitting project by @T1naBa1ley

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5m

 Casting off (or binding off) is the final step in any loom knitting project. It’s the process of securing the loops so they don't unravel when you remove them from the pegs.

Here are the most effective methods for both circular (round) and flat panel knitting.

1. The Basic Bind-Off (Flat Panel & Stretchy Round)

This is the standard method for projects where you want a clean, finished edge. It works for flat panels or the top of a hat if you aren't cinching it closed.  

Knit two pegs: Knit Peg 1 and Peg 2 normally.

The Move: Take the loop from Peg 2 and move it back onto Peg 1.

The Toss: Lift the bottom loop on Peg 1 over the top loop and off the peg.

The Shift: Move the remaining loop from Peg 1 back to the now-empty Peg 2.

Repeat: Knit the next peg (Peg 3), move that loop back to the previous peg, toss the bottom loop, and shift it back.

Finish: When only one loop remains, cut the yarn and pull the tail through the final loop to knot it.

2. The Gathered/Drawstring Bind-Off (Round Only)

This is the go-to method for the top of hats or the bottom of bags where you want the fabric to cinch tightly into a center point.

Measure the Tail: Wrap your working yarn around the loom roughly two times to ensure you have enough length, then cut it.

Thread the Needle: Thread the yarn tail onto a dull yarn/tapestry needle.

The Pull-Through: Starting with Peg 1, go up through the loop from the bottom. Pull the yarn through, but keep the loop on the peg for now.

Complete the Circle: Repeat this for every peg around the loom.

Remove the Fabric: Go back to Peg 1 and begin lifting the loops off the pegs one by one.

Cinch: Once all loops are off, pull the yarn tail firmly to close the hole. Poke the needle through to the inside of the project and tie a secure knot.

3. The Super Stretchy Bind-Off (Best for Flat Panels)

If you are making a scarf or a blanket and the standard bind-off feels too tight or "pinched," use this method.

Measure: Ensure your yarn tail is about three times the width of your panel.

Setup: Thread your yarn needle.

The Pattern:

Pass the needle down through the loop on Peg 2.

Pass the needle up through the loop on Peg 1.

Take the loop off Peg 1.

The Sequence: Now, go down through Peg 3, then up through Peg 2, and take the loop off Peg 2.

The Rule: Always go down through the next peg and up through the current peg before removing the current peg's loop.

4. The Crochet Hook Bind-Off (Flat or Round)

This method creates a very professional, "chain-link" look and is often faster if you are comfortable with a crochet hook.

The Start: Insert your crochet hook into the loop on Peg 1. Lift the loop off the peg and onto your hook.

The Grab: Insert the hook into the loop on Peg 2 and lift it off. You now have two loops on your hook.

The Pull: Pull the second loop through the first loop (like a crochet slip stitch).

Repeat: You now have one loop on your hook. Move to Peg 3, lift it off, and pull it through the loop on your hook.

Finish: Continue until all pegs are empty. Pull the yarn tail through the final loop on your hook to secure.

Quick Troubleshooting Tips

Too Tight: If your edge is curling or won't stretch, you are pulling the yarn too tight during the "move" phase. Keep your tension loose.

Loose Loops: If the edge looks sloppy, try using a slightly smaller crochet hook for the bind-off than the gauge of your loom suggests.

The "Gap":

 In flat panel knitting, always make sure your yarn tail is on the side you intend to start binding off from, or you'll end up with a long strand of yarn stretched across your work.  

To your support chick ☕ buymeacoffee.com/t1naba1ley/casting-binding-final-step-loom-knitting-project

Thursday, May 14, 2026

A Loving Mother’s Dreams Come True

 A Loving Mother’s Dreams Come True


Living Life Without a Handbook


She had written on this subject before. She once thought she could not write any more about it because she was still going through it and figuring it out herself. But maybe that was the point—sharing what she had learned while continuing to learn each day along the way.


Do you have a hobby? A creative outlet? Any interests? Maybe crystals, rock hunting, or collecting unique stones? She enjoyed searching for crystals, and it was something her children had grown interested in as well. It created fun and meaningful conversations with family—moments that brought everyone together.


These were the moments she built on with her family. She treasured them, even if only for a moment.


Which led her to speak on self-torment. It is a cycle a person wants to ease themselves out of gently and smoothly, without stirring everything up again. Those moments when chakras feel blocked, yet a person keeps pushing through, believing progress is being made—but really, only dust is being kicked up and a mess created.


Stop. Take deep breaths. Do not undo the good already done. Keep up the good work. Difficult moments have been survived before. Look at what has been stared at from a different perspective. Protect your peace, and your child’s peace as well.


Protect yourself from spilling your pain onto others. They did not ask for your burdens to be placed on them.


That realization came to her during a vacation. She noticed she was doing this during family visits, and that thought became her answer. Crystals often helped her gain insight into the answers she sought. At the time, she wore kyanite and a purple crystal.


Remembering Her Mother and Grandmother


When her mother went through difficult moments, she would call her grandmother. Usually it happened when the children “acted up,” like eating all the tomatoes out of the soup before supper while it was still cooking.


Calling Grandma gave her mother time to cool off, calm down, and hear another perspective. Sometimes their grandmother would talk with the children too—asking why they did what they did, whether they were sorry, or helping talk their mother out of giving them a whooping. Grandma called it “putting it on the shelf,” meaning not every moment needed an immediate reaction.


Today, she smiled more. Filling herself with overflowing thoughts of happiness worked for her.


She created this book for herself, by herself. At first, she believed she was creating it for other women. But she realized no one needed her help more than she did at that time. So she continued helping herself.


She noticed she had spent years trying so hard to help others at the expense of herself. That year, she began saying no. That became one of the most powerful things she had ever done for herself—for her well-being and for her family.


Thank you, family.


And so, she took time for herself, even if it was weeks at a time. This book, or even her family, would not pull every piece of her away until nothing remained. She would rest during the month of her flow because she believed rest was important to her well-being and the development of her higher self, so she could be the best version of herself for her family.


Her time alone was for her family too. Her sanity was valuable and deserved protection. Motherhood and a mother’s flow deserved respect.


She disliked labels. She took Psychology 1 and Psychology 2, and still struggled with the idea of placing people into boxes. Put this person in this category, that person in another. But what if someone did not belong in a box?


The same people who simplified everything a mother experienced into terms like “janky mother energy” were often quick to label others “narcissistic.” But perhaps some of those individuals were simply blocked, overwhelmed, or hurting themselves.


For her, books became a search for answers. She searched through books forward and backward, hoping to find wisdom, conversation, or a sense of achievement.


What book would make her smarter? A better mother? A better wife? Help her keep her home clean? Help her remain calm in difficult times?


The Bible? Perhaps. The Bible could teach care, love, and compassion if that was what a person saw within it. To her, it was also art—art capable of expressing deep emotions and countless lessons.


Nature itself is art flowing everywhere. Flowers grow from seeds. Animals raise their young without constantly questioning whether they are “doing it right.” Humans often claim to be smarter than animals, yet constantly say they do not know how to raise their children.


Reading became one of her escapes. Books gave her something meaningful to place her attention on besides constantly hovering over her children’s lives. Other hobbies like painting and calligraphy became peaceful outlets too.


She even bought adult coloring books, though she still had not found enough time to color. But she had not ruled them out—they were still waiting for her.


There may never be enough pretty things, trinkets, books, or decorations to completely fill feelings of guilt, sorrow, abandonment, or hurt. But gratitude helps.


Be grateful for every tiny adjustment and every small step toward becoming your higher self. Pat yourself on the back. Hug yourself. Do not wait for others to reward or validate you.


And if others never do, be okay with that.


She was speaking to herself there. If someone else gained something from those words, wonderful.


For years, she searched for approval and admiration from others. Now, she tried to give those things kindly to herself.


Religion


Are you trying to do everything “right” according to a book called the Bible? Are you and your child trying hard to fit into someone else’s expectations or stereotypes?


If a person has never made their own path or household rules, life can begin to feel like a road filled with potholes. Following rules created only for someone else’s benefit can become dangerous for the listener.


If Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott had stood up and given away her seat when she was told to, history would look different. She was grateful women like Harriet Tubman trusted their inner knowing.


Did religion scare mothers? Empower them? Strengthen them? Encourage creativity?


These were all things she struggled with herself.


She did not feel like she fit into some perfect halo image. She often feared being wrong instead of simply being fair and loving. In trying so hard to make her children fit strict ideas and rules, sometimes she overlooked who they truly were as individuals.


Can people talk about raising children without bringing religion into every conversation? Sure. But much of her “janky mother energy” came from fear, guilt, confusion, and trying to force herself into a mold that did not fit.


That journey brought many tears.


Maybe others have diaries filled with thoughts on the subject too.


So let there be movement from fear toward freedom.


Inspirations


Eric Thomas


Ralph Smart


Makeda Wisdom


Mr. Cash At Hand


Health


Are you and your family at your best health? Are you eating foods that truly nourish your bodies?


Constipation and digestive health affected her mood more than she realized. She became irritable when her body felt off balance.


How is your relationship with vegetables? Nurture that relationship with your children too.


She loved vegetables—squash, Brussels sprouts, and beets. But she knew when she had neglected eating them regularly because her body let her know. Heavy breads and processed foods would leave her feeling sluggish and uncomfortable for days.


And yes, when the body feels miserable, attitude can follow.


Movement matters too.


Do you dance?


Listening to El DeBarge always lifted her mood. Music can shift energy so quickly.


What are your feel-good songs? Your dancing songs?


Macka B has songs about healthy eating and natural living that made her smile too. 


To support the dream reality click 

buymeacoffee.com/t1naba1ley/a-loving-mother-dreams-come-true

Living Life Without a Handbook

 A Loving Mother’s Dreams Come True

Living Life Without a Handbook

I have written on this subject before. I once thought I could not write any more about it because I am still going through it and figuring it out myself. But maybe that is the point—sharing what I have learned while continuing to learn each day along the way.

Do you have a hobby? A creative outlet? Any interests? Maybe crystals, rock hunting, or collecting unique stones? I enjoy searching for crystals, and it is something my children have grown interested in as well. It creates fun and meaningful conversations with your family—moments that bring everyone together.

These are the moments I build on with my family. I treasure them, even if only for a moment.

Which leads me to speak on self-torment. It is a cycle you want to ease yourself out of gently and smoothly, without stirring everything up again. Those moments when your chakras feel blocked, yet you keep pushing through, believing you are making progress—but really, you are only kicking up dust and making a mess.

Stop. Take deep breaths. Do not undo the good you have already done. Keep up the good work. You have survived difficult moments before. Look at what you have been staring at from a different perspective. Protect your peace, and your child’s peace as well.

Protect yourself from spilling your pain onto others. They did not ask for your burdens to be placed on them.

That realization came to me during a vacation. I noticed I was doing this during family visits, and that thought became my answer. Crystals often help me gain insight into the answers I seek. At the time, I wore kyanite and a purple crystal.

Remembering My Mother and Grandmother

When my mother went through difficult moments, she would call my grandmother. Usually it happened when us children “acted up,” like eating all the tomatoes out of the soup before supper while it was still cooking.

Calling Grandma gave my mother time to cool off, calm down, and hear another perspective. Sometimes our grandmother would talk with us children too—asking why we did what we did, whether we were sorry, or helping talk our mother out of giving us a whooping. Grandma called it “putting it on the shelf,” meaning not every moment needed an immediate reaction.

Today, I smile more. Filling myself with overflowing thoughts of happiness works for me.

I created this book for myself, by myself. At first, I believed I was creating it for other women. But I realized no one needs my help more than I do right now. So I continue helping myself.

I noticed I spent years trying so hard to help others at the expense of myself. This year, I began saying no. That has been one of the most powerful things I have ever done for myself—for my well-being and for my family.

Thank you, family.

And so, I take time for myself, even if it is weeks at a time. This book, or even my family, will not pull every piece of me away until nothing remains. I will rest during the month of my flow because I believe rest is important to my well-being and the development of my higher self, so I can be the best version of myself for my family.

My time alone is for my family too. My sanity is valuable and deserves protection. Motherhood and a mother’s flow deserve respect.

I dislike labels. I took Psychology 1 and Psychology 2, and I still struggle with the idea of placing people into boxes. Put this person in this category, that person in another. But what if someone does not belong in a box?

The same people who simplify everything a mother experiences into terms like “janky mother energy” are often quick to label others “narcissistic.” But perhaps some of those individuals are simply blocked, overwhelmed, or hurting themselves.

For me, books became a search for answers. I searched through books forward and backward, hoping to find wisdom, conversation, or a sense of achievement.

What book would make me smarter? A better mother? A better wife? Help me keep my home clean? Help me remain calm in difficult times?

The Bible? Perhaps. The Bible can teach care, love, and compassion if that is what you see within it. To me, it is also art—art capable of expressing deep emotions and countless lessons.

Nature itself is art flowing everywhere. Flowers grow from seeds. Animals raise their young without constantly questioning whether they are “doing it right.” Humans often claim to be smarter than animals, yet we constantly say we do not know how to raise our children.

Reading became one of my escapes. Books gave me something meaningful to place my attention on besides constantly hovering over my children’s lives. Other hobbies like painting and calligraphy became peaceful outlets too.

I even bought adult coloring books, though I still have not found enough time to color. But I have not ruled them out—they are still waiting for me.

There may never be enough pretty things, trinkets, books, or decorations to completely fill feelings of guilt, sorrow, abandonment, or hurt. But gratitude helps.

Be grateful for every tiny adjustment and every small step toward becoming your higher self. Pat yourself on the back. Hug yourself. Do not wait for others to reward or validate you.

And if others never do, be okay with that.

I am speaking to myself here. If someone else gains something from these words, wonderful.

For years, I searched for approval and admiration from others. Now, I try to give those things kindly to myself.

Religion

Are you trying to do everything “right” according to a book called the Bible? Are you and your child trying hard to fit into someone else’s expectations or stereotypes?

If you have never made your own path or your own household rules, life can begin to feel like a road filled with potholes. Following rules created only for someone else’s benefit can become dangerous for the listener.

If Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott had stood up and given away her seat when she was told to, history would look different. I am grateful women like Harriet Tubman trusted their inner knowing.

Does religion scare you as a mother? Empower you? Strengthen you? Encourage your creativity?

These are all things I struggled with myself.

I did not feel like I fit into some perfect halo image. I often feared being wrong instead of simply being fair and loving. In trying so hard to make my children fit strict ideas and rules, sometimes I overlooked who they truly were as individuals.

Can we talk about raising children without bringing religion into every conversation? Sure. But much of my “janky mother energy” came from fear, guilt, confusion, and trying to force myself into a mold that did not fit.

That journey brought many tears.

Maybe you have your own diary filled with thoughts on the subject too.

So let us move from fear toward freedom.

Inspirations

Eric Thomas

Ralph Smart

Makeda Wisdom

Mr. Cash At Hand

Health

Are you and your family at your best health? Are you eating foods that truly nourish your bodies?

Constipation and digestive health affected my mood more than I realized. I became irritable when my body felt off balance.

How is your relationship with vegetables? Nurture that relationship with your children too.

I love vegetables—squash, Brussels sprouts, and beets. But I know when I have neglected eating them regularly because my body lets me know. Heavy breads and processed foods would leave me feeling sluggish and uncomfortable for days.

And yes, when your body feels miserable, your attitude can follow.

Movement matters too.

Do you dance?

Listening to El DeBarge always lifts my mood. Music can shift energy so quickly.

What are your feel-good songs? Your dancing songs?

Macka B has some songs about healthy eating and natural living that make me smile too.  


To support the dream reality click buy me a coffee ☕ link

 buymeacoffee.com/t1naba1ley/living-life-without-handbook

Casting off (or binding off) loom knitting project by @T1naBa1ley

Casting off (or binding off)  loom knitting project by @T1naBa1ley · 5m  Casting off (or binding off) is the final step in any loom knitting...