Since we started our lovely group under two months ago we have been consistently clearing out the yarn stores around town and it has been a little frustrating trying to find looms in regular supply.
LOOMS
Initially we were very lucky to have ample supply of the Knit Quick box of 4 looms from Ghafoor but it appears now they have a problem with getting new stock in. These were 4.500 rial for a set.
Currently here is where you can try ...
Al Qabayel Discount Center in Mabella has small round looms for the baby NICU hats available as well as some straight looms. Currently they are located at the very back of the shop in the craft section. They start at 1 rial.
Google Maps LINK
There is another Al Qabayel shop in Bowsher and I would suggest you speak to the manager about getting in looms as they are available from their supplier.
Al Fikir Stationary Shop in Al Khuwair has stock of the larger set of 4 looms priced around 6 rial (not pictured) for those wanting to have the larger adult looms too (great for gifts for others and making blankets too). If they don't have stock you can speak to the manager about when the next shipment will arrive.
Google Maps LINK
TAFTA Tailoring Materials in Mabella (near to the new Mall of Muscat) has straight looms available and is currently trying to source more round ones for us.
Speak to Mehadi in the shop he is very helpful. This shop has a large range of sewing needs and definitely worth a trip.
Google Maps LINK
Ghafoor at the time of writing this post does not have stock of the round looms. That may change if they find a new supplier. They do however have limited stock across their locations of the straight looms.
Google Maps LINK AL KHUWAIR LINK SEEB there is a new one in Seeb just behind here is the LINK there are other outlets in Mabella (next to Al Qabayel above) and Al Khoud on the main souq street.
Looms are also available via Amazon , Desert Cart and other on line retailers.
Daiso has also had in some looms however they are not quite as sturdy and may frustrate some people in their feel. That being said we have had many ladies using the small round and also the straight loom with success.
YARN
(All yarns must be acrylic only so that they are easily machine washable)
NICU BEANIES
As per previous posts we have two yarns we are using for the NICU Baby Beanies and they are Alize Happy Baby and Nako Saten. We have tried and tested many yarns and these two have come up as the best available in the local market. For each beanie you need to use two balls at one time to get the desired thickness for the gauge of the looms.
Although difficult to find Himalaya Dolphin Baby and Kartopu Yumurcak are lovely soft chunky yarns and you only need to use one strand.
However be aware that we tried similar yarns like DMC and AB Baher and once knitted up they were not flexible enough and broke easily. Nako Jiffy chunky also was too harsh for sensitive heads.
ONCOLOGY BEANIES
Again we strongly suggest the yarns that are being used for the NICU beanies for their amazing softness even after washing. However you may have some soft yarns already in your yarn stash at home and you are welcome to use those. These hats are made using the larger looms for children, teens and adults. Please remember that oncology patients often have no hair as a result of their treatment or some regrowth so warmth and soft comfort is critical.
BLANKETS
This is where you can get very creative. Again these blankets must be machine washable so sticking to soft acrylics is best. There are plenty of different types of yarns available across many shops in Muscat. Some of our favourites have been Carron Simply Soft, Himalaya Super Soft, Nako Vizen, Carron Baby Cakes ...
Initially we fell in love with Alize Burcum Batik with their beautiful variegated colours however we did find once we had crocheted it into a blanket it was not as soft as we had hoped and it was a little harder on the hands to work with.
Excel and AB are available in many shops and have been used by those making blankets with crochet and also on the straight looms with good results. These are very inexpensive but always look at how many meters / yards you are getting in a ball to work out the best value for money or as we say ... "bang for your buck".
Yarn Suppliers around town include Tafta, Ghafoor, Al Nada Textiles, Al Qabayel (for a discount store you will be surprised at the amount of yarn this shop has been stocking), and there are many more small outlets. Please if you have a good shop to share with us let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook Page. (All shop links are above in the Loom section).
CROCHET HOOKS and KNITTING NEEDLES
Hooks and Needles are available in Ghafoor, Al Qabayel, Tafta, Al Nada Textiles, and many of the discount shops and tailoring supply shops. (Links above).
Most of our volunteers are using a 4, 4.5 or 5 hook for crochet.
I hope this post has been helpful for those wanting to get started or stock up on yarns.
Remember that the art of yarning (knitting, looming, crochet) is very beneficial for you mental health and you can make lovely gifts for friends and family too!
Thanks for stopping by ...
This post is to let you know the yarns we have been using and where you can find them. Also where you can try for looms and crochet hooks. We can't promise they will always have what you need but at the time of writing this post the information is current.
All of our volunteers purchase their own looms and yarns. Occasionally we get some yarns donated when ladies have had a clean out of their yarn stash at home and we are happily passing those on to those active members in our group however if participating with YKAM please be aware that it is self-funded and we thank you for your support.
Currently here is where you can try ...
Al Qabayel Discount Center in Mabella has small round looms for the baby NICU hats available as well as some straight looms. Currently they are located at the very back of the shop in the craft section. They start at 1 rial.
Google Maps LINK
There is another Al Qabayel shop in Bowsher and I would suggest you speak to the manager about getting in looms as they are available from their supplier.
Al Fikir Stationary Shop in Al Khuwair has stock of the larger set of 4 looms priced around 6 rial (not pictured) for those wanting to have the larger adult looms too (great for gifts for others and making blankets too). If they don't have stock you can speak to the manager about when the next shipment will arrive.
Google Maps LINK
TAFTA Tailoring Materials in Mabella (near to the new Mall of Muscat) has straight looms available and is currently trying to source more round ones for us.
Speak to Mehadi in the shop he is very helpful. This shop has a large range of sewing needs and definitely worth a trip.
Google Maps LINK
Ghafoor at the time of writing this post does not have stock of the round looms. That may change if they find a new supplier. They do however have limited stock across their locations of the straight looms.
Google Maps LINK AL KHUWAIR LINK SEEB there is a new one in Seeb just behind here is the LINK there are other outlets in Mabella (next to Al Qabayel above) and Al Khoud on the main souq street.
Looms are also available via Amazon , Desert Cart and other on line retailers.
Daiso has also had in some looms however they are not quite as sturdy and may frustrate some people in their feel. That being said we have had many ladies using the small round and also the straight loom with success.
YARN
(All yarns must be acrylic only so that they are easily machine washable)
NICU BEANIES
As per previous posts we have two yarns we are using for the NICU Baby Beanies and they are Alize Happy Baby and Nako Saten. We have tried and tested many yarns and these two have come up as the best available in the local market. For each beanie you need to use two balls at one time to get the desired thickness for the gauge of the looms.
Although difficult to find Himalaya Dolphin Baby and Kartopu Yumurcak are lovely soft chunky yarns and you only need to use one strand.
However be aware that we tried similar yarns like DMC and AB Baher and once knitted up they were not flexible enough and broke easily. Nako Jiffy chunky also was too harsh for sensitive heads.
ONCOLOGY BEANIES
Again we strongly suggest the yarns that are being used for the NICU beanies for their amazing softness even after washing. However you may have some soft yarns already in your yarn stash at home and you are welcome to use those. These hats are made using the larger looms for children, teens and adults. Please remember that oncology patients often have no hair as a result of their treatment or some regrowth so warmth and soft comfort is critical.
BLANKETS
This is where you can get very creative. Again these blankets must be machine washable so sticking to soft acrylics is best. There are plenty of different types of yarns available across many shops in Muscat. Some of our favourites have been Carron Simply Soft, Himalaya Super Soft, Nako Vizen, Carron Baby Cakes ...
Initially we fell in love with Alize Burcum Batik with their beautiful variegated colours however we did find once we had crocheted it into a blanket it was not as soft as we had hoped and it was a little harder on the hands to work with.
Excel and AB are available in many shops and have been used by those making blankets with crochet and also on the straight looms with good results. These are very inexpensive but always look at how many meters / yards you are getting in a ball to work out the best value for money or as we say ... "bang for your buck".
Yarn Suppliers around town include Tafta, Ghafoor, Al Nada Textiles, Al Qabayel (for a discount store you will be surprised at the amount of yarn this shop has been stocking), and there are many more small outlets. Please if you have a good shop to share with us let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook Page. (All shop links are above in the Loom section).
CROCHET HOOKS and KNITTING NEEDLES
Hooks and Needles are available in Ghafoor, Al Qabayel, Tafta, Al Nada Textiles, and many of the discount shops and tailoring supply shops. (Links above).
Most of our volunteers are using a 4, 4.5 or 5 hook for crochet.
I hope this post has been helpful for those wanting to get started or stock up on yarns.
Remember that the art of yarning (knitting, looming, crochet) is very beneficial for you mental health and you can make lovely gifts for friends and family too!
Thanks for stopping by ...
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