My last post was a bit angry and frustrated. But I think, I hope, I'm over the worst. Don't get me wrong, I'm still pissed as hell about everything, but at least I'm not feeling that horrible dread and sense of worthlessness that Lambros makes their tenants feel.
The best part about this ordeal is being able to handle it with Scott, which he showed me today. Even though we're both super stressed, we're able to cope with it and talk together. I mentioned in my last post that it would be more stressful if we didn't have another place lined up. Well, a few years ago, that's exactly what happened and our lease was running out. I remember having a terrible fight with him because we were both so stressed that we couldn't see through it to comfort the other. But now, comparing both situations, I feel great relief and happiness =) We have definitely grown.
Yesterday was a pretty bad day with both announced and unannounced showings, plus work. But, through all the showings, I just sat on my couch and crocheted... and I've made some good progress! It's almost two feet long!! and three feet six inches (roughly) wide.
Well, I've got a few things to do before work, so... here's to good people and a sunny day =) Cheers!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day!
I had a huge brunch with my family today, blackberry pancakes with raspberry syrup, eggs, and bacon =) I helped my dad repot a mysterious flower bulb that I've been growing for the past month or so into a larger pot, and hopefully under his care, it will finally blossom.
I've been neglecting my afghan the past few days... I just haven't been feeling it lately. Truthfully, I've felt really stressed and anxious between work and this whole moving hullabaloo. Lambros is really making this the most inconvenient and unorganized move out I have ever experienced. It's not the most stressful, though, because that was when we were moving out and didn't have a new place yet. I honestly don't know how that business continues to run with their level of disorganization. It's as if each "manager" has decided to take the property into their own hands to see who can rent it out the fastest, and the ones who really get the short end of the stick are us. It makes me sick to see a business take so much advantage over desperate people who need affordable housing. I mean, how the fuck is this fair or ethical? Because from what I've seen of them, they are miles from being far and ethical. How do you take pride in your work when you just make money unjustly off of people? It really makes me disillusioned of the world.
I've been neglecting my afghan the past few days... I just haven't been feeling it lately. Truthfully, I've felt really stressed and anxious between work and this whole moving hullabaloo. Lambros is really making this the most inconvenient and unorganized move out I have ever experienced. It's not the most stressful, though, because that was when we were moving out and didn't have a new place yet. I honestly don't know how that business continues to run with their level of disorganization. It's as if each "manager" has decided to take the property into their own hands to see who can rent it out the fastest, and the ones who really get the short end of the stick are us. It makes me sick to see a business take so much advantage over desperate people who need affordable housing. I mean, how the fuck is this fair or ethical? Because from what I've seen of them, they are miles from being far and ethical. How do you take pride in your work when you just make money unjustly off of people? It really makes me disillusioned of the world.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Afghan!
About five hours in, and I'm not even close to being halfway done with this afghan!! Twelve hours my ass. However, I am using a hook two sizes smaller than the recommendation. Even though my last post was about hating gauge, I decided to try it for this afghan, especially since my hook is so much smaller. In conclusion, gauge doesn't really matter for an afghan like this one, at least not to me, because the number of stitches isn't reliant on pattern, or whatever. The pattern called for 101 stitches, and I used 160.
Like I said, I'm not even halfway into this scarf, more like one fourth of the way:
I'm also thinking about finding a mannequin to photograph my scarves on, I think it would give a better idea of how they look. Now I just need to find a mannequin.
Like I said, I'm not even halfway into this scarf, more like one fourth of the way:
I'm also thinking about finding a mannequin to photograph my scarves on, I think it would give a better idea of how they look. Now I just need to find a mannequin.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Forgo gauge?
Apparently the gauge is very important when crocheting or knitting, but I've always ignored it. I think it would be crucial if someone was making a sweater or socks, but since I mainly only crochet scarves, I just don't see the purpose of it. So I googled the importance of gauge and I found a helpful site. Here's one gem:
If you think that making a gauge swatch is unnecessary, think again! Each one of these single crochet gauge swatches was made using the same yarn and have the exact same amount of stitches and rows. The swatch on the left was made using a hook that was only one size smaller than the swatch on the right. Just imagine how this would impact the overall size of a sweater. We hope this convinces you not to take shortcuts!
and:
Don’t be influenced by other crocheters who say they never bother making a gauge swatch. Just keep in mind that professional crochet designers—those creative artists who design the projects that you will be making and wearing—have to make a gauge swatch before they are able to calculate all numbers of stitches and rows needed to form a garment.
and:
Don’t be influenced by other crocheters who say they never bother making a gauge swatch. Just keep in mind that professional crochet designers—those creative artists who design the projects that you will be making and wearing—have to make a gauge swatch before they are able to calculate all numbers of stitches and rows needed to form a garment.
Bah!!! I hate that they threw in "professional crochet designers" and "those creative artists" ... makes me want to vomit. Hey kids! I know your parents said to stay away from drugs but what do they know? Listen to the high rollers! You want to be cool right? Yay to drugs!
Ok, ok. So gauge and drugs are nothing alike, at least on the exterior. But isn't the principle the same? Until gauge proves me otherwise, it's just an imitation and unnecessary.
I haven't finished my yoga socks yet. Well, if you count the fact that I have two different yoga socks finished but for two different pairs, then I have completed one pair =)
I think I burned myself out on them. So what's the best way to motivate myself to finish them (besides feeling boyfriend's freezing feet at night)?? To stack a new project on top of it!! Hopefully it will motivate me to finish the socks so I can start MY FIRST AFGHAN as soon as possible!!! The pattern is from a free pattern card from Michaels. It's called a Crocheted Textured Stripes Throw and it's going to be great!!! Only, the completion time on the card says 12 hours... hahahaha yeah right. But, just because I like to challenge myself, I'm going to time myself when I crochet. I can't imagine anyone would actually sit and crochet for 12 hours solid...
This will be the largest project I've started so far and I'm really excited!
Ok, ok. So gauge and drugs are nothing alike, at least on the exterior. But isn't the principle the same? Until gauge proves me otherwise, it's just an imitation and unnecessary.
I haven't finished my yoga socks yet. Well, if you count the fact that I have two different yoga socks finished but for two different pairs, then I have completed one pair =)
I think I burned myself out on them. So what's the best way to motivate myself to finish them (besides feeling boyfriend's freezing feet at night)?? To stack a new project on top of it!! Hopefully it will motivate me to finish the socks so I can start MY FIRST AFGHAN as soon as possible!!! The pattern is from a free pattern card from Michaels. It's called a Crocheted Textured Stripes Throw and it's going to be great!!! Only, the completion time on the card says 12 hours... hahahaha yeah right. But, just because I like to challenge myself, I'm going to time myself when I crochet. I can't imagine anyone would actually sit and crochet for 12 hours solid...This will be the largest project I've started so far and I'm really excited!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Scarves Update!!
Beware! Long post!!
I haven't been as busy crocheting or knitting as I'd like to be, but I've managed to finish a few of the scarves I was working on:
As you can see, I still have some loose ends to weave in, but it's finished for the most part. I love the look of Granny Squares, but boy I hate sewing them together! I think it's the starting then stopping, starting then stopping that I don't like. I would rather crochet nonstop.
This was kind of an experiment to, one, have more practice crocheting Granny Squares, and two, see how it would look as a scarf.
I started this last week after deciding to practice the Front Post Stitch. While I absolutely love the texture and warmth from it, it's a bit thicker and wider than I'd like. Also, my choice of yarn is a little too scratchy for my taste, at least for around the neck. But I love the colors too much! (leftover from Granny Square)
Irregular Rib Knit!!
Haven't worked on this one as much...knitting just isn't really my thing I guess. One thing I don't like about knitting scarves is my needles aren't long enough to hold the entire length of a scarf, so I have to knit the width instead. Ultimately it takes a lot longer in my head because I have to turn the work much more often. I ran into this problem with the Ribbed scarf as well. It feels like it's taking forever!
I finally finished it! And I absolutely love it! I love the yarn and the texture, and the color! But I think I will give this to Scott's mom, because I started it with her in mind. I hope she likes it =)
Another Granny Rectangle!!
Let's see....I think I crocheted this right after I finished the black and white Granny Rectangle (which I gave to my grandma for Mother's Day). This turned out a little Christmas-y, but I used up extra bits of yarn that I had.
My Yarn Bag:
It's ginormous so it holds A LOT OF BALLS =) I also like the design on it. I purchased this bag probably five years ago at a store downtown which has since gone out of business, sadly.
Biggest Ball Yet:
This is the largest ball of yarn I've ever purchased!! By itself, it's practically a pillow. And it's so soft! Unfortunately, it's very difficult to crochet or knit with. It's from Jo-Ann's Fabrics: Rainbow Boucle, "A soft and versatile tonal boucle."
I know it will make a lovely scarf or hat, or even a blanket, but it's super hard to see the stitches since it's like little loops are intertwined with a thread. But I'm not giving up on it yet. Because it's a big ball of yarn.
I haven't been as busy crocheting or knitting as I'd like to be, but I've managed to finish a few of the scarves I was working on:
Granny Square!!
As you can see, I still have some loose ends to weave in, but it's finished for the most part. I love the look of Granny Squares, but boy I hate sewing them together! I think it's the starting then stopping, starting then stopping that I don't like. I would rather crochet nonstop.This was kind of an experiment to, one, have more practice crocheting Granny Squares, and two, see how it would look as a scarf.
Ribbed Scarf!!
I started this last week after deciding to practice the Front Post Stitch. While I absolutely love the texture and warmth from it, it's a bit thicker and wider than I'd like. Also, my choice of yarn is a little too scratchy for my taste, at least for around the neck. But I love the colors too much! (leftover from Granny Square)Close-up of ribbing:
Irregular Rib Knit!!
Haven't worked on this one as much...knitting just isn't really my thing I guess. One thing I don't like about knitting scarves is my needles aren't long enough to hold the entire length of a scarf, so I have to knit the width instead. Ultimately it takes a lot longer in my head because I have to turn the work much more often. I ran into this problem with the Ribbed scarf as well. It feels like it's taking forever!Pink Scarf!!
I finally finished it! And I absolutely love it! I love the yarn and the texture, and the color! But I think I will give this to Scott's mom, because I started it with her in mind. I hope she likes it =)Another Granny Rectangle!!
Let's see....I think I crocheted this right after I finished the black and white Granny Rectangle (which I gave to my grandma for Mother's Day). This turned out a little Christmas-y, but I used up extra bits of yarn that I had.My Yarn Bag:
It's ginormous so it holds A LOT OF BALLS =) I also like the design on it. I purchased this bag probably five years ago at a store downtown which has since gone out of business, sadly.Biggest Ball Yet:
This is the largest ball of yarn I've ever purchased!! By itself, it's practically a pillow. And it's so soft! Unfortunately, it's very difficult to crochet or knit with. It's from Jo-Ann's Fabrics: Rainbow Boucle, "A soft and versatile tonal boucle."I know it will make a lovely scarf or hat, or even a blanket, but it's super hard to see the stitches since it's like little loops are intertwined with a thread. But I'm not giving up on it yet. Because it's a big ball of yarn.
Actually, when I purchased the Boucle yarn I had a specific project in mind for it, a Chevron scarf. But that's really out of the picture with this yarn. So I might still make a Chevron but with different yarn. My grandma crocheted me an afghan with this stitch and it's beautiful! That's not the reason why I want to try the Chevron stitch, because I know it won't come out nearly as perfect as my grandma's, but I want to try it nonetheless.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Rest in peace, Rue McClanahan
I know this is a day late, but when I tried to write this post yesterday, I wasn't sure what to say. I'm not sure what to even say now, except that she was a great actress, and I'm sure, a great person. As I type, I'm watching the Golden Girls <3
I always turn the Golden Girls on when I need comfort or familiarity, or sometimes just for background noise. I've seen every episode many, many times, even then, I still hear or notice something I hadn't before. And each time that happens, it makes the girls feel more alive.
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