Tulip Brand Steel Gold Point Crochet Hooks

#0 (2.1mm), #1 (1.9mm), #2 (1.75mm ), #3 (1.7mm), #4 (1.6mm ), #5 (1.5mm), #6 (1.4mm ), #7 (1.3mm), #8 (1.25mm), #9 (1.15mm ), #10 (1.1mm), #11 (1.05mm), #12 (1.0mm), #13 (0.95mm), #14 (0.9mm), #15 (0.85mm), #16 (0.8mm), #17 (0.75mm), #18 (0.7mm), #19 (0.65mm), #20 (0.6mm), #21 (0.55mm), #22 (0.5mm), #23 (0.45mm)

KnitPicks Options Circular Interchangeable Knitting Needles

Needle Tips:

4,5,6,7,8,9,10,10.5,11,13,15,17

Cords (2 each):

24", 32", 40", 47" and 60"

Boye Interchangeable Crochet Hooks (Vintage)

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14

Assorted Needles (Vintage)

Straight

Probably Bates - 2, 4

Boye - 2,5, 10 (plastic),11

Double

0000(?) (I don't have a gauge that small .... yet) - Steel, brand unknown, 9", set of 4

0 - Zephyr brand, 7", 2 sets of 4 (red and green)

1 - 7", pair, and 2 sets of 4

2 - 9", pair

2 - 7", pair

2 - Zephyr brand, 7", set of 4

3 - Plastic?, 5", pair

3 - Plastic?, 6", set of 4

3 - Zephyr brand, 7", set of 4

4 - Marcia Lynn brand, 7", set of 4

5 - Bates, 7", set of 4

Assorted Hooks (Vintage)

Afghan

Bates - 8/5mm

Boye - F

MeiMei Crochet Hooks

N

Brittany Crochet Hooks

D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, 7, 10 ¾, 10 7/8

Laffing Horse Square Knitting Needles

Straight

7,8,9,10,10.5,11,13, 15

Double

5

It must be a hair clog, because the drain is still stuck...

Oh well, time to go for the smelly enzymes.  And now I have to clean the tub again.  It's all gross.

I also need a new hair drain catcher thing... and a new bath mat.

My shower drain was clogged something awful.  I don't have time today (I'm supposed to be working) to go out and get drain cleaner, and besides, that stuff smells horrible.

So I looked on the internet for a natural alternative, and found that

1/2 cup of baking soda

1/2 cup of vinegar

followed by 1 cup of boiling water after 15 minutes

should do the trick.  So I tried it, since I'm pretty sure that what is clogging it is all the soap :D  (I like lather, ok?  leave me alone)

So I took a box of baking soda to the bathroom, and shook it over the tub drain while humming a song.  I'm not going to waste time measuring and dirtying something for my TUB.

Next, I poured in some vinegar.  That was easier since I'm almost out of vinegar so I didn't want to finish it.  Shorter humming.

FWOOOSH!  Volcano effect!

Then I went and did the pots from ... you know, last week.  When that was almost done, I started boiling some water and when the kettle started whistling, I took it over to the bathroom and poured it down.

There was a little burping noise, and the clog either moved farther down or dissolved entirely.  I'm not really sure.  All I know is the tub didn't fill up immediately, so maybe now I can take a shower without soaking up to my ankles in nasty water.

*Not nature, tho.  Nature sucks.  Nature is the source of bugs.

I didn't take a shot of the whole sleeve part for some reason.  I decorated the connecting ribbon between the upper and lower parts of the sleeve.  They were supposed to be identical, but I screwed up.  :D  It looks nice though.  I need to start working on my hat.  And a bag.

Page 29.  That's all I have to say.

Hubba hubba!

That's Sofi's Stitches.  Hey, they're still doing the free codpiece with every hosen deal!

(bursts of uncontrolled laughter because I can't help myself.)

So I was supposed to be making this hat for my mother but....

It's turning out SO CUTE!

I want it for myself. >< What should I do? She likes hats... I like scarves... We both like pink.... I should take an updated picture so you can see more of my dilemma. Why am I having so many of those lately?

I'm always on the lookout for sensible pants with pockets.  Lots of pockets.  If you're not a woman, you probably don't understand why this is so hard.  And if I were smaller around the waist, yes, I probably would just wear boys/mens cargo pants.  But I'm not.  I'm full figured, and unless I make them myself, finding good pants with good pockets is something of a problem.  That's why I'm always glad to find places like LA Police Gear - they sell 5.11 Tactical gear, which will mean nothing to you unless you are a cop, an EMT, a firefighter, or some other type of tactical response personnel.  I used to be an EMT and I can remember when they didn't make as much women's clothing.  Happily, now they have just as much for women as they do for men, which is nice.  The clothing is all sturdy, a good selection of waterproof, and they have a really good selection of footwear.  If you're buying for yourself, be sure to check out the closeouts and overstocks.

More yarn?  Or new Nvidia card for Age of Conan?

Crap.

Note:  It looks like the Nvidia card wins, on the next paycheck.  Age of Conan runs so badly right now I can barely walk, but the cutscenes are all fine.  Go figure.

So I've discovered a few holes where I accidentally did my increases backwards.  What should I do with them?  Fill them in with yarn patches?  (I could, I have a crochet hook.)  Ignore them and hope it comes right when blocking?  (I doubt that very much, unless I accidentally felt it.)  At any rate, I'm resolved to be more careful in the future but that really proves nothing.  Although I did fix the light bulb so I can see clearly again.

Inspiration (Mary Tudor):

Realization:

 

One sleeve all done

The detachable sleeves, embellished.

Yeah, that would probably look better with a chemise under it.  Oh, in case you were wondering, the base dress is the Journe Gown by Sofi's Stitches.

Original:

What I did instead:

Also completed: earrings

On the list: girdle, beaded partlet, hood or possibly a crocheted coif in gold with pearls.

Ok, even if you are NOT into covering your hair, shawls are pretty.  That's the main reason that I buy things from online Muslim retailers.  That, and I don't like dressing like a tramp.  I like long skirts and comfortable, modest shirts.  That is what originally led me to find Al Muhajabat but the utterly gorgeous shawls and scarves kept me coming back.

Don't be scared by the word 'Hijab.'  That's just silly.  And frankly America could use a little more modesty in dress and a little less Britney-style dress and behavior.  The word 'hijab' means 'cover, shelter, veil.'  I like to think of it as shelter.  I usually just wear my scarves as regular scarves, but late at night I sometimes pull them over my head and wrap 'properly.'  You'd be amazed how much 'shelter' you can get by covering your head when walking home at night.

The clothes are very generic (I'm short, and full bodied, I've had to hack off at least two inches from every skirt I've ever gotten from them) and don't come in such a wide range of sizes as you would get from a "real" clothing site but on the other hand, they come down to my ankles (yay!) and they don't make me look like a frumpy ... um... frump?  And even better, they don't make me look like a crack whore or a drunken starlet who got dressed from clothes left lying on the couch after a night of debauchery.

At any rate, if you have a blog of  your own (not Facebook or Myspace, that's not a blog, that's an online kindergarten notebook) you can get a $25 gift certificate for any purchase from Al Muhajabat!  All you have to do is put a badge or link to their site, and send an email to them and let them know.  And now I'm going shopping!

KnitPicks Options Circular Interchangeable Knitting Needles

Needle Tips:

4,5,6,7,8,9,10,10.5,11,13,15,17

Cords (2 each):

24", 32", 40", 47" and 60"

Boye Interchangeable Crochet Hooks (Vintage)

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14

Assorted Needles (Vintage)

Straight

Probably Bates - 2, 4

Boye - 2,5, 10 (plastic),11

Double

0000(?) (I don't have a gauge that small .... yet) - Steel, brand unknown, 9", set of 4

0 - Zephyr brand, 7", 2 sets of 4 (red and green)

1 - 7", pair, and 2 sets of 4

2 - 9", pair

2 - 7", pair

2 - Zephyr brand, 7", set of 4

3 - Plastic?, 5", pair

3 - Plastic?, 6", set of 4

3 - Zephyr brand, 7", set of 4

4 - Marcia Lynn brand, 7", set of 4

5 - Bates, 7", set of 4

Assorted Hooks (Vintage)

Afghan

Bates - 8/5mm

Boye - F

MeiMei Crochet Hooks

N

Brittany Crochet Hooks

D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, 7, 10 ¾, 10 7/8

Laffing Horse Square Knitting Needles

Straight

7,8,9,10,10.5,11,13, 15

Double

5

Fresh green beans (like, you should be tempted to eat them out of the bag fresh)

Olive oil

Seasoning (I've done this with Mrs. Dash, Adobo, Cape Herb & Spice mixes, and just plain garlic.  Seasoning.  Whatever you feel like using.)

Fresh grated Parmesan cheese or Brie or Goat Cheese (whatever strikes your fancy; you may see a trend here)

Breadcrumbs (I prefer French, my mom prefers Italian)

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Trim the green beans, and blanch them by inserting them in boiling water for one minute, then quickly remove from heat.  Toss the green beans with oil and seasoning.  Arrange half in an ovensafe baking dish, cover with a layer of cheese and breadcrumbs, then put in the other half and cover again with cheese and breadcrumbs.  Bake for about 40 minutes or until as tender as you desire.  Devour.

*Warning.  Not for the low of cholesterol.*

6 Yukon Gold potatoes

1 stick of butter (at least)

4-8 cloves of garlic

2 cups of whole milk

Salt to taste

 

Scrub the potatoes but leave the skins on.  Take the skins off the garlic, but leave the cloves whole.  Put the garlic and the potatoes in a large saucepan with sufficient water to cover them entirely.  People with no doctor's notes can add salt to the water.  Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low.  Go do something else for a while.  Come back in about 30 minutes; the potatoes should be fork tender and the garlic should be soft.  If not, keep boiling and check again in a little while.  When they are done, roughly quarter the potatoes.  If you are going to do this in the same pan, leave the heat at simmer and add the butter to the pan so that it will melt while you work.  Now break out the potato ricer.  Rice the potatoes with the garlic back into the pan, being sure to bring in the skins periodically.  Once all the potatoes are mashed, add the milk and if you haven't already, melt the butter (preferably in a butter warmer; failing that, the microwave) and add that too.  Stir gently to incorporate all the ingredients.  Season to taste.  Devour.

I was unable to find a willing victim to go with me to the movies yesterday, so I didn't go to see Frontier(s) - that Horror Movie that I mentioned the other day.  Side note:  I am in fact, single.  So if you like horror movies and don't mind mezzosoprano shrieking in your ears, I'm available!  Please note, I cannot actually crack crystal with my voice.  But I come close.

I just can't get over the scene in the trailer where they look like they are hobbling or cutting off someone's feet at the ankles.  That freaked me out when I read it in Misery by Stephen King, and ever since I just really really don't like that image.  *shudder*

Lionsgate was basically made on taking risks with films, and this one is a big one.  Unrated, super gory, escape from evil, filled with horror.  Is it going to be over the top?  Will it become the next thing that people blame for everyday human atrocities?  Or will it open the floodgates of supergore in theatres?

I guess I will have to wait for the DVD to see it for myself.  As it turns out, the limited release is not coming to the Chicago area (I thought it was) which is too bad.  If I were still in New York, I would have gone to the IFC to see it and grabbed some Columbia professor as my willing victim to see it with me.  (You know who you are.)  If I were in Boston, it would be that nice boy with the vampire pale skin - and he'd be a mass of bruises at the end, because I grab hard and he's frail.  Not my fault.

Anyway, again, go check it out for yourself - Frontier(s) .

This is a really really awful ad. Did these ever sell? EVER? What tag do you suppose got it so many views on Flickr anyway?  Or is everyone on Flickr just a bunch of perverts?

Do I really care?  No.  I just think that ad is funny as hell.

It's the curious smile that gets me.  Isn't he ... I don't know... ashamed?  No?  He's now and forever will be, the Stay Dry Panties Boy.

So... SocialSpark.com wants to know who I want to see sponsoring my blog.  Well, I'm weird.  I probably really do hate the bands you like.  And you've probably never heard of the bands I like.  Or the games I play.  If you're a knitter or crocheter, you probably do know about the yarns I like though.  So that's something.

I'll start with that.  Yarn.  Any major yarn manufacturer.  Textiles.  Fabrics.  Pattern companies and magazines.  Not crappy fashion mags, I mean magazines like Vogue Patterns or Burda Moden/World of Fashion.  Sewing Today.  Vogue Knitting!  Threads!

I'm also into cooking and would love to have an excuse to write about flour, or why real cane sugar is better than beet sugar.  Ok, I'm being weird again.  Domino Sugar, Fleishmann's Yeast, King Arthur Flour.  Spices!  Cape Herb and Spice Company!  Organic food in general.  Kikkoman!

I also like books.  Anything having to do with book shopping would be cool.

As far as general consumer goods, I'm a Pepsi and/or R.C. Cola drinker (again, bring back Vanilla Pepsi and I shall never stray again.  Except for Black Cherry Vanilla Coke).  I also like Jones.  I also have a thing for really good bottled water, like Ty Nant or 1 Litre or heavens willing, 10 Thousand B.C. which I have not had enough of and probably never will....

Speaking of, Dean & Deluca.  Oh, and while I'm name dropping, Coach.  I love Coach bags.  And Zuca bags.  And Tom Bihn bags.

I guess that's enough for now.... Let me know if you need more!

 

Take the How well can you speak English? Quiz for yourself!  And when you copy and paste it into your blog, be sure to leave off the creepy tracking img at the end!

I always knew my english was shamefully good.  I don't even use it properly half the time, but I still know all the rules.  I have four different grammar books on my bookshelf, right over there.  FOUR.

I will admit, I've only read one of them cover to cover.

Based on the Loretta Lynn pattern from Berroco and being crafted on request from the Dragon Elf God for the Book Elf Queen.

So far, I have one skein done, three mistakes (that I've caught) and half the cowl neck done:

The stitch markers are there because I keep losing count and stitches keep going MIA.  They weigh a ton compared to the KnitPicks Andean Silk that I am using.  Also, it appears that I have a sensitivity to merino wool (which I always suspected) but it's not as bad as I thought it would be.  I think I'll get over it.  It doesn't make my throat or nose swell up (like pure wool does), it just makes my skin itch a little.  It was worse when I first started working, but it's getting better now so I think I'll be okay.  And finally, I'm out of black teabags.  Which means I have to make loose tea.  Oh the horror.

I like horror films, usually.  I appreciate thematically appropriate violence and in a certain type of film, gore for it's own sake.  Blood doesn't scare me.  Usually.

That said, I'm not sure if I'm going to see Frontier(s) - a new level in Horror movie - alone.  Oh sure, the plot seems simple and mindless enough.  A group of thieves on the run with their loot accidentally put up at a motel run by neo-Nazi cannibals and fall into their clutches.  Whoah, that sounded a lot stranger when you say it all in one sentence!  I'm worried because I'm not sure if the 'good guys' (i.e., not the neo-Nazis) get away in the end.  Since the trailer features someone getting either hobbled or just having their feet lopped off at the ankles, I'm worried that the bad guys (i.e., the neo-Nazis) win and I won't enjoy that at all.

The movie opens this weekend, May 9.  It may be my Friday movie excursion since it might be bearable if I walk out to sunlight.  Definitely would not go if I had to leave in the dark.  Alone.  *shudder*  Frontier(s) is also being released on DVD shortly after the theatrical release, on May 13 so if you're brave enough to take such a thing into your home you can just buy it.  Maybe watch it in smaller, less violent chunks.

I'm sure you've already read this somewhere, but this version of Frontier(s) is unrated.  It was originally an NC-17 movie, but they chose to go with the unrated version for a limited theater release and DVD.  It's sort of a reaction to the Hostel/SAW phenomenon.  Apparently, we aren't sated yet with blood and gore in our films.  The plot of Frontier(s) touches on the race riots in France, and as we mentioned, the neo-Nazis.  The graphic gore and violence are rare in a theatrical release.  Most unrated movies don't make it to the theatres at all, but this one did.

If you want to see the unrated Frontier(s) trailer yourself, go to Frontier(s) and navigate into the site to find the unrated trailer.  Let me warn you by saying that the site is appropriately named.  I covered my eyes a lot the first time.

Ok, so the last time I picked this up I started working in the wrong direction.  THANKS PHONE!

So this time I looked at it, tried to see if I could fix it, decided I hated it.  Ripped it out and started all over.  Well, I will.  You know, when I get a round tuit.

Inspired by the Dockers contest.

My favorite pants start their day by getting off the pile on the floor.  They are the favorite for a reason, you know.  Since today isn't a work day, we start by pairing up with favorite sneakers and comfy t-shirt for a trip to the Outside.  In one pocket goes the cell phone and the Zune, in the other the keys.  It's far too nice to take the train, so we're going to walk just over a mile instead and hit the movie theatre.  Good thing favorite sneakers came along!

Send up some Linkin Park from the Zune, and we are off!  Dodging some cars at badly labeled crosswalks, getting hit by untrimmed bushes and scary long tree branches.  Good thing favorite pants aren't super-expensive pants but are instead sturdy and easily repairable.  (I've already sewn the hem back on after it got caught on a gate from some construction site.  I walk around a lot!)  We got leaves in our cuffs, so have to stop and get that out.  EWWWW!  A BUG!

Running running!

Check self for bugs!  None.  Check cuffs for stray leaves again.  None.  Check current location.

Wups.

I'm now three blocks out of my way, but there is a tea shop nearby.  Change course for serenity!

Now we sit down, relax, have some tea and a cucumber sandwich.  Some more tea.  Some more relaxing.  Now it's time to continue on our quest.  First stop, the bank.  Correction!  First stop, the hobby store which is in the way.  Buy some stuff.  Put stuff in bag, accidentally get paint on pants while walking past a display.  Get free stuff to make up for it!  :D

Now to the bank!  Withdraw cash.  Run across street to movie theatre.  See some bimbo in a skirt struggling with packages and getting her heels stuck in a grating.  Laugh smugly to self along with comfy shoes and well fitting pants.  Go up the escalator, buy tickets!  IT'S MOVIE TIME!

Hooray for Fridays and favorite pants!

Hee hee.  Try this yourself!  You could make a movie for the Dockers TV Commercial Contest (www.nbc.com/Dockers) or make your own post.  Not having a love slave to follow me around with a camera, I opted for writing.  If you want to find your own favorite pants, look here: Dockers. (may I suggest Agatha?)

I wrote a sponsored post on that new French horror flick with all the gore, and I was honest and it got rejected!  HAHAHAHAHAHA!

They didn't say why though... I followed all their requirements, and made my own honest commentary on my misgivings about the film.  They rejected it without telling me why.  It didn't say in the opportunity listing that I had to be positive.  Let alone that I wasn't supposed to make snide comments about the French getting their asses kicked by Germans again.  I don't know for sure why they rejected my post, but I'm taking it down until they do.  No free publicity for you, monsieur.

but I really like Just Tell Me Why.  "Dichotomies resolved by the majority."  Basically, you go and weigh in on which of a number of options, like Starbucks vs. Dunkin Donuts or Corel vs. Adobe, and say which one you like better and why.  And yes, I picked Starbucks and Corel.  So there.

Run on by and say which one you prefer!  Oh, I have to stop posting on there now heh!  I'm having too much fun!

As it happens, I think the style of English that is used lends the site a certain charm and that it shouldn't be changed to painfully proper English.

I was poking about in the blogosphere (*giggle* *snort*)....  Let me start over....  Ok, I was surfing teh intarwebz and I came across Mom on a Mission - http://stacjean1.blogspot.com/ - a cute little blog by a mother with kids.  She's not the run of the mill mommyblogger tho, at least not to me.

First, I'm interested that she supports KIVA, an organization that lets you lend to entrepreneurs and people in developing nations.  However, I take a tiny bit of issue with KIVA in that they leave out certain countries because I guess they are just too desperate?  I don't know, but the regions I am interested in don't seem to be represented there.  So I can't encourage Haiti to grow it's own economy, I can only continue to donate and hurl money down a black hole of helplessness.  Haiti used to be a huge resort, too.  But the middle class was driven away, the upper class burned itself, and now no one seems to be interested in restoring the economy - they don't get respect there, just pity.  Which is too bad, because the coffee is excellent and their sugar and sugar byproducts are fantastic.  But that must just be too hard for KIVA.  Whatever.  Ok, it's a big issue with KIVA and other similar support organizations.

Moving on back to Mom on a Mission :D  She also reminded me that I need a disclosure page, so I made one too.  She also supports Freecycle, which I actually approve of wholeheartedly.  I'm a bit amused by the fact that what was once called 'dumpster diving' has been given a makeover and is now chic.  But I distinctly recall furnishing my college rooms according to these principles.  Oh, you did it too and you know it!  Well, if you were staying at college over the summer you did anyway.  Running around to all the seniors, asking them if they wanted that stuff or if you could have it... Checking all the dorms where people were packing, picking up stuff from the hallways and the dumpsters... Wondering "Why are they throwing this away?  It has ONE CRACK!"

Oh and if anyone has any yarn they don't want, let me know ^_^ or old crochet hooks!

And last but not least, any parent needing to work with their children on chores should take a look at Chore Wars, which is super fun!  It's like an online game but it's really ... a chore chart.  With neat graphics and a better story.  If I ever get married and have kids, that's the way I'm going to do it - assuming I follow the family propensity for male offspring.  If I have girls, I will bribe them with Bella Sara instead.

If you were a just out of college admin assistant, which set of jewelry would you rather get as a present, this:

Or this:

Hrmm....

Righto, so in addition to SocialSpark, I'm also joining PayPerPost -  basically, blog ads. I write nonsense, and eyeballs see it, and I get imaginary PayPal dollars that I can use to buy more yarn. See previous posts for why this is so important.

So, getting paid for babbling is good.  Even though no one reads my blog (OR DO YOU??) they pay me anyway.  It's good writing practice, and I really need that.  More than the money really, since I'm not famous like some other Posties who have amassed thousands for their blogs.  My pay is much more modest (yes, yes, I'm jealous.)  What I hope to get out of this is writing practice and discipline.  Then maybe I'll write a novel someday and get thousands the old fashioned way.  And thanks to the gigantic icon at the bottom of each post, no one should be confused about what is paid for babble and what is straight off the cuff (probably skirt, to be honest) babble.  But rest assured, I'm far too lazy and arrogant to take a job and puff something I despise (can you hear me, Microsoft?  VISTA SUCKS.) just for the money.  Not even a lot of money.  I'd think about it, but I wouldn't be able to muster up the energy to write something interesting about something I don't like.  And why should I?  There are plenty of other, lower bleoples (blog peoples) who'll do it and they'll probably fill the opportunity as soon as it arises.  I'll save myself for the good stuff.

 

No red yarn for me ><  (no more, anyway).  That shiny economic stimulus check is gone, intercepted by unpaid student loans.

I'm kinda bummed.

I don't need any more red silk yarn!  HELP!  SOMEONE STOP ME!

First, Seriousness.  If I were president, I would implement some real economic relief, starting from the ground up.  A real and reliable health care system, for one thing.  Then some tax reform based on reality and not American households and business structures that existed in the 1940's.  Basically, I'd start taking care of things at home instead of worrying so much about what's going on in some region that gives us no economic or political advantage.  Security?  Does that even matter anymore?  Our current security state is the equivalent of having locked all the doors and windows while we're suffocating slowly at home.  Also, all the curtains are open and the doors are made of glass.  Clean up at home first.  Take care of the log in your own eye before dealing with the mote in anyone else's.

Second, Humor.  If I were president, I would force the entire RIAA, the FCC and the authors of the DMCA and any legislator who supports any of the above alphabet soup groups to watch nothing but commercial television and listen to nothing but commercial radio until they realize how much it SUCKS.  Then force them to strip those ridiculous laws and write ones that would permit a return of our country to a state of creative development instead of padding the pockets of idiots with big lawyers.  Oh, and I wouldn't let the lawyers ever turn off the tv or the radio until their brains melt.  We have too many lawyers anyway.  And if they don't write the laws I like, they keep watching.  We can always elect new legislators.  We have too many of those too.  Same with lobbyists.  We could tape their reactions and make a reality show out of that.  It'd be great!

Third, there is no third part.  Or if there was, I've forgotten it.  I wouldn't make a very good president.  Dictator, yes.  President, not so much.

Following the Song of the Moment meme from Harvest of Daily Life, I proclaim my song of the moment to be:

"Lady Nina" from the album "Kayleigh" by Marillion.

Mostly for the theme "forever kissing frogs that think they're princes... where did all the romance go?"