Just a quick check in. I've been crocheting pretty much nonstop, but I haven't been remembering to take pictures. Which doesn't matter much anyway because I can't find my SD adapter again...
Went to see Keith Urban again last night, this time in Tulsa. My luck wasn't quite as good, but I'm seriously thinking about making an impromptu drive to Louisiana for tonight's show. It's not really a well-thought decision, but I'm pretty sure it's the one I'm going with.
Hopefully tomorrow during the football marathon, I can get a few patterns posted. For those few of you who do read, I apologize for my flightiness of late and will certainly make it up to you.
Wish me luck and safe travels? Thanks for stopping by!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
The Things I Make When No One's Watching
I like small things.
Sure, part of it is the instant gratification that comes when you can start and complete something all in the same sitting. I think the most significant reason I like small things so much has a lot to do with time vs appreciation. Does that make sense? If I put in the time to make someone a hat and they don't like it, it bothers me but it doesn't bum me out. If I make a complicated hat or an afghan and they don't like it, well, that's completely different. I'll sulk for a day or two and glare at my yarn rather than make anything with it. With small things, I can shrug and reassure myself with the knowledge that I didn't invest TOO much effort into it.
I've been making small things lately.
My main coworker and I planned to do something for our relief's birthday. My job is shift work, so we're always happy to see him! He's a rather quiet and unassuming guy, which of course means we had to make him the center of attention. He does have quite a large head and I had to increase an extra row to make up for it. They fit and he liked them. He was having trouble deciding which one to wear when I left for home. :) (His coworker reported that he wore the Chicago one most of the night.)
This is basic, too, but I like it. It's simple enough to just be oddly matched colors or it can be team representative if you want to tell people what's up with it. I dig it.
Sure, part of it is the instant gratification that comes when you can start and complete something all in the same sitting. I think the most significant reason I like small things so much has a lot to do with time vs appreciation. Does that make sense? If I put in the time to make someone a hat and they don't like it, it bothers me but it doesn't bum me out. If I make a complicated hat or an afghan and they don't like it, well, that's completely different. I'll sulk for a day or two and glare at my yarn rather than make anything with it. With small things, I can shrug and reassure myself with the knowledge that I didn't invest TOO much effort into it.
I've been making small things lately.
Made this for a coworker's birthday. He's the one who gave me my TARDIS necklace, which is the only reason why this Dallas Cowboys fan made a Chicago Bears hat.
(Pattern found on Ravelry. I'll look it up later and post it here. It was quite simple and very quick.)
An OKC Thunder hat. Thunder up! This is just a basic beanie.
A close up view of the stitches.
Chicago hat was done with an H hook.
Thunder hat was done with a J.
Your hook does have an impact on the look of your item!
Honestly, I was running out of time, so I chose a bigger hook and a no-brain style for the OKC hat.
My main coworker and I planned to do something for our relief's birthday. My job is shift work, so we're always happy to see him! He's a rather quiet and unassuming guy, which of course means we had to make him the center of attention. He does have quite a large head and I had to increase an extra row to make up for it. They fit and he liked them. He was having trouble deciding which one to wear when I left for home. :) (His coworker reported that he wore the Chicago one most of the night.)
Isn't this just adorable, even I say so myself? It's my Little Baby Hard Hat.
Though I tried to look up a pattern for one, they were either paid patterns or hopelessly complicated. I made this one up all on my own, thanks muchly. Even the brim!
A closer view of the brim and stitching.
This little guy is really easy, but I'm finding the pattern is difficult to write. I might have to resort to a diagram to do this one. I hate to do that because it's really simple and some people hate diagrams. I'll tell you this much: I connected on the side so that the seam wasn't visible. I started with 12. I post stitched around 3 and 5 then 9 and 11. Just post stitch around the post stitch and dc in the dcs like you would any basic beanie.
The brim was just sc to just before the first post stitch. Then 2dc in each stitch until the next post stitch. Continue with sc around. Round 2 is slip stitch to first dc. sc in each dc. Slip stitch the rest of the way. Finish.
If that's as clear as mud, then I guess I'll write one up proper. It's just such a stinking pain. And it's even more frustrating when the actual execution of it is so simple.
Owl hat using the free pattern from www.repeatcrafterme.com
My friend's little boy is brand new and earlier than expected. She inspired me to create some boyish looks, so I attacked the ever-popular owl hat. The pattern is lovely. The pattern is simple and complete and hassle-free and straightforward and absolutely brilliant. Oh, my Lord have mercy, I hate piece work. I hate it. I hate making little eyes. I hate positioning them. I hate all the stupid ends. I hate that something always looks crooked. I hate trying to sc around the raw edges of the earflaps. I hate trying to make all the pieces secure. I hate it. This one little hat took me most of the night. Gah! I hate piece work!!!! Lovely, adorable, cute, foolproof pattern. The pattern is not the problem. It could've been any pattern - it's the pieces I hate.
I do like the hat, though.
A little Thunder hat
Another hat made with Little P in mind. I find I make things much more efficiently if I have a recipient in mind. Is anyone else like that? Even if I know I'll never give it to them, I have to think of someone who might really like it in order to get my creativity really going. He inspired the fireman's helmet and the hard hat as well. I just thought it was really unfair that girls get so many cute things and the guys get basic beanies. This is basic, too, but I like it. It's simple enough to just be oddly matched colors or it can be team representative if you want to tell people what's up with it. I dig it.
And a Thunder headband.
I made this one for KC, since I haven't gotten anything to her in awhile. I intend to make a couple more before sending them to her. This was also me playing with a new stitch called a forked stitch. It's the orange row. It's slightly puff-like, adds texture, and once you get in the groove, it's rather easy. What's the fun in having two stitch books if you don't play with one every now and then?
So, I'm sorry I don't have any proper patterns for you, but my brain's been a bit scattered. I've been crazy excited about the Keith Urban show I saw and also the one I'll be going to on Friday. Yes, I'm going again. This one's in Tulsa. I love Tulsa. When I was growing up, Tulsa was where we went when we Went Somewhere. It was our special occasion town and I still love it. Seeing one of my favorite artists in my favorite town is always fun. It's especially great if he plays "Tulsa Time." He's been known to and it's my favorite song, probably ever. If you can spare me a kind thought, I'd greatly appreciate some Ticket Luck again.
Thanks for stopping by! Come back and see me again some time!
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
"No one has any sympathy for us at all..."
Photo-heavy. Long winded. No crochet at all.
In my last post, I made a small request for ticket luck. I don't know if it was y'all or my new concert shoes (Converse. Love Converse), my Will Hoge shirt, my new jeans, clean karma, planetary alignment, or what exactly had to happen just right, but it worked. Oh, my goodness, it worked.
The story...
Mom and I (most of my stories start this way, just a heads up) headed out of town around eleven and went up to Shawnee to browse for awhile. I couldn't find any jeans that morning and settled on khakis. That just wasn't working for me, so I found some jeans for $12. Awesome, right? We strolled through the mall a bit, hit Walmart for the new CD and some snacks.
For whatever reason, Mom decided it was Time To Go, so we wrapped up the shopping and hit the interstate. After parking in the little roundabout (if you've been to the Ford Center/Chesapeake Arena you'll know what I'm talking about. if you haven't, it's impossible to explain) and headed to the box office. The room was entirely empty of customers. It was weird. We strolled up to the first desk and Mom simply asks, "What's the best available for tonight?" Box Office Lady replies, "I have to seats in Section 1, Row C, Seats 12 & 13."
For those of you who don't do concerts, let me explain what that means. First of all, floor seats are weird. Sometimes the sections are numbered. Sometimes they're lettered. Sometimes the sectioning starts at the back. Sometimes it starts at the front. So, when you're offered floor seats, you absolutely have to check the floor plan. There was every possibility that Section 1 would be the furthest section from the stage. Um, it was not.
Section 1 was the leftmost section as you're looking AT the stage, but it was also close to the stage.
Row C was the third row from the stage.
Seats 12 & 13 were the end of the row nearest the side aisle.
We quickly and happily paid for our tickets and almost literally skipped back to the car. We did some wandering in the OKC area and finally circled back around to Bricktown to park and find some dinner. After a wonderful meal at Chelino's, it was time to get ready for the show. I made sure the camera was ready to go, changed my shirt, and grabbed our tickets. Dustin Lynch was already performing when we got there, but we got to hear the hits.
The set change was fairly quick and it was time for Little Big Town. I confess - last time we saw them I was quite unimpressed. They sounded fine, but it was a little boring. I wasn't expecting much better this time, especially as I was so hyped to see Keith Urban, but they were really good. They played the hits you expect - Tornado, Pontoon, Bring It On Home. They played some new songs. Then they did Fleetwood Mac's (or was it just a Stevie Nicks song? Either way) "Break the Chain." While they did a great job on it and I'd heard it before, I always get a little prickly when country acts do rock songs. I love rock. That's not the problem. It's just that you're never going to hear a rock band do a George Strait song - - there's just no reciprocity and it irks me. Well, they then say that they grew up on country and were always inspired by country. They then play this really reworked but (in my opinion) really creative and fun cover of "Elvira" by the Oak Ridge Boys.
Here's the thing. If you even sort of like the song "Boondocks" you need to see them perform it live. If I ever created a Concert Bucket List, this would be on it. The song itself will probably outlive them, which is reason enough to see them perform it. I know they must sing that one song three times as often as any other song they have. I'm sure there are days when they hate that melody. To see them sing it live, you'd never guess it's the 20,000th time they've done it. They still put energy and emotion into it and it's amazing.
Keith Urban just walked on stage. Yeah. No Lights. No announcement. No buildup. One minute we were watching techs do last minute checks. The next minute I heard the arena erupt one section at a time. He came on stage by himself with a banjo. One by one his fellow bandmates joined him. The show had begun.
My end of the world had two guitarists most of the night, which is always fine by me. The show was just amazing. I've been to my fair share of shows, and I have to tell you that I didn't notice anything - which is a good thing! Aside from a few moments where the sound got a little "fuzzy," the whole thing was pretty technically solid. No squeaking mics, no overpowering bass or treble, none of those techy things that can take you out of the show.
But let's be honest - if Keith Urban is on stage not 40 feet away, life's gonna be good. Some of the highlights? Sure. At one point he came to our side, our end. I'm a little weird in that if this is my seat, this is where I'm expected to stay. I was really relieved and happy to see that both the artist and the security staff actually encouraged people to gather around the corner. For the length of a song (half a song?), he was literally a foot away.
Side note: I was leaning against an amp/speaker and it made my toes tingle. :) He also does this thing in almost every show where he goes to a stage set up in the back of the arena. He went through the crowd on our side and Mom was able to graze his arm as he walked by. Then she got him again on the way back. I didn't, but I did get to see him RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF ME as he walked by, so that was cool.
What else? He's such fun, it's unreal. He played a bit of "Boys Round Here" by Blake Shelton as he came back to the front stage. Little Big Town came back out with him to sing "Gonna Fly." He did bits of "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma." Dustin Lynch came back out to do "Kiss A Girl." He always has his band have solo time, which is interesting because they always choose such varied music. I've been to so many that it's interesting for me to see if the band has changed and/or if they've changed their songs.
He brought Miranda Lambert on stage to sing "We Were Us," an awesome moment. He's so cute sometimes. He bowed to her as she came on stage. Their performance of that song was spot-on and flawless. She seemed so excited to be there and, of course, the crowd exploded.
Since I'm basically a high-functioning toddler, I was immensely amused and delighted when confetti flew through the air. See, that was a first for me. Sure, I've been to shows with confetti and even been where I could get some, but I've never been on the floor and absolutely showered with it. Such fun. Some people found it annoying, but that's one of the memories that's stuck with me - looking up and feeling like I was in the most amazing snow globe ever. Ha!
Then came the highlight of my night. It was also the highlight of my Keith Urban experiences, which is really saying something. I know it's not a singular experience, and I'm doing my best to downplay it, but I was one of the people against the stage at the end of the show. I went back to the far end like earlier and as he was grabbing hands and signing random things, I was one of those people. Mom and I argue over who was more bragging rights - she touched him twice with sweat involved, but he actually grabbed my hand... There's not a loser in that situation, so it's all good.
As if the night wasn't already damnnearperfect, Mom and I both somehow managed to get a pick from the guitarist. The show was a solid two hours long from walk-on to offstage. Once the house lights came on and my senses started to try to acclimate to normalcy, I couldn't stop grinning. We turned to leave ... and couldn't. The aisles were flooded with people. Without the overdose of adrenaline and endorphins, my feet suddenly hurt, my head was fit to explode, and I was dying of thirst. I opened my mouth to whine and had to stop myself. Complaining about anything at that point would have been completely ridiculously stupid. One lady who was lucky enough to get a printed set list was kind and let us take a picture of it while we waited.
"This is so bogus. I want to leave," I said to my mom.
"This is bogus, isn't it?" random concert lady, in a teasing tone.
"I know! I just want to leave," I whined with an exaggerated eye roll.
"Right?" she agreed.
"No one has any sympathy for us at all, do they?" I asked, barely able to make myself audible.
"I don't think we deserve any, either," she replied.
My own set list that I keep. This is more for my records, but you're welcome to read it. :)
Light the Fuse Tour
October 19, 2013
Chesapeake Arena
Oklahoma City, OK
Show began at 8:56pm
Long Hot Summer, Sweet Thing, Told You So, Stupid Boy, "here to have fun" speech/reading signs, Even the Stars Fall for You, Blackbird/Gonna Fly with Little Big Town, Cop Car, Without You, Good Thing When I See It (Idk real title; it's new), drummer solo, Kiss a Girl with Dustin Lynch, thru the crowd to the back, snippet of Won't Get Fooled Again, bassist solo, Days Go By, You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma, Once in a Lifetime, Better Life, back to the main stage, Boys Round Here, guitarist solo, We Were Us with Miranda Lambert, Little Bit, Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me, Somebody Like You, confetti... ... bit of Grace of God, REO Speedwagon's Keep On Loving You, Tonight I Wanna Cry, last guitarist solo, You Look Good in My Shirt. End 10:53.
All in all, it was a wonderful day. I loved the concert. I mean, you put me in a room with loud music, pretty lights, special effects, and talented guitarists and I am one happy little chick. The seats were spectacular. The people around us were patient, involved, excited, passably sober, and hygienically conscious. The show itself was well coordinated and technically sound. Taking all of those small miracles into account, would you like to know my favorite part of the night?
My absolute favorite part of the entire situation was my mom.
She was so excited to get the tickets.
She was so giddy when we got there.
She enjoyed the show all the way.
See, she's really the Keith Urban enthusiast. That's her guy. I mean, I'm a fan but she's really the driving force in the Keith fascination. She's the only reason I even went to our first Keith Urban show nearly a decade ago. Seriously, he's the reason I finally went to Nashville, to Houston, to the Grand Ole Opry, to the Ryman Auditorium. And I went because Mom wanted to see Keith Urban.
Seeing her face after she had her opportunities to make that fleeting physical contact was worth every single penny of both of our tickets. She was so ... hold on, I'm searching my vocabulary... happy. In the purest sense of the word, she was happy. She was just overwhelmingly happy and I was so very grateful to have been in that moment with her.
In my last post, I made a small request for ticket luck. I don't know if it was y'all or my new concert shoes (Converse. Love Converse), my Will Hoge shirt, my new jeans, clean karma, planetary alignment, or what exactly had to happen just right, but it worked. Oh, my goodness, it worked.
The story...
Mom and I (most of my stories start this way, just a heads up) headed out of town around eleven and went up to Shawnee to browse for awhile. I couldn't find any jeans that morning and settled on khakis. That just wasn't working for me, so I found some jeans for $12. Awesome, right? We strolled through the mall a bit, hit Walmart for the new CD and some snacks.
For whatever reason, Mom decided it was Time To Go, so we wrapped up the shopping and hit the interstate. After parking in the little roundabout (if you've been to the Ford Center/Chesapeake Arena you'll know what I'm talking about. if you haven't, it's impossible to explain) and headed to the box office. The room was entirely empty of customers. It was weird. We strolled up to the first desk and Mom simply asks, "What's the best available for tonight?" Box Office Lady replies, "I have to seats in Section 1, Row C, Seats 12 & 13."
For those of you who don't do concerts, let me explain what that means. First of all, floor seats are weird. Sometimes the sections are numbered. Sometimes they're lettered. Sometimes the sectioning starts at the back. Sometimes it starts at the front. So, when you're offered floor seats, you absolutely have to check the floor plan. There was every possibility that Section 1 would be the furthest section from the stage. Um, it was not.
Section 1 was the leftmost section as you're looking AT the stage, but it was also close to the stage.
Row C was the third row from the stage.
Seats 12 & 13 were the end of the row nearest the side aisle.
We quickly and happily paid for our tickets and almost literally skipped back to the car. We did some wandering in the OKC area and finally circled back around to Bricktown to park and find some dinner. After a wonderful meal at Chelino's, it was time to get ready for the show. I made sure the camera was ready to go, changed my shirt, and grabbed our tickets. Dustin Lynch was already performing when we got there, but we got to hear the hits.
Dustin Lynch
The set change was fairly quick and it was time for Little Big Town. I confess - last time we saw them I was quite unimpressed. They sounded fine, but it was a little boring. I wasn't expecting much better this time, especially as I was so hyped to see Keith Urban, but they were really good. They played the hits you expect - Tornado, Pontoon, Bring It On Home. They played some new songs. Then they did Fleetwood Mac's (or was it just a Stevie Nicks song? Either way) "Break the Chain." While they did a great job on it and I'd heard it before, I always get a little prickly when country acts do rock songs. I love rock. That's not the problem. It's just that you're never going to hear a rock band do a George Strait song - - there's just no reciprocity and it irks me. Well, they then say that they grew up on country and were always inspired by country. They then play this really reworked but (in my opinion) really creative and fun cover of "Elvira" by the Oak Ridge Boys.
Little Big Town
"Pontoon" attire
Here's the thing. If you even sort of like the song "Boondocks" you need to see them perform it live. If I ever created a Concert Bucket List, this would be on it. The song itself will probably outlive them, which is reason enough to see them perform it. I know they must sing that one song three times as often as any other song they have. I'm sure there are days when they hate that melody. To see them sing it live, you'd never guess it's the 20,000th time they've done it. They still put energy and emotion into it and it's amazing.
I just love equipment cases. I don't know why.
* * * * * * * * *
I'm going to take a minute and tell you about something that irritates me. Kenny Chesney is probably the worst about it, but most artists have some version of it. I'm talking about the stupid long intros before a band comes on stage. The drumroll or the bass-heavy, too loud, crazy obnoxious song. The lowering of the lights just to send spotlights everywhere. I've even seen where a band will cut the lights and arena music and let the audience just sit for a minute or two.
* * * * * * * * *
Keith Urban just walked on stage. Yeah. No Lights. No announcement. No buildup. One minute we were watching techs do last minute checks. The next minute I heard the arena erupt one section at a time. He came on stage by himself with a banjo. One by one his fellow bandmates joined him. The show had begun.
Opening jam session
My end of the world had two guitarists most of the night, which is always fine by me. The show was just amazing. I've been to my fair share of shows, and I have to tell you that I didn't notice anything - which is a good thing! Aside from a few moments where the sound got a little "fuzzy," the whole thing was pretty technically solid. No squeaking mics, no overpowering bass or treble, none of those techy things that can take you out of the show.
But let's be honest - if Keith Urban is on stage not 40 feet away, life's gonna be good. Some of the highlights? Sure. At one point he came to our side, our end. I'm a little weird in that if this is my seat, this is where I'm expected to stay. I was really relieved and happy to see that both the artist and the security staff actually encouraged people to gather around the corner. For the length of a song (half a song?), he was literally a foot away.
Before/as we moved from our seats and toward the stage.
Maybe an elbow got nudged and resulted in the angle?
Side note: I was leaning against an amp/speaker and it made my toes tingle. :) He also does this thing in almost every show where he goes to a stage set up in the back of the arena. He went through the crowd on our side and Mom was able to graze his arm as he walked by. Then she got him again on the way back. I didn't, but I did get to see him RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF ME as he walked by, so that was cool.
What else? He's such fun, it's unreal. He played a bit of "Boys Round Here" by Blake Shelton as he came back to the front stage. Little Big Town came back out with him to sing "Gonna Fly." He did bits of "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma." Dustin Lynch came back out to do "Kiss A Girl." He always has his band have solo time, which is interesting because they always choose such varied music. I've been to so many that it's interesting for me to see if the band has changed and/or if they've changed their songs.
Little Big Town and Keith Urban
"You Gonna Fly"
(extreme side view due to being the same song as the corner performance and we hadn't gotten back to our seats yet)
Dustin Lynch and Keith Urban
"Kiss a Girl"
(and an OKC Thunder logo... :) )
He brought Miranda Lambert on stage to sing "We Were Us," an awesome moment. He's so cute sometimes. He bowed to her as she came on stage. Their performance of that song was spot-on and flawless. She seemed so excited to be there and, of course, the crowd exploded.
Keith Urban bowing to Miranda Lambert
Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert
"We Were Us"
Since I'm basically a high-functioning toddler, I was immensely amused and delighted when confetti flew through the air. See, that was a first for me. Sure, I've been to shows with confetti and even been where I could get some, but I've never been on the floor and absolutely showered with it. Such fun. Some people found it annoying, but that's one of the memories that's stuck with me - looking up and feeling like I was in the most amazing snow globe ever. Ha!
CONFETTI!!!!
My mom took this shot and it's perfect. She got it as the paper was going up but hadn't yet fallen to obstruct the view.
As if the night wasn't already damnnearperfect, Mom and I both somehow managed to get a pick from the guitarist. The show was a solid two hours long from walk-on to offstage. Once the house lights came on and my senses started to try to acclimate to normalcy, I couldn't stop grinning. We turned to leave ... and couldn't. The aisles were flooded with people. Without the overdose of adrenaline and endorphins, my feet suddenly hurt, my head was fit to explode, and I was dying of thirst. I opened my mouth to whine and had to stop myself. Complaining about anything at that point would have been completely ridiculously stupid. One lady who was lucky enough to get a printed set list was kind and let us take a picture of it while we waited.
"This is so bogus. I want to leave," I said to my mom.
"This is bogus, isn't it?" random concert lady, in a teasing tone.
"I know! I just want to leave," I whined with an exaggerated eye roll.
"Right?" she agreed.
"No one has any sympathy for us at all, do they?" I asked, barely able to make myself audible.
"I don't think we deserve any, either," she replied.
I like this one just because it's an action shot.
Guitars and tattoos and long hair and jeans...
The final bow
The official set list
From my phone.
You can clearly see the amp/speaker I was next to.
My phone doesn't zoom, by the way.
Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert
I thought the colors were pretty.
The very end, after he grabbed hands and waved at the crowd.
This is from my mother's phone.
It doesn't zoom, either.
She obviously got closer when he came to our corner.
:)
Light the Fuse Tour
October 19, 2013
Chesapeake Arena
Oklahoma City, OK
Show began at 8:56pm
Long Hot Summer, Sweet Thing, Told You So, Stupid Boy, "here to have fun" speech/reading signs, Even the Stars Fall for You, Blackbird/Gonna Fly with Little Big Town, Cop Car, Without You, Good Thing When I See It (Idk real title; it's new), drummer solo, Kiss a Girl with Dustin Lynch, thru the crowd to the back, snippet of Won't Get Fooled Again, bassist solo, Days Go By, You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma, Once in a Lifetime, Better Life, back to the main stage, Boys Round Here, guitarist solo, We Were Us with Miranda Lambert, Little Bit, Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me, Somebody Like You, confetti... ... bit of Grace of God, REO Speedwagon's Keep On Loving You, Tonight I Wanna Cry, last guitarist solo, You Look Good in My Shirt. End 10:53.
All in all, it was a wonderful day. I loved the concert. I mean, you put me in a room with loud music, pretty lights, special effects, and talented guitarists and I am one happy little chick. The seats were spectacular. The people around us were patient, involved, excited, passably sober, and hygienically conscious. The show itself was well coordinated and technically sound. Taking all of those small miracles into account, would you like to know my favorite part of the night?
My absolute favorite part of the entire situation was my mom.
She was so excited to get the tickets.
She was so giddy when we got there.
She enjoyed the show all the way.
See, she's really the Keith Urban enthusiast. That's her guy. I mean, I'm a fan but she's really the driving force in the Keith fascination. She's the only reason I even went to our first Keith Urban show nearly a decade ago. Seriously, he's the reason I finally went to Nashville, to Houston, to the Grand Ole Opry, to the Ryman Auditorium. And I went because Mom wanted to see Keith Urban.
Seeing her face after she had her opportunities to make that fleeting physical contact was worth every single penny of both of our tickets. She was so ... hold on, I'm searching my vocabulary... happy. In the purest sense of the word, she was happy. She was just overwhelmingly happy and I was so very grateful to have been in that moment with her.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Music and Musings
Fair warning - this post contains no patterns
I made several things tonight and attempted several more. I hated pretty much all of it, which explains why the attempts far outnumber the finished items. Part of it was my material, I think. I was using red. I hate red. I don't know what I was thinking when I bought it. Part of it was lack of direction. I simply didn't know what I wanted to make. I made an elf hat, but I hate it. I've made better ones. I made another Up On the Ridge hat, but it just didn't make me happy. I gave up and made a basic two row headband of dc. Then... I made THIS
You know by now I'm not really one to sing my own praises, but isn't this stinking adorable?? I know, it needs some fiddling. I will be doing some uncharacteristic tweaks before I release an actual pattern for it (which will unfortunately require buying MORE red yarn...) but it's a very good start, right? I was so excited to finally have made something worthwhile I was just giddy. :)
The more pressing event on my mind is tomorrow, for tomorrow I will be heading to Oklahoma City to see the Keith Urban concert. I'm stupid excited. In honor of this, I would like to share with you a little story about a quite memorable Keith Urban show. I have many, but I'll limit myself to one...
My mother, her friend, and I went to Tulsa to see Keith Urban. We got as dolled up as we ever do, got in Tracy's (the friend) car and off we went. We have a habit of buying tickets the day-of (which is another story entirely, but do remind me as it's quite a lovely story) and had never had problems with it. Naturally, that all changed on this day.
We went in and went straight to the box office. Mind, this was back when he was still playing convention centers. Mom tells the Box Office Lady we need three tickets. For the first time ever, BOL says, "Ma'am, I'm sorry but the show is sold out."
What?
That literally never happens to us.
What?
So, the three of us kind of look at each other. We've driven three hours away from home to catch this show. That is the only reason we're in Tulsa. We had no other plans. We had no back up plan. My mother is a persistent sort, which was good because Tracy and I both are the more passive sort. Mom went back at least six times and asked the BOL the same question. We were there so long that the merchandise guy strolled past us with his boxes and began to set up his display. Radio deejays were parking their vans. We'd skipped lunch because we'd planned to just get tickets and go.
Eventually, we had to start talking about leaving. Mom and Tracy are both diabetic. They keep it under control, but we were going on at least two hours without food when we'd planned to eat an hour and a half ago.
Suddenly...
as the box office area began to fill with will-call picker uppers...
as we hunched our shoulders and sent woeful glances toward the glass double doors...
I mean, as honestly as possible, as we were about to head out the door...
Box Office Lady motions to Mom. It was subtle. Mom scoots on over to see what was going on.
"I just had two tickets released. They're in this section in this row for these seats. They were just now released. Do you want them?"
((Let me remind you - we were a trio on this day.))
Mom looks at the two of us and winces. We all have a small discussion, but I see other people heading our way. I know if we don't get these tickets, someone else will. I know we have three people and two tickets and that's not the ideal situation, but that can't be helped right now. We get the tickets and head to dinner.
Dinner was a three-way match of "you two go." The arguments were insane. Each of us felt compelled to give up our spot. Tracy had driven us. Mom had insisted we stay to get the tickets at all. I'd paid for them. We all had good reasons to go. In the end, Tracy nominated herself for sainthood and basically demanded that Mom and I go to the show. We were appropriately guilty about it. We felt even worse when we dropped her off at the movies and took HER CAR to the show.
Here's the thing. I didn't pay one single iota of attention to the Box Office Lady when she showed us our seats. I didn't care. Two of us were going to the show. The seats could have been junk and it wouldn't have mattered. I couldn't believe it when I actually looked at the stupid ticket.
We were in the front row.
We were in the middle of the front row.
We were front row center for a sold out show.
That doesn't happen to people who initially spend two hours waiting in the lobby of an empty building. Oh, it was amazing. The lights, the songs, the music. Obviously, the singers. It was Pat Green and Keith Urban, which seems a weird combination, but it worked. We took way too many pictures, yelled way too much, and had grins implanted on our faces for a week. Sadly, I think those pictures have been eaten by technology, but they were awesome.
The moral of this story is to never give up. I'm convinced the tickets were on hold for someone who called and said they couldn't make it. We could've left right after hearing "I'm sorry, but it's sold out." We could've left any time in the ensuing hours. We could've debated another minute and lost out on the opportunity altogether. Instead, we were able to enjoy the show and have an incredible memory.
And Tracy? She insists to this day that she doesn't regret her decision. I owe her a tshirt or two for Christmas this year, I think...
Thanks for checking on me and strolling down the Memory Lane with me today! Wish me ticket luck!
I made several things tonight and attempted several more. I hated pretty much all of it, which explains why the attempts far outnumber the finished items. Part of it was my material, I think. I was using red. I hate red. I don't know what I was thinking when I bought it. Part of it was lack of direction. I simply didn't know what I wanted to make. I made an elf hat, but I hate it. I've made better ones. I made another Up On the Ridge hat, but it just didn't make me happy. I gave up and made a basic two row headband of dc. Then... I made THIS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The more pressing event on my mind is tomorrow, for tomorrow I will be heading to Oklahoma City to see the Keith Urban concert. I'm stupid excited. In honor of this, I would like to share with you a little story about a quite memorable Keith Urban show. I have many, but I'll limit myself to one...
Keith Urban
Wisconsin Country Thunder
2013
My mother, her friend, and I went to Tulsa to see Keith Urban. We got as dolled up as we ever do, got in Tracy's (the friend) car and off we went. We have a habit of buying tickets the day-of (which is another story entirely, but do remind me as it's quite a lovely story) and had never had problems with it. Naturally, that all changed on this day.
We went in and went straight to the box office. Mind, this was back when he was still playing convention centers. Mom tells the Box Office Lady we need three tickets. For the first time ever, BOL says, "Ma'am, I'm sorry but the show is sold out."
What?
That literally never happens to us.
What?
So, the three of us kind of look at each other. We've driven three hours away from home to catch this show. That is the only reason we're in Tulsa. We had no other plans. We had no back up plan. My mother is a persistent sort, which was good because Tracy and I both are the more passive sort. Mom went back at least six times and asked the BOL the same question. We were there so long that the merchandise guy strolled past us with his boxes and began to set up his display. Radio deejays were parking their vans. We'd skipped lunch because we'd planned to just get tickets and go.
Eventually, we had to start talking about leaving. Mom and Tracy are both diabetic. They keep it under control, but we were going on at least two hours without food when we'd planned to eat an hour and a half ago.
Suddenly...
as the box office area began to fill with will-call picker uppers...
as we hunched our shoulders and sent woeful glances toward the glass double doors...
I mean, as honestly as possible, as we were about to head out the door...
Box Office Lady motions to Mom. It was subtle. Mom scoots on over to see what was going on.
"I just had two tickets released. They're in this section in this row for these seats. They were just now released. Do you want them?"
((Let me remind you - we were a trio on this day.))
Mom looks at the two of us and winces. We all have a small discussion, but I see other people heading our way. I know if we don't get these tickets, someone else will. I know we have three people and two tickets and that's not the ideal situation, but that can't be helped right now. We get the tickets and head to dinner.
Dinner was a three-way match of "you two go." The arguments were insane. Each of us felt compelled to give up our spot. Tracy had driven us. Mom had insisted we stay to get the tickets at all. I'd paid for them. We all had good reasons to go. In the end, Tracy nominated herself for sainthood and basically demanded that Mom and I go to the show. We were appropriately guilty about it. We felt even worse when we dropped her off at the movies and took HER CAR to the show.
Here's the thing. I didn't pay one single iota of attention to the Box Office Lady when she showed us our seats. I didn't care. Two of us were going to the show. The seats could have been junk and it wouldn't have mattered. I couldn't believe it when I actually looked at the stupid ticket.
We were in the front row.
We were in the middle of the front row.
We were front row center for a sold out show.
That doesn't happen to people who initially spend two hours waiting in the lobby of an empty building. Oh, it was amazing. The lights, the songs, the music. Obviously, the singers. It was Pat Green and Keith Urban, which seems a weird combination, but it worked. We took way too many pictures, yelled way too much, and had grins implanted on our faces for a week. Sadly, I think those pictures have been eaten by technology, but they were awesome.
The moral of this story is to never give up. I'm convinced the tickets were on hold for someone who called and said they couldn't make it. We could've left right after hearing "I'm sorry, but it's sold out." We could've left any time in the ensuing hours. We could've debated another minute and lost out on the opportunity altogether. Instead, we were able to enjoy the show and have an incredible memory.
And Tracy? She insists to this day that she doesn't regret her decision. I owe her a tshirt or two for Christmas this year, I think...
Thanks for checking on me and strolling down the Memory Lane with me today! Wish me ticket luck!
Friday, October 18, 2013
Compliment High (and a Pumpkin Hat)
You do that, too, right? Someone compliments you on something and you can feeeeeeel that they mean it?
See, I crochet nearly constantly as long as I'm somewhere that accommodates it. Cars, offices, during football games and Doctor Who marathons, doctor's offices, Cub Scout meetings. I'd take it to trainings with me if I didn't think I'd get glared at. The point here is that by doing something so often and in so many varied places, I get kind of numb to the "oh, that's nice" comments. This is especially true of my coworker. She crochets just fine, but she is very definitely a beginner level. It's not that she can't learn anything more complicated than her granny squares - it's that she seems afraid to. I don't quite understand it.
A couple of nights ago, I was fiddling around with my Up on the Ridge hat. I wanted more ridges. I didn't/don't quite like how you either have a ridge above each eye OR you have a ridge right between your eyes. I'm sure most people wouldn't notice or care, but it bugged me. Naturally, I couldn't just accept that that's just how the hat looks. So, I made another one. I made a ridgier one. I know, that's not a word, but it's a great descriptor.
When I was finished, my coworker just oohed and ahhed over it. Personally, I think it's a wee bit too busy for a typical pumpkin, but if you've been looking for a busier pumpkin... well, do I have the hat for you! :)
**Note before the pattern:
You will notice, if you stick with me for any length of time, that I will post a few patterns that look nearly identical. You will probably wonder what the point is. I will tell you here and now. I do it because it's me tweaking and fiddling with a certain look until I get what I want. Most people (and bless them, because it's probably The Right Way to do things) will fuss and muss and futz with a certain pattern or look until they get what they want . . . and THEN share it.
Here's why I do things differently: Nearly everyone who works a pattern will modify it in some way to suit their own needs. I don't know what your needs are, seeing as how I'm still basically talking to myself here. I don't know what my needs might be in the future. I figure if I share every modification I come up with, you (and future me) have a better chance at finding what you might need/want. You also get a sense of what I change and how I change things so you can freestyle a bit on your own. I mean it when I tell you to use my patterns - and any pattern you find - as a baseline, a guideline, a starting point.
Now, I know that it can get redundant. I know you might get on here and roll your eyes and think, "Jill, sweetheart, that's the SAME FREAKING PATTERN." You'll probably be right. But it'll be a different modification. The stitch count will be different or the brim of a hat or the border of an afghan or the hook or yarn used.
**
See, I crochet nearly constantly as long as I'm somewhere that accommodates it. Cars, offices, during football games and Doctor Who marathons, doctor's offices, Cub Scout meetings. I'd take it to trainings with me if I didn't think I'd get glared at. The point here is that by doing something so often and in so many varied places, I get kind of numb to the "oh, that's nice" comments. This is especially true of my coworker. She crochets just fine, but she is very definitely a beginner level. It's not that she can't learn anything more complicated than her granny squares - it's that she seems afraid to. I don't quite understand it.
A couple of nights ago, I was fiddling around with my Up on the Ridge hat. I wanted more ridges. I didn't/don't quite like how you either have a ridge above each eye OR you have a ridge right between your eyes. I'm sure most people wouldn't notice or care, but it bugged me. Naturally, I couldn't just accept that that's just how the hat looks. So, I made another one. I made a ridgier one. I know, that's not a word, but it's a great descriptor.
When I was finished, my coworker just oohed and ahhed over it. Personally, I think it's a wee bit too busy for a typical pumpkin, but if you've been looking for a busier pumpkin... well, do I have the hat for you! :)
**Note before the pattern:
You will notice, if you stick with me for any length of time, that I will post a few patterns that look nearly identical. You will probably wonder what the point is. I will tell you here and now. I do it because it's me tweaking and fiddling with a certain look until I get what I want. Most people (and bless them, because it's probably The Right Way to do things) will fuss and muss and futz with a certain pattern or look until they get what they want . . . and THEN share it.
Here's why I do things differently: Nearly everyone who works a pattern will modify it in some way to suit their own needs. I don't know what your needs are, seeing as how I'm still basically talking to myself here. I don't know what my needs might be in the future. I figure if I share every modification I come up with, you (and future me) have a better chance at finding what you might need/want. You also get a sense of what I change and how I change things so you can freestyle a bit on your own. I mean it when I tell you to use my patterns - and any pattern you find - as a baseline, a guideline, a starting point.
Now, I know that it can get redundant. I know you might get on here and roll your eyes and think, "Jill, sweetheart, that's the SAME FREAKING PATTERN." You'll probably be right. But it'll be a different modification. The stitch count will be different or the brim of a hat or the border of an afghan or the hook or yarn used.
**
Done in black, so you can visualize it in other colors for other reasons.
How it looks before you stop increasing.
The top view. This stands quite well, actually. I don't understand it, but if you need a cover of some sort, this would work.
This is the seam. It's gets pretty much hidden.
Up on the Ridge, Part 2?
-used Red Heart Pumpkin; Red Heart Real Teal; Caron One Pounder Black
-used "H" Bates hook (teal used "K")
-leaf pattern is not my own, sort of
- multiples not vital; you will have twice as many ridges as your initial count
If you are someone who understand such lingo, this is the same as the UonR, but the increases are done as fptr for the third row. If that makes no sense to you, read on.
*fptr (front post treble) is an easy, easy stitch. Like most crochet stitches, you sound like a lunatic trying to explain how it's done. I did my best in the previous post, but you're probably better off going somewhere that has tutorials and stitch guides.
*this one of few patterns where I DO use chain 3 as a dc at the start. chain 3s will be counted as dc in the stitch count at the end
*dc/fptr tog (double crochet/front post treble together) is a stitch that probably doesn't exist too many other places. What you'll do is make a dc, stopping before the last step, leaving two loops on hook. Then go to the next stitch, make a fptr in the same way. When you have three loops left on hook, yarn over and pull through. If you know how to do a dctog, you can do this. I promise.
*dc/fptr puff (double crochet/front post treble puff) is the same as above, except it's done over one stitch and not two.
Round 1: Magic Circle > chain 3, 14 dc. connect with slip stitch to top of chain 3. (15)
Round 2: chain 3, fptr around same stitch. (dc, fptr around same stitch) around. (15dc, 15 fptr)
Round 3: chain 3, 2fptr around fptr of previous row. (dc, 2fptr around fptr of previous row) around. (15dc, 30 fptr)
Round 4: chain 3, fptr around one fptr of previous row, dc in next stitch, fptr around other fptr of previous row. (dc in dc, fptr around one fptr of previous row, dc in next stitch, fptr around other fptr of previous row) around. (30dc, 30fptr)
Round 5: chain 3, fptr around fptr of previous row. (dc in dc, fptr around fptr) around. (30dc, 30fptr)
Round 6: chain 3, fptr around fptr of previous row. dc/fptr tog. (dc in dc, fptr around fptr of previous row, dc/fptr tog) around. (20dc, 20fptr, 20dc/fptr tog)
Round 7: chain 3, fptr around fptr of previous row. dc/fptr puff. (dc in dc, fptr around fptr of previous row, dc/fptr puff) around. (20dc, 20fptr, 20dc/fptr puff)
Round 8: chain 3. dc in next stitch and each stitch around.
Leaf and Stem Applique
The leaf came from www.charmedbyewe.com. The only thing I changed was that instead of finishing off, I continued to chain. I just went until I thought it was long enough, but if you want a number, I'd say 22.
Starting with long tail, make leaf. Chain 22. Beginning in second chain from hook: 2sc, 2sc, sc until you get back to the leaf. Leave long tail. Use that tail to sew to hat. Weave in initial tail, bringing it to middle. Use that tail to secure to hat as well, if needed.
Notes:
- IT'S NOT THAT COMPLICATED! I swear. The terms are ridiculous and SOUND complicated, but they aren't.
- Round 5 can be repeated if you want a longer hat
- Round 7 can be repeated if you want a longer hat
*those two rows are neither increase nor decrease rows
- I had to make up my own terminology for this one, so if it makes no sense I apologize
- The reason I made up those stitches was to keep the look consistent. I didn't want to suddenly lose a ridge, but I didn't want the ridges to be flush with each other, either. This was the only way I could keep both. You can see on the black on that I did not do a round with the second dc added, if you want to check that out.
- The hat itself is quite stretchy and mushy. It does give you a bit of wiggle room.
Modifications:
- if you need to in/decrease size, I strongly recommend simply changing your hook size. That's what I did on the teal one. I used a "K" to make one for me, just to see if it worked. It does, but even with my big head, I'd recommend that you use a "J" or even an "I" for an adult, stick with an "H" for a kid and simply do more repeats of Round 5 and/or Round 7.
- You could also play with your starting multiple. Most of my hats start with 12. This one starts with 15. You could probably get away with 10-20 depending on your needs. Anything other than that will require fiddling. Be aware that your end stitch counts (...) will differ.
- if you do modify, keep in mind that on this hat, you're mainly working with TREBLES which grow faster than doubles. With a large hook, 60dc is what my hats usually end up being, which is only four rows instead of my normal 5 (12x5=60, see), so please keep that in mind.
Just trying to give another view of the stitches.
This is inside out, which I think looks pretty groovy, too.
See? It's very relaxed. But if you stand it up, it stays up. It's a weird little hat.
Again, please don't be intimidated by this. It's a basic beanie, but with a weird stitch on the last stitch of each set. That's all.
Anyway, that's my take on the ever-popular pumpkin hat. If you like a less ridgy pumpkin, try the Up on the Ridge in my previous post and see if that's more your speed.
Oh! Guess what...
Signed CD. Brand new shirt.
My Will Hoge album came in! And yes, it made my Tuesday so much better! New music and new clothes all at the same time- lovely! :)
Thanks for coming by! I hope to have serious discussion with my wifi and how disappointed I am in its performance as of late. Happy Weekend!
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Some Patterns, I Suppose
I haven't been able to get here in so long (again, my wifi is being stupid) and I am at a loss as to what to say. Have you ever done that? Get to a point where you really have quite a lot to say but it takes so long to get to where you can share that information that when you finally do, you just want to shrug and say, "never mind"?
I've made a couple of hats and finished the Great Big Cowl, which really is giant. I should get all of those patterns on here. I really should, as one of the hat patterns is one I had to come up with all over again because I made it once - and was so very proud of it - and then promptly forgot exactly what I'd done to create it. The first try was the Ever After Hat, which was nice in its own way, but it wasn't my goal. What I came up with still wasn't my goal, but that's only because I was running low on yarn.
Using K:
Round 1: Magic Circle > chain 2, 12 dc. connect with slip stitch to first dc made. (12)
Round 2: chain 2, 2dc in same stitch. 2dc in each stitch around. (24)
Round 3: chain 2, 2 dc in same stitch. 1 dc in next stitch. (2dc, dc) around. (36)
Round 4: chain 2, 2 dc in same stitch. 1 dc in next two stitches. (2dc, dc, dc) around. (48)
Round 5: chain 2, 2 dc in same stitch. 1dc in next three stitches. (2dc, dc, dc) around. (60)
Round 6 - 9: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around. (60)
Using J:
Round 10 - 12: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around. (60)
Using H:
Round 13 - 15: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around. (60)
Round 16: chain 1, hdc in same stitch. hdc in each stitch around. (60)
Round 17: chain 1, sc in same stitch. sc in each stitch around. (60)
Notes:
- my "I" hook is jacked up. otherwise, I would've used it, too
- I use different hooks so that I don't have to use decrease stitches. I just hate them and I don't quite know why. I use them all the time, but I don't like them. Go figure.
- I LOVED this hat when I first made one. If worn loose, it's quite slouchy. If worn close to the head with the "brim" cuffed up, it's very warm on the ears and sits close to the head. I also love that you get two looks with one hat.
Modifications:
- Had my "I" hook been available and my yarn been plentiful, this hat would probably have had at least another five rows.
- Actually, this one looks like the last few rows were sc charcoal, dc teal. Trust me, when you use straight doubles, it's quite a lot cuter.
- You could totally do post stitches (my newest obsession) on this. You could even do a real "pattern" for the bottom rows.
- If your hat isn't snug enough with just going down to H, you could go all the way down to a G. Or you could make your stitches tighter. Or you could use hdc or sc. The whole point when I experimented with this was to make a slouchy/snug hat that didn't require me to decrease.
- AS ALWAYS, PLEASE USE THIS AS A GUIDE AND NOT A STRICT SCRIPT. Add a flower. Add a button. Use your favorite stitch. Whatever.
Another hat came about because I was really wanting to make something, but I'd already made a very unfulfilling basic beanie. I didn't want another basic beanie but I didn't want to do anything that would require much thinking because I was only an hour and a half away from leaving the office. I don't know what it is, but I just dread leaving anything on my hook at the end of the day. Even afghans have to end on the last of a row or at a color change. So I worked up a little post-y hat. I'm sure there's a dozen hat patterns out there just like it, but this one is mine. I came up with it while listening to X-Men last night.
**Note, on this hat, I DO use the chain 3 method. Otherwise, I have an extra nub of a chain and it doesn't look right. I'll be counting the chain 3s as dc in the stitch count at the ends.
**A fptr - or front post treble crochet - is really easy. All you have to do is push the post of the stitch forward, insert hook behind it, and treble as usual. If that's clear as mud, several people have tutorials and definitions. It's the stitch that creates the ridges, so it's kind of important to know for this particular doohickey.
Round 1: Magic Circle > chain 3, 11dc. connect with slip stitch to top of chain 3. (12)
Round 2: chain 3, front post treble crochet around initial chain 3. dc in next stitch, fptr around same stitch around. connect with slip stitch to top of chain 3. (12 dc, 12 fptr)
Round 3: chain 3, dc in same stitch. fptr around fptr of previous row. (2dc, fptr) around. (24 dc, 12 fptr)
Round 4: chain 3, dc in same stitch. dc in next stitch. fptr around fptr of previous row. (2dc, dc, fptr) around. (36 dc, 12fptr)
Round 5: chain 3, dc in same stitch. dc in next two stitches. fptr around fptr of previous row. (2dc, dc, dc, fptr) around. (48 dc, 12fptr)
Round 6: chain 3, dc in same stitch. dc in next three stitches. fptr around fptr of previous row. (2dc, dc, dc, dc, fptr) around. (60 dc, 12 fptr)
Round 7 - 14: chain 3. dc in next four stitches. fptr around fptr of previous row. (dc, dc, dc, dc, dc, fptr) around. (60 dc, 12 fptr)
Round 15: chain 2. hdc in each stitch around. (72 hdc)
Round 16: chain 2, hdc in next four stitches. fptr around fptr of Round 14. (hdc, hdc, hdc, hdc, hdc, fptr R14) around. (60 hdc, 12 fptr)
Notes:
- However many stitches you put in your Magic Circle are how many ridges you'll have at the end.
- The last round isn't as finicky as it sounds.
- It's a little loose. If I'd known the trebles would have so much effect, I would've stopped increasing at Round 5.
Modifications:
- I can't really help much here. You're on your own as this is a pretty simple, straightforward kind of thing.
- I say that, but I have another two or three of these with small changes. Again, and as always, feel free to fiddle with it. All else fails, you can rip out what you don't like and start over.
And then the Great Big Cowl. I should come up with better titles for these things, I swear. It's a lot like my favorite stitch pattern. It's a bit of a sampler, which is unfortunate. I always intend to make something with Just One Stitch Repeating, but I inevitably get bored with it and feel the need to change it up. It's a problem.
Round 1: chain 145. hdc in back ridge of second chain from hook. hdc in each remaining back ridge. (144)
Round 2: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in next two stitches. dc in last stitch of first row. ((basic instructions can be found in Crochet Cables post, I think)) (skip next stitch. dc, dc, dc, dc in skipped stitch) around.
Round 3: repeat Round 2
Round 4: chain 1, hdc in same stitch. hdc in each stitch around.
Round 5: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around.
Round 6: repeat Round 4
Round 7: repeat Round 5
Round 8: repeat Round 4
Round 9: chain 2, dc in same stitch. 2dc puff in last stitch of previous round. (skip next stitch. 2dcpuff in next stitch. 2dcpuff in skipped stitch) around.
Round 10: chain 1, sc in same stitch. sc in each stitch around.
Round 11: chain 3, tr in same stitch. tr in each stitch around.
Round 12: chain 1, sc in same stitch. sc in each stitch around.
Round 13: chain 1, hdc in same stitch. hdc in each stitch around.
Round 14: chain 1, sc in same stitch. sc in each stitch around.
Round 15: repeat Round 11
Round 16: repeat Round 10
Round 17: repeat Round 9
Round 18: repeat Round 4
Round 19: repeat Round 5
Round 20: repeat Round 4
Round 21: repeat Round 5
Round 22: repeat Round 4
Round 23: repeat Round 2
Round 24: repeat Round 2
Round 25: repeat Round 4
Notes:
- This works up to be quite big, obviously.
- This was just my attempt to make something like this, so if you can't get it to work, don't sweat it.
- I will admit that my stitch count got off somehow. By the time I got to the second set of Cables, I'd either added or lost two stitches. I ripped the row out and worked two 2hdctog in the previous row.
- Like my favorite stitch pattern, this one likes to fold in half. Of course, that makes it slimmer but warmer. It can also be pulled up like a hood. If you made it longer, it could probably even wrap around AND work as a hood.
Modifications:
- endless. do what you want with it, using stitches you like
- if you don't want yours quite so tall, take out a repeat of 4/5 on each side
I apologize again for my absence of late. Thanks for stopping by, though! I do appreciate it.
I've made a couple of hats and finished the Great Big Cowl, which really is giant. I should get all of those patterns on here. I really should, as one of the hat patterns is one I had to come up with all over again because I made it once - and was so very proud of it - and then promptly forgot exactly what I'd done to create it. The first try was the Ever After Hat, which was nice in its own way, but it wasn't my goal. What I came up with still wasn't my goal, but that's only because I was running low on yarn.
Either Way Hat
-used Red Heart Charcoal and Real Teal
-used K, J, & H Bates hooks
-multiples not important
-I changed colors on the last step of the last stitch of each row
Round 1: Magic Circle > chain 2, 12 dc. connect with slip stitch to first dc made. (12)
Round 2: chain 2, 2dc in same stitch. 2dc in each stitch around. (24)
Round 3: chain 2, 2 dc in same stitch. 1 dc in next stitch. (2dc, dc) around. (36)
Round 4: chain 2, 2 dc in same stitch. 1 dc in next two stitches. (2dc, dc, dc) around. (48)
Round 5: chain 2, 2 dc in same stitch. 1dc in next three stitches. (2dc, dc, dc) around. (60)
Round 6 - 9: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around. (60)
Using J:
Round 10 - 12: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around. (60)
Using H:
Round 13 - 15: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around. (60)
Round 16: chain 1, hdc in same stitch. hdc in each stitch around. (60)
Round 17: chain 1, sc in same stitch. sc in each stitch around. (60)
Notes:
- my "I" hook is jacked up. otherwise, I would've used it, too
- I use different hooks so that I don't have to use decrease stitches. I just hate them and I don't quite know why. I use them all the time, but I don't like them. Go figure.
- I LOVED this hat when I first made one. If worn loose, it's quite slouchy. If worn close to the head with the "brim" cuffed up, it's very warm on the ears and sits close to the head. I also love that you get two looks with one hat.
Modifications:
- Had my "I" hook been available and my yarn been plentiful, this hat would probably have had at least another five rows.
- Actually, this one looks like the last few rows were sc charcoal, dc teal. Trust me, when you use straight doubles, it's quite a lot cuter.
- You could totally do post stitches (my newest obsession) on this. You could even do a real "pattern" for the bottom rows.
- If your hat isn't snug enough with just going down to H, you could go all the way down to a G. Or you could make your stitches tighter. Or you could use hdc or sc. The whole point when I experimented with this was to make a slouchy/snug hat that didn't require me to decrease.
- AS ALWAYS, PLEASE USE THIS AS A GUIDE AND NOT A STRICT SCRIPT. Add a flower. Add a button. Use your favorite stitch. Whatever.
Somebody didn't finish their ends before taking a picture...
Anyway, you can see how, when it's cuffed, the top is rather flush with your head and the band makes for a nice earwarmer.
Another hat came about because I was really wanting to make something, but I'd already made a very unfulfilling basic beanie. I didn't want another basic beanie but I didn't want to do anything that would require much thinking because I was only an hour and a half away from leaving the office. I don't know what it is, but I just dread leaving anything on my hook at the end of the day. Even afghans have to end on the last of a row or at a color change. So I worked up a little post-y hat. I'm sure there's a dozen hat patterns out there just like it, but this one is mine. I came up with it while listening to X-Men last night.
Up On the Ridge Hat
(hahaha, a Dierks reference...)
-used Caron One Pounder
-used "H" Bates hook
-multiples not vital
**A fptr - or front post treble crochet - is really easy. All you have to do is push the post of the stitch forward, insert hook behind it, and treble as usual. If that's clear as mud, several people have tutorials and definitions. It's the stitch that creates the ridges, so it's kind of important to know for this particular doohickey.
Round 1: Magic Circle > chain 3, 11dc. connect with slip stitch to top of chain 3. (12)
Round 2: chain 3, front post treble crochet around initial chain 3. dc in next stitch, fptr around same stitch around. connect with slip stitch to top of chain 3. (12 dc, 12 fptr)
Round 3: chain 3, dc in same stitch. fptr around fptr of previous row. (2dc, fptr) around. (24 dc, 12 fptr)
Round 4: chain 3, dc in same stitch. dc in next stitch. fptr around fptr of previous row. (2dc, dc, fptr) around. (36 dc, 12fptr)
Round 5: chain 3, dc in same stitch. dc in next two stitches. fptr around fptr of previous row. (2dc, dc, dc, fptr) around. (48 dc, 12fptr)
Round 6: chain 3, dc in same stitch. dc in next three stitches. fptr around fptr of previous row. (2dc, dc, dc, dc, fptr) around. (60 dc, 12 fptr)
Round 7 - 14: chain 3. dc in next four stitches. fptr around fptr of previous row. (dc, dc, dc, dc, dc, fptr) around. (60 dc, 12 fptr)
Round 15: chain 2. hdc in each stitch around. (72 hdc)
Round 16: chain 2, hdc in next four stitches. fptr around fptr of Round 14. (hdc, hdc, hdc, hdc, hdc, fptr R14) around. (60 hdc, 12 fptr)
Notes:
- However many stitches you put in your Magic Circle are how many ridges you'll have at the end.
- The last round isn't as finicky as it sounds.
- It's a little loose. If I'd known the trebles would have so much effect, I would've stopped increasing at Round 5.
Modifications:
- I can't really help much here. You're on your own as this is a pretty simple, straightforward kind of thing.
- I say that, but I have another two or three of these with small changes. Again, and as always, feel free to fiddle with it. All else fails, you can rip out what you don't like and start over.
The seam. And my phone is getting hyper about color.
It even looks kind of cool inside out, no?
And then the Great Big Cowl. I should come up with better titles for these things, I swear. It's a lot like my favorite stitch pattern. It's a bit of a sampler, which is unfortunate. I always intend to make something with Just One Stitch Repeating, but I inevitably get bored with it and feel the need to change it up. It's a problem.
This is somehow the only picture I have.
Which is unfortunate, as it's obviously not complete.
Great Big Cowl That Needs a Better Name
- used Red Heart Charcoal and Real Teal
- used "H" Bates hook
- in/decrease in multiples of four
- base count would be 16+1 (if using hdc as base)
Round 1: chain 145. hdc in back ridge of second chain from hook. hdc in each remaining back ridge. (144)
Round 2: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in next two stitches. dc in last stitch of first row. ((basic instructions can be found in Crochet Cables post, I think)) (skip next stitch. dc, dc, dc, dc in skipped stitch) around.
Round 3: repeat Round 2
Round 4: chain 1, hdc in same stitch. hdc in each stitch around.
Round 5: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around.
Round 6: repeat Round 4
Round 7: repeat Round 5
Round 8: repeat Round 4
Round 9: chain 2, dc in same stitch. 2dc puff in last stitch of previous round. (skip next stitch. 2dcpuff in next stitch. 2dcpuff in skipped stitch) around.
Round 10: chain 1, sc in same stitch. sc in each stitch around.
Round 11: chain 3, tr in same stitch. tr in each stitch around.
Round 12: chain 1, sc in same stitch. sc in each stitch around.
Round 13: chain 1, hdc in same stitch. hdc in each stitch around.
Round 14: chain 1, sc in same stitch. sc in each stitch around.
Round 15: repeat Round 11
Round 16: repeat Round 10
Round 17: repeat Round 9
Round 18: repeat Round 4
Round 19: repeat Round 5
Round 20: repeat Round 4
Round 21: repeat Round 5
Round 22: repeat Round 4
Round 23: repeat Round 2
Round 24: repeat Round 2
Round 25: repeat Round 4
Notes:
- This works up to be quite big, obviously.
- This was just my attempt to make something like this, so if you can't get it to work, don't sweat it.
- I will admit that my stitch count got off somehow. By the time I got to the second set of Cables, I'd either added or lost two stitches. I ripped the row out and worked two 2hdctog in the previous row.
- Like my favorite stitch pattern, this one likes to fold in half. Of course, that makes it slimmer but warmer. It can also be pulled up like a hood. If you made it longer, it could probably even wrap around AND work as a hood.
Modifications:
- endless. do what you want with it, using stitches you like
- if you don't want yours quite so tall, take out a repeat of 4/5 on each side
I apologize again for my absence of late. Thanks for stopping by, though! I do appreciate it.
Do you see? The red one (I) is supposed to be flush with the others. See how the flat panel is lined up with the rest of them? BUT IT'S FACING THE WRONG WAY.
Things that have ends weaved in. Some are finished, like the hat and the cowls. Some are not, like the granny squares and the shirts. I made the "Free Falling" shirts, but I have yet to add the ruffles. I've been bad about half-finishing things lately.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Oh, My Wifi (and the Ever After hat)
My extended (for me) break was not intentional. I simply couldn't get my wifi to work. It's the little things that defeat me, sometimes.
Speaking of, in a manner, today was truly not a good day. The details aren't important, but I can pretty much guarantee that you would agree with me that today sucked. Don't get me wrong - it wasn't tragic. It wasn't fun, either. Then I checked my email.
I had a notification that my new Will Hoge album was on its way to me. So excited and happy! I love buying albums in advance. This one will come to me signed and with a new t-shirt since I pre-ordered. I was excited when I bought it, my truly cruddy day was brightened at just the mention of it being shipped to me, and I still get the joy of opening it and then listening to it. And wearing the shirt. I think I've mentioned he's absolutely one of my favorite artists. I even grabbed part of one of his lyrics for my page name. :) Anyway, I've heard some of the new songs in the live show and I'm eagerly awaiting that parcel. Music! Love music!
On the crochet front, now that I've wasted so much time on the personal junk, I've done many things. I made a couple of little bags, a few hats, and I'm working on a cowl. It's weird for me to have a work-in-progress as I tend to sit down and get things done all in one sitting. The only exception is usually afghans... but I've wanted to make a genuine cowl for quite awhile now. A friend's in town who I think might enjoy/appreciate it, so we'll see.
I was watching/listening to Ever After as I made this (yes, as I was reading AND crocheting. yes, I'm aware I might have attention issues) so that's what I'm calling it.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
Speaking of, in a manner, today was truly not a good day. The details aren't important, but I can pretty much guarantee that you would agree with me that today sucked. Don't get me wrong - it wasn't tragic. It wasn't fun, either. Then I checked my email.
I had a notification that my new Will Hoge album was on its way to me. So excited and happy! I love buying albums in advance. This one will come to me signed and with a new t-shirt since I pre-ordered. I was excited when I bought it, my truly cruddy day was brightened at just the mention of it being shipped to me, and I still get the joy of opening it and then listening to it. And wearing the shirt. I think I've mentioned he's absolutely one of my favorite artists. I even grabbed part of one of his lyrics for my page name. :) Anyway, I've heard some of the new songs in the live show and I'm eagerly awaiting that parcel. Music! Love music!
On the crochet front, now that I've wasted so much time on the personal junk, I've done many things. I made a couple of little bags, a few hats, and I'm working on a cowl. It's weird for me to have a work-in-progress as I tend to sit down and get things done all in one sitting. The only exception is usually afghans... but I've wanted to make a genuine cowl for quite awhile now. A friend's in town who I think might enjoy/appreciate it, so we'll see.
Does anyone else do this? Do you read while you crochet? I have to say, sometimes I have to. Really. I find that when I read while hooking, I slow down on both. Instead of speeding through a book, I slow down and READ it. Instead of zipping through whatever I'm making, I slow down - which means my hands and wrists aren't SCREAMING at me at the end of the night.
Also. Kindles are amazing. I love real physical books, I do. But I also love not being a hunchback. I currently have close to one hundred books on my Kindle, plus games, some music, some office apps. The only thing that would make me love it more was if the battery lasted longer. Love my Kindle.
My little Frankie hat. He needs some hardware and a scar or two, but I dig him and his mismatched eyes. I bought this skein for another purpose but the colors weren't close enough to what I needed. I figured Frankies aren't supposed to be too "together" so he could have multi-skin.
One of my hats. I have to say... I kind of love this one. I wore it all night. I can also hide my hair in it if I wanted to tuck it up.
I like how it clearly pooches all around and doesn't have a mile long brim/edge. It also STAYS ON MY HEAD which so many hats have trouble with. Oh, that irritates me! If my hat comes off when I nod, it's staying off!
The seam. I remembered to get a shot.
See, I know this isn't exactly a "seamless" look, but it does have some advantages.
1. It's not gapey and weird, like with just a chain 3.
2. When it's on and is pulled a bit, it blends a lot better than it looks here.
The inside seam. Not anywhere near as pretty, but it likely won't be seen.
Ever After Hat
-used Red Heart Real Teal and (dark?) gray
- used "K" "J" and "H" Bates hooks
-multiples aren't even sort of important
- I changed colors on the last step of the last stitch of each round
Did you read the hooks bit? This uses different hooks. It's probably not strictly necessary, BUT it's what I did, so it's how I'm explaining. K? Groovy.
With "K" hook:
Round 1: Magic Circle > chain 2, 12dc. connect with slip stitch to first dc made. (12)
Round 2: chain 2, 2dc in same stitch. 2dc in each stitch around. connect with slip stitch to first dc made. (24)
Round 3: chain 2, 2dc in same stitch. dc in next stitch. [2dc, dc] around. (36)
Round 4: chain 2, 2dc in same stitch. dc in next two stitches. [2dc, dc, dc] around. (48)
Round 5: chain 2, 2dc in same stitch. dc in next three stitches. [2dc, dc, dc, dc] around. (60)
Round 6: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around. (60)
Round 7: chain 2, 2dc in same stitch. dc in next four stitches. [2dc, dc, dc, dc, dc] around (72)
Round 8: chain 2, 2dc in same stitch. dc in next five stitches. [2dc, dc, dc, dc, dc, dc] around (84)
Round 9-12: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around. (84)
Round 13: chain 2. 2dctog, dc in next five stitches. [2dctog, dc, dc, dc, dc, dc] around. (72)
With "J" hook:
Round 14: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around. (72)
Round 15: chain 2. 2dctog, dc in next four stitches. [2dctog, dc, dc, dc, dc] around. (60)
With "H" hook:
Round 16: chain 2, dc in same stitch. dc in each stitch around. (60)
Round 17: chain 1, hdc in same stitch. hdc in each stitch around (60)
Notes:
- Round 6 is to alleviate some of that "flatness" that can come with slouch hats.
- I used different hooks because I am junk at changing my tension. I knew I wanted a hat with some flex, so I went with a big hook.
- These colors in this line are really soft. Seriously, if you hate RHSS because of it's roughness, this is soft. It's not even the Soft or Love lines.
Modifications:
- as per usual, toss some puffs in there
- use a pretty stitch somewhere along the line
- I don't really know what you could do that would NOT ruin the puff or the brim. The way it's done, I can look up at the ceiling and not lose my hat in the process.
You know, as a concert chick, I'm wearing this hat (yes, literally, as I type this) and wondering if I could hide some hot rollers under here... Right? I mean, think about it! I could put my hair in rollers, throw this baby on to cover 'em, and go about my day. Or those soft sponge rollers... Then, when it's show time, I can pull them out, fluff my locks, and go. Living in an area rather far from any venue, my hair is what tends to suffer the most in transit. Not that it matters much, I guess, but it's still fun to doll up every now and again.
I apologize if I'm a little less zippy than usual. I'll try to remedy that. :)
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)