Stix on the Beach: Tales From The Happiest Hooker!

Shell♥Shocked

On December 19th, 2010 ― nearly three years to the day when I first chained the foundation row ― I finished my Rip, Rip Hurray Ripple! Even though it's been over a week, I'm still feeling ripples of joy that I finally got it done ― and before Christmas!

I stare mesmerized by it when it's spread across the bed comforter. The vision I had for it at the beginning is nothing compared to what it became. It's better.

Over the next few posts, I'll go into more details about the pattern and patience it took to keep this ripple from going flat.  All the technical stuff (hook size, number of stitches, yarn type, etc) will also be included on its Ravelry project page.

I'm pretty sure I shed a couple of tears as I added the shell border. I couldn't believe it was at that point. When I slipped the last stitch off my hook, I just sat there shocked for a moment — not simply 'cause I completed something I started — but because Kali already claimed the blanket as her own while I was still crocheting.

Red Sox For The Win!

These Straight-Laced Socks were knitted in the summer of two-thousand seven, during a Southern California heatwave that left Earth in a melted puddle at my feet.

In the past twenty-four hours something strange has happened here: precipitation has fallen from a cloudy sky. In the middle of December. On this side of Oregon.

We are having  actual real worsted-weight-yarn-wearing-weather! I can sport my Straight-Laced socks without suffering heatstroke!

I'm so impressed with myself for knitting something so intricate — and especially for not puncturing a lung or poking an eye out while using five double-pointed needles at the same time.

The pattern for the Straight-Laced Socks are from the sock-shaped board book, Knit Socks! by Betsy Lee McCarthy. I can say quite confidently that I would never have learned how to knit socks without this book. There is a new grown-up edition of the book that includes instructions for circular needles (and less vomit-inducing photographs). If you follow the links and check out the "Look Inside!" feature, you will have access to the page that explains how to correctly gauge in-the-round! Invaluable!

Also invaluable are the Working-the-Heel-of-A-Sock and Kitchener Stitch instructional videos over at KnittingHelp.com.

I'm tempted to make another pair 'cause I love this pattern and these socks! One thing I would do different, though: I'd use larger size needles when knitting the ribbed cuff — to make it more stretchy and then switch back to correct gauge DPNs when beginning the lace pattern of the leg.

I'd definitely again use Caron Simply Soft or Caron Simply Soft Collection yarn (mine are in garnet) so they have more of a slipper sock feel to 'em. And 'cause the yarn is cheap, and, um, simply put — soft. A pair of handmade socks for around five dollars? FTW!

Cast-On With Crawford

Joan Crawford remains — without a doubt — a controversial  personality. My negative opinion of Joan has changed in the thirty years since I first saw Faye Dunaway in clown face shriek,  "NO WIRE HANGERS!"  — and later when at nine-years old I read Christina Crawford's revenge-for-being-disinherited Mommy Dearest memoir. In the past couple of years — thanks to Turner Classic Movies — I've become a  fan of this fiercely beautiful and talented screen legend's work.

It was while peeking around looking for a photo of another Hollywood Golden Age knitter that I discovered Joan's lifelong love for knitting. She was always stitchin' away on something while on set. In fact, she was known for clicking her needles loud off-camera to piss off a director or co-star. I LOVE this about her!

She did, however, adore Ann Blyth — her daughter in Mildred Pierce  — and taught her between takes how to stitch. In the movie Ann portrays Veda — a mean bitch!

Joan continued to be an avid knitter late into her life. Check out the 1972 Lady's Circle Magazine interview in which she chats about knitting and the Joan Crawford afghan pattern.

When she decided the time wasted on movie sets was idiotic she took knitting lessons. "With my hands busy," she explains, "I found I could concentrate harder on what everyone else and I had to do."

True Colors

I walked in on Kali sleeping contently on the cozy ripple. I'm not a fan of knitting or crocheting with Fun Fur   — I have enough trouble with my dyed hair getting tangled in the yarn — so I kindly asked Kali to move off the blanket so it wouldn't be covered with her own.

You know how Vampires are possessive? Yeah, well, Kali showed her true self.

"BLANKIE IS MINE!"
Rehearsing her cameo on True Blood as Eric Northman's pet.

The Ripple is about a dozen rows away from being done! The remaining colors have been chosen. At this rate, I might even be able to add the two side borders before Christmas too!

Season Four Is Shaping Up

This Post Contains Season Four Casting Spoilers.
Read more about the True Bloodies blog segments here.

Thank Godric! True Blood is back in production! I will be anemic from withdrawals before season four premieres in June!

Now that filming is back in full-swing, spoilers are springing up. This is especially true when it comes to casting news. And I'm kind of already losing my shit.

There seems to be a lot of shape shifters coming to the Sookieverse — including a female cage fighter and the most scary of all 'supes: a bald-headed "shape-shifter with his own agenda." He is going by the name "Emory" right now, but by the time he crouches on screen, his name could be "Quinn." 

As Sookie would so eloquently express: "Ew."