So sleepy

I meant to go to bed at 9p tonight, but it's 10:16p and I'm not asleep yet. Soon. Very soon.

•Day 27: Your handwriting.

asdgkjgdgkjgfdfgj

Last day of Doctor Who & Knitting

Day 30 - Why Do YOU Love Doctor Who

Because it encapsulates all of the things I love about everything.

Meanwhile...

Look at this adorable Matt Smith clone

Day 30: What’s your name on Ravelry? If you don’t have a Ravelry account, why?

It's elllebannna

Addicted

to Chuck Bass.

•Day 26: Something that means a lot to you.

I got this from Selina on either my 15th birthday or my 17th. I'm pretty certain it wasn't my 16th because I think I had a lot of people over for that one. I have the worst memory.
I like this peace sign though. It was a really thoughtful gift.

Day 29 - Favorite Music/Song

It goes like... Dun da da da dunnn da da da dun da da da weeeeeeeeeeeeOHHHweeeeeeeeee dundun dadun dundun dadun

Day 29: Do you have any tips, or things that you’ve learned from knitting?

By Lisa Akers, fiber arts instructor and owner of be still & knit. 

Rule 1: There is no right way to knit.

This is absolutely true. Any instructor worth his or her salt will be able to help you find a knitting style that fits your needs. Some of us have particularly nimble fingers. Others of us feel like we’re trying to knit with tree stumps. It doesn’t matter. If your knitting holds together, and you like the way it looks, then it is right. Unless you plan to enter your knitting into a competition, who cares if there’s a twisted stitch or one that’s a little looser? What difference does it make how you hold your hands and the yarn? There’s some basic fundamentals in creating textbook knitting that you should understand. After that, I say knit as you wish. Nevermind the yarn store fanatic or grandma that says you can’t do it.

Now, as a corrolary to Rule 1, keep in mind that if you knit in some funky manner, you won’t always be able to ask for help from your knitting friends and well meaning yarn shop employees. They will look at you as if you have three heads. Find a good teacher who understands what you are doing and can guide you if you need it.

Rule 2: Knitting can be relaxing. Learning to knit is not.

Remember when you first picked up your sticks and string? It made your shoulders tense. It made your thighs tighten. Your throat hurt from sticking out your tongue. Not very relaxing, was it? Learning any new skill is hard. It takes total concentration. You don’t want to drop a stitch, but you need three or four hands to manage all the yarn, needles, and patterns that seem to be circling around your head. It’s not relaxing at first. In fact, it can take a month or more to find your rhythm and start to enjoy knitting. Remember that this is only a phase. It does pass, and soon you really will be making all kinds of beautiful things to share with your family and friends.

Rule 3: Never evaluate the quality of your knitting in the middle of a row.

This rule is one of the most important rules for learning to knit. All new students want to knit their first stitch and see some magical piece of knitting appear. It doesn’t. When you first start knitting, you’re really bad at it. Really bad. Your first stitch, and perhaps first thousand stitches aren’t even. They don’t resemble your favorite fair isle sweater. They are just there. I always find students who look at their stitches in the middle of the row and see a huge mess of yarn dangling between the needles. It’s supposed to look that way. Yes. Really. Do yourself a favor and work to the end of the row. Give the bottom of your knitting a tug and see how the stitches line up on the needle. It will look a lot better and you’ll feel more successful. The middle of the row is a scary place. You’ll learn to feel comfortable there with time.

Rule 4: Mistakes are your friend.

I promise, that all those mistakes you make are helping you to learn. They are far more friendly than you give them credit for. When you make a mistake and then figure out what happened, then you are able to avoid that mistake in the future. If you treat a mistake as just a random occurance, then you run the risk of making it again. When something happens that doesn’t look or feel right, try to figure it out. Knitters are among the smartest people on the planet. Once you get over that initial fear of making a mistake, you’re pretty good at figuring things out. Take a search on the web. There’s lots of videos that show how to do a technique. There’s lots of tutorials and photos that can help you diagnose. If nothing on the web works, then find a good teacher who can evaluate what you did and help you understand. It’s worth your time.

Rule 5: Regular practice makes knitting easier.

That old saying, “practice makes perfect” applies to knitting, too. You know what the best thing about practicing knitting is? When you practice, you actually make something! Unlike practicing a musical instrument or a sport, when you practice knitting, you can make something that you can use. So, it isn’t really like practicing. It’s just doing – often. I’d say to knit at least once a week if you want to improve your skills. More often is better – as long as you are taking breaks to rest your hands and arms. Try to choose projects that include skills you don’t yet have. Learning new skills is a great way to make your knitting more enjoyable. It’s not as fun to knit a garter stitch afghan as it is to make one with a sampler of stitch patterns.

Rule 6: Always knit a gauge swatch.

A gauge swatch is kind of like going on a date with your project before you commit to a long term relationship with it. On a gauge swatch, you can try out your needles, the yarn, and the pattern to see if you like it. I can’t tell you how many projects I’ve abandoned or changed because I didn’t like the swatch. Swatches not only tell you how big your stitches are relative to the pattern author, but it shows you how the finished product will drape, how heavy it is, if the yarn is splitty, or if the color works for your plans. Variegated yarns are difficult to envision as a finished product. So, swatch. It’s not that hard, it doesn’t take that long, and it will pay off with more appealing projects in the end.

Gossip Girl marathon

Because they've deleted my Veronica Mars from instant & I just really want to watch something with Kristen Bell in it. She's just a voice over, but it'll do.


•Day 25: A souvenir from a vacation.

Isn't he cute? I think he's pretty cute.

Day 28 - Favorite Series Arc

I'm not for sure on what a series arc is. And I don't care enough to google it.

Day 28: Do you do any other crafts besides knitting? What are they, and did learning to knit come before or after learning these other crafts?

I have been doing crafts my entire life. Paint came first though. I love to paint. It always looks like a toddler's finger painting, but I love it. Ever since I can remember, I've been the weird crafty girl in our family. Knitting is a pretty recent addiction.

Wait, they don't love you like I love you

Video's weird, but the song is wonderful

•Day 24: Something you shouldn’t have bought, but did anyways.
Most things that I buy fall under this category. I always buy things that I shouldn't, but I rarely regret it. The only thing I can think of is this umbrella...

I never ever ever ever use this. I have another smaller umbrella that I use because it's more practical. This umbrella is huge and I always forget to take it with me. It works really well though. So I don't fully regret it.

Day 27 - Scene/Moment that made you go ‘argh’
That whole mess about Donna forgetting about the Doctor.

Day 27: How do you acquire most of yarn? Online retailers, local yarn shops, swaps, or large chain craft stores? What’s your favorite?  

I like hobby lobby's selection. Also, Joann's. I recently ordered from Knitpicks.com & was very disappointed in their yarn. I still love their needles though.

See look at this yarn. It's from hobby lobby & it's delicious.

Is it time to go home yet?

I got to go on an adventure today. One of the student workers that works in the IT department had to go to the girls dorm to try to fix some people's internet & obviously the university can't let him go alone. His first and second choice must have been busy because this is the first time since I've been a student worker that I'd ever had to go. He was mega polite & kinda cute in a nerdy way. We rode over to 2 of the girls dorms in a mule, which is like a high speed go-cart. He needed to go to 3 rooms, but only one of the girls was home so he tried to fix just one girl's internet. The girl that needed her internet fixed asked him if he was a computer major since he fixes internet & he said no he's a history major, but after that he is going to seminary. After that, I'm thinking the whole time "Damn he is adorable. Too bad he's going to seminary school to become a preacher." That tells you how religious I am. Aw & the poor guy was like, "You know what sucks about having to do this? I'm color blind and I can't tell the difference between the green wire and the yellow wire." Then of course he asked me to tell him if that wire was the yellow wire. (:

•Day 23: A book you’ve been reading.

I got this free book in the mail last week from Goodreads.com called Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor. I watch the show & everything so I thought the book would be cool, too. Holy shit it was so fucked up. I mean, I read the whole thing in 2 days. It kept my attention, but now I kinda want to get rid of the book so I don't have to look at the cover all the time & constantly remember what it's about. It's a massively depressing zombie story. 

Day 26 - Scene/Moment that made you go ‘awww’

That time when the Doctor gets Rory the car he's always wanted.

Amy: Don't tell me, this isn't Earth, that isn't a real house, and inside lives a goblin who feeds on indecision.
The Doctor: Nope. Real Earth. Real house. Real door keys.
Amy: You're not serious.
Rory: The car too? But that's my favorite car. How did you know that was my favorite car?
The Doctor: You showed me a picture once, said "That's my favorite car."
Amy: Rory, we can't accept this.
Rory: She'll say that we can't accept it because it's too expensive, and we'll always feel a crippling sense of obligation. {looks at the car} It's a risk I'm willing to take.

Day 26: Have you ever been a part, or wanted to be a part of a knit-a-long? What was it? If not, why?

I'm not entirely positive on what a knit-a-long is, but if it's anything like I think it is, I wouldn't like it.

I don't want to be an English major anymore

I just don't.


•Day 21: Something from your bathroom.

My grandparents are remodeling their house & this is the new guest bathroom. It's some fancy shit. I like it.

Day 24 - Favorite Accessory of the Doctor’s

Sonic screwdriver! Everything needs to be a little more sonic.

Day 24: Have you ever made your own pattern or dyed your own yarn? How did it turn out? 

I have not. Maybe someday I'll make my own pattern, but I really don't ever see myself dying my own yarn. It would probably always turn to poopy colors. I would rather buy what ever color I want.

One! I'm biting my tongue

•Day 20: A stuffed doll/animal that you own.

As much as I love John Green, I hate these singamajigs. My brother got it for me for Christmas last year, and to be honest... the thing really creeps me out. I had it hiding in a box.

All of my real stuffed animals are at my other house.

Day 23 - Something Epic

Day 23: If you had the supplies (and patience) for it, what project would you start today?  

That amazing Tardis blanket. It takes like 50 balls of yarn.

Another crappy thing about living with old people: They have already turned the heater on & it's not even below 65 outside. I am roasting in here.

Home Again

•Day 19: Something you don’t have much of.

TIME

So cliche, but I can only think of cliche answers to this.

Day 22 - Something Silly

This is Charlie! He's in a Doctor Who band called Chameleon Circuit.

Day 22: Have you ever stricken someone off your to-knit-for list because they didn’t appreciate/take care of your last knitted gift to them? 

No! That's a terribile thing to do! Mean.

My heart's a stereo

& I hope you don't get mad at me
When you have to purchase mad D batteries

•Day 18: Something you’re currently borrowing from someone.

Suitcase that I'm borrowing from my grandparents. I'M NOT IN A STATE RIGHT NOW I'M IN A DISTRICT! OF COLOMBIA!

Day 21 - Favorite Location

SKNDFVLKNSLEKRNGLKXNDF the tardis.

Day 21: Do you knit gifts for friends and family for the holidays or birthdays?

I'm trying to!

Thor's Day

•Day 15: A device that you own but never use/touch.

I never ever ever use it. I prefer a lamp.

Day 18 - Fave Amy Moment

When she playfully punches Rory in the arm. I'm not that deep.

Day 18: Do you knit English or Continental?

English, I'm pretty sure.

Today was stupid

Have you ever had one of those days when you have 7 different things that need to get done all at the same time? I AM HAVING ONE OF THOSE DAYS.

I'm pretty sure I just flunked my eng 203 test. Also, after the test, a girl I sit next to in class said to me, <sarcasm> "Thanks for telling me about the test."</sarcasm> (She was absent last week & I did not contact her over the weekend to tell her about the test. I didn't know I was supposed to & now I feel bad.)

I want to be in Washington DC already!

•Day 13: Nature.

Day 16 - Fave Martha Moment
When we discover that she isn't actually engaged to a doctor that works over seas, she actually married MICKEY!

Day 16: Have you ever had a knitting related injury? 
Nope. Injury-free so far.

This week is going to suck

•Day 11: Your pet.

Day 14 - Fave Doctor Moment

All of the doctor moments.
I feel bad that I really haven't sufficiently answered these Dr. Who questions, but IT'S SO HARD. 

Day 14: What’s the worst yarn/fiber that you’ve worked with and why?
Uh I don't really like the red heart super saver, but I don't hate it.

I'm going to be cliche.

•Day 6: Someone who inspires you.

Rosh, I thought we were supposed to take actual pictures, huh? :P

This is my grandfather aka Papaw/Pawpaw/Papa.
Our family never spells what we call him the same way.
I never really think of people inspiring me.
I think of objects and colors and designs inspiring me for my next craft project.
I guess if I did pick somebody, it would be my grandfather.
He has been married to my lovely, yet sometimes trying grandmother for 50 years.
He lost a lot of weight after the age of 55. (Which they say is really hard to do)
This year he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and he has gone through chemo, radiation, and surgery. He's fine now.
Through all of that he has remained the same sweet man he has been my entire life.
If I was to be inspired by him, I would be inspired by his gentleness and thoughtfulness.

Day 9 - Least Favorite Episode

That episode with the freaky kid that keeps saying, "Are you my mummy?" Still freaks me out. Something about those old timey masks.

Day 9: What fiber or yarn do you love working with? 

I'm not a yarn snob (yet) so I don't really look at the labels right off the bat. First, I feel the yarn & see how soft it is THEN, I look at what it's made of. So far I've really liked wool+acrylic mixes. They seem to be my favorite.

While dyeing my hair...

Doctor Who day! *Spoilers
I found it on tumblr. It says knitting!

I haven't actually watched the episode yet because my grandparents are hogging the TV, but also because I'm in the middle of dyeing my hair. It's called Moonlit Tortoise. It's brown. Medium brown to be exact. My roots are really gray and I just needed a touch up. I got it all over my forehead and it reminds me of that scene in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star when he dyes his hair brown and he gets it on his forehead. Cool story, bro. I know.

•Day 3: Something that you collect.

I pretty much collect everything since I'm like one step below being a full blown hoarder, but something that I actually collect is postcards. Not blank ones, but ones that people have sent me. I do this website postcrossing.com & you just put your address in & then it randomly selects an address for you to send a postcard. It's cool. I also get a postcard from an actual friend every once in a while. I don't necessarily consider that collecting, but I'm not just going to throw them away. That's mean.

Day 6 - Least Favorite Character

Martha Jones. She really annoyed me. I did feel bad that she fell in love with the doctor, but she shoulda known to not do that.

Day 6: What is your favorite piece that you’ve knit?  
The two Jayne Cobb hats. One for my mom & one for my bro.

BAM

•Day 2: Something that makes you smile.

Bad puns always do the trick. I saw this at BAM today & I almost bought it, but then I remembered how I already have like 15,834,323,234 notebooks that I don't write in. I still want it though (:

Day 5 - Favorite Guest Star

Simon Pegg, from that episode where there's future Earthlings & a creepy monster that's living in the ceiling.

Day 5: How long did it take from the time your learned how to knit, to finish your first project?

I made that bookmark, you know, & it took me about 2 days because every time I would put the needles down I forgot how to do the knit stitch & I would have to read through how to do it again and again.

Luckily next year I'll be transferred to Pigfarts

WARNING: Fart jokes ahead
So usually I have sirius radio in my car, but since I've been having to drive my grandparents car, I've been living with out it. In the mornings, on regular radio, the stations rarely play actual music. Mostly they talk about annoying things. THIS morning though. This morning was funny. The station I was listening to was 103.7 and the dude was like "Guys listen to this game I play to amuse myself. Take a song with the word 'heart' in the lyrics and replace it with the word 'fart.' For example, fart of glass." !!! So good. The possibilities are endless.
And who do you think you are
Runnin' around leavin' scars
Collecting your jar of farts


Fart Songs - Weezer


 Half of my fart's got a right mind to tell you that I can't keep loving you
With half of my fart


Anyway, I don't have to listen to the morning radio people anymore because I have a car now! & it has sirius radio! It is the nicest car I have ever driven. But I do miss my saturn.


My grandmother wants me to make her a cd. I asked her what she wanted on it & she said, "oh whatever you think." So now I'm looking for some PG rated songs for my grandmother.




Day 4 - Favorite Character
Donna Noble's grandfather Wilfred Mott, no doubt. He was a funny old dude.

Day 4: How did you learn how to knit?
I bought a Stitchin' Bitch book and I checked some books out from the library and taught myself. Also, I watched a lot of youtube videos.

Today wasn't so bad

I changed my notification sound on my cell phone to the Doctor Who intro & it was the best decision I've made probably all year. 
I've been wondering all day why fat girls are portrayed as bitches on TV. I started watching Awkward. on mtv.com because my cousin suggested it. Usually, I think her suggestions are bad, but I was desperate for something new today. It's fucking funny. BUT there is this "overweight" cheerleader who is evil to the core. And them I remembered Lauren Zizes from glee who's got 'attitude problems' and there are more examples, but I'm shit at remembering examples. What's the deal, yo? It's like society thinks we're bitter for being fat. I'm not bitter. I have low self-esteem, but I'm generally a very nice person. 
Anyway, watch Awkward. It's good.

Whoa time has snuck up on me! I'm going to be in Washington DC in two weeks! I'm currently halfway excited & halfway stressed!




Day 3 - Favorite Villain/Monster/Alien/Baddie of the Week
I can't think of any other villian except for the weeping angels at this moment. So weeping angels. They're neat.    I also liked the Master. Is he classified as a villian?

Day 3: Do you have any other WIPs (works in progress)?
Nope. Not really working on anything else because I'm procrastinating.

Someone Like You

Adele's song Someone Like You is seriously the best song to sing along to in the car (alone)/ It's just so much good. Her voice is so excellent & Britishy.


Hah I just looked at the wedding pictures of the biggest crush of my life. My heart just kind of shriveled a little.  I mean, there's no way in hell that I would ever have had a chance with him, but still... 
Besides that, something's wrong with my thigh. It sort of feels like a bruise, but there isn't one visible which cons me into thinking that there isn't one. But I guess there still could be one. 
I'm feeling that feeling where I need to be doing something productive, but instead I know I'm not going to. It's not the best feeling.


To quote one of my favorite bloggers, "I just want to nap until it's over"


Day 2 - Favorite Companion
Gun to my head, I'd pick Amy "Pond" Williams. I really really like Donna Noble though. And Rose wasn't so bad.

Day 2: What is currently on your needles?

Well... There's a purple scarf for my mom & that's about it. I should be doing more.

Inconsistency

should be my middle name.

Maybe I can make this 30 day thing last because it's about things that I love.
And I'm doing 2 at a time because that's just the kind of blogger I am.
Also, I've been leading a boring life lately.

 Day 1 - Favorite Incarnation of the Doctor

Day 1: What was your first finished project
I made my grandmother a red bookmark that's about 2" x 4.5" from red dk weight yarn & it's garter stitch so it's entirely too thick to actually use for a bookmark, but my grandmother really likes it. The other day I told her I would make a better one so she could get rid of that crummy one & she told me I could make her another one, but I'm not allowed to get rid of her favorite bookmarker.

Typical 30 day bloggy stuff

30 days of New Doctor Who

Day 1 - Favorite Incarnation of the Doctor
Day 2 - Favorite Companion
Day 3 - Favorite Villain/Monster/Alien/Baddie of the Week
Day 4 - Favorite Character
Day 5 - Favorite Guest Star
Day 6 - Least Favorite Character
Day 7 - Favorite Episode
Day 8 - Favorite Series/Season
Day 9 - Least Favorite Episode
Day 10 - Favorite Scene/Moment
Day 11 - Scene/Moment that makes you cry
Day 12 - Scene/Moment that makes you giggle
Day 13 - Favorite Era visited by The Doctor & Co.
Day 14 - Fave Doctor Moment
Day 15 - Fave Rose Moment
Day 16 - Fave Martha Moment
Day 17 - Fave Donna Moment
Day 18 - Fave Amy Moment
Day 19 - Favorite Ship
Day 20 - Prettiest Scene
Day 21 - Favorite Location
Day 22 - Something Silly
Day 23 - Something Epic
Day 24 - Favorite Accessory of the Doctor’s
Day 25 - Favorite Tardis Team
Day 26 - Scene/Moment that made you go ‘awww’
Day 27 - Scene/Moment that made you go ‘argh’
Day 28 - Favorite Series Arc
Day 29 - Favorite Music/Song
Day 30 - Why Do YOU Love Doctor Who

Knitting day challenge

Day 1: What was your first finished project?

Day 2: What is currently on your needles?

Day 3: Do you have any other WIPs (works in progress)?

Day 4: How did you learn how to knit?

Day 5: How long did it take from the time your learned how to knit, to finish your first project?

Day 6: What is your favorite piece that you’ve knit?  

Day 7: Your least favorite? 

Day 8: What’s your most challenging project?   

Day 9: What fiber or yarn do you love working with? 

Day 10: Do you have a favorite pattern or designer?

Day 11: Do you have a “Knitter Hero” or someone that is just way too awesome for their own good? Do share! 

Day 12: Where do you keep your stash? Post pictures!

Day 13: Do you have yarn that you love but can’t find a project for?  

Day 14: What’s the worst yarn/fiber that you’ve worked with and why? 

Day 15: What was your least favorite pattern and why?

Day 16: Have you ever had a knitting related injury?  

Day 17: Have you ever had a project that you loved become ruined? What’s the story behind it?  

Day 18: Do you knit English or Continental? 

Day 19: Do you watch movies and/or listen to podcasts while knitting? What are your favorite things to knit to?

Day 20: Do you knit in public? Was anyone offended/incredibly happy/curious that you were doing so?

Day 21: Do you knit gifts for friends and family for the holidays or birthdays?

Day 22: Have you ever stricken someone off your to-knit-for list because they didn’t appreciate/take care of your last knitted gift to them? 

Day 23: If you had the supplies (and patience) for it, what project would you start today?  

Day 24: Have you ever made your own pattern or dyed your own yarn? How did it turn out? 

Day 25: Do you have a knitting book or a place where you keep patterns, ideas, size measurements? Post a picture of it! 

Day 26: Have you ever been a part, or wanted to be a part of a knit-a-long? What was it? If not, why?

Day 27: How do you acquire most of yarn? Online retailers, local yarn shops, swaps, or large chain craft stores? What’s your favorite?  

Day 28: Do you do any other crafts besides knitting? What are they, and did learning to knit come before or after learning these other crafts?

Day 29: Do you have any tips, or things that you’ve learned from knitting?

Day 30: What’s your name on Ravelry? If you don’t have a Ravelry account, why?