Thursday, December 31, 2015

Episode 88: BB88 - Spoiler-tastic


In this week's SPOILER-tastic episode, Sandy & Jade talk in-depth about the latest Star Wars movie, the Force Awakens. CAUTION: There are a lot of spoilers in this episode.

Afterwards, they geek out about their end-of-year projects, then wrap up with a review of Star Wars Crochet kit, by Thunder Press.

Get Geeky

Events 2016

Dundracon 40: San Ramon Mariott February 12-15, 2016, HOTEL IS FULL, last day for prereg prices 1/31
Sandy is helping with the karaoke event again this year-- proposed theme: Princes of the Universe
  • Stitches West: FEB. 18-21, 2016


SPOILER-TASTIC


Sandy & Jade talk about the new Star Wars movie, their thoughts about the characters, etc. This is a SPOILER-HEAVY episode, so if you haven't seen the movie, skip to the Get Crafty Section.

Get Crafty

Fiber Optics


Finished Objects
Sandy
Jade
  • Raspberry Ice
  • Yarn: Queensland Kathmandu Chunky - Merino, Cashmere, Silk.
  • Progress: Complete. Jade had hoped it was a 2 week sweater, but finished instead in 21 days on Xmas day.
  • Modifications: Seed stitch instead
WIPs
Jade
  • Pattern: GAP-tastic cowl
  • Yarn: Eco Wool in Ecru -- left overs from the Hemlock Blanket by Jared Flood
  • Modifications -- Double moss stitch instead of the single moss stitch.
Jade
  • Pattern: Vanilla Fingerless glove pattern
  • Yarn: “Asia” -- Super Sock Abstract Fibers
Sandy
  • 80% done knitting the Maple Leaf Knit Shawl by Natalia @ Elfmoda, as part of a December KAL. Mine is in Malabrigo Sock, color Fresco y Seco, a stunning emerald green.
  • not using the charts, still counting to finish the corners
Sandy
Started some vanilla socks for Eric in a very old skein of yarn-- Brunswick Nylamb in the color Cranberry.  
Two inches of cuffs underway.

Review: Star Wars Crochet


Author: Lucy Collins
Publisher: Thunder Bay Press 

DISCLAIMER: This kit was given to us by Thunder Bay Press to review.
We’ll upload a more comprehensive review on our blog, with photos, but here’s a shortened version:


Overall, the kit was well put together. It contained: yarn, a crochet hook, instructions, stuffing, eyes, and a darning needle. Jade made Yoda, which is the first project in the book while at Convolution this year.

  • The yarn == The yarn was wool, which was a nice surprise. It was pleasant enough to work with.  I thought it’d be acrylic, but it’s actual wool yarn.
  • Crochet hook == The hook is metal, which Jade doesn’t personally like, but you can’t be picky. Also, the crochet hook is the correct size for the yarn
  • Instructions == The instructions are very good, clear and concise.
    • The front part of the book contains instructions for beginning crocheters with photos and details on how to do all of the stitches necessary for each project -- including how to tell the wrong / right side of amigurumi. It’s a good start for a beginner.
    • You might want to supplement this with an actual beginning book on crochet -- “Stitch & Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker” (at least 2nd edition)”
  • Eyes == The enclosed doll eyes did not work. Both Jade and Sandy, who are experienced toy crochet/knitters, could not get the screws for the eyes to work. They suggest getting new doll eyes from a big box craft store or embroider the eyes, if you know how.
  • The darning needle == Jade found the darning needle a bit too small to work with, especially if you’re a child with clumsy hands.
  • The Star Wars characters == All of them are SUPER cute. And Jade wants to make them all. Sandy wants this kit for herself, as well.

PROS: Excellent kit overall, with minor nits. Jade recommends this for adventurous beginners, experienced crocheters, and any crafter who loves Star Wars.

CONS: A couple of things
  • The eyes and darning needle were useless as noted above . 
  • The Storm Trooper should have been the very first project instead of Yoda as there are too many things as a first project … including making very small Yoda ears and his cloak.
  • The weight of the yarn is mentioned only at the beginning of the book under "NOTES". When looking at each project, the yarn weight is not mentioned at all.

 

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Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Episode 87: The Good, the Bad, the Over-Commercialized


In this week's episode, Sandy and Jade talk about the over-commercialization of certain geek franchises, and ask, When is too much too much? Then they play catch-up on their cosplay and crafting projects from the past month.

Get Geeky

30 Seconds of Squee

  • Sandy Squee: Sandy is gaga over Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs aromatherapy oils - http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/
  • Jade Squee - Jade is sque’ing over the new Doctor Who season. No spoilers.

Over-commercialization of Geek Franchises
The girls discuss the GOOD and BAD of the over-commercialization of our geek fandoms. For the longest time, it was hard to get geek-themed objects, unless it was a limited run made by a fan that you could get at a convention. However, nowadays, this has changed.
Using Star Wars as an example, there might be a super saturation of the market, from Darth Vader showerheads to Chewbaca Coffee Mate creamer.
Where’s the line? How much is too much? Does it lower the mystique of a fandom? Or does it increase your enjoyment?
Sandy found this video by SNL that spoofs collectors vs. kids who buy Star Wars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYyuo7gm-aQ

Get Crafty


Make it Sew - Cosplay Creations

Jade is currently still working on her Jedi outfit. She finished one, and started another.

Fiber Optics

Jade: 200 projects on RAVELRY!
Sandy has 63.

Finished Objects
Sandy
Malabrigo merino Worsted, color Blue Graphite
Quick knit, I’d been meaning to make this for a while, and it felted up beautifully.
Jade
  • Yarn: Shibui - Linen, Cloud, and Pebble
  • Notes: Jade FINALLY finished this after some hassle. There were points where the sweater was frogged, which is a pain, because MOHAIR. She added a crochet border around the neck and edges to prevent too much rolling.
Jade
  • Pattern: Hulky Invader Sock pattern
  • Yarn: BCY Self Striping Sport Sock -- “Hulk”
  • Reminds Jade of ZIM from Invader ZIM. Sandy remarks that she thought it was from the Planet Hulk animation.
WIPs
Jade
  • Pattern: Vitruvia -
  • Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug. Leaf Velvet. FINGERING WEIGHT
  • Progress: This was Jade’s trip knitting in the car. Slow progress but oh, so pretty. She’s two repeats of the cable pattern on the back.
Sandy
  • Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder
  • Araucania Itata Multy: wool, silk, bamboo
  • green, purple, yellow…
  • Sandy is halfway through the second sock
Jade
  • Pattern: Vanilla Sock pattern
  • Yarn: Electric Avenue by Stray Cat Socks
  • KNITTING ATTACKS JADE. She has so many broken sock needles and one lost sock. She is going to try out carbon fiber needles recommended by the Purl Girls.
Sandy
  • To Sum up of National Finish a sweater month: the sweater is blocked, seamed through the body, both sleeves knit and attached to armscyes, then cut back because they were too long and reknit, but I didn’t manage to finish before the end of November.  I still have the hood and neckline to go, and then seaming the arms down the center. Can’t even begin to count the Knitting Attacks while doing the !@#$% arms.
Jade
  • Raspberry Ice - Project 201
  • Yarn: Queensland Kathmandu Chunky - Merino, Cashmere, Silk.
  • Notes: This is working up very fast. In 5 days, she has cast off the body and started on the sleeves.
Sandy
A bunch of us gamer geeks are knitting or crocheting the Maple Leaf Knit Shawl by Natalia @ Elfmoda, as part of a December KAL. Mine is in Malabrigo Sock, color Fresco y Seco, a stunning emerald green.
It’s an easy pattern to work, but a lot of counting and record keeping. Make sure everything lines up and you’ll be fine.
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