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.

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Get Geeky

Events 2016

• Jan
• Anime LA -- end of Jan 28-31, 2016 http://www.animelosangeles.org/ala/
• Further Confusion (FurCon) Jan 14-16; http://www.furtherconfusion.org/
• Feb - Gallifery One in LA http://www.gallifreyone.com/
• Confirmed Guests  -- Michelle Gomez, John Hurt.

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

• March - Silicon Valley Comic Con March 18-20 http://svcomiccon.com

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	Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder
Jade	Raspberry Ice Pattern: Iced from Knitty 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.