The Damned Delivery!
Before we go into the discussion of yarn...
Online shopping...let's talk about it, for just a moment. Particularly, lets talk about ordering flowers, online.
In the past, this used to be an incredibly easy thing to do. You go to the website, pick out your bouquet (which will, of course, costs about the same, as a shopping spree at Zales.) Then, after cringing at the fact that you will spend 40 bucks on two roses and a teddy bear (which is ONLY ok, because you know they will bring a smile,) you go to checkout. Again, you cringe, as you realize that, in order to get same-day delivery (which you want, of course), you will be shelling out another 20 big ones.
In the end, you wallet is empty, after the whole process. And, just as you start to question: Was this REALLY a good move, you get a call, from the person you sent the flowers to. Hearing their joy...yes, it was a good move. IT WAS A GREAT MOVE!
Somehow (and I don't know how), flower shopping has become a menacing ordeal. You are spending even more now, for those two roses, with teddy bear. And, you would think that, with the EXTREME elevation in price, customer service would be at an ALL TIME BEST!
Well, it isn't my friends! Prices go up, service sinks down!
Yesterday, my sister was having a bad day (I won't go into detail.) So, before I pulled out my yarn, I decided to go online, and send flowers to her.
One hour (and 80 bucks) later, I found a great bouquet. Alright...alright. It wasn't GREAT...but it was good. And, it would have made her smile, so that was fine by me. I ordered the bouquet over the phone. I was GUARANTEED that they would be delivered yesterday.
Guess what?
They weren't.
I had to ask my sister if she got them. She told me no. So, on top of the MFIQ (Missing Flowers In Question), I felt like a complete ass. I felt like someone dangling a gift, in front of her, with no real way to give it to her. It completely SUCKED!
I got on the phone, this morning, and I cancelled the order. I AM PISSED! I just wanted to make her smile. I wanted to give her a bouquet, that would make her light up. Instead, lucky me, I got to TELL her about a bouquet, that I had TRIED to get her. OH BOY!!!
What-FRIGGIN-ever!
Anyway...I am sure that, even though I could RAMBLE on about this, it would not entertain. And, bad flower delivery is not, I imagine, why you are reading this blog. (Call it a hunch.) So, let us move onward.
To the YARN!
Six more squares. God, I can't believe it! In six days, my squares will be FINISHED! And, on the 7th day, despite myth, there will be NO rest.
As you know, at the beginning of September, I will be joining the squares. But, I will be finished with making my squares on August 24. What to do with the remaining days?
I will continue work on my Mystery Project, and my Pillow...obviously. Then, I will dare to go into a rather frightening zone. I will go into my yarn cabinet. (Insert horrified scream here.) That is right. From August 25, to the 31, I will brave the domain of tangled yarn.I will spend my time, balling my yarn. (And, I am sure that I will wind up throwing some out. Some tangles, after all, simply CANNOT be undone.) Wish me luck...on the 25th, I enter the land of TANGLE!
Anyway...
Yesterday, I worked on granny 80, from my book. I did not feel like going to my monstrous yarn cabinet, so I worked this square in a yarn, that I had in my bag, readily available. Frosty green. The book uses 4 colors, for this granny: red, green, blue, and black. But, what can I say? I was in a monochromatic type of mood, yesterday. And, I was lazy. Besides, sometimes you just look at a sample granny, and think to yourself: Really? You chose that color combination? What the hell did that granny ever do, to you?
This granny, I can guarantee, was happy, being one shade. I could practically hear her thanking me for not making her look like bright, tacky HOOKER!
Anyway...
Two stitches are found in this square's guide. The treble (big whoop), and the long double crochet. There are 6 rounds. And, it was complete heaven. This granny offered just enough of a challenge, to not be COMPLETELY mind-numbing, but not enough to be considered a bitchy old square.
Oh, Granny 80...I enjoyed our time together. Was it good for you, too?
www.flickr.com/photos/theyarnproject/4907945362/
Anyway...
After I showed granny 80 a good time, I moved on to my Broomstick Lace Pillow.
Three rows in. Two more broomstick lace rows to go, before moving on the the half-double. As for the broomstick lace...
It has become easier to do. (I know...duh! Anytime you work with a stitch, for long enough, I am sure it is BOUND to become simple.) This stitch used to make me want to pull my hair out. But now...while it still delivers the occasional hell, it is not a COMPLETE PAIN IN THE ASS! (But, yes...I will be thrilled when I can get away from it.)
(Part of me wonders, as I do this pillow...When finished, should I plan to keep it for myself, or should I put it away, and deal it out as a Christmas goodie? Hmmm...)
And, you guessed it.
I saved the best for last! My Mystery Project!
First off, let me say that I am AMAZED at how many guesses have come in over it. That totally just excited the HELL out of me. And, I did say that the hints would get a little bit more detailed, as they went along, didn't I? But, looking back, I have kept all of the hints pretty damned vague. Well, it is time to change that, I think. Time to give you a hint, that will shrink the playing field, quite a bit. Are you ready?
Hint 12: This project is dedicated to a Holiday.
There you go. Think you know what it is? If so, guess away.
Okay...
One last thing, before I go.
I have had a lot of readers ask me one thing: "How are you going to join the squares?"
Well, I am NOT going from a pattern, at all. I will join them my way, HOW I WANT TO. I am thinking that I will be doing a lot of goups of 4 like-sized squares, and then framing them together. At first, I thought of just using a bunch of random yarns...much the same way I have, while making the squares. However, yesterday, I was told I should use black yarn. That, by stitching and framing the squares in black, it will make them POP a little bit more.
So, I will do this. Having already used black yarn, I can honestly say one thing, about it. It is not a favorite. But, if it will work good for the squares, then that is all that matters. So, next time I am out, I will go on the hunt for black yarn.
Well, guys, I am off.
I hope you all have a great day (and remember...flower shopping online = DEATH!!!)
Happy crocheting!