What NOT To Crochet...And Something Cool To Knit
Occasionally I buy old pattern books from eBay. They are cheap, fun to look through, and occasionally they have patterns I can use. I received a bunch in the mail from Hawaii a few days ago and just got the chance to look at them tonight. I kept about 1/3 but had to show you some of the truly atrocious before I threw them away:
And some people think sock monkeys are scary. Here's a veritable zoo of crochet no-no's:
And how about this "Enfant Elephant" (I kid you not - that's the name):
Whatever you do....never, EVER, crochet animal planters!!! (Your plants will die from embarrassment - I guarantee it!):
All of these pics are in pattern books from 1977 to 1983.
Someone please tell me those plastic monkey parts are no longer available!!
I finished my Malabrigo Peach Twist - a nice accompaniment to my ancient London Fog coat:
It could have been a smidge longer - maybe an inch - but I'm happy with it. Monday's forecast is a cold one - a high of 40 - so bus duty at 8 AM should be very chilly! If I didn't get hat hair so badly I'd rush & make a chapeau to match. Maybe a larger, fluffier hat that wouldn't mat down my hair...like Bad Hair Day or I'm really kinda loving the Spring Beret by Natalie Larson. Yet the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret would certainly fit with the feeble cable I did at the beginning of my Peach Twist. Hmmmmmm.....
And after the hat, there really should be mittens. With cables down the center. Nothing too fancy, just warm and serviceable. I'll have to search ravelry for those pattern next!
In the meantime, I'm catching up on the tons of grading I brought home and promised myself "I'd get to" before the break was over. Well, the break is almost over & it's time I "got to it" pretty quickly. I graded a couple of hours today & probably have an hour of reading & commenting left to do. Then I have to write all the grades in my paper grade book, then turn around & transfer every single grade to my on-line grade book, from whence grades are pulled. All this is due by Wed. and I'd like to have it settled & in & verified by Monday afternoon.
Oh yeah - I also have to figure out what the heck I'm going to teach 2nd semester. Guess I need to get those lessons plans outa my head & on to paper! haha! It'll all be good - George Lucas, the hero's journey, Luke Skywalker etc. We'll throw in Harry Potter too and see where it gets us. Heck, we'll spend 2 class periods watching the first Star War's movie (the one made in 1977...the only "1st" movie I will acknowledge! bah!) and writing down all the moments along the hero's journey that we can identify. And then, tricky, tricky, me, will probably turn around & make them use their notes for a short essay on the subject. Just so I know they've assimilated the ideas I needed them too.
Fun stuff. I find it hard to believe that everyone isn't out here in the trenches having as much fun as I am. ::snicker::
I have one week until my 3 classes start(Twice exceptional Gifted students/Teaching reading in Elementary Grades/ Student Teaching), so at least I'll have the classes I teach on track before other things start to distract me.
Can you tell I'm not ready to end my vacation? I think they'll have to drag me in kicking & screaming that first day.
Sigh. Get ready for me to be swamped again. I feel like telling everyone I'll see you on the other side. January should be OK - nothing big will be due, but February my outside classes will start kicking in and then in March we have the standardized testing for a week which throws everyone into a tailspin. By the time April hits, you have time for one big, major unit before everyone starts looking toward summer and freedom. It's really hard to keep kids on track during May.
As for me, I should be able to take at least 2 classes over the summer, I'm waiting to see if another reading class I need will be offered. I also need to take an intense, one week seminar on teaching AP classes, just in case I don't have a gifted job next year & need to apply to high schools with AP classes as well as middles schools who have them. I have to make myself universally appealing....I'm just grateful that most of the bullsh*t hoops I need to jump through will be over at this time next year.
I can get through anything for 365 days. Right? ::Grin:::
Love your cowl!
Posted by: jillian | January 02, 2009 at 08:31 AM
OMG! When I was little, my aunt made me a doll like the ones in your 2nd picture! I always call her my Scary Clown Doll since she used a bright variagated yarn for the outfit and hat and she had a red nose!
Posted by: Kelly | January 02, 2009 at 08:41 AM
The slouchy hat is so YOU Bron! You have such great style & class. Love seeing your projects.
Oh yeah, sometimes people sell those heads & hands & feet on eBay. LOL And people buy them. Scary. They look ridiculous with crocheted outfits IMO.
Happy New Year to you & yours.
Have a great day everyone!
Posted by: Margaret | January 02, 2009 at 08:44 AM
I like how the Peach Twist turned out - very classy! Love the shade of Malabrigo! Happy New Years to you and your family!
Posted by: Kimberly | January 02, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Peach Twist looks wonderful! I happened on your blog because I was searching for anyone who has strawberry cream Cotton-Ease. :) If you still have 9 skeins..would they be for sale at all? Thanks!
Posted by: Jen (Friender) | January 03, 2009 at 08:27 AM
Ah, but you're already universally appealing, Bron!
Cute hats. They'd all work nicely.
Those crocheted animals! After watching The Twilight Zone all day the other day - I'd expect them to come to life and eat brains. Braaaaaiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnns.
Posted by: Carrie K | January 03, 2009 at 06:05 PM
Those crocheted creatures are scary!! Good luck with your classes and happy New Year!
Posted by: Katie | January 03, 2009 at 06:35 PM