12.31.2007

I think I am...

Well it's that time of year again. That time of year when we all take a step back, a deep breath, and a good look at ourselves and what we've accomplished over the last year. Right?

So, in the spirit of the season, here are some things I have discovered about myself this past year.

I think I am...

...a yarn snob.

A couple of years ago, when I finally picked up crocheting for real, I was perfectly happy with acrylic, novelty, and other 'cheap' yarns. I blissfully crocheted away with said yarns for more than a year, perfectly content to do my yarn shopping at Michael's or Hancock or Hobby Lobby. And then...something happened. I don't know when it happened or how it happened. I think it may have been my introduction to knitty (which I blame on Stephanie because of these), but I suddenly realized that there was a whole big yarn world out there. And I HAD to explore it. I began by making a small order from kpixie. And then I visited one of my local yarn stores (LYS). And before I knew it, I didn't want to crochet or knit with those 'cheap' yarns anymore. I had to have the super soft cottons or the pretty wools. I even spent a pretty penny on hand spun and hand dyed yarns at the Kansas City Renaissance Faire.

One issue though. Since I am first a crocheter and second a knitter, I have run into several knitters with a bias against crocheters. This bias usually manifests itself at the LYS in a situation that goes a little something like this:

Seemingly friendly knitter: "Oh hi there! Blah blah blah. So what project are you working on?"

Me: "Well, I've been trying to finish these great crocheted mittens for a friend of mine."

SFK: "Oh." *with a poorly disguised look of disgust*

Wait. What just happened there. Why did Seemingly Friendly Knitter suddenly become Bitch With Needles? Why did that one word...crochet...turn her against me? I mean, we both work with yarn to create some sort of garment or accessory, or any number of other things. They are both challenging in their own respective ways.

My theory? It's because there are far more knitters that appreciate their yarn choice just as much or even MORE than their pattern choice. For some reason, and I've said this before, crocheters seem to have the most horrid taste when it comes to yarn type and color. And here to illustrate my point, we have the following pictures:

Are there really any words for this?

Does this make my butt look big?




Can anyone tell me what this is? No, it's not a 1970's wedding cake. That, my friends, is the most hideous child's sweater known to man.
Mammas don't let your babies grow up to dress like this


Ok, I don't even know what this is. Seriously. WHAT is this thing? The mystery almost distracts from the eye-gouging color choices. It frightens me.
I SEEEEE YOU!


Ok, so the color choices aren't awful on this (to be fair it's a variegated yarn) but....why?? Is the soap dispenser cold? Maybe embarrassed to be naked? Is there something offensive on its label?
Naked Soap


And last, but certainly not least, is this little...um...beauty? I will be making one for Steph. And she will be forced to wear it. That is all.
Sexy Turkey Hat


Crocheters of the world, PLEASE STOP! You are giving the few of us that have a decent sense of style and ability to combine natural colors a bad name! Seriously. And if you can't pick good colors, please at least pick a good pattern.

I think I am...

...obsessed with Photoshop.

Yeah. I know you are all SO surprised. But I can't help it. And it's only been within the last year that I've REALLY taken the time to play with the pictures more.

What's that? You want to see some before and afters? Hmm, well, I think I can do that.



Before...

...and after.



Before...

...and after.


We now interupt these regularly scheduled Christmas Tree pictures with...

Pandora before...



Pandora after...


We now return you to your regularly scheduled Christmas Tree pictures...


Before...

...and after.



And here's a fun one.

Before...



After...



Heh. I should have waved.





I think I am...


...addicted to technology.

It's not that I've purchased a lot of new technology this year. Just that I've wanted it. I think the only thing I've actually purchased is this:




And only cause it was on sale. Well, and cause I wanted one.

As you all know, I want one of these.

And my next big purchase will be a new one of these:




Or possibly one of these:




Of course, that being said...can it really be considered an addiction if one can't actually satisfy said 'addiction'?

I think I am...

...turning this into a REALLY long post.

Hmm. Just think. That's five minutes of your life you can't get back.

I sincerely apologize. No really.

3 comments:

SpinKick said...

Wow. I suppose I should feel really bad that not only am I ONLY a crocheter, but I also am still okay with using Hobby Lobby yarn. Isn't it SOMETHING that I am anti-Red Heart?

I guess my overall reason is that... well, the biggest reason is that I am a cheap ass. But I WAS going to say that I don't think I am good enough to merit the expensive stuff. I can buy better-looking stuff already made so much cheaper. You know I try to tell myself that people appreciate homemade, but I always end up just feeling cheap... like they think I am too cheap to buy them something. Isn't this ridiculous when I can spend hours and hours making something?

Anyway.... those mittens you referenced... well first of all, they are now gloves... but secondly dammit, THEY ARE MINE!!! Woohoo!

Your pictures really are lovely Tracie. Your talent is endless. I really need to get photoshop and learn how to use it.

And now ladies and gentleman, I note that this is like the longest comment EVER. Sorry for those three minutes of your life. No really.

;-)

Kristi said...

All I thought about the third crochet project picture is...

It's a yarn Eye-of-Sauron!!!!!!

"IIIII SEEEEEEE YOOOOUUUUUUU!!!!!"

AAAAAAAAUUUUUUUGHGHGHGHGHHHHHH!!!!

Heehee... seriously, your Photoshop pictures are very very good. I almost want to send you some of mine just to see what you can do with them! I took a pretty one of my candles on my coffee table with my tree as a backdrop, and..and... oh ok you're busy enough. :) If I had Photoshop I'd probably make jillions of icons. That'd just be a waste of time. :)

Unknown said...

I think that you forgot to mention that that is a "SEXY TURKEY HAT", as the pattern is titled. And I expect mine before Thanksgiving 2008.