fairy web shawl, written pattern

this is the fairy web shawl, a free pattern on ravelry. It's only available as a chart, but here are some written directions a fellow knitter helped me out with.

KEY:
pm: place marker
sm: slip marker
yo: yarn over
s2k1psso: slip 2 stitches together knit wise, k1, pass slipped stitches over knit stitch
*{ } repeat text in parentheses


You'll start with a garter tab. I followed the directions from the OG pattern for that part, then followed these written directions...
Row 4: K3, pm, yo, k3, yo, pm, k1, pm, yo, k3, yo, pm, k3
Row 5 and all ODD rows: k3, sm, purl to last marker, sm, k3
Row 6: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, s2k1psso, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, s2k1psso, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 8: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, k1, s2k1psso, k1, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, k1, s2k1psso, k1, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 10: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, k2, s2k1psso, k2, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, k2, s2k1psso, k2, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 12: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 14: k3, sm, yo, k2, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k2, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k2, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k2, yo, sm, k3
Row 16: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, s2k1psso, yo, k7, yo, s2k1psso, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, s2k1psso, yo, k7, yo, s2k1psso, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 18: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, k1, s2k1psso, k1, yo, k5, yo, k1, s2k1psso, k1, yo, k1 yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, k1, s2k1psso, k1, yo, k5, yo, k1, s2k1psso, k1, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 20: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, k2, s2k1psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, s2k1psso, k2, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, k2, s2k1psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, s2k1psso, k2, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 22: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 24: k3, sm, yo, k2, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k2, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k2, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k2, yo, sm, k3

Row 26: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, s2k1psso, *{yo, k7, yo, s2k1psso}, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, *{s2k1psso, yo, k7, yo}, s2k1psso, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 28: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, k1, s2k1psso, *{k1, yo, k5, yo, k1, s2k1psso}, k1, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, k1, *{s2k1psso, k1, yo, k5, yo, k1}, s2k1psso, k1, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 30: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, k2, s2k1psso, *{k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, s2k1psso}, k2, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, k2, *{s2k1psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2}, s2k1psso, k2, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 32: k3, sm, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso, *{k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso}, k3, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, k3, *{s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3}, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, sm, k3
Row 34: k3, sm, yo, k2, yo, k3, s2k1psso, *{k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso}, k3, yo, k2, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k2, yo, k3, *{s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3}, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k2, yo, sm, k3
Repeat rows 26-35 until you have reached desired length

Row 36: k3, sm, yo, k3, yo, k3, s2k1psso, *{k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso}, k3, yo, k3, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k3, yo, k3, *{s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3}, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k3, yo, sm, k3
Row 38: k3, sm, yo, k4, yo, k3, s2k1psso, *{k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso}, k3, yo, k4, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k4, yo, k3, *{s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3}, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k4, yo, sm, k3
Row 40: k3, sm, yo, k5, yo, k3, s2k1psso, *{k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, s2k1psso}, k3, yo, k5, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k5, yo, k3, *{s2k1psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3}, s2k1psso, k3, yo, k5, yo, sm, k3

blessed

On a Tuesday morning a couple of weeks ago (I don't know the time b/c the cell phone is faulty and had been showing nothing but a black screen for days), Nicole the main co-teacher called me. She said they (she, Alice, maybe Olivia) were at school and missed me and wanted to meet for lunch. I was in Seoul that day and we postponed for another time but WOW, I felt so loved and special and appreciated. I am blessed. 

i HATE her...

hey, i hate this girl "xxxx" on bssk.
if i ever see her in the street, im'a throw my soda at her.

1:11pm
Is that the girl who knows everything?

1:12pm
who THINKS she knows everything? yes.

and has shitty ghetto ass grammar when she posts on bssk

i hope im holding a giant super big gulp when i see her.

1:17pm
Bahahaha!!

I'll bring a slurpy machine back from the states then

that time when sean disappointed me

sean in blue...

Wednesday 7:47pm
about dinner at ashleys last thursday:
i couldnt help but overhear bits of your conversation with the other men at the table. what i heard was very sexually explicit and given that you were in a public place, with coworkers, female colleagues within earshot, and at the same table with your boss and your elders, i found your story telling very inappropriate and offensive. Next time, please save such stories when hanging out with your friends at someone's house.
The only thing i find more disgusting than your dinner conversation was the fact that none of the men at the table thought to tell you that maybe you should stop talking. I am really angry and disappointed. I hope that i never have to feel this way about you ever again. Please next time think before you speak.

Wednesday  10:24pm

While i am.sorry u found sone of the things i said offensive i am sorry. but to single.mebout as rhe only one.doing it is also a offense. while we.did talk about.some horrible.th8ngs i also talked about.how women in this.country get treated. i.was not.the only one say things. i am sorry u were offended but if u have.a.problem please let.me.know at.the.time.so.i.can fix.the.problem.

Thursday 6:33pm

i didnt say i found some of the things you said offensive. i said what i overheard was offensive. i couldnt tell you at the time because i was too confused and angry. im telling you now, in hopes that in the future, what bits i did overhear are not bits of conversation you will have again while in public with your coworkers. do you want a cookie in claiming balance that you talked about how awful women are treated in this country? i dont have one for you.

Today  7:14am
to be clear: i really like "first met sean," who helped me figure out my tv. I really like "opened my door" sean, who helped me get into my apartment when i was locked out and couldnt get the key to fit/turn, and i really liked "golden bell" sean, who tried to make sure the kids had fun at camp. i was not prepared for the sean i overheard at ashleys. im sorry i came off so aggressive in my prior msgs, but i was angry b/c the sean i know can do so much better.

a day without my cell phone

i left my cell phone at home today. so i imagine today is the day that:

• a company that i invested money in years ago will call to tell me i have a balance of a bajiliion dollars and it's mine all mine. 
• the long lost love will call to tell me how empty life has been without me and beg to be a part of my life again.
• an eccentric gajillionaire will call to say s/he found shaalemumekebeb.blogspot.com and gush about my talent and promise, and inquire if i have a patron, giving me the option to quit working and paint all the time.
• the friend who hasnt talked to me in 10 years will call to say sorry for all the time we've missed and we'll straight away get back to talking as if no time has passed at all.
• countless msgs will come in from people to say "im sorry for believing all that groundless chisme about you. I should've known that only small people talk about other people. from now on, if someone puts down your name, i will stand up for you."
• one of the students who managed to get my phone number will call to ask a very important grammar question and feel abandoned b/c i didnt answer the phone.

but reality: i'll come home to maybe one text msg, in korean, and it'll just be spam.

potato

Did a review today and one of the phrases was "couch potato". I showed a picture of a potato on a couch and the team had to guess the vocabulary.

Me: "I was lazy today, so I was a.....???"
Student: "Potato Head!"
Me: "No."
Student: "Lazy potato."
Me: "No...starts with a 'c'."
Student: "Crazy Potato!"
Me: "No."
Student: "How many potatoes are there?"

http://www.facebook.com/ESLFunnies

winter 2012

December 6, 2012
im so cold. i am not about this life.

Sha Alemu Mekebeb
walking home yesterday, it felt like it was snowing horizontally, right into my face. oh my life...
 
Annice
bwahaha, I ain't about this life either. I just feel like fighting.
    
Sha Alemu Mekebeb
lawd girl, i aint got no moscato at home and i done left my pipe at Charity's last week. im just going to go home and be angry. This sucks.
    
Annice
Hmm, alcohol is a good strategy to stay warm. I think I'll just get drunk today before work.
    
Omeg
what??? no this life is for me. yesterday i felt so alive walking home. TRUE NORTHERN SPIRIT!
    
Jessica
My coworker(white) had the nerve to snicker that I'm dressed like I live in the arctic... he's the crazy one, with his ears all out like that!
    
Annice
Girl! Not with his ears out lol.
    
Omega
wat???? true northerners bring the proper winter attire. mittens, scarf, ear muff, hat. i was sad i didn't have room for long underwear, and i'm still looking for proper boots. the right gear makes winter wonderful!
    
Felipe
Haha
    
Sha Alemu Mekebeb
that's it, Omega, gimme your card.
    
Omega
awwww shhhhhaaaaaa....but whyyyyyy

Samanfa
i'm just mad it's not cold enough for me to break out my calf length chocolate brown shearling. waiting til it's just a little colder.

Dave 'Qualitee' Curington(my a-hole brother living in san diego)
I feel you Sha, we're suffering out here in San Diego too! Like yesterday, I had to zip up my thin cotton track jacket all the way up to my neck! But I had to take off my beanie because I was getting all sweaty and gross.

geometric hat kindof...

there is a mistake in the decrease row 7, but im not sure what it is. i think it should be end with k1,p1? i dont know. working on fixing it now...

========================================================

this is from the free ravelry pattern Geometric Hat by Vanessa Ewing. my finished knit of this on ravelry here. reading this pattern is a little hard to read for a beginner, and i totally couldn't understand the decreases, so this is my re-write and modification of the pattern. this is knit in the round with worsted weight yarn and 5.5 mm needles.
co 70 stitches of worsted weight yarn on 5.5 mm needles (or cast on any multiple of 10). repeat whatever is in the parenthesis ( ).


stitch pattern:
row 1-5: (k4, p1)
row 6-8: p5, (k4, p6) k4, p1
row 9-13: (k4,p1)
row 14-16: k4, p6
repeat until hat is 5.5 inches or desired length.


decrease:
row 1: (k3, p2tog)
row 2: (k3,p1)
row 3: (k2, p2tog)
row 4: (k2,p1)
row 5: (k1, p2tog)
row 6: (k1,p1)
row 7: (p2tog, k1) k2tog
row 8: (p1, k1)
row 9: (k2tog)
row 10: knit

modified geometric hat

Geometric Hat by Vanessa Ewing is a great free pattern on ravelry.com. i made this with a co of 75 but didnt realize i should use a multiple of 10 and was too lazy to rip and start over. instead of a k5,p1 pattern, i used k3,p2 to make the hat more "ribbed" and hug the head better.


geohat modifications: 
co 70 st on 4mm needles (or use any multiple of 10)
join in the round
row 1-5: (p2, k3) repeat
row 6-8: (p7, k3) repeat
row 9-13: (p2, k3)
row 14-16: p2 (k3,p7) repeat
blah blah blah


decrease:
row 1: [p2tog, k3]
row 2: [p1, k2tog,k1]
row 3 and 4: [p1,k2]
row 5: [p1, k2tog]
row 6 and 7: [p1,k1]
row 8: [k2tog]
row 9 and 10: knit
row 11: k2tog

basketweave hat

i made these hats. you can too. i have no info on gauge, but you can look at these on my ravelry. if youre using a worsted weight yarn, i would suggest US 9 - 5.5 mm and casting on at least 72 stitches. Otherwise, cast on a multiple of 6 I think.

first pattern ive written ever:

cast on 72 stitches on 4mm needles and join in the round.
k1p1 rib for 5 rows.

switch to 5.5 mm. 
row 1-4: k4, p2 for 4 rows

row5-8: k1 {p2, k4} k3 for 4 rows
repeat until hat measures around 6 inches.

decrease:
row1:k1, k2tog, k1, p2tog repeat
row2:k3, p1 repeat
row3:k2tog, k1, p1 repeat
row4:k2,p1 repeat
row5:k2tog, p1 repeat, end with k2tog
row6:p1, k1 repeat
row7:k2tog
row8:knit
repeat 7&8 until there are about 6 stitches left.

fb things i hate.

i like facebook.

people who are completely anti-facebook are taking it too seriously.

but there are some things i dont like about facebook.

• having a profile pic that doesnt include your face, especially when you send me a friend invite.
• using something not your name for your name, like John ImSoFlyWearingABowTie Jones.
• posting x-rated things. everyone sees you, so put your best forward. that's not being fake, it's good manners.
• being passive aggressive with your posts/updates, like, "“Paris Wannabe knows that some friends aren’t what they say that are and are really talking behind my back!”
• friend requesting me if we've met once in passing.
• random guys i dont know trying to holla... although i must admit i dont get this too often.
• invites/posts/updates about all fb games & apps (farmville, mafia, bakeshop, whatthefuckeveridontcare).
• a gajillion photos posted to an album with only 3 worth looking at. dont just plug in your camera, upload, and walk away.  delete the crappy photos.
• getting spammed about an event. fb is for friends, not for promoting yourself/your events.
• your super private privacy settings. youre not that important.

bender, gotbf (knit in the round)

Bender, Guardian of the Bum Fodder

by Elizabeth Jarvis
this is a great free pattern on ravelry, however, it is written flat knit & in several pieces needing to be assembled. these are my alterations for knitting in the round & making as few separate pieces as i could think of. the body, head, teeth, & antennae are knit in one piece, then i knit two arms, two legs, two eyes, and the eye surround. i didnt make fingers b/c i am lazy, but the original pattern has instructions for them. i used worsted wt yarn on 3.5 mm needles. ravelry link for my bender is here. please msg me if you have suggestions to more clearly write out this pattern.


body, head, teeth, antennae (knit in the round in one piece from the base up):

cast on 57 stitches on 3.5mm needles,

join to knit in the round for 4.25 inches
(or however tall your toilet paper/paper towel roll is).
next did one row of purl for body definition
one more row of knit.
then began decrease:
row 1.*k2 tog, k6;* repeat, end with k1

row 2 (and row 4) knit
row 3. *k2 tog, k5;* repeat. end with k1.
row 5. *k2 tog, k4;* repeat. end with k1
at this point, i had 36 stitches.
continue knitting, next is the head.
purl one row
knit for 5 rows
start the teeth. youre on your own for that part, i dont know how to type out how i did it. i did something like intarsia knitting. all i can tell you is that the teeth were 15 stitches long and 8 rows tall.
continue st st until head is 3.5 inches from base (the last purl row).

head decrease:
row 1: *k2tog, k6* repeat, end with k2tog, k2.
row 2: (and row 4, 6, & 8): knit
row 3: *k2tog, k5* repeat, end with k2tog, k1
row 5: *k2tog, k4* repeat, end with k2tog
row 7: *k2tog, k3* repeat, end with k1
row 9:  *k2tog, k2* repeat, end with k1
at this point, im left with 13 stitches.
continue; next is the joint on the head:
row 10: purl
row 11-13:knit
row 14: purl
row 15: p2tog, end with p1
now im left with 7 stitches.switched to darker color for antennae
row 1-10: knit
switch back to main color
row 1: increase to 14 stitches (use M1 or ktfbl for each stitch)
row 2-4: knit
row 5: *k2tog,* repeat
cut long tail, pull tight & sew in, it makes something like a ball at the tip. a cut bit of a plastic straw holds the antennae straight and part of an 8 oz water bottle for bender's head works really well as an alternative to stuffing.

legs & feet:
co 12, join in the round. leave a long tail to sew to body later.
all st stitch, as long as you want, with every 5th row with the contrast color yarn for the stripes.
when the leg is the length you want, purl one row and knit one row. next are feet:
row 1: *k2, inc in nxt stitch*, repeat (for increase, i like M1, but you can also do ktfbl)
rows 2,4 and 6, knit
row 3: *k3, inc in next st,* repeat
row 5: *k4, inc in next st,* repeat
row 7: purl (this marks the edge of the foot)
row 8: k4, *k2tog, k2*repeat
row 9: k3, *k2tog, k1* repeat, end with k1
row 10: knit
row 11: k2tog, repeat
with darning needle, pull through the stitches and pull tight to close.


arm cuff, arm, & hands
co 18 st, join in the round. leave long tail to sew to body later.
row 1-4: knit
row 5: purl
row 6: knit
row 7: k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2,  k2tog, k1,  k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1 (leaving 12 st)
now the arm cuff is done. next is the arm.
continue with all st stitch, as long as you want, with every 5th row with the contrast color yarn for the stripes.
next is hands:
purl one row
Row 1 *k2, inc in next st, rpt from * to end of row (16 sts)
Row 2, 3, &4: knit
Row 5 *k3, inc in next st, rpt from * to end of row (20 sts)
Row 6 purl (this marks edge of hand)
row 7: knit
Row 8 k2, *k2tog, k1, rpt from* to end of row (14 sts)
Row 9 *k2tog, rpt from * to end of row (7 sts)
Cut yarn leaving a tail. Thread through rem sts and pull tight.

eyes (make 2)
cast on 12, join in the round.
knit 4 rows.
Next row - *k2tog,* repeat.
Cut yarn leaving a tail.
Thread through rem sts and pull tight.

eye surround:
cast on 35 stitches. join in the round, knit for 7 rows. switch to blk yarn, knit for another 7 rows.

nice surprises

i just overheard my dad's conversation & him saying, "anyone that can speak two languages cannot be dumb," reminiscing about how much time he spent in the philipines but was never able to grasp tagalog. i just feel really good about hearing him say that. ive encountered so much non-north american bashing during my time in korea, and to hear something positive for once makes me feel good,and i feel extra good that it's coming from my family. i love you, dad.

boo-hoo

hope floats is on tv right now. i used to have the biggest crush on harry connick jr.

the first time i saw this movie, it was on tv in 2000... or 1999... it was after marc broke up with me. i remember this clearly b/c there was one scene in the movie where sandra bullock comes home, she's drunk, sitting in the dark on the bathroom floor crying. her mom comes in, and she tells her mom, "oh god, mom, i miss bill... he used to call me baby. never in a million years would i have thought i'd be the kind of woman that liked that, but i did...from him."  AAAAAAAAND i started bawling bad, like boo-hoo crying. *phew. anyway, breaking up sucks.

whatevs

me on the phone with a friend that's a boy. we were talking about something completely unrelated when all of a sudden:

him: so, what are you looking for in a man?
me: uhm... huh? what?
him: it's ok, you can tell me. what do you want?
me: are you girlfriend hunting? where is this coming from?
him: c'mon, just say, just tell me.
me: uh... well... there are some very specific things i want in a partner, some logical things... so yeah...
him: so an unemployed bum loser like me cant apply, huh?
me: youre not a bum or loser, im not employed at the moment either.
him: but still i cant apply?
me: uhm... uh...
him: oh, i get it. youre just picky.

guh. what a JERK. what's with men? they're quick to call you something when you dont fall all over yourself for them. and no, man, you cannot apply. *tsk

little alters everywhere

1. this little pink bear was given to me by kwang bok, a lovely korean boy i date briefly.
2. bracelet, gift from a former student, Saint.
3. when you pull the tab and let go, the string draws up and the little boys legs kick. given to me by kevin.
4. a keychain given to me by Handsome Alex Oh, it's a korean mask.
5. a happy bunny air freshener that says, "Hey, you made me throw up a little." Catherine from red envelope gave it to me. lots of good giggles between her and i.
6. this empty beer bottle... i dont remember... from a night with a boy, im sure, but i now cant remember who or when.
7. this flower given to me by kwang bok. he would say i sounded so cute and sexy when i'd speak korean^^
8. this is a mirror i bought during my trip to ghana in the year... uhm... 2004? i was in the bus, some guy at the window kept trying to sell stuff to me, i kept saying no, but he was so persistant. i finally said, "ok, i do need a mirror." so he found this and sold it to me. the picture is a sign for a hair salon in west africa, i saw many like it during my trip, tho this one in particular i found on a google image search.
12. is not numbered here, but just want to say that this picture was taken in the kitchen of my apartment in songpa, seoul, near jamsil station in south korea.
9. my friend jane (from cdi pyeongchon) brought me this back from her trip to south america.
10. this postcard is from cdi, my first efl job in korea.
11. this is one of 5 clocks i had in my apartment. i was late for work all the time, so i hung a clock on each wall so i'd always be mindful off the time.

gift from danica

my lovely friend danica brought this back for me from her trip to thailand. god, i love this sister so much, she has been an incredible friend to me. i had a hard break up with a an old boyfriend and while i was working out what to do with the relationship, she would listen patiently, never judging me, never speaking badly about him, just listened. when i needed advice, she would always give honest, rational feedback. when i'd say something ridiculous, she'd say "eat my butt" and took it just as well when i'd tell her to eat mine. she's the woman i want to be, i really look up to her. she's overall awesome. we all should have such wonderful girlfriends. she's since left korea and im still here, but we're fb friends but damn i really miss her.

someone wrote (and then deleted) on bssk, "so many women in this group! poor guys." Nall, LUCKY MEN! kkkk And a related story: once i met a brotha, and tried to talk to him and asked him if he had fb (b/c i was going to tell him about bssk as i do with all fam i meet in korea). he never stopped his stride while walking, was only half listening to me and said, "i have a girlfriend," and kept it moving.

0:15-0:18, 0:50-0:52, and 1:17

this always always always makes me smile.

jalissa

this sister was in korea for just a semester, and i only got to meet her/hang out with her during her last week here. when she left, she sent me this email, which i thought was so sweet^^
==========
December 21, 2009 at 5:07pm
i just wanted to say thank you. you've been hospitable since day i meet you. i wish we could have meet ealrier on so at the end everything is not so rushed or crammed. wish you all the best and i realy hope all 3 of us meet again somewhere hehe if ever in ny,nj,phily area please facebook me, i would be so glad to bump into you again:) i leave tomorrow and i am actually pretty excited even now i want to just be in the air sleeping hehe hopefully i will see you around ......:)