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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Mileage Shawl Pattern

Mileage Shawl Pattern


Well, this can be a shawl or an afghan. Its named this because it works up very fast. I like how fast trebles work up, but I also like the single crochet stitch. There is such a neatness created by single crochet stitches.

Worsted weight yarn
I used lily sugar and cream scraps in blue, white, and "landscape".  It will take at least 8 small balls, or two cones.
Size I hook

Chain 59.
Row 1: sc in each stitch across. 58 stitches.
Row 2-3: sc in each stitch across.
Row 4: Treble crochet in each stitch across.
Repeat these rows until desired length, or reach 3 feet in length.

-MNR

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Boobs and Exercise, the good and the bad



It might be a secret that I have large boobs. Esp. since I don't post pictures of myself. D= I just can't find good ones!
I am fat, but not every fat woman has large breasts. At least they make my waist look small. But in some ways, I envy fatter women with large breasts. For example, they can find sports bras! Once you hit cup D and up, it becomes astronomically more expensive and more difficult to find. I REALLY don't want to pay $65 dollars for one sports bra. Its a bit unfair that some women have to pay more for decent bra and some pay less... and of course can find their size...

FYI, I researched breast taping as an alternative. They flatten your breast tissue and can cause lumps, poor circulation, and improper taping can crack your ribs and compress your lungs. Oi, being a female can be difficult.

Why am I saying all of this? I used to love running when I was younger. I used to be amazing at sprinting.  I also used to be skinny. I just... really miss running mainly. Of course I want to lose a bit of weight, but that is mainly so I can enjoy running again. It is a great past time.

I feel, the main things that are stopping me are:
1. my boob size:  finding sports bra, them moving and hurting me
2. I hate sweat cuz it causes me skin problems.... even after washing myself
3. my knees and ankles tend to hurt after a few days of running, what with cracking and just feeling like I've sprained them.
4. I have no one to run with (either in my area, within my family, or in my size range). I guess I could search for a running group in my area, but I feel... these people will be people that are experienced, and run 5 miles  a day, with their lean, rippling leg muscles...

I've been working my way up to running 1 block. I also want to know what times people choose to run. I feel that I'm not a morning person, noon is when the sun is pounding down upon you, afternoon is when the few television shows that I actually do watch are on, and obviously you can't jog at night, what with cars and crime. AND MOSQUITOES, ugh, bugs, I hate jogging and having bugs get in my ears. HATE it. If I put on headphones, then the bugs just touch my neck and chest and legs. Why....

What I really want is a running skirt... those look so comfortable. Of course, like the breast reducers/sports bras, they're EXPENSIVE.

I tend to build muscle fast, in general.
I have found walking doesn't build or tone my muscles as fast as running, hiking, stair climbing or bicycling.

I struggle to find a way past these problems. My online searches only yield generic advice for slim people OR  larger people. It truly seems either/or. It may be my search terms that are the problem.


Umm, on another note, I'm almost done sewing a different style of lolita skirt. Hand sewing. It is going to have an elastic band used as shirring: it has a folded over waistband, sewn onto the actual skirt, which has a wider diameter and is shirred.

I don't know, I just prefer sewing by hand to machine sewing, even though it is vastly faster. I've also accidentally stabbed my fingers several times this summer, just by hand sewing. I somewhat want one of those leather thread pullers or leather thimbles, to minimize that. Usually I just wipe my finger and continue on, as it isn't worth it to put a bandage on a pinprick. It stops bleeding in minutes anyway.
I need a new petticoat for that matter. The last one I had I foolishly put in the dryer....I have some old t-shirts and bedsheets I wanted to experiment with. Cotton/polyester. I want to reserve my larger pieces of fabric for actual skirts, dresses and tops.


-MNR

Monday, September 3, 2012

Lolita bonnets, knitted?

I am totally making this bonnet. I've had it on my ravelry to do list for quite a few months. The link to the pattern on ravelry was just fixed, and I dod love my bamboo size 8 circular needles. Now all I need is a decent yarn that won't make my head sweat or dry out my hair.

I'll show you all how it turns out, and if it is feasible to knit a lolita bonnet. =D

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pilgrim-bonnet
http://tanglewashere.wordpress.com/patterns/pilgrim-bonnet/

Many thanks to the designer for fixing the link and posting the pattern.

Taken from met museum website here: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/C.I.64.32.3a,b


On another note, isn't this dress just lovely? Its a 1700s robe a la francaise. I want to sew this, by hand. Because I am an insane person. I've been researching free patterns for them. It basically consists of a back and a front, sewn in at the waist, and the middle is a stomacher that covers the corset. Three pieces, yet SO  many yards of fabric. Around 15 yds. Need to see about getting cheap but pretty fabric from somewhere... when I have money.

https://www.google.com/search?q=robe+a+la+francaise&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=kmFFUM_0Msue6wHM6IGwCA&biw=1366&bih=622&sei=lmFFUJiGL8XF6wGwrYDoBg

BTW, I'm taking a semester off from school. I will be working on a job, but I really wish that my job would be artist. I am trying to get my artwork into some contests and shows. Mainly acrylic paintings, too scared to do oil, for it is horribly messy and dries SLOWLY.

-MNR