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Crazy Tourist | Crazytourist.com

The true life diary of a wanderer

  • Home
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    • Los Angeles
    • International
    • What I Packed and What I Wore
  • Knitting
    • Free Patterns
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  • Navelgazing
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    • My Crazy Household
    • Neurotica
    • Right Now I Am …
  • These Cats Speak French
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knitting on the airplane starts with planning
Knitting

Knitting and Airplane Travel: Get your projects on board with the minimum amount of TSA helpiness

After years of international travel I have discovered the best way to fly with a knitting project is to utilize the extremely high-tech Ziploc baggie technology.

Gather together the yarn and tools you will need for one project at a time and stick it together in a clear gallon or quart size Ziploc baggie. It’s easy for anyone to look at during a security check and simple to keep organized while traveling. If you’re an out-of-sight/out-of-mind person like me, you probably already have every project in a baggie. It’s the only way I ever remember what I’m making!

One of the upsides of packing only a project’s worth of yarn in the Ziploc baggie methodology is that you don’t risk contaminating all your stash and supplies if you run into a problem while traveling. I learned this the hard way when I stayed at an unvetted place in Paris that may or may not have had the dreaded bug. You know the one — it’s the bug all travelers fear. That’s a post for another time my friends. I lost two skeins of good yarn and a few small tools but nothing like what I would’ve lost if I had brought my whole knitting bag.

Packing a travel knitting kit is something you can do in advance. I travel a fair amount and I like to have a little travel bags pre-packed and available for airplane knitting. It’s my way of being prepped for travel and simultaneously shopping in my own stash. My in-flight knitting projects are usually hats or armwarmers, with the occasional scarf thrown in for spice. And of course these little project bags are easy to grab any time I’m going to be standing in line or waiting and want something to do with my hands.

Build your own TSA-friendly knitting kit with:

  • Heavy-duty freezer bags in 1 gallon size (or quart, if your project is very small.)
  • Optional snack-size bags for even deeper levels of OCD.
All my knitting neuroses are carefully packaged for travel.

All my knitting neuroses are carefully packaged for travel.

My airplane hat bag (above) contains:

  • Enough yarn for a single hat
  • 16″ circular needle and DPNs
  • Pattern if needed. I wrote mine on a small card.
  • Yarn needle
  • Stitch markers
  • Small scissors under 3 inches long, preferably with rounded tips (check the TSA website for updates and additional disclaimers about scissors)
  • (Optional) crochet hook

If you want to be hyperorganized, put your tools (scissors, markers, needle, crochet hook) in a snack size baggie and drop it into the bigger bag. You are ready to fly!

This knitting is ready to fly!

This knitting is ready to fly!

Knitting and Airplane Travel: Get your projects on board with the minimum amount of TSA helpiness was last modified: August 9th, 2017 by Laurie Perry
February 6, 2017 0 comment
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Knitting

Paris 1st Arrondissement Ribbed Hat: The Captain’s Beanie (Free Knitting Pattern)

It’s cold in Paris in February and the Captain is going to need a hat or four to keep his ears warm. We will be staying in the 1st Arrondissement, the inspiration for the hat’s name. This is not only our first trip together abroad, this is also the first ever boyfriend knitting. And I’m not just talking about the first knitting for this boyfriend, I am informing you that in all of the time I have been knitting I haven’t made anything for a single guy I’ve gone out with. Partially because none of them deserved it and partially because who has time for that when you break up in a few weeks anyway?

Now that we are in year number two I guess I got reckless and hopeful. And here I am knitting this man a cashmere beanie before we get on a plane to go to Paris.

As far as I know there is no boyfriend curse on hats. If we break up and he’s wearing that damn hat, I am coming for you, Internet of Knitters. You were supposed to post warnings! 😉

SUPPLIES

  • One 109-yard skein DK weight yarn — I used Noro “Cash Island” cashmere blend from my stash, one skein (yarn profile on Ravelry) It’s on the heavier side of DK, between a 3-4 weight.
  • Similar yarns: City Tweed, Patons Classic Worsted Wool
  • One 16″ circular needle in size 8
  • DPNS size 8
  • Yarn needle
  • Stitch markers + one stitch marker that looks noticeably different from the rest

DIRECTIONS

Cast on 88 stitches on size 8 16″ circular needle. Join the stitches, making sure stitches are not twisted.

Note: For a seamless join in the round, cast on one additional stitch than needed. When joining the stitches in a circle, move the last cast on stitch to the left needle, knit two together to join. (In other words you are making a K2 from the extra stitch and the very first cast on stitch.)

Work in knit one, purl one rib for about 6 1/2 or 6 3/4 inches

DECREASE

When your hat measures about 6.5″ from the cast-on edge, begin your decreases. First, place a marker to denote the beginning of the rounds. This marker should be different from all the other markers. It is a special marker. Mwah.

Next, you will place a marker along the round denoting every decrease. For this pattern, you will work 11 stitches, place marker, work 11 more. Continue until all markers are placed and you are back at The Special Marker.

Note about decreasing:

My marker method is about as foolproof as you can get for decreasing a hat. Once you have your markers in, simply make your decrease on the two stitches before each marker. That means you knit or purl until you see a marker and work the two stitches before the marker into a decrease (either knit or purl them together.) You can also decide to do it after each marker. I like doing it before. We are all individuals! Do what feels right!

For this hat you will either decrease by knitting two stitches together or by purling two together.

I’ve been making hats like this forever and now I know every time I see a stitch marker to decrease the two stitches before the marker. It’s a way for me to be able to knit and watch TV at the same time.

Option A: Decrease in simple stockinette (foolproof)

Stop the K-1 P1 stitch and begin knitting all stitches in the round, which creates a flat stockinette top. Place a stitch marker to denote the beginning of the round that is a different color or different kind from the rest of your stitch markers. Then place one marker every 11 stitches.

On the next row, begin to decrease by knitting two together every time you see a stitch marker:

First round: Knit 9, K2tog, continue to end of round
Next round: Knit 8, K2tog, continue to end of round
(This is usually about the time I switch to double pointed needles because the circular needle becomes cumbersome.)
Next round: Knit 7, K2tog, continue to end of round
Next round: Knit 6, K2tog, continue to end of round
Next round: Knit 5, K2tog, continue to end of round
Next round: Knit 4, K2tog, continue to end of round
Next round: Knit 3, K2tog, continue to end of round
Next round: Knit 2, K2tog, continue to end of round
Next round: Knit 1, K2tog, removing markers as you go.

You should have 16 stitches on the needles.

Cut the yarn leaving a tail of about 10 inches. Thread yarn tail through a large-eye needle. Bind off with the needle by threading the yarn through all stitches and tying off. Don’t report me to the knitting police but I tie a knot.

Weave in all ends. Be sure to weave in the yarn nice and tidy, this beanie is completely reversible and in my experience manly men such as the Captain do not search for the right side wrong side before putting it on!

Option B (my preferred method): Decrease in pattern

“Decrease in pattern” is a fancy way of saying try to keep the K1P1 pattern going even as you decrease. I usually do this by keeping my K1P1 pattern going until I get to the two stitches I need to combine into my decrease stitch. At that time I decide based on the stitch that follows the stitch marker if I should knit two together or purl two together.

  • If the stitch that follows the marker (on the other side of  the decreased stitches) is a purl, then I will knit two together.
  • If the stitch that follows the marker (on the other side of  the decreased stitches) is a knit stitch, then I will purl two together.

I like doing this method because it mostly keeps the K1P1 pattern. But it is not exact and is not for everyone. You will have uncomfortable moments of purling together one knit and one purl stitch just after another purl. Trust me that it works out nicely in the end!

Place a special stitch marker to denote the beginning of the round. Then place one marker every 11 stitches. You will decrease the two stitches together before each marker.

First round: Work in K1P1 rib (knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches) for 9, decrease 2tog, marker, repeat.

Next round:Work in K1P1 rib (knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches) for 8, decrease 2tog, marker, repeat.

(This is usually about the time I switch to double pointed needles because the circular needle becomes cumbersome.)

Next round: Work in K1P1 rib (knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches) for 7, decrease 2tog, marker, repeat.

Next round: Work in K1P1 rib (knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches) for 6, decrease 2tog, marker, repeat.

Next round: Work in K1P1 rib (knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches) for 5, decrease 2tog, marker, repeat.

Next round: Work in K1P1 rib (knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches) for 4, decrease 2tog, marker, repeat.

Next round: Work in K1P1 rib (knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches) for 3, decrease 2tog, marker, repeat.

Next round: Work in K1P1 rib (knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches) for 2, decrease 2tog, marker, repeat.

Next round:Work in K1P1 rib (knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches) for 1, decrease 2tog, remove all markers as you go through the round.

You should have 16 stitches on the needles.

Cut the yarn leaving a tail of about 10 inches. Use the long tail of yarn to thread through a tapestry needle. Bind off with the needle by threading the yarn through all stitches and tying off. Don’t report me to the knitting police but I tie a knot.

Weave in all ends. Be sure to weave in the ends tidily, this beanie is completely reversible and in my experience manly men such as the captain do not search for the right side wrong side before putting it on!

***
There you go, two options for a quick hand-knit beanie. Wish us luck in Paris!

(Edited to add some pictures of the hat in action. Plus kissing! Yay!)

 

Paris 1st Arrondissement Ribbed Hat: The Captain’s Beanie (Free Knitting Pattern) was last modified: August 9th, 2017 by Laurie Perry
February 5, 2017 1 comment
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These Cats Speak French

Golden rules of cat cohabitation

The Captain isn’t used to living around felines so he did not know the one rule of living with a cat:

When God opens a door or a window,  a cat must walk through it.

This also applies to drawers, pantry cupboards, file folders, boxes, and cabinets. And that is how one Frankie Perry found herself alone and wailing in the hall coat closet while The Captain made morning smoothies. The airplane-like roar of the Vitamix drowned out all sounds of meowing … for him.

I was upstairs blow drying my hair and heard her yawling over the din all the way across the house. I walked downstairs and opened the coat closet and out she darted, angry and petulant and oh, wait, now I am hungry I have forgotten why I was mad. So I fed her and that was how we started Monday.

Golden rules of cat cohabitation was last modified: February 5th, 2017 by Laurie Perry
January 23, 2017 0 comment
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Domicile

How To Make Perfect Homemade Popcorn On The Stovetop

Homemade stovetop popcorn is salty and crispy and crunchy and warm and if those aren’t all the adjectives you need to feel better about life than we just can’t be friends.

Until recently I thought making popcorn in any way other than the microwave was terrifying. But stovetop popcorn is deceptively easy — if you use science. And also do the popcorn dance.

Perfect Homemade Stovetop Popcorn

You will need:

  • 3 Tablespoons oil (we use high-heat canola or sometimes coconut oil)
  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
  • Large, heavy bottom pot with lid
  • Salt or parmesan cheese (I like this salt best, it’s super fine and sticks to the popcorn)
  • Stove
Directions:
  1. Add 3T oil to a heavy-bottomed large pot. We use a basic soup pot.
  2. Add three (yes, 3) kernels of corn. These are your test pilots.
  3. Turn the heat to medium or just at the edge of medium-high.
  4. Put the lid on and listen. And wait.
  5. When you hear the test kernels pop, you are ready for the magic!!
  6. <<The Science/Magic Part>>
    Add the 1/2 cup of kernels to your hot oil. Optional: We add a swoosh of popcorn salt at this step, too. Replace the lid.  Then take the pan off the heated burner for 30 seconds.

The Science Behind It: During this 30-second waiting period the kernels have the chance to bathe in oil and they all come to the same temperature. When you put them back on the burner in 30 seconds, they will now be evenly heated and your popcorn will be timed to pop in harmony and this reduces any chance of burning or scorching!

The Dance: The Captain and I have developed a super cheesy dance where we count to 30 and sashay around each other in the kitchen while sing-counting down. We are a handful.

After 30 seconds put the pan back on the heated burner. Keep the lid on the pan.

Now you shake and pop.
  1. It may take a few minutes to bring all kernels up to popping temperature. During this phase (takes us about four minutes? Maybe more or less depending on the oil and the heat) begin to gently move the pan back and forth a little bit.
  2. Once you hear popping, begin to shake the pan or move it in a circular or vigorous back-and-forth pattern on the burner. Your corn will pop-pop-pop pretty much all at once. Once the popping starts it’s less than 90 seconds total to get all the kernels to pop. You may try to vent the lid a little in this stage to keep from having too much steam build up (makes crispier popcorn) but it took a few tries to get this maneuver perfected. The captain now holds the lid in one hand with it kind of turned up a tiny bit one edge while shaking/holding the pan itself with the other hand. I have not mastered that move. It’s fine both ways.
  3. Once most of your kernels have popped, take the pan off the heat right away.

Pour into a big bowl and add salt, cheese, or your preferred toppings and enjoyyyyyy. This makes a REALLY BIG bowl of popcorn, easily the size of a movie theater large but so much tastier!

 

Makes enough popcorn for a small army, or two hungry adults.

Makes enough popcorn for a small army, or two hungry adults.

 

 

How To Make Perfect Homemade Popcorn On The Stovetop was last modified: August 9th, 2017 by Laurie Perry
January 17, 2017 0 comment
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These Cats Speak French

The Irony Is That I Have Spent One Million Dollars On Cat Toys

Here is Frankie with the one toy she never, ever gets tired of. pic.twitter.com/NYLRRDoQUn

— laurie perry (@crazyauntpurl) January 16, 2017

The Irony Is That I Have Spent One Million Dollars On Cat Toys was last modified: August 8th, 2017 by Laurie Perry
January 16, 2017 0 comment
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Navelgazing

Hell to the no no no no no

You have to turn the volume up to appreciate this, my favorite Vine and what I believe may be my personal theme song. (Click once to start video, and again for the audio.)

Awake at 7 AM on Saturday morning 🎶Hell to the no no no🎶#hellno https://t.co/6pBtlmXeTc

— laurie perry (@crazyauntpurl) January 14, 2017

Hell to the no no no no no was last modified: August 8th, 2017 by Laurie Perry
January 14, 2017 0 comment
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Navelgazing

Out of Sight, Out Of Mind Forever

I am the most out of sight out of mind human being I have ever encountered.

If you put something away and out my immediate field of vision, it is as if that thing never existed in my life. And I’m not just talking about stuff I find onerous to deal with (bills, legal documents, taxes) but it also applies to delicious things.

One time I bought an entire big bag of Ruffles sour cream and onion potato chips — God’s gift to snackers — and put them in a cupboard below the cabinet because I was having someone over and didn’t want the sole contents of my pantry to be this one bigass bag of chips.

TWO MONTHS LATER I opened that cabinet and oh wow you guys! Look what I found! I have chips!!

I’m not even kidding one ounce right now. That happened. Today. Which is why I am writing this and also eating some slightly stale but delicious potato chips.

Pros to out-of-sight-out-of-mindedness

  • If I want to stop eating that big bag of chips I merely have to put it out of view
  • My anxiety can easily be reduced by shoving a bunch of crap in a box
  • I’m always unearthing treasures when I open a drawer or bag or cupboard

Cons to out-of-sight-out-of-mindedness

  • Applies to everything — including friends I don’t see often, things I really like, and urgent stuff I need to address
  • Not something I control so it makes me feel like a lame-o at times
  • Probably contributes significantly to my clutter challenges

So I know this is something I should probably address and think of ways to work with it/around it etc. but right now I gotta go because these chips aren’t going to enjoy themselves!!

 

 

Out of Sight, Out Of Mind Forever was last modified: August 6th, 2017 by Laurie Perry
January 6, 2017 0 comment
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Navelgazing

Hello blogging my old friend. I’ve come to blab with you again.

Hi. You may remember me from such stories as, “My Jeep broke down” and “That other time my Jeep broke down.” Now I have less car trouble but more colorful cuss words for fellow drivers. I made a resolution to learn how to code my own website and then I drank a lot and cried into a CSS manual. How have you been?

Hello blogging my old friend. I’ve come to blab with you again. was last modified: August 9th, 2017 by Laurie Perry
January 3, 2017 0 comment
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Your Tour Guide

Your Tour Guide

I'm Laurie. I live in Los Angeles with two cats and a LOT of yarn. I have a website because it's easier for me to write than talk, unless you want to talk about travel or knitting and then I never shut up. Just trying to add a little positivity to the world in my corner of the internet. Also I have a proper About Me page here. It's very loooong.

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Right now I am …

Starting to take some of the improvements from the guest room and add them to my bedroom, like this cool power outlet for the bedside table. I’m hoping it helps with the constant problem of needing to charge all devices simultaneously.


Still obsessing over Sew Over It and Lisa Comfort, the lady boss behind it all. Here is her site, YouTube vlog, and Insta. I bought pretty much every pattern they have during the recent 30% off sale.


Currently reading The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss. I need this book to help me but I don’t have enough time to read this book because I’m working nonstop, so…


Interested in these silica gel packets for my yarn stash. Does anyone out there add these to ziplock baggies of yarn?


Listening to lovely Carla Bruni singing “Quelqu’un m’a dit.”


 Trying some cedar oil in my oil diffuser to ward off summer pests



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