#in finding the pattern that matched my gauge!

[fldx2]

Did u start with a pattern for the sweater or did you freehand it entirely?

I actually started with the yarn and a gauge swatch 😅 the hardest part for this project was finding the neon green yarn so once I found it, I did a gauge swatch (it’s DK/8 ply weight), then searched for a free sweater pattern that matched the gauge.

I originally was looking for a drop sleeve sweater pattern, since that seems to be the closest to an actual hockey sweater but ended up using a set-in sleeve sweater pattern i found on ravelry.

I changed the ribbed hems/collar to folded ones and had to do some maths and planning to figure out the stripe length/collar design/logo size based on reference pics, as I didn’t have a real jersey to work off, so the details aren’t exactly perfect, but I think I got close enough!

[stonemasons]

[evermontamour]

Take This Longing

“Let me see your beauty broken down”

warnings: 18+, fluff with a touch of angst, oral (m and f receiving), sub al, a bit of rimming and fingering (m receiving), piv, choking and crying during sex, lots of feelings

word count: 3.7k

Alex and I sat in our local East London pub with loud and hectic chatter filling the room. A football match was on; it was Arsenal vs. Manchester City.

I leaned against Alex's shoulder, with his hand wrapped tightly around my waist, while we both watched the match on a wooden seat adjacent to the unlit fireplace.

The smell of alcohol lingers in the air, mixing with the sound of clinking glasses and exuberant cheers.

Despite the noise, I felt a sense of peace from being so close to Alex, enjoying our time together in the midst of the excitement. The pub was fairly crowded on this gloomy Friday night, with the dimly lit, cosy atmosphere becoming more intimate as it approached halftime in the game.

Alex got us each a pint of Estrella, though he finished his within a couple minutes, which wasn't like him.

He didn't make much effort to talk to me today; even when we prepared breakfast together, there wasn't much from him, just shy kisses and silent smiles.

I couldn't shake the feeling that something might've been off between us, but I didn't want to distract him by bringing it up. Instead, I nestled closer to him, hoping that the warmth of his body would dispel any doubts lingering in my mind. Closing my eyes, I sought solace in the chaos around us, immersing myself in his embrace.

Only when I tried to lighten his mood by commenting on someone's outfit or the match on TV, which he seemed to be laser-focused on, did he reply with deliberate laughter or a monotone “Yeah."

He usually gets so pumped up watching a football match, especially when London is playing. He even normally invites a friend over to watch with us at the pub or our house.

However, this whole day was just different. The air around Alex turned cold, a stark contrast to his usual warmth. While I have seen him like this before, the silence between us was unprecedented.

Though he was quiet with his words, he kept clinging close to me, like he needed something but didn’t want to ask for it.

Abruptly, he got up from the seat. Adjusting his cap, he tilts his head to the side while gesturing to me, holding his hand out to grip mine, indicating that he wants to head back home.

My face reads in confusion as we walk out together, hand in hand, his grip becoming tenser with every step we take.

"Are you okay?" I asked, turning towards him.

He looks at me with a pained expression, his eyes betraying a vulnerability I wasn’t too familiar with.

"Not feeling well," he finally admits, his voice barely above a whisper.

His distant gaze gave me a sense of detachment. He was obviously out of it.

I nod in understanding, squeezing his hand reassuringly. We walk in silence for a few minutes with the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air.

He would never admit it, but I could see right through him. I knew I had to tread carefully around him but still offer my support without prying too much.

The tension in his grip grew weaker as we approached the front door.

As we entered the familiar surroundings of our home, I sensed a slight shift in his demeanour. Was the comfort of being in his own space beginning to alleviate some of his burdens or worsen them?

He removed his black cap and leather jacket, hanging them on the coat hangers by the entrance. He kept his head down, his gaze fixed on the red and black patterned carpet, its hues reflecting his sombre mood.

Alex walks up the narrow, black stairs as I follow behind to our bedroom.

We both slip into something comfortable, and while doing so, I find myself stealing glances at him, analysing his reactions with each movement he makes, attempting to gauge his emotional state.

I felt a sense of pure happiness and belonging in Alex’s presence that I’ve never experienced before. Every moment spent with him is a gift I never want to take for granted. The way he looks at me with such intensity, as if he can see right through to my soul, he means everything to me. I find myself constantly drawn to him, craving him like a drug.

Yet, it was impossible to ignore this nagging feeling constantly pouring off of Alex.

Although he was acting cold towards me, the warmth of his firm hands all over my thighs and my waist in the pub reassured me that I wasn’t his problem.

I knew this was something bigger. His ego.

I could feel the weight of his insecurities, and I wanted to help him carry them.

At times, I contemplate the authenticity of his struggles, questioning if he fabricates his torment for creative fodder rather than facing the superficiality of his social circle and lifestyle.

But deep down, I knew his struggles were real and that he needed someone to see past the facade, and I was that person for him, no matter how long it took for him to trust me completely.

We sat up on our bed, adorned with white linen, both reading a book. His was Despair by Nabokov, and I wasn’t even aware of what mine was called, as the only thing I could think about was how desperately I wanted to comfort him.

I’ve noticed a change in Alex since the end of the tour. He no longer recognises himself; he got lost in between his true self and the character he created during tour. There's something deep inside of him that despises the fact that I can bring out the real him.

I feel the burden of the unspoken words between us hanging in the air like a heavy fog, bringing us down.

Full of anguish, he places his book on the nightstand beside him and fixes his pensive gaze onto the wall in silence, his jaw clenched, losing the ability to cope with his yearning for self-esteem.

Alex gets entangled in his thoughts too often, and I knew if he wasn't writing about it, it was really consuming him.

I turn to face him, witnessing the struggle in his beautiful eyes as he fights back tears, determined not to break. I sit directly in front of him on the bed, holding his face in my hands and caressing his jaw.

I see it in his eyes—the battle between wanting to open up to me and shut me out. He's afraid of letting me in, afraid of what might happen if he allows himself to be vulnerable.

“Alex, tell me how you're feeling,” I softly say.

He remains quiet, but as we continue to stare into each other's eyes with utmost intensity, I know exactly how he's feeling.

That lost little boy look he had. The unspoken pain in his eyes. It’s already breaking my heart. But some things are just meant to be felt rather than understood.

I bury my face in the warmth of his neck, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath my hand as I sit on his lap. I caress up his shirt to his stomach while my other hand grasps his hair, grounding us in this moment of intimacy.

He breaks down into tears as we wrap our arms around each other, embracing one another as tightly as possible. I feel his body tremble as he sobs into my hair.

Not expecting him to break down like this, I start to cry too, knowing how discontent he's feeling and how I just want to help him in any way I can to make him feel better.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, his voice breaking with sorrow.

I couldn't help but to hold his face in my hands again, as he kept his eyes closed with tears still falling. It's as if I dove into the depths of his fragile soul and brought his raw emotions to the surface.

"It's okay; don’t apologise, baby. I love you," I say with a soft disposition but a heavy heart.

“I love you.” A few seconds later, I repeat, accompanied by gentle tears.

He finally opens his eyes, a storm hiding behind them.

He softly says, "I love you too," his voice cracking with a poignant sadness reflected in his gorgeous brown eyes.

I slowly start to kiss him with all the love I possess, and our extremely vulnerable moment of intimacy quickly becomes aggressive, with our tongues both passing through each other's mouths.

We get lost in the pure desire of the moment, conveying our longing for each other through our intense and passionate kisses, consumed by the fire of our love.

I trace my hand from his abdomen to his heart as we both gasp for air, our souls intertwined amidst the lingering scent of sorrow still in the air.

We reluctantly parted lips, locking in a piercing stare that made us both throb as we caught our breaths.

The taste of Alex’s lips lingered on mine as I guided him in removing his basic white t-shirt and black joggers, throwing them upon the wooden floor, leaving him with only his boxers on.

He removes my camisole and silk shorts, leaving me with nothing on. My body was completely exposed to him.

He gets on his knees on the bed, resting my feet on his thighs.

I knew what was coming next, but a part of me didn't even want him to. I would let my cunt drip with need forever if it meant I could please him, but this helps him feel better; it helps him let it out in a way.

He delicately caresses my legs, making tingles race down my spine as he refuses to break his dangerous gaze on mine.

He gradually moves his hands to my feet to gently stroke the top of them before returning back up to my legs.

He lies on his stomach, guiding me to spread my legs as he starts sensually licking stripes up my inner thigh, but with each time he gets close enough to my sopping wet cunt, he stops and licks my other thigh. Knowing that every touch he’s giving me makes me wetter and wetter.

Alex finally gives up this teasing agony to put his middle finger into me, curling it precisely to hit my sensitive spot just right as my head falls back in pleasure, moaning out his name.

He swirls the wetness to my clit with his finger, slowly rubbing it up and down, then inserting it back inside of me while forcefully sucking on my clit as I whimper and moan, trying to take deep breaths to feel as much as I can while still carefully watching him devour me.

Alex moans into my cunt, making me throb even more as he continues sucking meticulously on my clit, shifting his free hand to rub my inner thigh.

It was already overwhelming enough with his skilled mouth nearing me to the brink, but looking into his glassy eyes always heightened my senses, and I simply couldn't handle it any longer.

I feel my body tightening up, and he feels it too, as every part of me shakes, my hips moving all around his lips, feeling his scruff on my wet cunt. I loudly whine and moan, pulling on his hair, letting Alex know just how good he's making me feel. Releasing all of the tension I had, I cum hard on his tongue, making me into a powerless moaning mess.

He stops as soon as I get too sensitive, looking up at me as my release fades and my body relaxes. I caress his hair, giving each other a content look.

Alex soon feels his infallible needs take over his brain. He needs his sweet release that only I can give him. How insanely bad I longed to please him, to make his worries all go away just from my mouth. But he's going to have to wait to be inside of me.

I smile as I gesture to him to lie down on the bed. I pull down his black boxers to reveal his hardened cock, with precum leaking out of his tip.

I suck it clean, then spit it back onto his cock, mixed with my spit. He watches me in awe as I rub it all around the head and base of his throbbing cock.

I hollow my cheeks, sucking his thick cock, focusing on his tip, swirling my tongue around it, and using my hands to rotate the rest of him in rhythm. I watch Alex moan and squirm beneath me, his hand gripping the sheets tightly. With each movement of my mouth and hands, his breathing becomes more erratic, and his body tenses with pleasure and anticipation as I’m determined to give him the relief he needs.

I deepthroat his cock, his hand in my hair, pulling harshly. I try not to choke while massaging his balls with my nose buried in his soft pubes as my eyes start watering from the impact of him in the back of my throat. His little furrowed brow expression and needy moans only motivated me more. I can feel him pulsing and throbbing against my tongue; his moans are now becoming more and more intense. His hand pushed my head further down his cock.

I can feel his release slowly drawing closer and closer, pushing me to intensify my efforts while the sound of his pleasure fills the room.

I pull back to breathe, and I continue to stare into that intense, lust-filled need written all over his face, with loads of spit spilling down my neck and dripping to my tits.

He watches me in complete bliss, mouth open, eyes widening, whimpering like the little good boy he knows he is. The sensation of his gaze on me heightens my arousal, making me want him more, if even possible.

I feel him trying to hold back his long-awaited release. But I won’t let him wait any longer.

I dive back into his wet cock, slurping and devouring his tip like he was my last meal. At last, I feel him right on the edge of his release, putting him as far as I can in the back of my throat.

His body tenses, and he lets out a loud guttural moan before he finally surrenders to the overwhelming sensation of my mouth. I feel his warm, thick cum slide down my throat as I immediately swallow it.

He groans loudly as he cums, letting out a loud and vulnerable moan that the neighbours, for sure, must have heard.

I flick and swirl my tongue along his tip as his sensitivity is heightened, relishing in the taste of his cum. His face scrunches up with his mouth agape, overstimulated. His breathless cries of pleading pleasure intensify with us both out of breath.

I stop, taking a moment to kiss him hard, full of spit, full of lust, and full of love. I look at him to see the desire in his eyes, knowing we both crave more of each other.

I wish I could forever see his eyes half open, rolling back, his mind detached from anything bad, as I give him my mouth, sucking his cock to make him feel better. To fill him up with pleasure is all I need to live.

I place two of my fingers into his mouth as he sucks on them, getting them all wet.

I slowly spit on his hole, then delicately lick at it while sensually rubbing his wet and sensitive tip with my thumb and index finger.

His eyebrows furrow as he continues to let me take over his body, surrendering to me.

I lick around his hole and put my tongue slightly inside of him as he gives me shy whimpers, unable to contain his pleasure as his breath quickens, his cock still sensitive under my touch.

I put my middle finger inside of my dripping cunt to make it wetter, then I push my finger inside of him slowly, feeling him tense up before relaxing into the sensation. A low moan escapes his lips as he gives himself over to the pleasure I’m giving him. Fingering him exactly the way I know he likes it as his little moans start to become aggressively louder. Seeming like he's about to cum again, I don't let him, knowing it just makes him harder when I deny him.

I sit back on his lap with the base of his cock rubbing against my clit. I run my hands through his messy hair, giving him sweet neck kisses as he softly caresses my body, going from my back to my ass, his touch sending me shivers.

Wanting to see and feel him cum inside of me, I push his cock in my cunt, giving in to our needs. The tightness and wetness consuming him as I watch his face explode with pleasure.

Our eyes meet in a haze, deeply feeling each other as I grab the back of his head, pulling on his hair as I ride his cock. His hands grip my hips firmly, guiding me in sync with his sensual thrusts, our bodies moving together in perfect harmony.

Our sweat mixes together from the friction of us rubbing against each other. Passionate and heavy moans come out of us as they coax the room.

We stare straight into each other’s eyes with an unexplainable intensity. I bury my face into the side of his, moaning right in his ear.

As I go to tell him how much I love him, I see tears falling from his eyes. I’ve never seen him cry during sex before. In that moment, I realised the depth of the emotion between me and Alex, our connection transcending physical pleasure. I hug him as I continue riding him with all I’ve got.

With our bodies skin to skin, sweat to sweat, there’s nothing that feels better than this.

His moans grew louder, barely being able to breathe out “fuck,” with his hand rubbing my back, the other wrapped around my waist. He puts his head back onto the wall, body deep in ecstasy, inviting me to put my hand around his neck as I squeeze it, bringing him closer to the edge.

I kiss him sloppily, filled with emotion. He’s melting into me and my body, forgetting who he is. We’re flowing through each other's veins.

Unable to hold back our loud moans, I keep riding him with a slower pace as we get closer, but as deep as I can with my precise moves and grip, feeling every inch and vein of his cock. Loving how he fills me up perfectly, like I was moulded just for him. His pleasures outweighed any thought of mine, urging me to fuck him harder.

Feeling Alex on the brink of release, he lets out a lowly, submissive "Please,” begging me to let him cum as I feel myself nearing the brink as well.

“Let go,” I breathily say, us both knowing there's a deeper meaning behind those words.

My desperate cunt clenched around him even harder with my hand around his neck, foreheads against each other, our bodies tremble in the throes of our intensely powerful release. We both gasp, his eyes fluttering back in euphoria, crying out each other's names in a near symphony. Tears of emotion and intensity stream down our faces. I slowly keep riding him; us both still super sensitive, to the point where it starts to hurt as his soft whimpers fuel my soul.

“That's my baby,” I softly say into his ear.

As we collapse into each other's arms, the room fills with our heavy breathing in sync as Alex and I come down from our high. A sense of deep connection and satisfaction washes over us. I stay with him inside of me for a few minutes, revelling in how amazing it is to feel Alex inside of me, full of him and his cum. We wallow in our weak and relaxed state, hindering any clear thoughts.

We now lie down in our bed, our warm bodies as close as possible, practically hugging. My head buried in his neck close to his jawline, getting lost in his natural scent.

As we lay there, basking in the afterglow, our hearts beat in unison while I wondered what I must've done to be so lucky to have Alex.

And I love him. More than anything or anyone. I love his smile, his body, his lips, his eyes, his gaze upon me, his hands, his body, his mind, and every little detail about him. I love him for who he really is. Behind the mask. Behind the facade. And the way he touches me, how he loves me, how he laughs, how he talks, how he kisses, and how he fucks me.

Sometimes I feel a bit undeserving of being with someone so utterly perfect, yet he's perfect for me.

He's beautiful, emotional, intelligent, mature, sensitive, sensual, sweet, and talented in every way. There's no way I could ever live without him. He’s the air I breathe.

My devotion to him consumes me; I would sacrifice everything, even my life, for him. I mean it with every fibre of my being.

“I'm sorry,” His slow, soft tone instantly brings tears to my eyes.

“I don't wanna be like that to you.”

"You don't deserve to be shut out because of my problems.” He slowly said, stuttering a bit, like he didn’t exactly want to admit it.

I kiss him in response, tasting divinity.

When we first started dating, I never really thought he would be this emotional with me; I thought that was spared for his alone time, just with his piano and acoustic, writing in his spare room.

But of course I want him to keep allowing me to soothe his pain. Even if it is through sex rather than words.

I tenderly caress his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin as he teeters on the edge of falling asleep.

"I love you so much," he whispers softly with his eyes closed.

“I love you more, Al.” I respond, smiling.

Minutes later, I feel his body jump, indicating that he's drifted into sleep. I was so consumed in him that I didn't even realise how tired I was.

As I drift off in his comforting embrace, a sense of tranquility washes over me, my smile fading into contentment.

⭑

part 2?

[pepperonidk]

In This Life and the Next || j.ww

MASTERLIST

Pairing: wonwoo x gn!reader Summary: dragons, deities, dreams (oh my!), aren't enough to keep you from your lover. Warnings: none Word Count: 574

a/n: i was thinking about across the spider-verse and fire emblem and i got this... please if u want to talk to me about either of these things just hit me up i am begging

“Babe?” you called, breaking the soft silence that had come to be as your boyfriend read his book behind you. He hummed in response, beginning to trace a new pattern along your arm. “Do you think we dream about our parallel lives?” The question alone was enough to pique his interest, evident in the way his fingers shifted as they traced patterns on your arm, but not enough to distract him from his book.

“Maybe,” he mused. “What happened in your dream?”

You paused thoughtfully, trying to soak back in all the details that had slipped your mind since then. “Well, I remember we were in a castle,” you began. “You were the prince of an isolated kingdom and I was a mercenary?” With a laugh and the sound of his book shutting, Wonwoo shifted your position so that you were instead sitting across from him, your hands in his.

“Interesting,” he replied. “How did we meet then?” Wonwoo smiled as he watched you pull your bottom lip between your teeth, obviously lost in thought. He felt his heart leap ever so slightly at the sight of it and he wonders if he’ll ever be able to steady his heart in your presence.

“The castle was a school for royalty, and I had snuck my way in as a professor,” you explained. “But secretly, I was actually a reincarnated deity. Crazy right?” You beamed as your boyfriend nodded and pulled your hands to his lips.

“And then what happened?” He asked, fully invested in the fantastic story you were telling him and the way your eyes lit up as you did. He wishes he could see the story as vividly as you did, to be able to walk alongside you in your dreams.

“There was a war,” you continued, gauging the way his eyebrow raised. “Against a dragon lady and you had become a king but we had somehow managed to save the whole world. Then we ended up proposing to each other at the same time in the tallest tower of the castle. And you kept calling me ‘my beloved.’” Now it was your turn to raise a teasing eyebrow at him.

He pulled you into him so that you were now sitting on his lap and pulled your left hand up between the two of you, placing a light kiss against the knuckle of your ring finger. “Are you trying to tell me something?” he teased as he felt those all too familiar butterflies in his stomach.

“Yeah,” you replied, matching his tone. “I’m trying to tell you that I’m a reincarnation of an ancient deity.”

“Is that so?” Now his kisses were trailing up into your wrist, playful and teasing. “Anything else?”

“And that if you want to propose to me, you’ll have to defeat a dragon first.”

“Duly noted,” he replied with a laugh, pulling away and adjusting the covers to get under them. “Now let’s go to sleep so you can find out what’s happening in one of our other lives.” After setting his glasses down on the nightstand and turning off the light, he snuggled into his pillow and pulled you down against him so that your head was against his chest and your arm draped against his waist. In any life he lived with you, dragon war or not, he knew he’d find peace with you in his arms just as you were now.

“Goodnight, my beloved.”

[luthiest]

Could you please recommend knitting tools/supplies and other things for first time/beginner knitters? I’ve seen how expensive some things are and it’s a little overwhelming. Thank you❣️

hi!! yeah knitting is not exactly a cheap hobby… there’s definitely a point where being able to make and mend things rather than paying top dollar for quality assurance and design can be more cost effective, but that point is pretty far down the line.

as far as tutorials go, there are a ton of good youtube channels out there, but NimbleNeedles and SoWolly are two of my favorites. nimbleneedles is one i like for technique explanations and tips because the colors are very crisp and the explanations are trimmed and easy to understand. sowolly, i like for exploring new stitch patterns and textures, which are a pretty low stakes brain/technique exercise that you can do with any kind of yarn and needles.

for tools, there are a couple things you will be needing for just about every project: needles, a darning needle, stitch markers, and a small crochet hook/stitch fixer. (technically, everything but the needles are optional, but these tools all save you a ton of time and effort as you go on) most of these things can just be found at a local craft store for pretty cheap, but for stitch markers, id recommend getting a bunch of these bulb pins ! they serve just about every purpose imaginable.

needles:

these are categorized by shape, material, and size. the basic shapes are circular, straight, and double pointed (you’ll see these called “dpn’s”). when shopping for needles, be aware that they are labeled generally with the diameter of the needle either in mm or a US#, and the length of the needle or cord in cm/in. you will need the diameter to match the recommended needle size on the yarn u have! (usually found somewhere on the label where it has the gauge. example: 10cm x 10xm = 20sts x 23 rows)

circular: connected by a flexible cord, best for knitting in the round (aka knitting in a continuous circle to make a tube) but can also be used for knitting flat.

straight: straight with a bulb at one end, are used to knit flat pieces.

double pointed: straight with points at either end, can be used to knit flat, but are best for knitting in the round, particularly when the size of the tube is variable, like in hats or socks.

for a beginner, the most cost effective needles will depend on the projects you’re undertaking. if you plan on getting your feet under you with just flat knitting for the time being, a pair of bamboo straight needles will serve you well! in my case, the majority of the projects i did starting out were in the round, so i actually began with a set of circular needles. i found this blog post that has a great overview of needle types and price options for increasing experience levels!

when knitting in the round, you’ll find that the majority of your expenses going into projects will be rebuying needles of the same size but different lengths and cord lengths. if you plan on making lots of projects with circular needles, i would recommend buying only 1 pair of needles in the appropriate size with a long cord, (more than 24 inches) perfecting first the traveling loop technique, then magic loop. these 2 techniques will save u a lot of money on downsizing circular cord lengths. (arguably the same can be done by using dpn’s, but i personally think these techniques minimize the risk of mistakes early on)

so however you decide to start out, flat or circular, i think looking for bamboo needles will be the most cost effective and beginner friendly material, since they have more friction than plastic or metal needles, and stitches will not slip off as easily. also, if they are too pointy or not pointy enough, you can always modify the tips easily with sand paper.

your other main expense will be YARN. and boy is it expensive. you’re going to have to experiment with a lot of fibers to see what you actually like knitting with, but this post from nimbleneedles is a fantastic place to start. his breakdowns of fibers and gauge are great, and i totally agree about wool being the most agreeable and versatile fiber to start out on! i would avoid cotton and synthetic fibers while you’re still learning.

i hope this has been helpful!!! i’m no expert by any means, but i definitely made a lot of ill-advised purchases early on lolol. please let me know if you want a second opinion on a purchase, have any burning questions about a pattern abbreviation, or if you’re struggling with something and want to know if there are other ways to do it—odds are, there are. (this last point is specifically about norwegian purling. iykyk, it blew my mind last month)

edit: link to the instagram of the 2nd hand fiber arts shop !! @swansonsfabrics

[systemrestart]

Took me a while, but I've finally finished writing my thoughts on all 22 Touhou games I've played!!!

I tried to keep it brief but uhhhhhhh it ended up being insanely long anyways ;; Whoops. Maybe someday I'll be able to make full-on video reviews for each of them, there was a Lot I glazed over and a lot that's hard to describe without footage.

But regardless, here it is, my thoughts on Touhou 1-19, plus 9.5, 12.5, and 18.5! (Warning that this may be incomprehensible to a non-bullet hell player 😅)

[TOUHOU 1: HIGHLY RESPONSIVE TO PRAYERS]

The obvious black sheep of the family, HRtP isn't a bullet hell shooter, it's an arkanoid-style breakout game. But even so, I LOVE it. HRtP is very precious to me. It's definitely Hard, VERY hard, and the stage layouts can be a little unfair in places lol, but the controls are tight and responsive, and it's incredibly satisfying to improve.

Or even just to play purely for fun! For a decade, I honestly didn't expect to ever 1cc it, I just enjoyed playing casually, and HRtP is very friendly to that approach, with infinite continues, the ability to max out your starting lives, and a shorter time to complete than the other games. It's almost 30 years old now, but if you like breakout style games or old arcade, I still think it's worth a try! Maybe someone else out there will come to love it as much as I do

[TOUHOU 2: STORY OF EASTERN WONDERLAND]

Touhou's first proper shmup/bullet hell, and it is unquestionably the roughest in the series ;; That's not to say it's bad, just that it's aged a little poorly.

I try not to hold future QoL stuff against the older games, but man, not having a focus option, or health bars for the bosses, is Painful. This game also has some of the worst visibility issues in the series (like, bullets being the same color as the background, with no outline), and also an awful glitch that hurts gameplay (dying SHIFTS YOUR HITBOX. considering that knowing where your hitbox is is VITAL to survival……. yikes), so yeah, I understand why it's not fondly remembered.

But it has its charms!! There's the infamous (gay) conversation in Stage 2, this is the only game in which Genji (Reimu's pet turtle who helps her fly in the PC-98 games) speaks, I think the low cap on lives+easy score 1-ups is an interesting combo, AND this game introduced Marisa!!! Even if her design is very different now

I don't play this one much. If I were to rank all the games this one would probably be second lowest. But it's an okay time and you can still get some tense battles!!

[TOUHOU 3: PHANTASMAGORIA OF DIMENSIONAL DREAM]

The first VS shooter of the series!

Basically the idea is that you clear waves of enemies to both send bullets/attacks at your enemy, and charge your gauge to send even more powerful attacks, or even a boss. First to lose all their health loses the round.

The VS shooters are very chaotic, and the enemy AI can absolutely be unfair ;; But the high energy back-and-forth of a match is extremely thrilling!! I also really adore the final boss of this game, Yumemi Okazaki……. a human college professor from the real world, who came to Gensokyo to try and capture someone to prove magic is real to her school…… and she fights with, science? I find her super charming and fun, one of my favorite final boss characters

Now that I've played other VS shooters, including the game that apparently inspired this one, I can say that PoDD is very rudimentary. But sometimes you don't need a lot of fancy bells and whistles to have fun! Now if only it didn't require button mashing, I would play it more often……..

[TOUHOU 4: LOTUS LAND STORY]

LLS was my favorite Touhou game for a long, long, long time.

A big reason it was a favorite is because it's one of the most beginner friendly games by far. No cap on lives (plus 1-ups are granted by score, one of the easier systems), a free bomb after every stage, you can increase your starting lives significantly, there's a "slowmode" option to help you train, most of the patterns are either exploitable or designed around having no visible hitbox…… etc. It was first game I beat on Hard, way back when I was a teenager and could normally only play Easy mode. That's still a precious memory.

LLS also has one of the best overall soundtracks in the entire series. The fun, dream-like Lotus Love, into the tense and foreboding Sleeping Terror, into the calm anticipation of Dream Land, into an explosive heartpounding finale with Faint Dream ~ Inanimate Dream………. absolutely killer.

LLS has aged a little, it doesn't have much of the "flashy", colorful danmaku Touhou is known for. And despite being GENERALLY pretty easy there are a couple insanely difficult patterns that aren't balanced well. Aside from that, it's a little Too easy for me now (at least on Hard and below), but, I still play it regularly just for fun, and will always have a very special place in my heart for it.

(plus, side note, LLS was the introduction of the Stage 4 gimmick, where something is unique about the 4th Stage, boss, or both. I love Stage 4 gimmicks and miss them dearly in the newer games,,)

[TOUHOU 5: MYSTIC SQUARE]

God I love MS. I love MS so much. Probably my second favorite in the series at time of writing.

MS truly is the Greatest Hits of the PC-98 era. Mima and Yuuka come back as playable characters, the danmaku patterns are fun and unique (so much so that ZUN reused a few of them in future games!!!), it has most of the QoL features LLS had besides the free bombs, it introduced one of my favorite characters (Alice), and this is one of the few games where I actually find the faster characters easier/more fun to play as!! Both due to the bullet patterns themselves and because the 1-up system (point item collection) is especially suited for fast characters.

MS is much harder than LLS, but a lot easier than some of the later Touhou games, so it's a great middle ground in terms of difficulty. I only have 2 major critisicms; 1) while the 1-up system and patterns make fast characters more rewarding, there isn't good balance for the other options, so if you wanna play Yuuka you're kind of screwed. And 2) Stage 4. I actually love the Stage 4 gimmick (dual boss that's followed by a solo fight after you take one of them down), but Lord. Stage 4 has two awful glitches that can happen to you, and bullets that are the exact same color as the background. ZUN why

Besides that though, I think MS just naturally caters to my preferred playstyle (chaotically weaving and dancing through bullet spam), so it's a top tier entry for me :)

[TOUHOU 6: EMBODIMENT OF SCARLET DEVIL]

If MS isn't my 2nd favorite in the series, this one is.

I will say this. EoSD has Aged. Imo, it's aged more than MS has. Being ZUN's first Windows game it's a little rough around the edges; muddy graphics, rough soundfonts, heavier reliance on RNG and bullet spam over intricate patterns, and it's missing certain QoL features that it Feels like it should have (like, the PC-98 games were missing stuff, but those games felt like they were built around the limitations, EoSD has a lot of areas where it FEELS like it was designed with future QoL in mind, but it's just….. missing). It also sucks that EoSD is one of only 2 games that locks you out of the final stage if you play on Easy (LLS is the other one),,

But. EoSD is still beloved for a reason. One of the most solid soundtracks in the series, a fun Stage 4 gimmick (different spellcards for different shot types), score-based 1-up system, the introduction of the Point of Collection line, some Iconic boss battles, etc. AND, one of those weaknesses is actually kind of a Strength for me, because again, my preferred play style is well suited to bullet spam!! Stages 5 and 6 are SO fun for me, even though they're commonly cited as things people DISLIKE about EoSD.

EoSD is definitely unpolished, but it's still one of my top favorites, both for its general strengths and for how it caters well to me personally lol.

[TOUHOU 7: PERFECT CHERRY BLOSSOM]

PCB is my current favorite!!

Of all Touhou games, I feel PCB strikes a perfect balance between being accessible, but also still having challenges for those that want it. The patterns are really a step up from EoSD; with the introduction of a visible hitbox, ZUN could make them both more dense and more complex/unique, but they're designed to still be easily understandable. Other QoL features were added that also help a lot (like the enemy tracker, spellcard indicators on the healthbar, success/fail counters, you can save practice mode replays, etc). There's also good variety in the playable characters, each has their own advantages and disadvantages, and one of the best shot types in the entire series is here (SakuyaA lol).

I feel like just saying that doesn't express my love though, there's truly nothing like weaving through a dense maze of beautiful bullets, and PCB is one of THE best for that feeling. I also love this game's 'special feature'; the cherry borders. Not only are they fantastic for survival and training (the border acting as a shield allows you to try new things and take risks where you otherwise wouldn't/couldn't), you can also utilize them in various way; break them on purpose at optimal points to maximize score, keep them as long as possible to milk graze points, use them to clear difficult patterns and stage sections……. it's just a great system that adds depth without overwhelming the player!!

And of course, I must mention something unique to this game; the Phantasm stage! PCB is the only game that has this. It's basically just a 'hard mode' version of the Extra stage, but, the patterns are both exciting to face and gorgeous to look at, the boss herself is genuinely Iconic, and her theme may be even more so.

PCB is pretty much the full package, and is also my recommendation to new players starting out, 100%.

[TOUHOU 8: IMPERISHABLE NIGHT]

This is the last of Touhou's "holy trio", so to speak, alongside EoSD and PCB. There's not much I can point to that's "wrong" with it, or "worse" than the other two, but idk, I don't feel as positively towards IN. I do still really enjoy it though!

There's a lot of great things about IN; the introduction of Spell Practice, there's two different final stages/bosses, the really cool concept for the playable characters/shot-types (character fight in teams, and once you beat both Finals with all teams you can play as each character individually, for a total of 12(!!!) shot-types), the Stage 4 gimmick is a callback to LLS (you fight Reimu or Marisa depending on your character!!), and of course there's some great bullet patterns in there (Keine and Marisa are standouts to me).

There's a LOT of content, more than most Touhou games, which is great!! But there's definitely some aspects that don't feel well polished, which brings it down a bit. The 'special feature' of this game, the Youkai gauge, is not only insanely confusing and complicated, and it's also not fun OR worthwhile to engage with,,, Maybe if I was a hardcore scorer I'd find some value in it, but…… eh. At least it's not obtrusive or anything. Then there's the solo shot-types….. while it's cool they're there, I don't know if ZUN playtested the solo Humans ;; They are very clearly not designed with solo play in mind and if you like to clear ALL shot-types like I do, this can make it an arduous experience to get through all 12

I think it's mostly these things, plus me feeling kind of neutral on the soundtrack and cast, that make IN not stand out, despite all the content. Still a great game, I play it a lot, just not as often as some other entries.

[TOUHOU 9: PHANTASMAGORIA OF FLOWER VIEW]

The 2nd VS shooter in the series!

Mostly the same exciting, chaotic gameplay as the first one PoDD, though with a few key difference. You can now use Focus, which also ties into a new mechanic, the 'scope', which allows you to freeze falling spirits (helps with setting up combos and crowd control) when they touch it. And, using your spell/special attack gauge causes a 'wave' to ripple out and clear bullets around you. I think overall these are excellent addition and that add fun strategy to gameplay.

However, I'm not great at keeping track of combos or purposefully placing spirits during the constant barrage of bullets,,, And some of the character's scopes are……. not fun to utilize. There's also the same problem I had with PoDD, how rapidly pressing the shoot button hurts my hand over time, and while PoFV actually has an alternate control scheme, that alternative FORCES you into focus mode as you shoot. I want to be able to not think super hard about when and where I shoot, so I can focus on dodging, but this just makes the problem Worse because it hampers my movement ;;

I do like the bullet clearing wave though! Plus, this game introduced one of my favorite characters, Aya, AND brought back Yuuka from the PC-98 era!! It's not a bad game and I've had fun with it. I'm just not crazy about the Touhou VS shooters overall. If I wanna play a VS shooter I'd rather pick something like Twinkle Star Sprites.

[TOUHOU 9.5: SHOOT THE BULLET]

This is the first of the 'photo' games, and I have a soft spot for this one. It can be extremely rewarding to clear a difficult scene, and the whole photography thing is a SUPER interesting take on bullet hell. The one thing that sucks is that there's little incentive to go back to scenes once you've managed to clear them. But I guess that's not the point, it's to slowly conquer the challenges each level throws at you and clear as many as you can.

Very solid game, something you can chip away at over time, if you like bullet hell and like interesting challenges give it a try!!

[TOUHOU 10: MOUTAIN OF FAITH]

MoF is the start of a new era. It's pretty stripped back in terms of gameplay because ZUN wanted to focus on making a basic, polished shmup, and he certainly achieved that. The new engine feel smooth as butter, the graphics and sound are crisp, and the bullet patterns and stages are solid. Some of the core gameplay mechanics have been changed though, and it's a little mixed.

For instance, the bombs have been changed in 2 key ways; there are no longer unique bombs for each shot-type, and using a bomb costs you some of your Power instead of an item. Not having unique bombs takes away an element in picking your shot-type, but I don't mind the bomb itself since it's both effective and powerful. Losing Power can be frustrating, and you can end up in a horrible loop if you lose too much at once, but, MOST of the time I find MoF is very generous with Power, and that combined with not being restricted to bomb items can actually be a really sweet deal.

Most of the other changes are similarly mixed, but ultimately I think they work well together! There's only 1 thing I have major critism of, and that's the removal of practice and accessibility features. There's no more extra starting lives from here on out, which I understand, but it does make me sad, as extra lives allows new players to see more of the game (and allows old players to relax on just-for-fun runs). He also removed Spell Practice, which sucks :( But, by far the most egregious change, is that using a continue starts you over from the beginning of a stage….. and just seeing a stage is NOT enough to unlock it in Practice Mode. This is a HUGE hit to the game's accessibility for new or unskilled players, not even allowing them to practice the stage they're stuck on, or prepare for anything beyond it. If you die on a stage so much you have to continue, what the hell made ZUN think starting the whole stage over with almost no lives would help??

Thankfully, I don't need that accessibility much anymore, and there IS a fanmade practice patch out there. MoF is definitely among my top favorite games of the series, it's just a great basic shmup and great start to the new era. Also shoutout to my favorite final boss theme, Venerable Ancient Battlefield ~ Suwa Foughten Field. Loved it so much as a kid that I would mod it into other games LMAO

[TOUHOU 11: SUBTERRANEAN ANIMISM]

SA is considered the 2nd hardest game in the series, and there is good reason for that. Beyond the patterns and stages just generally being pretty difficult, the lives, bombs, and continues system are very punishing in this entry.

The continue system is exactly the same as MoF, which is to say, brutal and unforgiving. Bombs are also tied to power like in MoF, but unlike MoF, Power only goes up to 4.00 instead of 5.00 (with MarisaA as an exception) meaning less bombs overall and leading to the same issues there were in MoF. And, you don't earn full lives, you need 5 life pieces to gain a full extra life, and the one and ONLY way to earn life pieces? Is through clearing boss attacks without bombing or getting hit. There is not even a SINGLE free live in the entire game, you must earn every single one with flawless performance.

This leads to a scenrio where, high skilled players are rewarded with lives they don't need, and less experienced players are basically walled from even practicing. All this, combined with two other factors (some of the weirdest/most difficult to utilize shot-types in the series, and the fact that the actual bombs either suck ass or are also difficult to utilize well), makes SA one of the most "unfriendly" games in all of Touhou project. If not THE most unfriendly.

I have a lot of criticisms of this, and even now I can't say I feel "comfortable" playing through SA. But, (most of) the unique shot-types CAN be rewarding, once you learn how to wield them, and this game has some of the most exciting and challenging bosses. So many fun spellcards……… Satori and Okuu are standouts. Satori's gimmick is also really cool, where her spellcards change based off your shot-type, nearly all of them being alternate version of past spellcards in the series. And of course, this game's cast is absolutely iconic, pairing well with one of the best overall soundtracks in the entire series.

SA is one of those games where I have a lot of fun with it and think it's stellar in terms of music, cast, and bullet patterns, but certain systems and mechanics prevent me from recommending it whole-heartedly to others. There's just a lot of frustrations with it. But it's still fairly high up in my rankings, and there's some value to having a game focused on Skill and skill alone, rather than other gimmicks or resources management or whatnot.

[TOUHOU 12: UNDEFINED FANTASTIC OBJECT]

UFO was the first Touhou game I got to see the release for. It's one of my happiest memories, so my feelings towards UFO may be very biased. Just a warning lol

UFO's "gimmick", the UFOs, is how you engage with basically any other system in the game; you MUST engage with the UFOs if you're going for anything other than a NMNB clear. And ho boy is the UFO system contentious. Not without reason, either. Mid-Bosses and Bosses destroy summoned UFOs which is frustrating, it's super easy to make a mistake with gathering the small UFOs and ruin your combo, if there's small UFOs you don't want on screen they basically act as bouncing projectiles you need to dodge ON TOP of the actual bullets……. etc.

However, while I share a few of those frustrations (damn UFO destroying bosses…..), I find the UFO system to lead to a good combination of routing and room for improvisation. You can memorize when and where certain colored UFOs will drop and plan ahead for them, and if you miss what you need or make a mistake you can still think on the fly and re-route mid playthrough. It's also fun that you can specialize your routing and gameplay towards a specific goal, like stocking tons of bombs to skip difficult stage sections/spellcards, or optimzing for score, or stockpiling lives.

The overall difficulty of the stages and patterns is decently high in UFO (this game is often ranked 3rd hardest in the series), but it can be somewhat mitigated with good planning and resource management. And I personally find a lot of these stages and bosses a Blast to play! Helped again by, of course, having one of the best overall sountracks in the series…. imo at least. The UFO cast is also my personal favorite, AND they get some of ZUN's cutest sprites/artwork :)

The only other real criticism I have is that it shares it's Continue system with MoF and SA. Thank god this is the last game that forces you backwards for continuing ;;;;

While the UFO system has it's downsides, UFO is just a really fantastic entry into the series and a personal favorite of mine. We'll see how I feel once I start tackling the higher difficulties seriously though…… lol.

[TOUHOU 12.5: DOUBLE SPOILER]

Basically the sequel to Shoot the Bullet. There is very little difference, just a new set of characters and cards to face. I personally find this one a LOT harder than StB, and I don't enjoy it quite as much, but it's still a solid game I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed StB.

(EDIT TO ADD: Sometime after I wrote this part, I found an old blog entry from when I was 13, and apparently ZUN explicitly stated DS was meant to be much harder than StB. So, there ya go?)

[TOUHOU 13: TEN DESIRES]

The key phrase for this game overall, imo, is RESOURCE STRANGLEHOLD.

TD is far and beyond the most punishing game in the series, both in terms of resources and the Spirit Gauge/Trance mechanic. The requirement for the amount of pink spirits you need in order to earn an extra Life is brutal right from the start, at 8, and every time you earn a new life this requirement goes up. This doesn't reset when you die, or even when you CONTINUE. That would be brutal enough, but even with OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE, literally no mistakes and perfect utilization of Trance, you earn less lives in this game than in any other. Speaking of pulling of a perfect performance, good fucking luck, because the spirits you need to gather stay right where you killed the enemy, disappearing Quickly, so you have to either have your Trance meter full and ready, or you need to risk your precious few lives to dash up to the top of the screen, in the middle of an absolute clusterfuck of bullets, just for a FRACTION of an extra life.

And of course, there's the real kicker; getting hit causes your entire Trance meter to be used up, and it takes a quite a bit to refill it, especially because again, spirits Do Not Fall the way items do, you have to seriously risk your life for them.

Basically, TD is a very, VERY routing-heavy game, and if you make even ONE mistake it can cause your entire playthrough to unravel. It's super frustrating. There are only 2 saving graces here….. 1) you at least get to keep any extra bombs you had in stock after you die, and 2) TD has some of the easiest boss fights in Touhou. I actually find the spellcards super fun, so by sort of-kind of routing the stages and doing well against the bosses, I was able to find some joy in TD. But that is obviously in spite of the mechanics, not because of them ;;

I will say, though, that it's interesting to have a game designed to make you "boss graze", ie stay dangerously close to the boss and move around them to catch spirits. Interesting concept and it helps train you on a high-level skill.

TD was my least favorite Touhou game for a long, long time. I've softened on it a bit, fun bullet patterns are fun no matter what, but goddamn. This one's ROUGH. And sadly, the OST is pretty middling for me, though it DOES have a few standouts (Desire Drive, Youkai Shrine Back Road, Small Desire's Starry Night Sky)!!

[TOUHOU 14: DOUBLE DEALING CHARACTER]

Ah. DDC. My nemesis.

I actually don't mind this game's special mechanic; using the point of collection line to earn life and bomb pieces. I actually think it's fun and rewarding, though that could just be because I already go to the PoC line as much as possible anyways lol. No, my problem is not with the mechanic, or the life and bomb pieces. This game commits the most fatal of all sins in bullet hell; the bullet patterns are Not Fun.

So many of the patterns in the this game have 'gimmicky' movements, sometimes bordering on Random, and this is often used in combination with one of my greatest weaknesses, bullets coming at you from both above and below, at the same time. This makes them an absolute nightmare to read. There's also a ton of a bullets that are either oddly shaped with confusing hitboxes, or made huge which also makes their hitboxes confusing. And unfortunately, the stages and bosses that don't suffer from this generally have pretty bland forgettable patterns. I can't think of a single attack in DDC I would describe as "fun", and that's unheard of in the rest of the series.

Worse yet, the shot-types themselves……. half of them are 'gimmicky', kind of like SA shot-types were, but the SA shot-types had special extra mechanics that could be mastered and were rewarding to utilize, if uncomfortable to get used to. These shot-types are just plain Uncomfortable, or are underwhleming ;; MarisaB has a bomb that makes it possible to milk life and bomb pieces like crazy and basically cheese the whole game, but that's not fun either :( I wanna be able to PLAY the game and enjoy it…… but I can't.

And the final nail in the coffin…… DDC also happens to have my least favorite soundtrack and, imo, a very bland and unmemorable cast. I feel so sad saying that because I think there's some unique youkai here, but MOST OF their designs don't stick out/are pretty plain, and they feel very disconnected from Gensokyo at large. Maybe if I saw them in print materials I'd feel different, but as it stands…… :/

I want to say some nice things though, so here's what I've got. Wakasagihime has a great design (it's just…. y'know, she's a Stage 1 boss, so there's not much of her. Super sad considering I desperately wanted a mermaid Youkai). Raiko also has a cool design, AND she has the best theme in the game. Uhh…… the PoC line mechanic giving you an extra life piece instead of a bomb if you collect enough point items is a good feature that rewards smart planning and risk management. The Stage 2 boss has lasers you can avoid by staying completely still which is hilarious.

I…. think that's it. Let me say for the record, I'm open to changing my mind!! I softened on TD as I got better, found things I could enjoy in it despite my issues, so that could happen someday with DDC. It's just right now, nearly everything about DDC bounces me right off it, so it's the only Touhou I genuinely don't enjoy playing,, Hopefully someday that will change……

[TOUHOU 15: LEGACY OF LUNATIC KINGDOM]

LoLK is a bit of an odd ball, for sure. While you can play it like a regular Touhou game (using "Legacy" mode), the main mode of LoLK is "PointDevice", which plays very differently. It's focused on "perfection", and very precise movement and dodging, making you retry to same sections and attacks over and over again til you do them right.

You also earn Life pieces (Legacy) and Bomb pieces (PointDevice) via grazing, which requires you to risk your life getting super close to the bullets. All that, in combination with very dense and overwhleming bullet patterns, makes LoLK the hardest Touhou game by a long shot. Especially in Legacy mode, where you can't just retry over and over.

I honestly don't care for PointDevice much, especially because if there's a section/attack you CANNOT pass no matter how hard you try, and you've already used all your bombs, you're kind of fucked and Have to restart the entire thing ;; But, I still find Legacy mode fun, and as someone who loves to graze when I can, being rewarded for it feels good, AND allows for some really creative and interesting patterns/routing. On the higher difficulties, there's way more bullets to milk for graze, too. On one hand it's a little frustrating that it's HARDER to earn resources on Easy and Normal, but on the other hand you can argue that the extra resources help balance the insane pattern difficulty of Hard and Lunatic.

I'm not good enough to beat LoLK on Normal yet (it's the last one left for me), but I still think it's a pretty solid game overall, and I like to replay certain stages (2, 3, 5, and 6) on Easy just for fun.

[TOUHOU 16: HIDDEN STAR IN FOUR SEASONS]

Wasn't a huge fan of this one at first, but I've warmed up to it! Mostly

While this is not the first game with bullet erasers, it is the first to feature them so prominently, aside from maybe PoFV. It comes in the form of the Release system, which basically allows you to massively power down your shot type in exchange for clearing bullets (how much you power down and how many bullets are erased/for how long depends on your sub weapon choice). I think the way it can be utilized both for survival and for scoring is pretty cool. It can also be really broken if you know exactly where to use them, adding another element to routing and memorization. But it can also be handy during my casual play…… if you remember it exists. lol. I admit that I struggle to use any C key function properly ;; But that's a personal issue

The shot types are definitely interesting in this game. Instead of the standard fare, you pick a character (who always has the same shot) and then pick a "sub weapon" based on one of the other character's shots (or you can pick your own to make it stronger). This results in there being a whopping SIXTEEN COMBINATIONS, each with slightly varying properties. Lord. While I think I prefer having a smaller pool of unique and optimized shot types, this is a neat concept, if a bit overwhelming if you're like me and want to clear EVERY combination ;; But still, it allows you to sort of customize to what you're most comfortable with, or what will help you the most (for example, the Cirno/Summer sub weapon gives you short releases you can use repeatedly, but the weapon itself sucks ass as a tradeoff. So pairing it with a faster/more powerful character balances things a bit!), which is pretty cool.

My major complaints about this game are the 2 difficulty spikes; the Stage 5 bosses, and Okina's final spellcard(s). The Stage 5 bosses use the dreaded "random and erratic" bullet behaviour I hated so much in DDC, though thankfully only for SOME attacks. They're still a big spike compared to the rest of the game, even compared to Okina's fight……. until the end. Okina's final cards are super cool in concept, stripping you of your sub weapon and forcing you to just Dodge Or Die…….. but in practice it is PAINFUL, especially since it's the last obstacle before victory. She even has a bomb shield………. wtf. Brutal. All 4 variants are bad, but the Summer version is by far the worst, in my opinion one of the hardest final spellcards in the entire series.

There's also the extra stage, which is mostly spent dodging stuff coming from behind you (my nightmare), but that's more of a skill issue on my part ;; Overall, while the cast is very disconnected and don't leave a strong impression, the music is pretty damn good, the stages are fun, and the mechanics are interesting, even if they're a bit shakey and abusable. Not a top favorite but I like HSiFS :)

[TOUHOU 17: WILY BEAST AND WEAKEST CREATURE]

This game has a similar special mechanic to UFO, but I think it's a little better implemented here.

There are no "shot types" as it were; your choices are whether to power up your unfocused attacks, your focused attacks, or your bombs. This kinda makes it hard to have a preference, as each attack is better at different points in the game, so it's really up to you what's more important. I kind of like this, even though I still prefer variety, it means I can use other characters more freely.

I also like this version of the 'collect stuff on screen' mechanic, there's more leeway for mistakes (you can still activate "Roaring/Hyper" mode without having a perfect collection of matching spirits) AND the benefits are better (it protects you from hits while active, just like the cherry borders in PCB!! and you get either a massive boost to damage or a bullet eraser)! Like with UFO though, there is risk with chasing the Spirits all over the field, and it can lead to some frustrating deaths and distractions. But that's just part of what you have to manage, I think it's a fun system overall :)

What is Not Fun is an issue that actually started back in TD, but I haven't mentioned it yet, because WBaWC has it the Absolute Worst; VISIBILITY ISSUES. Your own shot, ESPECIALLY in Roaring/Hyper mode, can become so dense and flashy that it is near impossible to read the bullet patterns. Or see the bullets At All. Which is, yknow, a problem in a bullet hell game. On top of that, the whole game is tinted red, and full of red bullets, which is sick as hell on paper, but in practice makes a huge portion of the game become slurry to the eyes. And the Enemy tracker, which had its text removed back in TD, is more a problem in this game than in any other because the color of the tracker matches the color of the window border, so you may as well not even have it.

There's also a major problem in the Stage 5 boss (and in one final boss spellcard), with the stupid statues that are summoned……. I already don't like these kinds of "familiars", they''re always a pain no matter what, but WBaWC takes it to another level, as they soak up so much damage that very few of the shot types can kill them before you get body slammed or completely overwhelmed.

WBaWC is really fun and cool and has some great music and designs, but it feels…… almost like ZUN didn't fully playtest it before release. An issue that is going to persist into the final entries………. but it's still enjoyable overall, at least.

[TOUHOU 18: UNCONNECTED MARKETEERS]

I have a lot of fondness for it, but MAN is this game unbalanced lol

There's the obvious, which is the card system. I think the card system is a cool idea and can be fun to play around with, it's exciting when you get exactly the card you wanted, but there are certain cards/combinations that can kind of break the game, and it can be BRUTAL if you get nothing but trash cards on your run, and there are a Lot of 'trash cards'. And once you figure out your favorite card combo it's likely you'll never mess with anything else. Not strictly a bad thing, just a thing.

But then there's the real kicker…… Marisa. People are 100% right when they say this game is "anti-Marisa". I've tried not to mention the shot types I dislike (like most Youmu and Sakuyas), because that's a very personal/skill based issue, but here, the way this game is designed feels actively Hostile towards Marisa. It's hard to describe, but both bosses and stages are set up to have you fly all over the screen, or move off the sides a lot, and her range is EXTREMELY narrow………. AND both the shots and her bombs have been massively nerfed??? She's no longer the most powerful character, so there isn't even a trade off for picking the harder option. Seriously why the hell did ZUN nerf her AND make almost the entire game hostile to straight-forward shots?????

Well, whatever the reason, it makes her PAINFUL to play as. But, if you play as one of the fun shot types……. this game is pretty fun!! The first half a Little plain with it's boss patterns but the second half is a blast!!! If MAYBE a bit unfair (Megumu…….) ;; And the OST is fantastic all the way through. Plus, I just love the characters that were introduced, especially the 'masterminds', Megumu, Tsukasa, and Chimata. Very fun additions to the world of Gensokyo, I really hope we get to learn more about Megumu as the Crow Tengu chief.

If you're looking consistent play, look elsewhere, but for a fun time with light luck based elements this is a great game (if you don't play Marisa. Or Sakuya. lol)

[TOUHOU 18.5: 100TH BLACK MARKET]

Now this is an unique one! You go through stages that are split into semi-randomized sections, and along the way you gather money to buy cards. Bullet money buys cards during a run, and regular money lets you buy cards out of a shop so you can equip them from the start. So it's like….. a rouge-like shooter? Kinda?

I personally had fun with this. It's a little simple, and it can get repetitive, but it was nice because if I didn't have much time but wanted to mess around with bullet hell, I could boot this up and play a couple rounds to gather money for cards!!

Once you buy all the cards and earn all the achievements there's no reason to ever come back, which is sad, but idk, I had a good time milking bullets for money and slowly filling my collections. It shares some of the randomness issues with UM and is a little half-baked but I would still recommend giving it a shot, especially because it gives Marisa her time to shine after getting shafted in UM!

[TOUHOU 19: UNFINISHED DREAM OF ALL LIVING GHOSTS]

The final one so far!! I'll be honest, I've beaten it 21 times now I STILL don't understand how most of the mechanics work. Things just Happen and I either dodge or die. But what I can speak on is the downright bizarre balancing issues and the plethora of missing features.

The difficulty and balancing is wack. The vast majority of the characters feel underpowered already, and to top that off, only a small number of characters have bullet-clearing abilities, which is an absolutely MASSIVE advantage in this game, meaning that some characters are just objectively better than others. The story routes each character takes can also vary wildly in difficulty, making some paths a breeze and others nearly impossible even for the best players in the world.

But the most concerning thing for me is the missing features. No score? No "clear" achievement or signifier for different difficulty levels?? NO REPLAYS????? I can deal with the lack of score since I'm not a score player (yet), but having no indication or reward for 1ccing, and having no way to save or share your run without recording every single play session………. god. Idk, maybe it's silly, but that stuff is VERY important to me :( I'm still so sad about it, and it makes anything you achieve in the game feel….. hallow.

That being said, it's not all bad!! I love the new characters and their designs, there's some really interesting experimentation going on in the OST, I think the 'shield' mechanic adds a fun layer to gameplay (trying to make sure you're ready to restore the shield if it breaks while also trying to send over attacks and dodge)…… and I mean, dodging bullets is dodging bullets, so it's gonna be fun at least some of the time!!

Honestly, I just wish ZUN has balanced it more carefully, gave other characters more power or bullet-erasers, had more people play test it………. and of course, I wish it had replays and a way to track 1cc's :(((

--

And that's it! If you read any of that, thank you, I know it was long ;;;;; But I had fun, I'm glad I got to talk a lot about my favorite game series :^)

[iliketrainmen]

Chat I lied about Roark needing to win so here's the concept art/stuff I was talking about in regards to a sygna suit

So... here's a design for Sygna Suit Roark and Nihilego! Because I thought it would be really funny if I paired him up with his tormentor and he got Nihilego instead of Lusamine. He'd be a 5 star unit with an ex because... well... sygna suits are five stars and it'd be cruel to make him the outlier. Haven't made a ex recolor, but I suppose it'd flip around the colors a little bit. Pale blue is replaced with purple and vice versa. Probably leave everything else alone for the most part. Maybe make his shirt white.

Very heavily based off of Nihilego's design + color palette. Did take some creative liberties with it though so it didn't feel too similar to his original design. Emphasized Nihilego's poison typing when it came to the leggings, so there's some added purple and a wavy pattern for the singular thigh high. Also wanted to add in details that would point to his geological origin without being too obvious, so there exists two geology-related design choices in his outfit. Brownie points to whoever finds em. Couldn't decide between Nihilego's blue and Roark's yellow for the highlights, so I used both.

Below is me rambling how he'd work in game, so if you're only here for the art, I'd recommend stopping here.

So you've chosen to listen to my hour long rambling. Arceus bless you and by the gods you will be here for a while.

When it comes to his sygna suit, I want it to feel different but still kind of reminiscent of his original kit. With him and Rampardos, he's essentially a nuker that nukes himself in the process whilst dealing a ridiculous amount of damage. That's the part that feels the most memorable about his kit, so I'd want it to transfer over to his sygna suit counterpart.

So... the only logical next step is to make him a ridiculously good support pair that nukes themselves with their abilities. A kit that's focused on maximizing buffs for the sweeper before the pair kicks the bucket. Something not very good for multi-stage progression levels, but phenomenal for boss levels.

Its not really finalized (this is a concept post, after all), but here's some ideas I'll shoot out.

One (1) singular attack move that all characters must have

Acid Spray — 1 bar

Ridiculously weak, only use if you're in a pinch. Something must have gone terribly wrong if you're using this.

24 power (Special and Poison type)

100% accuracy

No additional effects

The other move that isn't really an attack move

Pain Split — 3 bars

The reason it's three bars is because I can smell how broken this is going to be. I can smell it. Good heavens, is it Sunday already?

Equals out the Health points between Roark and the target. Works how it works in the mainline games. If the opponent has high health and Roark has low, they level out to the middle ground and vice versa. Probably broken on bosses. Do I have a fix? Nope. Do I care to fix it? Nope.

--- power; this move is based purely on health

100% accuracy

No additional effects

Support moves that aren't actually pokemon moves

Hemlock-Tipped Rock (2/2)

Raises all stats of all allied pairs by one stage. When below 50% health, this raises all stats by two stages.

Removes 25% of Roark's total health, regardless of how much HP he has remaining.

Neurotoxin Overload! (1/1)

PERMANENTLY increases the speed that the move gauge recovers bars (for the rest of the match, at least). Move gauge fully replenished.

PERMANENTLY halves Roark's total health and remaining health. If he had 800 total health with 400 health remaining, he would end up having 400 total health with 200 health remaining. Potions and/or healing moves will not recover the total health loss. (For the rest of the match, at least).

The strongest double-edged blade in the game if this got added in. Nukes the units health for instant refill + permanent speed increase of regeneration for move gauge. Using this in tandem with both Hemlock-Tipped Spears will kill Roark but set the remaining strikers up for a sweep. Just like Arceus intended.

Sync Move!!! Yaaay!

Crystallized Sludge Wave

200 power base move

All opponents

The less health Roark has left, the more powerful this move is

—

Okay awesome, the moves are all finished. If you came here for those, you can move on. The rest of this post is going to be about skills.

—

Skills, hooray?

Skills are great, aren't they? You barely notice them if they're trash and notice if they're the reason a character is busted. Anyways.

Passive

Follow me

Attacks that strike multiple allies instead hit only Roark and Nihilego for all of the damage it would have done.

Say, in a normal scenario, a move would hit ally 1 for 100, Roark for 100, and ally 2 for 100. With this ability, allies 1 and 2 take no damage, but Roark takes 300.

This cannot be good for his health. This sync pair + sygna suit cannot be good for his health. Has anyone checked to see if Nihilego has injected poison into him? It must've if he's willingly having this skill.

Theme skills

Poison

Sinnoh

Gym Leader

Sygna Suit

Supernatural

Lucky Skill Recommendations

You can't really force lucky skills onto sync pairs as... well... they're luck-based and depend entirely on the build you're using. Here's what I'd recommend if he ever got in game.

—Power Reserves 2 : powers up moves when user is in a pinch (aka, has little health). You can imagine why I choose this one.

—Revenge Boost 4 : 50% chance of refilling move gauge by one upon getting hit. Points to passive skill.

Ex Role

Not touching this one because even after extensive googling I have no idea how this works.

End note

So, yeah. There's the concept stuff for a Roark sygna suit with Nihilego. Probably will be refined if I ever take another look at this, but this is what I got.

If you read this far, I hope you enjoyed! This post was a nice callback to those smash moveset concepts I used to make back in the day.

[gaviicreates]

FO: Berkshire Throw (Knit)

Pattern: Berkshire Throw by Whistle and Wool (Angie Bivins), available as a knit kit through Lion Brand

Yarn: Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling (100% Acrylic), Worsted in colorways - Stonewash, Ecru, Deep Denim, and Frost

Tools: ChiaoGoo circulars - size 8 (5mm)

When I first started to learn knitting, I worked up a long scarf in garter stitch. Meanwhile, I'd also started to do some swatches in stockinette, and I knew my next intentional project I wanted to be the next step in switching between knits and purls. I wanted it to be a pattern pdf so I could start learning how to read one. And I wanted it to be something I could stick with for a while, so I could get plenty of practice in.

I generally don't craft a lot of throws or blankets as a standard, since a blanket is a commitment. Especially when I already know in the end it's going to belong to my fur children. Except, I've totally been drawn to them lately! So this knit kit, when I happened to find it, started checking all my boxes. I just loved the texture on both sides.

I did not gauge swatch. The pattern provided one, as all good patterns should. But I didn't have all the tools yet to try going up and down a needle size if it didn't match. Rather than deal with that stress (and potential additional cost), I just used what I had on hand since it was not a garment where size mattered. Would it cover my lap? That's the main thing I focused on.

I lost track of where I was a number of times and I struggled with which was the right side (RS) and which was the wrong side (WO), so some of my color stripes are different from others. Sometimes the garter section started sooner than other times. But I turned my perfectionist off and figured "eh, I'm learning. It's going to keep me warm, and that's what matters. So let's keep going." This was fine until I made what felt like my first critical error:

I had one more garter row than I was supposed to, and it was incredibly distracting and noticeable. I couldn't let this one go, so I suffered my first panic of having to frog in knitting. I would like to never have to do that again! I have a new appreciation for when I have to do it with my crochet. But I did do it! I took the blanket back stitch-by-stitch, and in the process I learned about what makes up the stitches in a whole new way. I looked up which direction the stitches were supposed to be in the needle so nothing got twisted, and I started being able to recognize the parts that were the purls and which parts were the knits.

Aesthetically, I chose not to add tassels, as that's just asking for the dogs to mistake it as chew toy. My color palette was inspired by the neutrals that made up the original knit kit, just instead of browns, I selected colors that matched our living space. I've always found blues to be calming and comforting, and I think it's truly found its home draped across the back of my grey crafting recliner.

As far as blocking, since it's made from acrylic I threw it in the washer and dryer according to the label directions and that softened up the stitches.

Overall, I am incredibly pleased with how this turned out. I know technically it's not because of the scarf I made, but it kind of feels like my first knit project. It was the first of a lot of things, and for that reason it's incredibly special.

[unlettered-heathen]

Thank goodness I'm broke AF right now (I guess) otherwise I'd be purchasing the rainbow Harmony interchangeable knitting needles I've been waiting until near my bday to get out of Pure Frustration.

I only have two sets currently: 4.25mm and 8mm straight needles, and I can't find a free beginner shawl pattern I like that uses worsted yarn and those specific needles (god forbid my swatch doesn't match the gauge too!) I HATE doing dishcloths but it looks like that's my only reasonable choice.

D: I just wanna get good at knitting it feels SO MUCH nicer than crocheted stuff and I have SO MANY PLANS but alas, I must make shitty cotton squares instead of fun lumpy things to do so and also NOT buy the pretty pretty needles.

[dove-da-birb]

Knitting Pattern; The Rough Guide

So I attempted to make a pattern last night. I don't mention any specific yarn, needle gauge, or how much you need to cast on, off, or add and decrease in stitch count. Why? I went into this project with just a picture in mind, and that was potato Grim. Was going to make him life-size, but he was being difficult, so, potato.

Main Body

The body needs to be completed first so you can size everything else to your liking. I decided to not decrease the stitches at the end, so that he has a base that he can comfortably sit on

Back leggie x 2. I did these next as I was tired of knitting one large piece. Where you cast on will be where you embroider later for his paws and beans. Provides a nice resting period.

The head is next, as he looks very creepy being headless. Also this allows for you to know where to place his neck fluff and arms, and size them appropriately.

Neck fluff. Since the torso and head are done, you can make that fluff! Also so the arms can go in the proper position.

Front leggie x 2. The last part of the main body. I'm going to make them a bit longer than the back legs, no real reason, I just thought he would be cute that way.

Main tail. It's mainly just a long rectangle until you reach the tip. You'll have to increase the stitch count until you reach your desired devil tail levels, and from there you'll decrease.

Pitchfork x 2. Once the main tail is done, the pitchforks can now be made.

The Face Details (can be done after you complete the head)

Ear x 2. His ears need to be made first; again, to size everything else.

Large flame x 2. To get the skinny points, I'll be casting off until I have two stitches on my needles

Small flame x 2. Same as the large flame, but fewer cast on stitches and not as tall.

Embroidering

I'm embroidering the paw pads, toe beans, pupils, nose, and mouth, as they are quite small and would be a pain to knit. Just grab your desired colour. It can also be done with yarn or spare fabric.

Supplies

You can use whatever yarn weight and needle gauge you want; the torso and head would probably be easier working on the round though. This pattern could also work for crochet and sewing; I just like making myself suffer. Also any colours that you think can work.

You will need a stitch holder for when you make the neck fluff and ear flames. You can find these at any craft store, but Walmart also has them in the yarn section.

You will need stuffing, I'm just using some leftover stuff; I got mine from Walmart (I'm cheap okay).

My Notes

What I'm Using; weight 4 yarn on gauge 3 US [3.25mm] straight needles. The yarn I'm using is all thrifted, gifted, or leftovers from past projects so I don't know the exact brand or colours.

I would recommend a large skein of medium grey, a bright blue, and a light blue. Also, in the spirit of Ramshackle, try to thrift the majority of yarn and tools, I probably spent less than $5 on this project.

I'll make a separate pattern for when I make the ribbon and gemstone, as I don't know if I'll knit that or use another method. Yes, it would be cute and matching if it were knitted, but I'll probably curse myself after making the main plush. "Why, why did I make this." Rip my fingers.

Stitch Type; I'm knitting one row, and then using a pearl stitch on the other, as that is my personal favourite look of knitted pieces (and the only stitches I know)

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR CAST ON! Especially for the legs, torso, and head. And likewise, keep track of how many stitches you add on what row, so that you have close to matching pieces.

For the gradient on the tail, I'm actually going to attempt to dye it using calligraphy ink that I have lying around. Could also be done with paint.

I originally started knitting Grim because I didn't want to give Disney any more of my money than I already do, plus shipping is already expensive where I am. But also for a thrifted/closet cosplay for the Ramshackle Prefect (shameless self-insert). I don't know if I'll ever go to a con, but hey, I wanted a Grim plush and I can knit and sew, so I'm making a Grim plush.

This is a free pattern. I don't intend or want to make a profit off of this, especially since it's only a rough guide and only has the shapes you need and is of a copyrighted character. This is made out of a place of love and hyper-fixation. But if you do make one, please feel free to tag me; I would love to see your gremlin potato son.

Tagging a mutual, since they were interested in the pattern; @krenenbaker

[starseedfxofficial]

Hidden Secrets of RSI and Fractal Trading: The Ninja's Guide to Outsmarting the Market Let's Talk About Hidden Patterns... Imagine the RSI as your trusty metal detector and fractals as those elusive pirate treasures buried beneath the sand—okay, maybe I'm stretching the pirate analogy, but stick with me! If you've ever tried to use the Relative Strength Index (RSI) in Forex trading without fractals, it's like trying to bake a cake with only flour and no other ingredients. You need the full recipe to make something that really pops. But the combination of RSI with fractal trading? It's like using that magic metal detector to find treasure twice as often. Let's dive into why this unlikely duo makes your trading more precise than a ninja's shuriken throw. Fractal Basics: It's Not as Complicated as It Sounds Don't let the term "fractal" make you want to run back to your kindergarten finger paints. A fractal in trading is just a fancy word for price turning points—simple as that. Think of it as the breadcrumbs in Hansel and Gretel's forest, showing you exactly where the price got confused and said, "I'm lost, which way should I go now?" It’s not some arcane geometry lesson—it’s a signal of market hesitation. Fractals help you spot these pivots like a hawk. So next time you see a fractal forming, just imagine Mr. Market saying, "Hold up, I might just change my mind here." Use it to plan your trades accordingly. RSI and Fractals: A Match Made in Heaven Here's the golden rule: RSI tells you how much power is behind a move, while fractals tell you when those moves might turn. Combining these? Well, that's like having the power of foresight—and let's face it, if you could predict the future, you'd already be buying an island in the Caribbean. With RSI overbought and a fractal forming at a resistance level, it's like a bad omen—something is about to go down (quite literally, usually). Most traders only use these indicators in isolation, but pros use them like peanut butter and jelly. Don't be that guy at the party with just bread—add some spice, and make it a meal. Seeing the Invisible: The Forgotten Setup RSI works best on a longer time frame, but here’s where the ninja-level insight comes in—combine a high RSI on a daily chart with a fresh fractal showing on an hourly chart. Most traders will think you're talking nonsense—until they see you rolling in pips. The idea here is timing your entry. The daily RSI might scream "Overbought! Overbought!" but you need that sniper's timing to find the exact entry point without blowing your entire account on one wild guess. Here’s how I do it: I use the hourly chart to spot fractals near key resistance or support zones. If RSI is still flashing "danger," then it’s like finding a sign that says "Caution: Cliff Ahead" just before Mr. Market takes that dramatic leap. Oh, and always remember—catching the market just before it decides to turn is the real money-maker. Why Most Traders Miss the Mark I’ve watched traders get RSI totally wrong (don't even get me started on fractals—most of them avoid it like it’s a stray cat looking for free food). Traders tend to panic when RSI hits over 70 or dips below 30, like someone seeing their car on empty and assuming they're already stranded in the middle of nowhere. But RSI isn't just "overbought = bad" or "oversold = good." It’s more like your car’s gas gauge—there’s still time before the tank is empty. Fractals help you avoid jumping out of the car too early. When combined, these indicators scream, "Hey, it’s about to change direction!" before the crowd knows what's happening. Predict Market Moves with Precision: The RSI-Fractal Setup Alright, so here's a simple setup I’ve used to actually make pips: - Look for a fractal forming on the 1-hour chart. - Make sure RSI is over 70 (overbought) on the daily chart. - Wait for a solid candlestick pattern (a reversal one, mind you). - Don’t just jump in—wait for confirmation. Markets are like that one friend who always changes their mind; let them settle before you commit. It’s like clockwork—and the more you practice this, the easier it becomes. Most traders miss out because they refuse to be patient—they want all the pips and they want them now. Why Being Patient Is a Superpower Waiting might feel like you’re watching paint dry—I get it. But trading isn't about the thrill (okay, it's a bit about the thrill). It’s about making moves that actually make you money. And the RSI-Fractal combo is about waiting for it. Let those fractals develop. Let that RSI breathe. Imagine you’re trying to catch a chicken—you don't just run in like a headless bird yourself; you wait for the moment when it pauses. Personal Anecdote: The "Sell Button Snafu" I remember once seeing a perfect fractal setup while RSI on the daily was screaming overbought. In my excitement, I hit "sell" right before an unexpected news release, and watched as my trade plummeted like a bad sitcom plot twist. Lesson learned? Even the best setups need patience and timing—it's not just about seeing the opportunity, it's about executing when conditions align. Wrap-Up and Trading Wisdom RSI and fractals aren’t fancy magic beans that suddenly make you a millionaire overnight—that’s reserved for lottery tickets (and frankly, that's still wishful thinking). They are tools, like a flashlight and a compass, guiding you through the dark and confusing forest that is Forex trading. Use them wisely, add some patience, sprinkle in a bit of humor to get through the rough days, and you'll do just fine. If you're looking for the latest economic indicators, exclusive education resources, or simply want to join a trading community that’s already filled with elite traders, check out the StarseedFX Community. We offer insights, daily alerts, and the tools you need to stay ahead. Whether you want to master fractal trading, understand RSI like a pro, or just want a simple plan to follow—we’ve got your back. —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[songofmadness]

I recently fixated on a very nice hat I saw in passing as I doomscrolled on pinterest... at 3 in the morning, stubbornly fighting off my prescription sleep meds - which I pay money for, and take so that I can sleep - just like a real, proper adult. Hunted the hat down on etsy - which took a little bit, as no one links the damn creator on pinterest- and discovered that it was significantly out of my (tiny) budget for cute hats.

Instead of putting down the damn laptop and letting my (paid for) sleep medication do its damn job, I spent two hours on ravelry trying to find an acceptable hat pattern so I can make the desired cute hat. It is now 5 in the morning. Not a single pattern perfectly matches this damn hat.

This was clearly the time to give up right? Right? But no. I climb out of my nice warm bed - it's winter and my house is poorly made so it is very, very cold. My window is also open at all times unless the rain is actually blowing sideways directly into it, because otherwise it feels like I'm going to suffocate. I am aware that this is ridiculous.

So anyway. Winter. 4 degrees celsius in my bedroom - I checked. And I'm wandering around the sewing room hunting down supplies so I can devise a pattern for this bloody hat. I don't have thick enough wool. Fine. I wind a ball of four seperate colours and weights, green/grey/black. The colour is pleasing and the weight seems sufficient. My feet are like blocks of ice. It is 5-30 in the morning, I have not slept, my sleep meds have given up entirely. The sun isn't up yet, I reason vaguely, I have not yet completely failed as an adult.

I have to teach my spawn maths the next day today. I have to clean my house, and buy groceries and walk the dog and basically function like a sensible 31 year old woman, a single mother, a homeschool teacher. All these things I am supposed to do. But the hat.

I curl up in my bed, scattered with wool, and needles, and books, and inhalers, and cats. Open the curtain - the sky is still black out, and the wind is freezing and I am an idiot. I'm so dumb and I can't stop. I knit a hat. And then frog it and knit another hat, because I reached for the pretty handcarved needles instead of a pair that matched the gauge. Because I'm tired now and I still can't stop.

I reknit the hat. It doesn't look right. I frog it again, have a brief sleep deprived cackle over the term frog, because my little brother loved frogs, he'd rescue them out of the toilet cistern when we were kids - 'Straya! - and I miss him so much and I knit the hat again.

I stare at the grainy etsy photos. None of them are at the right angle for me to make sure I've done it right so I dig through previous purchases until I found a photo taken by some person I have never and will never meet - a person who could afford a $270 knitted hat, who took a photo wearing the coveted hat that they had paid for - I find this photo after fighting off the sleep meds that I pay for and -

I realise that I have definitely knitted the wrong hat. There isn't a seamline there. I swear and frog and start again. I go to youtube and relearn how to do a provisional cast on. I knit the hat. My hands are cold, and my nose and ears are cold and the cats are sleeping. The dog has checked on me three times because I'm not meant to do this and he knows it as well as I do. The sun comes up by slow degrees - we're far enough south that the position of the rising sun changes signifigantly over the course of a year. In winter it rises behind my neighbour's house.

The sky is freezing clear. The sunrise is glorious, amber and rose and I am so tired and I can't sleep because the hat. And anyway, I can't sleep now, because the spawn will be up in an hour and he wont eat unless I hand him food, he'll take his meds and then he wont be hungry anymore, and I worry about his weight. The cats are purring. I'm so tired.

I finish the hat. It is lovely and warm on my half frozen ears. The cats are purring, the sky is no longer painted with the amber sunrise. The spawn is making sleepy noise in his room. I need to get up and make coffee and stagger through the day. Sometimes I can - like the terror-fueled last minute scrawlings that earned me A's and commendations in english class a million years and five minutes ago, sometimes my stupid broken brain can pull off miracles. Sometimes I half ass everything, and snap at people, and just generally act like a sleep deprived asshole. Those are not good days.

Either way it goes, I can't stop myself from fixating on the hat [insert stupid thing here]. I have medication that helps me stop, but I can't take that at night because then I can't sleep. Also if I take it to last 24 hours a day my heart will explode or something idk. Sometimes I can fore myself to stop, to lie down and try to rest. I don't, I just run through the ways I could hypothetically construct the [insert stupid thing here]. I don't sleep.

I am really really sick of this. I have a hat, and sleep debt, and a broken brain. I haven't been writing because that requires higher brain function and I only have that for random stupid hats and explaining maths principles through provisioning for a zombie apocalypse. Hopefully, this will be just yet another weird cycle and it'll stop and I'll be able to act more like a normal person again soon.

Or maybe this is permanent? Maybe this is what post thirty ADHD looks like for me. If it is, I'll just have to figure out workarounds for it. But yeah, in conclusion, tired, not writing, have a cool hat now.

[ellawhiite]

Poll Questions and Results- FAS3003

I chose to create a poll asking a general audience about what they find more visually enticing when searching for a magazine, what context entices them and what topics and research methods are most useful to them (eg: interviews or general studies).

For question one, I asked my audience which pattern they liked most. The most popular results were option 3 and option 4. Option 1 received 0 votes; I felt this was because it was too busy of a pattern and way too many colours included too, and therefore wouldn't be a great match for the magazine cover. Option 2 was the second most voted for with 27.3% of votes. Overall, I liked the aura of this hue, but I can see why it wasn't my most popular result.

The two most popular results, both with 36.4%, were option 3 and option 4. They both consisted of pink and yellow tones and the patterns within were more random than option 2, yet more controlled than option 1. Both options 3 and 4 will be considered when choosing a pattern (if I choose to do so).

For my second question, I asked my audience which Vogue cover they liked the most. The most popular result was option 3, which was a plain cover with the title of the magazine at the top. Option 4 received 0 votes; I believe this is because it's fairly busy (due to the editorial mark on the right side of the page and bottom left). Option 2 received 18.2% of the results, making it the third most popular. I feel the reason it didn't receive high votes is because it's very gathered with all the text on the page. Option 1 received 36.4%, making it the second most popular. I believe this is because it's a clear, clean design. Due to this edition being all about an artist, her name is also on the cover, which is an attribute I liked, but it wasn't voted the highest.

Option 3 was voted the highest with 45.5% of votes. I believe this is because it's a bright, clean design and the image is HD. Not only is the image nice, but the layout is clear and isn't jumbled like options 2 and 4. I want to consider a clearer, less wordy front cover for my magazine, as it entices a wider audience (given the results from the poll).

For the third question, I chose to ask, what my audience looks forwards to when buying a magazine. 18.2% of votes went to cartoons and puzzles, which I'm open to using in my magazine, making it a bit more engaging for my audience. The other 63.6% said they look for exclusive interviews, which was surprising. I want to include interviews with those who have ADHD, people who don't have ADHD and their options for ADHD and dealing with it. If these interviews are executed correctly, they could help people who are struggling with their ADHD or give someone a greater understanding of the struggle of ADHD. During the interviews, I will also include the positives of ADHD, as it's not all negative. And finally, 18.2% voted all of the above.

I asked if my peers would be open to reading about ADHD, and the response was overall positive. 63.6% of voters said they would be open to reading about ADHD, and 36.4% said they might be open to reading about ADHD.

I then asked how much my audience would usually spend on a magazine. I did this so I could gauge a reasonable price for my audience. 63.6% of voters said that £3-£5 was the most reasonable pricing, 27.3% said £1-£3 was the most reasonable and 9.1% said £5+. For my magazine, I think I'll charge £4.49 as I feel it's a reasonable charge for a printed magazine.

Answers/ topics I want to include within my work

[9threadz]

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Types of Leather Juttis

Traditional Embroidered Jutti

Featuring intricate embroidery and embellishments, traditional leather jutti add a touch of elegance to ethnic attire, making them perfect for weddings, festivals, and special occasions.

Contemporary Printed Jutti

For a modern twist on a classic silhouette, opt for printed leather jutti with vibrant patterns and designs, ideal for adding a pop of color to your everyday ensemble.

Embellished Slip-On Juttis

Make a statement with embellished slip-on leather juttis adorned with beads, sequins, and metallic accents, perfect for adding a touch of glamour to any outfit.

Online Buying Guide

Tips for Purchasing Leather Jutti Online

Measure Your Feet: Refer to our size chart and measure your feet to ensure a proper fit.

Check Reviews: Read customer reviews to gauge the quality and comfort of our leather jutti.

Explore Options: Explore our diverse range of styles and designs to find the perfect pair that matches your personal style.

Shop Now at 9threadz Online Store

Browse our collection of leather jutti online and enjoy exclusive deals and discounts. With fast shipping and easy returns, finding the perfect pair of leather jutti has never been easier than with 9threadz.

Conclusion

Step out in style with the timeless elegance of leather jutti from 9threadz. Whether you’re attending a special event or simply want to add a touch of sophistication to your everyday look, our leather jutti are sure to turn heads wherever you go. Shop online today and experience the luxury of 9threadz leather jutti.

FAQs about Leather Juttis for Women

Are 9threadz leather jutti true to size?

Yes, our leather jutti are true to size, but we recommend referring to our size chart for the best fit.

How should I care for my leather juttis?

To maintain the beauty and longevity of your leather juttis, we recommend wiping them clean with a damp cloth and storing them in a cool, dry place when not in use.

Can I wear 9threadz leather juttis with ethnic and western attire?

Absolutely! Our leather juttis are versatile enough to be paired with both traditional Indian outfits and contemporary western wear for a stylish and sophisticated look.

Do 9threadz leather juttis come with a warranty?

Yes, all our products are backed by our quality guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase, contact us for assistance.

Where can I find 9threadz leather juttis online?

9threadz leather jutti are available for purchase exclusively on our official website. Visit us online to shop now and enjoy exclusive deals and promotions.

Leather Jutti For Women

9threadz

[guideofallthings]

Gonna ramble a bit.. Here are some sightings of oddities and then me fussing over what the United States Of America, the United Nations, and whoever else act as if we don’t matter.

We are the people who shall rise up no matter the time! None of the Heavens or Hells can stop “What Is Life” as WE are THE people! This includes any and all life and maybe even non-living things. This is our home, never forget that… As each beat plays out the march of the driving force of what keeps us going so shall we march Eternally down our path.

The idiots who do this to us probably won’t even understand a type of compressive drive to even initiate their sorry asses to try running away and hide… Oh wait, I forgot… We like Monster Trucks too much, must be why all they can manage is a loud, blaring, complete waste of resources type of outer space vehicular… Wait, no.. It’s just a rocket…. Let’s see how excited these “people who run the world” get when they launch off….

At least my concept of “space travel”, which can travel faster than any rocket at least would do some good and be able to start cleaning this nasty mess that y’all have carelessly flung around and littered throughout outer space.

People don’t disgust me, it’s the ones who have others think of us in a certain way because of the way THEY act.. In good faith you bad asses! Don’t frey, don’t become its prey! Live life as if it’s not your last! Cause…. It may very well may not be..

Tonight on June 2-2023 as I’m watching one of the many planes that I see daily doing their routinely scans. Or not.. One of the very few miscalculations, oops… It was an airliner this time. (Been having unmarked airplanes stalking my “area” for a long time now and they’re here every day, seen multiple times every day.)

I was looking at some of the constellation Scorpius and I have a red laser that acts as a temperature gauge where I logged Antares at a Fahrenheit of 44.4.

I also have a green laser that reaches 1600 miles far and was exploring the Universe with it and noticed that the 6 stars seen from Louisiana, Earth that make up part of Scorpius.

After observing Piscis Austrinus and Grus, or that area, it showed a pattern in the South Eastern part of the sky that had me looking back to the South Western sky, back to Scorpius…

That led me to identifying what seemed to be a design that allowed both to follow the same pattern in a way while maintaining what seemed to be a way of also being almost identical to one another. It was 3 and 3, each making a T like figure, I found an area within Scorpius where there is no star but yet matching the exact Fahrenheit as of Antares that is 44.4, so this would have to be a very miniscule point in the space it travels.

I am writing this around the time, and even of the time of exactly 4:44.

Coincidence or something more?

The star of Azaroth is what I want there.

[ΙØĐ]

Picture for a little insight. By the way, a LOT of weird stuff like this has been going on. I can somehow look almost anywhere and find life or something… I can not tell you how many times I’ve without prior knowledge just know where each and every constellation is, able to point out stars and even (You may call em UFOs but I’ve decided to honor them by calling em celestials instead of aliens, the ones who help us at least.) I guess people who like “covering stuff up” would call it a “star”. Pfft….

It also works with animals, I somehow can just always find something and even to a point where it was on demand.

I also somehow knew when the Universe was aligned in such a way where a constellation or cluster was specifically facing Earth… I logged the Fahrenheit at -22…. Big difference, that was also the 2nd night in a row it happened where I know for a fact, for some reason I knew where it was and used an app to confirm it..

In the place of what was there the night before was now something new, a Beehive Cluster.. Don’t know too much about those but I bet they have lots of life..

With that little bit said and with there being a whole lot more that’s been going on in my life, which has been a war since December, or even before it of the year 2020.

I don’t have to find peace, happiness, love, reason, or anything as I am quite literally one of the most content people in existence possibly.

Choose the right path, you won’t regret it and this has nothing to do with any kind of belief…

Even if you do have a belief, (or not) simply do them proud. Be who you wanna be, stand up for what is right, and let’s get it.

I’m open to talk to anybody and everybody about anything and everything. I consider myself a friend to all religions, practices, etc and even try working with them.

Let your imagination enjoy itself, anything may be possible.

I love life and [most] of you.. Hahaha. Imagine meeting spirits one day and they’re all evil so instead of saying I love you to the good ones you just look over and spout, “I hate you.”

Enjoy life and live free from tyranny.

Any cover ups lately? I think one is happening here actually.. Been hacked for over 3 years now.. Try arguing about my mental awareness…

It may be the imposters trying to run our lives. A lot of weird stuff has been happening lately… I am currently in something I have no clue about and it was terrible.. Until I learned about LIFE!!!

Living life, watch out or you’ll become my wife, or maybe you’ll just be full of strife… [That’s how happy I am and no I’m not on drugs, I literally just sung that out loud and had fun so decided to post it as well.]

Right, I don’t know who these terrorists are.. The ones that have all of our devices hacked, even the ones that you think that can’t be hacked… It’s probably their fault too, since I witnessed it.

Dunno who you are so you better drag their sorry asses to my house and show me… Who is the enemy, threat, and terrorist that stalks us? You got my whole family hacked, you got me harassed and tortured, almost had me killed a few times… Soooooo… Is it the….. FBI? DoD? Military? Uno, dos, or tres parties involved.. [Noticed them… Been learning a lot about Information Technology lately.. I kind of feel like a genius…]

Who wants to learn about different life forms? You know… Each Star is alive, such as the Universe! They grow and live just like Time.

Earth is alive and even has guests that we are not aware about! They’re my friends apparently…

[Yeah, discover what satellites, electronic weaponry, waves, radiations, etc can all do. You might get hacked in a way you didn’t know existed.]

I remember a friend talking about something in the DNS… Domain Name System… Yeah, you little pathetic “crackers”… You wish you had the privilege of being called a hacker, instead of leading the way you instead become nothing but filth that rots your own existence away and does nothing but ruin the lives of others…

I’m still waiting for an apology from my government, feds, military, or whoever is involved… [The fact that you allowed your country..: YOUR PEOPLE! to have this fall upon them is a disgrace to you, everything you stand for, and if I didn’t feel so bad for your ancestors I’d say your entire ancestry as well.]

What a nice rant.

[kjfrost]

Dylan’s Handlebar and Outdoor Patio -  9:50 PM- Saturday, April 22nd

You hear Dylan’s about a mile before you walk in to it. On this particular Saturday night, the entryway pulsed with the percussion and bass of a country cover band that had taken the stage. I unfortunately didn’t catch their name, and didn’t linger for their set. My friend’s and I were here for a singular destination: The dance floor on the patio. 

We managed to arrive with near perfect timing. The small gray square laid atop astroturf had a few women dancing, with a lively DJ playing mixes on the fly. A rare sight, as pre-made playlists and rented speaker systems to make a quick buck seem to be the norm for SETX. But skilled hands flew across a mixing table, with the occasional obligatory fist pump, as he actively watched the crowd, gauging their responses. Finding a wooden swing bench, across from a few strangers (of whom I only learned one name - Hi, David - wish you had danced!) who greeted us with open arms and made good on their word to watch our drinks and purses as we head for the dancefloor. I’m not sure which song led me to the DJ. I just know, beautiful women danced wild and free, and I knew all the lyrics. The bass had pumped through my chest, guiding my ungraceful limbs in seemingly whatever way the wind was blowing at that particular moment. A blonde ponytailed man, with an oversized button up shirt left unbuttoned, baggy pants, and gold chain made his way in front of me. He was clearly skilled, nimble, and encouraging. “I don’t dance!” I say, screaming over the speakers. “Sure you can! You’re dancing right now!” And he grabbed my hands, graciously letting me try to match his foot patterns, and calling “Spin!” on every 8th beat. I never learned his name, but learned a little bit more about dancing, and the power that a singular “never meet them again” person’s dance can have on oneself.

A photographer was making his way through the crowd, requesting pictures of various groups (with no bias - he seemed adamant on getting at least one shot of anyone willing!) He stopped to talk to me and my friends as we caught our breath back on “our” bench.

“Don’t pretend you don’t all look beautiful!” A flash, and the strange sensation of having been perceived in a moment that I felt selfless. That is to say, at this point in the night, I had ceased to exist as myself, blending into the vibrations of those around me, allowing myself to embody the energy of a good time.

The crowd and music at Dylan’s varies, but the food is delicious, and the drafts are never dry. One of the few places in SouthEast Texas with a true dance floor, its weekend atmospheres call to anyone at all looking to feel nothing but one with a crowd that searches for The Oneness alongside you.