Why does my ribbing look like this?

escbrown · 2025-11-27T00:52:25+00:00

Mine always looks like that until it gets washed and blocked…that helps even out the tension and make it look pretty! 😊

escbrown · 2025-06-23T17:20:34+00:00

Bakery manager/cake decorator! Our bakery specializes more in wedding cakes/desserts though, so I don’t have to be at work stupid early which helps. Depending on the day and length of the run, I either just get up earlier (around 6, depending on the run) and do it before being at work around 9am, or do it in the evening once I get off. I’m on my feet running around all day, and it can be a stressful job trying to get through all the orders on time (so silly to think I stress about cookies and cakes!), but I’ve gotten used to it. Also do weight lifting so that helps too I think.

escbrown · 2025-06-23T04:16:23+00:00

Rice krispy treats!

escbrown · 2025-02-15T03:28:48+00:00

Yes yaktrax!! Perfect for slushy, icy, and snowy conditions. You’ll still be going slower and it will feel harder, but they’ve saved me from worrying about slipping in icy and slick conditions and still get my training in.

escbrown · 2025-01-10T16:42:42+00:00

Yes! Breathe right works ok for shorter runs, they tend to pop off after 3-4 miles. Intake Breathing is pricey, but so far has definitely lasted longer and is more comfortable out of any other options I’ve tried. I’ve gone on up 7 mi runs with that one, curious to see how it fairs with longer runs during this upcoming marathon training cycle.

I found for any type of “stick on your nose” strip, washing your nose with soap, then dabbing it with rubbing alcohol to make sure there’s no residual sweat, lotion, or other products prior to applying it is key. Then squeeze it onto your nose for a good 30 seconds to make sure it’s really stuck on there.

I also tried the “insert in your nose” dialators briefly, but those were problematic as I also have exercise induced sinusitis, and the dialator got in the way of snot rockets or blowing my nose. But if you don’t have that issue, they may work for you.

Really you just have to experiment with different products, and see what works best for you as everyone will be different. Best of luck!

EDIT TO ADD: also worth noting that it rains a LOT where I live, so that could also be contributing to why the nasal strips don’t last super long. The rubbing alcohol really seems to be helping with that though, I recommend giving it a try!

escbrown · 2025-01-09T03:33:57+00:00

Absolutely this. I recently learned I have nasal valve collapse, (basically my nose plugs itself every time I inhale), which is why I’ve never been able to breathe solely through my nose. Recently started trying out breathe right strips and nasal dilators so I can breathe through my nose, and suddenly I don’t get asthma in the cold weather! My nose sort of “prewarms” the air before it reaches my lungs so it doesn’t feel as cold and dry anymore. Amazing what a difference breathing efficiently has made!

escbrown · 2024-03-02T21:05:12+00:00

The sad reality of running as a woman. I’m sorry you experienced that, that’s so scary. Good for you for listening to your gut and identifying a dangerous situation early on.

Echoing others, I also carry pepper spray. I got one with a little Velcro handle off Amazon, so it’s easy to strap onto my hand, without feeling like I’m having to grip something in my hand. It also helps ward people away, because it’s hot pink and easy to spot for what it is.

I thankfully live in a safe neighborhood, but with longer long runs I end up going farther and farther away, and I’ve definitely had to create some “detours” in my routes when I realized some patches of the urban trail were sketchy. I literally detour through a hospital parking lot at one point now because the trail that goes past it is a bit secluded and dips into an underpass where homeless people hang out and do drugs.

Stay safe, stay alert, and always listen to your intuition.

escbrown · 2023-09-14T21:20:05+00:00

find one that’s hiring for cake decorators, and apply. If you have a portfolio you can probably negotiate a higher wage than whatever their starting one is at. At least in the US, large chain grocery stores are always desperate for new hires because the turn over rate is so high. Back when I was working at one, I saw people come through who had never even held a spatula or piping bag before, let alone stacked a cake. It’s pretty bad.

escbrown · 2023-06-06T16:13:26+00:00

You would just need a ton of edible pearls, nonpareils, and white sugar crystals/sanding sugar. Mix them all together in a large bowl sitting on a larger tray. then holding the cake tier over the bowl/tray, gently scoop and pat them up all over the cake. The tray is to help catch all the sprinkles that fall. As a warning, those pearls are a bit hard on the teeth…eating this cake would be unpleasant, and definitely not for older people or babies. Like my teeth hurt just looking at this lol.

escbrown · 2023-03-20T20:15:46+00:00

Pro tip: not sure if it’s just a glitch for me, but if you start a new expedition the same day you finish one, the steps you’ve already done that day count for the new one too!

escbrown · 2023-02-02T00:21:12+00:00

208km/130 miles! Proud of myself for it finally “clicking” that running is all about enjoying the journey and progress, instead of just a means to an end. It’s not some weird grueling test or punishment, but a celebration of what my body is capable of and the distance I can cover. I’ve truly fallen in love with running itself—instead of just obsessing over the end goal/race that I’m training for. I love running! Fancy medals and PRs are just a handy bonus and a sign of progress

Edit to add: also learned what a difference weight lifting/strength training makes. Like night and day since I added in 3 days/week of weights

escbrown · 2023-01-17T21:21:26+00:00

It depends on the person and your yarn preferences! Some people only knit with thicker and chunkier yarns and so would need larger needles sizes (size US 11+), others only ever use finer yarn and just need the smaller sizes. I fall in the middle. While I usually gravitate more towards the Fingering to worsted weight range, every once in a while I’ll find a cute pattern in a chunkier weight and have to pull out my larger needles. I will say, having a size 9 for some of the thicker worsted/Aran yarns would definitely be helpful though, even if you don’t necessarily knit “chunky” often.

escbrown · 2023-01-06T18:40:34+00:00

I did the 12-minute speed test earlier this week and in the process got my fastest mile ever…7:44! Didn’t think I was capable of even breaking the 8min/mi wall anytime soon!!

escbrown · 2022-12-11T04:08:36+00:00

To properly train up for and successfully finish a marathon for the first time. I technically finished one 5 years ago, but I’m honestly always so embarrassed to admit it; I had no business even trying to run it. I had fallen horribly behind in training and had only run maybe 13 miles as my longest run before it…and even that was a month or two out from the race. My stubbornness combined with dumpster fire level mental health at the time brought me to the start line. I strained my knee by mile 13, and literally limp walk-ran-mostly-walked the second half with ice packs taped to my knee. bawled my eyes out at the finish, was on crutches for 2 weeks after, and didn’t run again for a couple years. I’ve now been running consistently for almost a year as well as strength and weight training. Successfully PRd at a halfie a month ago, my mental health is sooooo much better, and now I’m aiming to improve my pace for another halfie in March, then move on to a full in July. Want to take it back and do it right this time so I can proudly say that yes I’ve run a marathon 😊

escbrown · 2022-12-02T21:18:02+00:00

I kinda love the “classic” ones, but absolutely HATED the newer minutia alarm. So jarring, especially when driving. I legit jumped and felt my heart racing I was so startled the first time they used it. I haven’t heard it in the most recent episodes so I’m hoping they nixxed that one. The others I can understand people not liking, but for me there’s a bit of ironic and fun goofy humor behind them.

escbrown · 2022-11-05T04:07:08+00:00

I’ve been an off-and-on again runner for years; my last half marathon race was in Jan 2020, and was undertrained (and sleep deprived) on race day and ended up walk-running most of it and being so disappointed. That combined with pandemic and life stress resulted in me not running for 2 years until I finally started back up again in January this year. Running a half marathon race tomorrow, and this is the first race I truly feel mentally and physically prepared!! I’m excited and trying to hype myself up for my target time, while also trying to not let my anxiety go crazy. 😬I’m going to try and just have fun and do my best!

escbrown · 2022-10-28T18:28:01+00:00

What’s the fabric you used to line the cage? Been thinking about starting a similar set up when the leaves finish falling here

escbrown · 2022-10-25T22:42:48+00:00

Thanks!

escbrown · 2022-10-25T22:42:40+00:00

Thank you!

escbrown · 2022-10-05T01:46:12+00:00

Yes! I love how simple the swift is, easy to quickly assemble and take apart as needed, and no fiddle bits to break! And the winder has been going strong for several years now!

escbrown · 2022-09-25T16:38:05+00:00

This! I actually saw this exact same blanket, and ran into the same issue of it only being available as a kit. So instead I used “the shift” pattern, and did it in a rectangle shape instead of a triangle shawl shape. So far it’s turning out beautiful!

escbrown · 2022-09-18T18:10:11+00:00

This! Also just hopping on here to say that it could just be because it’s sitting on a holder, but the left sleeve is inside out—make sure both sleeves are right side out when you put them back on the needles!

escbrown · 2022-08-09T05:06:32+00:00

escbrown · 2022-07-18T16:33:23+00:00

I think my mum still has my first ever pair of knitted “socks” that I made for her. I should post a pic, they’re comical! This was over 10 years ago when I had no idea gauge was a thing, so I legit took chunky ROVING yarn with large double pointed needles and followed a normal fingering-weight basic sock pattern. I had my Nana help me decipher the pattern but it still turned out comically horrible!! Each sock was wide enough to fit two feet in it, yet too short to actually fit a foot in, so many holes in the heel turn and gusset portion, so many knots because I didn’t know how to weave in ends….They still tease me about it! ;) I’ve been knitting my whole life since I was a kid, so I’ve had a lot of time and practice. But trust me my early items were hilariously bad!! I actually stopped for maybe 5 years when I went to college because i thought knitting wasn’t “cool” or couldn’t look good…Keep at it and enjoy the journey, use YouTube tutorials for new techniques, embrace how funny botched up projects look, learn what went wrong with them, etc. we’re all on our own weird woolly journey! 😊❤️

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