(no subject)

[turps]

Whoever invented scoobie doos should be shot. Or thrown off a cliff or placed in the path of a raging elephant, or maybe buried in sand under the burning sun with honey spread on their skin so the fireants would eat them alive. Scoobie Doos are the latest craze here and Corey bought a pack and can we do them? Can we hell, even the basic knot is too hard. And it's not just me. Kayleigh has been here all afternoon and she's been going crazy too, she even bought a book and did it help? No! Stupid stringy scooby doo strings. They're sitting in a knotted pile on my desk right now and I could cheerfully throw them out of the window.

However, I'm going for a drive to the beach with my boys in five minutes and while there I'll hopefully forget about the stupid scooby string of DOOM!!

Comments

[born2rumble1st.livejournal.com]

Actually this is not a new invention. My friends and I in elementary school used to make them, though I do not believe we called them "scoobie doos," and that was about 12 years ago. A hint on how to make it some what easier to get the first tie done is to use a key chain or a pencil to wrap it around (a key chain is probably better). With something to anchor it the ties don't get as tangled up. Once you get it started the rest is a lot easier. Hope that helps and good luck!
P.S. The square stich is not the only one out there to create. There is also the butterfly and the snake skin stich....those are much harder though. Just thought you might like to know. :)

[born2rumble1st.livejournal.com]

One other thing, instead of trying to do it in your hands like the person in the picture, you might want to try laying it out on a table and interweaving the strings while it is on it. I probably didn't explain that very well...:)

[turps33.livejournal.com]

No. I can visualise what you mean.

Thanks so much for the tips :)

[turps33.livejournal.com]

That's actually a very good idea. I'm all fingers and thumbs trying to do the stitch, I imagine having it anchored would make that much easier. I think I'll try that now I'm not on the verge of throwing them out of the window *g*

I'll have a look for those stitches too, I may as well see which other ones I'll suck at ;)

[abishag.livejournal.com]

No, no, there is no need to freak. Not if it is the same stuff there was a craze for c. 1960. I can't now remeber clearly how to do it, without some to try out, but I wish I could come and help work it out. All I can remember is the taste of the plastic, the colours, and the fact that the method with the square cross-section was the easiest, but the spiral one was prettier. Although frankly pretty useless once made-worse than French knitting.
But do give it another go, with the benefit of more helpful advice than mine.

If all else fails tell him it's dreadfully old-hat really, and grandma- type people like me used to do it, LOL.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

I think it is the same craze that's being repeated. The taste, colours and plastic sound exactly right, I just wish I could work out that first step. But yeah, I can't imagine they're good for much once they're done.

However, I'll try again tomorrow with the advice I've been given and who knows, I may have my own bit of useless plastic ;)

[spasticat.livejournal.com]

Back in the late seventies we used to do something like that during summer camp. I can't recall what they were called. My parents had to put up with many gifts of braided key rings!

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Most people around here seem to be making bracelets, but really I'm sure it would be just as easy to buy one at the shop instead of the hassle of using these stupid things *g*

[msktrnanny.livejournal.com]

Gymp! Man, I used to be able to do that stuff in my sleep! Probably still can, though it might have to be napping and not full on sleep.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Do you want to come here and hold a masterclass? I'm sure you'll get a lot of attendees ;)

[msktrnanny.livejournal.com]

rofl! You pay for the plane ticket, I'll buy the supplies!

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Woo! It's a deal!

[butterbeer.livejournal.com]

I remember scoobie doos! I did them all throughout elementary & middle school. They eventually got banned from school because none of the kids would pay attention to anything but them. Heh.

Once you get the first knot down, it's much easier from that point on. Good luck! Let me know if you need any help!

[turps33.livejournal.com]

I'm amazed how many people have done this stuff, it just shows crazes cycle over and over.

Thanks, honey. It's awesome to see you back too :)

[myorangecrush.livejournal.com]

ALL the kids in my high school are doing them, I'm letting them, better than causing riots!

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'd let them too *g*

I swear every schoolkid I see seems to have a bunch of the strings in their hands. It's funny to see them weaving away at bus stops etc.

[babycakesin.livejournal.com]

Oh my god I loved doing scooby doos! It's funny how they seem to come back in fashion every now and then lol

[turps33.livejournal.com]

It is funny how things come back into fashion. It looks like a lot of people used to do scooby doos. :)

[babycakesin.livejournal.com]

but at the same time it's kinda weird when stuff from your youth do the full circle and come back into fashion - it makes me feel old lol The day the dress code from the 80s is coming back in fashion, I'll be running for the door lol

[dazzlingstar.livejournal.com]

Lanyards! I think I still have some of that stuff up in my closet from roughly ten years ago. Heh, heh. I learned how to do the square keychain thing then, but I totally forget how to do it now, so I suppose I'm in the same boat. :-x But the plastic string stuff comes in lots of pretty colors... *g*

[turps33.livejournal.com]

The plastic string stuff is gorgeous, shame all I can do with it is make it sit in a knot on my desk *g*

Not new -

[starwatcher]

.
but really old. I did it when I was about 16 & 17 - over 35 years ago. I mostly made dog leashes, color-coded for each dog. (Miniature poodles, so not strong enough to break the leash.

You might try working with very short pieces - say, about 8 inches - until you get the hang of it. The long dangling strings (that you need to make a bigger project) can really get in the way, as you've found out.

Do you know how to braid hair? Three strands, right side over middle, left side over middle, repeat. There's a four-strand braid that is very easy, very similar --
a. 4 strands
b. right side *under* the two middles, bring up and lift over *one* (the closest) strand (moving back to the right again).
c. left side *under* the two middles, bring up and lift over *one* (the closest) strand (moving back to the left again.

So it's - under two & over one, under two & over one, under two & over one...

As someone else said, it helps to have an anchor - maybe a piece of wire that you can hook around something else, start the braid on it, then slip the wire out later.

Good luck!
.

Re: Not new -

[turps33.livejournal.com]

That's the easiest instructions I've had so far. Thank you!

I'm going to try that way now.

Re: Not new -

[starwatcher]

.
I'm curious. Did it work for you?
.

Re: Not new -

[turps33.livejournal.com]

It did, in a fashion anyway.

But it's not something that's going to keep my interest. I can't see the point really.

[ihearthings-ii.livejournal.com]

?

[turps33.livejournal.com]

They're stupid plastic strings that you're supposed to weave into bracelets etc, and I can't do it :(

[ihearthings-ii.livejournal.com]

ahahaha. CRAP SELLS. oh I wish I was a toy inventer.