Brrrrrrrr....

It's getting sooooo cold out again!

It's rather depressing...I am ready for the warm sunshine

 I want snuggle up by a fire, wrapped up in a soft cozy blanket.

I just lots of soft yarn to play with.

And I want some hot creamy Chai to keep me warm, warm, warm

Cheers,

Cristyn

A Colonial Celebration

That's right! 

Today is Mrs. J's birthday!

(Mrs. J and her hubby!)

So naturally we celebrated in colonial Williamsburg. Where else would the first lady of America's third president celebrate turning nineteen?!

I made some crocheted fingerless gloves as a present. She really wanted some that would work with her reinactment clothing, so I let her choose what they should look like (colonial America is not my specialty) and went to work designing some that would fit her...well, fit her like a glove (pardon the pun!)

So here they are modeled by Mrs. J herself!

I did a work as you go pattern to make a pair that was prefectly suited to her arm and hand size.
Here's what I did:

Single crochet foundation chain of 34 stitches
two row of single crochet, using a single chain to move up to the next row
nine rows of double crochet, using two chains to move up to the next row
one row of (dc3 dec) repeating to end
two rows dc
one row (dc2 dec) repeating to end
four rows dc
one row (dc3 inc) to end
four dc rows for thumb (do not connect rows, when a row is completed tie off and continue next row in same direction)
two rows dc
one row sc
Bind off.

It is a bit confusing but it turned out well.
(Hopefully this all makes sense, but if not leave me a comment and I can try to help you out!)

I am hoping to make myself a less complicated pair with a set pattern, probably this one.
They are just adorable (and I don't have to worry about historical accuracy!)

It was a darling day, it was even warm for Febuary and we all had food that was not college cafeteria food!
We ate at a tavern in cw for Mrs. J's birthday and it was lovely!

Cheers,
Cristyn

Oh the Things You Will Do!

a.k.a. projects I may one day get to do!

I have really gotten a lot of work done on my current projects! I am always so impressed with myself when I actually finish something, it really gives you a sense of accomplishment!

(No worries, you'll see them soon, a project update is due any day now!)

However, with all these rainy days and my semi sad addiction to Pinterest, a list of new projects and inspiration came into being.

First thing first, Lemur has requested a set of coasters for her apartment

They will not be as fancy as this (so don't get your hopes up Lemur!) but hopefully they will be just as pretty and a real quick project.

This next one is a project I have wanted to do for a while now-- a granny square blanket!

I am already anticipating it to be a very long project but I would love to have one done over the summer.

I really love these calming muted colors!

This bunting is another super cute, super easy project! Though I would love to have some to decorate my dorm room with, these rooms can really lack color and cheer!

I really love this cat doll! There is no pattern and I discovered early on that making animals/dolls like this is not my specialty, still I would really love to have one. So maybe not a project, but it just had to make the list.

Still haven't found a pattern for this teacup yet either, but it is simply amazing! I would make at least 12 and use them for fun decoration! (I think I'm getting a bit bored of my dorm room, can you tell?)

No, your eyes do not deceive you, this is not crocheting. I recently began practicing embroidery and I think I may actually have some potential! I found this picture and it is now a must have! Once I get the basics down I am determined to try something as gorgeous as this.

And what about these darling necklaces!? They're a bit granny chic for my usual fashion taste (though some of you may not agree) but I think they hold some real potential as fashion statements or cute gifts.

Oooh if only I had the time!

I love my school and my majors, but sometimes it's just nice to take a break

I hope I have left you inspired.

Cheers,

Cristyn

Head in the Clouds

Today breakfast was not a reward for showering and getting dressed!
What a relief!

This weekend I taught my mom to crochet!
With a pair of glasses and some guidance I think she might get the hang of it.

(Unfortunately I won't be here to help her out)

In other news:

I have finished phase one of my Cozy Clouds shawl.

All of the grey portion is finished now I just need to do the white border and edging when I get back to school!

Here is what I plan the edging to look like.

The pattern is free! I found it on Pinterest the other day and I feel like it will be the perfect end to this project!

This weekend at home was beautiful!
The weather was decent everyday and I got to take my puppy dogs on a couple (muddy) walks. There is nothing like tiny muddy paws to put you in a good mood.

I also did some Goodwill shopping and snagged my self a lovely floral skirt that makes me morn for Spring all the more.

Seeing everyone here and being at home was a true comfort and a much needed stress cushion, I am now prepared to face the deluge of homework, quizzes and papers...
I think...

Cheers,
Cristyn

Home again, home again

In the midst of all this cold, snow, ice, and stress, it is time to take a bit of a break and head home for the weekend.
I plan to leave tomorrow and  spend my weekend keeping warm, crocheting, and watching Downton Abbey.

Oh and maybe I'll say hi to my little sister, Bear, while I'm there :)

I absolutely love the William and Mary life.

Colonials

Books

Awful coffee

Amazing professors

The best friends

But (not to be cliche) there really is no place like home.

Family

Puppies

Cats

My own room

Not having to leave the house for food

I can't wait til I'm snuggled up in my own house surrounded by comfort, family, and pets!

Wonderboy lives near by so he's tagging along for a ride home as well.

Though secretly I think he just wants to come so he can meet my dogs, Ebony and Lucy.

Ebony!

Lucy!

They are the sweetest things! Who wouldn't want to meet them?!

(I must credit my older sister Lemur and my younger sister Bear for the adorable puppy pics!
Where would I be without them?)

I hope your weekend is as great as mine is going to be!

Cheers,
Crsityn

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!

It is time to introduce you all to my current work in progress (WIP), also known as the love of my life.

I have tentatively named her (yes, she is a her) my Tangled shawl, after one of mine and Wonderboy's favorite Disney films. 

Mainly, the name comes from the colors because while working the second set of hexagons with dark purple, lavender, and yellow I couldn't help but think of all those purple flags with yellow suns from the movie.

Not to mention that the more I work on her the more I feel her becoming playful and innocent with a little bit of a daring edge like Rapunzel (which also happens to be my favorite fairy tale).

Okay so maybe I've given my shawl a few too many human characteristics?

But did I mention I love her?

I started the Tangled shawl about a month ago, over winter break, and am about two thirds of the way through with the hexagons. This is my first work with granny squares and it takes more time than I was expecting it to, though I am anticipating that this shawl will be done just in time for spring, 

which will be the absolute perfect time to show her off!

I'm using Lisa Harding and  Debbie Bliss yarns. These brands can be a little pricey and I am not used to spending so much money on yarn, but the quality is definitely worth it.

As for the pattern I am using a variation on motif 37 from the book "Beyond the Square". 

I do not own the book nor do I have access to the pattern so I formulated my own pattern and came pretty darn close if I do say so myself! (I will post the pattern with the finished project, until then you will just have to wait in anticipation :) )

I really seem to have a thing for shawls lately. I just ordered yarn for a second shawl. This time it will be simple and all grey. I find I work best by having two projects going at once. One is something real easy that I can work on during downtime after a long day of classes 

(such as the gift for Mrs. J I am working on, which I'll post later, or this next shawl project)

the other is something a bit more intensive

(the Tangled shawl)

that I can sit down and work at  on the weekends and really get to enjoy the beauty of the work.


Cheers,
Crsityn

Tea Time!

With the weather turning cold again today all I feel like is a nice cup of 

HOT TEA!

And this is the most lovely tea set to serve it in.

<3

Stay warm today!

Cheers,

Cristyn