A Triumphant Return, Indeed...

Good god, I've been everywhere but home...

I know, you expected me back in August, and here I am in February asking for forgiveness.  Want the quick and dirty of what's up, down, and all around?

• School:  A lot better.  I actually like my classes, I'm planning for the future, and instead of wishing to be out of college and done, I'm dreading the end.  It's a good place to be!


• Extracurrics:  Well, first there's the volunteering at an elementary school, then the martial arts and belly dancing classes, and a peer education organization on campus I'm getting into.  So yeah, the calendar's as full as it can get.


• Job:  Job, what job?  I'm still looking...  Or rather, I work a lot of odd things here and there (babysitting every other weekend, and I was almost an art model, but then I wasn't free on Tuesdays).  So, if you hear about anything fun in the UNC area, give me a call, won't you?


• Friends:  Old boyfriend out, with a new possibility incoming.  Such is the cycle of the serial monogamist.

And that, in 5 Bullets or Less, is the life of a college student.

As for the life of a crafter, I'll probably start back up with the semi-regular posts soon.  Like sometime-before-June soon.

What does all this boil down to?  Yes, I'm alive and I've missed you all.

- Cristy

Pattern 12/12: Pig

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

A few notes:  I suggest making the head last, so you can add ears, eyes, etc as you go.  I places the eyes into the 12th and 16th stitches of the 7th row.  I also weighed the bottom of the body with plastic pellets to keep them standing up, but you may want something heavier (like a pebble or magnet).

Materials:

Red Heart Soft Yarn in Pink and Chocolate (I thought the pinks available for Red Heart Soft were too light, so I used Vanna’s Choice Baby in Pink Poodle.  Honestly, I can’t even tell the difference!)

3.0mm crochet hook

Scissors, Yarn Needle, Safety Eyes

Pattern:

The Basic Body and Head patterns are available here.

Pig Ears:

In Pink:

Ch 3.  1 sc in the second ch from hook, 1 hdc in the first ch.  Ch 1, cut yarn, pull through.  Use yarn ends to tie to head.

Pig Nose:

Beginning with a Magic Loop, ch 2. (The loop counts as the first ch.)

Round 1 – 6sc into the first ch. (6)

End with a slst in the next stitch for a more even appearance.  Cut the yarn and pull the tail through.  A length of scrap Chocolate yarn makes a cute embroidered nose.  Use the tail from the nose to seam it to the head.

Pattern 11/12: Dog

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

A few notes:  I suggest making the head last, so you can add ears, eyes, etc as you go.  I places the eyes into the 12th and 16th stitches of the 7th row.  I also weighed the bottom of the body with plastic pellets to keep them standing up, but you may want something heavier (like a pebble or magnet).

Materials:

Red Heart Soft Yarn in Off White and Chocolate

3.0mm crochet hook

Scissors, Yarn Needle, Safety Eyes

Pattern:

The Basic Body and Head patterns are available here.

Dog Ears:

In Chocolate:

Ch 5.  1 sc in the second ch from hook, 1 hdc x 3 in the next chains.  Ch 1, cut yarn, pull through.  Use yarn ends to tie to head.

Dog Face Spot:

Beginning with a Magic Loop, ch 2. (The loop counts as the first ch.)

Round 1 – 8 sc into the first ch. (8)

End with a slst in the next stitch for a more even appearance.  Cut the yarn and pull the tail through.  Use tail to seam to head.

Dog Tail:

In Chocolate:

Beginning with a Magic Loop, ch 2. (The loop counts as the first ch.)

Round 1 – 6 sc into the first ch. (6)

Round 2 - *1 sc* x 6 (6)

Change to Chocolate:

Round 3-4 - *1 sc* x 6 (6)

End with a slst in the next stitch for a more even appearance.  Cut the yarn and pull the tail through.  Use tail to seam to head.

Dog Back Spot: (yes, it's a heart, and cute doesn't need a reason)

In Chocolate:

Beginning with a Magic Loop, ch 3. (The loop counts as the first ch.)

Round 1 – 4 dc, ch 1, 4 dc, 1 hdc into the first ch.  End with a slst in the magic loop.  Cut the yarn and pull the tail through.  Use tail to seam to head.

Pattern 10/12: Rooster

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

A few notes:  I suggest making the head last, so you can add ears, eyes, etc as you go.  I places the eyes into the 12th and 16th stitches of the 7th row.  I also weighed the bottom of the body with plastic pellets to keep them standing up, but you may want something heavier (like a pebble or magnet).

Materials:

Red Heart Soft Yarn in Chocolate, Wine, and Gold (The Red Heart Soft line doesn't have a good yellow, so I used Red Heart Classic in Gold.  There is a textural difference, but the change is not visually apparent.)

3.0mm crochet hook

Scissors, Yarn Needle, Safety Eyes

Pattern:

The Basic Body and Head patterns are available here.

Rooster Comb:

In Wine:

Ch 11.  Beginning in th second chain from the hook, 1 hdc, (1 dc 1tr, 1 dc 1 hdc, 1sc 1 hdc) x 2, 1 dc 1 tr, 1 dc 1 hdc, 1sc.  (the commas indicate advancing to the next stitch.)  Ch 1, cut yarn, pull through.  Use yarn ends to tie to head.

Rooster Beak:

In Gold:

Beginning with a Magic Loop, ch 2. (The loop counts as the first ch.)

Round 1 – 4 sc into the first ch. (4)

Round 2 – *1 sc, 1 inc* x 2 (6)

End with a slst in the next stitch for a more even appearance.  Cut the yarn and pull the tail through.  Use tail to seam to head.

Pattern 9/12: Monkey

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

A few notes:  I suggest making the head last, so you can add ears, eyes, etc as you go.  I places the eyes into the 12th and 16th stitches of the 7th row.  I also weighed the bottom of the body with plastic pellets to keep them standing up, but you may want something heavier (like a pebble or magnet).  For a tail, a curly crocheted chain works, or a chain, with a row of sc, if you prefer something thicker.

Materials:

Red Heart Soft Yarn in Off White and Chocolate

3.0mm crochet hook

Scissors, Yarn Needle, Safety Eyes

Pattern:

The Basic Body and Head patterns are available here.

Monkey Ears:

In Chocolate:

Beginning with a Magic Loop, ch 2. (The loop counts as the first ch.)

Round 1 – *1 sc* x 4 into the first ch. (4)

Round 2 - *1 inc* x 4 (8)

Ch 1, cut yarn, pull through.  Use yarn ends to tie to head.

Monkey Face:

Beginning with a Magic Loop, ch 2. (The loop counts as the first ch.)

Round 1 – 6sc into the first ch. (6)

Round 2 – *1 inc* x 6 (12)

Round 3 – *1 sc, 1 inc* x 6 (18)

Round 4 – *1 sc* x 18 (18)

End with a slst in the next stitch for a more even appearance.  Cut the yarn and pull the tail through.  Use tail to seam to head.

Pattern 8/12: Sheep

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

A few notes:  I suggest making the head last, so you can add ears, eyes, etc as you go.  I places the eyes into the 12th and 16th stitches of the 7th row.  I also weighed the bottom of the body with plastic pellets to keep them standing up, but you may want something heavier (like a pebble or magnet).

Materials:

Red Heart Soft Yarn in Off White and Light Grey Heather

3.0mm crochet hook

Scissors, Yarn Needle, Safety Eyes

Pattern:

The Basic Body and Head patterns are available here.

Sheep Ears:

In Light Grey Heather:

Ch 5.  1 sc in the second ch from hook, 1 hdc x 3 in the next chains.  Ch 1, cut yarn, pull through.  Use yarn ends to tie to head.

Sheep Face:

Beginning with a Magic Loop, ch 2. (The loop counts as the first ch.)

Round 1 – 6sc into the first ch. (6)

Round 2 – *1 inc* x 6 (12)

Round 3 – *1 sc, 1 inc* x 6 (18)

Round 4 – *1 sc* x 18 (18)

End with a slst in the next stitch for a more even appearance.  Cut the yarn and pull the tail through.  Use tail to seam to head.

Pattern 7/12: Horse

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

A few notes:  I suggest making the head last, so you can add ears, eyes, etc as you go.  I places the eyes into the 12th and 16th stitches of the 7th row.  I also weighed the bottom of the body with plastic pellets to keep them standing up, but you may want something heavier (like a pebble or magnet).

Materials:

Red Heart Soft Yarn in Chocolate and Black

3.0mm crochet hook

Scissors, Yarn Needle, Safety Eyes

Pattern:

The Basic Body and Head patterns are available here.

Horse Ears:

In Chocolate:

Ch 3.  1 sc in the second ch, 1 hdc in the first ch.  Ch 1, cut yarn, pull through.  Use yarn ends to tie to head.

Horse Nose:

In Chocolate:

Beginning with a Magic Loop, ch 2. (The loop counts as the first ch.)

Round 1 – 6sc into the first ch. (6)

Round 2 – *1 sc, 1 inc* x 3 (9)

Round 3 – *1 sc* x 9 (9)

End with a slst in the next stitch for a more even appearance.  Cut the yarn and pull the tail through.  Use tail to seam to head.

As for the mane, I suggest Needle Noodles' tutorial for attaching hair.  I made the tail by wrapping yarn around a board about 10 times, tying a knot around one side, and cutting all the wraps on the other side.

Pattern 6/12: Snake

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

A few notes:  I suggest making the head last, so you can add ears, eyes, etc as you go.  I places the eyes into the 12th and 16th stitches of the 7th row.  I also weighed the bottom of the body with plastic pellets to keep them standing up, but you may want something heavier (like a pebble or magnet).

Materials:

Red Heart Soft Yarn in Leaf, Pink, and Gold (I thought the pinks available for Red Heart Soft were too light, so I used Vanna’s Choice Baby in Pink Poodle.  Honestly, I can’t even tell the difference!  The Gold, on the other hand, is Red Heart Classic.  There is a textural difference, butthe change is not visually apparent.)

3.0mm crochet hook

Scissors, Yarn Needle, Safety Eyes

Pattern:

The Basic Body and Head patterns are available here.

Snake Tongue:

In Leaf:

Ch 6, 2 slst, ch 3, 5 slst. (The first two go into the second chain, the last three, into the first chain.) Ch 1, cut tail, etc.

Snake Tail:

Beginning with a Magic Loop, ch 2. (The loop counts as the first ch.)

Round 1 – 4 sc into the first ch. (4)

Round 2 – *1 sc, 1 inc* x 2 (6)

Round 3 – *1 sc* x 6 (6)

Round 4 – *1 sc, 1 inc* x 3 (9)

Round 5 – *1 sc* x 9 (9)

End with a slst in the next stitch for a more even appearance.  Cut the yarn and pull the tail through.  Use tail to seam to head.

Pattern 5/12: Dragon

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

I've returned from my trip and moved everything to a pdf available through Ravelry. Thanks for stopping by though!

Pattern 4/12: Rabbit

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

I've returned from my trip and moved everything to a pdf available through Ravelry. Thanks for stopping by though!

Pattern 3/12: Tiger

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

I've returned from my trip and moved everything to a pdf available through Ravelry. Thanks for stopping by though!

Pattern 2/12: Ox

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

I've returned from my trip and moved everything to a pdf available through Ravelry. Thanks for stopping by though!

Pattern 1/12: Mouse

This is an automated post.  A new pattern will be added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from July 7 to Aug 2 and they will be available until I return on Aug 9.  I will also be able to answer comments and questions then.

- Cristy

I've returned from my trip and moved everything to a pdf available through Ravelry. Thanks for stopping by though!

I'm leaving, on a jet plane....

So.  I have rather big news.  Tomorrow morning, at the god-forsaken time of 6am, I'll be boarding a plane to China!  I've applied to teach English there for a month, which is very, very exciting, but I want to be able to devote myself entirely to teaching and I'm not sure I'll have time to update as regularly as you deserve...  (Also, for all I know, the Great Firewall of China will block my access entirely.  *sigh*  Grr.)

Anyways, since I don't want to leave you staring at a blank wall, I've scheduled an automatic series of posts instead.  So, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, beginning with Wednesday, July 7th, a new crochet pattern will magically appear!  All twelve posts will feature a free pattern and these posts will remain until I return August 9th.  After that, I'll pull the posts down, compile them into some sort of PDF (probably both group and individual), and offer them for sale on Ravelry.  I suggest getting them while they're free though. :p

See you in 2 days!

- Cristy

PS - Yeah, I'm not telling you what the patterns are for; you'll just have to wait!

Teal Dress

Remember that skirt I made from a secondhand shirt?  Well, that wasn't the only men's shirt I grabbed.

I've been working on a shirt dress, borrowing a lot from Roethke's tutorial on Craftster.  What do you think, so far?



(Ignore the weird proportions that make me look like a giant...)  Even though this is definitely my first dress and I'm having to hand sew the entire thing, it's actually going really, really well.  So far, the hardest part was just figuring out how to get an entire dress out of a single XXL shirt.  (I haven't decided between a halter or straps, so the tops of the bodice are tucked into my bra.)



Both the front and back panels of the bodice (4 of them) came from the front of the shirt.  The half circle skirt was a lot more difficult though...  I cut the sleeves open down the seam and got a quarter of the skirt from each sleeve.  The third quarter came from the center of the back of the shirt, and the fourth and final panel was divided into two separate pieces, which actually worked out really well.  As depicted in the extremely crappy sketch:



I still have a few seams to finish, as well as all the hems, but I think it looks pretty decent so far, despite not being ironed.  At least, the shape looks pretty good, but I'm not sure I can get past it being a *teal dress*.  Teal's a lovely color and it doesn't clash with my skin color, but it's just a lot of blue at once...



Soooooo, what do you think?  Perhaps I could lessen the blueness with appropriate accessories?

- Cristy

Currently Watching: Eight Below

PS: I've been planning something big for Monday, so get excited!

Cute Tank Top Update

I'll have 2 posts today, to make up for the lack of anything recently!

First, I have this black tank top that, while it's incredibly comfortable (and I bought it on sale ^.^), is just a bit boring.  And, since I usually pair it with a plaid skirt, the look makes me feel like a wannabe-punk teenager.  (Definitely not a good thing...)

But I was going through my mom's button stash a few days ago and found some adorable heart-shaped buttons that I had to use.



Unfortunately, they're shank buttons, so they lay a little funny but I love them. <3  I think they're actually leftover buttons from the sweaters my grandmother used to knit me when I was a baby...



I think they make a sale tank from Wet Seal look like something I could've bought for a lot more.  Of course, it could be just as cute without the little heart buttons.  These were some others I was considering:



Yes, I'm a little bit anal about patterns and order...  And I realized the idea was definitely inspired by a picture from Gala Darling:



Have I mentioned I love her?  And I wish I could pull off bright pink hair. *jealous*  Anyone have any hair color tips for more olive skinned people?

- Cristy

Currently Watching: In Plain Sight - "WITSEC Stepmother"

Comfort Cable Blanket (continued....)

Yes, I'm still working on it...  At this rate, I might finish it by the end of *next* summer.



And I really wanted to show off how very not-far I'd gotten on it.  (That's a meter stick, by the way.  I think it's high time the US caught up with the rest of the world...)  Don't be tricked by our bench-tables; the table part is only half as wide as a standard picnic table...



I do love working on it, but I wish it was done so I could snuggle under it properly!  (Although I have fallen asleep under it twice already. >.>)

- Cristy

Currently Watching: Angel -  "The Ring"

Hazard Bunny

The office where my parents work has a tradition of giving all the employees gifts for Christmas.  While the gesture is appreciated, the hazard-orange sweatshirt was not.  (The company name has been obscured.)



Of course, as soon as my mother got home, she presented it to me, begging me to do something with it.  Of course, I didn't do anything about it until this weekend, but one awful orange sweatshirt and another kid's Earth Day sweatshirt later...



I had Dexter, the Hazmat Bunny!



Of course, when my mother saw him the next morning, she complained that she couldn't tell his front from his back!  *sigh*  So I added eyes.



I have to say, I'm extremely pleased with how he turned out.  Even though he's hand-sewn, my seams look pretty decent.  I do have an embarrassing mistake confession though; I accidentally cut out two of the same side at first. >.<  Luckily, that orange sweatshirt is Huge!  I also weighted the bunny with a few scoops of plastic pellets, so he feels a bit more solid and bean-bag-y.  The tutorial and pattern are both from Kwoozy.  Now I'm tempted to make a whole army of different types of orange rabbits...  Anyone know any other fun, free patterns?

- Cristy

Currently Listening to: "Love Lockdown" - Kayne West

My First Pair of Socks!

I did it!!  I finally finished the second mate to my Leyburn Sock, and I couldn't be more pleased.  They're perfect for wearing around the house, especially in the summer, when the AC is too high, and I think they'll go well with my boots in autumn and winter.



And, even though I had to force myself to finish them, I've already started looking at more sock patterns and my brother's bugging me for a pair of his own...  *sigh*  We'll see. ^.^

- Cristy

Currently Watching: Royal Pains -  "Keeping the Faith"

Cupcakes = <3

As I mentioned last time, I got to visit the boyfriend this past weekend!  Before I arrived, he promised we'd get to bake something and, since I stumbled this POM Chocolate Cupcake with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting recipe a few days ago, it was our first choice.  (POM is a brand of pomegranate juice.)

Neither of us are exactly master bakers, so we decided to avoid deviating from the recipe too much.  We did add 1/3 cup of the juice to the frosting recipe, with the intention of adding color and flavor, but it doesn't seem to have had an effect...  Other than that, everything went surprisingly smoothly!  Even if you don't like pomegranates, I'd give the recipe a try.  So far, everyone who's tried one doesn't taste any pomegranate, but they agree the chocolate is much richer and more moist than normal.

Of course, I came home to find the first blueberries were ripe and, blueberries + cupcake?  Perfection!



Somehow, we ended up with 24 regular and 12 mini cupcakes...  but I'm not complaining!  I would definitely make these again, and try all of the other flavors of POM juice (POM Blueberry, Cherry, Mango, Kiwi, and Nectarine!).

(Pretty blueberry picture for shits and giggles:)



Any ideas for getting more flavor into the icing?  Perhaps concentrated pomegranate juice?

- Cristy

Currently Watching: "The Real Mary Magdalene" on the National Geographic Channel