Just in time for Christmas, it’s finished!

The Gothic Lace Cowl is a free pattern on Ravelry.  Knit with worsted weight yarn, it works up relatively quickly.  I chose to knit the long cowl version, so it’s a loop that will wrap twice around your neck.

For this project I used Berroco Vintage in 5176, a heathery orange.

The buttons were the “Champagne Heirloom Buttons” by BasicGrey.  I believe I got these adorable plastic buttons from KnitPicks a while back, but I’m not 100% sure.

The buttonloops are crocheted, although there is an option in the pattern to knit it if you’d prefer.  I like the crochet loops a lot, and the buttons themselves are really pretty.

Hopefully my future sister-in-law will like it — she asked for an orange scarf for Christmas so I took the liberty of choosing the pattern and buttons.  Most unfortunately I won’t be able to see her open her gift on Christmas morning this year, but I’ve already delivered it with a card so I know she’ll have it.

Well that’s all for today!  I’ve gotta go get ready for visiting my fiance’s dad’s family tomorrow and my own family on Christmas day — my nailpolish is all chipped and I need to wash my Christmas sweater.  See you soon!

That’s what I’ve got right now.  It seems like it’s been longer than it has been since I’ve posted, but it’s still been a few weeks.  Time for an update.

Well, my uncle passed away at the end of October.  Mom and I went to Arkansas to see him in the hospital the day before he died, so we got to say goodbye.  Dad followed us out there for the funeral.  I got to play my bagpipes for him and for my aunt, which was very special to me.  We had the opportunity to visit with a large number of family members, some of whom we hadn’t seen in many years, so that was a bit of a silver lining, I suppose.  This is me and my uncle last winter when my other uncle passed away and we went to Arkansas:

The days since the funeral have been pretty hard.  There are lots of emotions that go along with that event, and that’s on top of some depression that my fiance and I have both been experiencing lately (not to do with each other, more our situations in other parts of life).  Some days I just called out from work; thank goodness I work in the counseling field where my supervisors understand and encourage me to take the time I need (I’m extra glad about that because there’s been all kinds of stuff going on at work, too).  Even as a counselor, it’s hard not to slip farther into depression and let my anxiety get the better of me.  You can’t exactly counsel yourself.

Crochet and knitting might would be an excellent outlet and relief, but I honestly haven’t been able to pull anything out to work on.  Instead I’ve been diving headfirst into researching fountain pens and calligraphy — I’d like to do my own stuff for the wedding’s required paper goods (BTW, the wedding date has been confirmed!  It’s next October 17th!).  I’ve been practicing my handwriting with a flex-nibbed fountain pen:

I think I’m getting better!

Well, that’s all for today I suppose.  That pretty much summed up everything I can tell you about my life right now.  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll be back with the yarcraft related posts soon, I hope!  It’ll be good for me, I’m sure.  See you then!