Author: Joy Grise

I am a crochet designer and travel addict
Posted in Life's Observations, Personal Growth

Good Habits

Posted on by Joy Grise

A friend of mine asked this question in a FB post.

That same day I saw Benjamin Franklin’s daily agenda in a book I was reading.

At the beginning of the year I decided that I wanted to be a reader. I am going to read through the Great American Reads List. In between the novels I am going to read a business or practical advice book. I went to the library. Checked out a list of books. Renewed all of them, twice and then turned in 7 without reading them at all and one of them was 2 weeks late with holds on it. See I assumed I could be a Reader without creating a habit of Reading.

My focus now is on the habit I need to be the person I want to be.

Who do I want to be?

  • A crochet designer who’s business sustains the life I want.
  • A reader
  • A healthy individual
  • A world traveler
  • An excellent Christian
  • An excellent friend

These are not necessarily in order of priority but you get the idea. Now that I know who I want to be it’s up to me to cultivate the habits that will create this person.  Discipline is always my Waterloo. So here’s to one step at a time.

 

Posted in Life's Observations, Travel

10 Observations from NYC

Posted on by Joy Grise

I just went to New York City for the first time. Here are ten of my observations from my time in the big city. (Over 8 million people live there making it the largest population and almost 6 million over the next largest city in the U.S.)

1: It is cluttered

First, I should give you a little bit of background. I am a western girl. So when I hear the words “sprawling metropolis” New York does not fit my idea of sprawling. Sprawling is Dallas or Los Angeles. New York is stacked on top of itself in a gorgeous clutter of buildings, construction and people.

2:

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The Beauty of Clutter

3: You will never have enough time to see everything.

I think this might be true of those NYC natives. I had an entire itinerary planned (see previous post) and I had to change so much of it. I was never disappointed with my day but I now have a longer list for my trip in January for Vogue Knitting.

4:

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Anticipation

 

5: You walk…..a lot.

When “Sex in the City” talk about the city being their cardio. They don’t even exaggerate a little.

6:

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Van Gogh’s Shoes

7:What about the ROUSs?

“Rodents of unusual size? I don’t think they exist”

8:

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Wall of deliciousness. Thank you Lion Brand.

9: Don’t forget to look up.

Trust me, it’s so easy to forget that. I passed by the Chrysler building at least three times before I realized it.

10:

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Enough Said

 

 

Posted in Travel

New York…….

Posted on by Joy Grise

So I am heading to NYC my first trip of the year. This will be my first time in the Big Apple, which, as you get to know me better, is shocking. I am so excited to finally see it! I have decided to be a serious tourist this time around. 🕶

Here is the Rundown

  • Day 1
      • Statue of Liberty
      Dim Sum at the oldest Tea House in China Town
      Guggenheim Museum for “Silent Night” (this will be a challenge 😉)
      Empire State Building at night.
  • Day 2
      • Lion Brand Studio (🧶OMG)
      Harry Potter and the Cursed Child parts 1 & 2
  • Day 3
      • Breakfast at Tiffanys (of course)
      The Met 🖼
      Natural History Museum
      I scored two free fashion week events: an art opening for Textures and a Runway Show.
  • Day 4
      • Brooklyn Bridge at Sunrise (I hope to be in the middle of the bridge at 6:59, I looked it up, to turn back and take a photo of the Manhattan skyline. Expecting chilly fingers)
      Lazy morning in Brooklyn (local coffee shop, crochet and Mediterranean food)
  • I have filled my trip to the brim but I have left a little time for crochet. And the train into the city is a good 50 minutes so I will make sure my hook travels.

    • I will post pictures on Instagram and Facebook so join me on my adventure and tell me about yours!!!!

    Posted in Free Patterns

    New Year, New Free Pattern

    Posted on by Joy Grise

    I know most browser’s of crochet blogs love the free pattern aspect. So I figured in the new year I would give you a free pattern.

    This year I made my family house socks for Christmas.file-2

    So here is the guys sock pattern. 

    I used two skeins of worsted weight yarn together but you can use bulky yarn. This pattern is created by working around the beginning chain. You work into the chain going one way and circle around and then work the free loops of your first chain to make an oval shape. 

    Materials:
    ⦁ 2 skeins worsted wieght or bulky weight yarn.
    ⦁ J hook
    ⦁ Yarn needle

    Simple House Socks

    With J hook
    Chain 6
    Round 1- 2 sc in second chain from hook, sc in next 3 ch, 3 sc in last ch, working in free loops on other side, sc in next 3 sc, sc in last ch. (12 sc)

    Round 2- sc in first sc on round 1, mark sc as beginning of round, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in last sc. (16 sc)

    Round 3- sc in first sc on round 1, mark sc as beginning of round, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in last sc. (20 sc)

    Round 4- sc in each sc around (20 sc)

    Round 5- sc in first sc on round 1, mark sc as beginning of round, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in last sc. (24 sc)

    Round 6- sc in each sc around (24 sc)

    Round 7- sc in first sc on round 1, mark sc as beginning of round, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next , 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in last sc. (28 sc)

    Rounds 8-22- sc in each sc around.

    Row 23- sc in next 14 sc on row 22. (14 sc)

    Row 24-34-ch 1, turn, sc in eac sc in row. (14 sc)

    Row 35- ch 1, turn, sc in next 5 sc, sc 2 together two times, sc in last 5 sc. (12 sc)

    Row 36- ch 1, turn, sc in next 2 sc, sc 2 together 4 times, sc in last 2 sc. (8 sc)

    Row 37- ch 1 turn, sc in next sc, sc 2 together 3 times, sc in last sc. (5 sc)

    Row 38- ch 1, turn, sc 2 together, sc, sc 2 together. (3 sc)

    Row 39- ch 1, turn, sc first and last sc together skipping middle sc. (1 sc)

    Round 40- mark last sc as first one on round, working down the sides of the rows sc 16 even stitches, mark last sc made, sc across 14 sc on round 22, mark last sc made, sc 16 even stitches up other side of rows. (47 sc)

    Round 41- sc in next 16 sc, sc two together, sc in next 12 sc, sc 2 together, mark last sc made, sc in last 15 sc. (45 sc)

    Round 42- sc in next 15 sc, sc two together, sc in next 12 sc, sc two together, sc in last 14 sc. (43 sc)

    Round 43- sc in next 14 sc, sc two together, sc in next 12 sc, sc two together, sc in last 13 sc. (41 sc)

    Round 43-50- sc in each sc around. Finish off. Weave in ends.

    Happy Hooking everyone.