The Low-Down

To start:
We are currently laying wood floors in our bedroom, upstairs hallway, and stairs.  Ourselves....!  We ripped up all carpeting, padding, and staples (what a job that was).  Blisters galore.
We are ALMOST done with our bedroom.  Now it's time for long cuts....my fingers (yep all 10) are crossed.
Here is our bedroom so far....so close to being done.....

So, although I'm knitting and crocheting...this taking up my time for now.
Adieu...

FO and WIP

Finally finished the Chloe Cardigan.  You can see my modifications here.
This project was great.  Doris Chan is really an amazing designer.
I also love working with Naturally Caron Spa yarn.

Ignore the ridiculous outfit I'm wearing.  I was too lazy to go and change.

I have a few WIPs right now.  One of them is a Bathmat for the MIL and another is a Poncho for SIL.  No pictures of those at the moment, but I do have a picture of some lace that I'm knitting.
I agonized to find a project for this yarn.
First, let me introduce the yarn.

Maple Creek Farm - Hickory
2-ply Laceweight
Pale, icy blue with subtle shading.

Now the lace:
Details can be found here

That's all for today folks.

Smore-gus-board

I know that's not how it's spelled.  Moving on.

Completed Projects:

Granny Shrug : super easy, by the way, details here

MIL Shawl - loved this, only took a few hours; details here















 Small Summer Bag; details here

 In Progress - Many of these, but I'll just talk about the latest and greatest.

Chloe Cardigan - so far so good, just being lazy about sleeves and finishing; details here

Perfect Summer Skirt - I'm still working on this one because, the weight of the yarn, cramps up my hands, while I'm knitting. I have to take frequent breaks from knitting.
Details here

There are a few other projects I'm working on, but no photos yet.

I've been living within 20 minutes of Philadelphia for over 2 years now and only two weeks ago did my hubby and I visit Historical Philly.  I've never seen the Liberty Bell or been down to Old City.  We decided that I must have this experience and off we went.

I have many other photos, but this is the gist of what we got to see.  If you've never been, I highly recommend it.  Greatest thing, most of the attractions are free.  You just need to get there early enough for tickets to tour the old government building.
We also stopped for lunch at a place called National Mechanics.
Very cool.
Here is the exterior of the building:

Here are a few shots of the inside, as well as our drinks....I really had a mimosa.....

Dramatic Gauntlets - Free Pattern

I have another free pattern to put up.  I have not closely edited it, so if there are any errors found, please let me know.  I will gladly edit the pattern and repost, if necessary.  Enjoy!
 
Ravelry - pattern link
Ravelry - my project page

Pattern - PDF

Ok

I've been fairly busy of late.
We have been running around, straightening up our home and helping others straighten up theirs.

Once Saturday we were doing this:

Then this past weekend we accomplished this, in our backyard:

Now although this doesn't look that good, it's a vast improvement over last year.  now that most of the wood is gone we can start getting rid of the budding rainforest and hauling some dirt back there.  Soon we may even have grass!!  And a small garden!  I'm very excited.

I've discovered that my regular camera takes marginally ok macro pics:

This is a bunch of nails that are bunched together for roofing.  But they look so interesting.
Here is another, this time of fully opened tulips:

Although I have yarny things to show, I will post them next time.  For now you can keep track of them on Ravelry.

Maryland Sheel & Wool Festival 2010

I've been rather busy.

Rob and I are recently back from our honeymoon in Costa Rica.  I'll post a few pictures.  Very beautiful and very hot.

Now, onto the title of my post.  I am going with my sister-in-law and a friend of hers to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, and I am very excited.  This is my very first time going and I'm so glad that my SIL is crafty.  We bond over yarn.

I'll do a project update soon, as well as an update from the festival.

I'm a machine.....

I finished a skirt that was based on the Den-m-nit Pineapple Skirt from elann.com.  The actual pattern has too many errors and occasionally didn't make sense.  It's a beautiful pattern though, but I just didn't have the patience for it.

So here is my "version of it".  I really only copied the top part for the waist shaping.  I have yet to make a cord for the waist.  Once I do, I will post pictures of me wearing it, so very hot!  The specs are on my Ravelry Project Page. Once I test the modifications I've made, I will post them here, but that will not be for a long while.

I've begun the Shrunken Jacket with Attached Scarf Pattern from Double Stitch : Designs for the Crochet Fashionista.  So far I've found a few issues with the pattern.  It seems that the writer didn't want to write each individual row out and therefore just "hinted" at what she thinks should be done.  I will say that this is not for the beginner crocheter, unless there is someone who can tell them how to work the "in between" direction rows.  I really like the shaping and the versatility of the garment though.  Here is my Ravelry Project Page.

Here is a picture of the back of the garment.

Oh Aphrodite...

Aphrodite Shawl...?  FINISHED!

I'm so happy that this is finally done, although I didn't work on it long.
My Ravelry specs are here.

Convention

Okay, I'm not even sure where to start because of how ridiculous it is.

Ready?

My husband and I went to Temple earlier tonight for Shabbat.  During the Torah reading, there was a series of overwhelmingly ridiculous events.
1.  An older man was called up to read the Aliya.  Hw had a large belly that was criss-crossed with suspenders and skinny legs.  His shirt was a bright peach, very nice.  His fly was down.  Yep.  That's what I said.  Fly.  Down.  I thought I may pee a little.
2.  Once the congregation realized his fly was down, the ripple of giggles and whispers started, this, of course, only makes you laugh harder.
3.  The very wrinkly little lady next to me says, "He always does that.  I always tel him not to."  I can't even follow that up with commentary.  I think it speaks for itself.
4.  Then we started getting feedback.  Now, I'm sure you're thinking, "feedback, from a microphone?"  Oh no my friends.  The lady next to me and her hubby, it was their hearing aids interfering with each other.  The people behind us are outright laughing at this point.
5.  Each time the rabbi read the page number, people would repeat to one another, incessantly.  Everyone must hear the page number at least 4 or 5 times.  The lady next turns and leans over to see my book and then proceeds to ask what page we are on.  The people behind me are no help, as they start laughing.  I answer her and get a few "huh's" before she figures it all out.
6.  There were two people there with oxygen tanks.  Whenever it was fairly quiet, you could hear them release the pressure, in a way that made them sound like some strange percussion

This is our Temple.  Awesome.

Crochet Paisley Motif - Free Pattern

Paisley Motif

WW yarn – 2 colors (optional)

I hook

H hook (optional)

With larger hook:

Ch. 4

 Rnd 1: In 4^th ch from hook, make 10 dc and join with sl st to top of ch 3

Rnd 2: ch 2, hdc in same st as join, 2 hdc in each dc around, join with sl st to top of ch 2

Rnd 3: ch 1, sc in same st as join, 1 sc in ea next 5 hdc, hdc in next hdc, 1 dc in ea next 5 hdc, ch 4, sc in next hdc and in each hdc around, join with sl st to first sc

Row 4: Row 4: sl st in next 5 sts
Sc in next st
Hdc, ch 1, hdc over next 2 sts
1 dc each in next 2 sts
Yo twice, insert hook into next st, draw up a loop, yo draw through 2 loops, twice (2 loops now)
Next:  Yo twice, insert hook into top of ch 4, draw up a loop, yo draw through 2 loops on hook, 2  times, yo and draw through last 3 loops.
Turn.

Row 5: ch 4, trc in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch 1, turn

Row 6: hdc in first st, dc in next st, dc2tog in last dc, ch 2, turn

Row 7: skip first st, dc in last st, end off (unless adding optional border)

Optional:

Attach new color (finish off first color)

Now working along the edge of the motif and with the smaller hook

Turn

Ch 3, sl st in 3^rd ch from hook (picot made)

Border: sl st evenly around, alternating with picots, sl st to first picot, finish off

Note: keep sl st loose and go into the chains for turning rather than around them

Blocks, blocking, and Motifs

What I've done.....Ready?

I've been blocking:

Some of them are old projects that I finished when I didn't yet believe in blocking things.  The wonder of it is amazing.  Just need to have some patience.

I have a free pattern that I will be posting soon for my paisley motif.  If you look on my blocking board, you can see it there.

I started the Crochet-A-Long-A-Month Square Group on Ravelry.  I made the first three months and the April square was announced today.  Check out my project page for that.

Crazy crafting

Well, I've been going crazy making headway on projects and then losing interest.

Now, I must again FOCUS.  I want to make a skirt that is modeled after the Dem-n-nit Pineapple Skirt (rav link).  It's for my trip to Costa Rica = My honeymoon + Cousin's wedding.The skirt is very pretty.  I have two issues with it. 
1. It's too long for my trip to Costa Rica....it's made in WW yarn and will suffocate me with any kind of significant length --> this, though is easy to fix.
2.  The chaining in the pattern has too many stitches (again, for my aesthetic).  I want my pineapples more defined, so I will be ripping and re-crocheting until I get the shape and tension I want.  I know I can block it to the dimensions I want, but it's hard to shrink things.

I've started it:  G Hook and Caron Simply Soft in Country Blue.

I have two free patterns that I will be posting soon.  I'm debating whether to free post them or put them into a PDF....we shall see.

Great Yarn Sale.....

Great yarn sale here:
Royal Yarns Discount Yarns

Use Coupon Code:  SAVEMORE
You get an extra 15% off of the discount yarns!

My gown and some knitting

Hey all...
Here is a picture of my finished gown.  Front and Back.  I loved making it, unfortunately, with all the commotion of wedding planning and my new anti-dep meds I lost 15 lbs.  So fun figuring out how to take in a crochet dress......ahem....so anyways, here she is:

I've started knitting Multnomah (rav link).  Love it!  I got to learn a new technique...the "long tail cast-on".  Once I learned how to do it, it went fairly well.  Not sure I prefer it to a regular cast-on.
I'm using Bernat Sox in Wooded Dennim.  Soft and works up well in this pattern. 
I've discovered how much I love knitting.  It's precision, just like I love crocheting.
Here is the link for my project (rav link).  Here is a photo of the start of this...don't look at my lame-o stitch markers.....er....:

All Married and Stuff....

I'm so excited.  Out wedding is over and now we're married.  Not sure yet if it really changes anything, but only time will tell.  I'm recovering today and resting up for work tomorrow.  Have no fear I will be going to Costa Rica for my cousin's wedding and our honeymoon.  Short and sweet today, photos of my dress and shawl to follow.

Knitting Craze

I'm not really sure what happened, or how....I think it may have something to do with all the crocheting that I'm doing and have done for the wedding.  I have two bridesmaids' bags complete, two more to go, my "pineapple gauntlets" are done and the pattern written.  I will post it soon on ravelry and here on my blog.  I just have to fix up the pictures.
I think I've burned out on crochet.  I haven't finished my shawl yet, and time is running out.  After it's finished, then I have to block it....UGH!
Okay, so I'm attempting my first "feather and fan" pattern.  I thought it would be too hard, but I already have it memorized....makes me happy.
I'm using Patons Kroy Socks Jacquards in Lavender Jacquard.  Love it.  So much going on, but the pattern is still visible.  Once it's blocked, it will look great (I hope).

Pictures pictures

With the crochet part of my wedding gown having been completed, I figured I should take some pictures of it.  The pictures are of it unblocked.  I plan to do some light blocking to help maintain its shape while I wear it.

 This is a picture of the neckline of the dress.  All the details about yarn, hook size, and pattern can be found either on this blog entry or here on my Ravelry Project Page.
If you click on the photo, it should enlarge so you can see where I added the beading.  This is the front of the dress folded over and the back is peaking out slightly from behind.

This is the back of the dress.  Still unblocked, I have to try it on a few more times, so I'm waiting before I wash it (carefully) and gently block it.

 

This is a picture of the extra piece that I inserted under the armhole.  The pattern called for a rather large gap to be there, as you can see, I filled in quite a bit.  I just followed along with the stitch pattern.  It doesn't look great so close, but when I'm wearing the dress you don't see it at all.

Now I have some more pictures for you today.  I went picture crazy yesterday.  I tried to touch them up to show the real colors as well.  They are still slightly off.

This is the center that you can see here.  The shawl is made in one piece, but you attach at the starting side once you have half the length that you desire.  It's a powdery blue color, and that is the main theme color of the wedding.

Pattern : Lace & Amethyst Wrap (link)

Yarn : Caron Simply Soft in Soft Blue

Hook :  H/5.0mm

Made for : My Wedding yipppeeee!!!

Notes : Please see my Ravelry Project Page for my notes

 

Here is a close up of the edging which is the Celestial Edging.  It's quite lovely, and once blocked really add some more "umph" to the shawl, make it a little more special.  I added some silver and gold beading to the tips, but they are fairly well concealed , maybe they will show up better upon blocking; we shall see.... 

 

Another close up

Looks snuggly up close....doesn't it?

Even I'm slightly offended......I think???

Has anyone perused the new issue of Cr@chet Wor1d?

I have to say that this does not really say "ethnic".  I get the mix part....really, I do.  I mean, all those bright highlighter-type colors.  I wonder what is supposed to make it ethnic...what particular ethnic group does it associate with?  The pattern is fairly challenging and quite nice really....I'm just stuck on the title.

Ok, onto much cuter things.
Here is a picture of newest kitty!  His name is Chet (shay); can you guess where that comes from?  He was sooo tiny when we got him.  It was unbearably adorable, but here he is now, 6 months old and already rather large.  Cuteness abounds!

Wedding Dress, Complete !

Can I just say, gosh?  I have never worked so hard on anything as I have on this dress/gown,  but I'm so in love with it....I'm amazed that I can even do anything like this.

I have a few pictures that are only of the front, and I will have some more pictures later.  Right now I'm just using the extra time for beading.....BY HAND....
Enjoy the Crochet-goodness:

Pattern : 1930's Inspired Gown (link)

Yarn : Naturally Caron Spa in Naturally

Hook :  B/2.25mm

Made for : My Wedding ::sighs::

Notes : Please see my Ravelry Project Page for my notes