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.