Why Is It?

I have all this yarn and a cupboard full of patterns, and I can not find anything to go together. I have been collecting patterns since the 1970's, so you would think between what I have and what's on the internet, I should be able to find a pattern to go with my yarn. I'll even pay for patterns if I find what I want! But it seems most sweaters are still designed for ww yarn. I personally don't like the look and feel of ww in crochet for sweaters, and I live in CA, so I don't need all the bulky warmth. I want something pretty that doesn't add to the Pillsbury Dough Boy shape I already have.
Case in point: I have 10 hanks of fw baby alpaca/silk (pistachio green) that I bought a couple of years ago with the idea of making myself a sweater from it. In total, there is almost 2200 yds, which sounds like a lot of yarn until you realize that I have a bustline to rival Dolly Parton. Wish my waist were a little closer to hers. Anyway, I digress. I spent an entire evening looking for a pattern that I could use. I can't find one! So I guess I'll have to design my own, but I really wanted something that I could just make in time to wear to Stitches West next month.
I was given a basket full of baby yarn for Project Linus blankies, but the color combos are erratic, at best. Could not find a pattern to work with the yarn on hand, so got out my handy book Crochet 101 Stitches for Afghans by Jean Leinhauser. Coming together quite nicely. A few more days and I'll be reaching for 50 Crocheted Afghan Borders, also by Jean. And a few days after that, you can check my Ravelry page for a new pattern.

Still Struggling

I have not had a cigarette since Sept 14, 2009.  But--- I want one every minute of every day!  I keep thinking it should be getting easier as time goes on.  Stop smoking commercials on TV are making me crazy.  I know that they are trying to promote a non-smoking environment, but it sure is hard to see those ads, on TV, the internet, or magazines.  Every time I see an ad for Chantix, Nicorette or Nicoderm, I desperately want a cig.  Not bad enough to get dressed and go buy a pack, but enough it stays on my mind.  And those commercials are everywhere!  I do not want to become a smoker again, but I'm feeling very vulnerable today.

This & That

Nothing huge happening here, but a little bit of this and that.  Our guild chapter is hosting the Warm Up America booth at Stitches West next month, so have been busy coordinating with their person, Mary Colucci.  She has been great to work with.  Trying to get all our crew on the schedule for the weekend, so Mary will have their badges available when they get there. 
Our guild has started a blog to get our presence known and to be able to communicate with members who aren't able to attend a meeting.  It's also a great way to keep folks informed of upcoming events.  Check it out.  www.menwhocrochet.blogspot.com
With both of us sick starting before Christmas, we are a little slow getting our decorations down this year.  I'm also tracing around the base of each of the village buildings and making notes on where the lights go, how tall, etc.  My goal is to make a better platform for display before next year..  So it is taking even longer to put this stuff away.
The rain has been horrendous this last week, and we have water in the den.  One corner of the den is the low point on our lot and the water pools there.  So we went and got sandbags the other day. It does seem to be helping move the water away from that corner.  I got up on the ladder yesterday and pulled some leaves out of the gutters which let the water move along.  The landlord came a little later in the day and did some more.  His handyman is here now to finish up the gutters and do some cleanup.  We are so lucky to have such a good landlord.
I finally finished the stadium robe in 3 colors.  Haven't taken a pic yet as the batteries are dead in my camera. Yuk! I have everything I need for a couple of afghans for the fairs this year.  Just trying to finish a couple of UFO's before I start anything new.  I also have 3 or 4 sketches in my notebook for new designs.
We are turning our "guest" room into a sewing/craft room.  Penny wants to get back into quilting and it would be good to just be able to get up and close the door at the end of the day. Way too cold/hot in the garage. And when was the last time we had a guest stay over nite?  Better use of the real estate to sew in there. Need to get rid of the double bed. Penny has already filled the dresser with fabric and notions. This little room has the best light in the house, so it will make a great sewing room. But we need to finish putting away Xmas before we start that room.
I'm sure there is other stuff going on, but I'm not sure what.  So when I think of it, I'll report in.

Ravelry and Facebook

I joined Rav probably a year ago, maybe longer but hadn't used it much until this fall. Of course, the fact I had patterns I wanted to get out there had a lot to do with that. And I love, love, love Ravelry. It is amazing to me how much I have crocheted since I'm keeping track of my projects there. And I still let a couple get out the door at the holidays without being recorded. Oh, well! Can't win them all.
I just this week broke down and joined Facebook. I had resisted for several reasons, but the number 1 reason is my granddaughter was really upset when her father wanted to be her friend and she didn't know how to tell him no. She is a young lady, not a kid so I think she deserves some privacy. But, when my girlfriend from high school's grandson asked me to be his friend on FB, I finally broke down. But, I won't look for Nic unless the invite comes from her. I'm getting hearts, I see folks are in groups and I have no idea what farmworld is. But, I'm there if you need me.
It took me about 20 seconds to post a badge/link from Facebook to this blog. I have been trying to do that from Ravelry for weeks. I got the button once, but the link didn't work. Now I can't even do that. Can not figure it out. So if anyone can help, let me know.

Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn

I very rarely comment on the yarn I use, but I just have to tell you how much I do not like this yarn.  I will never use it again.  I do not know what the hype is all about.  When I think sock yarn, I think very even yarn, soft with a touch of stretch.  Noro is none of these.  In places there are lumps and in other places it is as thin as #20 thread. I found it stiff and scratchy to crochet.  Not what I want to walk on. Fortunately, I did not use it to make socks, but a vest, so these issues are more aesthetic than anything else.  When I pay almost $20 for a ball of yarn, I do not expect to find knots in it. And if you have to knot in some more yarn, at least follow the color sequence, and only one knot per skein, thank you.  Can you tell I am not very happy with this yarn?  The colors are gorgeous, but that will not overcome the other problems I had with this yarn.  The vest is beautiful and I will post a pic as soon as it is dry.  I was curious what others thoought of this yarn so I went to Ravelry.  This yarn is not even listed in the database.  Anyone else have a problem with this yarn?

It is a New Year!

Wow! It has been ages since my last post.  Made it thru the holidays alive.  For a few days that was debatable.  Penny and I both caught colds (actually, the Dr says its a viral infection).  Penny came down with that early in the week of Christmas and I woke up Christmas morning with a sore throat and stuffy head. On the phone to postpone dinner at our house on the 27th.  Just moved it into the New Year, but we lost some of our guests.  Peter had to teach, Matt had to go back to school, Kelly went to Canada with some friends, Steve was in CO with his girlfriend.  Their loss, just that much more food for the rest of us.  And it was outstanding, if I do say so myself.  We figured everyone was tired of turkey, so we changed it up a bit.
roast pork, mash potatoes and gravy, glazed carrots, green beans with water chestnuts and sour cream, baked apples, spinach salad with cranberries, rolls and a f aux trifle made with lemon loaf and raspberries.  Yum!  It was all delicious, attested to by the fact there were only enuf leftovers for a couple of meals.
I am not big on resolutions so I have not made any for this year. But, I am still not smoking, and we are trying to eat better and get more exercise than we have.  I am going to physical therapy 2 times a week for my frozen shoulder and Penny is to start some pt for her hip before they do surgery on it.
I was doing a lot of crocheting before the holidays, designed a couple of patterns that I need to finish writing before I forget what all those notes mean.
I will try to be better this year in posting more regularly.