Stress Reaction

I am in major accessory project mode right now. Larger projects are in the planning stages but on hold until I develop a bit more confidence in my skills. Witness the amount of angst that went into the start of Clapotis. Anxiety such as this would definitely qualify it as a major project. Hours surfing various blogs to choose the fiber. Queries posted on several sites about gauge and outcome with chosen yarn. Major stash enhancement all with Clapotis in mind. Multiple swatches cast on and knit on various size Addis and Clovers.

The end result? Lion and Lamb in Purple Iris on size 8 bamboo Clovers! We live and learn!

I have detected a disturbing trend in my behavior here of late. I have developed a habit of evaluating all non-essential purchases by potential yarn value. For instance: The antenna on my cell phone is not only broken, but lost.

Now, since I don't make a lot of cell phone calls, this has been relegated to the non-essential category, and a disclaimer prefaces any calls I do make. "I may lose you if I move out of range of a transmitter." I have learned where I can expect better reception along my daily commute. This minor inconvenience is more than offset by stash enhancement equal to the value of cell phone repair or replacement.

I also need a pedicure. I will spare you a picture of that particular non-essential need. It is determined to be non-essential because there is at least another month of closed toe shoe weather before me, and because it allows for stash appropriation equal to the value of a spa pedicure plus tip.

And the value of dog grooming? (Because what are kids for if not giving the dogs a bath, right?)

You get the idea. I could go on, but frankly, this is just the tip of the iceberg, and to go further would just be embarrassing. Besides, the mail hasn't arrived yet today.

Flower Basket Shawl and I have been reunited. We weren't speaking for a while. She had become quite demanding. I am by nature a multi-tasker (a favorite being knitting and catching up with the backlog on TIVO), and I found FBS unforgiving of my shared attention. However, after a brief hiatus, I found I missed her, and have now returned to her embrace.

While there wasn't a lot of knitting time with the kids out of school for spring break, we did manage to work in a little culture.

Click here for a nifty radio that plays music from the soundtrack. Cool!

This was an extremely entertaining show, and resulted in an intense wave of nostalgia. It also seemed like an appropriate time to share the booty from a recent estate sale.

These are just a few of the patterns. (I would like it on the record that while I am quite familiar with the music from ABBA, these patterns are before my time).

And my own contribution to the muse retro.

Lace Camisole from Vintage Knits

Finally found the time to update and share my Clapotis. She is made with Lion and Lamb Purple Iris on size 8 bamboos. Gauge is pretty much right on, and I added two extra repeats to the straight section. I can attest that I thoroughly enjoyed this pattern and I learned a lot. I will be making at least one more, but I doubt I will use Lion and Lamb again. It is unquestionably soft; almost to a fault. I am concerned as to how well it will hold up to wear. Even in the process of working up, there developed a heavy halo, and in places the twist has relaxed almost to the consistency of roving. I love it nonetheless.

More photos here...