Stress Reaction

Leif Ericsson proved to be more than an intrepid explorer, but also the captain of a magical flying ship. He has made landfall here in Oklahoma from New York and while we do have the distinction of having the most man-made lakes of any state in the country and over 2000 miles of shoreline, it's unlikely that he found a direct route.

His perseverance is appreciated however, because he arrived with lovely goods. Lynne entrusted him with two 100 gram skeins of Gems Merino Opal in what I believe is the Cherry Red colorway. I have been coveting some of this yarn for a while now, and this is definitely one of my favorite colors. It will look fabulous knit up in the included pattern: Celtic Braid Socks by Cabin Fever!

The precious cargo also included a pair of cabled hand knit footies in what looks to me like a heathered purple yarn similar to Cascade 220. Super comfy, I couldn't help but slip them on during a little spinning session last night and thank God for the cooler weather that arrived this weekend, because I didn't want to take them off!

Wonderful work Lynne! Thank you for the great box of treats, and Amanda, thank you for organizing, once again, another fun swap in Yarn Aboard II! Mr. Ericsson is loaded down again and should be making landfall at his next port o'call soon. Y'all keep an eye out!!

I keep seeing these gorgeous photos, and reference to Eye Candy Friday, and I just have to play along.

This plant was a gift from one of the local businesses when we opened the clinic. Apparently they flower once in a lifetime.

And as a result I haven't knit more than a couple of rows on a pair of socks in the last five days! By choice, no less!

I have discovered genealogy!

My dad got into this about ten years ago, and while I thought it somewhat interesting, I can't honestly say I paid that much attention. Then, the other day, I was cruising through my bloglines when I saw that Emily had gotten in some quality knitting time coming and going to a DAR meeting. This triggered a memory of my dad telling me that I had a grandfather so many times great that had fought in the Revolutionary War. So I hopped over the DAR website to see what was involved.

Critical decision number one.

Called my dad to get the info that he had collected so far.

Critical decision number two.

Signed up for a two-week free membership at Ancestry.com.

That's all she wrote. I was gone, lost, down the rabbit hole.

I cannot even begin to tell you how much this process appeals to my research oriented, analytic mind. Poring over US Federal Census records, I get distracted by the family raising eight children and three grandchildren with only the father working. The 110-year-old black woman listed as a pauper in what I can only assume was debtors prison, since she was listed with the other prisoners, all but one of whom were black back in Smith County Texas in 1900. (When did debtor's prison go away, anyway?) Not being able to find a particular person, I would have to approach in from another angle. Who was the father, the mother, the sibling, the wife? Fascinating!

If you are interested, as near as I can tell, my ancestors came to America in the 1630's. My great (several times) grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War, was wounded in the head and collected a pension of $8 a month from the Common Wealth of Virginia for the remainder of his life.

Despite my newest obsession, there has been knitting! And as my ardor cools, I'm sure there will be even more knitting. I decided to give my first stab at the TT socks another chance, and I'm glad I did. I like them a lot more now. I've decided it was the whole crumpled up lace thing that was bugging me.

And there has been spinning. This is 172 yards of two-ply sport weight (14 wpi) yarn spun on my Majacraft Rose (named aptly enough Rose) from Corridale pencil roving in the Tourmaline colorway. Provided by the lovely and talented Teyani at Crown Mountain Farms.

Today was the culmination of Frontier Days in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.

And we were in a parade!

There were, of course, horses. Lots of big horses. Lots and lots of big horses.

And a little horse.

There were fancy cars.

There were princesses.

And politicians.

All in the setting of small town charm.

Under a Saturday Sky.

Life is good!

I am diligently working on my Toasty Toes socks. I've really grown to like them, and I should keep working on them.

Despite that, I am finding myself distracted by several current and potential projects. Maybe it has something to do with the crispness in the air early in the morning when I head out to work. Wool and mohair seems so much more palatable this time of year.

I have been alternating between the TT socks and the Wing of the Moth Shawl (which Carole just finished by the way, so head on over there and admire). I love this pattern. And I love KSH. Though I've swatched with it before, this is the first real project I have knit with it, and I can understand the knitting crack reference. Lovely!!

I did sustain one semi-serious shock however. This is one of those shawl patterns that starts with five stitches and increases on each right side row. On the first read through of the pattern I made note of the 345 stitches that marked the end of the first pattern section. When I hit 325 stitches I read through the pattern again; meanwhile feeling very pleased with myself that the first pattern section went so quickly. (Those of you who have knit this shawl know where this is going)! That's when I realized that the first pattern section is complete when you have 345 stitches on either side of the center stitch. GAH!

You can see my initial reaction here!

Edited to add: My guardian angel Cheryl saved me from what would undoubtedly have been the biggest faux pas of my knitting history, proving once again that knit bloggers are “the best”! My initial reading of the pattern was correct: 345 stitches mark the end of the first pattern section. Cheryl, thank you so much for saving me the agony of ripping multiple thousands of stitches in KSH! You rock!!

A little past due, but too pretty not to share. My going away cake from my old job.

There was serious stress busting moves happening here at Casa de Stress Reaction this past weekend. Stress busting, of course, of the fiber related kind. Spin, spin, spin!!!

Corridale Pencil Roving in the Watermelon colorway. Also (drum roll please)! Navajo plying!! Hee, hee!! I love it! There is something so rhythmic and soothing about the over and under and through the loop motions involved in Navajo plying. Makes me think that I would really, really, really like weaving (but we won't go there right now, shall we? Look away, look away!!!!!)

My singles are getting better! Still a bit over spun, but I am pleased with the improvement. I'm playing with the Scotch tension to find the perfect balance between uptake and twist. I have a tendency to hold the fiber a long time (linked to some control issues, I'm sure), and build up a lot of twist; so if my tension is too loose, I end up with even more twist, but more tension leads to hand fatigue. But it's getting better.

This is a comparison between the two-ply Tourmaline and the three-ply Watermelon Corridale.

And next on the wheel? Alpaca! And a surprise!

Meet Martha!

She is a workhorse, this girl. I anticipate that we will be very happy together!

Alpaca balls!

My new favorite fiber to spin (based, of course, on all of my vast experience)! Long staple. Super soft. Just lovely!