Emptyknitster

I've thought Murray was quite a character for some time. He was known for his love of tansy wine, was called Captain until the day he died because he ran the military drills in his hometown during the Civil War but never served, and I'm proud to know he was an abolitionist and participated in the underground railroad. Recently I've found a few new things out about Murray and would like to begin by sharing his obituary: Birth: Feb.28, 1809 Death: Dec. 7, 1885 Published in the Illinois State Register Springfield, Illinois Friday, December 11, 1885 - Virden, Ill., Dec. 10--It is our painful duty to record the death of one of our oldest and most respected citizens--Captain Murray C. He had been complaining for several days of pains in his breast, but nothing was thought of the matter, though he had said he could not live long. About 2 o'clock Monday morning Mrs. C., was awakened by her husband's loud breathing, an...

 The following are dates I know about Betsey's children. Murray C.      born: 28 February 1809      married: Caroline Pickett, New York)                     date: 7 July 1835      (1850 census, Jerseyville, Illinois)      died: 7 December 1885, Illinois  Laurantine Susannah C.      born: 28 August 1810      died: 20 June 1835 Charlotte Isabella C.      born: 26 July 1812 Lucian Prentiss C.      born: 25 August 1814      died: 1864 Rosehill Cemetery and Mausoleum, Chicago, Cook,       Illinois Marcius Fabius C.      born: 10 March 1816      (1850 census, M. F, Cheeny Jerseyville, Illinois hotel, merchant)      married: Elizabeth Taylor (31 years)    ...

My mother's family comes from a long line of people who use their mother's maiden name when naming their children. Usually they were used as  middle names but in the case of my great - great grandfather, Murray, it was used as his first name. He was named after his mother Betsey Murray. Betsey was born in May 18, 1786 and married Dr. Prentiss Dana  in 1807. She died three and a half months after giving birth to her eight child on October 31 1821, age 35 years, 5 months and 13 days. Although I know many generations back on Murray's father's side, Betsey's parents have been a mystery. I've been snooping around lately and came upon several leads. While probably not 100% accurate there is likely to be some truth in the information: The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 49 Henry Fitz-Gilbert Waters, New England Historic Genealogical Society (published 1906) MURRAY – Information of any kind regarding the following persons is desire...

Today is February 1st so I thought I'd do an update on the Neverending Blanket of Doom (AKA: Down the Rabbit Hole Sock Yarn Blanket... Cozy Memories Blanket) January was a stellar month for the blanket. One hundred mitered squares knit (a current total of 588), all ends worked in and the i-chord knit as far as possible. I worked up and around one side until I could complete the ninth of the ten black big squares - worth four regular squares. This black square will only have one mitered square above it when the blanket is complete. the end is getting closer! There is a down side to this great progress however... only one pair of socks, a right footed half sock and a hat were completed this month. February will not be as productive for the Neverending Blanket of Doom. It's going to be a rather busy month and my hope is to just stick to the original one square a day or 29 squares this month.

I'm always on the lookout for yarn suitable for the male foot and hope this new Patons Kroy yarn isn't to "out there" for the men in this family! The body of the socks are identical matches. I used the other end of each of the skeins to do the heels. You will notice that neither one matches the other but I'm alright with that. Pattern: Vanilla socks with Fishlips Kiss Heel Yarn: Patons Kroy Jacquard Colorway: Route 66 Needle size: US Size 1

In the beginning of November I knit a pair of socks - I thought.... No lie, as I was working in the last loose end of the socks I looked down and saw not a pair of socks BUT two left feet! I was so angry at myself I swore off socks - for a few weeks... But now, the California Dreamin' Son-In-Law is soon to have a birthday and he does love his handknit socks - so I pulled out matching yarn to the original pair of left footed socks and knit the right, right sock.  Now, I have an odd left sock but plan on buying some matching yarn in the near future and then strangely, I think I'll be ahead somehow....

I have plenty of sock stash but can never seem to turn down a sock yarn sale. Cascade is a favorite yarn brand of mine but I'd never tried their striped yarn before. So, when it went on sale I bought yarn for three pairs of socks. The stripes are very busy and I live by the saying "You can have pattern (print), or you can have texture (cables) but you can't have both",  I knit a very vanilla pair of socks. They turned out great and were a quick knit. Pattern: Vanilla Socks, with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Cascade Yarns Heritage Prints Colorway: Phoenix Needle size:US Size 1