Won't You Be My Sock Pal?

Although I don't knit socks as frequently as I used to, there's something about fall that makes me want to start a pair of socks. Of course, after you finish that first sock, some of the thrill is gone. I usually get sock #1 off the needles and then think "oh man, I have to do all of that AGAIN???"

In my early sock knitting days, I never suffered from Second Sock Syndrome. I was always ready and willing to knit that second sock right away, no delay. But as the years wore on and I started exploring other projects, I would get distracted by a sweater or a hat or a shawl and that second sock would not be so enticing. For a while, knitting socks two-at-a-time was a good solution to the problem...that is, until I realized that managing two socks on tiny needles using magic loop was majorly aggravating my golfer's (knitter's?) elbow. My last pair of two-at-a-time socks on magic loop took 3 years to finish for that very reason!

One of my Chicago friends who happens to co-own a yarn shop Knit 1 has a brilliant solution to both of my sock knitting problems: Knit 1 Sock Pals! It's part knit-along, part sock swap - everyone gets matched up with a mystery sock pal who will knit your second sock for you. They're using one of my patterns (the Scalloped Rib Socks) and the Little Boxes Socks by Noma Ndlovu; each participant will knit one sock in each pattern, and then they get to keep the one in their preferred color and mail in the other sock for their mystery pal. In January, there will be a Zoom party to reveal the identity of everyone's sock pal. Doesn't that sound fun?

There's more info here, and signups are open between now and Thanksgiving. I can't wait to see everyone's socks!

Comments

Overdyeing A Finished Knit

Even after just a few years of knitting or crocheting, you're bound to have some finished projects lying around that never get worn or used. After 10+ years of crafting, I have more than just "some" or "a few"....and with my ongoing quest to declutter my house this year, I've become obsessed with going through these forlorn projects and making some Big Decisions. Sometimes, they are perfectly fine and just need a new and loving home. Other projects may have not turned out quite right: there might have been some mistakes in the knitting that I thought I could live with, or the yarn was gorgeous but not well-matched to the pattern, or my taste has drastically changed since I finished making the project...in any case, why on earth did I keep knitting?! Who knows, but I don't feel good about gifting anything that falls into this category to someone else. These projects have been relegated to the "frog pile" (or should I say, frog pond?), to b...

A Finished Sweater, With Cat Hair

After losing Tilly and Robin within a year of each other, I sure didn't think I'd be finding cat hair in my knitting any time soon. But the universe had other ideas. Over the winter, a white feral cat adopted us. I'd noticed her when we moved into our apartment last summer - I would see her hiding in the bushes or sunning herself in the grass when she thought no one was looking. I assumed she was someone's cat until I realized how skittish she was around humans, plus she had a tipped ear, which is a universal sign that a feral/stray cat has been spayed. Neighbors confirmed that she was a feral kitty (descended from several generations of feral cats, in fact), and that she has survived on her wits and whatever food various residents put out for her. We had some bitterly cold days over the winter, and I just felt so sorry for this poor kitty! I started offering her treats and slowly gained her trust. She didn't even want to come inside our apartment at first, much le...

Easy DIY: Beaded Vintage Snowflake Ornament Kits from Solid Oak Inc.

I was really excited to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new as part of my "Christmas in July" theme this month. The kind folks at Solid Oak Inc offered me a chance to review one of their Nostalgic Christmas beaded crystal ornament kits I couldn't resist. My tree is already full of ornaments I've inherited or been gifted from other family members and friends, so these pretty crystal beaded ornaments will fit right in I think! I was super impressed with this compact little kit , which includes everything needed to create three gorgeous vintage-style ornaments - just add a pair of round nose pliers (I found mine on Amazon for less than ten bucks). The instructions had some fabulous tips for newbies like me; for example, it recommended sorting the beads and laying them out in order on a towel or beading mat to prevent them from rolling away. That may seem obvious, but I was totally ready to start beading on my kitchen table without a...

handmade by stefanie

Search This Blog