Second Sock Indecision

I call this project THE SOCK OF EXTREME ANGST. The yarn was a gift of friendship and I loved it so that I decided to make my first pair of "just-for-me" socks. My daughters each have at least one pair of hand knit socks and I thought it was my turn.

Though it seems like I have been working on these FOREVER, they were actually started just after the New Year. From the beginning, I had a series of mishaps. First I swatched and started knitting on size 1s but didn't like how it was turning out so I frogged it, and went down to size 0s. Ok, no problem... right? Wrong! I forgot to swatch again on the smaller needles so the sock was too small. Fortunately, I was only about an inch into the cuff when I figured this out. Rippit, rippit! Still ignoring the need to swatch again, I cast on more stitches and went for it... This time I was up to the gusset when I realized that the sock was way TOO BIG! Rippit, rippit!

Finally, I swatched and started yet again. The yarn was starting to look a little sad and abused but I charged through because by this point my frustration was at a critical level.

About this time, I had a major disagreement with the lady who runs a local knitting group, of which I had been a member for about a year. I refused to be bullied so I prepared to make my exit from that group. For the very first time in my life, a hobby was causing me a great deal of stress but I would not give up...

The sock you see here still seems a little large, especially in the heel. I have not Kitchener stiched it closed. My gauge is fine, I simply picked the wrong size. I think I may actually be in between sizes and if I sat down with all of the numbers could write up my own variation of the recipe.

Now comes the indecision... Do I knit the second sock to match the first? Do I knit a slightly smaller sock with a slightly shorter cuff in an attempt to get two more socks out of the yarn I have left? Do I put the whole thing away and look through my sock yarn stash for a change of scenery, maybe cast on a different pattern in a different yarn? For now, I think I will sleep on it...

BTW, I am now part of another local crafting group which has a completely different vibe to it, it is very refreshing (and inspirational)...

I've caught STARTITIS

So far I have three WIPs: the Austermann Step socks, a LB Suede Shrug, and a Booga inspired felted bag utilizing some of my stash. You would think that this would be enough to keep me occupied but NO! I am itching to start a crochet project. I have a new Amigurumi book I haven't done anything with yet, plus I have a nice stash of crochet thread and I am just itching to make a table runner for my dining room table. Then there is this great big hook I've never used and I'm thinking it would be nice to bust out a little blanket or lapghan to use up some of my remaining RH. Plus, I have a shipment coming from Alpaca Direct (I'll post more about it when it arrives) and I've been debating between a Drop Scarf inspired by the Clapotis or an actual Clapotis for a KAL. Since I am not a stole or shawl person really, I think the Drop Scarf will ultimately win out, but we'll see...

Here's my theory, when my stress level (not from anything bad, just busy) goes up, my project ADD or STARTITIS increases... I wonder if this is true of other knitters too...

A little whine...

I'm feeling overwhelmed and uninspired. I'm currently in the middle of a stressful week with doctor appointments, meetings at school regarding our soon-to-be kindergarten student, a spelling bee for my second grader (who refuses to study because its "easy" stuff), and another book review deadline. So long story short, I've had little knitting time. Add to that, I had to frog the sock I was working on at our last knit group meeting and go down a needle size. Plus, I just experienced my first Ravelry snub... Ok, I'm done.

I'm a little stressed!

So we are getting down to the wire... I still don't know for sure if my Mom (plus her husband) and grandmother are coming to my house for Christmas. I finished something for my mom (can't say what in case she sees the blog before the 25th) and I wanted to make something else to go with it but I am afraid I don't have enough time! Plus, I am ridiculously close to finishing my Christmas stocking but a cookie baking marathon (for teacher gifts) is keeping me from my knitting!

Joann.com, why I may never buy online from them again...

My brother gave me a $50 gift card for a belated birthday present to Joann's. Since they are usually pretty picked over and slow to restock at my local store, I thought I would buy online from Joann.com (8/13/07). The last time I purchased from them (September 2006) I had a pretty good experience. This time, however, I have yet to receive a confirmation email (as of 8/17/07) and my inquiry to customer service gave me a vague response. Who knows when I will get this stuff? (And do I really need to shop there anymore?) But I better darn well get my $50 gift card credited back if the whole thing falls through! Plus, I think I am turning into a little bit of a yarn snob though I still like working with Lion Brand Wool-ease.

Anyway, tonight I got the green light to purchase a dpn set from KnitPicks.com (yay!) and a special skein of sock yarn from Lisa Souza (yay! yay! yay!), somehow I have a feeling I'll get both of these before the Joann's order...

My lament...

I hadn't been knitting much lately but... Last night I had a revitalizing knit nite with one of my favorite knitting buddies :) So I'm back on track, I've turned the heel on a plain vanilla Cascade Fixation sock and will post pictures soon!

Having a rough week...

...but one of the highlights was a couple of knit-nite hours where I actually worked on my latest sock. It really won't take me long to finish... and I don't seem to have an issue with Second Sock Syndrome. I just have family coming in town for the weekend and so much stuff to do...