My First Socks: FO 3
Originally uploaded by demiurged
Here they are – my very first socks, all complete and on my feet. I’m pleased as Punch (though not quite ready to claim “That’s the way to do it!“)
The second sock is better constructed than the first but seems larger – so maybe I knit more loosely when more relaxed about a project. Or maybe I have odd-sized feet? I should check. As I plan to knit asymmetrical socks from now on, I might as well fully tailor my socks for perfect tootsie comfort.
This project has converted me totally to bamboo needles (never thought I’d say that!) and I love my set of Clovers. They improved even as I worked through this first pair and are mellowing nicely. I now have a full set of long straights courtesy of Mr L, and I think I’ll pull off the same trick with DPNs as soon as I can.
Second Sock Syndrome did not strike (as you can see) and, to be honest, I don’t expect it to. I’m a completion kind of person, although a butterfly as well. I am likely to have multiple projects, for interest, but not likely to leave a project unfinished for long. I mean… I’m not obsessive, but I do like the ends tied up.
What has surprised me most is how happy I am to be knitting again after something like 20 years off. I had completely forgotten how much I enjoy the process and the feeling of never being idle.
Worryingly, I am already at the stage where I resent time taken away from my knitting. When a walk was proposed this morning? My first thought: “Noooooo – I need to be casting on again!” Maybe knitters are like alcoholics – never cured. One whiff of the yarn and they are back where they left off… Only, this is a pastime that I genuinely cannot afford. Yes, Gill – OK – I’ll make handspun and knit that. It makes sense. I accept it. But it’s not instant gratification, is it? What alcoholic is going to wait for a drink until they’ve grown the barley and mashed it and fermented it and distilled it… 
Next up: socks again, I think – as the silk for my Clapotis hasn’t arrived yet. I’m going to try the sock “recipe” from the Yarn Harlot that I read in my new book yesterday (all finished now), but use the assymetric anatomical toe pattern – and maybe add a cable in down the sides now that I have a set of short cable needles once more. Then again, I might do an all-over rib, or possibly a seed stitch. I’ll decide when I see how the Opal wants to knit up. I’m not sure but I think the yarn is the same as the one I just did, in a different shade. It’ll be a surprise, whatever it is.
