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May 21, 2007
The Cure
When life is looking crappy because your knitting isn't going anywhere, the best medicine is a sock. I believe the Yarn Harlot said something about socks for the soul (it was in one of those really funny books - Knitting Rules maybe. Well, she knows what she's talking about. I worked at the yarn store Friday afternoon and Saturday and Butterfly didn't seem like the best choice for in-store knitting, so Jaywalker got the call. It's amazing how much you can get done on a sock when you dedicate 10 hours or so to it.
And what is it about turning the heel that makes you feel bullet proof? I just get giddy when I get to the heel flap. It's like proof that all that knitting around and around is actually going somewhere. Oh, speaking of the heel - apparently I can't count. The pattern calls for a 2 row repeat 16 times (for the small size) (one repeat and then you do it 15 more times) - that means you should have 16 chain stitches on the side of the heel flap (at least I think that's what that means, but at this point I'm willing to admit that I don't know anything about knitting in general or socks specifically). 32 rows has either shrunk dramatically between the first and second sock (it's possible this is the case - black holes do that to your knitting) or I can't count because the two heels are not the same length.
If I were a good and dedicated knitting I would rip one sock out to the heel flap and reknit it. I AM NOT. I don't care if they're self-striping and it's obvious that they aren't the same. I don't care that one sock could potentially fit better than the other. In the face of the lack of progress on Butterfly, these socks are staying exactly like they are and to hell with anyone who feels the need to point out that they don't match. So there.
Today and tomorrow I'm off to DWUI school. I get to learn how to do field sobriety tests (and I think maybe learn to recognize the affects of various drugs). I don't think they're going to provide me with free beer so I can see how well I'd do on the walk and turn test, but it should be fun anyway. Jaywalker is coming along in my purse, but I'm not sure how much knitting time I'll have. At this point I'm just happy that I made some actual progress on something I'm knitting. God bless socks.
Comments
I'll second you on the wonderfulness of socks! I like the more instant sense of gratification than other projects - at least when one doesn't knit the equivalent of 5 socks to get a pair, LOL!
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool at May 21, 2007 8:23 AM
I'm with you - socks are a cure all!!!! Those are too cute - I wouldn't have ripped the heel either....have fun getting drunk!
Posted by: stacey at May 21, 2007 8:48 AM
If the sock fits, don't change it! Love the colors, so bright and cheery.
Posted by: Carole at May 21, 2007 12:37 PM
Oh, and Jaywalkers were *made* for that yarn! Love the picot cast-on.
Posted by: pamela wynne at May 21, 2007 12:41 PM
omg, stephanie - i hate to be the one to tell you this, but your socks don't match!
yeah, i'm just jealous about your amazing progress. i lost my sock mojo. blech.
Posted by: kris at May 21, 2007 12:42 PM
I love the picot edge and the colors. What yarn are you using? I need to get some.
Posted by: Leslie at May 21, 2007 12:48 PM
Whenever I get a long period of time to work on a sock, I'm stunned at how fast it goes. And your Jaywalkers are fun!
Posted by: Theresa at May 21, 2007 3:34 PM
Yum! Nothing like a perfect pair of Jaywalkers (and by the way, didn't you do the heel like that on purpose because you wanted your socks to be a little different? That's what I thought!).
Posted by: Sulafaye at May 21, 2007 4:59 PM
I wish my socks were doing the same for me. I did the same thing, felt I needed a quick knit as all the things I have on the needles are decidedly not quick knits, but the sock I chose has just been dragging along. The Butterfly will be beautiful when it's finally released from the Black Hole of knitting!
Posted by: AnaMarie at May 21, 2007 5:29 PM
Great colors! I just started working at my LYS this weekend, and couldn't find enough time to get a swatch made.. you are my idol. I want to read the post about DWUI school...
Posted by: Birdsong at May 21, 2007 7:25 PM
Nice Jaywalkers. I love the color. I couldn't count when i was doing mine so they don't match either. But that is the fun of it! Gotta love your knitting
Posted by: Nubiancraftster at May 21, 2007 8:49 PM
Socks are a great way to make progress. The socks are looking great.
Posted by: Wanda at May 21, 2007 8:51 PM
We are leading similar sock lives....while I am NOT knitting a Jaywalker, although I want to, I have been having heel issues. I lose track of the rows, was it it 12 or 16? And then the yarn starts to give me a hard time. I love having a sock on the needles...maybe it is the instant gratification of it all, or maybe it is just like a child's small toy...something good to hold in your hands.
Posted by: elisabeth at May 21, 2007 9:35 PM
I think they look great. I wouldn't rip them back. My stripes rarely match and no one who appreciates hand knit socks really seems to care.
Posted by: Diane at May 22, 2007 7:33 AM
Beautiful socks! What's the yarn?
Posted by: Susan at May 22, 2007 9:25 AM
those are gorgeous!!! i have that yarn and now i know what i'm making with them.
Posted by: lynette at May 22, 2007 6:01 PM
Your socks are looking great!!Who cares if one heel is longer than the other, feet are not the same size and at least you'll know which is left and which is right!! Just keep standing up and you'll be fine!
Posted by: liz at May 23, 2007 3:28 AM
I hereby tag you!
http://yarnchronicles.blogspot.com
Posted by: Cara at May 23, 2007 10:44 AM
Beautiful sock! I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. I've never commented before but there's another person out here checking frequently to see if you've posted again. I love all the content and seem to be interested in a lot of the same things you are (I also made Amy Butler's Weekender bag, love to knit, sew, cook, bake, etc.) I also get a kick out of your comments about WY. I'm in ND so it's all very familiar! :)
Posted by: Shanna at May 23, 2007 9:13 PM
Socks are awesome! Turning the heel is my favorite part of knitting socks. I get such a kick of out the heel. The first time I ever knit a sock I didn't really understand how what I was knitting was going to become a sock. Then I turned the heel and I had an "Ah-Ha" moment. The cuteness of knitted heels never ceases to amaze me. I love your Jaywalkers! It is such a great sock pattern. Someday I am going to knit a second pair because I love my first pair so much.
Posted by: Knittripps at May 27, 2007 7:47 AM
what yarn is that you are knitting these socks in? i LOVE the colors! pink and green are so happy looking together and the shades on this colorway are perfect! glad to see you turning to a quick and fun project to keep morale high!
Posted by: kaetlyn at May 29, 2007 1:08 PM
