A Story about Socks

Once upon a time I took a sock making class. This was my first experience with double pointed needles, my first experience with needles smaller than a size 8, my first experience knitting something other than a scarf, and my first experience with reading a pattern. It was confusing and only possible because of the extreme patience of a very gracious teacher. She fixed my mistakes many times and did the turn heel for me.

I (we) finished the first sock with difficulty and a lot of help over a 3 week period. The sock actually looked pretty good too with only a few minor mistakes. I bravely tried to start the second one a couple of weeks later and then, totally intimidated and lost without my teacher (who moved away!), I placed the unfinished pair in the yarn basket where it lay buried for the next two and a half years.

I learned to knit many more things in that time period, along with starting a new job, beginning my master's, getting married and moving all of my knitting paraphernalia to a new house. Yet still, my sock and a quarter sat lonely at the bottom of the yarn basket.

Until yesterday.

I picked up the very tiny needles knowing it wouldn't be as hard as it looks...and of course, it wasn't.

I finished my first pair of socks and it only took 2 1/2 years!

I'm officially a sock knitter.

P.S. I've been wearing them for the past two days and will probably wear them tomorrow.

Unwinding the ball

This semester is finally calming down. With the push of a button I turned in a very large paper, which I considered the biggest project of the semester, and now I feel I can breathe a bit. And blog a bit.

I've been furiously (well, sort of ) working on items for the craft fair next weekend. I'm not sure how it will go but I think it will be really fun. Mostly I'll get to hang out with my sister all day...which doesn't happen all that often.

One of the little mittens, up close.

Here is the pile I have so far. I have no idea what kind of prices I should put on this stuff. Any ideas?

I've also started something with this awesome (and not cheap) yarn. I am a little upset with this project right now...okay with myself, for not getting my gauge right...so I've put it aside in protest for a few days and finished a project for myself.

But isn't the yarn cool looking?

This is a vest that I found in one of my knitting magazines and decided to try. It was really fast and I wore it to work yesterday. Believe it or not, this was the first item (besides a scarf or a hat) that I've made for myself and been able to wear as an outfit. It actually gave me hope for finishing the above project and I will soon pick it back up, I'm sure.

I also found this beret pattern and decided to make one for a friend. It is definitely not a beret for warmth...for style, sure. Not exactly my style, but the receiver will totally be able to rock it.

And that's all for now.

Erika Interviews Dan about Knitting

Me=Erika
D=Dan
(words)=Erika's side comments

Me: What is your favorite thing about my knitting?

D: I guess when you make me stuff. No, my favorite thing about your knitting is that you are making something. That you're engaging in an ancient art. There's a real DIY, punk rock asthetic to it.

Me: What is your least favorite thing about my knitting?

D: That it prevents you from cuddling me on the couch.

Me: What is something I have knitted, that you recall as good?

D: Everything. I've never seen you make anything that I wouldn't consider as good. (ah, that's sweet)

Me: Do you think knitters have an expensive hobby?

D: Uh, no. I don't really pay attention to what you spend on yarn and needles. (that's a good thing!)

Me: Do you have a stash of any kind?

D: Me? YES I have a huge music stash. CDs, Vinyl, Cassettes, that's my stash. (our house looks like a record store/yarn shop)

Me: Have I ever embarrassed you, knitting in public?

D: No. (but I think I've embarrassed other people...)

Me: Do you know my favorite kind of yarn?

D: No. You like natural more than synthetic. Wool? Do you like wool the most? (yes, usually)

Me: Can you name another knitting blog?

D: Yeah, the Yarn Harlot has a knitting blog. I don't know the name of it though. (it's the yarnharlot.ca)

Me: Do you mind my wanting to stop at knit shops wherever we go?

D: No.

Me: Do you understand the importance of a swatch?
D: Uh, kind of. (yeah, me too)
Me: Do you read my blog?

D: No. Occasionally, but not regularly.

Me: Have you ever left a comment?

D: Yes.

Me: Do you think the house would be cleaner if I didn't knit?

D: No. I like that there are balls of yarn and needles everywhere. (neither of us clean!)

Me: Anything you'd like to add?

S: I think knitting is awesome. The only thing I don't like is when you won't cuddle me on the couch because of it.