I was able to get my Monkey Socks for the Ravelympics Sock Put done in four days:
I think I could knit Monkeys for the rest of my life. Honestly! They are fun, fast, show off handpainted yarns really well and more addicting than Lay’s potato chips. I know everyone else has probably knitted a dozen pairs of Monkeys; but we all know I’m the last to jump on the bandwagon.
Alas, I cannot spend the rest of my days knitting Monkeys; I boldly said I would complete the Pacific Islands Stole for WIP Wrestling and not only cast on but complete the Mystic Meadows stole for the Shawl Relay. And I really thought this was going to be possible to at least get two projects done and a solid start on the third one. However, I forgot to inform the Pacific Islands Stole about the grand scheme because it’s obviously did not get the memo.
While it’s making progress, it’s just not the progress I was hoping for. This, after working nearly constantly for five days, is still the first half! You knit two halves and then graft them together. I’m probably 3/4 of the way done on the first half! Oh, and did I mention, I honestly don’t know how to graft? I just wing it on my socks but that’s just not gonna cut it on a piece of fine lace. Anyone know of some fabulous tutorials on grafting somewhere on the web?
While I’m trying to slave away on my stole (It’s honestly a beautiful stole and I love it, our relationship is just moving as quickly as I would like), my stash is taking advantage of my weakness by throwing every temptation possible at me: Handmaiden Casbah, Fleece Artist, Schaefer Heather, Socks That Rock, Wooly Wonka, Fiesta.
I held out until the ball of Fiesta threw itself at me, nearly tripping in the process since it was able to point out that I was supposed to knit this yarn during my Mesa Verde trip for socks for myself. Well, I decided I didn’t like the pattern I originally picked out but I finally got the Falling Leaves lace pattern to work out for me.
And as you can see, 2 days later even with breaks to work on the stole, I had a completed sock. You gotta love sport weight sock yarn for quick socks everytime.
However, I vow I shall do my best to resist casting on the second one right away. Because even if I don’t finish the stole or start the Mystic Meadows stole, I really need to finish the pair of socks that I promised my dad. I finished the first sock just fine out of Mountain Colors Bearfoot but quickly realized I didn’t have enough yarn to finish it. MSCRoman bailed me out of not-enough-yarn jail by sending me her remaining Bearfoot.
And when my own projects and stash are not tempting me, the rest of the knitting world is tempting me. The new knitting e-mag, Twist Collective, came out with their new issue August 1st. It’s an amazing concept, the articles are free, but you only buy the patterns you love. The designers get paid for the patterns you buy so it’s more fair for knitting designers. And oh, did I love the patterns! The sweaters are just mind boggling beautiful and like nothing I’ve seen before. I wanted every single sock pattern even if I’m not up to knitting them all ready. I all ready bought Wisteria, Maelstrom, and Livia. I am trying to refrain from buying Jaali, Come Together, and Gnarled Oakwoods. I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out.
What’s that old cliche? ”Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself.” Yeah, I think I’ve done just that.
