This always seems to happen. Just when I think I am fed up with my knitting, just when I am about to conclude that a stash composed primarily (by weight, if not by volume) of my husband's grandmother's acrylic worsted from the Seventies is completely uninspiring, it happens. On the heels of a finishitis victory over Second Sock Syndrome of legendary proportions, it happens.
I've been charmed to such an extent that I have now beaten my old record for "number of new cast ons in 24 hours." To knitters of dedication, passion, and skill, the number is ridiculously low to be a "record" for me. But however desultory I may be as a knitter, I tend to cast on new projects in a slow-ish but steady stream, mostly hopping between projects I already have on the needles. In the last 24 hours, I have cast on three projects. One of them twice. Two of them (to my shame...will I never learn?) socks. I know. I know. A grand total of 710 stitches cast on, if one includes the second run at Birch.
Each of the three projects begged to be cast on in a different way and for different reasons. After Second Sock Stravaganza, I spoke of a victory project of luxe yarn and awesome proportions. I found it in Birch, a Rowan pattern from #34 I think, out of Rowan Kid Silk Haze. Dreams of glory flitted through my head as I cast on, thinking that maybe, just maybe, it can float around my shoulders at this wedding my mother has requested I join her for next weekend. No way is this going to happen unless the long weekend provides far far far more knitting time than I figure it will. Crack Silk Haze is so far charming me because I'm knitting it in UltraFocus mode, knowing that any mistake is going to be a far bigger pain than it would be in any other yarn. It will be lovely. It's the newest love of my knitterly life.
With that on the brain, why socks? Why two? The first is the third RSC pair, made from the most gorgeous colorway of the year so far. I want to take the little yarncake, love it, squeeze it, and call it George. It's so beautiful I barely want to knit it up. What spurred me to cast on right now is the idea that all three pairs could be done before the fourth RSC package arrives at the end of July. The idea of being ahead of the game and ready to cast on #4 instantly is powerful juju. The second was cast on purely because my previous pair of plain, no frills stockinette socks is done, and I need a project to grab and take with me. Birch requires UltraFocus, so she stays home. The socks, particularly the plain ones, take care of time at work while I'm on the phone, when I need a little motivation (one row on the sock for every so many tasks completed...), that type of thing. See? SEE? The method behind my madness is beautiful and clear.
I promise that I am aware that a self-respecting knitting blog requires pictures. Pictures prove (sort of ) to the (nonexistent) readers out there that I do in fact create items of beauty, worth, merit, or supreme ugliness. Without them, I might just as easily be lying bold as brass to all zero of you. Pictures will follow whenever I can begin the habit of getting pictures off of my danged camera less than a year or two after I take them. On the upside, I have started the thrilling new habit of taking my new knits out for "official photoshoots" upon finishing. Part of the problem, I suspect, is that three of the five projects I've mentioned are from the Rockin' Sock Club, and are therefore unbloggable at present. So, there you go.
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