Second sock syndrome? Not for me.

Through a stern will and extreme determination, I have kept myself from catching the dreaded second sock syndrome.  For those who don't know, second sock syndrome is a very common thing among knitters who knit socks.  Basically, you see a pair of socks you want to knit so you get your pattern and your yarn all together and joyfully start knitting.  Once the first is complete you get to stare at it, pet it, and show it around to everyone you know so they can marvel at your knitting prowess.  Here's where the problems start.  See, you've completed the pattern and have a complete knitted item, but because feet insist on coming in pairs, you have to do the whole pattern you just did all over again.  For some reason, the second time you knit something is  not nearly as interesting as the first.  You already know what's going to happen.  It's like watching a rerun you just saw last week.  You'd much rather watch a new episode or a completely different show, right?  Sadly, unless you are happy knitting things that will never be used or you know someone who is happy to wear mismatched socks, you have to knit the second one.  So I did:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="First pair of socks... COMPLETE!"][/caption]

Pattern:  7 Stitches per Inch Socks by Ann Budd

Yarn:  Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet

Needles:  US 3

More details… here (ravelry link)

They are ok for a first attempt, but I'm hoping to improve a lot on my next pair, which brings me to the interactive portion of the blog.  My next pair of socks will be for me and I've already picked the pattern I plan to use, Sunday Swing Socks.  Now I just need to pick the yarn to use.  I give you 4 choices to pick from:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="416" caption="You make the call!"][/caption]

Blogging from the couch

That's right.  I'm on the couch.  With possibly the cutest little laptop ever created.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The Toshiba NB205"][/caption]

It is great and tiny.  It's just over 10" wide.  It works really well and should be nice to take with me wherever I go.  Loops laughs at me, but I just LOVE the way it looks.  Check out the outside.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Yummy texture in frost white!"][/caption]

Ok.  Enough about my little netbook.  On to the knitting updates.

I actually haven't been getting much done with the knitting the past week or so.  I've been in a bit of a funk, I suppose.  I'm trying to get out of it though.

Uhura is pretty much at a standstill.  I did get to the bottom of the back half and did the hem.  I now want to hem everything I do.  I think it's great.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Not so great picture, but a great hem!"][/caption]

I have also started another Ishbel shawl.  It's going to be more summery since I'm using a cotton/silk blend.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Ishbel in my favorite color, grey."][/caption]

Last on the list of projects I've actually been working on, the sock.  This sock has been in progress since last year.  I just couldn't get into it, but recently decided I wanted to get on with it so I dug out the few inches of leg I had done and started knitting.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="378" caption="Sort of like a rainbow got sick, huh?"][/caption]

Sadly, it seems too big.  Last year, I wasn't nearly as careful about getting the correct gauge as I am now.  I'm happy that I can actually make a sock though.  Turning a heel just seems very impressive to me, even after doing it and finding out it's actually pretty easy.  Now I just have to get to the toes.