On Tuesday night, I finished up two pairs of socks that I had on the needles: the Siren Two socks in Indigo Ink, and the stealth project that I hinted to a few weeks ago- I'll post about those soon. This left me with a void. What did I want to knit next? Should I knit the ridiculously soft Indulgence sock yarn that I found for the sale section? It's 60% off, and it's extrafine merino with nylon (and colors 109, 112 and 113 have aloe) and I can safely say it's among the softest wool/nylon sock yarns I've ever felt. Too bad I bought the last available balls of it and likely can't get more once it sells out. Shown below in color 106.
But no, I didn't cast on socks. Instead, I started a non-sock project. And if you are a regular blog reader, you know that over the last 5 years, this is something that I rarely delve into. Socks are my thing. What project do you think that I've started?
Please excuse this bad photo, but I wanted to illustrate to you what my brain is like with a toddler around- constantly blurry and out of focus. And James wanted to go back to using it as a blankie for his pirate ship.
Yes, he's pantless. Potty training. STILL. But that leaves my new rug somewhat, er, vulnerable. At least the pirate ship is warm.
There are certain aspects of this project that I like- the ability to combine some interesting colors and the mindless garter stitch. But starting this non-sock project just reinforces how much I really, really prefer socks over any other project. Here's my reasoning for my preferential treatment:
First, portability. After one long evening of knitting this rectangle, already it won't fit easily into the diaper bag or laptop bag, or any other bag I will be lugging around on my non-toddler-wrangling-arm. And I only have a few project bags and those are sock sized. So it's likely that if I do attempt to bring this project with me out of the house, that it will get popped in the diaper bag and come out covered in Goldfish cracker carcasses and the needles will somehow slip out.
Second, the cost. When it's finished, this project will cost at least five times what a $20 sock project costs- and about 20 times the cost if I would have chosen to knit Indulgence from the sale section. And while I wouldn't reduce the cost by choosing a less expensive yarn, (it's DIC's Classy- a dream to knit) because it then wouldn't be the special project I'm hoping for, it's still going to end up costing me half a car payment.
Third, my attention span. I don't have a great attention span. Which is why socks are the perfect project for me. In my world, they take about 2 weeks to complete, and that means that I can start something new, but still have the satisfaction of having completed a goal. But I do have to admit that the mindless garter stitch in this new project is really nice right now. It makes it easier to enjoy TV at night because I never have to look down. Just row after row of meditative stitching. Tink. Tink. Tink. Tink. I love the repetitve sound of the needles.
Fourth, the sweat factor. Don't forget that while I'm knitting this project, where will it be sitting? On my lap. And it's hot here. I hate being hot. Socks don't make your lap sweat. And I already have a large project on the needles from two years ago that I have yet to finish befcause it made my lap sweat.
So, while at the moment I'm enjoying knitting this new, non-sock project, I am already looking into my crystal ball and seeing a bit of resentment, sweat and vodka. What a combo.