Not everything can turn out perfectly.  I'm OK with learning from my knitting (usually).  In the case of the Sideways Socks pattern by Sandi Rosner, I am unsure if it was the pattern or me... but something just ain't right!  I re-started the sock a number of times, and finally got to the end of the knitting, only to discover that the "easy" that this sock is (by knitting back and forth instead of on double pointed needles or using magic, loop, etc.) is quickly replaced by an entire sock length of kitchener stitch!  If that isn't enough, it's kitchener stitch in garter, then stocknette, then seed, and finally more stockinette!  I got through that battle, only to discover that the cuff of the sock is WAY too tight.  In the interest of sanity, I decided to call the entire project an "UGH" and move forward with life.  The balance of the yarn went into the sock yarn scrap bin, and the toeless sock is credited with probably the first time I have looked at a knitting project, decided that it's OK to let go and move on.

When animals are attacked and somehow escape, or even when the dog is finished with getting a bath... the first thing they do is "shake off" the fear and experience they had... Someone once told me that this something other animals do, but that humans internalize bad experiences.  I decided that I would "shake off" the bad experience of this project.  So, in an effort to be symbolic of the tragic fail, I decided the best thing to do with a misbehaving project is to climb to the roof of my building and hurl it with all my might into the abyss... goodbye, "Mr. Sock that didn't work out"... I'm acknowledging that you were not destined to be a finished object!

The pattern is the Sideways Socks on Ravelry - for me, it was an UGH but others have knit it and done well.  If you're feeling up to the challenge, give it a shot. 

Deep breath in... deep breath out.  It's time to start a new project.  I got my trusty little drawing kit out for the Self Imposed Sock Club (even though it's not due for another month, I decided that since the first one went so terribly I should just dive in and give myself time to make this pair really count!)

There are only 6 different patterns left in my club - remember, I had planned on doing 6 pairs of socks for the year, and put 1 additional project in the mix just in case... I guess I should have re-selected immediately since the first project was a fail... but instead, I let it go, and feel like I MUST only knit 5 more of he 6 potential projects this year.  That being said, if I have another terrible fail, I'll have to jump into the next project immediately.  (I really hope that doesn't happen!)

The pattern I chose this time is the Waves and Piers Socks from The Little Box of Socks - It looks like an easy pattern and I love the way it shows off the color changes.  I'm using yarn from Wisdom Yarns (Universal Yarn) - the line is called Los Angeles... 75% wool, 25% polyamide (nylon) ... fingers crossed these socks work out!   If you are on Ravelry, here's the project link.

You'll notice at the top of the website there's a new tab marked "survey" - I am inviting you to participate in a quick (10 question) survey that will be an indicator as to what readers are interested in.  If you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your feedback.

OK, let's talk... obsessed knitter to obsessed knitter.  I have an overwhelming stash of sock yarn, and I'm not even a compulsive sock knitter like some people I know!  I'm sure that almost every knitter has a stash that is out of control (even if we don't see it that way!)... and other projects and shiny things distract us from our goals... so, at the suggestion of a friend, I have created a
self-imposed sock club! 

I decided this year that I'll knit at least 6 pairs of socks; one pair every other month, in addition to my other knitting and designing.  One sock a month; that's not too difficult, right?  Right!  Time to get organized!  While noone was home, (important because as a fiber artist I can't reveal the actual amount of yarn in my stash... also important because non-fiber people don't understand and I have to begin dispensing anti-anxiety medication!), I hauled out my ENTIRE yarn stash, and all the patterns of socks that I have been intending to make... After I selected patterns (I chose 7 so that there's one extra just in case something goes awry) I went through my sock yarns and matched fiber to pattern and bagged each project up in 1 gallon ziplock baggies.  These are stored in a plastic storage tub and are all ready to be cast on!  In Ravelry, I spent some time queuing each of the projects up, and attaching the yarns to each of the projects.

It's the morning of February 1, 2011.  The sun is bright and the sky is clear in San Francisco.  I got my bucket of projects out and wrote each project name on a piece of paper, and put them in a dish for the drawing.  (The dish happens to be one of my own wheel thrown and altered ceramic pieces, featuring the image of none other than Elizabeth Zimmerman!)

Take a deep breath, and select the lucky first project for the self-imposed sock club!

The winner is:  Sideways Socks by Lanna Grossa!  I am happy that this is the first pair of socks.  Most of the sock is knit flat on circular needles, then grafted up the back.  The toe allows for a few minutes of work on double pointed needles... I recommend it for knitters who say they don't love knitting socks - I expect they will move quickly once I get going on them, and I'm already feeling good about using what I already own!

If you are on Ravelry, you will be able to see my up-to-date progress on this project by clicking HERE
(My Ravelry ID is kylewilliam)

I'm using Online Supersocke 100 Circle for these socks.  The long color stripes in this yarn make it perfect for a lengthwise sock pattern!  

Hopefully this is inspiring for you and it helps you to create a self-imposed club of your own!  Make a club with sweater patterns... scarves... hats... mittens... whatever you are obsessed with for 2011.  Create some order in your craft and help yourself justify the ginormous quantity of fiber and goodness that is surely sitting ready to go in your own stash!

Happy Knitting!