Self-imposed Sock Club - February Installment Selected!

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!