Since I couldn't decide what to start next this past week, I concentrated on finishing. I realized that I was only a couple inches away from finishing a complete pair of socks. In part as a defense against the Second Sock Syndrome, and in part out of memory preservation, I had been knitting both socks at the same time. I hadn't knit socks for a while, and found my skills as bit rusty. So I went back and forth between both socks, in an attempt to ensure they were identical twins. I cast on the toe, and increased to the foot, then did the same on the second sock. I knit the foot, then did the same. I did the heel, well, you get the point. This is only the second time I have knit two socks at the same time. It seems like the progress is so slow, then all of a sudden, you are only a couple inches away from a PAIR of socks. Just in time for winter!
My guys were away camping this weekend. I would have gone, but my mother is abroad this month, and someone had to stay home with the doggies. (She usually dogsits for us.) 36 child-free/husband-free hours is not a bad thing. Along with my list of cleaning chores, I wanted to break through my knitting block.
As I was rearranging and visiting in yarn in my stash, I identified what my barrier. I have really stepped up my yarn quality. With my Local yarn store closing two years ago, and a dear friend hosting a de-stashing party, and some stunning yarns that I secretly bought on Ravelry (Shhhh, don't tell my husband), I have some high quality, truly beautiful yarns. I was so looking forward to turning some of them into beautiful knitted objects, but then I was struck with self doubt. Would this yarn be right for this project? The yardage be enough? The drape/stitch definition be appropriate? I didn't want to make a mistake, and have to risk damaging the yarn by frogging. Quality yarn had made me gun-shy about making a mistake. Once I realized this, it was easy to overcome. For what is the use of having delicious yarns if they are stuck in my yarn room for all eternity?
I did my research: I looked at the pattern, other examples of that pattern on Ravelry, other projects with that yarn on Ravelry. . . . then I cast on.
This is a nice start for the day. I have a new skein of sock yarn and a pattern picked out too.
Today, it is all about the starts.