The Thing About Knitting

A long time ago, a co-worker explained to me that she chooses to knit, rather than sew because if something doesn't fit or you don't like it, you can unravel a knit garment and start over. I was recently reminded of Miriam and her attitude, when I picked up a long-forgotten sock project a couple weeks ago, thinking it would be a good one to take along on a trip.

Socks are a perfect for knitting on planes, both because of their small size and because no one feels threatened by the toothpick-sized needles you use to make them.

The patten was an easy one to pick up again: Jaywalkers by Grumperina. The Zig-Zag pattern is really pretty ingenious, easily remembered and quick to knit.

I had to laugh at the archeological clues in the project bag of the origins of the project: a business card from someone I met on a train from Lansing to Chicago (to attend the Spring Quilt Festival when it was there), a package from some tea I had enjoyed during a sleep/nap study and the original wrapper that identified the yarn and the shop where I'd bought the interesting hand-dyed yarn.  I didn't really think about why I had stopped knitting, but happily picked it up again on the flight from Santa Fe to Dallas and Dallas to Houston.

I finished up that first sock during Quilt Festival and cast on stitches for the second at breakfast on Sunday, to prepare for the trip home. While the first sock literally took YEARS to finish, the second was completed in 4 days.

And then I sort of remembered what soured me on the project way back whenever it was. As much as I loved the yarn and the knit patterns, I didn't like the socks on my feet.

And so while I might count this as a finish, I'll be spending some time slow UN-stitching them this Sunday.

I'm not sure if they'll become socks in a different style or perhaps a scarf or little shawl.  I did fall in love with the subtle color combinations in the yarn and have started to look at pattern ideas so that I can pick it up and start knitting something with it again soon.

This yarn has always said autumn to me ... maybe I'll actually finish something that stays finished before winter arrives.