New tricks

It's so much fun to learn new stuff! Like most people, I can be guilty of digging in my heels and trying to maintain the status quo. I do know that I always enjoy jumping out of my comfort zone - after the plunge. And, sometimes, I like it so much I keep on plunging. The cold water always feels warmer that way.

So, here I am, knitting a toe-up sock. Months ago, I downloaded a free pattern from Elann just in case I ever felt like trying. So, Becky's sock has changed. Frogging what I had cast on, I just followed the pattern. No drama; no pain. It's so easy and I think looks very neat. The real test will come at the heel. I've become so addicted to my short-row heels that I kind of made that a barrier to anything new. This pattern has short-row heels, too, so I may just have become a toe-up convert. My 'tried and true' sock pattern was a whole new technique to me 3 years ago. Why stop there?

I don't think Becky will mind and the socks may even fit her better. That's the real test. See? Old dogs can learn new tricks.

Firsts

Since it's the first day of the new month it's appropriate to share a couple of firsts. I always enjoy knitting socks but none more than when I don't choose the yarn. So, when I was given some yarn and a request for new socks, I could hardly wait to finish the knitting in hand and cast on.

But, wait...there's a little challenge here. The new yarn is worsted weight and I'm not sure how far it'll go in a pair of socks. So, enter the pattern for my first toe-up socks. And the first time I've used my full set of 5 wooden dp needles. These are very plain socks although I think the coloring in the yarn provides enough texture. It's very interesting when you look up close. Lots of different greens from bright blue-green to a yellow-green.


Of course, as I'm working my mind is whirring. The colors in the yarn made me think of a Chinese screen made from carved jadeite that I'd once seen.

That carving did make me wonder if maybe some kind of surface design wouldn't work well in this yarn. Next time, maybe. The socks are cuddly soft and knit up really quickly. As long as they fit well and feel good, I'll probably make them again.

I remember when I first saw the jadeite piece, it had such a vivid green in it that I was reminded of the dessert that was served at every fancy dinner I went to when I was graduating from high school. All the award dinners were put on by the various service groups and each one had a dinner. Probably they were all in the local hotel but maybe some were catered by the hotel folks. Whatever, the dessert was always vanilla ice-cream covered with a creme de menthe sauce. Very violently green. My father refused to eat it as he didn't hold with eating food that was dyed green. That included green jello and ,of course, no green beer!

So, thanks, Penny, for giving me an opportunity, some firsts and a few memories.