Looking Ahead

I don't know about you, but I've been doing a lot of Christmas knitting. I usually end up knitting gifts right up until the time they are due to be opened. Once all the gifts are unveiled and the wrapping paper is recycled, I take a deep breath and reach for my knitting. Unfortunately, there is rarely anything on the needles. So I'm getting ready now.

I'm not sure where I read about this idea, so if it was you, raise your hand and take a bow. I will be doing a stash busting sock club. Now, I just love sock clubs. Every couple of months, you get a package in the mail that includes new shiny yarn, a pattern and maybe some goodies. I like to cast on these treasures right away, setting all other projects aside until I have a pair of socks. The only problem is that my sock yarn stash keeps growing and I never seem to get around to knitting it. I also have a queue full of sock patterns that I've been aching to try but never have the time. Do not fear, Dear Friends. I have a solution. A couple of days ago, I raided my sock yarn and pulled out enough yarn to knit 8 pairs of socks. I placed each in its own opaque bag so I can't tell them apart. I also pillaged my sock patterns and selected 8 patterns that I would like to knit. The yarn that I picked was mostly variegated so I chose patterns that would look good in multi-coloured yarn.

Once my gift knitting is completed, I will pick a bag of yarn and a random pattern and cast on. I'm really looking forward to this. I'll be using yarn that I obviously like because I bought it. I was also be knitting patterns that I've been looking forward to knitting for quite some time. Once I knit through this batch of yarn, I think I'll repeat the process using monochromatic yarns and different patterns. I think I'll allow myself 2 do overs incase the yarn and pattern that I pick really don't please me.

Wanna join me? Go pick some yarns and set them aside. You'll have a few months to forget what you've got and then it will really be a surprise. I'll be knitting patterns from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways Book and Sock Innovation by Cookie A. Feel free to knit along with me or pick your own patterns.

Now back to the Christmas knitting grindstone.