This is NOT a Knit Blog!

But, it is written by an obsessive knitter, so knitting is going to feature heavily.

I've already mentioned my sock knitting craze, and after 8 pairs of plain toe ups with short row heels, I'm currently working on my first ever patterned pair of socks. Still toe up, but I'm hoping the departure from the old and familiar is the start of a more mentally challenging creative journey. The next step will be a pair of cuff down socks, now I have a good eye for how much yarn it takes to make a pair to fit me, so I'm not fretting about running out of yarn with half a foot to go.

One thing I've learned from this project, is that Malabrigo Sock yarn deserves its reputation for gorgeous colours, but with the slightest hint of dampness it binds onto bamboo needles like it's glued there. Since I love my bamboos, and the past few weeks have been hot and humid, this has not been a project full of peace and harmony. In fact, more a project filled with profanity, threats of violence against inanimate objects, tangles and obsessive hand washing and drying (to no avail). Grateful as I am for this skein, which was a swap gift and a most thoughtful one, I don't expect to be seeking this brand out in future, unless I'm prepared to use metal needles throughout the project.

As the image also shows, I caved in to the inevitable (not gracefully) and switched to metal needles. Since I have the tension from hell, and bend my needles into something resembling emaciated bananas, metal needles do unkind things to my fingers, so I mostly avoid them.

Of course, I don't just knit socks. In fact, my creative diary is fully booked up for the foreseeable future. I have a hat for a friend, another hat and a sweater for The Welshman, a sweater for The Caver (not such a hassle, he's a skinny shortarse. Has to be to get down those pot holes), plus, at some stage, a warm shawl and a hooded jacket for me. All to be done this year. Along with more socks.

I like a challenge...


And, to those now suffering an earworm of This is Not a Love Song, by the Sex Pistols... gotcha! :)