In an effort to plan for my next pair of socks, I decided to peruse my sock patterns. It just so happens that this week I received the books Favorite Socks and Knitting Vintage Socks in the mail from Knitpicks. I’ve had Knitting On The Road for a few months. So I’ve been admiring these beautiful books for the past week. Now I’m not sure if it’s because I have such a wealth of patterns available to me or if it’s because I’ve lost touch of my knitting mojo, but I’m still no closer to a decision as to what to knit next then I was last week.
I’ve also been looking through my stash of sock yarn to aid in this dilemma, nothing is speaking to me! Well that’s not entirely correct. The Socks That Rock are crooning to me, only they aren’t singing to be knit. None of the other yarns are really shouting to be knit either. Maybe I’m asking too much of the poor things. Anyway, enough anthropomorphizing.
I have to admit that this has never happened to me. I have always been able to turn to my sock yarns for something to do and I have to tell you that I’m starting to panic. I’m on the foot of the second Pomatomus sock and I want something queued up for my take along project.
So maybe I have too many beautiful patterns and too many gorgeous yarns to choose from. Maybe I’ve lost touch with my knitting mojo. Maybe I just need to be patient with myself and stop pressuring myself to come up with a plan. I would like some sort of general idea of what to do by tomorrow since I’ll be out and about for a good chunk of time while I see the doctor about my knee.
Any suggestions?
February 28th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Not sure if it’s in the new book, but last time I was in a knitting funk, Embossed Leaves socks drew me out of it… I really love “Conway” from Knitting on the Road, it’s a fun pattern.
good luck choosing!
February 28th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
I am not able to decide if I should get the Favourite Socks book … it seems most of the patterns are from old IK.
I certainly hope there is nothing to do with having too many beautiful patterns … otherwise, wait until you receive some more in the mail, you know! ;)
February 28th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Opal – This happens to me, too. I have sock yarn in many boxes (heh), so I wind up having to take each box down off the shelf and rummage thru it. Likely prospects are removed and thrown on the chair while I rummage on. Finally, I step back and look at all the candidates. Usually one of them will speak to me, then I have to find the right pattern!
Sometimes I will browse thru BWTs looking at all the pretty lace and trying to find patterns that will fit well in the number of sts I need for my socks.
If all else fails, I put all the yarn back and pick up one of the shawls. :)
February 28th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
When this happens to me, I randomize it. I call a friend and say, pick a number between 1 and 3 (Because I have three places I keep sock stash.) Then I just reach in with my eyes closed and … pick one. That’s the one that’s next. Sometimes it spurs me on to get creative, and other times I say, “Crap, I didn’t want that one.” But I knit it up anyway. :-)
February 28th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
i know what you mean – sometimes i have the skein of sock yarn in a ziploc with the pattern ready to go, and then i change the pattern or the yarn, or do a completely different combo! too many decisions…..
February 28th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Dear Opal,
I usually switch to another craft for awhile to give myself a break, or I read a book. Maybe take those socks that rock and knit them in a really nice setting, like out at the beach or park?
February 28th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Opal, try to relax about it. I know that it easier said than done, but maybe you are overthinking this whole thing. Instead of trying to find a new pattern, maybe it would be of comfort to you to return to a previous sock pattern that you really enjoyed. Or perhaps a hat is next. Or another small, easy project. That usually does the trick for me.
Susie
February 28th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
One of my favorite socks to knit was Whitby from Knitting on the Road. I am sure whatever you choose will be beautiful! You do seem to have a knack for the socks…….
February 28th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
I don’t know – it seems like lately anytime I’m stuck for sock ideas, I just read your blog and make the last thing you did! What about Friday Harbor from Knitting on the Road – I really like that one….
March 1st, 2007 at 3:06 am
Sometimes (often times really), I’ll get into a knitting funk with both lace and socks because I’ll finish something or be nearly finished with something and just be overwhelmed with all the patterns and yarns I have (and want to use) and just not feel like starting anything new. Sometimes, just taking a step back and playing with something else usually helps it a bit.
Don’t worry, the knitting mojo will return. It always does.
March 1st, 2007 at 3:53 am
You have done some very pretty patterned socks. How about picking your wildest looking sock yarn and just knitting a plain sock? I am so happy sometimes watching the color changes and looking at my resulting knitting. I hope your knee appointment goes well!
March 1st, 2007 at 4:09 am
I don’t know what to tell you Opal, since I’ve been having my own knitting/motivation problems. But hang in there; it will pass and you’ll be plying those needles en route to knitting bliss once again.
I really do thiknk we’re all having an early case of spring fever :)
March 1st, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Hey, Opal. I couldn’t find an email address for you so I thought I would answer your question from my blog here.
I got the Pine Mountain Pillow Kit (The Best Things) at NeedleOrts in Altamonte Springs, FL. You can also find it online at:
http://www.stitchesnthings.com
Deb at Stitches N Things has great customer service.
Glad you liked it. It’s a fun, easy stitch.
March 1st, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Spring fever sounds right (or is it the “mercury in retrograde” situation from Harlot’s blog?) Either way, I’ve joined the knitting funk party. What will most likely pull me out of the funk is knitting the latest pattern from the Six Sox Knitalong (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Six_Sox_Knitalong/). The motivation of getting my name in a drawing for something sock-related if I finish by the deadline really helps. I also have a skein of STR sitting in a basket by my bed that I just pet once in awhile. It hasn’t spoken to be knit up yet.
March 3rd, 2007 at 6:32 pm
How about just shutting your eyes, spinning around (on the floor if you don’t want to stand and bang into something) and pointing? Okay, that last suggestion probably tells you a lot more about my weirdity than helps you pick your next sock project…
March 6th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
[...] I’m using Socks That Rock Lightweight in the beautiful colourway Mist and the pattern Jaywalker by the talented Grumperina. I find it ironic that after pouring through my many pattern books I ultimately decided on a free pattern from the Internet. I might not be faithful to this pattern till the end though. [...]