Years ago when I first started America’s Knitting, I met a local gal (to me), that dyed yarn. She did a yarn that had the colors of our local major league baseball team (Seattle Mariners) in it. Every season the ball club had an event called Stitch ‘n Pitch. I had decided that I would be a vendor and showcase our website and how it worked.
I had promoted, that I would be there at the game with a booth, and that I would have a drawing for a give away basket, during the 7th inning stretch. Wendee with Hazel Knits contacted me and asked if I would like to have a skein of her special Mariner colorway that she called ‘Hometeam Baseball’ for my basket. I thought that was very generous of her, and a great addition to my basket. When it arrived in the mail, I was so surprised at how much I loved it. That was my first introduction to her yarn. She sells her yarn on-line, but she also sells her yarn at a some yarn shops, and also attends different events, and sometimes has pop up shops. When I saw it, I had to have a skein for myself. One of the vendors at that Stitch ‘n Pitch event carried the yarn, and after setting up my booth, I went directly and purchased a skein for myself.
I’ve always said that Hazel Knits would be my desert island yarn. I promptly wound my yarn, and searched for the perfect pattern for a pair of hand knit socks. Then, cast on and built a Ravelry page for my project. I just finished my socks in time for this years stitch ‘n pitch. When I took a final picture and went to update my Ravelry page, I was so surprised to see how many years had gone by…. 10 — WHAT?!?!?!
I worked on these socks off and on throughout the years, all the while being distracted by the ‘cutest’ hat, the current KAL, the occasional charity project, that baby gift, or holiday prezzie! I know that happens to everyone, but WOW what a distraction. In the time that it took me to knit these socks, I actually learned all about the various aspects of knitting socks. When I cast on, I really didn’t know how to knit socks, but by the second sock, I had kitchenered the toe all by myself. These two socks aren’t exactly the same, but they fit, and I like them and will wear them. Now, I have many more socks on needles. I’m sort of a project junkie, and have way too many projects going to get anything finished in a timely manner. OH WELL, that is how I roll apparently, and wouldn’t have it any other way.
The pattern I used was a Knitty.com pattern called Thuja by Bobby Ziegler. This free pattern was written for an aran weight yarn, but I just did a math conversion to accommodate a fingering weight sock yarn. The yarn shop that I purchased this yarn from is now out of business, but there are other yarn shops selling this lovely yarn.
It’s easy to beat ourselves up, or plain laugh out load, at how long some projects take. BUT, I finished these socks, and love my knitting!!