My first sock...

I have finally done it, knitted my very first sock. I have been coveting the ability to make beautiful, colorful socks for as long as I can remember, and now, I have done it. It's wonky, doesn't fit terribly well and there are mistakes but who cares? I made it!

About 2 years ago I bought a kit that included a book called Socks Soar on Circular Needles, one skein of plain white sock yarn, and two circular needles, all I'd need to make a pair of socks. Well, intimidation won out and I put it away.

This year I made a list of knitting goals and the top two were to learn to knit in the round and to learn to make socks. I pulled out that book several months ago and began reading it cover to cover. In the mean time I learned how to knit in the round by making some simple hats.

Last Saturday, I found a beautiful skein of sock yarn and just had to have it. I bought it and that evening, sat down with my book, needles and new skein of yarn. I only worked on this when I had time and no pressure.

Low and behold, it was working and before long I was turning the heel. Then I was trying it on to see how long I'd need to make the foot! Just this morning I finished my very first sock (see photo above)! I love this sock! I will be casting on the second one this afternoon after all my errands are done and I have some relaxed time. Pretty soon I'll have a new pair of socks to wear around the house and the tools to make more for myself and best of all, for gifts!

This is the first year I have set specific goals for myself. I chose to make them in the area of knitting because it was a way to privately improve myself and my craft. I am relishing the sense of accomplishment that I am feeling in this area of my life. I hope it carries over to other parts of my life that need it right now. I figure one small step at a time will lead me to the path I am supposed to be taking, to satisfaction and a sense of doing something worthwhile with my life.

And you thought knitting was just a hobby...