That sock magic

I felt the flickers of an old impetus and I cast on some socks just before the Christmas break began and have been cosied up with them whenever possible. They are so delicious. I had to get my Sensational Knitted Socks out to have a clue where to start. I thought I might be in trouble when I need to look up what SSK meant but my hands remembered the long tail cast on, the needles sit just right in my hands and it is so pleasing to watch it grow. Top down, my old favourite construction, there is a rhythm here that is deeply satisfying.

I'd forgotten the comments and conversations that knitting socks in particular seem to draw. Can you make me some? (Mostly no, only the most beloveds get hand knits). How long will they take? Followed up by "HOW LONG? and then one of the classics - "You do know you can get a five pack from xxx (insert their favourite shop) for just £x" (always good to know what people spend on socks!)  It's an insight in to how fixated so many people are on having things quickly and cheaply rather than having something special, or exploring the enjoyment of the process of making them. These are the same people I'm sat chatting with. Their time has passed without making anything so you'd think they'd be in awe at my multi-tasking efficiency!

I turned the heel last night and went to bed puzzling over what I used to do to tighten up the picked up stitches around the heel flap. Overnight my brain offered up the old trick of knitting through the back to twist the stitch. It's been so long that there's this funny sensation of doing something new that I am mysteriously talented at. I can't deny it's a enjoyable phenomenon. Years of practice make you a natural when you get back on the bike!

I'd like to see more craft magic sprinkled through 2018 so I'm going to set myself a little project of finishing something each month. Let's see whether that little challenge helps to keep these fingers busy.