I've spent the best part of the past 3-4 years squirreling away some of my favourite sock yarns. I have this 'problem', I fall in love, I get my mitts on it and I keep it. (knit it? surely you jest!!) It's odd, because I love the yarn but knitting it up means that I won't have it anymore. I've also got this fear, that my ham-handed knitting would ruin it. So, I just save them, best for last... You know how it is, well some of you know how it is .. (The threadbared shirt that you continue to wear while you have plenty of new ones in the wardrobe? My paw-paw was the same way, when she was alive. She always wore the same grungy old things eventhough she had loads of new clothing still with tags in the closet.)
Obviously, I knit a lot of socks, and usually with yarn that I like too, but as I didn't buy the yarn specifically for me, I don't seem to have the same attachment.
A few weeks ago Cookie A mentioned that she knits her favourite ones first and that she used to save the best for last, but not anymore. So, here I am, going to turn a new leaf, too. I'm not one to 'flash my stash' (I think that all the photos would kill my bandwidth), but I thought to show a few (the ones that I can easily get too) of my favourite skeins. Just seeing them should help you understand my weakness (to collect) and my desire (to not ruin them). Each little bundle holds so much promise that it's heartbreaking to knit it up.
With the cooler weather coming, I really do need so warm socks, so I'm trying to decide which one of my sacred skeins is going on the needles. The desire to have a pair a sock from this precious bundle is killing me!
Just as an aside, I found Dawn's comments on gift knitting to hold true too. Most people love hand knitted socks, however non-knitters seem to appreciate the cheaper patterned yarns over the expensive handpainted more. That's useful to know when you're Christmas knitting, cause knocking out a pair of stocking stitch in the uber motivating stripe-y patterns is much quicker than something like the Pom's or the New England's.
Thank you for bringing up this topic. I enjoyed reading this as well as all the comments left. I've got an entire new post brewing in my head right now about this.
I'm curious now to see which ones you'll knit up first.
You're SO right, Polly... my favorites are like 'museum yarn', too gorgeous to risk ruining. I took a precious skein of STR on my vacation, started a plain, slightly shaped sock with it, and now I'm in agony over it. I don't really like the way the colors are pooling, but I don't want to rip either. Argh! It's just yarn; it'll survive a little ripping and re-knitting. And yet...
;-)
Posted by: Beth S. at November 6, 2006 07:21 PMIf I'm not mistaken I spot a couple of skeins of Trekking XXL in the basket. They would definitely be my first choice because of the crazy striping. It's just impossible to tell how they will turn out just looking at the skein and personally I find that very amusing...
Posted by: Lone at November 6, 2006 05:58 PMOf all the views in the world to look at, I still think a basket of sock yarn is one of the best ;)
I've just been sat thinking how on earth I'm going to knit 9 pairs of socks as extras before Christmas...poo!
I have skeins of sock yarn I've had for a very long time. I just get them out and fondle them from time to time. Like you, I worry that I'll ruin them by knitting them up - now I'll try and be better and actually use them.
Posted by: Mary at November 6, 2006 08:29 AMPlease--knit your very most favorite yarn for yourself. You know that saying?--"Life is short, eat dessert first"--it's like that. (Although I will 'fess up to a ridiculous sock yarn stash--my latest justification being that I will use some of them to knit little shoulder scarves for gifts. Yeah, right)
At first when I was learning to knit socks, I used cheaper, less attractive yarns and although my husband still loves the first socks I knit for him (which started out for me, but I didn't have control of the gauge/tension LOL) he really appreciates the ones I have knit from more beautiful yarns.
Your knitting is so lovely, you deserve the best!
Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen at November 6, 2006 03:19 AMA friend in Germany once told me she chooses by closing her eyes and just reaching into the Rubbermaid bin. The first skein she grabs is the one she knits up. She says it's fun, because then she hunts for a pattern to fit the yarn instead of the other way around.
Posted by: susan at November 6, 2006 12:25 AMI knit my favourite sock yarn up as soon as it arrives. There's always up to 5 socks on the needles - I CO until I run out of needles!
BTW: Your sock stash is VERY impressive. x
I know! I can't bring myself to knit with those gorgeous handpainted sock yarns! Sure, I *think* and make plans about knitting them up, but I just never get around doing it. I believe the remedy would be to buy some more of them.
Posted by: yuvee at November 5, 2006 02:55 PMI find it's not the yarn but finding the 'right' pattern for it that's the hardest. You've got a great sock stash there and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it! I agree - go for the Fleece Artist first!!
Posted by: Carol at November 5, 2006 12:52 PMIt's a sickness I tell ya! I've even taken to buying TWO skeins of yarns I find exceptionally precious so if I and suddenly moved to knit one I'll still have one left! And it's not like we can't get more, sheesh!
I vote for the Fleece Artist Polly, you'll love it!!!
Posted by: Debi at November 5, 2006 12:39 AMHad to laugh at Jill's comment; she did purchase another skein of LL Lion & Lamb today! I'm saving my nicer yarns for me (or other knitters) from now on, especially the hand wash sock yarns.
Love that New England sock pattern, I very nearly started these last week, but I have two pairs of gift socks to knit first.
I think it's the sheer variety of sock yarns that makes them so seductive and collectible. Plus the fact that you only have to buy one or two skeins at a time. Each one's a unique gem! (But don't you find you go off some of them when they've been around a while?)
Posted by: Brigid at November 4, 2006 11:38 PMI find that non knitters prefer 'store bought' looking things too, so I feel no qualms about using the best stuff for myself! ;-) Have fun choosing...maybe you could get a few of your favorites out and close your eyes, then point!
Posted by: joy at November 4, 2006 11:37 PM*drool*
Posted by: kris at November 4, 2006 11:00 PMwhat IS it about sock yarn? guilty little pleasures? at any rate, i'm right there with you about collecting delicious little treasures.
Posted by: jenny at November 4, 2006 10:48 PMPolly - it's time to start knitting the perfect socks for you!
I know you can do it as my feet sing your praises every day that I wear a pair you knitted. Matt insists on his "Pollysocks" for special occasions and our wedding anniversary was spent walking around the Highlands with both pairs of feet very happily clad!
Posted by: Yvonne at November 4, 2006 10:31 PMI'm like you too, this stuff is just too precious to knit with, I'd rather keep it unknitted and just look at it! I hoard the Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb - but since reading your post I've hauled a ball out of its bag and am going to use it NOW.
PS I only got the strength to do this as I bought another skein today....... and that will replace it.
Posted by: Jill at November 4, 2006 10:25 PMI can understand how you feel, I have some Lornas Laces I am saving for "perfect for me" socks. Though I did rush to make sure it was okay when I discovered some moths in the house...yuck!
Polly I would never describe your knitting as ham-handed you knit gorgeous stuff, especially socks, get knitting!
Your stash is precious! Good luck knitting your socks =)
Posted by: Rain at November 4, 2006 07:05 PMI relate, there's some alpaca yarn that I've had for a while now. I'm not hoarding, I'm just waiting for the perfect project!
(Hi, by the way, I'm Mike... been reading your blog for a while, never commented, though. Great stuff!)
Posted by: Mike at November 4, 2006 06:19 PM