You guessed it — me. I have been knitting for a long while, but until about two years ago, I had never attempted knitting socks. Then one day I found the inspiration to try. I worked and worked at it, but the short rows at the heel stumped me and I failed. Frustrated, I hid the project at the back of my closet until I was emotionally ready to tackle it again.
Recently, curiosity and a new found courage to revisit the task struck me. So I picked up my needles along with the vibrant Kool-Aid dyed yarn and got to it. Although I was not jazzed about the look of the design, everything was going smoothly until I got to the toe. The finishing was almost complete when I realized that I had skipped a crucial step in preparing to close the toe. This mistake left the sock with a “horn” sticking up from the tip of the toe. Holy rhinoceros Batman, this is a wooly disaster! I cautiously took out the mistake — not a simple task — and after recovering from a mild coronary episode, I stuffed the peppermint red garment into my knitting bag, had a generous glass of wine, and took a week long vacation from it.
Then last Thursday, while hosting knitting night, I shared the sock issue with my incredibly talented knitting friend, Shannon. Thankfully, she was able to get my stitches back on pattern. My problem was solved but I was not quite ready to face the finishing. In fact, I didn’t like the thought of making another sock to match this one; the pattern rubbed me the wrong way and I was ready to start something new. Shannon understood my frustration. She wisely recommended that I donate the solitary sock to K2TOG, a knitting store that collects donations of single socks or mittens to be given to veterans who have lost limbs. This was an excellent idea! I had new found hope for this project.
I was busy with the chickens and garden over the weekend so didn’t get to my knitting until this this morning. I happily resumed the finishing work, excited to donate the completed sock. After nearly three weeks since I began “project socks”, I have finished. Problem is, it is by far the ugliest sock ever made. It looks like a crocodile snout! (Or is it the alligator that has the longer, pointier nose?) How could I possibly donate this disaster?
I guess I am writing this post today because I am frustrated. I mean, what can I do with one sock that looks like it should be a nose warmer for a baby croc? I don’t know, maybe I am being dramatic. There might be someone out there who sees the sock and says, “What a lovely sock.” It is quite soft and would provide warmth for someone’s little piggies this winter.
What do you think? Should I donate it or turn it into a Christmas stocking for one of the chickens? Seriously, I need your help. Let me know your thoughts.
by Amber Galusha
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