Neglected Rattlers

I truly believe in a "knitter's insurance project".   If a knitter has something to knit with them at all times, no matter where they're heading, there is little chance of being stuck and needing to wait.  If knitting is forgotten, SURELY a knitter will end up twiddle their thumbs and wishing for knitting to do.  This policy has held me in good stead for many years and holds true 95% of the time. 

Because of my obsessive tendency to knit only EPS, with a little Aspen Grove on the side, the poor Rattlesnake Creek Socks have been neglected.  That all changed when the easy bits of EPS were finished and I needed something more portable to carry around.

 

As I knit with  Mountain Colors Bearfoot, I realized its thicker diameter was too small for the needle size I was using. The sock was tight and it was hard to knit the cables.  I switched to the next size up, #2 DPNs and found the knitting easier and looser, which will hopefully hold true for the sizing, too.   I do love the soft, fluffy nature of this yarn and the vibrant, warm richness of the colorway, Ruby River, a perfect color for PS III.  At least leg one is now finished and I'm moving down the heel stitches toward the foot. 

Much of my knitting time has been spent in anticipation, and it's likely because EPS and the Rattler Socks have been on the needles longer than I intended.  Illness kept me from knitting on EPS in January and the goal of finishing by the end of February evaporated. There isn't any real reason to feel  behind, but I can't help but think of what I could be knitting now if my self imposed schedule had worked out.  Daily I work at setting aside this anticipation and reminding myself that there is no race, no reason for my angst. This is all part of the process of life, the ups and downs, the ins and outs.  It is all of a piece and I will move forward as I can.  This I must remember. 

However, I do have the yarn for my next sock waiting in the wings. Colinette Jitterbug in Fire!  Is this not the most perfect colorway for PSIII?

Three sock patterns are in the running:   Ripples and Waves, Primavera Sock and perhaps THE one, Flickering Flames.  How can a knitter not be looking to the future with so many wonderful patterns and yarns?

Comments

[Sarah]

Oh, how I believe in the knitter's insurance project. The second sleeve of my EPS currently serves that role. I love all of these wonderful PSIII colors you have been showing. They certainly brighten and warm the days.

[Chrispy]

Ruby River. I love that color. I am currently designing a mitten in it. The design bug is so bad tonight that I could not sleep. Must knit.

I too agree that you need knitters insurance. It is the main reason that I carry my sock knitting bag into the grocery store when I go shopping with my DH. The times it has been forgot, all the lines were crazy long no matter the time of day, but on those days I do bring said bag, they magically open a new line just for us.

[Carole]

I am reminded of Jimmy Buffett. "There's just too much to see waiting in front of me and I know that I just can't go wrong "

[Kathy]

Oh, I just LOVE that "Fire" colorway!

[Kim]

The Primavera pattern is so nice...I really like it. You give us the best links!

Murphy's law for sure when you don't have your knitting, you get stuck waiting somewhere.

[CindyCindy]

I hear you. The draw to the new and wonderful. But, you are so right to stay true to your current projects. Process, right? Besides, you MUST finish EPS soon. Spring is coming and you will want to start something for the warmer season. I do so love the Rattlesnake socks. So very pretty.

[Manise]

I have Ruby River in the stash- soft and squooshy and I can't wait to use it. In terms of the Jitterbug sock yarn..... some skeins have more than a knot or two which also results in a break in the color sequence. And other skeins are just fine. Hope that yours is the latter. Love the color!

[Zarah]

That Colinette is awesome, but your Rattler snakes are lookin' pretty sweet too! Just enjoy the journey!

[deb]

My extra 2 hours at Kate's school were saved yesterday when I remembered a sock-in-progress left in the car!

[Teresa C]

Even when I am going straight to work and straight home. You never know when there will be an issue on the highway and you might be stuck between exits for an hour.

I admire your determination and planning.

[Chris]

Those are such lovely socks! I'd have a hard time leaving them as my "insurance" project.

[Kim]

Oooh, I like these socks.

[Norma]

I believe in that knitters' insurance thing, too. Every single time I don't bring knitting, I end up waiting, and every time I do, I feel like it was a futile gesture. Ah, well. That's what insurance is all about, I guess. Pretty socks!

[Judy in MN]

I love the way the Colinette Jitterbug looks and feels, but unless you have the newer skeins (which have more yardage) be aware that they are short skeins! I made a pair of short-ish crew socks and had 10 feet left when done. The other thing is that they seem to have no body. When I wore them, the stitches opened out (like when blocking) but never pulled back to give that foot-hugging, stay-up fit that I like. Just so you know...

[Mandy]

I have to say, I love the Primavera pattern. It's just gorgeous, but so simple. I think I may cast on today with my own Jitterbug!

[Heather Joins The Round]

So true, EPS isn't a race, it's a journey!

Like the socks.

[Danielle]

Love, love, love your current socks! They are a strong contender for my next pair to cast on.

[Cheryl S.]

All things will come in their time! It's your words and attitude that helped me not feel upset about having to reknit the back of my sweater, so I know you'll succeed in letting go of your angst.

[Tan]

Or how about Firestarter?

The Rattlers are looking great. I agree, Bearfoot calls for slightly bigger needles. It works up fast and feels so cushy. I still need to replace the heels in my favorite pair of Bearfoot socks that finally wore out after about five years.

[Wool Winder]

Portable knitting has saved me many hours of waiting with nothing to do. I always feel bad for the other people that brought nothing to do. You find the best sock patterns! Thanks for the links.

[Stephanie]

I carry my little sock bag around with me as well....I thought all knitters did that!! It really does save me when other people are running late etc. and I have to wait in the car at school.

I totally vote for the flickring flames socks. That color is just gorgeous!!!! I can't wait to see it knit up into something yummy!

[elizabeth]

I love Primavera! My queue thanks you.

[Stacey]

All lovely choices for future socks! Up to your fiber pushing ways again. I will not queue more. I will not queue more. :D

[Mia]

You mean there are knitters who don't carry around knitting with them? Think of all of the wasted time!!!

I think mixing Fire with Primareva would be pretty since it would be a spring fire. But Flickering Flames would be just as nice.

[Sunnyknitter]

Doctor's appointment today, thanks for reminding me to take my sock!

[kelly]

I love colinette jitterbug! If you like STR, you won't be disappointed. It holds up in the wash really well, too!

[Cookie]

Good lookin' sock!

I feel ya. Right now, I'm working on the body of that cardi. I have to knit 17 inches and it's only daydreaming about what's next that has me sticking with it.

[nova]

I love the Jitterbugs, I just wish there was more yardage! I think Ruby River flinkering flames would be pretty fantastic.

[Beth S.]

How will you ever decide? All those patterns are great. I may just go queue Primavera, in fact...

[Opal]

I know what you mean about self-imposed deadlines. I try not to set them, but they inevitably crop up. I really like what you wrote in your "about me" on Ravelry and I try to take that to heart whenever I start worrying about falling behind on schedule I think I have.

[Margaret]

Such pretty sock patterns really are something to look forward to, and hard to choose just one! The Rattlesnake socks are looking gorgeous in that Bearfoot.

[claudia]

I have the exact same knitter's insurance philosophy.

[Lucia]

How clever you are to brighten these last drab days of winter with brilliant socks.

[--Deb]

Yep. Just like carrying an umbrella will keep the rain away . . . gotta love that little extra bit of insurance!

[Jessica]

Love the sock in progress, but I'm a sucker for a good cable. ;) Nice jitterbug too!

[Nora]

When I saw that FIRE colourway, I thought: Ooooh, perfect for Flickering Flames! You have exceptional taste in yarn m'dear. :)

[Anne]

PERFECT colorway. I need to get going on my PS3 projects so I get them wrapped up in March!

[Roxie]

I shout out a loud and enthusiastic YES to your E!! And Jitterbug Fire in Flames is so poetic! How could you resist?

[Birdsong]

It IS hard not to be overly tempted and distracted! I know that there will always be more knitting than time, which has the same sense of 'insurance' as always carrying knitting:) Thanks for the nice post.

[ruth]

HI, Margene,

Thanks for mentioning my sock! I'm behind on all my blog-reading because I'm visiting family in Minnesota.

It's really cold here!