2005-Year of the Socks

"Family Circle Easy Knitting"
two page spread Step-By-Step
five needle socks instruction
grabbed me by the scruff of the neck
and said now.

For years I'd watched Mary Frances
knit socks and mittens on four
needles without even the benefit of a pattern.

But the naysayer in my head always said,
tricky... that join as you change needles
would produce a run (like the run in
the nylon stockings we wore in the 40's)
and turning a heel, now I mean, talk
about trouble.

Mary Frances knitting needles and patterns
came to live in our house when the family
home was sold.

Those needles kept jabbing me.
Knitting socks with four needles,
... a wise knitting crone would make.

My mind set shifted
when I saw the magazine.
Bought it, added # 6 double pointed needles,
(larger than the 2's and 3's MF used)
and self stripping yarn.

To show the strength of my craziness,
I taught myself to knit on five needles
while careening around Washington DC
on our way to Florida.

With one eye on the map to make sure we
didn't miss our 95 South turn and the other
on the magazine layout I had a go at it.

I produced one gorgeous quite oversized
sock. Never did the second one to make a pair.

But I was hooked. I spent a whole winter
knitting socks... pairs, from patterns garnered
on the web.

I always chuckle when the image of myself
learning to knit with five needles pops up.
(I've switched to four needles by the way,
much easier to manage.)

And wonder why it took me so long to take
the plunge and why I charted the most difficult
learning situation imaginable.