The Alchemist Diaries

            I am not a sock knitter.

            I am happiest cuddling between my husband and kitty on the couch, knitting away at cardigans―my preferred project. But, something inspired me to try something different. I am losing my mind while trying to complete a simple black cardigan that has been in the works for three or four years (I am beginning to lose count). When I begin aching with frustration at the unexpected amount of time it is taking me to complete what in theory should be “easy,” I know it is time to take a break.

            A little birdie (several knitting YouTube channels) “told me” to splurge on Arcane Fibreworks and knit some socks. I don’t remember how I found them, but Arcane Fibreworks was on my list of yarn shops to explore for a while now. I ended up purchasing four skeins of fingering weight. They gave me a bonus fifth hank, which was very thoughtful:

• Wild Onion
• Whispers of Autumn
• Forager’s Path
• Eyes of the Oracle
• You’ll Float, Too

           Each hank is 80/20 Extrafine Merino Nylon Superwash and 100 grams in weight. One hank can be used to knit up a pair of mid-calf socks. After several failed attempts to make socks in the past (socks were abandoned due to ADHD and not using yarn specifically for socks), I have developed a stronger ability to finish what I begin―even with the dreadfully tiny fingering weight yarn.

            I have made a single successful pair of socks before; a practice pair I made out of worsted weight Peruvian wool that felted after two wears and an accidental death in the washing machine.

            However, since I am now being intentional about what I make and collect in my Self-Created Wardrobe, I made a specific purchase for the appropriate yarn required for a wearable, comfortable, and stylish pair of socks.

            I am using the I’m So Basic Socks pattern by Summer Lee. I chose it because it is free, easy to understand, and versatile. It does call for circular needles, but I don’t particularly like working with those, so I am creating the same exact socks using Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) instead.

            “I’m So Basic Socks” is a solid vanilla pattern (an excellent basic pattern that is timeless with replay value), and even though I am only 35% through knitting both pairs of socks, I only started them a mere few days ago, and am already almost finished with the first of the pair.

            I hated the process of knitting socks during my early years of knitting. Many years later, and I don’t know why I hated it. The process is addicting, and I can actually feel the cortisol and tension in my shoulders and gut melting away.  My focus is being centered on the hand painted colors knitting up into a glamorous canvas, and not being hijacked by current events and my upcoming Shinsa ― Kendo test. Just thinking about all of this makes me want to drop my pen now and pick up the socks!

            Knitting socks may seem like a form of avoidance. I could be helping my local organizers and unions and practicing kata for my Shinsa instead. However, I do not feel as though I am avoiding, but rather, reorganizing my thoughts. It is meditational, and keeps intrusive self-doubts in the sewers where they belong.

            Besides, I’m also getting over a cold because it doesn’t matter if you teach K-12 or at the collegiate level: students (as much as I love them) can be gross and will inevitably get you sick. And, the only activity I have the energy to do while sick is knit.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?

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