Beat Second Sock Syndrome

It looks like the only way I’d be able to finish my April socks on time is if all I did was knit, eat and sleep.  And even though it’s the weekend, that's not gonna happen.  (I have a toddler that needs watching, remember?  Oh, and a husband.)

But I’m making steady progress on the second sock when I can, plugging along before Second Sock Syndrome (SSS) can strike.  There, I said it!  The three dreaded S-words: Second Sock Syndrome.  It’s a terrible affliction that hits many a knitter when s(he) just doesn’t feel like knitting the second sock. 

Well, I have news for you: you can avoid it altogether!  Here’s how.

1. Wear the first sock while you’re knitting the second one.  It’s a big motivator, having one warm foot and one cold foot while you’re knitting.  Would you want it to be this way for the rest of your life?  I should think not.  Keep knitting.
    
2. When you finish the first sock, put it on your favorite foot (as described in #1 above) and start knitting the second sock right away.  Like, in the same sitting.  Don’t get up, don’t put your needles away, don’t pass Go.  Don’t even get up to go to the bathroom.  Hold it, and cast on that second sock.  I command you.
    
3. Pick a pattern that’s difficult interesting. A simpler or flat out boring sock pattern will definitely be easier to walk away from than one that’s still intriguing or at least requires some of your attention.  I’m still charmed by my Ribbed Ribbon socks (and extremely focused, on top of an April 30 deadline I probably won’t meet).

Even though I’m going to come in late with my April socks, I’m still going to check out a new local yarn shop tomorrow for a new short sleeved cardigan pattern in a new book I just got.  All this newness might get in the way of completing my April socks, but I’m going to blow the deadline anyway, so why not really go for it?

Although the yarn shop isn’t new—it’s been around for a year—I just didn’t know about it.  This is my first opportunity to get there since finding out about it a week ago—(remember, I have a toddler? I don’t get out much)—and my new book is burning a hole in my pocket.  Er, coffee table.

I’ll write about the new book soon, but will refrain from writing a review until I’ve knitted several of the patterns.  P.S. – Was anyone else disappointed with the recent book reviews on Never Not Knitting?  She didn’t even knit anything from those books (from what I can tell).  Anyone can look at the FO pictures and make suppositions on what it’s like to knit them.  Snore!  That’s bad journalism if you ask me.  Even if the publisher did give her the books.

Knitting until next time,

Kelly