I have finished my Hedera socks, having started them in April 2008. I did the soles on size 0 needles, and the leg and instep using size 2.5mm needles. I’ve started doing this for socks that don’t have some nylon in them, so they wear better. It takes longer, because I have to add in about 10 stitches to the sole area, when I first do the heel flap. I don’t know how I would do that if I was making toe-up socks. I have only made about 2 pairs of toe-up and about 7 of the top–down socks.
I also bought a new knitting bag, the Laguna by Namaste. It’s really roomy and has a lot of pockets. The only thing I don’t like is the bottom insert. I think if I weren’t structured, it would be better, and would drape against the body more easily. Other than that, it’s a great bag.
This Christmas, I decided to knit some of the presents I give out. I’ve been knitting for about 4 years, but have yet to do that. I’m not sure why, probably because I didn’t want the stress of having to finish them by a deadline. But I’ve got a washcloth, some mug warmers, a hat, and some convertible gloves lined up. The gloves will probably take the longest, but I don’t think the recipient will care too much if they arrive after Christmas. In the last few years, I haven’t really been celebrating Christmas, so giving out tons of presents wasn’t a priority. I gave people some small gifts, but I really got tired of the whole shopping frenzy. The whole holiday just seems to be about shopping, and less about family togetherness, or whatever else. I think that’s because I’m an adult, so it seems more of a hollow holiday, and it didn’t when I was a kid. But it does seem like the emphasis on buying things has increased.
