A week in knitting | Beating the Stash 2 - Sorting Socks and Free Giveaway!

When half-finished socks are taking over your life and news of a free Rowan Kidsilk Haze giveaway.

Just two of the culprits - top left: a soft hand painted yarn from Rowan; top right: a seduction when I visited a wool shop. It looks pretty, doesn't it, but wasn't so good knitted up.

Last week, I was hunting for some 2.5mm circular needles and came across no less than four sets of half finished socks. Socks were one of my earliest experiments with trying new things when I still slavishly followed patterns instead of adapting them to my own ideas. I wasn't satisfied with any of these socks - too much ribbing, too long in the leg, I discovered a dropped stitch fifty rows back, too soft a yarn etc etc etc.

The wool top right in the picture above, I took to Cyprus last year as my holiday knitting project. I was only carrying hand luggage on the plane, so had to buy needles there. Only double-pointed ones were available and the surface of them was rough - the wool snagged and tore on every row. And the colours were strange, the sock became more and more bilious green before my eyes. I left the needles behind and abandoned the sock to my stash cupboard.

Too much ribbing, too long in the leg - I wanted cute ankle socks. Maybe the wrong wool?

I was detemined something must be done. You remember @kimmac's Elf Socks? They inspired me to get going, and seemed perfect for the wool that had given me so much trouble. I spent the week unravelling socks and swatches, gently washing and rolling in towels, laying small skeins to dry in the airing cupboard before rewinding into balls. Very satisfying!

on the left, cute ankle socks with short ribbing; on the right, elf socks with a garter band.

If you've been following my progress in the #runningproject, you'll know that I injured myself in Week 2 and have been in recovery mode since - this knitting project was the perfect companion to that. Have a look at the Winter Wonderland we are currently enjoying.

Next Week: A Free Draw for Rowan Kidsilk Haze

Rowan Kidsilk Haze is a mohair and silk lace yarn. Two balls (50g) is enough to knit a scarf - see this post

How to enter

The competition will run from Monday 26 March until midnight (GMT) on Saturday 31 March. The winner will be announced on Monday 2 April.
Create a #needleworkmonday post during the competition dates and add a link in the comments of the competition post.
Your post must include:

• at least one picture or video or podcast and
• at least 100 words.

In addition, to qualify for entry, you must post positive feedback or support in the comments on two other #needleworkmonday posts published during the competition time. Everyone who qualifies will be entered into a draw for the prize (the prizewinner will be drawn by me). Thanks to @crosheille for working out the details.

That's #needleworkmonday for you!