Halloween + Barbie = A Fun Finish

 In the quilting world, we revere locations like Houston and Paducah, KY.  That's because they are home to famous quilt festivals.  I've been to both places and both are worth the hype.

I also knit.  In the knitting world, the room goes quiet when you mention Rhinebeck, NY.  It's the home of a famous knitting festival, the Sheep and Wool Festival.  While I don't live in Rhinebeck, NY, it is in my county and I get to go without any airfare, hotels, or major planning.  Since my daughter and her wife both knit, it's a fun family outing for us all.

In 2024 I bought some yarn at Rhinebeck from Flying Goat Farm.  It was hand-dyed sock yarn that was wool, some nylon for strength, plus a strand of something shimmery.  One half of the skein was dyed in Halloween colors (black and orange) and the other half was Barbie Pink!  I had to have it!

In recent months, I've been away from home a lot.  Knitting is a no-prep travel project so 18 months later I finally used that Halloween Barbie yarn and made myself a pair of socks

I had such a fun time knitting them and now I get to have a fun time wearing them!  I figured out my personal sock formula of which yarn, which needle (flexi flips), how many stitches around (56), how long for the cuff (10 rows ribbing + 10 rows st st), how long for the foot, and all that jazz.  If you knit, allow me to brag that I did the kitchener stitch on the second sock without looking up the instructions (sewing the toe together and ending the sock).  Be impressed!

I've already cast on another pair of socks so I don't forget my magic formula for socks that fit me!

I recently sorted my bag of purchased sock yarn and found that I can knit a pair of socks every month for a few years without buying more yarn.  While that won't actually stop me from buying more yarn, it's very comforting that I am well-supplied and not likely to run out soon!