It took me a really long time to start knitting my second Dahlia sock. I knit the majority of the first sock on a train ride home from Boston, just after getting some bad news. Whenever I looked at that sock, I could remember the worry and sadness I felt while I was knitting it.
I decided that for the second sock, I would choose a happy time to start knitting it so I could counteract the bad effects of the first one. I cast on on January 1, the day after our wedding. Things were going swimmingly, and I got into a good rhythm on the first leg of my plane ride home. Unfortunately, that plane was late and I missed the connecting flight by minutes (I saw the plane leaving the gate) and I had to spend the night in Phoenix. I stopped knitting that sock for awhile.
Slowly I started making progress again on the sock, and I finally finished it. There are sad memories in the sock, but there are also a lot of happy ones. And a fair amount of rueful acknowledgment of irony, too.
Pattern: Dahlia by Sundara Murphy (this was a Petals Collection pattern)
Yarn: Sundara Sock in Dahlia
Needles: US 1
Modifications: The chart calls for all of the knit stitches in the pattern to be twisted. I did this, with exception of when I came upon the yarnover of the previous row. I knit those stitches untwisted. This let the lace pattern be a more open.
When I started this sock, I didn't realize that a larger US1 existed than what I had. So I started on the pattern with my 2.25mm needles. Fortunately, the twisted ribbing is quite stretchy, so the only place that the smaller needle was not great was in the instep. On the second sock, I made the heel flap a little longer and it fits a little better.
This was my first time taking pictures in my new light box. It was fun to use! It turns out that Philana was also quite interested in it, and she was inside it within seconds. I think she feels quite at home in there.
By the way, this Dahlia sock is the tenth sock I've finished from my original eleven singles. I'm finishing them up!
Your Dahlia's are beautiful! Our knits do have a way of carrying with them the memories of the time they were knit. You were wise to finish them in happier times.
Have fun with that light box.
Posted by: Kirsten | February 06, 2008 at 12:42 PM
those are beautiful!! i really like the patterns that she sent out with that club...hopefully you will wear them at a time to create more happy memories!
Posted by: stacey | February 06, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Beautiful! And way to go on finishing those lone singles! That yarn was included in the huge yarn package Nova sent me and I've been thinking about how I'll use it. Your Dahlias look so pretty!
Posted by: Elinor | February 06, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Awwwww, Philana! She is such a little darling. I always love to see what she's up to. Let me guess, now your pristine white light box is full of black and orange cat hair? ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. | February 06, 2008 at 01:39 PM
It is amazing how memories are attached to knitting projects. There are certain ones that have very strong emotion for me and others I barely remember knitting. Your socks are beautiful; hopefully, the sad memories will not diminish their appeal.
And just look at that cutie! Hello, Philana!
Posted by: kseio | February 06, 2008 at 01:45 PM
They are really pretty! Seems like you've found some sort of karmic balance with them anyway. Love the kitty in the box. :)
Posted by: Jessica | February 06, 2008 at 02:05 PM
These socks are beautiful. I have the pattern but I gave the yarn away, it just wasn't very me. But seeing yours finished makes me want to give the pattern a go.
Posted by: nova | February 06, 2008 at 02:29 PM
What a beautifl pair of socks! It can be comforting, the memories our knits carry with them.
Posted by: Stacey | February 06, 2008 at 04:30 PM
ohhh those are fab socks! P is getting sooo big!!
Posted by: Kelly | February 06, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Lovely socks. You finished it in time for Project Spectrum's fire colors. I have a couple pairs of socks with some sad/painful memories attached to both socks and the other pair, unhappy memories with one sock & happier ones on the second.
Posted by: Kim | February 06, 2008 at 06:12 PM
Love your dahlias! I was iffy about the pattern when it showed up on my doorstep but I like your modification so its back up there on my list of I WANT TO KNIT THAT!
You cat is a real cutie. At least she doesn't mind you taking her photo!
Posted by: Bea | February 06, 2008 at 07:50 PM
pretty socks! and cute cat! I'm not sure what it is with cats and boxes, but it seems as soon as a box is open, a cat is in it!!
Posted by: Sara | February 07, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Very pretty! I still need to knit my dahlias too.
Posted by: tiennie | February 07, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Philana has grown into such an elegant looking kitty. She seems like a funny sweetheart, too. The socks are beautiful! Way to go on hanging in there and finishing the pair.
Posted by: Jean | February 07, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Love the dahlias, but now I have that song stuck in my head. Time to go dig out the Cake CDs!
Posted by: Julianne | February 08, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Cats always seem to get joy out of crawling in boxes and sitting on whatever you are doing. I miss my cat. The socks are cute. :)
Posted by: Sacha | February 11, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Beautiful socks, as always! And I think you're right about the ways our knitting reminds us of how we were feeling while we were knitting. Though I'd always thought of the bad ju-ju as permanent - I love the idea that you can also work on knitting in happy memories afterwards.
Posted by: Ariel | February 11, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Beautiful socks! Perhaps you could try wearing these socks somewhere special where you know you will have a good time.
I love the pictures of Philana in your lightbox! Cats certainly aren't claustrophobic. She's growing up!
Posted by: Brenda | February 12, 2008 at 01:09 AM