Get over it, it's just socks

I hate these socks and it’s all sue’s fault.

This summer, sue began knitting her very first pair of socks.  To encourage her, I lent her the Yarlot’s Knitting Rules.  At each phase, sue would describe what she learned.  She even told me that after reading that the Harlot prefers a long-tail cast-on because it gives more stretch at the top of the socks, she noticed many of her hand knit socks were not very stretchy at the top and thus she suspects were not made with a long-tail cast on.  At the time, I was knitting the vesper socks.  I had not used a long-tail cast-on and was suddenly self-conscious.  In fact, I was sure that because of this knowledge, I would always feel the tightness of the improper cast-on around my calf like a vice. Why had she told me that? She must have known it would drive me bonkers and was trying to sabotage me. SUE, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME???  Of course, there is the possibility that sue is innocent.  There was no way for her to know that I hadn’t done a long-tail cast-on and I’ve never known sue to be mean to anyone. Why am I such a neurotic freak? Why can’t I just tell myself:

“Dude, so you didn’t do a long-tailed cast-on. Get over it, it’s just socks. Don’t you have anything better to worry or fret about, like…uh…planning your wedding or something?  Besides, you’ve coveted this yarn for months.  Enjoy it a little.”

Even though one sock is complete and I have just turned the heel on the other, I have had to fight every urge to rip them out and start again.  Maybe I should just keep repeating that little pep talk to myself and … be placated by the thought that I may unravel the cast-on edge to make the socks longer.

Comments

[gina]

they are very pretty just socks you know... don't sweat the cast on. Of course, I always use a long tail cast on. Then again, I would need directions for anything else....
How go the wedding plans anyway?

[lisa]

"Why am I such a neurotic freak?"

That, madam, is because you went to grad school at the U of T. I'm pretty sure that's the right answer. Now I have to go overanalyze, wallow in insecurity, and then come up with a more complicated way to say it. Maybe I'll make a figure.

[suelas.]

a figure!! lisa may be onto something.

really, you can blame it on me in a different way, if you want allison guy -- since i am monopolizing your YH book, there's no possible way you could read it. so clearly it's not your fault. :)

and frankly, i have no problems with any of the socks you've ever knitted for me before. so these ones should be just fine. try them on and if you hate them, (a) give them away or (b) do that unravelling thing.

ps -- longest comment ever, i should just send you an email -- i have a yarn question to ask you offline.

[Nanajan]

Hey I forget to check your site for a couple of weeks and what do you know, I missed so much! Anyway, my knitting teacher likes an extra long ribbing at the top---like at least 2x as long as the pattern ribbing calls for---so the socks stay up. Hope that doesn't freak you out more about knitting socks. Anyway I love the colors in those and you are such a fantastic knitter I am sure they will be great. I am feeling guilty. I did knit Nicole (Pierce's girlfriend) a scarf on the train to NYC. Otherwise those xmas sweaters are still untouched and before you know it, it will be too late. These long projects really get me down! From now on I am knitting dishcloths, hats and scarves!