In case you haven’t been told, it’s officially Socktober. There’s just something about sock-knitting and autumn that apparently go together.

For me, it’s autumn, sock knitting and pumpkin-spice flavored coffee. (Mmm.) Thanks to advice from the Caffeine Addicts group on Ravelry, I decided to pick up a french press last night. Admittedly, you can taste a difference in the coffee. Nick isn’t a fan of coffee anyway, so it’s perfect for making just enough coffee for myself.

Anyway…

I cast on my first Magic Loop sock the other day. I’m using the basic guidelines for the 6-stitches per inch sock from Getting Started Knitting Socks, but I threw in a 1×1 twisted rib for the cuff.

These socks are (hopefully) going to be a Christmas gift for someone.
Unfortunately, though, I had to take the first sock (in the state of finish shown in the picture) off my needle and put it on hold so I could cast on my first sock for sock-club:

Tuesday was my first sock club get-together at The Neighborhood Knit Shop. It was a neat experience for me because I’ve never gone to a knitting class or to a sit-n-knit. I met lots of nice women, and I tried hard not to be so shy. Thankfully everyone was very welcoming and friendly. I’m hoping to maybe go hang out at the shop on Saturday or Sunday and work on my knitting. (Have I mentioned how much I love my LYS?)

The pattern we’re knitting for our first sock club sock is the Lola Walking Rib pattern from Schaefer Yarn. I made a lot of progress during the two hours at sock club … unfortunately, it was all wrong. (*headdesk*) Near the end of the evening, I was admiring one of the other ladies’ socks that she’d been working on. I asked what pattern it was because it looked a lot different than mine — she said it was the same pattern everyone was doing. Uh oh.

Turns out, I’d skipped the 1.5″ at the top that was supposed to be ribbing, and I’d gone directly into knitting the walking rib pattern. DUH. Thankfully I didn’t feel quite as stupid when three or four other women chimed in and said they had made the exact same mistake.

I went home and frogged the entire thing and started over. I managed to stay up late enough on Tuesday night to knit to where I had been before frogging (but this time with the cuff). Last night, I worked on it till I got the heel turned, and now I’m ready to start knitting the foot. So it’s progressing!

I wanted to make sure and mention: if you’re interested in knitting socks, Lime and Violet posted the first part of their new sock knitting tutorial the other day. I read through it and the directions were absolutely great and very easy to understand, and the accompanying photos helped illustrate the directions perfectly. So if you’re interested in knitting socks but scared to give it a try, go read through their tutorial!

I also (*squee*) have a bunch of knitting-related fun coming up at the end of the month:

• Tuesday, October 23rd — Schaefer Yarn trunk show @ The Neighborhood Knit Shop (4-8 p.m.)
• Saturday, October 27th — Harvest Days & Fiber Festival in Murfreesboro (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• Monday, October 29th — Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair book signing with Crazy Aunt Purl @ Barnes & Noble (7 p.m.)

… Seriously, how fun is all THAT?! I’m especially excited about the fiber festival. Unfortunately their website is down (which is why I didn’t link it), but they’re supposed to have shearing and spinning demonstrations as well as having lots and lots of local vendors. As an aspiring fiber-animal-owner and spinner, the demonstrations really interest me a lot. And of course, as a knitter, I can’t wait to check out some local yarns!

Finally, I’ve been doing some fun shopping again, so in a couple days I should have some fun new yarns and other goodies to share with you all. I can’t wait! Darn waiting for the postman…