What the sock!

What is all the fuss about socks? Everyone is knitting them! There are sock-a-longs and sock swaps. What is the big deal about socks? I know in years gone by being able to turn a heel was a rite of passage for knitters but is that really true? I've been knitting for far too long to admit to and have never knitted a pair of socks. How hard can it be? I've always maintained once you can read a pattern you can knit anything - well that's the theory anyway.

On my way home from work on Saturday I stopped by my LYS. I don't know why I went, I had no purpose in mind and the place is not very friendly and welcoming. I don't feel comfortable browsing there and the staff are not especially helpful or forthcoming. If you ask something they make you feel as if they're being put to a lot of trouble to help you. The lady is a sterotypical old-fashioned knit shop owner, probably only in her late 50s but seems older because of her attitude. Anyway, they had sock yarn - not something I've seen around a lot - and the colours were nice. So I bought some!! The woman assured me that one ball would make a pair unless it was for a man, then I'd need two. She showed me a sample sock - that one took half a ball.



So I get home and go looking for a sock pattern online - everyone is knitting them, there are heaps BUT they ALL require TWO balls not one! I even found a pattern in the same yarn and colourway and that required two balls as well. I'm going to have to go back for another ball.