Well, it had to happen eventually.

Everyone’s design process is different, and here’s mine: I get the idea. I sketch. I swatch copiously. I write the pattern, and print it out. I knit the sample from the pattern, essentially test-knitting that size and working out any language kinks. Then I send it to the tech editor, pull the layout together, get the photos done, and finalize everything.
Now, I know sweaters. I’ve been a sweater knitter since I picked this hobby back up so many years ago, and I know their ins and outs like the back of my hand. (Better, since I don’t actually spend much time looking at my hand.)
Hats are a different story, apparently. I finished the Shoshana Set a few weeks ago, and now the pencil scratchings on the printed pattern are taunting me. What on earth could I have meant by all that?!
Oh, well, Luckily bulky-weight hats and scarves are quick to knit, so I can afford the time to have the set test-knit (for reals) as well as tech edited. On to nicer (for you) topics…
One of the unexpected twists of designing has been the utterly sad state of my sock yarn usage. I have a lot of sock yarn:

In fact, my bin is overflowing. And I’ve knit all of two pairs of socks in the past 12 months.
Brief diversion: For the first year after I started knitting again, I had no stash whatsoever. Eventually my very good friend showed me the error of my ways and I accumulated a respectably-sized stash, but I have to say that the more I design, the more I want that tiny stash back. I love exploring new yarns for new designs, since a lot of the inspiration for my designs comes from my yarn. And the big stash just seems to be weighing on my mind lately.
Here’s where you come in: I’m going to give a fair percentage of my sock yarn stash away over the next 12 months. The first lovely skein to part ways will be this Colinette Jitterbug in “Velvet Plum”.

Leave a comment to this post relaying your favorite sock story, whatever it may be, and I’ll draw a random comment next Wednesday the 19th to pick the winner!