Sock Nirvana

So here are the toe-up socks that have been such a pleasure for me lately. I am carrying this project around with me everywhere: from room to room, while running errands, etc. Nonetheless, I don't seem to be making much progress. This could be because:
1. I am doing most of my knitting this week at stoplights (it's been that kind of week);
2. I am frantically skipping around between projects (socks, Weasley, Katrina squares, back again--but that's another post); or
3. every time I pick this up to work on it I can't resist trying it on and marvelling at it.

First, there are the little things about the toe-up technique that I find amazing, since this is my first time attempting it. The provisional cast on and short rows produce something that, to me, is nothing short of genius and perfection--a seamless toe. (Those seams can really bug me, even in machine-made socks.) There's the fact that the toe shaping looks rather strange, being more trapezoidal (if that's a word) than toes generally look, but nonetheless fits beautifully.

Second, I can't stop trying it on because I can see already that these are going to be the ne plus ultra of my sock wardrobe. The yarn is KnitPicks (do they rock or do they rock?!) Simple Stripes in Vineyard. So soft already, and I'll bet they'll be even softer after they've been washed. And the fit is so perfect. Sigh... If I ever stop admiring this, I might get to turning the heel. And knitting the other sock.