My M&Ms Meltdown

This week, I powered through Second Sock Syndrome and cast off some stripey socks.  I used a colorway called M&Ms.  

Despite being named for a particular candy, the colors were warm and autumnal, not sugary or sweet, which also seems to sum up my overall experience knitting them.  The excitement of knitting a second sock is never the same as the first.  And if it weren’t for the KAL I’m participating in where you knit a pair of socks each month, I probably would have put my M&Ms aside because life is too short to knit something you’re just "eh" about. 

This is the first time I can remember a yarn having such a sharp, acidic smell.  I don’t know if some type of molecule was trapped inside the plastic bag used to ship this skein or if the heat and humidity (since these were primarily knit outdoors – at a concert, at two baseball games, and the beach) drew out the smell, but at times, I felt like I was knitting with fiber doused in vinegar or maybe balsamic dressing.

I also didn’t expect my yarn to melt – the red in particular stained my fingers and my needles.  I know that dyers take every measure to seal in the colors, but I’ve knit with a few skeins this year where color has leached onto my hands, my needles, and onto the project itself.  It happens, and when it does, it makes knitting less than enjoyable. 

I think my M&Ms meltdown was also fueled by the inability to knit with other yarns.  I tend to be a monogamous knitter, seeing a project through from beginning to end.  But I found myself brooding over all the skeins I’ve acquired with beach, sand, or sea in their names knowing that I would need to wait to finish my KAL socks until I could cast on a new pair.  And lo and behold, the summer is now over and my eye is turning towards acorns, pumpkins, and indian corn. Sandcastle, sea glass, and beach house?  You’ll need to wait until next summer, or until I need a blast of sunshine to push me loose from winter's grasp. 

After my M&Ms meltdown, I’m reconsidering my commitment to this KAL.  I’ve talked about it, even swatched for it, but I really want to try my hand at shawl knitting.  I've never knit one before!  And I think my feet and those of my family members have enough handknits for the next year, maybe even decade.  But a shawl or some mitts would be a nice addition for fall.  I guess I'll see where my yarn leads me.  Bon tricot!