Slaying the Sockupine

I have an ailment. Second Sock Syndrome. I didn't start off having problems finishing a pair of socks. I used to sew up a toe and cast on the cuff of my second sock with no hesitation. Perhaps it is because I have less time for knitting lately. I think it might also have something to do with all the beautiful sock yarns that beckon me whenever I go yarn shopping. In the past couple of years sock yarns have really gotten exciting so there is always something that I want to start knitting with. With three lonely single socks and all my DPNs occupied in my knitting bag I decided I had to take some action. I got 2-At-A-Time-Socks by Melissa Morgan Oakes and promised my sweetums a pair of socks. That way I have a commitment I have to keep, ya see?

The whole process looks a lot more complicated than it is and involves a 40" circular needle. If you can conquer a Mobius this is a piece of cake. The main problem I am having is that I am using both ends from one ball of yarn so there is a nasty snarl in the middle. I think I could have probably dug up enough info online to learn the technique without the book but the pictures do help. We will see how things go when I get to the more challenging parts (turning heels, etc.). Overall this seems to be a faster way to pop out a sock and it does ensure that both socks are the just same and that you get both (or neither) done. Still, as a traditionalist I kind of miss juggling my four bamboo double points, inevitably sitting on the whole mess and stabbing myself, and searching for the lost one that the cat stole or rolled under the couch. There is just something endearing about the sockupine that I may never be able to completely give up.