Blockage?

I am pleased to report that I am now less irked by the lack of "good job's," "way to go's," and "hey, sorry about the whole thing where we decided to close the agency but at least you don't have to come in to work today" messages enclosed with my final paycheck from Job #2. The fact that I spent the thirty seven dollars and change that represented my last wages earned from them on fun-fun knitty stuff took a bit of the sting out of that, I suppose.

And fear not, Dear Readers. This was not even close to my primary source of income. This was a job I took on a few years ago when I was desperately trying to cobble together a number of part time jobs in order to create something vaguely resembling a whole living. After I went back to full time teaching, the extra work wasn't needed. But I liked people and the chance to exercise a few different professional muscles. And the little bit of yarn money it brought in didn't hurt either.

But, over the past couple of years, I've come to appreciate the time to knit or spin or just sit and think about knitting and spinning more than the added cash with which to indulge in the extra yarn. Had I so desired, I could have moved over with the majority of the staff and continued working under a different logo. I was as surprised as anyone to discover that I didn't desire. I didn't desire at all, frankly. When the opportunity to leave presented itself, I took it faster than Lily Chin can crank out a single crochet stitch scarf. (and that's fast, people) I'm fine with it.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't have liked a "thank you." But I'm good. Now I can knit socks full time for the remainder of the summer. Isn't that nice?

Tah-Dah!!!!!!!

The Socks Of Summer are finito! (is that a real word?) Without a pesky job during the summer months, a Sheep can stay up way past her bedtime on a Sunday night and finish up the last few decreases. I started these socks as a way to prep myself for the upcoming school vacation. The yarn was purchased during the coldest days of February from the talented Samurai Knitter. The colorway is called Earth and is everything I think of when Summer comes to mind: green, green grass, warm dirt baking in the sun...everything but the ants! Nice, huh? They're even prettier in "real-life."

But, here's the thing. Now that I am a full-time sock knitter, I'm thinking that I need sock blockers. I'll admit it. I just wanna blog like the cool kids. And most of the cool kids have sock blockers. I've upgraded my camera in order that I might bring you better, clearer and more stunning photos of plain stockinette socks in a variety of colors. Should I not take the next step and get the sock blockers?

But, for the record, I don't think I will ever actually block a sock. Socks don't really need blocking. Once your foot gets all sweaty, doesn't it sort of block right there on your hoof? Don't we all already come with built-in blocking ability? It's all about the Blog Glamour Shots and I know it.

I'm open to suggestions. Because I believe in the sweat blocking method, I will not be needing the finest of sock blockers. Just a little something to fill out the socks for their photo shoots and to distract everyone from whatever boo-boos I may have made in the knitting process. You know what I'm saying... Does anyone have a recommendation for reasonably priced, visually distracting sock blockers? I'd like to go a step up from the homemade coat hanger variety but not quite reach the solid gold level of sock blockage. We must be reasonable about this.

I am, after all, a single income family now.

SA