I celebrated yet another birthday last week...the big 24. I could go back and forth as to whether or not 24 is a milestone year. But in terms of knitting, maybe it is. I started knitting at the tender age of 6, so for 18 years I've knit plenty of project on 2 needles. That's what knitting is right? -- slinging yarn back and forth between two needles with  safelittle knobs at the ends so your work doesn't slide into your lap. Well, my knitting world was turned upside down when, for my birthday, I opened up a seemingly pretty package and saw a set of four, glaringly red, shiny and sharp, DOUBLE-POINTED NEEDLES!!!

I know tons of people learn to knit at adulthood, whip out a scarf or two, and jump right into the double-pointed world and go on to create beautifuls socks and gloves. But I could never do it. I tried the circular needle method of knitting in the round, but couldn't stand the look of the ladders. I would hate to admit that I was afraid of trying something new...I'm never afraid to try a new pattern or technique. Nor do I particularly like sewing the seams that result from knitting on two...so in all fairness, I should like double-pointed needles...right?

So with a bit of convincing, I found an easy tube-sock pattern, some yellow practice yarn and plunged in. So far, I want to use those pointy red needles to jab out my own eyeballs. There's so much sliding and yarn-splitting, I feel like I'm six again! I suppose it's a good lesson, seeing as I was so young when I first learned, it'll be healthy to remember that frustration and appreciate a new skill! Either way, I'm going to have one ugly yellow sock.