Yarnover Weekend - Part 2

It's taken me a few days to get back to writing.  I was able to take two fantastic sock classes with Cat Bordhi on Sunday afternoon and all day on Monday.  The class was sponsored by Needlework Unlimited, who provided some lovely gift bags (I probably should have taken pictures before I unpacked them and put things away at home, but I forgot).  The gift bag itself was a zipper top bag from Needlework Unlimited that would be suitable for a small project (like socks).  Inside the bag was a repair hook, some highlighter tape, a skein of Lana Grossa Mega Boots Stretch Softcolor sock yarn (wow that's a mouthful), some cute ducky buttons, a little pad of paper, a pencil, and probably some other things I'm forgetting.

Sunday's class was a class about a super-secret-special heel that Cat Bordhi is testing and will publish something about in a few months.  It fits well and has some interesting design possibilities.  I can't really say more (or post a picture) because she specifically asked everyone not to.

Monday's class was to knit the Discovery Sock from her most recent sock book, Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters, and also to make our own Personal Footprint with her help.  This sock ends up with a foot opening done like an afterthought pocket.

She also shared a few tips that would be applicable to all socks that I didn't notice in the book itself:

• When heel stitch is not practical or desired, another approach to improving the durability of even 100% merino socks is to twist every other stitch in the direction that adds twist to the yarn (rather than removing it).  For most yarns, this will require knitting through the back loop, but it could be different depending on which direction the yarn was spun.  These twisted stitches can be added in a checkerboard pattern.
• Also, instead of the little skeins of wool/nylon thread, something like Kid Seta will both fill in any spaces, which makes the bottom of the sock feel better and significantly improves durability.  The ends can just be left alone.
• Your foot doesn't know what's going on and won't tell the difference between perfection and imperfection.  If someone is staring at the bottom of your foot and makes a snide comment about your sock looks, kick them.

After this weekend, I think I have more projects on needles than I have ever had before at once.  I have one that I expect to finish in the next day or so, and then I'll work on the next closest.