It's the Circular Sock Machine Society of America. Beauregard and I took a road trip for the CSMSA. Beau is my Legare 400 Circular Sock Machine. And yes, he had to have a proper Southern name, we finally got it going in Texas after all! I had such a great time learning the basics of this machine. I thought I knew a little bit about it, I absolutely did not.
Before the conference, all I could do was knit a tube, very boring, very little like a sock. I couldn't make a heel, hang a hem, selvedge edge or even begin to use the ribber (a component of these machines that is more scary than learning to purl for the first time). Now I've got your attention!
At the conference, I learned all of them and more. Mary, the conference chair promised me I'd make heels and I certainly did. I took classes on hanging hems, heels, yoga socks, CSM basics, care, cleaning and made tons of purchases. I bought yarn, new needles, yarn, new pick tool, yarn. Well, you get the idea.
I've driven cross country a few times now but it's nothing like a good road trip through the South. This New Yorker loves this country. I could listen to southern folk talk all day. And the men, I had no idea but that's another story.
I've been home a few weeks but remiss in posting because I couldn't post until I mastered the machine, beaten the beast, conquered the ... well, knit a sock on the bloody thing. Tonight I present my inaugural socks (yes, toes still need to be kitchenered) the inaugural socks Beauregard and I made together! I'm over the moon and they only took about 2 hours, not counting the 11 month learning curve! ;-)
