A knitters version of hell

Since the day I discovered knitting socks, I have not been without at least one pair in my bag and very often two. It's a comfort knowing that there is always a little something to work on in your bag.

The other day, for the first time in years, I looked in my bag for socks and I realized I had none. I had shawls. I had gansey samples, I had scarves, but nary a sock in sight.

For just a moment, I honestly did not believe it. I felt a thud in the pit of my stomach. Knots formed and I could instantly feel the acid tap turn on. My world wobbled on its axis. I felt bereft. And lonely. And very, very scared.

I am never without socks. I have sock projects scattered all over the house. Some in my room so I can knit before bed. There is almost always a sock something in the dining room or kitchen. There is a little pile in my study, and I often forget one in Mr. Needles study where the computer resides.

But to have no socks instantly at hand. Shudders. I took my seat kind of blindly, deep in shock. No socks.

The really sad thing is this happened in a yarn store. The store was holding a presentation by a yarn distributor and the speaker was beginning to speak. I was sitting at the back of the store with the bulky and the sock yarn is at the front. I would have knit a bulky yarn sock but for one thing. The needles are at the front.

My bag was tucked in the staff place for such things, and with the presentation under way, I could not even go back to get the scarf without causing a ruckus.

I pondered hyperventilation. I pondered panic. Instead I did what ordinary people do and just sat there.

This is what hell is going to be like if you are a knitter, isn't it? Yup.