I'm Suffering From Second Sock Syndrome

Second sock syndrome is a real thing. I've got three pairs that were all derailed after the first sock. One is unfinished because I can't find the partial skein of yarn I need for sock number two. I was sure I'd find it before I needed it, but it's been months since I finished the first sock.

Then there are the Bayou socks. I'm on my third attempt at the second sock of that pair. The first time, I botched the short row heel. The second time, I set it down and a needle fell out. That yarn is so splitty that I can't manage to pick up stitches. This time, I'm being extra extra careful...which isn't much fun at all.

The first Fly sock came out perfectly, but I can't work up the nerve to cast on for the second one. Those bobble eyes were hard!

What about you? Do you have trouble with second socks?

Along with the knitting, there's been reading...

Bridget is a stay at home mom, still figuring out her new role in life. She's sleep-deprived and a little frazzled and she's the only one, except for the baby, who can see the ghost that wanders through the upper story of their house. I loved The Barter by Siobhan Adcock and its depiction of motherhood. There's a wonderfully chilling moment was when Bridget finds herself torn between the ghost, who is trying to push open the door that Bridget is leaning against, and her baby, who is dangerously close to the stairs. And another when she flees the house in fear one morning only to realize that she's wearing pajama pants and a tank top and the baby badly needs a diaper change.  There's a second story, about a newly wed woman in 1902, but I didn't find Rebecca nearly as interesting as her modern counterpart.  I loved the beginning and middle of the book, but the end just left me confused. Judging by the book's Amazon reviews, I'm not the only one.

I just finished Ashley Bell by Dean Koontz. Bibi Blair is suddenly stricken with brain cancer and told that she has at most a year to live. Hours later, she gets up from her hospital bed, seemingly cured. She's told that she must save someone named Ashley Bell and that the Wrong People will try to stop her.  There were parts of the book that I really enjoyed and long chunks of the book that I didn't like at all. (Unfortunately, I can't tell you why I didn't like them without giving away too much of the plot.)  

This post is linked to Patchwork Times and Yarn Along. The Barter came from the library an advance review copy of Ashley Bell was provided by the publisher.