OK. What's with all the Socks?

• Socks are a little miracle of knitting. For about $20, or less, depending, you can get enough yarn to make an entire garment. No big investments in 8 balls of such and such.
• Socks are forgiving in fit, so it's OK not to be perfect. If your feet are different, then you can custom-fit your feet. My feet are long and narrow, and socks tend to be a little short, but not when I made them myself.
• Sock construction is like magic. A few decreases, a few short rows, picking up a few selvage edges, and BOOM you've turned a heel.
• A fast knitter on a mission from God can turn out socks in a hurry. There is no months-long commitment like with a sweater.
• Socks are portable. I carry a pair with me all the time and fit in a few rows every time I have to wait for something, like the doctor, or my lunch order. They fit nicely in my bag or even a jacket pocket. Try carrying around a blanket.
• Socks are an excellent way to try out weird colors or small amounts of different yarns. Tofu! Bamboo! Hunting-season orange!
• Socks are an excellent way to get accustomed to color work. Maybe you want to try a traditional Scandinavian pattern but are terrified of a project on the scale of a sweater. Do socks with a fair isle pattern and move up when you master the technique.
• Socks are almost the only way to make an affordable cashmere project.
• Socks freak out non-knitters. Who in her right mind would spend 20 dollars and 40 hours on a pair of socks when you can buy gym socks at Nordstrom three pair for ten dollars?

What does Bunny want for Christmas?

I assume that most of you don't care. You shouldn't care. I'm OK with that. However, there is at least one person who wants to know. If that's you, read on. If not, then see ya next time at Dirtbunny.net.

1. Yarn. Bunny wants yarn. I know I already have yarn, but I want yarn. Especially sock yarn. Enough of one color to make a pair of adult-sized socks. An excellent source for sock yarn is here. This is another. I am especially fond of Fleece Artist merino right now, but I also like Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, Cherry Tree Hill, and Koigu. And I'm willing to try new things. And if you pick a color that you like, I will happily knit them up and send them back to you in a couple of months.

2. Needles. Bunny wants sock needles, sizes 0 to 2 1/2 US. I like wooden ones best and I love Lantern Moon seven inch rosewood needles (So does YB. Don't ask.)

3. Stitch keepers. These great little doohickeys may keep Bunny's socks from falling off her needles when she isn't working on them. Bunny generally works with 6 or 7 inch needles in sizes 0-3.

4. Books. Bunny wants Socks, Socks, Socks and The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook.

5. Bunny would like a stylus and tablet for her laptop. This is an example. I'd want a good-quality one, but I'm not exactly a graphic artist over here.

Hokie

Historical rival of the Wahoos. They generally kick our butt in all manly he-man sports but we have the edge in prep school sports like lacrosse. We make ourselves feel better by acting like we are smarter and better than they are. Give them their due: their engineering school is very very good. Still. Who names a school mascot after a castrated turkey?

St. Julia

Julia Child. If she is the spiritual leader of the cooking sect Chez Nous, then the sacred text is The Way to Cook. The book is big on technique and careful instructions and is a large part of the reason why Bunny is not afraid to tackle pretty much any recipe that sounds like it would make for good eatin'.

Stinky Stuff

Fancy body lotions, scrubs, shower gels, bath salts, bath oils, creams, powders, etc. Also includes scented candles, essential oils, and incense. May include things like spa booties, eye pillows, moisturizing gloves, etc. Does not include makeup or perfume.

Glutton Place

A fancy provisions store known locally and colloquially before the latest buyout as Glutton Place Gourmet. Now owned by Balducci's, but we are slow to adapt to new names around here.

Stuppid

Very very very stupid. So stupid, can't even spell stupid.