My mother recently underwent a surgical procedure that left my dad and I kicking around the hospital for the better part of 11 hours. The procedure was preventative in nature and went really well. She is sore and slowly on the mend albeit a little grumpy at the slowness of healing. I was a little nervous for her so I made sure to pack my knitting. (Full disclosure….I brought two whole sock projects “Just In Case” that I managed to finish the first set of socks).

To start the morning I finished the cuff of the first sock for my Dad’s 2019 Christmas Sock. And then I started working the afterthought heel. This is the second time I have knit this because my first attempt was WAY to big.

I averaged no less than three comments per hour on my knitting as other families rotated through the waiting room. All very positive and usually followed by compliments when I explained what I was doing. Some of the families were there for much more serious procedures than we were and I think (hope) that it gave them some comfort to be distracted for a minute or two. One woman just asked if she could watch because she found it calming.

By the time we grabbed lunch I had the first sock ready for kitchenering the heel. I neglected to bring my tool tin and therefore couldn’t finish the darn thing. So I left that on some spare needles and started the second sock. I also had like three coffees that day. I hope I didn’t blow my tension out of the water.

By the end of the day I was SORELY uncomfortable in the waiting room chairs. I had managed to snag my dad the one recliner in the room so he could put his feet up and take a rest. But I had managed to put six stripes into the foot of sock number two. I only have two more stripes and I will place the waste yarn for the heel.

I tucked away my knitting and headed home for my kiddos meanwhile my dad slept in a hospital recliner for three more nights. I think I might knit him a medal….

Happy Knitting!!