I can’t believe how quickly my Mind the Gap socks flew off my needles. I went from initial cast on, to completed pair is comfortably less than two weeks, which is some kind of record these days! It reminded me just how much I get from carrying a sock project in my handbag. I can whip out a sock and work on it almost anywhere – even turning the heel doesn’t slow me down too much.

I had been carrying knitting in my handbag over the last few months, but the projects in question had all required some attention, and therefore weren’t so good at filling the odd five minutes waiting in the playground, or a couple of minutes in the queue at the checkout. Having a plain vanilla pair of socks in my bag was an entirely different thing. Most of the knitting is just round and round, and it’s amazing how quickly a couple of stitches here and a few rounds there can add up. Without breaking sweat I’d done a cuff, leg, heel, foot and toe not once but twice!!

The joy of having a project to hand anywhere and everywhere is not to be undervalued. It’s surprising how frequently you find yourself somewhere with a few minutes to spare, and sometimes much longer. Having a handbag project keeps me from being unbearable in waiting rooms, or when having to queue (I’m British, we queue a LOT!). Knitting really does make me a nicer person. I never mind waiting, as long as I have some knitting to hand. I’m not that nice without yarn and needles!

I hadn’t realised how much I had missed the self-care of a handbag sock project, so the minute I had grafted those toes, I cast on for a new pair with some deep stash. The soothing rhythm of a sock is just the thing for my handbag, and I am definitely not going to leave it so long next time.

Do you have a preferred handbag project, or is knitting something you only do at home?