Second Rod Tube Sock Done

Now this rod tube is all safe and sound!!! The tube for this Ijuin Yomogi fly rod is actually fiberglass - who knows if the sock will help it not get damaged or not - either way, it's piece of mind. The yarn is a cotton/acrylic blend so the texture is a lot smoother than the first sock which was 100% wool. I'll have to experiment with different types of yarn to see what works best. I ended up knitting this sock twice - the first time the diameter was just a few stitches shy of producing the correct tension - so I 'tink'ed it (knitting spelled backwards = undoing your stitches). The first go around was all pau in the freetime of 4 days. The second time I got it done in 3 days. Now spring just has to get here so I can fish theses rods and test out the tube sock (protection against the truck back seat) theory.

Finished Tube Sock

As predicted, this project took a week. Fit the 5" diameter aluminum rod tube perfectly. There is enough excess on either end to protect the end caps on the tube. Early on I was planning on knitting much longer sock ends so I could tie an overhand knot to secure the sock over the tube. Instead, the fit was just right to ensure the sock will not move unless someone removes it - so with just 3" overhanging the tube end caps, there is enough padding that should a short fall, the tube should escape damage. Working with double point needles was not bad at all. I got used to it very quickly and it flowed well (unlike working with long straight needles) I've already started Tube Sock Number 2 - another week (but knitting is so therapeutic it doesn't feel like a chore at all)

This is Why I Took Up Knitting in the First Place

What to do on a snowed in day? I'm making some "Tube Socks" for my fly rod tubes. These will help protect the tubes from scratches while the tubes are in the truck (headed back and forth from fishing) This is actually the main reason I thought about taking up knitting. I have high expectations from these socks. This is my first time using double point needles. They were intimidating at first, but after the first couple of rows are in place, the knitting becomes clearer to see. The only issue is this is not a fast process - in this case especially switching needles every 6 stitches. This tube sock will be 5 inches in perimeter to fit one of the smaller rod tubes I have (which is also one of the more vulnerable to dings and scratches) - and only 24 stitches per row (6 stitches per needle). I should be finished with it in about a week. I'll post more when it is finished. Knitting is as calming as it gets. Fishing, especially sight casting, gets my adrenaline way up - not like big wave surfing up, but pretty close. It's nice to have a fall back activity that lowers the blood pressure.