So this is me getting ready to leave for a week-long camping trip, but not the peachy skin part--that's a filter (anything orange-y is my favorite, even if it is my skin).

Next to me is a stack of socks, recent socks that I've knit. Since my hand surgery, I've been knitting sock after sock after sock. Not sure why. I suppose I go through sock binges kind of like the people who go on crazy pumpkin flavored yadda yadda binges during the fall (something that I totally don't understand, but I'd venture to guess that most others don't understand my mild obsession with knitting socks, so I won't throw shade to that pumpkin business, which is weird because pumpkins are orange and I don't like pumpkins, except to carve them but doing so makes my arms itch).

So, when it comes to packing for a trip like camping, I'm pretty good at keeping things simple. I know what I need, which is not a lot because we don't glam it up at all--just regular camping by a river with no electricity or cell coverage or any of that but with lots of coffee, wine, and snacks and food and rummy-playing.

The problem is, I have a problem with the part of packing for a trip that includes packing yarn.

I'm not the only one, because this problem is widespread among knitters; in fact, I'm pretty certain that this subject gets covered ad nauseam in our little corner of the world during any true vacation season: Winter holidays, Spring holidays, Summer holidays, and Fall holidays. Whoops! That's all year long!

Which brings me to this: I know in my heart of hearts that I won't knit more than one sock or maybe a pair during this week-long trip.

But I can't bear to bring just one skein.

Because there is an off-chance that I'll knit instead of paint this time (I bring paint supplies too).

Or there is an off-chance that I might become the super nova of knitters and knit so fast that I rip through two pair.

Or I might accidentally drop a skein in the rushing river and I need a spare.

You are probably thinking to yourself: "Yeah, I totally get it. I have trouble making packing decisions like this too, but can't she hit a yarn store?"

There aren't any where I'm going--not even on the way there.

You are probably also thinking to yourself: "Well, it's hot in summer and the yarn may go slowly through her sweaty fingers. She might not get much done because it's so slow going."

Yup. I know it'll be sweaty, but I have to bring two skeins. There's no way around it. If I have to leave without an extra pair of hiking socks, so be it.

So this is what is coming with me come hell or high water: A skein of this new Opal Light in green (it is supposed to be a lighter knit and will be less "warm," and a skein of Opal Fresh and Juicy that sort of looks like a watermelon colorway. I purchased both at Simply Socks Yarn Company. They have a great selection and they ship quickly.

BTW: Notice the double pointed needles paired with the yarn? I do this because these needles come in so many colors these days that in order to avoid a situation where you may not be able to see your stitches, be sure to use needles that are contrasting colors. Imagine if I tried to knit the green yarn with those green needles! Yikes!