I just wanted to mention that lace-patterned socks are The Perfect Travel Project. Seriously! They are! And how!

Here’s why:

1. They fit into your carry-on baggage, and you can fit more than one project easily without too much bulk.

2. They go fast, so you feel like you’ve made progress.

3. They are relatively easy to do brainlessly (most lace is ridiculous to do with other people around, but socks are easy).

4. The guy/gal next to you will invariably look over and remark something to the effect of, “Gadzooks! What tiny needles! Do you knit with them all at once! I could never do that – it looks hard.” Then you can feel proud about doing something that seems genius and entertaining, while your seatmate goggles at your skill and then falls asleep from boredom (not at watching you; more at not having something as awesome as knitted socks to work on while sitting on an uncomfortable, cramped plane ride. But perhaps that’s because the tiny seats have cut off circulation and he/she has passed out.)

I also bring along my iPod and cut out the chatter, because I’m not a social person.

Hooray for socks (all three pairs I haven’t finished).