Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Mostly Monogomy, with Socks on the Side

I used to be a monogomist knitter. I only knit on one thing at a time, being loyal until that project was completed and then moving on. Often I would work sweaters with smaller projects like socks or dishcloths in between for a little break.

One day, I got brave and took my knitting to work with me. At the time, I was working in a hospital pharmacy with a lot of type A personalities. They would make fun of me and ask what I was knitting now. The answer was always socks, usually plain vanilla socks in self striping yarns. Over time, this quirk of mine became the norm and my co-workers would watch my hands to see what colour would appear next in my rapidly progressing socks.

I think this was how sock knitting became second nature to me. I could chat along with co-workers while I turned a heel. I could sit quietly in a group, pretending to be engrossed in my knitting, if I didn't feel like taking part in the conversation. And since this time, I've almost always had a sock on the go. It seems like second nature to me. They can be as complex or straight forward as I would like them to be. Most people I know will wear handknit socks, if nothing else. Even my husband (who doesn't wear the lovely sweaters I have made him thus far because he's "too hot" but he'll wear sweaters from Old Navy) will wear socks that I make him. If he remembers. And I nag. My Baba has a pair of socks that I made her. She keeps them safely in a drawer because they are too nice to wear but I know that she appreciates them. My uncle is diabetic and loves the wool socks that I knit because they keep his feet nice and warm.

And when your daughter asks you for blue socks, you knit them up right away. There's nothing like seeing your Princess light up when you present her with two socks that Mommy made her.


My DPNs are free. Now if that next STR shipment would show up, I could start another pair...

7 comments:

T. said...

My STR didn't show up yet either...

Nice boo socks mama.

J. said...

Actually, I picked up my STR 2 hours ago. I've been fondling it ever since.

Luch said...

Aw...! Cute socks for a cute girl!

Lauren said...

For the record, I never made fun when you were knitting at work - I wanted to be just like you! I still remember when you taught me how to turn the heel...wonderful memories.

Donna Lee said...

I have an aunt with diabetes who loves the handknit socks because "they don't bind" and they're so soft. I like making them for her. No matter what else I'm making, I always have a pair of socks on the needles. I have a list of people who want them so no matter what they look like, someone will want them.

Anonymous said...

Socks for my kids! Why didn't I think of that? I think I'm intimidated by their little feet. I guess that sounds weird but I I'm bad at adjusting the size of things. I guess they are little and don't care. And kids wool socks cost an arm and a leg!
I'll start now!

Anonymous said...

Such cute socks.

I'm still (mostly) monogamous. It just takes me forever to actually finish anything.