I was racking my brain for todays post. Having serious writers block, I started reading the Ravery forums and hit upon a post from a fellow Raveler who wasn't felling the sock love. Samantha, if you find yourself reading this post, send me a Ravelry message and send me your shoe size and I will knit you a pair of socks, but meanwhile I have to respond with...
While growing up in Germany, I often observed my Tante Birgitt knitting socks for my uncle and my two cousins. My uncle wore nothing but hand knit socks. My cousins probably appreciated them less. As socks go, they were pretty basic, either tan, brown or loden green. Just a simple stockinette stitch, turned heel, etc. I was very impressed, mesmerized by the intricacies of the gusset, turning of the heel and the decreasing toe. Although I knit, pot-holders, simple scarves, headbands, socks were so out of my league.
As I grew older I switched to crochet. The triangular shawls were all the rage in the 70's as were white cotton bucket hats and I even crocheted a hot pink bikini that I wore several summers.
Fast forward to Amerika. I reconnected with a friend that I made here while in my early '20's. We used to love to cross stitch together and I taught her to crochet. During our years apart she learned how to knit and when we were back in touch she shared her love of the Six Sox Knitalong. I had never heard of a knitalong, let alone for socks. But I was intrigued and took a look. I signed up and began my first KAL sock, Chutes and Ladders. I found out that I could knit socks; and better yet, if I had any sock knitting questions, I had a host of sock knitters to ask, including my old friend.
I fell in love with socks and the wonderful sock yarn in all fibers and colors. I quickly developed a stash and then join two sock clubs and now my sock basket runneth over. I fell in love with these little portable knitting projects. I can splurge on the most luxurious yarn and not break the bank. I am able to try out crazy colors, unusual fibers, and endless stitch patterns. I can knit cuff down, toe up, sideways. The heels and toes also provide endless challenges. Best of all the socks are knit in quick time. Whats not to love. I am now knitting socks for the family and sending them overseas.
My Tante Birgitt came to visit last year and she paid me the highest compliment. She told me that my knitting skills were far beyond hers. She was genuinely impressed and I was touched.
I do not live in a climate that is conducive to wool hosiery of any kind. I mostly spend my days in sandals. My socks linger in a drawer only to be taken out on occasion to show off my skills to anyone interested in looking. But, when the weather dips into the low '70's, cute pedicure be damned, I wear those socks, a different pair each day of the week.
