04.10.06
The Sock Situation (+ Starsky)
In which we discover that every truth I communicate to Laura immediately begins a process of becoming untrue.
Some of you may have noticed that handknit socks have made a fairly abrupt appearance on my blog recently, in spite of previous posts expressing my bafflement at knitters’ interest in investing so much time in these little projects destined to be walked all over. My recent foray into this widely adored subcategory of knitting has prompted questions of two flavors: 1) So, are you hooked yet? and 2) What happened to your solidarity with apathetic sock knitters everywhere?
As a fairly high scorer on the conflict-avoidance scale who always wants to make everyone happy, I am somewhat reluctant to answer, since the truth is bound to disappoint both groups. To let down the latter group, I admit that I can see some of the appeal of sock knitting and will probably crank out a few pairs of socks a year. For the disappointment of the former group, I confess that I will not any time soon be composing symphonies of adoration to sock-knitting, and my reasons for doing it at all are solidly pragmatic. There, have I dissatisfied everyone equally?
So why am I knitting socks? Three reasons. First, I was pleased to discover how nicely socks tuck away into my bag (as seen here in this totally unposed photo), easily accessible while on the bus or in other “waiting around” situations. I know other projects can do that too, but many of them quickly grow too large and cumbersome or don’t have the same level of simplicity and repetitiveness that I value in situations when I’m only knitting a few rows at a time. Having a pair of socks going all the time means always having something entirely mindless to knit when such a project is called for. (Tangent: Upon returning inside after taking this absolutely candid photo, I discovered that I was missing a needle. Know what looks a lot like a size 1 bamboo double-pointed needle? Pretty much everything in a standard New England backyard in April. Total needles found: Zero. Number of twigs pounced upon with an “Ah ha!” only to be tossed aside in embarrassment: Lots.)
Second, wearing handknit socks is actually pretty great. They feel sturdy and luxurious and cozy (and supremely well-fitting) all at the same time. I can understand why this advantage to sock knitting might be lost on, say, Texas residents, but for those of us in New England, who shiver from September right through May, it’s just short of a Godsend. The desire to wear handknit socks more than one day a week is a powerful motivator, and it opened my mind even further to the possibility of becoming a regular sock-knitter.
And now I offer the third reason that sock knitting has weaseled its way into my life:
The yarn is too beautiful to resist. I don’t much like variegated yarn for my sweaters, bags, tank tops, etc. Solid colors are more my style. But with sock yarn I can freely partake of the gorgeous hand-painteds, hand-dyes, self-stripings, and other delicious color adventures. (Yep, that’s Ravenclaw yarn there on the right!) And, well, unfortunately I’ve been doing that with a bit less self-control than I might like.
Which brings me to my newfound superstition about talking (via email) to Laura. A few months ago I told her that I shared her apathy toward sock knitting. Immediately I developed a deep-seated desire to knit socks. Then last week I rather boastfully told her that I have practically eliminated the stash-expanding tendencies that used to plague me. How many skeins of sock yarn did I purchase in the three days following that boast? Seven. Seven skeins. I know that’s a paltry stash compared to what many others can claim, but it’s a complete reversal of my non-stashing inclinations! She’s working voodoo on me, people, and you can bet I will be wary in my interactions with her from now on. (I wonder what part of the voodoo doll you stick to make someone buy too much yarn? The wallet part?)
So, now for the part where I disappoint the sock-knitting enthusiasts. My own enthusiasm has topped out at knitting plain, stockinette, toe-up socks. It’s not that I don’t want to challenge myself in my knitting, it’s that I want my limited “real” knitting time — the time in which I am able to focus on intricate, challenging techniques — to be rewarded by more than fancy socks. I know that the yarn I’m using for the socks shown here (Artyarns Ultramerino, by the way) was probably crying out for some kind of lacy pattern (without it I’m somewhat disappointed to see that the lovely colors in the skein translate into a general splotchy muddiness in the sock), but I want to keep my socks squarely in the realm of bus knitting and save my focused knitting time for showier things like sweaters and shawls.
So socks, for me, are destined to be “filler” knitting, and my adventurous knitting will be confined to (sorry, sock lovers) more worthy projects. I’ll still get the benefit of amassing a collection of handknit socks to wear without sacrificing any time on things like Starsky (progress for which is shown below — I am up to the armhole shaping on the back). I think this still makes me a worthy member of the Apathetic Sock Knitters Club (after all, it’s not the ANTI-Sock Knitters Club), but if Laura wants to carry out her threat to rewrite history, banish any mention of me in the club’s annals, and declare that Monkee was her original cofounder (no disturbing totalitarian tendencies to discern there, no siree), so be it.
Thus ends my psychological struggle with sock knitting (this topic will be covered in depth in one of the required courses at my recently founded School of Psychoknittery). I am at peace with its role in my life. I will not write any more lengthy blog posts about it, and I will restrict my photo documentation of each pair of socks to a quick snapshot here and there. And as proof that my other knitting has not been neglected while I wrestled with these existential knitting questions, here is a crappy picture of my Starsky progress (the cable pattern will look much nicer blocked). I am actually quite excited about this sweater and hope to finish it in time to wear it once or twice before the warm weather fully arrives.
Y’all are real sweet to stick it out all the way to the end of my ramblings, by the way.
Amy said,
April 10, 2006 at 5:02 pm
Gotta watch out for Laura. She’s got some serious juju going on.
Amy
Laura said,
April 10, 2006 at 5:49 pm
I’m in shock!
First, I feel like I don’t know you anymore. *sniff* Secondly, I can’t believe that you are joining Monkee in believing that I have some mysterious power over people far away. Lastly, it was MONKEE who was trying to make me rewrite history. I didn’t threaten anything! I was merely telling you what she said. I felt that I needed to keep you informed so that you could be prepared for a possible mutiny from our furry “friend.”
Shelagh said,
April 10, 2006 at 6:25 pm
Texans are tricky.
I appreciate your willingness to share your feelings about knitting socks – for a minute I felt as though I was working, and then you blessedly moved on to Starsky :). Which looks great!
Good luck finding that twig, I mean, needle.
Leah said,
April 10, 2006 at 6:35 pm
Give it time. Just give it time. Those lacey socks might just get you in the end!
Never say never!
Beverly said,
April 10, 2006 at 7:00 pm
Starsky is looking good…on my list, so I’ll be watching to see how yours progresses.
Carry said,
April 10, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Well, as a truly obsessed sock knitter, I can say I’m not at all disappointed by your post! After all you were, at one point, quick to say that the one pair you had knitted was more than enough. The fact that you say you will more or less continually have a pair of socks on the needles speaks volumes…it may not be spotlighted on your blog, but I truly understand the understated way you are approaching this… ;)
Either way, can’t wait to see the Ravenclaw, we’ll see who cranks out a pair first! ;)
Theresa said,
April 10, 2006 at 7:57 pm
Famous last words, Rachel, famous last words. It will take some time, maybe even years, but we’ll get you in the end. Didn’t I just see a copy of Knitting on the Road on your coffee table? Yes, for now, you think it’s just fun to take out of the library and peruse. I remember having mine for at least 2 years (2 years!) and thinking they were pretty, but too much effort for mere socks. Hah! We sock knitters are patient in our plan to take over the world. And you are well on your way to our side already.
Areli said,
April 10, 2006 at 8:45 pm
Pretty sock yarn. I can see why it is so tempting, all the pretty colors mixed together.
NessieNoodle said,
April 10, 2006 at 10:58 pm
gotta get yourself some addis turbos so you don’t loose any more dpns!
very wonderful yarn- and I totally agree, socks are wonderful to keep in the purse/bag to fill time.
Wonderland Knitter said,
April 10, 2006 at 11:17 pm
Oh No! Rachel, you’ve gone over to the dark side! What can I say? Okay the socks are cute and Starsky is gorgeous. But…
Jasmine said,
April 11, 2006 at 6:27 am
There is something to say about a small project that only requires one (or two) skiens of yarn. And truely, a person can use more than one pair of socks but you only need so many scarves or gloves.
Chris said,
April 11, 2006 at 8:47 am
Hee hee – great mental image of a knitterly voodoo doll with a pin stuck in one buttock…
Mary Ann said,
April 11, 2006 at 8:50 am
I’m afraid I am about to become a sock knitter, too. I’ve signed up for the short row sock class as Yarntopia. Could be trouble!
Nichole R. said,
April 11, 2006 at 1:53 pm
I have yet to enter the realm of sock knitting for fear of becoming wildly addicted, and I just can’t afford fancy sock yarn! I pray that I can have your control over the socks- just a carry-around project. Both projects look wonderful, by the way!
Emily said,
April 12, 2006 at 11:27 am
Heeheehee. You bought a bunch of sock yarn! Socks are great filler knitting, as you say. I know it doesn’t look like it right now, but I really prefer them as a “always have one going” kind of thing instead of a “this is my real project.” I would also like to mention how quickly “I’m just not interested in that particular aspect of knitting” becomes “MUST TRY THAT NOW” as soon as it is given some thought.
Katie said,
April 14, 2006 at 9:37 pm
Yay, another sock knitter! I too love how they are so portable. Kinda like a little treasure chest hidden in your purse. Ahh, sock yarn!
I suppose that often, it is just the best thing to do to let the yarn shine by itself without adding all sorts of fancy stitching. After all, it IS gorgeous…
emily said,
April 18, 2006 at 12:15 am
So, maybe that sock is crying out for a lacy pattern, but I love it anyway (it’s gotta be pretty soft!). Sock knitting is super fun. I love it too. I’m glad there’s another sock knitter (maybe you should join the Socknitters yahoo list!).
Allison said,
April 26, 2006 at 10:13 am
Oh, no! I scored a skein of Gryffindor last night! With the Opal Tiger I couldn’t resist the other day, that brings my pairs of socks to be knit up to 4!
Oh, save me from the sock people…
christine said,
April 28, 2006 at 2:43 pm
Love the totally unposed picture…………hope you find that needle……..;)