Sunday, June 22, 2008

Plain Vanilla, My Foot!

Here's a picture of the Sunfish Socks (colorway of the yarn) that I finished before we left for vacation two weeks ago. This is their photography debut, and a pitiful one at that.
Stats:
Autumn House Yarn in the Sunfish colorway
Started - ? I can't remember, so that's not a good sign.
Finished - June 2008.
Needles - Addi Size 2
Method - Magic Loop.
Pattern - Stockinette Stitch with traditional heel flap.



I have a couple of musings on these socks. I sorta have a pet peeve about calling stockinette socks, "Plain Vanilla" socks. Lots of people use that "nickname" for the knitted sock done in stockinette stitch. I think I may have used this term myself in the past. But I am trying to correct myself each time I do use it, because here's the thing.....owning a pair of knitted socks is a luxury, IMHO. Even if they are done in stockinette stitch. When I slide my foot into a pair of hand-knitted socks, the warmth comes through, the squishy feel of the yarn feels nice on the soles of my feet, and I just get an all-over good feeling about life in general. A pair of hand-knitted socks are never plain, and somehow, they never smell like vanilla either! :)
Please don't misunderstand me. I would not want a wardrobe of stockinette stitch socks. In fact, sometimes I find them harder to finish than socks with a pattern....anyone else have this problem? I think they tend to lose my attention somewhat in the thick of things, but they are nice socks to knit on-the-go, where you don't have to concentrate on a pattern. For example, the second sock was knit primarily at tee-ball games this year.

Also, please notice that the stripes in these socks don't really match, and I'm really okay with that. The sock on the right looks a bit smaller too, but I assure you that it's not. The sock on the right was knit second, and I wonder if I didn't tighten up my stitches just a bit. I also put the sock on the left on my foot quite a bit, so it may be more stretched. But they fit my feet to perfection, and should the temperature not be in the 90's, I would be wearing them today.


And lastly, I can't end this post without mentioning how horrid that green carpet (behind the socks) is that we still tolerate in our living room. It's got to be from the 70's. UGH! Oh well, hope you all have a great week!

5 comments:

peaknits said...

I feel you - sometimes the simplest project and be the biggest headache:) doh! The socks are fabulous though - green carpet or not! Take care!

Unknown said...

I hear you about "degrading" our hand knits. Isn't that what we always do to make it seem like things we take a lot of time to do are not that big of a deal. Time to take credit for our time and skill!

Minerva Turkey said...

I hear ya! I have been working on a plain pair of 2x2 ribbing socks for my husband off and on for months. They are in a dark color and they are so boring to knit. I don't know if I will ever finish them, even though I know a solid afternoon of knitting would get them out of my hair.

KnittingMoose said...

I totally agree with you on your hand knit sock sentiment! It's true, they are indeed a luxury. And a fun luxury at that! :)

Morticcia said...

I'm all for the simple sock. I am a big fan and yours are lovely. A simple sock gives the colorway a place to shine.