Pages

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Yarn Along: Preparing


I don't know if it's the season, or my pregnancy, but I felt compelled to knit socks this fall. I wanted all of my children's feet to know the warmth, comfort, and love of handmade socks, a favourite pair to wear in boots and skates, hopefully in ski boots, and most certainly on a cool mornings before the woodstove has had a chance to take the chill off the floor.

I finished Violet's on an evening before a work day. Just before I left for work, she came downstairs and I slipped the finished socks on to her feet. She didn't say a word, just smiled at the joy of having something custom-created by her mama's hands.

I've been reading Agatha Christie for the first time, and am LOVING Miss Marple. She sits knitting in her old-fashioned clothes, seemingly oblivious to what is happening all around her. All the while, she is quietly observing and putting her understanding of human nature to work to solve mysteries. Perfect, light reading for bedtime in the fall.

The basket in the background contains some WIPs: Baby's Puerperium Cardigan, still awaiting the perfect buttons, a pair of socks with one toe needing grafting, and my 15 year old moccasin, needing a new liner. And those jars? Concord Grape jelly, from our own grapes! The birds got to the grapes this year before we did, but fortunately I froze a lot of juice last year, so we still get these jewel-coloured jars of delicious! Perfect on toast with a cup of tea.

Stop by www.gsheller.com to see what others are knitting and reading!

8 comments:

  1. Drat, I feel so inept. One of my New Year's resolutions was to learn how to knit socks (or maybe it was New Year's two years ago...); as of yet I have still not mastered socks!


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you can find someone to teach you to do toe-up, I HIGHLY recommend them. Has changed my outlook on socks entirely. I hated wrestling with four little needles. The magic loop is so worth learning if you don't already know it! The book I use is Colorwork Socks (the pattern I have is photocopied so I don't know the author's name). Go for it! Wish you lived closer...a pot of tea and some knitting instruction is the best way to pass an autumn afternoon! :)

      Delete
  2. I haven't loved knitting socks. But since you say toe up is better, maybe I'll give them another go.

    ReplyDelete
  3. How lovely are knitted socks! Isn't that self stripping yarn great, yours is a lovely mix of colours.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think I would like to learn this method for socks. Your socks look great and how wonderful that you children enjoy receiving them.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm so happy to have found you through the link up! Your projects look lovely, and hurray for jelly from your own grapes! This week I'm sharing a Sunday Sweater test knit. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have such a love/hate relationship with socks! Usually I'll knit one, feel really satisfied with myself, and then wait a billion years before knitting its mate. But I love that you're knitting a pair for all of your kids and I also love those colors!

    ReplyDelete
  7. that was so sweet to hear how much your girl loved her special mama made socks!

    ReplyDelete

This space is a creative outlet for a busy mama; I warmly embrace your comments and feedback, as well as questions/requests for details. I do check them daily and will respond where appropriate! Thank you for visiting the Knitty Gritty Homestead!