Monday, August 30, 2010

Dorothy's Socks

My 50th anniversary sweater is getting a bit of a break. Instead, I'm knitting socks. Dorothy's socks. Dorothy is a dear friend that Dad brought into our family circle. A knitter :):) who recently asked if I would teach her how to knit socks.

Since Dorothy is gracious, lively, a good sport and lots of fun, I chose bright, cheerful Regia Fusili sock yarn to match her personality. Over the Canada Day weekend, I got her started. She cast on with double pointed needles - "Oh these needles are so-o-o small" and explained to her about switching to stockinet stitch once the cuff was complete.

The goal was that she would finish the leg and be ready for heel help by the time I returned from Hearst. But things didn't quite work out that way.

When Dorothy came to visit after my return from the north, she brought with her the yarn - re-wound and a note. It started like this.
"Brenda, I don't think God intended for me to be a knitter. "

Been there felt that.

She goes on to say
"The cuff worked out fine but when I started to plain knit, I had holes and extra stitches and so gave up..."

Been there, done that.

The idea occurred to me, just before heading off to knit group on Thursday that I should knit her socks in time to 'gift' them to her when she comes to visit on Labour Day weekend. A brilliant idea considering our current heat wave.

And so, sock #1 is done.


Bright, cheerful, happy. Just like Dorothy.

5 comments:

Vera said...

Great looking sock!!! An inspiration for carrying on with the sock I started early last Winter!!!

Joansie said...

What a good friend you are to knit your friend socks.

I teach sock knitting classes and always start with heavier socks, worsted weight light color yarn and size 5 dp needles. These same students return later to learn more on smaller needles, sometimes "magic loop" and get very discouraged and give up.

Laurie said...

Awwww...how sad that she doesn't think of herself as a knitter. Maybe if she'd chosen a less daunting project than one on sooo small needles. I love it that you're making the socks for her.

When I taught myself to make socks, I did what Joansie suggested - worsted weight yarn, #8 or #9 needles. I just made myself one honkin' BIG sock so I could practice all the little techniques without having to worry about those small needles. Easier to see!

Stephanie said...

Awww, that's so sad to be so discouraged by a project. I hope your socks cheer her up!

Yarn and Ivories said...

When she sees the new socks you knitted for her, she'll be inspired all over again! I helped a friend with her first project/socks and every 2 weeks we ripped back. She persisted though... I haven't seen them finished. (Actually there were three of us assisting her!)