Since the beginning of my very short lived sock knitting career, I have haboured this dream that I would knit a different pair of socks for every day of the week (see here for inspiration) or even every colour of the rainbow. Just for me though, for I am a selfish knitter.
Christmas 2010 marks the end of my selfish knitting days. My family wanted in on the action and I finished 3 pairs of socks with a night to spare.
I’m hoping there’s a medal for this kind of achievement.
The children accepted their socks very graciously, partly because they know they’re made with love and also because they know better than to cross a mother who’s been burning the midnight oil making something for them. I used this pattern and my son helped me pick out the yarn back in September – its Regia Softy which is, unsurprisingly, very soft.
Hubby’s are made using Regia sock yarn also from this ribbed pattern from Ravelry. They took FOREVER. Mainly because of the rib (K3, P1 slows me down) and the fact that they’re man socks which are obviously bigger and longer. At a guess, I’d hazard there’s nearly 20,000 stitches in this pair alone.
That's right. 20,000.
Selfish? Moi?
Right now we're enjoying lots of lazy pj days, eating leftovers and playing in the snow and ice. It's been nice to be offline for a while and focus on other things. I still have 10 days left before I go back to work and am enjoying time off, pottering around at home and am looking forward to our first skiing outing of the season tomorrow!
Here's wishing you all a happy and healthy 2011.
Selfish knitting is the best--I need to do it more!
Posted by: Jessica | December 29, 2010 at 03:03 PM
hat ribbing would take forever ! 20,000 stitches into one pair of sock ! wow ! i never thought about how many stitches go into a knitted item... happy 2011 to you !
Posted by: Rachel | December 29, 2010 at 03:06 PM
You better start knitting again now for next years socks :-), Happy New Year x
Posted by: periwinkle | December 29, 2010 at 04:19 PM
I have refused to knit socks for anybody whose feet are still growing. It seems a little cruel, but when you knit as slowly as I do, those socks are a serious investment!
Posted by: domesticali | December 29, 2010 at 06:24 PM
Great looking socks!! Good job. I was looking for a good men's sock pattern...going to bookmark that one.
Posted by: Elisa | December 29, 2010 at 07:47 PM
Gorgeous! I hope that your husband is out looking for a medal as we speak.
I'm still refusing to knit socks - I think I would start to go nutty knitting all those wee tiny stitches at my slow knitting speed...
Posted by: UK lass in US | December 29, 2010 at 08:49 PM
I live in Alaska and I relate (so much) to your experience with the winter blahs . . . Your posts warm me to the core and make me smile. Thank you.
Posted by: Stephane | December 29, 2010 at 09:47 PM
20000? Crumbs, it is no wonder I struggle to finish a pair of socks for me!
Posted by: trash | December 30, 2010 at 02:20 AM
Thank you Stephane!
Posted by: Lina | December 30, 2010 at 10:14 PM
sounds so wonderfully perfect - pottering, knitting, skiing! It was my birthday yesterday and I got this book: The Homemade Home by Sania Pell and it's full of such delights. one was making labels from white ceramic air drying clay, so off I rushed to buy some today to make with my littlest tomorrow as it's the hols and we can potter too! :)
Happy new year to you!
Amelia.x (I found you via sweetmyrtle's blog)
Posted by: Amelia | January 01, 2011 at 03:38 PM
happy new year, may it be filled with lovely things xxx
Posted by: driftwood | January 02, 2011 at 03:33 PM