I'm happy to say that I have met one of my New Year's goals — to knit socks! I'm so excited about this.
I want to encourage you ladies out there, no matter how busy you are, to take up a little craft that you can slip into a bag and pull out at random times. Even if you are nursing a baby. Even if you have toddlers who like to throw your precious craft items around. The hard part is collecting everything you need in one place. Once you've done that, you're all set, even if you only look at it once a month.
If you put in the energy to get a project in a bag, you will have it for those 20-odd minutes a day everyone is otherwise occupied, and you will thank yourself, because making something beautiful is really very fulfilling, no matter how long it takes you. If you don't know what to do, ask a friend to get you an easy project going. She'll be delighted and you'll be on your way.
For years I've done a lot of quilting this way — on the go, during ball games, in the car. I think that there are some conditions under which knitting would be more unobtrusive or safer (I don't think it's a good idea to bring pins and needles to the beach! Wince!).
I really feel I was born to knit.
Unfortunately, I seem also to have been born to rip out and re-knit. Many, many times.
I have become expert at UNknitting, in fact, an interesting side skill to add to the original one.
I decided to do both socks at once, doing the tricky part of one, then going to the other set of needles and doing that same tricky part on the other.
This was genius. Why am I so darned smart?
But I think it would help if I could count, at all. I also think it would help if I didn't constantly try to knit while talking a mile a minute to a friend, when I should be counting, or in the dark, instead of watching the movie.
Somehow I had it in mind that you can knit lickety-split without looking. And maybe if I had been knitting all my life, instead of six weeks, this would be true. And maybe if I were knitting something that didn't decrease and go around a corner, it would be possible.
I got to the end of both — all but the very last step of grafting the remaining 16 stitches — when I realized that sock #1 (as I fondly named it) was ALL WRONG from the beginning of the final decrease to the toe, regardless of the eighty-twelve times I had ripped it out and started again.
I had to take it all the way back almost to the gusset to get it right.
I think I could have made ten pairs of socks in the time it took me to make this one pair, had I only mastered the blankety counting.
Pretty cute, though, huh?
Are you a committed crafter?
If you have a little project you tote around even though you are busy, tell us about it in the comments! I'd love to hear your crafting ways!
Specs: Super Fine #1 75% wool 15% nylon, washable. #2 needles. The pattern is here: Self-Striping Knit Socks.
Susan says
This is great! I learned to knit last summer on a three day road trip which is a great time to learn because what else are you going to do but rip out rows and rows of different kinds of stitching. After a few months of total obsession I now use your approach of keeping a project together in a bag and it is great for tossing in the car for longer drives or sitting in on bedtime stories (read by dh) which makes the kids happy. I'm almost done with my first cardigan.
CarlynB says
I don't knit, but I do crochet. I have just recently started carrying my crochet projects around to work on at odd moments. In the last couple of months I've had to take my mother to doctor's appointments and chemo treatments. It's been nice to have something to do with my hands to while away the interminable hours we've spent in the waiting rooms and in the treatment rooms, yet my attention is not so focused on my crochet that I can't talk with Mother or others who might want to strike up a conversation.
Margo says
My grandma taught me to knit about 11 years ago and I have never wanted to progress beyond the scarves and washcloths I carry around as handwork. However, seeing your socks and seeing a good friend of mine make socks (plus wanting wool socks for my kids and not having a fortune to buy them) – well, I think I want to learn how to do socks.The brilliant thing about my dishcloths is that I CAN do them while talking or looking very much and I don't have to count. I make A LOT of them (pics and also my grandma's pattern are posted on my blog).I also want to carry around quilt patches as handwork. I'm going to handquilt a quilt this summer – hopefully on the go because it's not a big quilt and (oh dear) I am planning to take it to the beach.
Jill says
Leila,Uh oh…if you feel you are born to knit you may end up like a friend of mine with sheep in the back yard plus a carding machine and a spinning wheel in front of the window. Basically she was insane over anything to do with wool. I would PRETEND I was insane over spinning just to get a spinning wheel to put in my living room!I have cross-stitched at times as well as a bit of knitting and sewing. Funny that my most prolific crafting times coincided with my pregnant "nesting" days…even with lots of little ones around. Now that I am in these middle-aged-but-when-does-life-slow-down-years I am not crafting at all. Thanks for the inspiration. There IS something very satisfying about creating something from scratch!Jill Farris
Jamie says
I love knitting socks! It took me a few pairs to learn that it's much easier for a mother with little ones to use two circs or magic loop instead of DPNs. Less opportunity for a slippery little needle to be mislaid by a wiggly little toddler.
Julie says
I've just taught myself to knit (via youtube videos) and I LOVE it! I'm not brave enough to try socks yet but I've made some lovely dish cloths lol! In fact I'm working on a set as a wedding gift for a young lady that works for us. When that is finished I'll be trying my hand at this "One Hour Pom Pom Wrap": <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/50560-2-J.html?noImages=&r=1http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/50560-2-J.html?… />Wonder if I'll actually get it done in an hour? 🙂
Lindsay says
Lol at your being "darned" smart at knitting socks!!!
skoots1mom says
i knit/crochet with our prayer shawl ministry @ our church…we all keep various projects going throughout theyear. Now, I've got a purple shawl I'm working on in "20-minute" snippets and at night when the family's watching their fav shows.congratulations on your completion…socks are my next endeavor.
MomCO3 says
Ooo. Those are nice socks! I have two feet, too, if they're looking for homes. =)Here's my unfinished object: <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/momco3/Handmade/http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/momco3/Handmade/… />I so enjoy your blog!Annie
seashoreknits says
I knit. Like a madwoman. Crazy about it. Born to knit – for sure. Can't let a day go by without some knitting. You can find me over on Ravelry which is a big black vortex that will suck you up in no time if you are a knitter (or crocheter or weaver or spinner…) Thank you for the knitting post – I have my fix for the day now (smile).
Leila says
Ooh, I'm loving all this craftiness! Jamie, I think double-pointed needles are ridiculous!! If they had had #2s in circular I would have gotten them, because part of my issue is dropping these tiny stitches every other minute, and I'm not nursing a baby, nor is there a toddler in sight…sigh.
Dawn says
I carry embroidery around with me. It's the only way I get the stuff done, even though I love doing it! I just don't seem to take the time for it at home. I seem to be addicted to reading blogs….
Betsy says
Your socks are beautiful Leila. I keep intending on learning to knit but it just never happens. After reading your post I think maybe I should hold off a year or two because if one has to count stiches I will be sunk. Right now with the kids running aroung and my pregnancy foggy head I cannot even keep track of counting cups of flour going into my bread. I do crochet a bit and try to do some sewing when I get a chance. It is so much fun to see a project completed!!
Mama Bean says
goodness you've made me miss knitting. i've never made socks… i would like to do some more cabling.i hear crocheting is more forgiving re: the whole counting thing.but i prefer the fabric knitting makes.
becomewhatyouare says
1) There ARE size 2 circs… and smaller! You just have to get them at a LYS or order them online.2) I LURVE dpns!
Keri says
I have finally decided that I like the idea of knitting better than I actually like knitting. Maybe it has something to do with blankety counting, now that you mention it.
christine says
love your blog.i taught myself to knit not too long ago so that i could make dishcloths like my friend's grandmother made, and socks. i love the idea of knitting socks. i've made the washcloths. and i've made the socks. i still think i love *the idea* of knitting socks. did i mention to you that i love your blog?
Jamie says
I crochet and it is really the only craft I know. I don't even know too many stitches or patterns, but I love that with a little bit of work over a long period of time, I have a beautiful blanket that will be enjoyed for decades.
Barb says
I love knitting socks! Though I'm feeling a bit worn out about knitting them right now. I am on my fourth pair since Christmas and I really need a break!I've been knitting for about seven years and I still write down my count on a piece of paper with each project. God help me if I lose the paper! However, my grandmother, who taught me how to knit, could keep all that in her head and pick up wherever she left off.I actually find more knitting time when I have little babies because I can knit while they're nursing or napping with me. Right now, I knit at night while watching tv.My other favorite creative activity is embroidery. I'm itching to make a pillow for our bedroom, but I need to get these socks finished.
Bobbi says
I crochet, but only when the weather is cold. I love to cross stitch…my only problem is that every piece I complete becomes a gift for someone else…even if I swear this time I'm keeping one. HA! Lately, I just plan who it's for before I start…for example, I'm working on a wedding present right now…oooo…better get stitchin'
Leila says
becomewhatyouare — I know they HAVE them, they just didn't HAVE them. 🙂 A brand new fabric store is opening at the mall near us. I am about to collapse with relief. Maybe they will have them, or I'll have to break down and order…or maybe I'll post my need on the fabric swap! http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/2009/09/fabric-swap-is-born.html
Anonymous says
What pretty socks! I keep trying socks but the dpn are driving me nuts so I keep going back to regular knitting. A friend taught me to knit when I was pregnant with my first baby. I mostly knit baby stuff at first but have branched out into other areas in the last five years (no more babies at my house).I have everything in a bag into which I can throw some reading material as well. It sits by my chair in the living room for those 10 minute breaks I sometimes have and is ready to pick and go for piano lessons, fencing lessons, baseball practices, dentist appointments, etc. I'm currently making a summer bag in a delicious bachelor button blue. :)BTW, we are still making your super easy mac and cheese. Thanks again for the recipe.Joy
Leila says
Joy, atta girl — the bag that goes everywhere, and even the bag is crafted! I'm thinking right now about a bag that would be just right for holding a pair of socks in progress…Back to the needle issue: my friend Nancy was working on socks using this same yarn, which I think is adorable. I got the yarn, but not only was the store out of #2 circulars but also #2 dpns.That store is very close to Nancy's house. I was OBSESSED with starting the socks! I bopped over there and was like, whine whine they don't have needles, knowing that she would give me hers!She did! She took her work right off her needles and gave them to me! That's the kind of girl she is. That's friendship, that would sacrifice its own socks for another's.Later in the wilds of Virginia (in a town with a Joann's, a Hancock's, AND this little store, what the heck!) I found 2 sets of needles — so I could work on 2 socks and give poor Nancy back her needles when I got home. The lady also told me how to start the gusset. In my opinion, those instructions totally assume you know what they are talking about. There was no way I was going to figure that one out myself!So that's the story of how I got the first set of needles at all.
Pippajo says
Ooooh, now you've got me looking for my knitting bag again. I began knitting for some odd reason (I am totally not crafty or good with my hands, like, at all) a few years ago and surprisingly, loved it! I made a super-long, green scarf that my sister promptly claimed (and still wears to this day). I then decided I wanted to make my children sweaters for Christmas. I bought the book with the pattern, bought the needles, bought the yarn and started.That was three years ago. Man-Cub has a lovely 9×13 (roughly) piece that he can drape over his back if it gets especially cold and a somewhat smaller front piece with his initial on it that he can use as a really warm but very impractical bib.Maybe someday I'll finish it for his son…
Jen says
I crochet baby blankets mostly. Though I just made some sewn sheep for my kids and dog. Pictures on my facebook page. I'm trying right now to get all the summer baby blankets out of the way before it's too hot.I've done a little quilting, but not really. And I want to knit. I have needles, I have books, and I have yarn. Time however…And my family thinks I should get back to cross stitching, so they bought me a couple of kits for Christmas. So far I have moved them around the house.
Sophie Miriam says
Wow, beautifully done!I suppose I'm a committed crafter, as I sew everything I can, but I generally haven't got any hand-sewing projects. I'm on the lookout for one to take when I go to Princeton for a week this summer–I doubt bring a sewing machine would be practical, yet the thought of a week of unproductivity is horrifying. 😛
*Michigan Momma* says
One of these days, I *will* teach myself to knit – or find a sweet friend who is patient enough to teach me~For now, I crochet. I love to crochet!! In fact, I'm thinking of opening up an etsy shop (or something similar). Some of these hand craft skills are really becoming a thing of the past – so many women (my age or younger) are amazed when they see me crocheting. Even something as simple as a ripple blankie! These skills are simply not taught to the next generation anymore….sad, really.In our home, we DO try to teach these types of skills. In fact, I just realized last night that my 7yo daughter can crochet a nice scarf with trim, yet is unable to tie her shoes (I never did get around to *that* skill – HA!). Oops….;)
pam says
Hi Leila,I'm a crazy crafty girl. I love anything that involves fabric or wool…quilting, knitting, crocheting, spinning…In fact, I seem to have craft-related ADD. Why have 2 projects going when 8 or 9 would be so much more insane??I have numerous bags of crafting on-the-go projects. Sometimes I have to sort and purge to get the bags back to each containing just one project. I recently hung 3 nice tidy "go" bags by the back door thanks to an inspiring picture on your blog!Life tries to get out of control and make me think I don't have time for my creative playtime, but thanks to Leila's encouraging words I've been setting a 15 or 20 minute timer during the day and recharging my batteries in the creative zone. Good for my soul. And yes, good for my family, too!!Your socks look wonderful! I've been knitting for 2 years and want socks, but haven't taken the plunge yet. Here is a website that another sock-knitting friend of mine recommends for learning to knit socks: <a href="http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/<br />Blessings!Pam http://www.RealWomenQuilt.com
messy bessy says
Oh I'm envious. I was one of those dark-eyeliner, big-hair, large-shoe-wearing teens who looked at the idea of home ec. with horror and pity (for those dumb enough to take such a class). And as usual the Lord has the last laugh because now I so wish that I had taken Home Ec! If I'd ever been shown how to do some of these basic hand-craft things it would have really made a difference, since although I learn lots from books, crafting is not one of them. The only crafty thing I even remotely try to do is basic quilting. I've made two quilts, a pot-holder, and one Log Cabin patch, which was inspired by this blog! However, I don't have a good pattern for it and need inspiration. I have six kids and am frequently running around in the car or sitting at the doctor's office. There's got to be a bag in my future…
Butterfly Momma says
I love knitting, crocheting and quilting. But alas, not handstitching, so quilting will never be in a little bag for me. But I usually have a crochet and a knitting project on the go. Right now I have a few of each. A sweet white baby dress (started a year ago, never finished once I learned my wee one was a boy), a sweater for my toddler with an airplane design knit into it (also on the go for a year, keep forgetting to work on that one) and spring placemats that I'm crocheting. They will probably be for next spring 🙂 It is a wonderful way to relax, when you have a few minutes. I applaud you on learning how to knit, by trying to tackle one of the most complicated things in knitting. I usually learn things that way as well, as the more complicated things seem to be the most appealing, I guess 🙂 Enjoy knitting!!
Cheryl (Copper' says
Knitting and embroidery are my take along projects. These days I find I'm mostly a passenger in my own car, with someone else always behind the wheel. Having knitting in my hands helps me refrain from back seat driving! I just recently ripped out my very first pair of socks to begin again. Glad to see your cheery socks finished. It gives me hope!
Robin says
Yikes! I have such a desire to be crafty, but am rotten with the follow-through. I was actually proud of myself recently, because I hit the reset button and took A LOT of half-made cross stitch projects to Goodwill. I feel better, but I know I'll feel a lot better when I finish something….like the learn-to-knit scarf sitting here next to me. Part of my problem is that I want to knit, but really only have time at night, when my "close eyes" don't work so well….even with those little nose glasses. Sigh.
Cyndy says
I don't really knit but I do crochet. It is so nice to have a simple little project that I can grab on the way out the door to a doctors appointment or something. I recently went on an airplane trip and brought a project and a plastic hook (for security reasons). Imagine my disappointment when the hook broke in two!
Breanna says
OK all you DPN-haters, here's how you don't drop stitches on them (having toddlers pull them out… well, I have a very creative toddler, so this may or may not help):1. Use point protectors. Your fabric store doesn't have them, you say? Oh very well. Then2. Use a rubber band–wrap it a few times around the end of the DPN you're not using at the moment. Then unwrap it when you want to use that end. Too fiddly? Oh very well. Then3. Get in the habit of holding your left-hand DPN–you know, the one with the stitches you're knitting off–with your pinky finger sort of hooked around the group of stitches, guarding them from falling off the end. And make sure you use enough needles. 3 isn't enough for a sock in my opinion; I like to work with my stitches-to-be-knitted on 4 needles (which, yes, means you need 5 needles total). That way you don't crowd the needles with umpteen million stitches apiece and they're not so liable to slip things off.But really, dears, everybody drops stitches when they first use DPNs. It takes a little practice. Your second pair of socks will go so much faster than the first…
LJ says
Dear everyone at LMLD,The SEARCH function has been noted, and is VERY, VERY appreciated!!!!:) LJ
Lindsey in AL says
If you want to knit fast and/or in the dark, try dishcloths. They're the only thing I have knitted so far and I love using and making them. Everyone else I've given them to (my mom, grandma and best friend) has loved them too. I just cast on 30-40 stitches and then knit every row until it's a square and bind off. Easy peasy and so satisfying. I will knit socks someday but I don't know when. Maybe when I have some itty bitty baby toes to stare at I'll be feeling the sock urge again- must keep them warm, you know! Only 8 more weeks to go 🙂
Lindsey says
I recently found your blog, and I LOVE your ideas for incorporating liturgical seasons into family life. Thanks for getting my mental wheels turning!It is currently a stretch of my abilities to hem my own pants, but knitting is on my list of things I'd like to tackle SOME day. For now, I carry a book (or two, or three) in my purse or diaper bag for those unexpected "idle" moments.
Leila says
I truly wish that blogger had that feature where you can answer each post individually. I'll confine myself to saying –Butterfly Mama — I think you are the one who commented before that it hurts to hand sew. Soon I'm going to post a tip about that — I hope it fits your issue!And that I am okay with the double pointed needles until suddenly I yank out a whole needle's worth because I think that's the empty needle, and it's not. There are other things as well — it's just fiddly — the whole thing, although your tips, Breanna, are well taken. I will try using four, but that seems like 33% more fiddliness….Lindsey, I'm glad you found us! I used to read too. But here's the thing. It's all very well and good when you're waiting in the car or alone in the waiting room. But in a room or bleacher full of other moms, it seems a little anti-social, I've found.If you have sewing or knitting or crotcheting or mending or embroidery, you're getting something done AND interacting. Which is so good.I never got this…I'd sit and talk…and now, if I had those millions of hours back — to talk AND make something…I think I'd have more quilts! 🙂
Decadent Housewife says
Those are the socks all the night nurses I used to work with would knit – miles of them. Am so jealous.
Amy says
I love knitting. I need to carry a project with me more often!
Anne R Triolo says
Michigan Momma–you made me laugh!!I have a two year old and a 3 month old and I have found two things:Chrochetting is easy and more baby friendly than quilting which is my passion. :PAlso, if I don't make time for something creative 10-15 minutes stolen during a nap perhaps I begin to feel like a house-maintaining drudge.
Brett Rodgers says
Thanks for this lovely blog and I love your projects that you do. My wife and I cant make up our mind if we want to start knitting or pick up machine embroidery projects. If you have input on that we would love it! Thanks!
Leah says
very nice socks, especially for a beginner, you asked what other crafts we do and carry with us for those odd moments? i have currently in my purse(its a cute tote) a silk shawl i am knitting, tatting shuttles to work on making some edging, an embroidery hoop i am appliqueing ribbon to, and a small bag with my beading wire, tools and beads and rings to make some pendants, i hate having to sit somewhere with nothing to do, and i even have a Sudoku book i am working on, 🙂 you know not much to work on,