Monday, March 19, 2007

Tea Socks for the Mad Hatter


In honor of Eunny Jang's ascendency to the editorship of Interweave Knits, out of the nearly million and one projects I have on needles, some of which will be finished, some of which, eh, not so sure, here are my Entrelac Socks.


I was attracted to these socks as soon as I saw them - and I couldn't put my finger on exactly why. I never wear knee socks, I'm not the hugest fan of the toe-up method, and when I knit in Koigu, I tend to use a multi. However, after I cast-on, I realized what it was that tickled me about these socks - everything about them screams youth.

I'm 37, soon to be 38. Not old by any stretch of the imagination. However, there are certain things that I can't, and shouldn't do anymore. I can't wear my hair down to my butt, ever again. I must always wear a bra. I can't wear jeans that are slung too low, exposing what shouldn't see daylight under any circumstances. Blue eye shadow is not such a good idea. Blue mascara is even worse. I could go on - but we all know there are crazy fads and trends out there that are best left to the Generation Whateverytheyares of the day. And, sadly, I think I cannot wear court jester-like knee socks as well.

After I cast-on, and began knitting together base triangles, I started thinking of the knitting as eating up stitches - the stitches of one triangle eat the stitches from the next triangle. Then, I started thinking about Ms. Pacman - it was kind like playing Pacman - and I imagined a little circle face happily chomping on stitches. Tee hee, I thought, these socks are silly - whimsical, but silly. I stopped knitting and I took a good look at them, imagined them finished. I had visions of Alice in Wonderland, live chess players running across a board, all wearing diamond tights. I saw circus performers, magicians, and, sigh, I saw girls in high school wearing these knee socks, with cute clogs, and denim skirts. So, while it would be nice to sit down and have a conversation with a Cheshire Cat, wearing Koigu entrelac socks, I don't think these are for me.

So, experience tells me, I'm not gonna finish these socks. But, I still love them, in the same way that I loved my high top sneakers, my friendship beads, and my Welcome Back Kotter lunch box. And, even though Eunny maybe doesn't have the most publishing experience under her belt, hopefully, her sensibilities, taste and talent, will bring some magic to the pages of Interweave, and I'm willing to follow her white rabbit, at least for now, whereever it will take us.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've never really been interested in Entrelac but seeing your socks might have alerted my sock radar. The combination of the solid and variegated yarn looks fab, and I may just have to make some for myself!

Anonymous said...

Well said.

I was thinking the same thing about those socks. Love them, couldn't wear them unless it was Halloween.

Glad all is well with you and I hope things slow down just a bit for you so you can enjoy summer.

Elysbeth said...

They wouldn't have to be knee socks, you could stop where you wanted and make them into special socks for wearing when spinning in the winter.

Or repurpose the yarn into those entrelac fish mittens on the issues with knitting blog. ?

AmyDe said...

I LOVE the socks! You color choice is really nice. If you like them just make them regular socks, but if you really won't finish them - rescue that koigu baby!

Wendy said...

Can I just tell you too that she's the nicest, most down to earth person ever? She's in my spinning group! (Lucky us)

I vote that you finish the socks and wear them under a pantsuit with accomodating shoes to give you a giggle the next time you recess on a particularly difficult case.Kinda like that red petticoat that Rhett bought as a gift in Gone With the Wind...

T.M. said...

I absolutely think you should finish and WEAR the socks. They are great and I think that I am going to have to make a pair myself. But probably not knee socks.

Stephanie said...

I fell in love with those socks too...but am afraid to commit to knee socks!

I hope you get around to finishing your pair...the colorway is fantastic.

By the way, glad to hear you ladies will be podcasting again --- it is one of my favorite shows.

Anonymous said...

Hang on to that lunch box - it will be a treasure one day. My daughter's partner has an ET lunchbox and she keeps her dad's ashes in there - gross. She takes the lunchbox with her if she goes someplace neat that she thinks her dad would have liked, and sprinkles a little bit of him where she happens to be.
I like the sox. I'm struggling to make a second pair. I invested in some opal, but first I'm going to use some pedestrian yarn to relearn the process.
I too have so many projects I can't begin to think about it. OY!
Keep the blog coming.

Sherry W said...

Mine hit the frog pond pretty fast too, Wendy. I just couldn't see myself stepping on those picked up stitches on the sole.

Elaine said...

At least you cast them on and tried. I just dismissed them as entirely too silly!

Chrissy said...

I'm glad you had the moxie to try them. I thought about them, bought some yarn, cast on, thought some more, and haven't touched them since.

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I just wanted to make sure you're aware that your blog is in the queue for the Fiber Arts Bloggers ring, because you don't have any code up. I just sent you the code again--please let me know if you don't get it? I'd love to get you back in the ring. :)

Anonymous said...

Once you hit my age (46) you can add shorts and midriff tops (do we still call them midriff tops?) to your list of taboo items...

Macoco said...

I do like the socks and the colors that you chose. But I have to say those would be hard socks to pull off - no matter the age. ;)

Unknown said...

I love the way you paired a multi with a solid. Looks great, even if you don't finish.

Anonymous said...

Please, do finish your socks and wear them with joy. I'm 65 (ouch), and one of my small pleasures is wearing fun socks, esp. with cats. If I'm wearing socks, I'm not going anywhere too serious, so why not? Save yours for a day when you need cheering up or want to feel special in a secret sort of way. They're so pretty -- you'll really enjoy them. As I get older, I throw out more and more "rules" and still manage to look more than presentable and grown up when necessary. (I also live in Cambridge, Mass., where fashion is construed very loosely.) Go for it!

Anonymous said...

Pssst... I just booked my ticket to fly into Philly so I can visit there surrounding the trip to Maryland Sheep and Wool!!! Email me - we must make plans to finally meet up in person! christine @ any of my domains gets to me.

Heather said...

oh, lovely socks! I agree, while maybe wearing them with a short skirt isn't in your plans, they would be nice to wear on a cold day.

Theresa said...

How are you doing? Been around lately?

Dorothy said...

Still on the crazy busy side I take it.

Just wanted to drop in and say hey.

Ellen said...

I've been listening to old podcasts of "Knitty D and the Citiy" and you are so entertaining to listen too! Please find some time to restart pocasting - there are only so many times I can listen to the "Trip to Cape Cod" episode! Come back, come back!

Unknown said...

Here are some things I can NEVER, EVER WEAR AGAIN:
short shorts
bangle bracelet forced above my elbow
bikini (sadly)
thigh high socks with a mini skirt
mini skirt under any circumstances
Dr. Scholl's wooden sandals
Earth shoes
designer sample sale clothing
Wonder Bra (this one I just don't want to wear again)
Boa Constrictor (don't ask)

Unknown said...

Another PD knitter blogger! I'm 37. I keep resisting those socks. Not because I think I'm too old or anything but because I get SSS on normal socks. I find entrelac tediously boring. I imagine I'd get FSS (first sock syndrome) and never finish them. But, good luck!

TllGurl said...

Hey...they're socks. Of course you can wear them!
To my thinking, unless you're 6, no one's going to be seeing your socks.
Make those crazy entrelac socks...and wear the hell out of 'em!!!
If you wear "trousers" or "slacks" to work, definitely wear them! And if someone happens to notice, show them off and tell them you made them yourself.
: )