sock love

Yesterday at my mother-in-law’s house, I found a clay bowl filled with the handknit socks that I knit her. It was only surprising because they’re usually on her feet. The story was that she has just washed the socks and they had been hanging on the stove handle, and when she began cooking our dinner she moved them to the bowl.

Noreen taught me how to mend socks, and when these started wearing thin I gave her the leftover yarn and she darned them herself. They are wearing thin in places and are due for another mend.

These were knit in Trekking XXL, color 100. I don’t think they make these colors anymore, which is a damn shame because it is one of the best colors ever for socks. Noreen calls them “the green socks” and they are her favorite.

The others were knit in Lorna’s Laces, and she wears them, too, but prefers the Trekking ones.

The Lorna’s socks haven’t needed mending. The bottoms are fuzzy, but with no apparent holes or weak spots. She owns another pair that were knit in Lion Brand Sock-Ease and of the three pairs, she likes them the least.

I have another pair of socks-in-progress for her, and I really should get to finishing them. No one loves and appreciates their handknit socks more than Noreen. I always say, she would give you the shirt off her back if you asked for it, but she would not ever give away her handknit socks.

Speaking of socks, I’m working on a new design! When Elinor announced her new sock contest, it sounded exciting and I was instantly inspired to take up the pins!  In the next couple of weeks, I should be ready to show you! It’s colorwork!