Thank goodness for yarn, eh?
No matter what you’re dealing with, there’s a knit or crochet project that’ll help you through. Feeling so stressed that you just gnawed your own leg off through sheer nervous energy? Allow me to recommend a simple ripple blanket. Practically expiring from ennui? Why not intarsia a reproduction of the Mona Lisa in laceweight? (Because it’ll shred your last reserves of sanity, that’s why not.)
I’ve been glad of a couple of easy projects these past few weeks. (Don’t worry, I’m not at the leg-gnawing stage of stress. Anyway, I’m not physically flexible enough to even bite my own toes.) But the easy, mindless rhythm of knitting the simplest of socks has felt comforting. Round, and round, and round: it’s difficult to stop, which is how I ended up with GINORMOSOCK!
Coming to a screen near you soon, GINORMOSOCK 2! …unless I do gnaw my own leg off, in which case the latter won’t be needed. These socks are so long that I’m playing Yarn Chicken in order to finish the second one. The yarn is Stylecraft Head Over Heels, and it knits up beautifully.
This is pure comfort-knitting, and there’s something extra-comforting about oversized, simple, socks. Also, if they’re three sizes too large, it won’t matter when they suffer a slight felting after being accidentally shoved in the washing machine. Yup, that is indeed the world-weary voice of experience you’re hearing, there.
Yup, sock-knitting is a comfort in these bonkers times. As the world gets weirder, the socks get bigger, until the point where I’ll be basically knitting a human-sized cocoon in which to hibernate until everything settles down. Oops, that sounds a little unhinged, and I probably shouldn’t have typed it out loud.
Anyway.
I saw on Instagram that a good few of you have knitted ‘Cowls Against Brexit‘ from my previous post, already. 🙂 I did look out for you at the big march in London last Saturday, but amongst a crowd of one to two million (depending on which estimate you believe), it’s hard to find individuals.
It certainly seemed even more crowded and slow-moving than the last march. As I shuffled marched, I knitted – of course – but you’d probably guessed that already.
And when we’d reached Parliament Square, and we’d listened to the speeches, and got drenched by a brief-ish rain shower, and dried out again, I walked a good few miles back across central London to catch a train home. The parks were quite pretty in the golden evening sunlight:-
But I’m really not a fan of London, or of cities in general, being at heart a country bumpkin. I live in a village where you mostly say hello to people when you pass them, and where, if you get chatting, you’ll soon be establishing exactly where each other lives. CAN YOU IMAGINE DOING THAT IN CENTRAL LONDON?! (Or in New York / Toronto / Berlin / Sydney etc, because I realize that most of you aren’t in the UK.) You’d probably end up getting arrested.
In London, I have to consciously switch off ‘country bumpkin mode’ in my brain, and remember NOT TO BE WEIRD. It takes a bit of effort.
I still knitted as I walked, though. 🙂
Happy yarnery, people.
Phil x
Yes! To the human cocoon! I’ve probably got enough in my stash to see us all through.
Maybe I should write a pattern!
Hello is there a pattern for the long socks? I’ve been looking for one with increases etc as one goes up the leg. Thanks xxx ❤️
It’s just a plain and simple pattern from Ann Budd’s sock-knitting book. No increases up the calf. Sorry not to be able to help!
Thank you! In fact you have helped greatly! I have this very book here at home Ann Budd’s Get Started Knitting Socks ????????. I have purchased a couple of others but this book is the master. I highly recommend it! ???? Xx
Yup, Ann Budd is fabulous, isn’t she?
dear phil,
you are NOT a country bumpkin … please do not demean the fact that you are an appreciator of nature and peace!
me too!
now that i’m retired, i’m in permanent cocoon mode!
best regards,
margaret/daisy 🙂
Thank you! I am a bit out of touch with fast-paced urban life these days, though.
Here’s to peace and countryside!
I would love to be able to knit as I walk… any tips? How often do you / how many times did you fall over, before you mastered this dark art?
Start with a simple garter stitch dishcloth is my suggestion to learn how to knit and walk. Stockinette stitch hats on circular needles are good too. But to start out try working on the project at home and * close your eyes while knitting. Do it as long as you can or until you think you’ve made an error. Check. Fix if necessary. Repeat from *. Your fingers already know what to do. Also, I’ve found that using backwards-round purl (it has an official term) helps your fingers find the purl/knit change on the next row/round.
Mind, I still can’t knit socks and walk but I knit last year’s Christmas scarves while walking to work. (Or at least the ones for the family I live with:-)
Lou, I agree with Lauren’s advice. I wouldn’t knit anything very complex whilst walking, and it helps if you can knit without looking (much) at your work. Maybe start somewhere quiet so your chances of colliding with people are low. Enjoy!
Your grandmother always read a book while she was knitting. Perhaps it’s an inherited trait.
I DIDN’T KNOW THAT!!!
Well damn, now I wish I were knitting a full body cocoon instead of a couple of blankets. THAT would have been a great use for my stash. And a great place to hide until the likes of Boris and Trump are gone from the political scene, eh! But you’ve given me a good idea for how to use up all my Stylecraft Special DK – knitted leggings!
Ooh, now THAT is a good idea (the leggings). I might have to shamelessly copy you. The more colourful, the better.
Love the socks x
Thank you.
I so understand. It’s becoming bizarre from the opposite of our little bath tub and you’re living there. Big hug.
Yup, it gets crazier every day. The world must think we’ve gone stark raving mad.
I realize this is a little off-topic, but is the Blanket Cardigan pattern ready? It’s been about a year, and perhaps I missed it……….Thanks,
B-R
You haven’t missed it: it’s still sitting in a notebook on my desk. I need to learn to grade so that it can be available in multiple sizes. Must stop being daunted by the prospect and get on with it. Apologies for slowness, and thank you for asking.
No apologies needed – I apologize for not being able to work it up for myself ( my bravery for striking out on my own creation seems to have sneaked away from me a few years ago?)
I’ll get there. Must dig out my notes…
I SO understand! My knitting and quilting are the only things keeping me sane on the crazy other side of the pond!
Yup. There’s way too much crazy going on all over the place right now. ????
These are the most stressful of days and thank Gawd for knitting. I was at the march too and wish I’d seen your Cowls against Brexit pattern in time – I love it! I knitted on the coach journey there but was carrying a placard with a rude message about Farage so I couldn’t knit as I walked. It’s all madness and I fear it’s going to happen before too long.
Yay, fist-bump to a fellow marcher! But yes, it’s all looking rather terrifying right now. It’s difficult to concentrate on anything else.
I love the small town feel too, that’s why I can now look out my windows and see wilderness every day! Hiking, kayaking and gardening in the summer, as well as the ever present knitting projects. Finished jam making and have put the garden to bed. Had a very short window of Indian Summer and now looking to go into single digits at night! Brr…..so will stay cozy and knit even more.
I was a fortunate gal to help with lambing this spring, what a joy! Now feel connected to the little darlings.
Appreciating every day as it comes and look forward to my tv-knitting time every night.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and lovely photos. Kind of makes me want to make a trip to Great Britain.
Peggi
Good morning. It’s the first time I’ve made the time to click on this website, and oh !, lots of FEMs (Fellow Earth Mothers) ! The post from Peggi (above) resonated with me. (Not least because I’m a Peggy/Maggie.) As a retired person, living in a small market town in North Norfolk, UK, I know so well the cocoon-feeling. I’ve always described it as a “bubble”, formed by my faith and like-minded people (woolly and spiritual). Makes me go around trying to help people – whether they want me to or not !!!
I can’t add anything more to either of your lovely comments, so I’ll just leave a ❤️ here for you both.
Thank you for the giggle this morning! I always love to see a blog post from you as there are always some beautiful nature pics as well as a knit or two! I am an avid sock knitter and Stylecraft sock yarn is one of my favorites! Keep the blog posts coming xx
Thank you! It’s nice to have an outlet for being silly amongst friends. Happy sock-knitting. ????
Love the photo of the rain jewels on leaves – the light never seems to be in the right place after it’s stopped raining here, that is, in the brief five minutes when it does stop raining. This morning’s frost was a welcome diversion. i am gradually trying to practice knitting without looking as I am envious of the lovely elderly ladies in our knitting group, not of the acrylic baby cardigans that fall off their needles, but the ease with which they knit, purl, decrease and increase with nary a glance at the work in progress. I invariably end up dropping stitches with gay abandon. Current WIP, a lacy cowl with charts, is not something I can do at the same time as walking or even talking, so at least it takes my mind off the current political climate. What IS the world coming to?! GINORMOSOCKS for all I feel.
Claire x
Hi Claire, I know, we’re in crazy times. Anyway, I doubt that many people could knit lacework without looking, so maybe start with something easier? (I envy your frost a little bit. At least Frost is pretty.)
Long socks – very nice! I love that someone else thinks about ‘not saying hello’ as you pass by strangers in London. I was brought up in a coastal town and everyone seemed to know everyone (well, at least someone always seemed to see you doing something you ought not to be doing and tell you parents about it , he he!). I now live inland in a bigger town and there is kind of half friendliness around and about – if I say hello there are mixed responses, I like to think those who don’t reply ‘hello’ are in shock rather than being deliberate (of course I could be wrong!). I have worked in London too (only a few miles away in actuality but could be a million miles by differences of behaviour and crowds). There is definite difference. My husband is a through and through Londoner and doesn’t understand at all why you would say hello to passing strangers – we have a laugh sometimes about it – I say ‘hello’ and we walk on by with my husband asking ‘oh where do you know her/him from?’. He spends less time at home, a lot of time away from work, he has no idea what I get up to when he’s not here!
I hear you! I SO hear you! Don’t stop being friendly and saying hello, please! What’s the worst that could happen (other than arrest, social death, or confusion)?!
he he he ! I was thinking to the extreme of being carted off to the madhouse for daring to say hello in some places!!
See you there, no doubt! (In the madhouse.)
Hello I’m a newbie from Houston. I’m enjoying the beautiful pictures and Ambitious projects! It’s so nice to be included in such a warm & fuzzy group.
I can relate to the “knit in public” folk????
Plan on reading some of the archives to catch up on all the fun. Thanks again, Penny.
Hi Penny. You’re very welcome here. Always good to ‘meet’ knitters from all over the world. ❤️
I do so enjoy reading your posts. “Warm and fuzzy” indeed. I think perhaps walking and knitting may be beyond me! I’m currently trying to learn continental style knitting (that’s not blasphemous is it?-I’m from Canada, so wouldn’t know!) as I’m such a slow knitter. I long to knit maybe a quarter as fast as my brain thinks up projects!
Thanks for the great, interesting and informative read(s). ????
Thank you x1000 for such a kind comment. And I know that lots of people find continental a faster method of knitting, so I hope it enables your knitting fingers to keep up with your creative brain.
My comfort knitting zone is scarves knit from my stash of leftover yarn. They then get donated up in Minnesota. I’m in Arizona
That sounds perfect, maybe because a hand-knitted scarf is like a hug. ❤️
Fabulous photos, Phil, especially the raindrops one. Thank you. Enjoy your knitting ????
And thank YOU (as always) for such kind words.
I feel your pain! And that’s knowing that those who are In Charge are put there (or at least allowed to be there) by Almighty God, Who does know what He’s doing.
I’ve been wearing commercially made Long Socks recently. They’re pretty, they go with my outfits, I have them. They also pull on my toes – even though my feet are well within their ‘fits size foot’ range! I shall have to knit some long socks, goodness knows the Stash will stand it, socks I knit myself are so much better fit. Thanks for the inspiration.
Enjoy the knitting as well as the wearing. You won’t regret it.
My wife knitted a sweater some years ago. Although it will take a long time again before she’ll do another one(that’s an if), I hope it will be socks.
Socks are quick(ish) and easy(ish), so hopefully you can persuade her.
I just recently discovered your blog & after reading a few posts just had to go back & read more! As someone that lives in Canada but is from England I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed all you lovely photos & wit!
Thank you for such a kind comment! And I’m glad you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read. And ‘hello’ to your wonderful adopted country. (OK it’s 25ish years since I visited, but I loved Canada so much.)
I did leave a lovely long message, the the software gremlin chewed up!
So a quick recap
– Hi, my names Viv I a compulsive Crocheter but I do like to knit socks. There is something soothing about knitting socks isn’t there ?
– Love your socks (did you just knit a tube, or was there increasing involve)
– Yay for a body cocoon (sign me up)
– lots of other nattering gobbledygook that I can’t remember.
Have a great day
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( Now to “fill in your details below or click on an icon to login” a.k.a. press the button to lose all your work)