Saturday, November 22, 2014

socks as a memory tool

I have been away from home for the past week, and packed six pairs of hand knit socks for the journey. I joked with my friend that Westjet better not lose my luggage because these socks are dear to me and no amount of money could ever replace them.

As I have dressed every morning this week each pair of socks evokes a memory.

The Roosimine socks, my latest pair, remind me of my spinning group because they were the first to see them finished.






My Dazzle them from Behind socks remind me of a new friend because a) she gifted me the wool to make them, and b) she talked me into Tour de Sock this year which is where the pattern came from,

My Starflower socks remind me of my son because I bought the yarn in Skagway after visiting him for three weeks in the Yukon, and they are the colour of the mountain ridges that surrounded his home.

My Euclid socks remind me of my sister because I knit them while in her company this past summer on her little island.

My Double-knit socks remind me of the new friends I met in Tour de Sock as we encouraged each other through this tricky pattern.

My Night and Day socks also remind me of my son because the pattern was inspired by the 24 hour days in summer and the 24 hour nights in winter in the Yukon.










So even when I am far away from my friends and loved ones, they are always close to my heart.

And my feet.

11 comments:

  1. Gorgeous... it's getting too hot here for knitting. And is rarely cold enough for knitted socks, but I love these cosy, unique toe-tale tellers.

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  2. That is just such a wonderful post. I really love some of the socks there that you have knitted, particularly the black and white ones. I love the fact that they all have extra-special memories to them as well. You are as talented and creative with your needles as you are with words.

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    1. They say knitting helps children with reading, so maybe knitting and writing are likewise related.

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  3. Great post! Your socks are all very beautiful, and I can see why you would feel sick if Westjet lost your luggage.

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    1. Yes, I don't want to defy the gods so I think I will put them in my carry-on for the trip home!

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  4. your socks are beautiful. I generally knit an item to soothe my mind when I'm anxious about something, it's a kind of magic thought, the project acting as a lucky talisman that protects me if I complete it; so I see my projects as little victories over anxiety.

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    1. I like that image - a project as a talisman. I think that is true for me also.

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  5. What a great reminder to look at our knitted objects not just for what they are but also for who we were when we made them.

    On a different note - I've been nominated for a Leibster Award, and am nominating your blog next. There are questions to answer, and a logo to post, so you can see it all on my blog post about it. If you don't want to participate I won't be upset at all. I enjoy reading your posts and poems, and wanted to acknowledge your blog!

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  6. Thank you Sarah. I was already nominated by LupeyLoop and I wanted to nominate you but I see she beat me too it. I am going to go answer your questions.....and you can answer mine on my blog post if you want too. Isn't this great, to both be nominated!

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  7. I'm beginning to really cherish my handmade socks as well. All made by my sister, a master knitter.

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I look forward to reading the comments. It makes me feel like I am not just posting into the void.