You're 18 years old and so very talented, intelligent and amazing in your accomplishments in your life so far in spite of so many unimaginable challenges. A full scholarship to a prestigious university. How absolutely incredible and validating for your commitment to your future and the hard work of your past.
I knitted you this pair of socks in such an unusual way for a few reasons.
The history of socks is quite interesting. They were originally made from animal skins tied around the foot and that was way back in the 7th century. Then they graduated to animal fur and finally to sheep's fleece. Historically, Very few ancient socks survive as the fibre breaks down quite rapidly. There is one original red sock that did and interestingly, it had a special pouch divided off for the big toe.
The architecture of socks is interesting. You will see how I knitted the cuff, heel and toes in different colours to highlight this for you. Straight needles, double pointed granted, 5 of them, resulting in a curved and bent piece of fabric that accommodates your feet and holds their shape if treated well.
Knowing you, I think the quirkiness of the socks will appeal as they are a truly one of a kind pair and if stolen (one never knows!) can be spotted immediately. I tried to incorporate all the colours of the changing oceans around us here with a bit of grey thrown in for The Rock.
I would wash them gently (sorry about that) as they are merino wool and dry on low heat or hang as I do. You will find you get several wears out of them before washing as they breathe remarkably well and are toasty in the winter and cool in the summer.
Wear in good health my friend. And I hope you enjoy them as I did in making them for you. The extra yarn is in case of repairs if needed.
I'll see you in December!
Love
Catching up ! I'm sure Chantal will adore those quirky socks, WWW! That was an interesting rundown on sock history - I enjoyed the read.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of St Johns in your previous post, too - what a gorgeous sight for passing travellers!
I'm so glad to see you on board the blogship again T. And yes I must post more pics of St. John's.
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Love in sock form. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThank you Uglmor, I sure hope she enjoys them.
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What an absolutely BRILLIANT gift. Beautiful, practical, quirky. Which epitomises the maker and from the sound of it the recipient.
ReplyDeleteYes we each are a little offbeat and she has one of the most amazing brains I've ever encountered. One of her things is quoting a mass of Star Trek dialogue to much hilarity.
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Wonderful of you. I am sure she smiled all the while and forever for them. You, as the socks, are one of a kind.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gemma, she hasn't received them yet as they are in the mail to her.
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What a lucky girl Chantal is.
ReplyDeleteShe is very precious SKZ, her childhood was fairly horrific and she's been living on her own since 13. Her teachers in her high school have been amazing to her, way beyond anything I have ever heard of including quietly buying her clothes and needs, etc. She is genius level in intelligence. And so very lovable.
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Gorgeous, and what a tale. My people wore hide socks until...tomorrow, although now, if you live in a city and want "hide" socks, they put some disappointing industry type sole on them. Call them Manitobah.
ReplyDeleteReally. Love those socks.
I read you have no work, first in a long time. I have been offered some work, first in a long time. Fact checking. What is your rate they asked? What is my rate WWW? It's been so long, vision having done me in, but this is not editing, pits of falls. So. Emma
Congratulations on your work. My new work (still in the pipeline) is software training, I am finding it hard to keep up with new technology as I don't use it every day so fingers crossed on this.
DeleteRates are hard to determine, I would go on line if you were you and see what the going rate is and knock off some bucks to be competitive?
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That could be quite useful coming up. Windows is evaporating Jan 20 next year. This coming Jan. So everyone who has been using 7 or 8 now has to buy and learn 10. Those who don't have a total breakdown and buy Mac. I will have to learn 10 and I'm very nervous about all my photo files. As it turns out all the thousands of article and pithy comments I was sure I would read I didn't. Won't either. It's like recipe clipping and never cooking. Anyway. Windows 10 teaching possibilities coming up.
DeleteI've been using Windows 10 for some time now and it wasn't that hard to adjust. All your files and photos are still there, just maybe in different places. It's 'apps' based, so if you already use a smart phone with all the apps involved in that, you'll be fine. I don't have a smart phone and still found it fairly easy to adjust.
DeleteWell that is reassuring. Thanks. Must start saving though. Up to now I've used a student 'build'. So cheap and so good. My whole system, wireless this and that, monitor $189. Best computer I've ever had but won't run 10. But will my life span justify such an expense. I'm feeling like Maggie Smith (Marigold Hotel) with her green bananas. She doesn't buy them because not sure she'll live to them being ripe. EMMA
DeleteI resisted 10 also and my tech guy had an app that made it look like 8 (I know, he's weird, I'm weird) and now I actually prefer it. All my photos both from phone and camera are in the one spot. And files are much the same (I have a huge amount), I do hang on to The Old Reader for my feeds but everything works very well so recommend. My software also is all apps and cloud so things have changed but I was surprised at how easy the transition was.
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Sock question: You changed colours even for the heel!! Now tell me are there bits of different yarn run along the inside from A to D?
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Hi Emma, no, there is a kind of Russian weaving for the inner bits and they wind up invisible. The finishing off of a piece of knitting is much more intense and painstaking than the process itself! That's why so many projects lie unfinished.
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No kidding. Even I have a few of those.
DeleteI'd love to see the insides of such work. Maybe we should wear such socks inside out? There's half the artistry. Emma
I'll do a closeup before I ship the next lot off, though right now I'm on a sharp variagated on for Daughter, no switching out for colours, very pretty striping.
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The history of of fiber is engrossing, and socks not the least. She will appreciate them, and when everyone else ohs and ahs over them, she will realize the gift they are.
ReplyDeleteI find it fascinating Joanne, and have seen the amazing textile museum in Toronto and also a section of the Dublin museum devoted to knitting. What fascinated me in Dublin was that sleeves didn't match in the old days and fronts and backs were different as well :)
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That's an interesting pair. I could never wear socks like that as I have to have a matching pair for my feet. Too fussy I am. But I'm sure Chantal will love them.
ReplyDeleteI know River, so many would have trouble with those. Probably personality based, I could wear them and already have a pair of "unmatchies". LOL.
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My love of fabrics is kind of tragic so you have posted a real delight here. Colour, texture, idiosyncrasy. I can almost feel them.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so glad Chantal has you to love her
She is such a darling and so unusual in how she has coped with so many challenges.
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Just beautiful! I am sure she will enjoy wearing them.
ReplyDeleteI hope she will Gigi!
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Enjoyed your comment on my post about the Village Idiot Pub in Toronto.
ReplyDeleteWWW here's an article on the name change, seems really odd to me too.
https://globalnews.ca/news/6066441/toronto-village-idiot-pub-rebrand-village-genius/
Jackie this pc business gets carried too far methinks. It was such a great place. Lovely memories.
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A lovely pair of socks. And as you say, they would soon be spotted if they were ever stolen!
ReplyDeleteIt takes guts to wear them and I'm aware of that too Nick! I would but 90% I'd say would not, LOL.
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