Socks on the Brain

Ever since going to Stitches East a couple weeks ago, I can’t help but think about socks – the knitters who knit them and the yarn that goes into them. As I was walking around the show, I saw vendors simultaneously knitting socks while answering questions, selling books, and yarn, dressed with little yarn purses on their wrists. They were knitting on short little circular needles, clicking away in simple ribs – keeping their fingers busy – perhaps to keep a zen moment going in their head amidst the hysteria of the market floor. I was mightily impressed!

I saw tons and tons of sock yarn hand dyed in luscious colors, tempting the knitters with curiosity. No knitter knows how an individual hand-dyed skein of yarn will work up. I think there’s a bit of mystery hidden in each skein – perhaps that’s a big reason why sock knitters purchase these hand-dyed beauties.

As I was running out the door, I picked up a Think Outside the Sox Contest Brochure being run by the folks at XRX/Knitters Magazine. There are thousands and thousands of dollars of prizes. And there are so many great categories to enter into. Wow - What a great opportunity! A few years ago, I judged the first sock contest sponsored by XRX. It was fun to see what people entered. I urge you ------ if you are the least little bit of a creative knitter ------- to enter the contest! Everyone really does have a chance to win – and with so many categories – it gives so many people a chance! Check it out.


For all you sock knitters out there – or friends of sock knitters, I’ve got an easy Christmas gift for you. I just painted two sock illustrations that I have had made into postcards. They are available over at my shop on my website now. Made for all of you sock knitters by me for you to give – and an easy, very reasonable gift for any knitter on your list.