Saturday 22 September 2012

Sock issues

Captain Lurgy has been in residence at the cottage and his requirements for bed and board have been quite tiresome, but I decided that I must drag my frail frame from its indolent habitation on the sofa in order to prove that I still exist and that some days I manage to achieve something.

What with the gammy hand and the dicky neck and the tender ministrations of Captain Lurgy, my output has not matched my aspirations, but I am distinctly conscious that there is a nip hovering in the air, and the season to be cosy approaches nearly.

Nice socks

So my creative efforts have been concentrated on things warm and comforting. Hence the stripy socks. Hand-knitted socks, as I am sure that I have said before, are like cashmere cardigans - one encounter and you are ruined forever (I am still in hopes that Brora will suddenly email me, begging to sponsor my blog and offering copious amounts of things cashmere to review).

Thus I try to knit one or two pairs of cosy socks a year, and you may look at and admire my Jubilee Socks. (Yes, I was a Bay City Roller fan when I was a mere scrap of a girl - why did you ask?)

Heavy duty winter warmers

I cast on these jolly numbers on the Jubilee weekend in June - we had fled the country in honour of the celebration and as I sat in sunny Brittany I was quite bemused to see that the French were quite over-excited about the whole event (little union flag logos on the TV screen and hysterical TV presenters in the rain on the riverbank interviewing equally bemused Brits in their waterproofs), so we didn't have to miss anything.

I knitted my very patriotic socks, quietly satisfied that for once the weather in the country in which we had chosen to holiday was sunny and dry, and that it looked pretty grey, wet and cold at home. The converse is usually true and it has become something of a holiday essential for me to be out searching the shops for heavy-duty Goretex.

Titanic

Unfortunately I have still not solved the problem of how to photograph myself in my new socks without my ankles thickening before my very eyes, or my thighs appearing to be of titanic proportions (I hear my sister sniggering as she reads this, and muttering 'stumpy' ...)

Stumpy

In my defence, I would like to say that these have been made as top-layer winter socks, extra-roomy to accommodate an underneath pair, for those months when my circulation comes to a halt mid-calf. The pattern is my usual favourite from Ann Budd's book, and the yarn is Regia 4-ply sock yarn - I now find out that it is Flusi Das Socken Monster yarn (colour 1807) especially for small children with small legs. I was not warned about this in the shop. Perhaps that is why my ankles are so rotund in appearance?

Hmm, they are a bit on the thick side

And I have also just cast on some super-cosy legwarmers (free pattern here) to ensure that my legs look equally thick the whole way along.

It is also of some comfort to me that the Little Stranger likes my socks - I know this because she jumped on my stomach and licked my face and my camera. The lens will probably never be the same again.

Thank you for all of your lovely comments on the previous post. I will come and say hello to you in return as soon as I can get round you all. Perhaps you could also say hello to the lovely new followers who are Kay at Deep in the Cornish Countryside,  Sarajan at Fleachic, Pattypan at Tarragon & Thyme, Debby at Cozy Blanket, Geraldine at Sophie Belle Designs, Cheryl at My Little Piece of England,  Maggie Moore at Pretty Flowers in the Window, and Kaylagking.

From a health and safety point of view you will be pleased to hear that no socks or black dogs were harmed in the manufacture of this post, but unfortunately a party of ants hitched a ride and are only now emerging from their hiding places about my person. With skin crawling I salute you and depart ...





33 comments:

Barbara said...

Sounds nasty so hope you get well soon.
Love the socks - I call them slipper socks.

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

You came back! In fact you have been blogging again for a while and I didn't even know. So pleased to have you back again and I love the socks!

Inthesky said...

I have searched but I can't find a name for the dog...adorable. My dog has discerning taste in socks too...and pants...and yarn...and fleece! :)

the linen cloud said...

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and saying hello ... I wouldn't have found your lovely blog otherwise ... your newest follower ... Bee xx

Marigold Jam said...

Do hope you get well soon and that the ants will all go back to where they came from without any ille effect to your person.

Madelief said...

Hi Pomona,

Your socks look like fun!! My grandmother used to make them for us, but unfortunately she passed away several years ago. Yours socks look great!

Happy weekend.

Madelief x

Katy Cameron said...

One should always have extra warm feet, no matter how bulky one's ankles become!

Indigo Blue said...

Your posts do make me smile. The bit about the ants nearly had me choking on a moutful of tea due to laughing! I hope you will soon be on the mend. So far I have not encountered Captain Lurgey and if I see him i shall be running very quickly in the oppposite direction if possible.
Take care
xx

Jo said...

Hope you're feeling better soon. I love hand knitted socks, such luxury. I've resisted opening the sock drawer yet this year, I'm clinging on to summer just a little longer, but I'm sure I'll soon have another pair of socks on the needles.

driftwood said...

knitted socks sound like a good cure for all ails to me xxx hope all are well soon x

Unknown said...

Those socks are so nice. I'd like to knit socks, but knitting in the round scares me!
I've been missing your posts and hope that you continue to feel better :-).
Sarah xo
PS Love your little dog and garden, more garden posts please! :D
And thanks for visiting my blog. Comments make my day <3

Anonymous said...

I hope Mr Lurgy has now backed his bag and moved on (as long as it's not my direction!).
I too was a Bay City Roller fan, and had the customary strippy socks to prove it. :)
As for ants ~ they're probably related to the lot that decided to take up residence in my greenhouse!!
Vivienne x

Lyn said...

oh snug warm winter socks...is it wrong to be wishing away the end of summer?
xxx

gilly said...

Hi there, thanks for popping in to say hello! Hopped over to reciprocate and first your beautiful banner pic caught my eye, then one look at the most adorable black dog, and some really toasty & cute socks lead me straight to the GFC button! Great post -I'm a big fan of handknitted socks AND adorable dogs :-)
xx

Denise said...

The Bay City Roller comment had me smiling. Thanks for a great memory. Love the socks by the way!

Gillian Roe said...

I like your socks very much, they do indeed look super cosy and perfect for this time of year. I have permanently cold feet and wear out my slippers after a couple of months - i need to wear more socks! I agree, it is nearly impossible to photograph oneself for blogging reasons without looking silly, but you do not and your socks look fabulous.

Mousy Brown said...

I've never found an answer to photographing my own feet either...I expect there is a way with tripods and such like but as I never seem to have time for all that fuss, fat ankles it is!! Love the socks, hope you start feeling a whole lot better soon xx

**Anne** said...

Lurgy residing in your cottage is just not on. I do hope you are feeling much better very soon.
Loving your socks and I do with I had the patience to knit socks so I too could enjoy that cashmere sensation.
Bay City Rollers, that does take me back, back to last night actually when I celebrated a milestone birthday and my sister included one of their songs "Bye Bye Baby" in the play list. :) Ah, memories.
Anne xx

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Pomona,

I love your stripey socks, such fun.
As for the pesky ants, eek!
I adore your sweet dog too.

Enjoy the weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Nicky said...

Sturdy legs and roomy socks are essential to the wearing of the kilt and the accommodation of a trusty Sgian Dubh! Perhaps if you ventured Northwards you would feel at home and could toss a few cabers, dance a sword dance ( surely that would restore circulation - if not a wee nip surely would) while reacquainting yourself with your love of the BCR homeland and those half masted, bell bottomed, tartan trimmed trousers - bye-bye Baby, Baby goodbye!

Frances said...

Pomona, I'm very glad to read that you are now feeling better (that Lurgey stopped by my place recently without invitation, but I think he's not left.)

Those newly knit socks look very good and cozy. Maybe you remember that we make use of the same Anne Budd sock book. It really is the best! I've still got a few hours' of knitting left to finish a pair of socks that I cast on last winter...spring intervened and I set the socks aside, taking up other projects.

Thank you for reminding me to get those socks finished before our first frost. xo

Su said...

What wonderful socks - I'm in awe as I've never tried to knit a pair as they look so complicated. Thanks for visiting my blog, and I hope you feel better very soon.

Su

Nancy McCarroll said...

Love your stripey socks. I laughed at how it is so taxing to try to photograph them. My last pair last week I finally put on my husbands' hands and that did the job. I would show you a picture but the comment section does not allow this form of self aggrandizement.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

So glad to have discovered your blog. Bay City Rollers -- ha, I too remember them.

Wonderful socks. I don't have the patience to knit socks -- such small needles! Yours look very cozy.

Canadian Abroad said...

You would have to use Photoshop for my legs not to look stumpy. There is no hope for them and no socks to save them from their fate. But you will have toasty warm toes and I will just be envious. Me and knitting do not mix.

Helen Philipps said...

Lovely socks in such pretty stripes, Pomona! I haven't yet knitted a pair of socks but they are on my to do list....they do look so cosy too :) I hope you are feeling much better now and the lurgy has departed.
Helen x

silverpebble said...

I'm not sure what you're on about - these socks have perfect proportions! I love their jaunty stripes! I truly hope the ailments scarper SUPER quickly.

Julie said...

Hoping you feel properly better soon. The socks look wonderful, and so cosy. I have always thought that hand-knit socks would be the bees knees. I'd love to be brave enough to try to knit some. In fact I have just promised myself that I will, just not yet! Juliex

Annie Cholewa said...

I am in awe of anyone who knits socks ... so many stitches, so small a 'garment'! But they do look very comfy, I'm sure The Little Stranger would agree :D

If you have any luck with Brora could you mention me please ;)



Used-to-Bees said...

Such gorgeous, snuggly socks! Every winter I plan to learn to knit socks, but fail. Maybe this year... Hope Captain Lurgy has jumped on his boat and sailed far away by now, and I love the little pooch!
x

Mrs. Micawber said...

The socks are indeed jubilant, and your thighs don't look a bit Titanic to me.

I am yet another who is afraid to try knitting socks. Perhaps you could write an encouraging post with a few hints and tips on overcoming this?

Hope you're feeling better now.

P.S. I'm on the last chapter of "Watching the English". A very funny and fascinating (and squirm-inducing) read - thanks for recommending it.

Paula said...

I don't have calves, I have cows!

Elizabeth said...

Admirable socks!
do hope the ants have departed.
I ordered some of the wool you suggested.
Many thanks for your help.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails