Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Socks and Meditation

I finished another pair of socks.  I'm officially a "sockaholic".  I can't stop!  I had these started when my DH had his little run-in with the table saw.  I had them in my purse and ended up spending hours at the hospital by his bedside knitting.  Knitting, hand applique, and other hand work projects are meditative to me.  While I can knit or hand-sew while talking or watching TV, I've learned that doing work that requires concentration can take my focus off of my worries and onto my needlework.  I can do simple knit-purl on autopilot.... and I can still have a conversation or worry or focus on fear or anger or any other emotions (including good ones).  But complicated or new patterns require my attention, and that means that my attention is not on life around me.  It's as good as a nap.  I have to count and concentrate, and before I know it, my blood pressure is lower and tension is relieved.

It really doesn't matter what I do.  Knitting was just easy for me to carry around and I just happened to have a pair of socks started.  But anything that requires concentration works.

These socks are the "Simple Sock" from "Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles by Cat Bordhi.  I lost the wrapper somewhere in the hospital so I can't tell you what the yarn is, but it's a wool blend sock yarn with long color runs.  I used size 2 circs.

 
 I made these... 2 at a time... on two circular needles.  I don't think I'll be doing that again any time soon.  I kept getting tangled up.  My niece told me to just be sure I turn every other row in the opposite direction.  Yea-- well--- I tried, but I still ended up spending too much time untangling things.  I think one-sock-at-a-time is for me.
 

14 comments:

Barb said...

Love your socks!!

Sue said...

the socks are great and you are right knitting is soothing..

Joanne said...

I am a sockaholic too!! Your socks are beautiful, love the colours.
I knit two at a time socks on one circular needle. The book I use recommends keeping the balls of yarn in individual Ziploc bags with a corner cut off (for the yarn to come out of, has to be done before you start knitting).

Maggey and Jim said...

Wow, I love socks and have never had a hand knitted pair. They look so warm and pretty.
Maggey

WoolenSails said...

Wonderful socks. I knitted a sweater for my son once, that was the extent of my knitting. I even bought a real knitting machine, thinking I could knit better, lol.
That would be nice to make as presents.

Debbie

Colleen said...

Love the colors of the socks Sue.

Judy S. said...

Wish you could find that wrapper as those socks are great, and I love the color! I prefer dpn myself, at least for socks....

Brenda said...

Learning to knit socks has been high on my list for a couple of years, starting before all the hand problems. Have some lovely sock yarn I purchased from our local newish yarn shop and a couple of books, some circs and and lots of DPs, many of them from those misc. boxes of stuff from auctions or garage sales (at least half of those purchased by my sister with me in mind). Now, if only I could train myself to watch TV. When I was married, husband had TV on all the time and if I wanted to be in his company, I watched TV. I couldn't watch without doing something else at the same time, tho. But TV is down a level in family room, so requires a conscious decision to go turn it on and watch something. So, I don't think I've had it on for at least 6 months!

Then there's my sister in town -- her house is 1/4 to 1/3 the size of mine -- she has 3 TVs -- kitchen, living room, bedroom. And at least two are usually on, so she doesn't lose anything walking from LR into kitchen! Although I don't think she so much watches a lot of stuff as she likes the "company" and when something catches her ear, she watches. And know several other folks just like her.

Am going to have to check out this sock thing you described your last post. May be good PT for my hands (and my brain).

B.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Oh I totally could use some of those right now! I sit with a portable heater under my desk! hee,hee,hee. Those are fantastic!
hugs and friends,
shell

Cath Ü said...

brilliant is the word that springs to mind when I look at these gorgeous socks...
Caths Blog
Cath Ü

Melinda said...

I started a pair this week. I can't remember how to get the second sock on two circulars so I am only doing one. These are only the second pair I have tried.

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness.........these are GREAT!!! I've always wanted to knit socks but never had the nerve so right now I am knitting a BIG needle afghan with two yarns together. Simple pattern. I just started knitting again and some day will attempt socks.........you make these look so easy but those 6 pixie sticks scare me and now I guess the circular needle thing is out...LOL. So what do you think the most beginner type sock is that you've done. Maybe thats where i'll start.
TTYS
Your BFF in NYS ;-)

mrh191 said...

Hee, hee! I sucked you in... :)

prashant said...

the socks are great and you are right knitting is soothing..
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