A while back, a friend gave me 2 skeins of sock yarn. One was to make a pair of socks for myself--I ended up making two pair from that skein, one knitted and one crocheted with the help of some scraps for contrasting toes and heels. Bill said he didn't really need socks at that time, since he had a dozen or more pairs already, all of which I'd made. Of course, I didn't need any socks either, but I do love making them, so I won't run out any time soon--or so I hope. Sadly, Bill unexpectedly ended up in a situation where he now needs socks as soon as possible. My needles are full.
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| heel is turned and gusset stitches picked up |
The variegated yarn in the photo is one of the skeins our friend gave me. When Bill said he didn't need socks, I ended up starting a pair of fingerless gloves for him using that yarn. I was almost done with the second one when we moved, so I put the project in a little pouch that I kept with me and it didn't get packed. But when Bill went to pack the socks in the drawer where he kept them, he discovered that critters had been quite enjoying the dark, damp wooden drawer and the delightfully delicious wool socks that lived in there. They had munched holes in some socks. Others weren't damaged, but who knows if there were tiny critters or future critters just waiting for their turn. I considered trying to treat whatever socks remained but I decided that the risk to all the other wool things was too great. The damage did appear to be limited to that drawer, which was in a room about as far away from all my yarn and the wool garments that I have as they could be in that cottage. Even Bill's hat collection didn't seem to be affected. I told Bill we'd better throw all the socks away. He said, 'All that work you did!' 'I can make more,' I replied. I didn't want to scoop up all those socks and discard them, but it was the safest thing to do.
Then there was the issue of actually making more socks. Having used some of the sock yarn for the fingerless gloves, I knew I wouldn't have enough for an entire pair of socks, given the yardage in the skein. I had some bits of yarn that I could use for the cuffs, which don't require the nylon content that sock yarn contains for longer wear, but that was buried somewhere under the bed. I finished the gloves and pondered. One day, I was fiddling with the edge of a sheet that was hanging down off the bed when my hand brushed a plastic bag. I pulled the bag out from under the bed and it was exactly the bag I wanted! It contained the royal blue superwash wool fingering weight yarn I was looking for, so I cast on that very day. Yesterday I sent Bill a link to the page with the sock yarn I usually buy from a yarn shop in Dublin. It's not something I can get around here or in charity shops, so I buy from there. It's Zig Zag sock yarn, it's great yardage, and it wears quite well. I told him that I can get three pairs of socks from two skeins, so he just ordered two of the same colorway. They should arrive on Monday.
The socks will keep me in yarn projects, which is good, since I have no idea when I'll be pulling my stuff out from under the bed. Last evening, I got a forwarded message from F. It was from the plumber who was supposed to come and install our shower today. Yes, that's 'who was supposed to...' He said he wouldn't be here today but would come on Monday after his day job and would arrive around 5. Bill and I will believe this when we see him and not before, of course. This is the second time he hasn't shown up when he said he would. As far as I know, the regular plumber, who won't install the shower here because it involves PVC, is still coming to fix the shower at our friend's house. If he is successful, we'll take showers there until this other guy and his PVC man sidekick actually shows up. The way things are going, we might be showering at our friend's house forever. In the meantime, I'll be over here knitting socks. Don't know what I'd do without my yarn!
Plumbing update: The plumber did show up to our friend's house. The part was the wrong one, so no shower there, either. Perhaps next week.
8 comments:
I hope that shower works out soon!!!! And that is quite the sock story. You must be able to knit them quickly...I picture Miss Marple sitting in front of her house in her garden of course knitting socks lickety split while waiting for a murder to occur. Maybe the murder of the missing sock...ha ha...of course I jest. I hope you get some done for Bill soon. Have a great rest of your weekend.
Who knows what else you may find under the bed, Shari? At least you’ll have warm feet as you walk over to your friend’s house to take a shower!
Thanks, Erika! Bill thinks the shower guy will not show up and is only wondering whether he'll let F know in advance and what the excuse will be. It wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't appear, but I hold out some hope that he will.
I am eager to get under that bed, David! But there's no point in rummaging through the stuff until we have places to put things so I will be patient 😏 A shower remains an elusive dream but we live in hope.
Oh Shari, my cousin and Rick and I were all three bemoaning the issue of contractors and repair fok not showing up when they say they would. At least yours notified you, so you didn't have to sit about all day waiting for him, but it's little consolation when you lug your towels and soap over to your friend's! I made one and a half socks before I lost the pattern and my skilled sock-making friend finished them. I don't know that I'll ever do it again. But OH, if I have a chance to buy hand-knit socks, I'm all over them! They're fabulous and Bill is one lucky guy!
It's great that your friend was able to finish the socks you started--a team effort! Some things just don't connect with us so it's good to spend time on the things we enjoy. A friend recently asked me to make a pair of fingerless gloves for a friend of hers, but with fingers going partway up, so essentially gloves with open fingers. This for a person I've never met and have no idea how big his hands are. I declined that because I find making the fingers too fiddly. At one time I probably would've agreed and had a miserable time making them. I've learned to decline and not feel bad about it, for which I am grateful! I do enjoy making the socks though, so this is no hardship ;-)
Oh no!!! I've just read your update on the plumber!!!
Happy sock knitting :)
All the best Jan
The plumber did come to our cottage last night and made a small start. He says he'll be back tonight to continue. PVC guy not coming until maybe Saturday. Incremental progress, but progress nonetheless :-)
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