In praise of some socks

Published on Wednesday August 30th, 2006

I never thought I’d be a sock knitter, as I’ve mentioned here before. What’s the sense of putting so much effort into something that will quickly wear out and smell of feet? I’m still not sure. But I knit them anyway. And I’ll bet your store-bought socks can’t say they’ve ever landed you a new job.

Here’s how it happened:

Spring. Sockapaloooza. Knitters all over the world are whipping up pairs of socks for perfect strangers, out of a sense of good fun and on the strength of their faith that another stranger will send a pair to them. Steph knits these. She sends them to Jen in Portland. She also tells Jen that her friend Sarah has recently moved to Portland, and perhaps they should meet and knit together. Jen and Sarah meet and find they have much in common beyond knitting. Jen introduces Sarah to her boss, the director of an exceptionally fine elementary school, and now Sarah is so busy learning her new job there that she scarcely has time to cast on a mate for any of her own unwed socks.

Gainful employment through sock exchange, people. It’s a beautiful dream. Those daffodilly Rib-and-Cable socks are helping to pay my mortgage when you come right down to it. They’ve also introduced me to a whole crowd of bright, passionate, talented folks — many knitters among them — with whom it’s a joy to work, and I haven’t even met the kiddos yet.

So cast on, my friends. You never know when your craft will become a vessel and bear you away on a purposeful current to parts unknown.

10 Comments to “In praise of some socks”

  1. colleen Comment Says:

    Great story!

    And the sock knitting: totally know what you mean.

  2. Lisa Comment Says:

    That, my friend, is the power of knitting.

    Wish you were here. I missed you at my birthday party tonight. Hope we can see you soon!

  3. Molly Comment Says:

    Gainful employment through sock knitting?? I hope that works out for me, too! (Amazing how “networking” in a completely unrelated area can work out, isn’t it?)

  4. Nonnahs Comment Says:

    That’s so cool! I am always aware of and grateful for the new friends and life experiences that knitting continues to bring to me. Gotta love the world of knitting (and blogs)!

  5. Mr. Garter Comment Says:

    knitting == paying for the mortgage.

    huh! I never thought of it like that before.

    Mrs. Garter, *knit away* !!!

  6. gleek Comment Says:

    HORRAY!!! i had a feeling something was going to come of it! i’m so glad that you and jen hit it off and my socks came to some good use to both of you (please tell her to get blogging again!)

    congrats on the new job! keep us posted on how you like it 🙂

  7. hege Comment Says:

    That’s a great story! Another good reason to knit socks 😉 I am new to your blog, and just wanted to say your Gentlewomans Shooting Socks are beautiful! The perfect yarn for the pattern.

  8. Veronique Comment Says:

    Very nice story! It almost distracts us from the suspense created by your previous post: so what sock of yours is going to get a mate?!

  9. Virginia Comment Says:

    Oh my gosh!!!! Congratulations!!! Are you teaching?

    YAY KNITTING!!!

  10. Rebecca Comment Says:

    That is a truly inspiring story!