Tootsie Time

I love to knit. I’ve been seriously knitting since 1987, but first learned when I was in 5th grade. My knitting journey started with a friend in grade school who showed me how to do basic knitting and I taught her crochet. I never really went very far with that knowledge, until I started a part time job in a yarn store in Tacoma, Washington. I met my friend, Thelma, there. Thelma was originally from England where she became a war bride during the Vietnam era. Thelma is one of the most elegantly funny ladies I know, she was also a fabulous knitter. We worked together at the yarn store, where she inspired and taught be to appreciate the craft of knitting. Since then, I’ve had many friends who have been knitting inspirations to me.

I don’t knit fast, but I knit neatly. I have lots of projects started, but I only complete an occasional few. One of my favorite things to knit is socks. There is nothing like a well-made, hand-knit pair of socks. There are many options on how to approach your sock design, construction, needle choice, technique and of course I can’t forget the wonderful yarn choices that are out there. Sock knitting is an extremely satisfying sport.
Sock knitters are also a little weird. We like to take pictures of feet. Not naked feet of course, but feet that are adorned in a freshly knit pair of socks. OK…You see that I’m one of these weird sock knitter people. I have taken a picture of my feet.

But before you start thinking how wonderfully talented I am, I must confess. I have learned this past week, that there is something better than knitting a pair of socks. You may think, that I would be crushed with this realization…but indeed I am overjoyed. I have been enlighted that “receiving” a pair of hand knit socks is way better than knitting them yourself.

The socks that grace this post where knit by my dear friend, Sue, from California. She is one of those people that inspire me to knit. Sue is prolific like no other knitter I know. And now upon receiving this extra special gift, I can look closely at her techniques and see how wonderfully talented she is. Sue and I chat constantly about yarn and knitting, but now I am woefully humbled. Sue is a fabulous knitter and I’m honored to have her as a friend. I am even more honored to own a pair of her socks. My Tootsie’s are happy when they are wrapped in Sue’s socks. Thanks Sue!!