While you were looking the other way…
Sep 17th, 2007 by jennie
… I knit these.
I haven’t blogged about them because they are a gift, but as the recipient is going to get them tonight, I think I’m safe.
Pattern: Boyfriend Socks
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in “Denim,” 2 skeins
Needles: US 0 dpns
Thoughts: These socks are, as the pattern title might suggest, for the boy. Let me say here and now that I am not a superstitious person. I will admit that I have attempted knitting for two other boyfriends and both relationships ended before the knit projects did. But — that said, there are several reasons I feel comfortable knitting for the boy.
1. The socks are called boyfriend socks. They are made to be made for boyfriends. Must be immune to the jinx, right? Right (keep repeating that).
2. The boy is, himself, a knitter (I’ve been holding out on you guys… I wanted to tell you, but thought it would be so much better to reveal it in this post. Yep, I found a boy who knits). I think knitting socks for a knitterly boyfriend reverses the curse. Of course, now he has to knit something for me (ahem! ahem!).
3. The boy travels a lot. I wanted to give him something to take with him while he travels that would remind him of me. Then, when he gets lonely or his toes get cold, I’ll be (as best I can) there.
4. Honestly? I know that deep down, he probably just wants plain black socks, as all men do. But I bought this yarn with him in mind pretty early on in our relationship (I had a feeling from the get-go that he was a good ‘un) and I wanted to make something sweet, complicated, interesting, and beautiful with it. I know that if he doesn’t wear them, it won’t hurt my feelings. I knit them while he was last out of town and I missed him. It comforted me to knit for him. Whether or not he wears them, it made me feel good to knit a gift for him and I know he’ll appreciate them, whether or not he wears them. Which, in the end, is all that matters.
And besides, his feet aren’t all that much bigger than mine — if he doesn’t like them, then I can wear them!
As for the pattern? I loved it. The cables look good — complicated, but easy to execute. I’ve fallen in love with toe-up socks and look:
My short row heels are getting so much better!
Cabling without a cable needle on size 0 needles was, at some points, a little hairy, but I got along fine and these ended up being a remarkably quick knit (esp. considering that I knit two other socks at the same time).
Modifications? Only a few — I used a twisted 1×1 rib at the top, made it 1.75 inches (’cause really? 1 inch ribbing always looks skimpy) and used a sewn bind-off to ensure stretch.
Hopefully, before the boy takes off on his travels, I can get a picture of him modeling them (fingers crossed they fit!).
I definitely agree that the curse doesn’t apply when your boy is a knitter himself — which is so, so cool, by the way. I’m sure he would love these socks anyway, but even more so because he’ll truly appreciate your mad skills.
Those look great! And the color is beautiful (I’m such a sucker for blues).
I can tell you, from first hand experience, that the knitting curse isn’t true. Nope. I knit a sweater for R two Christmases ago and he hasn’t run away yet! (Of course, the leg irons may have something to do with that…)
I remember when this was just a budding relationship–so nice to see it blossom into something good!! You totally deserve it, Jennie. And curses schmurses.
i will add that I knit my ex a sweater, and we didn’t break up for 4+ years afterward. I do not believe for a second that the sweater had anything to do with it. More the fact that he doesn’t know that I was the best thing to ever happen to him!
These are beautiful socks - and your short-row heel is very pretty and neat! I wish my boy would wear things that aren’t plain black - but they would look good on me too!
A knitterly boyfriend! *swoons* Gorgeous, gorgeous socks indeed.
They are beautiful! And as I knitter, if he doesn’t appreciate them there is something seriously wrong with the boy!
I don’t buy the curse thing at all. I made my guy a sweater last year and we’re still doing fine. And I still don’t have “the ring” and I’m totally ok with that!
Fantastic gift!! And I echo Minty’s “curses shmurses.” He’ll love them.
They look fabulous. Perfect. And I think socks are just something special.
These socks are great - love the colour and pattern. And who needs curses? I’ve knit my boyfriend 3 pairs of socks (an numerous hats), and he loves all of them, so a boy who knits is bound to be happy with those babies.
These look great. And he knits! Oh my, you’ve found a keeper…
A Knitting Boyfriend. You lucky girl! I love the cables on these socks! You give me hope for my Holey Short Row Heels. Yours look great!
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