Monday, July 09, 2007

Blockage?

I am pleased to report that I am now less irked by the lack of "good job's," "way to go's," and "hey, sorry about the whole thing where we decided to close the agency but at least you don't have to come in to work today" messages enclosed with my final paycheck from Job #2. The fact that I spent the thirty seven dollars and change that represented my last wages earned from them on fun-fun knitty stuff took a bit of the sting out of that, I suppose.

And fear not, Dear Readers. This was not even close to my primary source of income. This was a job I took on a few years ago when I was desperately trying to cobble together a number of part time jobs in order to create something vaguely resembling a whole living. After I went back to full time teaching, the extra work wasn't needed. But I liked people and the chance to exercise a few different professional muscles. And the little bit of yarn money it brought in didn't hurt either.

But, over the past couple of years, I've come to appreciate the time to knit or spin or just sit and think about knitting and spinning more than the added cash with which to indulge in the extra yarn. Had I so desired, I could have moved over with the majority of the staff and continued working under a different logo. I was as surprised as anyone to discover that I didn't desire. I didn't desire at all, frankly. When the opportunity to leave presented itself, I took it faster than Lily Chin can crank out a single crochet stitch scarf. (and that's fast, people) I'm fine with it.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't have liked a "thank you." But I'm good. Now I can knit socks full time for the remainder of the summer. Isn't that nice?



Tah-Dah!!!!!!!
The Socks Of Summer are finito! (is that a real word?) Without a pesky job during the summer months, a Sheep can stay up way past her bedtime on a Sunday night and finish up the last few decreases. I started these socks as a way to prep myself for the upcoming school vacation. The yarn was purchased during the coldest days of February from the talented Samurai Knitter. The colorway is called Earth and is everything I think of when Summer comes to mind: green, green grass, warm dirt baking in the sun...everything but the ants! Nice, huh? They're even prettier in "real-life."
But, here's the thing. Now that I am a full-time sock knitter, I'm thinking that I need sock blockers. I'll admit it. I just wanna blog like the cool kids. And most of the cool kids have sock blockers. I've upgraded my camera in order that I might bring you better, clearer and more stunning photos of plain stockinette socks in a variety of colors. Should I not take the next step and get the sock blockers?
But, for the record, I don't think I will ever actually block a sock. Socks don't really need blocking. Once your foot gets all sweaty, doesn't it sort of block right there on your hoof? Don't we all already come with built-in blocking ability? It's all about the Blog Glamour Shots and I know it.
I'm open to suggestions. Because I believe in the sweat blocking method, I will not be needing the finest of sock blockers. Just a little something to fill out the socks for their photo shoots and to distract everyone from whatever boo-boos I may have made in the knitting process. You know what I'm saying... Does anyone have a recommendation for reasonably priced, visually distracting sock blockers? I'd like to go a step up from the homemade coat hanger variety but not quite reach the solid gold level of sock blockage. We must be reasonable about this.
I am, after all, a single income family now.
SA

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your socks look great! If things get bad, you could put the kitties to work. :)

Teri S. said...

Gee, I was thinking the same thing as Beth. You should be able to come up with a creative way to use your furry companions as sock models. Or how about buying a sheet of balsa wood and making your own custom sock blockers? Although come to think of it, balsa wood is probably too fragile. But the possibilities are endless!

Leigh said...

I wouldn't have a clue. I'm a sweat blocker too. But I know what you mean about photographing newly knitted socks. I havn't finished a pair of socks in awhile, but I usually end up using my own foot to model them.

catsmum said...

I DID try to win you a pair of blockers [ you couldn't win them for yourself, you had to nominate a blogging friend ... otherwise it would've been every knitter for herself of course ]
still I'm sure the person who did win deserved them almost as much as our Sheepie ... almost.

Anonymous said...

Long, skinny foot-shaped balloons? Bean bags? Ice cubes? Well, maybe not that last one.

Personally I like the photos where the socks are on human feet. If the feet are on an attractive surface, like green grass or rustic wooden flooring, so much the better. But the ones where the knitter is clearly lying comfortably in his/her recliner, photographing his/her feet waving in the are nice, too, though.

Lazuli said...

Cheap sock blockers: bend those wire or plastic-coated-wire coathangers into a sock shape. Not as pretty as wood, but it does the trick! (http://www.needletrax.com/blockers.htm)

Yay for new socks! Now only if it would cool down enough so we can wear them!

Lazuli said...

Um. I think I got stuck on the word "cheap" before I saw the words "step up from." That said, you could get pink ones... that would at least fit the visually distracting qualification!

Bells said...

I blocked my monkey socks and it was so worth it, particularly as they're going into an exhibition. They were much nicer after that. Sure, once they go on they'll be fine but I'm pretty convinced that patterned socks really benefit from it.

Bells said...

oh and I blocked them on blockers my hubby made from ply wood.

Anonymous said...

You're pretty handy with with your hooves, I suggest you make your own! Check this out: http://littlesesameknits.blogspot.com/2007/04/super-easy-diy-sock-blockers-tutorial.html

Karen
http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/

Donna Lee said...

I think the lacy sock patterns look nice on sock blockers so the pattern pops out but they look just as nice on feet, less catalog-ish. I guess I am destined to never be a cool kid.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't have any ideas on how to advise you, I've been knitting socks for over 30 years and I've never blocked a pair other than putting them on feet. I do own a pair of the wooden blockers with large holes in them for air flow but I have no idea where I got them. I just have them hanging on a wall in the studio as decoration. I agree that socks on blockers would make for a nice picture though.

Anonymous said...

Of course finito is a word, silly Sheep.

Love the socks! Will I get to see them in person tonight?

I do believe that Patti has some Fiber Trends sock blockers at the store but I don't think they are much cheaper than the pretty wooden ones (with kitties or sheep even) you can get on e-bay (http://stores.ebay.com/CHAPPYS-FIBER-ARTS-AND-CRAFTS). I use mine mostly to take photos, but I do block gifty socks.

Cathy said...

Hmm. Lots of good thought re:sock blockers. And terrific links too. I may have to invest in a pattern and try making some.

Oh. Did you post something?

debsnm said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anne P said...

Very nice socks! They look perfect for winter. When exactly does that come back? I'm ready to wear some warm woolies.

And YAY for more knitting time. Spinning kit #2 is in the mail this weekend.

Anonymous said...

I'll never need sock blockers because I never finish a damn pair of socks. But your socks look great even without blocking.

5elementknitr said...

I'm all about the cheap and free...

here's a link to a sock blocker made from a wire hanger

http://www.needletrax.com/blockers.htm

Now Joan Crawford won't have to beat you for having them in your closet. They'll be happily employed with your handknits!

Anonymous said...

I have sock blockers but alas, my feet are not as flat as they are so they didn't save my oh-that's-not-superwash-wool? socks.

Ever since then, I've viewed them somewhat suspiciously.

A foot is a better model anyway. Or paw.

Julie said...

Oh, they're magnificent! Sorry it took me so long to get over here and admire them... I've been slothful too.

It's been so much more rewarding than I expected to sell my yarn, because the people who buy it do such lovely things with it. You make me feel so clever, and really, you did the work.

Nice socks. I hope they're nice and toasty warm.