My mother gave me a special gift for my birthday recently, two works of art designed to adorn the foot-al region of my person: a pair of her famous Turkish socks. Well, famous in our own family, anyway… traditionally she has only made these for the males in the family so I feel pretty honoured and privileged to be the first female recipient of a pair; cough cough, did I hear gender privilege anyone? Ahem…
Putting my Mum’s creations here on the ol’ blog is always a humbling experience, as it just highlights to the max the vast superiority of her handiwork and creativity to my own. I usually turn out socks of the very basic kind, true I choose yummy colours that I love but there is no difficulty level in that, and my socks themselves are pretty utilitarian in style. When I lay eyes on Mum’s work I feel dead boring in my own output. sigh
The pattern, as in decoratively, of these socks is created in the fair isle knitting method, that is carrying the unused colour loosely at the back of the work and bringing it forward when it is needed, and the pattern, as in construction-wise, of these socks is the Turkish method of knitting socks. That is, starting from the toe and knitting up the foot to end at the top “hole” that you stick your foot in. This method is the opposite from my usual preferred way of sock knitting, the English method, starting at the top and finishing at the toe. Knitting socks in the Turkish method of course has the huge advantage which is that you can knit contentedly away, making each sock exactly the same length until you have used up your available wool… and not run the risk of running out of wool halfway down the foot section, a terrifying possibility with the English method.
But I digress; I know from experience that knitting one’s own socks is a passion reserved for just the initiated few; so instead of me dwelling on the finer points of sock manufacture, please instead admire Mum’s work above…
On a side note; modelling socks, definitely my favourite. You may not be surprised that I am kinda low on my modelling mojo. However socks… well! No need to worry about a bad hair day, weird facial expressions and who knows (or cares) what hideousness I am actually wearing elsewhere on my person? My feet are looking beautiful, so yay!
Socks; handknit by my mother using 8 ply yarns
Those are awesome socks!! I have yet to knit a pair, but the Turkish method is tempting.
Don't worry, the modelling mojo will come back. 🙂
It`s great to have mothers who care for us. My mother is a terrific knitter – she knits so fast without even looking and her knitting on the inside looks as good as the outside. I can only knit one slow stitch at a time – my last jumper took 7 years to complete(and was incredibly daggy )and I think will be my last .Hope you will be modelling your latest finished garments soon . Also good luck for your son`s upcoming exams .
Wow, those look great! Hum, the Turkish method sounds intriguing. Did I mention I ran out of yarn like 5 rows from the end of my second sock with the last pair? (Good think I found another ball of yarn in the depth of my craft box…)
Wow, they are fabulous. Your mum is a wonderful knitter.
These are really pretty! Whenever I see some knitted garment, I wonder why I don't knit anymore. I should really give it another try and improve my skills!
Wow, Those socks are pretty amazing. Like you, I've made a zillion pair of socks (long ago) but I only once tried to make fairisle. I couldn't get them on my foot. 🙂 Those are works of art!
These socks are truly amazing. You are so lucky to have such a talented mother.
Those socks are awesome! I can knit – a little, but haven't done so for a very long time, but I do appreciate handknits.
My Nanna knitted me a pair of socks when I was about 10 years old (she died when I was 11) they were a plain dark grey knitted with a double sole and I loved wearing them.
Your feet do look beautiful! I think foot-modeling would be my preferred choice.
Wow so cool, I think you're both so talented for just being able to knit socks. The only thing I've ever knitted before were scarfs, then I got bored with how long it took!
Wauw, fantastic socks in great colors
that knitting is gorgeous, the colors are fantastic. And my modeling mojo rarely makes an appearance, thus my dress form is most frequently used, it never has a bad hair day 🙂
Oh those are just yummy! Lucky you :O).
What a nice gift. Mom's are great:)
Please pass onto yours my admiration over her skill and color choices
Sweet
Those are certainly amazing socks!
Ooh, the heel looks really clever on these! Lucky you!
They are fab – your mum is a star knitter..I am a teensey bit jealous of them!
They are amazing socks. I am afraid that as an addicted sock knitter I have observed a slight problem with your sock modelling ;). That heel is obviously an astounding piece of work and we only have a side view. 🙁 Your Mum is so clever.