I have been writing this blog for nearly three years now. And yes, for better or worse, it is mostly about knitting. I think that probably qualifies me as a knit blogger. However, I can’t help but notice that I seem to have committed three of the cardinal sins of knit blogging.
No socks.
I don’t knit socks. I don’t know why I don’t knit socks. It’s not like I have a policy against knitting socks. In fact, I have many of the qualities that should make me a natural at knitting socks, namely:
- I have feet.
- My feet are always cold.
- I knit.
- I hate commercially made socks.
Given this, you think I’d be churning out socks by the hundreds! I even went to a three-day sock knitting workshop taught by the amazing Cookie A! What did I get out of it? Not socks. Don’t get me wrong – I see many gorgeous sock patterns, and even more gorgeous sock yarn. When push comes to shove, however (referring to that magical moment when inspiration strikes and I cast on something new), it is never socks.
No pets.
It seems as if it is rather de rigueur these days to post photos of one’s knitting draped by cat. In fact, membership in the Sacred Order of Cat Owners (known by cats as the Sacred Order of Cat Slaves) is pretty much a requirement for a knitter these days, much less one who purports to blog about it. And if a knit blogger, by some bizarre accident of fate, does not have a cat, well then she is sure to have a dog. Or both. Or several.
It’s not that I have anything against cats. Or dogs. I love them. Most especially when they are OTHER PEOPLE’S cats and dogs. Yes, those are the kinds I like best. (OK, I have admitted it – please do not throw me out of the knit blogging club! I love it here. Really I do. And karma might still come back to bite me – Doug keeps talking about getting a parrot or maybe an iguana.)
No Facebook.
I am not on Facebook. I have never been on Facebook. I have no interest in Facebook. Yes, everyone I know is on Facebook. In fact, over a billion people are on Facebook. A billion people! And while I am confessing – I am also not on Twitter (I’m still not exactly sure what it is), and I still don’t know how to use my smart phone. Of course, I do write a blog after all, and I do use email enough to curse it daily, so I am not exactly a relic from the prehistoric era (girls, if you are reading this, please stop laughing!).
I am told that more people would read my blog if I were on Facebook. This is probably true. But one must be careful; this is indeed a slippery slope. If I were to join Facebook, where would that lead? The next thing you know, I’d be posing with a Siamese cat. And warm feet.
As always, I love reading your blog. I can relate to this post on so many counts. I do knit socks, but not often (I keep sock wips in the car and at the cabin for knitting emergencies!). No pets here. And, no Facebook, twitter or any of that stuff. I still have a flip phone!
Happy knitting, Kelly!
I do knit socks (second pair for the summer is on the way), I do have a cat – never draped in my knitting, but I don’t have FB nor am I on twitter. And I won’t go there either. So you are not the only one 🙂
Love your blogg for the knitting and traveling rides you take us on. And how you show how your knittedwork has handled the wear and tear. Love that part. And that you don’t say it’s not posted here but you can see it at my FB…
very fun post! I have a cat or two, not allowed on the knitting, though they do sniff it when I take photos. I am on facebook, but rarely link it to the blog, and don’t care if I don’t have a lot of followers, why would I need to have lots? I’d rather have quality. 🙂
No twitter, etc, though.
I think the great thing about knitting and life and blogging is seeing and hearing from and about people who are different from me. So keep writing the way you do. And, if you get really cold feet, send me your shoe size and address, I will make you some socks. 🙂
smile 🙂
Love this! I’m not owned by a cat; I am on FB and Twitter, but not sure why; BUT — I love knitting socks!! I’ve learned that you are either a sock knitter or you’re not — and that’s OK!
Love your Blog! I can really relate …. I don’t have any pets and while I love other peoples, I have no intention of acquiring one. Had a part-time dawg (regularly looked after my parents dog while they travelled) several years ago and it really tied us down. I have knit 2 pair of socks for me a few years ago, but found it was difficult to fit them into shoes. I also always have cold feet and my hand knit socks felt great! Not a fan of Facebook and often find it surprising what gets posted.
All of this makes you wonderfully unique because I meet all three of these stereotypes! Keep doing what you’re doing because you have a great blog here!
You can add no. 4. Have you knitted any shawls?
Hee hee! Believe me; I thought about that one!
I don’t knit socks either! I thought I was the only one… Great post!
I have only knit one pair of socks as a charity knit. I don’t know why I also have a mental block against socks. My first negative thought is that they are too thick to wear with any of my shoes. My second negative thought is that who will see these socks if they’re always under my jeans. I can think of many more negative thoughts about socks…hence…no socks. Can anyone out there convince me otherwise?
Love the blog!!!
This is one of your best posts-albeit not about knitting. Just loved it-and have read it several times, laughing all the while.
Hilarious! You’re the best. A great post for a Monday.
Okay, #1 and #2 are totally overrated (#3 does work if you want publicity, though, it’s true). #1: I very occasionally knit socks, but I absolutely despise blogging about it… you know why? I’m never more likely to skip a post than if it’s about knitted socks. I mean, what is there to say, REALLY? Unless it’s a compendium of short row heels or showing off how a new yarn makes it through a walk over hot coals, I’m-a-not interested. (oops, now don’t go and post a sock post until you forget about this comment)
#2: I don’t have a cat or a dog or an anything. But I do borrow one who comes by in the summer to satisfy Those Who Require Evidence of Animal Life In The Home. Also. Once a raccoon stole a ball of yarn out from my apartment and took it out all the way through the deck, down the spiral staircase and out the backyard into the alley. At least, I’m pretty sure it was a raccoon because a whole family had invaded my house the weekend before for some BBQ lamp chops in my kitchen garbage, and no cat had ever visited me before. Anyhow, I will regret my whole life not getting THAT photo, and should spend some time figuring out a re-enactment. 🙂
I’d love to see you try to re-enact that one!
Thank you to everyone for your great comments here. I am so glad that people enjoyed this post. Special thanks to all you be-socked, Facebooking pet lovers who read me anyway; life would be boring if we were all alike.
Socks are the ultimate carry-along project, and they’re easy to smuggle into most venues. I’ve been known to bash off a few rows stuck in traffic. Yes, a pair of WIP socks is main-stay knitting for me. I don’t even bother to put them on Rav. And everyone knows, sock wool doesn’t count as stash! So s(t)ock up!
Since you don’t have dogs or cats, you probably don’t realise that we don’t actually pose our knitting near our pets, rather, they pose themselves near our knitting. You haven’t properly blocked a wet sweater unless you’ve had a cat lying on it. It’s imperative to the drying process, and goes much faster. Cats love wet wool like moths love a flame…
As for FB? I’m taking a pass on it too, despite all of my nagging friends. I really don’t need to know what you’ve had for breakfast, thankyouverymuch. In fact, you’re one step ahead of me, you’ve got a cell phone. While I think it’s imperative for some, I like to live dangerously…
No cell phone? YOU WIN!!!!
Thanks, ShimFarm! So wonderful to learn that sock yarn doesn’t count as stash!! Instead of 18 bins of yarn, I now have only 4!! That was a real stash buster!