December 22: Perfectly Paired
Mom’s favorite thing of all to knit was socks. Many of you were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to learn sock knitting from this woman who was truly a master. She rivaled the top experts in our industry in about every area of knitting technique.
Any time we needed a sock sample knit, mom would snatch up the yarn and go to town – often creating her own design. I rarely got to knit socks for this reason. Socks were her domain. When she passed away last spring, what was on her needles? A sock.
When the funky self striping socks first became the rage, mom was one of those knitters who would go to great lengths to make sure they matched EXACTLY. Random wasn’t her thing.
When this new sock yarn from Schoppel Wolle was introduced this fall, I knew we had to have it.
Introducing Das Paar. Two 50gm skeins are wound separately from the same starting point so that you will have socks that match. They are packaged together in one 100gm hank, making two separate socks that match EXACTLY. Non-random sock knitters rejoice!
If you do not have our Basic Socks pattern, you are missing out. It isn’t just a pattern on how to make a sock. Mom included lots of information on how to make a sock that FITS, along with her unique technical know-how. The socks shown above obviously weren’t knitted from mom’s pattern, hers always looked nicer than that. I nabbed the pic from Schoppel Wolle because I haven’t had time to knit a pair of socks since the yarn arrived.
Today I feel like sharing mom’s love of sock knitting with you, so I’m giving away one skein of Das Paar along with our Basic Socks pattern. Simply let me know which color you’d like to win, you can see the colors here. If you have a great memory of mom to share that would be great too. I’ll randomly select one lucky winner, you have until midnight tonight.
In the new year I want to find the time to revamp many of the instructional videos mom made, including sock knitting. My list of things to do is a mile long, and my boat is so overloaded it is a wonder I’m still afloat. Hoping that 2017 is the year to catch up!
Linda Weston
22.12.2016 at 06:09You’ve saved the best for last, Keely; how wonderful that one of the last themes for the 24 Days of SWAK is a tribute to your mom!
I’ve never knitted a pair of socks, although it’s been on my “I should try it” list for a long time. Beautiful yarn and your mom’s pattern would be a fantastic introduction! I like the “Color Mist” colorway best.
Beth
22.12.2016 at 07:06I love the color “Azorenhoch”. I would love to try socks with your mom’s pattern.
Stephenia
22.12.2016 at 07:27I am not sure socks are my forte…but sharing a memory about your mom is.
I learned to knit by taking a class your mom taught. I should say classes. She was patient and picked back many rows for me over time. She was always a welcome fixture in the store, with a smile and a warm welcome. Her face always lit up when her grandson was around and she always seemed very proud of you. She was a special person.
Anita Roesler
22.12.2016 at 10:07I barely knew Sherry, but really enjoyed talking with her when I came in. I like her daughter a lot too.
2394/Color Mist is a color I like
Ellen
22.12.2016 at 10:21I’d like Frujarsputz, or Azorenhoch, or Color Mist, or…oh, heck, I’m not picky. Any of them will make a lovely pair of socks.
My favorite memory of your mom…I have so many but I loved her laugh! Socks are my favorite to knit too, thanks to her awesome tips & tricks.
Merry Christmas!!
knorthup
23.12.2016 at 09:45Congratulations Ellen! You’re the winner. I have your sock yarn pattern set aside for you. Please pick up your prize by January 31, or they will be put back in the prize hopper
Ellen
23.12.2016 at 19:25Thank you!!! I’m so excited…I’ll be up to see you soon
Mary
22.12.2016 at 10:37Hobbygardener jumped off the page.
Sherry taught me how to knit a shorty sock & assured me I could do it. I would watch her short video on turning the heel over & over. I especially liked seeing her cat photo-bomb the video as she strolled through.
Leah
22.12.2016 at 10:39I haven’t been doing any knitting due to a painful left wrist/lower arm, but —I have a pair of socks on my needles right now too! I learned my sock knitting from Sherry and she was the best!
These are beautiful colors; I’ve love some Azorenhoch — would be great with a lotta’ different clothing combos.
Betty Schlotthauer
22.12.2016 at 10:51Azorenhoch would be my color choice.
I remember first meeting your mom many years ago @ your store location in a house in Guthrie. She was always so kind, helpful, & encouraging! I wanted to knit socks for my husband, & she directed me to your pattern for “Keith’s socks”. I knew it was perfect, as my husband’s middle name was Keith. My 1st socks, not so perfect, as it was also my first time knitting with double pointed needles. However, they turned out well enough that I was willing to try again, & the next pair were worthy of my husband’s admiration.
Stacy
22.12.2016 at 11:04Your precious mother welcomed me to class through the years, hefty baby boys in carriers included. I know she had no greater joy than that Mason! Grandma extraordinaire. Old School would be my choice for socks in her honor. My prayers are for God’s comfort, grateful hearts, and warm memories as we miss our mothers this Christmas. Fondly ~ XOX
Jana
22.12.2016 at 11:19Oh Keely, this made me nostalgic. On our first class, T and I took a class with a big yarn( dont know the name)from your mom. We felted them into purses. It was so fun and she encouraged us that we could do anything: eventually. We sat across from the 2 anns and they were using this amazing yarn called prism. Ha! Thats been a while. I remember working on the Einstein coat; We used to laugh and say when we needed help that we needed to go up to guthrie and sit on Sherry’s lap to get it.
I know she had to get frustrated but I never saw it. I dont need any more sock yarn; but What i would like are more Sherry stories. How we all miss her. I’m thankful for you, keely. You offer us a great place to visit, learn and enjoy this fabulous hobby. Merry Christmas, everyone! Xoxoxo
Pattye McAbee
22.12.2016 at 11:23Old School for me!!
Evelyn Norvelle
22.12.2016 at 11:47Color mist for me. I will miss Sherry being in the store and involved with everything that was going on. I loved her classes. She always knit the project beforehand, and then she would make a handout with all the changes she had made to the commercial pattern to either make it easier or to look better. She was so patient with everyone. And she always had a smile regardless of what was going on. She is greatly missed.
Diann Riter
22.12.2016 at 12:40Color mist would make a lovely pair of socks!
Renee
22.12.2016 at 12:59I. Love azorenhoch, and need to learn how to knit socks. I’ve crocheted one pair.
Jenna
22.12.2016 at 13:27Hobbygardener is cool. That would be my choice.
Jennifer
22.12.2016 at 14:24Color Mist
Heidi Yost
22.12.2016 at 16:11Color Mist is my preference. I took a toe-up sock class from Sherry. I never got the hang of it, she would rip it out and tell me to start over by the time class was over I still was on the toe. Sherry looked at what I did and said it was too loose and I needed to start over. Never got it back out of the project bag and then it was too late. But Keely you told not to worry that top down was the best way to have a good cuff. Still haven’t finished a sock but I intend to master it in 2017. I would love to have Sherry’s sock pattern and tips.
Donna miller
22.12.2016 at 18:17Love the blue 2207. I was so blessed to take a sock class from Sherry. She is missed ❤️
Melissa
22.12.2016 at 20:04It’s true they are all great colors – I do like HobbyGardener and Colormist, though. Really good looking yarns!
I remember Sherry only through coming in to the store. She was always such a professional – so helpful with advice and tips.
Jenny
22.12.2016 at 20:37Oh I like the friends color way! I remember taking the footies class at SWAK in the city.
Lorri Kamphaus
22.12.2016 at 20:39“What do you see when you look in the mirror?”
“I? I see myself holding a pair of thick, woolen socks.” Harry stared.
“One can never have enough socks,” said Dumbledore. “Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.”
I know the feeling! While more meaning lies beneath the statement, most of it is true! ‘Friends’is for me!