And I almost did it too! I knit socks in the morning. I knit socks in the evening. I knit socks at my MIL's during brunch. I knit socks in the bath. I knit socks until 3 in the morning watching old West Wing episodes on DVD (best show eva!) while Stephen and Lolo snored in bed beside me every other night in December. Of course I was asleep on the couch at 9 every night after that, but you do what you have too, right? And in the end...
Drum roll please...I knit 20 socks in December! I knit polka dot socks. I knit cabled socks. I knit striped socks. I did picot edgings and kitchener cast-ons. I did afterthought heels and taught myself short-row heels (though I'm not sure I'm happy with this technique yet). I used bulky yarns and worsted and even DK yarns too (all from the stash!). I stranded and embellished with duplicate stitch embroidery. I improvised a lot and even designed Flakey Baby Socks to round out the set.
But with all the added Christmas planning and events -- shopping, wrapping gifts, cooking, entertaining, trimming the tree, attending parties, knitting Christmas sweaters for the boys, shoveling, meeting kick-ass new neighbours, taking Julian to see The Grands ballet canadiens perform The Nutcracker, and knitting 3 pairs of gift mittens -- I fell a little short of my 24 sock goal. And I don't feel bad about it!
I raided the sock drawer and pulled out the cable twist socks I knit for myself when Lolo was born in March and the matching pair I knit for him and ta-da 24 hand knit socks on the banister on Christmas Eve ;0)
A quick last minute trip to the drugstore to pick up some goodies to fill them with (crayons, baby spoons, cartoon character soap, chocolate, dried fruit, little notepads, a little train set, chocolate straws, sippy cups, candy-canes...every sock-sized sweet thing I could get my hands on for my two little charmers), and we were all ready to fill them after bed on the 24th for the kidlets to discover Christmas morning.
And what fun that was ;0)
Oh what a special thing to do. The kids are absolutly delighted! Love the pictures. You did good Mom.
ReplyDeleteLove the socks and the pictures. what a fab idea and what excitement there must have been when your children found them.
ReplyDeleteCute! I love that idea.
ReplyDeleteThat is so incredible! What a great idea and how wonderful that you pulled it off!
ReplyDeleteI saw this on Flickr but I enjoyed reading about it here. What a wonderful gift to the little ones!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, and I bet you'll love having all those little socks when they get older.
ReplyDeleteI am so in love with this. Think if I start now I'll finish in time for next Christmas?
ReplyDeleteThat's absolutely amazing, and exactly the kind of crazy thing I would have attempted in my youth. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYou've inspired me -- I want to knit an advent calendar's worth of wee socks and mittens for next year! :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the idea! I've never made a sock (but have wanted to try). What a great way to give it a go- small is always better as well. I just love the pile of stockings with the boys. Too much fun!
ReplyDeleteAll those socks are so delightful. And seeing the youngsters enjoying them is the BEsT!
ReplyDeleteyou are a star! what a delightful memory that will make! do you have all the sock patterns you used available on your blog?
ReplyDeletechristine
dreamvoyageur@yahoo.ca
SUCH a good idea! I'd say I'll do that next year, but I don't think I've got your stamina! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Anny! I just found your blog last night and couldn't stop surfing all your wonderful knits. I hope it's ok to add you to my daily knitting reads.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Denise
You are totally insane! However, even though I had a little doubt that you would finish in time, you did it! The socks are adorable. I'm going to check and see how long it is before I see you knit another pair! Beautiful socks!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about those! You did a fantastic job! I am so impressed that you were able to churn out all those without having any SSS. Good Job!
ReplyDeleteYour baby advent calendar (as well as your Jesus, Mary & Joseph) have really inspired me. I hope to have at least an advent calendar or the holy family done for the holidays in 2008.
ReplyDeleteYou are a fabulous knitter and designer and I thank you for inspiring and sharing your craft.
Rock on with your bad self.
There is little I can add to the other comments - you are insane and brilliant. I am so glad my kids are too old for me to attempt this for next year - although if my daughter sees them she will want them!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Advent mittens for next year?
How festive and crafty and (speaking as the mother of two wee whirlwinds) time consuming! I am sure that even if I knit when everyone was asleep, I wouldn't have time to finish a pair, let alone 12! BTW-very much enjoyed all of the photos of your projects...Can't wait to see your designs.
ReplyDeleteIt all looks magical! You've made christmastime so special for your boys! They will have wonderful memories and treasure the traditions you have started forever!
ReplyDeleteThat pile of socks is adorable! You will love having those to take out and reminisce every year as your babies grow up.
ReplyDeleteThis turned out so adorable, and the looks on your boys faces in those pics are priceless!
ReplyDeleteWow, all your socks are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful!
ReplyDeletethis is amazing! I had enough trouble trying to knit 2 pairs of toddler socks in December!! Way to go!
ReplyDeletethis is amazing! I had enough problems trying to knit 2 couples of child footwear in December!! Way to go!
ReplyDeletethis is amaging i had enogh trouble to to know about your page how old nthis is pls tell me
ReplyDelete