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July 10, 2005
Comfort
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I'm angry that our behaviour, in going to war on Iraq without the sanction of the UN, has been, to say the least, reproachable. It seems somewhat obtuse to attempt now to claim any moral high ground. Thousands have died at our hands. As well as those who actually planned and executed the attacks on London, Tony Blair must surely carry some culpability.
It was a shock to learn that an aquaintance is among those still missing. She spoke to her father after King's Cross station was evacuated, to reassure him that she was safe and going to try and catch a bus to work. The barbarity of the bus explosion, timed to go off as people streamed out of the underground to find an alternative route to work.
So I have been in need of succour. There are only two projects being worked on with any kind of commitment.
The cable rib socks from this autumn's Interweave Knits, for Mr Raitte. When I knit him socks I generally start out with a woman's sock design (darling they are absolutely masculine), but instead use a DK superwash instead of 4-ply, on 2.75-3mm needles. He wears them with his footwear of choice, army boots.
Mr Raitte has already been blessed with three pairs of Fashionable socks since the beginning of the year, but they are all sadly wearing thin (testiment to how much he wears them). I have discovered I much prefer knitting to darning. Therefore I have started a new pair of socks, and bought him a pair of slippers. Old wood floors are not so kind to pure wool socks.
And this
This is Claude, a little something for the first days of autumn. The colour reminds me of nothing more than that high, blank grey cloud that swaddles England so much of the year. The cotton angora is cool and soft, and flies along on 5mm needles. I only wish it would slow down, so I could work for longer the mindless expanses of stocking stitch.
Posted by Amelia at July 10, 2005 06:03 PM
Comments
It is good to hear you are ok, although I am deeply saddened your friend is still missing. After Sept. 11, I let fear grab hold of my anger for my president and my voice was squashed for a time. Please don't let that happen to you. Good Luck***Your socks look great, keep on knitting...
Posted by: abby at July 10, 2005 09:41 PM
I'm sorry about your friend, too, and hope she'll turn up safe and sound, somehow. I was lucky at 9/11--I didn't personally lose anyone I knew, but I know people who did, and I know a fair number of people who had close calls. (Had just gone through the WTC train station 20 minutes earlier; had a job interview in one of the Towers the day before; worked in the building across the street that collapsed later that day.) Far too close for comfort, especially when it such a pointless thing. At least things like hurricanes are natural disasters. Terrorism is just senseless murder. I'm praying that your friend is somehow safe.
Posted by: Deb at July 10, 2005 11:29 PM
So sorry to read that your friend is still missing. I pray that she would get in touch with her family soon.
Posted by: Agnes at July 11, 2005 12:05 AM
Anna I'm so sorry to hear about your accquaintance - these must be worrying times for you. Hoping things will turn out OK.
Posted by: Mary at July 11, 2005 12:40 AM
i am so sorry that such a terrible thing has happened so near to you, or anyone else...
about the socks that wear thin, i have seen many patterns that have reenforced parts to them, as well as patterns that are meant to have the bottom replaced when they wear out...
Posted by: natasha fialkov at July 11, 2005 01:01 AM
Such sad news about your friend; I hope she's found safe, soon.
My sweetie quickly wears out his handknit socks on hardwood floors, too. People have told me to knit matching thread along with the yarn in the most abused parts of the sock, the heel & toe, for reinforcement.
Posted by: parikha at July 11, 2005 01:16 AM
What a sad story! I hope your friend turns up. Reinforcement is definitely worth trying. You could use Jawoll Sport which is kinda thick + has the little reinforcing thingy inside.
Posted by: Lauren at July 11, 2005 01:20 AM
Hope your friend is safe. These are uncertain times that we live in. Soldiers with submachine guns are now patrolling our train stations, unnerving to see them.
I just finished my first sock out of RY's cashcotton for my daughter and I'm telling her it is too delicate for wearing out. She's happy enough to wear them in bed, so they are going to be bed socks. :)
Posted by: erin at July 11, 2005 01:50 AM
How awful for you--I'm so sorry. You know I am sending you loads of love and support.
The socks look comforting and comfortable, as does Claude. When I think of the sky in London, that is absolutely the color I think of.
Posted by: Ashley at July 11, 2005 02:04 AM
I wish I knew what to say to make it all better, but know that there's nothing. Take care anyway and keep hoping.
Posted by: Tracy at July 11, 2005 10:43 AM
Like Tracy, I wish I knew what to say to make you and so many others affected by this feel better. Blame my mind, not my heart b/c I truly sympathize.
Posted by: Liz at July 11, 2005 02:58 PM
Sorry to hear about your acquaintance. I didn't realize the bus explosion was timed that way..
That's a great idea about adapting sock patterns for men by using DK-weight yarn. I am definitely going to keep that in mind!
Posted by: Diana at July 11, 2005 03:02 PM
That is gorgeous comfort knitting. What yarn are you using for Claude?
Posted by: Julia at July 11, 2005 03:41 PM
Is that "Claude" or "Cloud"? Do keep the cat away from it, because we don't want "Clawed".
You bring to mind Elizabeth Zimmermann: "Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises".
Best wishes.
Posted by: B. at July 11, 2005 04:04 PM
Oh, no- I'm so sorry to hear about your friend, and I hope that she turns up, that it has been a communication issue somehow. The culpability issue is such a tricky one... at some point, aren't the nations like the US and Great Britain supposed to set an example and back off and work for *real* peace? It makes me sad that the G8 conference- which met to discuss important, caring social issues, was disrupted. That innocent people are killed daily in this world, in this "war on terror." Hard to think about, but it is so important to think about it, not to ignore our current world.
Posted by: Mary-Heather at July 11, 2005 04:52 PM
I hope you hear from your friend soon...it's all just so terrible and I agree with your first paragraph comments completely...please take care (ps. I love the socks and the dk yarn tip, thanks)
Posted by: michele at July 11, 2005 08:30 PM
My thoughts are with you Anna...mindless expanses of stocking stitch are surely the thing for it. The meditative quality is always a comfort.
Posted by: Vicki at July 13, 2005 05:01 PM