In a comment on a recent sock post, a reader asked why I knit socks. The question was posted on the same day that I was in the garden at 7:15 a.m. cutting four grocery bags and half a packing box of mustard greens. Then I spent most of the rest of the day washing the grit away and cutting the stems off the greens. By the time I got the pint jars packed, in the canner, pressure up to 10, held it there for 1 hour, 10 minutes, let the canner cool down, unpack it and get it off the stove, I had to hurry just to get dinner on the table by 6 p.m. All day working on the mustard greens!
I asked myself . . why do I plant vegetables, water, pull weeds, spend the hottest days of the summer out tending vegetables? Why do I spend hours and hours in the kitchen canning?
Veggies for Dinner
The carrots – they’re truly the best carrots I’ve ever had. They’re also the first carrots I’ve ever grown so maybe all home grown carrots are sweet and juicy and crunchy.
The beets – I don’t know about beets. They’re good but they don’t float my boat like the carrots do.
The chard – This was my first time to grow chard too. When I first planted the garden, my neighbor was telling me how much she loves chard. I asked what it tasted like and she thought for a minute and said “It’s just heavenly!” She was right.
Dinner
Thank goodness for a spinach meatloaf in the freezer! Heated that up, along with roasted beets, the carrots and the chard.
Yes, I remember why I go to all the work to have a garden!
Now . . about those socks . . if you knit socks, why do you do it?
I can tell you first hand not all home grown carrots are good. The taste better when raised in cool, sand soil. I love beats, but have never had them roasted. I even have a recipe that uses the beat juice when making a jelly . I need to see if I can find it and send it on to you. I have not made it for years, but I think it uses raspberry gelatin for flavor. I remember it was good.
I STILL don’t knit socks. Yet. At this point don’t know if I ever will
BUT if I did knit socks, why? First off, I adore wool! Second, I adore hand-made things. Third, I would rather create things for our family than have them come from China. Fourth, creating hand-made things is relaxing and makes me happy. I could go on, but I won’t 
That person just doesn’t have a clue.
Why knit socks — first I suppose for the reason that anyone does any hobby – it’s fun and relaxing and socks are a very portable project. I also personally think having a sock that actually truly fits your foot is a wonderful thing — store bought socks are made for people with “average” size feet – that does not include me. And it doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby (unless you are Judy or I who obsessively buy every lovely yarn we meet). When it’s been below zero as I’m standing at the bus stop (which it has been all week) the rest of me may be chilly but my feet, in my wool socks and boots have never been cold once. I think the true question is why would someone not knit socks.
Knitting socks is rewarding for me as well as relaxing! Wearing handmade knot socks are, well, “to die for” on your feet! Babies love cozy knitted booties, now I know why!!!
I knit socks as a defense for cold feet
and I have cold feet all the time, just not in my self made socks!
Very simple I enjoy it!
I love making socks because :
#1. they are better quality, longer lasting & warmer than store bought ones
#2. it’s a an achievement! Sometimes they can be difficult and you get a sense of pride out of making them.
#3. It’s a great relaxing past time.
#4. And finally I like doing it!
I usually start knitting socks when I need something small and portable to take on a trip, knit on a commute, take to work to knit at lunch.
How do you feel about sweet potatoes? One of my favorite ways to prepare beets is roast “Beets and Sweets.” The recipe on Allrecipes.com is pretty much how I make them: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-beets-n-sweets/
I don’t knit..just quilt. I great great satisfaction from creating and providing for my family whatever the act might be, gardening, cooking, sewing whatever. I also am a person who is not able to just sit. I like to work and want to work. Sitting and watching television is virtually impossible for me..and not a drop relaxing. I can watch if and only if I have something to do while I cam sitting there. Why create or work…because we can..and want to!
I knit socks because they are there…….. Sure beats climbing Mt Everest and there is something to show for the effort.
I knit socks because it is such a joy to see the delight of someone to whom you give a pair of socks.
Knitting socks is sheer joy especially after you overcome SSS(single sock syndrome)
I knit socks because most people don’t….. I like to be different………Don’t you?
I knit my socks for many reasons…Not in any particular order, I keep my hands busy during the (often long) ride to distant clients homes. (I kelp my husband sand and refinish floors.) I NEED to create, and if I did not have something portable to take to do, I would never be able to do so. I like the personal unique look that I get from knitting my own socks, just as with my quilting and other hobbies. I do not want to walk into my neighbors home, and feel like they have all the same things I do. They are warm and comfortable, and Most Of All…. I WANT TO!
I love socks! I have a HUGE drawer full of colorful and novelty socks. They’re cozy, inexpensive (a little treat when you need one) and they’re conversation starters. I buy shoes that show off my socks. I figured, with Judy’s encouragement, that I might as well make my own and have even more to converse about! Thanks again, Judy!
I love the process of picking a pattern, finding a lovely skein of yarn, and then knitting them to fit my feet. In the past I’ve had to buy men’s socks but making my own to fit my feet gives me such joy! And of course there’s the “Why yes, I did knit them myself” I get to tell other people. Knitting socks also give me a great excuse to being a couch potato and watching movies — I’m being productive.
Mmmm… Your veggies are very pretty! Gardening is wonderful. Lots of work but lots of rewards as well.
Because I can.
53 pairs so far and 2 pairs on needles now.
Did I over look your recipe for the Spinach Meatloaf? Looks sooo good.
I’ve only knit one pair of socks, but I enjoyed it and need to try it again. I wanted to be able to do it in case, for some reason, store bought socks weren’t available. I can already sew clothes if I have to, and I want to be able to be self-sufficient if necessary.
I think the main reason I quilt, or knit or embroider, is just because I enjoy the process – choosing fabric or yarn, working with it, and having a finished product that is pretty and usable. If you just wanted a quilt or socks, you could buy them – I enjoy the process of making them, and then I enjoy the finished product, too.
Maybe it’s one of those “if you have to ask, you wouldn’t understand the answer” kind of things (and I really don’t mean to be sarcastic.). Like many things in life….it either floats your boat or it doesn’t, depending on your personality and creative “bent”……personally, I love to knit them and really love to wear them!! There is nothing ‘out there’ that can be purchased that comes close! Hugs, D p.s. Those carrots, etc, are amazing!
I knit socks because they’re pretty, warm, fun to knit. I can afford the yarn for socks!
I don’t knit, but I quilt, crochet a bit, and do other needlework. I think it’s a long list of things. It provides relaxation, creativity, friendships, a way to give to others who don’t or can’t do that particular hobby amd I know it will fill my days with pleasure once I retire. And as my dad would have said, it keep;s me off of the streets.
Your fault! You got me started! Every time I saw your pics of socks in the wonderful yarns, I was a little jealous.
I made my first very basic pair. and I was hooked: on the logic of the sock pattern, the portability of the project, the fact that I can knit when chatting with friends (assuming the pattern is simple). And, my knitting is very even with socks, since I’m always on the “knit” side, just going round and round.
The product: so warm and personal. Socks make the perfect gift for a sick friend, or anyone who needs to know they are loved!
Hmmm, I’ve yet to give myself a pair of socks!
I think your dinner looks delicious. I. Wish we had fresh veggies!
I knit socks because I didn’t think I could. I love a good challenge.
I’m the one who asked he question about knitting sox. And I’ve loved reading all the answers.
By the way, I have no problems understanding why one would want to do these kinds of things. I get sweaters, and shawls. I’ve sewn clothes in the past. I made long dressy gowns and suits. I used to garden and I canned. But back then there were more people around to eat the stuff.
One of the things I had to learn was that there wasn’t time to do it all. Am I going to take up knitting sox? Probably not. But after I finish my hexagon project, I’ll need another hand project. Maybe knitting. Maybe I’ll try some hand embroidery again. Or cross stitch? And I need to get back on the computer and get back to Photoshop. Maybe I’ll take my camera on my next walk even if it is Winter……
Socks are relatively quick to knit. They are small and easily carried in my purse which means i can knit some in stolen minutes, or while in a line; they have a basic pattern, but endless options, so one can be creative; i’ve had many folk say to me that they do not the patience to knit, for me I do not have the patience to sit idle like waiting for appointments or in continuing ed. Some knitting is so simple one hardly needs to look while knitting… These are the kinds of projects (socks) i carry. Handmade socks are very comfortable, warm and unique! I am fascinated by how we are practically knittin sculpture with socks, there is creative discovery @ every stage and it is a great conversation starter! Ithad been a while since i knit socks, but Judy, you inspired me to start again… Loving it!
Even though I never wear socks (or rarely), I’m tempted to do it just to say I can.
My friends are tempting me!
Because I can… because the yarn is pretty…. because there are sooooo many gorgeous lace and cable patterns to challenge myself with…. And then I never wear them!
Garden – Why? Well – what I raise and harvest has gone striaght from the garden to the table. It hasn’t sat in the grocer’s “fresh” produce bin for eons (it’s about some cabbages I sold that the store owner still had a few left – over 6 weeks old!!!!) and lost all it’s vitamins, freshness, etc. The produce I raise, harvest and eat is also healthier than much I find in the grocery store – and generally (last year excepting – blasted birds and squirrels!) a lot cheaper! But even more – it is about doing something FOR my family by myself without any intermediaries. It is also something that binds me closer to nature – and seriously – to God.
Why do I knit? Or at least continually try to kni? Well, in part, it is because of this on-line friend who keeps posting “What’s on YOUR needles” Fridays. In part it has to do with this earth mother image I keep trying to hoax my family about. In part it has to do with know what, how much effort, and all about the blood, sweat and tears spent on each item I attempt to knit or crochet (we won’t even discuss tatting – YET!) Mostly it’s about my feet which get so cold in winter.and commercial socks which DON”T warm them up! And it’s about being stubborn! VERY stubborn!
BTW – Judy – YOU got me started ordering yarn on line! So far my son hasn’t said anything – but then I haven’t really ordered a lot to start with!
I too find beets a bit problematic as a vegetable. I do love beet greens but cooked beets, not so much. Because they are so good for you I have started adding them raw to salads, cut julienne; they are very sweet and I don’t have to cook them and they brighten up a winter salad. Recently I’ve been able to get golden beets at the grocery and they are even better.
I knit the first pair because I like learning something new and I wanted a portable project for traveling. I knit them now because they are more fun than the store bought socks and still a good travel project.