Productivity

     I love this passage from Eizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting without Tears:

"Today knitting can still fill odd moments. Think of the frustrating periods of time we spend just waiting; waiting for the coffee to boil; waiting in the car; waiting until the fish bite... Those who ride daily to work could finish a sock in a week if they would spend the time knitting. Imagine! Twenty-five pairs of socks a year. Twenty-five Christmas present problems solved. Have you realised how most men yearn for proper socks? Men I hardly know at all are constantly and wistfully and broadly hinting that I make them a pair. Sometimes I do. My own husband is so well supplied that I practically never have to mend any socks, as the wear is spread out over so many pairs. It's like the women who get married with a dozen dozen sheets and towels; you never see them at the white sales."

    I can see I need to up my game a bit!

Comments

[natalie]

Is this Christmas knitting?
My sons have never shown any interest in handknit socks but they are getting them this year, like it or not!

[Jennifer]

Socks are one thing I've been too afraid of. I would love to knit a pair, but I have had some difficulty knitting on double pointed needles in the past (granted it was when I first learned how to knit) and am a tad apprehensive about turning a heel. One day I hope to get up the courage.

[Pamela]

I love Elizabeth!

[kristina]

How wonderful! I obviously need to up my game, too. K x

[Dark Puss]

I'll put an alternative perspective to Ms Zimmermann's comment "Think of the frustrating periods of time we spend just waiting; waiting for the coffee to boil; waiting in the car; waiting until the fish bite... Those who ride daily to work could finish a sock in a week if they would spend the time knitting". You could spend that "wasted" time thinking.

We all spend far too much time doing and not enough time contemplating in my opinion.

Bang goes my pair of Christmas socks ...

[Cornflower]

Just plunge in, Jennifer! That's what I did, having hardly a clue what I was doing, but the sense of achievement when that first (imperfect) sock was finished was great. I've made several pairs since and though I'm no expert I enjoy doing them very much.

[Cornflower]

Ah, you've shot yourself in the foot there, DP!!

[Joanna]

Dark Puss, the wonderful thing about knitting is that you can think AND knit, indeed, the rhythm of the knitting is an aid to thinking, a kind of meditation.

That sounds like another wonderful Cornflower book recommendation :)

Thanks for sharing
Joanna

[Dark Puss]

Maybe Joanna. I know people who reckon they can listen to music and do other activities at the same time, but for me serious thinking (and listening to music) is an activity that brooks no other distractions.

[Dark Puss]

Sorry!!

[skirmishofwit]

What a delightful passage! I wish I could knit - it would certainly be a brilliant way to pass the time whilst commuting in London.

The colours in the sock you're knitting are beautiful - very seasonal too!

[Melissa!]

Man, I need to start knitting my Christmas presents!

[Anne]

I was unsure about knitting socks until I tried and now I find it so relaxing. Using 4 or 5 bamboo needles helps to exercise any stiff arthritic fingers!

[Neuroknitter]

Yay for sock knitting!!! My knitterly heart is going pitter-patter at the sight of that cuff!! :)

Please do share what glorious autumnal yarn you're knitting with? Gorgeous!!

p.s. I'm a traffic-jam and "in-line" knitter...my projects (yes, plural) are always with me just in case!!! :) :)

[Kate/Massachusetts]

That yarn is gorgeous! What is it and what are you knitting...socks or mittens?