off the november needles

I’ve definitely found the sock-making love since joining up for the Sock Knit-along. Even these socks done with fine wool on my teensy bamboo skewers knit up pretty fast.

 But then they are toddler-sized;-)

Other people’s responses to sock-knitting has been interesting…..mostly people I don’t know actually comment (have those who do know me given up?) And their comment almost always goes like this: “But isn’t it a waste of time? And surely it isn’t cheaper.”

It seems to be becoming politically correct to not want made-in-China-by-slave-labour products so an answer along those lines tends to meet with nods of approval. And my halo shines more brightly.
But it’s not that simple. The issue of justice for those whose products I no longer buy is not solved by my boycott. With every pair of socks I knit I think and pray about *what to do*. I still don’t have any answers, but I am committed to seeking as long as I can knit.

As for the waste of time, I love being able to do something with my hands while I read aloud to the children (yes, I’ve progressed to being able to knit-and-read-at-the-same-time). I enjoy clickety-clacking whilst I chat with friends or revise memory verses with the children after breakfast and I’m sure I look less threatening to the neighbourhood kids if I’m *doing* something instead of just SUPERVISING them!!

On the budget front……when I use leftover or gifted wool, the monetary cost is zilch. Environmentally, the cost is diminished, because I’m not buying products with excess packaging that is likely to end up in landfill and the products themselves have not travelled around the world leaving behind a trail of pollution. Creatively, I’m richer.