Events today have been most serendipitous, in a silver-cloud-lining sort of way. My hands have been in a lot of pain due to preparing for my recital on Saturday, so I skipped a class and came home early today. This was most fortunate, because the postman was about to leave with a package for me! I intercepted him and got the package. It was my sockapaloooza socks!
Let me preface this by saying that, in the interest of not being disappointed, I had conditioned myself to not expect to receive any socks at all. I've heard lots of stories about people not following through in exchanges, so I focused on the pleasure I got from making socks for someone else (which I am waiting to mail until I get the gifts I wanted to include). So the excitement of receiving socks from an actual sock pal was even greater for me.
I opened the box eagerly. Inside was a package of wonderful things, all in my favorite colors (purple and green). I opened the letter and postcard first, learning that my pal was Meredith, from Douglas, Massachusetts! She works as a full-time mom to three teenagers (!) and also part time at a yarn store. She says that she originally started making purple Koigu socks, then changed her mind, so she included the Koigu yarn for me, along with beautiful pewter stitch markers! The yarn is in my absolute favorite shade of purple, and I was thrilled to get this extra gift. Then the socks. They were tucked into a lovely purple felted bag, with green ribbon holding it closed (I'm pretty sure Meredith made the bag as well?) The socks are perfectly stunning. They are made from Lang Jawoll Cotton Superwash, which I've never used before, but will definitely have to check out. The colorway is perfectly suited to me, with mostly blue and green, and speckles of purple, red, and orangey yellow. She used a fluted bannister pattern with eye of partridge heels, both patterns I'd never seen before knitted up. The combination is very fetching! Not only that, but I tried them on, and they fit just right. I am so happy!
I just couldn't stop saying "Oh my gosh!" over and over as I saw each lovely thing that Meredith had sent me. I felt so happy that someone had taken such care to make these beautiful socks, and had matched my preferences so well. I don't have a camera right now, but I will Saturday, so I will post pictures of everything then! Thank you so much, Meredith!
As for my own knitting, I was very happy to finish my Clapotis last night. I spent at least five minutes in front of the mirror trying it on in different ways. It is so cozy and yet glamorous at the same time. I was very glad to finish, not only so I can wear it at my recital, but so that my hands can finally have a good rest. I'm going to wear her to the Gloria Steinem talk tonight. That's all for now!
I did get one picture of me with my accompanist, Merilyn, after we both had changed.
I did get one picture of me with my accompanist, Merilyn, after we both had changed.
