socks and jocks

I have to 'fess up.  In my last post I mentioned that Matt's socks seem to be shrinking on him so I have to knit his socks a bit larger for him.  What I didn't mention was that they might be shrinking due to the fact that I might be throwing them in the dryer. Ahem.  So I guess this means that I have to knit the fella a few more pairs of socks:

It's not so bad when I find a pattern that is enjoyable to knit.  This pattern is a melding of Nancy Bush's Gentleman's Half Hose Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks and Wendy Knits Toe Up Socks with Gusset Heels.  What do I mean by melding?  I really liked the stitch pattern from Nancy but I don't like to knit cuff down for my husband for fear of running out of yarn.  So I changed the stitch count and switched the pattern to toe up and used Wendy's gusset heels:

There's something so fancy about knitting toe-up and magic loop.  A few loopy loops and increases and more increases and then voila!  A toe appears.  When non-knitters see what you're doing, they are suitably impressed and can even tell it's a sock!

These were knit with US #2 needles using Koigu yarn in a dark forest green shade.  This is another Project Spectrum Earth addition for me. 

Somehow I goofed a bit.  When I have 2 balls of yarn, I weigh each and start knitting with the smaller ball so I can be sure of not running out of yarn for the second sock.  Somehow I ran out yarn anyways and the cuff of one sock is 2 rows shorter than the other.  I don't think anyone can really tell.  Matt said they're fine so I'm not going to bother making the sock cuffs even:

On another topic - have you ever noticed the term Jock is usually reserved for tall, athletically inclined, males that usually excel in Basketball, Baseball or Football?  My boys are both good baseball players but they like soccer too.  They are also excellent at lots of other sports too.  My kids learned how to ride their bikes without training wheels as young as 3!  What do you call the kids that are top in other kinds of sports?  What if they excel at skateboarding or swimming or dancing?  Well, what to call girls that excel in their sports?  Why am I asking?

My daughters are so awesome at gymnastics.  My older one rocked her Sectionals meet and is going to State!  Yay!  She works so hard and at her level, she is at the gym 12-14 or more hours a week while still doing so well at school.  The higher up she goes, the more hours she'll have to spend at the gym.  She is in better condition than most all of the kids in her class.  She routinely beats the boys in strength, endurance, flexibility and even speed tests which gives her a thrill.  What do you call a girl like that?  If you call a girl a Jock, is it construed as a negative?  I'm just so proud of her and of all my kids.

Here are the Gymnastics State Cards that I made for Hailey's team.  They are given to the girls, from their coaches, to wish them luck at the meet.  They are also given to the girls to say great job, on their hard work for the season, if they aren't going to State.  Their team colors are Purple, Black and White:

On the back of the cards are diamonds where each girl can write in their scores for each event. Why diamonds?  Well, it's their turn to shine!:

Hailey and I had a lot of fun putting these cards together for all the girls:

Good luck to all the athletes out there!  I am amazed by all of you!

Comments

[irishgirlieknits]

Great job on the socks! But really I'm so excited for your kids! The girls especially because I think sports give girls such confidence and self-esteem for when we have to get out into the real world (at least it did for me!). Its a toughie...jock? or not? I think your daughters sound like ATHLETES!! Great job on the cards too!

[maryse]

i'm so envious of your girls (and your guys too but mostly your girls) for being so talented in sports and gymnastics in particular. i was/am such an uncoordinated doofus and was never good in sports so other than some intramural activities when i was in my 30s, i never participated in any organized sports. (well i wanted to play soccer as a kid, but my father said girls don't play soccer -- this was the 70's -- my father is european and is old school). anyway, your girls are athletes. and are awesome.

[terhi]

Oh, I love that sock pattern, and yours look great! I love the dark colourway.

[Stacey_CrimsonPurl]

Do you knit your socks 2 at 1 time as well?

I really do like toe up better and can't figure out how I am supposed to crack the code on making the designe pattern toe-up...I think I just need to practice knitting more socks as a whole 1st! Haha! :o)

No doubt that your kids ROCK!! ;o)

Luv it when you make those fun cards for the girls!

[marjorie]

The socks are gorgeous. I really like that tiny pattern.

[Amanda]

It's really great that your children are so sporty! You've every reason to be seriosuly proud of them. Both of mine are too, but especially Lily. Her riding has given her so much confidence. Hope this continues when she goes to secondary school.

btw...I love the fact you persuaded Matt onto the chest for your photo shoot. :D

[Kim]

Congratulations on your daughters fantastic gymnastic accomplishment!!!

Hmm....I have 2 talented skateboarding/snowboarders...I will have to ask them what they would say they and their friends would be referred to as. I know for sure that they do not think of themselves as jocks...LOL.

Great SOcks!

[Heather]

I think athlete would pretty much cover it. All your kids sound very talented.

The socks are great. My husband may even like that stitch pattern (he's so picky!), I'm going to try toe up for him next time, too much stress cuff down for the long skinny man feet.

[Kelly]

Beautiful cards once again!
Its sooo awesome when kids find something they are passionate about early on!
Good luck to all the girls! Do a little cheering from me :)

[Stacee]

I love the cards and I'm sure the girls will, too! Congrats on doing so well in sectionals and heading to state--what an accomplishment! Would you come teach my kids how to ride bikes? ;-)

[Amy]

I think 'jock' has a bit of a negative connotation whatever the sex. I agree that athlete is a great label to have.

[Debby]

Congratulations to your daughters. For all the negative things we hear on the news, etc, it is so nice to hear good news about kids & teens doing positive things! What a gift that they have found something they truly enjoy that is so good for them physically and mentally.

Did you print the cards on computer or by hand? I'm fascinated by them, all the little pieces.

[Ginger aka Beethoven]

Hmm... wish there are socks for guinea pigs. I wonder if Mum will be able to knit socks like you do; long wait to come I guess. Love the art work too!

[Bea]

Those cards are so cool! I love Matt's socks, I was just looking at Vintage Socks last night, the patterns in there are so cool! When I hear the word jock, I think of football and basketball players, the more "American" sports, I would definitely call your boys and girls ATHLETES, to me, that conveys strength, power, and agility, when I hear jock, I think of locker rooms and guys dunking heads in toilets :P

[Liz K.]

My cousin Susanne was a two-sport Division 1 Varsity athlete at Georgetown University, the sister of two Division 1 Lacrosse Players. She refers to herself as a Jock. She's now a mother of two children, a labor and delivery nurse, and serious runner. What's wrong with being a Woman Jock? She wears it proudly, as should your Hailey. Best of luck in State!

[domesticshorthair]

Wow! Those cards are great. And the socks look so professional! Nice work.

[stinkerbell]

WOW!! I wish Id had such a cool and creative team mom when I was competing in gymnastics. We were lucky if she brought reasonable snacks to meets let alone pretty cards and all that :)

[Heather]

congrats to you girls! the cards are so cute and as for the height difference in the socks you husband's right not to worry about it. The cuffs will be covered by pants anyway.

[Pam]

I'd call your daughter an athlete too! What wonderful cards -- you're part of the memory those girls will have of this time in their lives.

My daughter is a dancer, and I still chuckle at the time she beat the most competitive boy in her fifth grade class (bright, and a jock) at a silly game that involved balancing on one leg. Of course she won, and he was livid.

[Carrie]

Love the socks--I really like that stitch pattern, and the yarn is gorgeous. Congrats to Hailey!!!

[MrPuffy]

Toe up socks are a cool way to knit them but I find that sizing them is a little more difficult for me. Congratulations to your daughter - who I would call an athelete! To me a jock is one dimensional and means someone who does just one thing well - sports. The cards came out beautifully - they looks so happy and cheerful on the board!

[ali]

I'd call her talented. Driven. Hard working. Strong. Capable. Grab a thesaurus and just keep adding synonyms!
What a great job you've done to have a daughter like that! Go mom!

Cool cards, and happy knitting-
ali

[Alyssa]

I love the socks and congrats for you daughter, that's quite an achievement

[kim]

Those socks look great. Sometimes I think I like the simple socks better than the fancy ones. I am still working up my nerve to attempt a toe-up sock.

Wish your little gymnast good luck! Those cards are beautiful.

[Pensguys]

I like the socks! I may have to do those for dh sometime.

Not sure what to tell you about the name for a girl that excels in sports. God knew I couldn't handle a girl so I don't have any. LOL

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the cards! BEAUTIFUL!

[Jenny Girl]

Your hubby's socks are nice and manly. I think the fact that one is off from the other gives them character.
These score cards are such a great idea for your daughter's team. All sparkly and pretty. And it's nice that everyone gets a card whether they compete or not. No one is left out.
Good luck at State!

[sue]

I think it is excellent that all your children love sports. I do think it helps that if you love something so much you will excel in it too. My daughter is the sporty one, my son not one interest in any of it unfortunately. I love the little diamond cards you made too, so pretty and fancy. I am sure they are loved by all the gymnasts too. Matt's socks look great, how many pairs do you need to knit to replace the shrunken ones. I suppose if they shrink a lot your sons can one day wear them.

[gilraen]

Great man socks :) I would be proud of a child like your daughter too :) And your cards are superb!! Well done all of you :)

[Linda]

Great socks - I like to do toe up also. As for being a jock - to me a jock is an arrogant self centered person who is good at sports. An athlete, on the other hand, is a well rounded person who has manners and concern for others. And is good at sports. A jock hogs the ball - an athlete is a team player.

Sounds like your daughter is an athlete!

[Diana]

Tienne, I cannot get over how cute those gymnastics cards are. How lucky those girls are! Wish them luck!

[Carolyn]

I so much admire your ability to get past SSS. I can't ever seem to knit that second sock! I have a drawer full of one-offs. :)

[bea]

Love the socks. And those cards. I think its a wonderful thing for the girls.

[Zonda]

Matt's socks are really nice, I like that color a lot. Those cards are so neat, and a perfect keepsake! Wishing your daughter the best at her meet.

[Ann]

Great socks & I love Wendy's toe-up pattern. I use it for all my socks & as long as I have yarn & needles, I can knit a pair of socks anywhere & anytime. Wish Hailey & her team all the best!

[Miss Scarlett]

That is wonderful about your daughter! Congratulations - what an accomplishment.

Matt's socks are great - I have got to learn that recipe-approach to sock knitting. It seems so much simpler. Don't you just love Magic Loop? I am so glad I learned it.

[Lin]

Well done to your daughter! fab! I felt my socks by using the machine. (don't tell anyone!!)

[Sholeen]

If you're snooty you call them elite athletes, if you're me you call them superstars! My widgets are all about karate and so very good at it (kind of not so much with the other sports so would never be accused of being a jock) and I just make sure to tell them how great they are all the time. Speaking of which, you are a crafty superstar yourself!!! I love those cards, your kiddos are lucky, let me tell you.

[lisa]

I have two girls that are sporty like yours - except as you know mine play hockey. A bit more 'boy' like, but I don't every refer to them as jocks - but sporty girls, and describe them as athletic. Yeah, very athletic, I think the term is. I would describes yours as such as well.

Isn't great when girls can do the same or better than boys? I don't have boys, so I am trying to teach my kids that nothing can hold them back and to be strong girls and of course hopefully strong women.

[Heather]

Those cards are so stunning, especially when displayed like that--you win the AWESOME MOM award!

[nuttnbunny]

The dryer?! I'm laughing hysterically. :-)
Have you ever tried Superwash?

[Rachel]

Nice socks--I like that pattern for 'guy socks'! And I really like that color!

[Sue]

I think you can call a girl like that an accomplished, well-adjusted young woman. :-)

[keri]

I am in love with your cards! The cuteness is overwhelming!

[aquaknits]

Where to start? I really love the texture and simplicity of Matt's socks. Just a thing of beauty!

And great work for all your kids for being such great athletes and having fun! As for your daughter leaving all the boys in the dust with all her skills, well, I'd call her my hero! :D

[Susan]

I had to laugh about the title of your post - in Australia it has a completely different meaning. Socks and Jocks. Socks and underwear. Specifically male underpants. Both things that many a long suffering male has received as birthday and christmas presents! Q - "What did you get for x?", A - "Oh, socks and jocks". And both things that go in the tumble dryer too!

Your socks look great anyway.

And very best of luck to your girls. Don't know what the correct term in OZ would be? A male might be called a 'spunk' (never a jock - see reason above!!); I think a girl could be called a spunk too? But I could stand corrected. When I was at school (an all girls school) we would have just called her 'sporty'.

[cactusneedles]

She's an athlete! My LittleOne is the only girl on her baseball team and she's not a jock, she's an athlete and a baseball player and a girl! Nice socks, too!

[nova]

I think it's pretty great that you do great things with paper as well as yarn. Nice socks, nice "score cards" as well! Good luck at the meet!

[Nora]

Good luck at the meet. [Matt's socks are perfect!]

[Mia]

Putting his socks in the dryer?!?! No wonder they are shrinking. Or is it his foot getting bigger?

And just the fact that all of the kids enjoy their sports and are super active is worthy enough. But to go to state is an even greater honor. And I find the word jock generally refers to some one who is just good at sports. Academics are more important. And balancing both is important.

[Karma]

I know I've asked you this before, but how in the world do you get all of these things done????? My goodness. You are Super Mom and Wonder Woman all rolled in to one. Love to you and your sweet, sweet family...