Don't Forget to Ask the Shoe Size and Look Deep into Their Eyes

A few years ago when we were finishing up the first Custom Knits book, I was talking to my stylist or maybe I was sitting and knitting socks and he expressed an interest in some hand-made ones. Not being the experienced sock knitter that I can now say I am, I remarked: "Hey, I'll make you some!" And he said: "Great!" and I said, "What color?" And he said, "Oh, something neutral."

Next thing, I had three skeins of some Euroflax sock yarn in a nice, dove gray.

After choosing a great pattern, I gave him a call and asked him about his foot size.

I won't even tell you his reported size because I think he totally underestimated: He has some mighty large feet. I mean, if he has such a typical size feet I can tell you with all certainty that they aren't large enough to allow him to walk, he's so tall.

But I cast on anyway, thinking it will be a breeze but months passed and I barely finished one sock. And then one day, we were having a conversation and he mentioned his teeny tiny mom and it hit me: "I think I'll dump his socks and surprise her instead; yeah, that's what I'll do, I'll do the ol' redirect, ninja style."

So, I dumped his honker and made some nice petite socks for his mom and sent them off. You know: the old bait and switch sock routine.

Fast forward to recently while we were shooting again and in front of the crowd he asked me about his socks.

"Shucks," I said. "Your feet are too big. Does you mom like hers? [nudge nudge wink wink]" But I could tell by looking at him he would be one of the good guys, you know, the type who'd actually appreciate the hand-mades and then I caved.

I apologized, found the greatest yarn--Shibui Sock Yarn in Bark--and sent him a picture of the skeins with a note saying: "You like the yarn? Give me a little time since you have such big feet," and he replied:

"Don't worry a bit, darling, it has been only three years, I can wait a little longer."

Moral of the story: If you ever feel like you want to open your big mouth about kntting socks that aren't sport or worsted--or better, bulky--take a look at their feet first, in person, and hopefully naked.

Or, if they're over about 5'11" and don't allow you to actually measure, assume that they have large feet. OR--if you are like me and have actually found a guy (on a blind date) who is at least 6'5" but has super-short arms compared to their body (Ever seen a T-Rex?), it's better to ask first and look deeply into their eyes just in case they act cagey-like.

If they do, then you know they want the socks, above and beyond anything else. Because, we all know, having large feet in the sock-knitter realm is more of a curse than having large calves in the case of leg warmers.

BTW: I'd give you more details on the ShiBui but I dare say that three skeins will not be enough and I might need more.