Shoes and Handbags

Anyone who knows me IRL, knows I have a deep and undivided love of shoes and handbags. So much of my job revolves around fashion that I rarely keep up with it in my personal life. Who wants to work all the time? Instead, I have a very simple style (jeans and t-shirts, for the most part) that I pair with fantastic bags and fun shoes. Part of the sock knitting obsession is because, well, they go with shoes.
Last fall I bought clogs to wear with my hand knit socks. That worked pretty well, but *I* couldn't see them - only people behind me could, and then only if I had too short pants on. This fall I found these:

These are my new "Hand knit socks showin' off shoes", also known as Bass Mary Janes. I looked long and hard until I found these shoes. I wanted something in a Mary Jane, similar to a Doc Martin, but not as heavy. I didn't want a pair of shoes with no arch support and a really thin sole. I also knew I wanted black, and leather. easy, right?
You'd be wrong my friend.
It took me all summer to find a pair I liked, fit me well, fit all my qualifications, and wasn't $75. These were at the Bass Outlet for $40. Perfect. I love my new sock showin' off shoes!

Cockelshells

September Socktopia brought us Nursery rhymes as themes. I choose to use "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary". I've always loved this rhyme. I have a very clear picture in my head of the drawing from a book. Somehow, I decided that the drawing was the outside of my Grandma's house. My Grandma was not a gardener. (at least not the kind of gardener that would grow a garden like in the rhyme) But, for some reason, it still reminds me of my Grandma, and I've picked it for my theme choice.
In case you are unfamiliar with this rhyme, here it is:
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle-shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
Now, lots of people think that this rhyme is in reference to Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary), and her anti-protestant, torturing ways. I suppose it could be true, just like the "Ring around the Rosy" rhyme may be referring to the plague. I'm sure I don't know if this is so, after all- they could just be rhymes. What I do know, is that nursery rhymes have staying power. They are reprinted endlessly, and it is like kids are born knowing them. They spark imagination, storytelling and creativity. And for some reason, "Mary, Mary" is one of my favorites.
So with out further ado, here are my socks:

stats:
Pattern: Embossed Leaves from Interweave Knits, Favorite Socks
Yarn: Crystal Palace Maizey Solid, Pink
Needles: Knit Picks Fixed Circulars, size 0
Notes: I shortened the length by 8 rows to make them fit my Mom's wee size 6 feet, aside from that, no mods. I chose the Embossed Leaves pattern because of the striking resemblance to Cockleshells.


The color is pretty good too! I really enjoyed working with Maizey. I was unsure if I'd like the feeling of it, as it is mostly Corn Fiber (82%), but I was pleasantly surprised. It is soft, the elastic content keeps it springy, and it has a subtle shine. Overall, a very nice knitting experience.

Welcome to September

No back to school for me, but, instead, back to work. poo. I work all summer, but we really Gear up in the fall. Right now we are working on a brand new play, and it is hellish. rewrites, picky-ness, crabby director. blech. we all need naps.
I suppose nothing can be easy.
Do you remember when fall and "back to school" meant buying new clothes? I always got at least one outfit. I had to go through my closet and try stuff on. If it didn't fit anymore, it was handed down to my cousin. I wish I still got a back to school wardrobe. I always looked forward to wearing my new outfit on the first day, but rarely was it "cool" out. I always - or was always encouraged to -buy "fall clothes" so I was dressed too warmly for the first day. My school didn't have air conditioning, so, well you can imagine. Now, I love the summer and hate the cold. except when I want to wear my fall clothes. I'm impatient.
This September also is bringing about a new Socktopia Challenge. Our themes are all nursery rhymes!
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Eany Meeny Miny Moe
The Farmer in the Dell
Jack and Jill went up a hill…
Mary Mary, Quite Contrary
I picked my favorite - Mary, Mary Quite Contrary. I've always loved this rhyme. I have a very clear picture in my head of the drawing from a book. Somehow, I decided that the drawing was the outside of my Grandma's house. My Grandma was not a gardener. (at least not the kind of gardener that would grow a garden like in the rhyme) But, for some reason, it still reminds me of my Grandma, and I've picked it for my theme choice.
I decided to use my "maizy" yarn, and the "Embossed Leaves" pattern form IK Favorite Socks. I plan to give them to my Mom for her birthday.

Aren't they cute so far?