Siren Call
Feeling a little like Ulysses*, only not quite as smart…
It called to me.
The beautiful, tantalizing song of the siren.
Sitting there atop the precarious rocks.
Drawing me into certain danger.
And I just about crashed.
There was no doubt I was mesmerized by the pattern.
The lengthy stocking with its smooth stitches, broken only by a delicate lace cable at the back. Reminiscent of by-gone days. Feeling myself drawn into danger…
Should have heeded the warnings when I couldn’t figure out the intricate calf decreases on either side of the cable. But, plowed ahead with my own simplistic method.
Should have heeded the warnings when I couldn’t manage the Kitchener stitch on the tiny stitches at the toe. But, improvised my own toe enclosure despite the diversion into Rastafarian knittery…piles of wool resembling tangled dreds.
Should have heeded the warnings when I realized that the seductive top roll would look like a hideous lump of cellulite under trousers, knowing that I own not, nor will I ever own, a drapey, crepey skirt. But, folded it flat over elastic, which I mistakenly measured for knee sock length, making a saggy, baggy shapeless mess. Unstitched and re-stitched to enclose elastic properly measured for over the knee.
And yet, with all of the troubles and dangers of this pattern, I breathe a sigh of relief, having negotiated the rocks, content with the final outcome. Oh wait….I’m feeling the toss of choppy waters as I cast on to make its mate….
*Simplified Greek Mythology Postscript
Ulysses was a Greek king who set sail with many other Greek kings to rescue Helen (of Troy fame). During his adventures, Ulysses’ ship had to pass the Sirens’ island. Sirens were sea nymphs who bewitched passing sailors with their beautiful songs. Men would sail close to the island until they wrecked their ships on the rocks and drowned. Having been warned of this danger, Ulysses gave each of his men beeswax to place in their ears, but he himself wanted to hear their singing and had his men tie him securely to the mast. Once under the Sirens’ spell, Ulysses begged to be untied, but alas, his men couldn’t hear him and they passed in safety.
Oh, wow . . . I have horrible Second Sock Syndrome, and I’ve never made any bigger than your average knitted pair. Well done, can’t wait to see the mate!
21 Jan 2008 at 7:36 am
The sock is lovely, and the elastic is a good improvement. I can’t see living with the roll top very easily.
21 Jan 2008 at 11:38 am
Very pretty. Can’t wait to see the them both finished.
21 Jan 2008 at 12:48 pm
Considering where you live, I was thinking of Joyce’s Ulysses, in which case you used way too much punctuation — though I’m sure the pattern rather resembled stream of consciousness …
Lovely, though, and how brave you are to navigate its waters!
21 Jan 2008 at 1:28 pm
It looks wonderful. I’ve often admired the pattern, but haven’t wanted to knit such a long sock!
21 Jan 2008 at 1:50 pm
Gougeous, warm and sexy. How beautiful and clever!
21 Jan 2008 at 3:57 pm
You could always use it for Christmas next year. Plenty long for lots of goodies. No sense flogging again and again. Unless you like that sort of thing???
21 Jan 2008 at 4:19 pm
I have to say you are a brave one. I have this on my list, but have yet to cast on. With what seemed to be areas of trouble, as you wrote, you came out swimmingly. (wait, was that pun intended, no, not really). Great job. I wish you great success in the second stocking.
21 Jan 2008 at 4:29 pm
So … does that mean you have to duplicate all the, erm, “enhancements” in the next one?
It looks beautiful, so there’s something.
I always thought Ulysses was a bit of a git for that trick - I mean, they were supposed to drive men crazy, so he wanted to hear them?
21 Jan 2008 at 9:11 pm
Absolutely gorgeous yarn color. If it were me though, I’d just start a new fashion, where one wears a single sock.
21 Jan 2008 at 9:29 pm
That is one beautiful stocking! Lovely job on it!
21 Jan 2008 at 9:40 pm
I will just sit here in awe because on my one and only attempt at knitting socks I couldn’t figure out how many of the stitches to put on which needle, and I couldn’t find out if I should have been using 3 or 4 needles. Those stockings are wonderful, not sure my legs would suit them though!
21 Jan 2008 at 10:24 pm
i had forgotten that tale! The sock looks wonderful, i have loved this pattern but the whole thigh/roll thing keeps me from knitting them. Maybe, just maybe! I like the idea of the added elastic…and maybe 15 extra minutes each day on the elliptical??Hmm. Love how you ventured with the green. Good luck on it’s mate!
21 Jan 2008 at 11:35 pm
ok, it makes me a little sad that the sirens need an explination, but the sock is gorgeous! truly. regardless of all of your personal navigations. best of luck with the second one. perhaps you could wear them with your mini-skirt! (tee-hee)
22 Jan 2008 at 1:04 am
I cannot tell you what pleasure reading your blog brings me. It’s a breath of poetry on a blustery gray day! I visit often and wish I lived down the road so that I could invite you over for tea. Having never been to the British Isles but only dreamed…it’s such a lovely dream.
22 Jan 2008 at 2:46 am
Well, would a calf length, pleated wool skirt do? Very lovely
22 Jan 2008 at 8:30 am
This post reminds me of myself; I tend to pick patterns while ignoring the fact that they may be over my head. But your improvisations worked great! Well done!
22 Jan 2008 at 2:28 pm
Intoxicating socks - and oh so sexy looking too. I have always loved this pattern, but unlike you do not have the courage to give them a go. Great job, especially with all the tweaking and mods you have made.
22 Jan 2008 at 3:21 pm
Once more I am applauding your accomplishment. Just think you are already half way there. The mate is always easier than the first one. Great Job!
22 Jan 2008 at 10:10 pm
You’re my hero. I’ve loved that pattern for a long time too, but I think the it’s is out of my league.
23 Jan 2008 at 4:32 am
I am really impressed! So gorgeous. I have never knitted socks, nor even really wanted to, but I recently started a class at my LYS on knitting 2 socks on 2 circular needles. It’s a really interesting technique. Had tangles of yarn, but the key is apparently to put the balls in a ziplock bag with a hole cut into each bottom corner to feed the yarn through. Then you just flip, flip, flip the bag as you turn your work. Frogged the whole thing before I even got to the heel, and as these had to be to a certain point by the next class, they are rather short. Spent part of Saturday, all of Sunday AND Monday getting them back to the heelflap. It was so exciting getting the heel turned! Can’t wait to finish them.
24 Jan 2008 at 12:44 am
oooo… pretty! what a lovely colour
24 Jan 2008 at 3:01 am
How lovely!
24 Jan 2008 at 6:18 pm
WOW beautiful… where could one the pattern??? In a moment of insanity I might try these… Patti
17 Apr 2008 at 7:28 pm