No, Really

There have been several comments and questions from people asking if truly, the sock that I frogged from the last post was really “that big”. Many of these comments came from people who, while they were not oversized transvestite sumo-wrestlers, did indeed have a body image that told them that if I was indeed knitting a very large sock, that I shouldn’t frog it, because it would fit them – or somebody.

Many people pointed out to me that yeah verily, humanity comes in many sizes, and that me, an admittedly small footed human, could perhaps not accurately imagine the largeness of others. While this may or may not be true, I offer the following photo of the enormous sock to prove that I am not misjudging “large” and am indeed saddled with a sock that possesses immensity that cannot properly be imagined without a visual aid.

Therefore, I present to you a picture of the sock off of a human foot:

Bigsocksrme

(which I know doesn’t really look like I have knit a continent-cozy)

And a picture of the sock on the foot of a person with SIZE LARGE FEET, with AN ARM INSERTED ALONG WITH THIER LEG. Please note that the arm is not in contact with the leg or foot, and that indeed, some other things wider than a sheet of paper could likely also be inserted. I toyed with the idea of two arms, but felt that it would crush my spirit if it were truly possible.

Bigsockproof230409

If you know someone this would fit… let your soul fill with fear, and then RUN.

I rest my case. Big sock.

278 thoughts on “No, Really

  1. that is pretty large ๐Ÿ™‚ my first sock was intended for myself (women’s size 8). despite knitting a swatch, they fit my dad (men’s size 14!). but I think these are even too large for him… plus the color & lace wouldn’t be to his taste.

  2. Ha! The undeniable hugeness makes your previous inability to frog the sock even funnier! Oh, we have all done such things. <3

  3. But Steph, it’s really pretty… I know! Finish just the one sock and then give it to Meghan at LettuceKnit, to use as store decoration by their sock yarn stash, or a sock-flag outside their front door? NO!! Better yet – It’s your banner for Sock Summit 2009!!

  4. Wow! and you kept knitting!??? Thank you for sharing, I definitely was under-imagining the size of that sock. LOL

  5. I’m impressed with your stick-to-it’iveness. You really gave it a go ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m happy to say that I know of noone that would fit that sock!

  6. “If you know someone this would fit… let your soul fill with fear, and then RUN.”
    You just lost a fan. You are insulting.

  7. I think it could be used as a sort of infant warmer. Just tuck a little future-knitter inside – their bottom should be cozy in the heel and you could weave a drawstring along the top to prevent them from wiggling out. It would make a great picture, if nothing else!!! (And I have a baby just the right size, too, if you care to send it along!!)

  8. You do have to admit that the color and pattern are gorgeous. Maybe there’s a yeti somewhere in the Himalayas who needs a great pair of socks?

  9. I can see this story of denial and humanity in the next book you write, my only question is will you frog it or knit a second?

  10. Yeah, verily, it is a big sock. But it’s also a nice sock, such a pretty pattern, when stretched out like that. It would be a shame to not finish the pair. And the above suggestion that it could be a tubular baby swaddler is an excellent one. I’m sure if you could find a parent with a newborn that would let you oil said infant up and slip him/her in you would create a new trend. In fact, I’m sure if you got the picture of kid in sock I would see dozens at Maryland Sheep & Wool next weekend.
    Deb in PA

  11. Well, they DO say a picture is worth a thousand words; I guess we believe you now! That sock is definitely big!

  12. Okay, admittedly, it’s a big sock but aside from the fact that you could clothe a small child with it, it’s really pretty.

  13. Awww, c’mon, knit just a little more. Then have the girls take pictures of the frogging.
    On the other hand, who says chesterfield pillows have to be square?

  14. Gosh, right– the heel is _perfect_ for a baby butt. No oil needed, Deb! Lovely colors, beautiful pattern, and yeh, you’re right, Steph, none of us need to meet the foot that one fits ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. Thank you! For years I’ve been the Giant Sock Lady in my area. People I don’t even know have heard the story/legend of my giant sock (intended for my pop but wrong measurements) and I’ve been living in ridicule (hee). Now. Finally. There’s a bigger sock than mine!

  16. Perhaps it would fit a person wearing a cast on their foot/leg. Even in a cast, a person might like to have pretty feet.

  17. You should have done what I just did this weekend (unintentionally and quite sadly in this case)- felt it! This is why my daughter no longer lets me do her laundry when she’s in town. I felted a pair of my lovely newly knit socks…

  18. I think you should finish the sock, and hang it up by the fireplace for the Easter Bunny to fill next year when he comes down your chimney…or something.

  19. Stephanie,
    You do make me laugh!
    Your sock is absolutely lovely, though; and I’d hate to see it go to waste.
    What about turning this into a beautiful cover for a glass vase?
    Best,
    Peg

  20. I’ll take them. I like to wear large warm socks to bed during the winter. I don’t want anything tight on my feet in bed and I like to be able to easily work them off once my feet are finally warm.
    My house is so cold in the winter that I’ve been known to wear two pairs of socks and down-filled slippers all at the same time.

  21. Dear Steph,
    I hate to reveal that you are the product of the Secret Tiny Foot Breeding Project.
    Originally, this started with Chinese Foot Wrapping. In the 1600s, early Darwinists realized that wrapping would not guarantee future generations of small feet, and developed a breeding program for small footed people.
    This deeply secret project was widely disseminated in Canada. The United States, with its misplaced “exclusion ordinances” (mistakenly directed at the Chinese, in an attempt to exclude devotees to tinyfoot terrorist movement), was more successful in preventing the spread of this dread scourge. Canada succombed.
    I know you claim Joe has freakishly large feet. In America, his feet would be called “dainty”, and (were he to go barefoot), he’d be quite popular in certain types of bars.
    This is also why Canadians are such good hockey players. Their feet are so tiny, their itty-bitty skate blades allow them to be far more maneuverable than their moose-footed southern cousins.
    The socks look to be just about the correct size. (I note that you used your minute tootsies to demonstrate their “large size”). They’d fit almost anyone in America.
    Note than in America, socks generally have more than 11 stitches in a round, and we don’t get 14 pair of socks out of each ball of sock yarn…

  22. Okay.
    That is a big sock. I know someone 7′ 2″ tall, with gigantorfeet and that would be too big for him. Also, probably not his colour to be fair.
    I like the idea of a sock banner. It’s very pretty to just frog regardless…

  23. Dear Steph
    Please, Please, DO NOT FROG the huge sock.
    I once had my left leg in plaster, and my poor toes got so cold, I would have KILLED for one giant sock that would fit over the cast. So I beg you, finish the sock as it is, and then take it to your local hospital and donate it to the first person on crutches that you see. Dawn.

  24. Ha ha – you are freakin’ hilarious Steph!. I agree with some of the others that this would actually make a nice gift for a (female) person who had a foot/lower leg in a cast.

  25. Unique Christmas stocking…or class sample…or pillow (with some additional sewing!).

  26. Ok, you made your point. How about a Christmas sock? Tie some red holly on the toe and you are good to go!

  27. Prettiest cast cover ever?
    (or a really nice Christmas stocking — lined of course)

  28. Have you considered that perhaps that was really a sleeve? At least until you turned the heel. What is that thing that compels to continue forging ahead in the face of obvious reality? I started a pair of beautiful cashmere socks for my beloved – with the size 15EEE feet. I kept thinking to myself that they kind of looked, maybe, just a little smallish. But I continued to knit. I turned the heel and plugged away. And then decided that perhaps he should try them on so I could check the length of the foot. And discovered that he could not posssibly tug them on over his freakishly giant heel. What was the matter with him??? So right now they are stuck in the land of misfit socks until I gather the strength to start over.

  29. Really – I think for a person in a cast it would be perfect – kind of like the skins our kids buy for their phones – a stylish alternative and would keep those toes warm.

  30. Thank you for the reference point. Yep, it’s big. Not that I had my doubts…
    I’ll be having ankle surgery soon. Now, I know how to make a cast cozy! Oh and in case if I get the guage wrong (right?) and I make a normal sized sock, it’ll fit my non-cast foot. It’s all too perfect. Thanks again!

  31. How about using it for one of those netted marketing bags everyone’s making all of a sudden? You could finish the foot, put a drawstring around the leg opening, fill it with produce and groceries and feel really green. (And the sock’s green already, so you’re halfway there.) The baby-cozy idea is good too.

  32. Suzy at 1211, are you kidding? Insulting to who? It’s a SOCK. Get a sense of humor!

  33. Dude! That’s awesome! Heh… at least you haven’t finished it… yet… It really would make a stunning Christmas stocking. ๐Ÿ™‚

  34. I still think that sock would fit perfectly on my cankles. Again, not so much the feet part, but the leg part, definitely. What gauge and pattern did you use? I could use socks made for elephant legs.

  35. I think the fact that you held off on frogging that sock easily qualifies you as The Most Optimistic Person in the World. LOL
    Truly, your readers are a creative bunch and very skilled at making lemonade from lemons. Baby cozy, Sock Summit banner and chesterfield cushion – brilliant suggestions, all…

  36. I’d like to see it up against a ruler to truly be able to comprehend its size.

  37. There’s thinking outside the shoe going on in these comments!
    Starting with the infant cozy idea: you could knit up the other one and it would be the perfect heirloom baby gift for the next set of twins you meet, AND as older childrenthey could use them as Christmas stockings (if they do Christmas of course) AND if they ever broke a leg they would be ready AND if they become sumo wrestlers who happen to enjoy turquoise lace, or LYS owners who need a banner, so much the better—quadruple useful!

  38. Okay. I’ll give you this one. My ex-boyfriend is 6 feet 5 inches tall and has huge feet — and these would be flapping around his toes.
    That said, I think frogging is called for. This yarn is so pretty — it must be used!

  39. It’s perfect to loan out for new baby Christmas card pictures. Put the sleeping baby into the sock–it would be a big hit!

  40. It’s not delusional unless you start the second sock or cut the yarn, up until then it is just processing knitting. It freaks my DH out every time I knit some large piece of something sometimes knowing full well that I either 1. don’t have enough yarn to finish or 2. obviously haven’t found the right size or gauge so that I 3. just rip it all back and feel very happy with all that time with my fingers in yarn. He does suspect I’m nuts, but sometimes I just need the feel of yarn and needles in my hands to unwind the tension (punny huh?!)

  41. Totally seconding the Baby Cozy, Christmas Stocking, Sock Summit Banner ideas! Or how about starting a Gallery Of Knitting Failures? I can think of a few of my own items I could contribute.
    Suzy @ 12:11 – Lighten Up. Geez.

  42. Oh, too, tooo funny. I expect that is Joe’s dainty foot and arm in that sock.
    I do hope you have something relaxing planned for the weekend. Some yoga, some time in a sunbeam with a decent Merlot, maybe some time in a bubble bath? Soldiering on in the face of that tiny gauge issue would be a stress issue for me. Gorgeous wool, lovely pattern: Happy frogging.

  43. In the words (paraphrased) of E.B. White, That’s Some Sock!
    Wow. When I (and probably many of us) pictured large, I was thinking a sock to fit someone with a US shoe size 9 or 10, not to fit 2 individuals with a US shoe size 9 or 10. That’s just glorious in its levels of denial. A true masterpiece!

  44. “oversized transvestite sumo-wrestlers”
    I really must remember NOT to read your blog while eating lunch. There was a near accident. ‘Nuff said. Now I have a mental image of Eddy Izzard after a huge eating binge. OY!
    I too like the idea of using this for a sock banner for the Sock Summit.
    You could also use it to hold raffle tickets and draw for prizes from it!
    And thank you for the tips on the drum carder. Much better. I’ve redone the four I had done, and have done another two. Only six more batts to go. Sheesh!

  45. Ok…so I know that as writers, we (I’d like to think of myself as an aspiring one) take stories and embellish them a bit…to make them interesting…not lying, per se, but adding lots of interesting details.
    You, however, did absolutely none of this!
    Wow! Sometimes pictures speak a thousand words.

  46. Nice to know that delusions of spontaneous knitting improvement transcend national boundaries, and it is just my own little row to how.

  47. WOW – you are right; that is one xxl sock! Maybe that giant guy in China has that size foot? Bet nobody knits him socks. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Re: your twitter on the sidebar about a Canadian lawyer with NAFTA expertise . . . as an American lawyer without NAFTA expertise dare I suggest that any lawyers in either of our countries with knitting as a hobby would be the sort loathe to want to know about NAFTA?!
    (Now surely someone will prove me wrong. Or maybe a knitter has a lawyer-spouse with such expertise . . .)

  48. Oddly enough, it probably would fit my friend. And he IS an ex sumo wrestler, though I’m pretty sure the lacey blues and greens are not in his palette.
    Also, there’s no way you could knit another one. You’d lose your will to breathe or play fish tycoon.

  49. I am sure the Yeti/ Abominable Snowman would love them! I bet his feet get really cold. ๐Ÿ™‚

  50. So, this is the result of you tuning out your Inner Knitter? Hmmm…You owe her some chocolate!

  51. You must not frog this sock. You must keep it around just to show new knitters the awesome power of KNITTING DENIAL, and how it can still crop up after 30+ years of dealing with its consequences. An object lesson we all need!

  52. Holy Mac! That IS a biggun. Never let it be said that you exaggerate or embellish for the sake of a good blog post. Verily, you tell the God’s honest truf! Pardon me now while I finish gassing over that hilarious picture.

  53. Looks like a neckwarmer to me. With a hood.
    I have not had this trouble with socks, but I do think that I could be knitting a sweater for a car . . . .

  54. Sadly there is somewhere a sweet woman who has congestive heart failure and horrible pitting edema in her lower extremities (whose cankles are like muffin tops over her shoes) who these socks may very well fit. I think this is why a person or two may have felt insulted… instead they should have spoken up for ownership. There are no lovely socks when your ankles are the size of a young girls thigh.

  55. My husband wears a size 15 shoe and it took me a long time to find directions for socks for his feet…..these would probably fit him, and he would wear the color….but I think he might hesitate at the lace…….

  56. I could imagine Hagrid wearing a pair of socks like that, if be was into turquoise lace… ๐Ÿ˜€

  57. THAT, my dear, is THE most amazing display of knitterly denial I have seen in a long, long, long time : )

  58. LOL!! OK, OK, too funny. Too bad you didn’t think of frogging it sooner!! Although I’m sure there is an oversized transvestite sumo-wrestler somewhere crying his eyes out over the loss of such a beautiful sock!!

  59. And it’s just the right color of a frog pond….
    You must of been deaf to not here the choir of frogs telling you to come for a visit….sheesh!

  60. Steph, that’s the funniest thing I’ve read in ages. Thanks for the laugh.
    Do you think it was designed to be, not a sock, but a girdle? I think you could fit it around your waist.
    Pretty color.

  61. Looks even too big for my husband and I’m knitting socks for his size 16 feet right now.
    You totally win at big socks. Go you.

  62. okay i’ll stick with my idea of making it inot a christmas stocking. Or make a handle and you’ll have a beautiful sock shaped bag.

  63. My first thought was “Christmas stocking”, as some of the previous posts also suggested. Think of the booty…um, loot, that could fit in that sock!!!

  64. I’ve got it! It’s a Halloween costume. Put both feet in the sock, and go as a mermaid.
    Seriously, I like the baby-cozy idea. That could catch on.

  65. Well, there was this documentary about a Scottish woman on TLC the other night…sock might have fit her.

  66. My my…never fear. You can always use it as a Christmas stocking. I have several One-Stocking-Wonders that I let my grandchildren climb into on Christmas day, looking for more hidden treasures.

  67. Eep, that’s one big sock.
    When I read the last post on this sock, I thought that I kinda understood why you had kept going for so long. But now, having seen the photographic evidence?
    Okay, loveliness of the yarn aside, tell me again – how comes you didn’t stop earlier?!

  68. I hate to point out the obvious … on second thought, obviously I don’t.
    Ms. Pearl-McPhee – that’s one big sock ๐Ÿ™‚

  69. You made me laugh. I am amazed you stuck with it. I would of froged it a long time ago. lol.
    Suggestions are:
    Christmas stocking,
    Funny looking hat?
    Gift bag to hold lots of pretty hand made socks.
    A flag to hang outside your door.
    Give to your favorite yarn shop as a display for that yarn or sock pattern.
    A great prank gift.
    A give away for on your blog?
    Ok I am out of ideas. Thanks for the laugh today I needed it.

  70. Your “blog” consists of some truly creative & intelligent people with great suggestions: Christmas stocking, cast cover, felt it, hooded neck warmer, mermaid, vase cover, cushion, cowl, etc. I award first place to bekeehn who suggested baby warmer. Perfect. And do you think if Suzy won a consolation prize she wouldn’t look for ways to be so easily insulted?

  71. it seems to me your sock has lost its purpose.
    Knitting, as we all know, is about the process not the product.
    just let it stew in its juices for awhile…. before it becomes something else.
    N

  72. Actually, it would either fit or be too small for my ex-boss. A 6′ tall approximately 400#, possibly more, woman. Her son called her Jabba the Hut behind her back. She sometimes acted like Jabba.

  73. Funny ๐Ÿ™‚
    I do know someone those would fit. I once knit him a pair of socks in exchange for some venison. My in-laws thought I was making really ugly Christmas stockings. They were bright, acid yellow wool and grey mohair. When I showed the yarn to his wife with the concern that the bright, acid yellow might be too bright, she said “Just who do you think is going to tease a man that size?”
    He brought them back after I gave them to him because, while they came up to my armpits (and I’m a big woman– 5’8″) they were too short for him. He is 6’9, and at that time was “somewhere in the neighborhood of” 350 pounds. He’s since lost weight. He’s down around 200 pounds now. After 10 years, he still has those socks. He was concerned that they don’t fit as well now that he’s lost so much weight… so I helped him felt them a little. His wife tells me he takes better care of those socks than he does his truck or his guns or his dogs or either of his kids ๐Ÿ™‚
    He’s the reason that my snow removal guy agreed to plow us out all winter for a pair of wool socks and a pair of wool slippers. He hunts with my friend, and has envied him those socks for years. Now he has a pair of his own, abet better colors ๐Ÿ™‚
    I talked to my friend the other day… he was wondering if we needed the car fixed, because he’d like another pair… ๐Ÿ™‚

  74. I know a guy with a club foot who might appreciate the size of the sock. Although the pattern might not appeal to him. ๐Ÿ™‚

  75. Surely you know of a small (maybe a midsized) dog that could use a spiffy sweater-sock? It would have to be a girl dog, since the lace is kinda feminine, but I’m sure she’d appreciate it. And look rather fetching in it (dog – fetching – I kill me!)

  76. Bwahaha! Thank you for the laugh. I’m starting to think, though, that you have the potential for some kind of performance art going here…

  77. You never fail to entertain me! Thank you so much. I will think of this sometime later this evening and start to laugh all over again….

  78. It looks to be just the right size to fit over the cast/boot thingy that they give you when you break your ankle. I vote you call it the broken ankle sock and knit away. By knitting a pair, you have two gifts for friends that have broken their ankles (or one really clumsy friend who manages to break both ankles at the sametime).

  79. I’m married to the man who can wear that sock. Legs like tree trunks. Ankles the size of calves. Big, solid, sweet man. Our petite friend who is knitting socks for him, is likely using an infant blanket pattern as a basis. Love the color.

  80. OK, I guess you win this one! Even my feet aren’t THAT big! The yarn is beautiful tho’, so you need to knit it up straight away. I just made Circle socks, and they looked great. Also Spring Forward would look lovely in that yarn. Just a suggestion!!

  81. But at least you know for sure that there is PLENTY of yarn for two whole socks!

  82. I like the cast idea. Sooner or later (hopefully later) you’ll know of someone who needs to cover up a foot cast, that sock will look great.

  83. It would make a nice snood/smoke ring for a child…
    Beautiful yarn and lace, you could have left it without a scale indicator and the internet would never have known.

  84. Oh yeah, that’s a big sock. Stunningly gorgeous yarn, though.I agree with one of your posters who suggested making it into a bag. It could be a very unique drawstring bag,with a beautiful matching ribbon to close it, but then it might need a lining to keep stuff from falling out the holes. Perhaps a smaller sock stuffed inside it would do for a lining?

  85. Umm…..sadly i do know someone the would fit. I ended that relationship when he showed a love for knitted socks. I just couldn’t imagine knitting anything that big in socks more than once ๐Ÿ˜‰

  86. I’m sorry. As a knitter I completely understand the sometimes craziness of the craft. But actually what I am sorry about is that I laughed out loud when I saw the sock. I have never seen one that big. Rip-it and redo, but thanks for giving me my laugh for the day.

  87. I’m with a few other comment-ers…it appears you may have, in fact, been knitting a very pretty, unconventionally colored, and lacy Christmas stocking.
    What, you didn’t see that marked on the pattern? ๐Ÿ˜‰

  88. You Win. Although, I guess frogging is never considered a winning solution. Oh well, you know what I mean.

  89. Looks like a sock for Hagrid or …. oh, what was that female giantess’ name. Madame Maxime…

  90. Can’t type…laughing…oh-my-stars-and-garters…YA KNOW, this one time I made a hat? And while on the needles I thought it looked, you know, big-ish…but hey! I had followed the pattern and all so hey! It must GET SMALLER…somehow…along the way…
    Turned out big enough to fit, oh, a VW Microbus.
    And yes, I finished it all the way down to running in the ends AND blocking.
    Denial, it’s in our blood. (Maybe it’s a wool-born disease?)

  91. and you still knit it that far.. wow… I’m really impressed with your sticktooitivness.

  92. Wait! Wait! Don’t frog it yet. Without a toe this could still be used as a lovely neckwarmer. There’s even a roomy portion (used to be a heel) for someone with a large Adam’s apple or a goiter.

  93. As others have pointed out, there are women out there who need socks that size and would love to have a pretty pair of socks for once.

  94. When I was a girl, there were several ladies at church who could have fitted that sock. They were large, elderly, had major health problems, and had legs and ankles like young tree trunks. No idea what the health problems were. They limped badly and were always a little cold, probably because moving about was difficult.
    I agree, frog this sock. But take note of how you did it so that perhaps someone else who needs such a thing can replicate it.

  95. I too made a pair of socks for a very large ankled person. I kept thinking that the pattern would work out and I ended up starting over with the tiny size. The original size was for a man’s size 12 shoe. My husband could put 2 feet in it. The pattern was from a major company to go with their yarn. I pity the first time sock knitter trying to make something from that pattern, they would definitely give up and say they could not make socks. Thank you for being honest. The sock did get a lot of chuckles though.

  96. LOL It is a beautiful sock though. Maybe you could hang it up next year for the Easter Bunny to fill! The whole basket would almost fill it!

  97. bwwaahhaaahahahahaha! You’re being kind not blaming the designer or printer of the pattern. What are you supposed to knit that with? Thread? Dental floss would make it oversized!!!

  98. I just have a hard time believing that you just kept knitting….just can’t get my head around it.

  99. Yeah i agree with a comment i read, make it a christmas stocking and be done with it..haha

  100. Okay, yea. I say line the inside and turn it into a stocking or something. Add straps, lining, and call it a bag?

  101. I actually know a lady with lymphedema, and I bet that sock would fit her. It’s like someone took all the water in her body and poured it below her knees… makes it very hard for her to get around, her husband has to help her.
    This reminds me, I should maybe think about knitting some socks for her, she’s so sweet.
    But yeah, for the rest of us, that’s a swimming pool! Maybe a Halloween mask as a sock puppet?

  102. Wow. And remind me how long you’ve been knitting? I think all the wool fumes must have gone to your head.

  103. OMG, and you knit and turned the heel without ripping. The Alton giant was a man you know.

  104. Big. I agree. You were right, I was wrong. That is one big sock.
    Still very pretty. What yarn was that again?

  105. I hate to be the one to point this out, but despite the fact that it finally occurred to you, um, … well… it doesn’t look like that sock is frogged. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  106. Continent cozy- hee-hee!!
    Ah, Suzy, please try to see the humor. Stephanie was talking about giants, not overweight people… Why would ppl run away from someone who just had large legs? The idea is someone huge enough to pick a person up in their hand…

  107. Suddenly I feel a lot better about the too-big sock I just unraveled… a lot better. Heeheehee. But it’s pretty! That counts for something, right?

  108. Stephanie,
    I am truly sorry about this sad experience for you but, at the same time, you did so much for my own morale with this post… I’m having great difficulty with my current project…a stretch technically so, thank you for sharing. As disappointing as I’m sure this was for you – it was a huge help to those of us with far less skill…you give me hope…and a lighter heart. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Thanks,
    Abby

  109. What about a cross dressing basketball player? I’m sure that DENNIS RODMAN would wear lacy turquoise socks!! And they might fit him! And yes, we should all run quickly away from that thought…

  110. WOW!!! I’ve had 400-500lb patients that sock would be perfect for!!! It’ll never wear out, because the can’t walk anymore. I say finish the socks and contact a hospital to see if they have a large person that would really cherish the socks. ( They need love too! It would really make their day. They usually have to split the socks down the side to wear socks.)

  111. Totally down with the cast cover idea. That was my first thought when I saw it although I see at least 5 other people felt the same way. What’s that they say about great minds…?

  112. The sock would be good for Santa at Christmas. Beside all that, I’ve been following your tweets. I am a lawyer, albeit an American one, and I readily admit that I don’t understand NAFTA. I doubt that the lawyers who wrote it understood it. Yes, this is scary.

  113. Let me introduce you to my husband… I don’t run, though, I duck when he turns around without looking. His elbow and my nose are at the same height.

  114. And your Joe wears WHAT size socks? I think you have said something along the lines of a size 12. Oh, that is a bit on the large size. ๐Ÿ™‚
    I think Hagrid’s mother might be able to wear that sock.

  115. Re: “Sadly there is somewhere a sweet woman who has congestive heart failure and horrible pitting edema in her lower extremities (whose cankles are like muffin tops over her shoes) who these socks may very well fit. I think this is why a person or two may have felt insulted… instead they should have spoken up for ownership. There are no lovely socks when your ankles are the size of a young girls thigh.”
    Posted by: Ami at April 24, 2009 2:53 PM
    While I wasn’t insulted or upset, (and LOVE your blog) I, too, have a medical problem called lymphadema in my lower legs and feet, which has made me have “cankles” and lower legs the size of tree trunks (to me, anyway). They are NOT pretty and your socks would probably fit them fine and make them look lovely (if such a thing is possible). My calf (about 8 inches above the bottom of the heel) measures 13″.
    I love the color and pattern and can certainly understand why you want to frog them so you can make socks that will fit you!

  116. ribbon sock corset, I’m telling you. It would make frumpy huge sock into sassy sexy sock.
    I do, however, like the idea of a sock banner/flag for the knitting shop.

  117. Why not finish it, have someone cover it in resin like they do with jewelry and have it framed.(Might need a lot of resin) Or put a flag pole in your garden? Wind-socks are useful…
    …sorry, that’s all I’ve got.

  118. I don’t know, maybe you know someone with a walking cast on their foot?? ๐Ÿ™‚

  119. I’m with Deb in PA – or perhaps even better, call it an Infant Cozy (or wossname), put it on Ravelry and stand back – the breeze from all those flying needles would knock you right off the porch! I would say finish it and frame it or something, it’s just too plumb pretty to frog. Hmmm….one of my first projects was a baby bonnet for a friend’s newborn. I knitted it diligently on a long car trip – and when it was finished—(ignore the quiet sob) IT WAS TOO BIG FOR MY HUSBAND! And no, he wouldn’t even wear it under a motorcycle helmet — he *could* but insisted that “feather-and-fan” wasn’t to his liking.

  120. Mark my words – one of these days you will run into that sumo wrestler and you are going to wish you had finished those socks! Always seems to work that way for me.

  121. Wait! Don’t rip yet! Send them to be part of the Harry Potter museum exhibit as Madame Maxime’s socks!

  122. Well, one picture is surely worth all your words! Okay, rip the darned thing…………..

  123. Yowsers. That really is a big sock. Good work with knitterly denial! I mean REAL denial!
    Although, I’d like to insert that I know someone with feet that big. Or have a passing knowledge of someone with feet that big. As a nurse I’ve taken care of a patient who was 208kg. That sock looks to be just about right, assuming the toes could be decreased just a little bit. And since you haven’t finished it that far……it’d be charity.
    LOL.

  124. What about motivational speaker Tony Robbins? I bet it would fit him.
    I just frogged a humungous beret so am really enjoying (and in need of) your sense of humor over this.

  125. I once knit a sock that was large enough to be a sleeve. Turned the heel before I finally realized it was way, way too big for anybody I knew.

  126. If you find someone for those socks, please let me know. I have a completed pair that I was too stubborn to give up on that I can send along (very cute and very big). Is there anything more demoralizing than having a loved one say “well, we can use them for christmas stockings…”?

  127. Thanks so much for all the joy and laughs you provide me. What a delight that I’m not the only one to knit away….. and then, to my amazement, the thing isn’t, well,…. proportioned might be a good term.

  128. Hahaha!! When you wrote about the sock at first, I thought, “I bet it’s not that big – it would fit me for sure.” After all, I have a pair of 100-stitch socks that fit me fine. I have edema and very large ankles and feet. But I think those would be too big even for me.
    I agree with others who have said finish the socks, and donate them to a hospital where they could be gifted to someone with lymphedema. Really, having edema is very hard on a person’s self-esteem – it is so hard to feel attractive. Having a beautiful hand-knit pair of socks really helps, and it was my main inspiration for starting to knit socks.

  129. Just so you know, I find it VERY offensive that you are speaking about plus sized individuals. Just because YOU think your small, doesn’t mean that plus size is bad. Good grief, someone your age should know that. Personally, if I were you, I would have frogged the sock because of your poor choice of colors for it. Oh, and the comment regarding people of different personal prferences,was also offensive. What people do in their life, is not any of your business. You should be more careful of what you say, you still have teenagers that may be more then plus sized and their choice of behavior may indeed invole dressing to an inappriate choice of yours.
    Good Day Ms. YarnHarlot…..please rethink your topics of choice.

  130. So…um…why didn’t you forge ahead and finish the foot? It would probably have tightened right up. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  131. Those that are taking offense to this post: you are reading a blog from a humorist. The sock would probably not fit a person that lives on our planet. I am plus-sized, and not in the least offended. It’s a joke!!

  132. I second Donna at 3:12. I am plus sized and know many other plus size people and not one of them would fit into that sock.
    It’s a joke, it’s not going to amuse everyone.
    I do believe that it may be of use to someone in a cast, though.

  133. Amazingly, those of us who belong to both The Academy of the Self-Righteous and to North American Victims of Elephantisis have reviewed this column and found it innocent. The vote is still out from the Association of the Thin-Skinned, however. They prefer to post individually.

  134. Beautiful colour, lovely lacework. I would have to frog just for regaining the lovely fibre – perhaps a week or two exhibition at Lettuce Knit and then frog – too beautiful not to use.

  135. really…..gasp.
    have had the strength to frog the too small sweater last night. I shall re cast on and knit it again when I have the will to do so.

  136. Oh my goodness! I guess frogging was called for…
    The fact that you used “yeah, verily” kind of made my day. Just fyi. =)

  137. FYI, my teenage daughter is in a cast now, and that sock would definitely fit. However, when I offered to knit her a sock, she said no way! I don’t think she approved of the style. An adult might appreciate it though – especially one so pretty. My motto: never frog. Someone somewhere will like it.

  138. my thanks to you all, today is a bit of a sad day in my world but you have given me many laughs and made me feel much better!

  139. Seriously, Stephanie?!! What is astounding about the whole episode, way beyond the hugeness of the sock, is that you continued to knit on, and on,,, I laughed right out loud! Thanks for humbleness and the sharing….

  140. Cartoon monster huge, not fat lady huge. Grow a sense of humo(u)r folks. I am, BTW, a hugely fat lady and I am not offended in the least.
    Makes “stick a sock in it” a deadly threat. Pretty though.

  141. If you’re taking up a collection for the CHARITABLE RE-DISTRIBUTION OF HUMOUR campaign, count me in.

  142. hang the big sock from a tree
    the birds could use it for a nest
    the kind of birds in si fi movies

  143. Unbeknown to you, you actually have created a unique and thoughtful gift for someone who is in a cast. I broke my leg as a teenager and had the toughest time finding something to cover my exposed toes. I say finish the sock and donate it to the orthopedic ward at a local children’s hospital.

  144. Big Sock could be the sidekick to Bad Horse on Dr. Horrible. Just the way you wrote it struck me that it needed to be capitalized ๐Ÿ™‚

  145. Ah, the socks of the Yeti. I have made these. Multiple pairs in fact. Indeed, should I ever encounter a Yeti in need of knitwear, I can outfit him in socks, hat, mittens, and sweater. He’ll be the warmest, wooliest Yeti in all Tibet. I’m saving the FOs of course, for such an occasion.

  146. lol… I love it, huge or not! It takes a really *Big* person to laugh at him/her self… matches your Mammoth Sock!

  147. Such pretty yarn – it would be a shame to frog it. What about a sock-shape cushion/pillow?

  148. I just realized something, Stephanie – from one SF-fan to another. That sock is either for the Fek’lhr or The Gorn.

  149. I have the opposite problems with socks. They are intended for me, but always seem to end up fitting my mother. She wears a size 6, I wear a size 9… I’m also allergic to wool (the itching is so terrible I cannot force myself to wear my knits), so maybe my subconscious is letting me know that wool socks are not for me? My mom doesn’t mind though, she loves the ‘free’ handknits…

  150. Maybe we should keep in mind that some people have circulation problems. There are people (my grandmother for instance) whose lower legs and feet swell severely and due to bad circulation, they can’t wear binding socks. I’m sure someone with this problem would love to have hand-knit socks, but can’t due to the sizes being too small. Your above-average-sized socks would be perfect for someone with this issue.

  151. Okay. You win. Big sock! (Even bigger state of DeNial!)
    Does it mean I’ve spent too much time on Ravelry that I kept wanting to push the button while reading previous posts?

  152. Well, it may be a big sock, but if you frogged the heel it would make a nice cowl for someone with a small head…perhaps a child?

  153. I read the comments on this the other day, and pondered them today while working outside. I must admit that I was startled by the collection of comments calling the Lady Harlot to task for insensitive weight comments in her post. When I read the post, I read it to suggest the sock would fit a giant (as in Jolly Green). Weight never crossed my mind. That said, if a person is sensitive to such a class of comments, the joke at the end of her post could be read the other way, if so inclined. There is a saying in the discussion of legislatures that says “where you stand depends on where you sit,” a reference to issue stance being based on party. In other words, everyone brings their own collection of salient thoughts in their consideration of things to which they are exposed. In the case of what was written here, my own take in such circumstances is to look for context and what I know about the author. Based on reading Yarn Harlot for a considerable amount of time, I think it is safe to say she would never make an insensitive weight comment. Plus, in her writing (here and in books), I can’t recall her humor ever coming at the expensive of anyone but herself.
    Nothing but my two cents worth.
    And, yes, it is one seriously large sock, and evidence of a seriously large case of denial on the part of the knitter.

  154. I think it would’ve fit Fezzik. But seeing as Andre the Giant is not still amongst us, I suppose frogging is the best answer.

  155. Lillian at 2:21 You need to get a sense of humor and some intense therapy, sweetie. Oh and a spell checker too. It’s a SOCK for goodness sake! I’m a very fat short chick, married to a very fat tall gentleman and I wasn’t offended at all by this post. In fact, reading it has inspired me to learn how to knit socks for both of us. Thanks, Steph! ๐Ÿ™‚

  156. Another vote for Christmas sock….just think of the presents you could stuff in that baby!

  157. Whoa! Really big sock.
    The Jolly Green Giant? [He must get tired of the elf boots.]

  158. LOL! Reminds me of my first go with Beth Brown-Rensel’s Skro-troyer sweater (and Sumo is exactly the word I used, too). I ended up having to take out 4 16-stitch repeats! And I even swatched! No comments, please….

  159. Uncle! (although my non-knitting aunt with thick calves might still have professed to like it – she’s that good about knitwear.)

  160. I think This particular sock could be used as an EASTER sock/basket. It is unique, and a one of a kind item that could be auctioned for charity. I suggest you finish it. Then post it out on bids with all proceeds going to Doctors without borders……..I personally will start the bidding at 20.00

  161. ‘Lillian at 2:21 You need to get a sense of humor and some intense therapy, sweetie.’
    I couldn’t agree more. Try a Prozac with a large glass of wine! Sheesh! I am a curvy diva (I hate the term “plus sized”) and I did not find the post offensive in the least! That’s HUMOR!
    Stephanie, here’s another idea: Frog the heel part and attach some shoulder straps. Instant lacy summer dress for a little girl!

  162. I’m also good-sized, especially sensitive to “fat jokes,” which are the sign of weak senses of humor, have some big ol’ feet (my excuse is it “takes more of a foundation to build a cathedral than to build a shithouse.”) and I have pitting edema into the bargain, and I found nothing hurtful in your blog post. I’m sorry you got the cranky end of a few sticks. (Thats all I would remember from the whole thing; I hope you’re not like me in that regard.) One of the things I love most about your writing is your ability to see beauty in a multitude of varieties of humans and human experiences.
    And you have knit an Italy cozy. The rest of the EU will be so jealous!

  163. hmmm…. you could publish this pattern as the SHREK SOCK…. just a thought!

  164. Lillian wrote: “Just so you know, I find it VERY offensive that you are speaking about plus sized individuals.”
    Gosh, so from this, it seems that the “plus sized” are not to be spoken of, but pushed off into the corner and ignored as if they are shameful.
    Perhaps you should choose your words a bit more carefully, Lillian, as they don’t quite read how I believe you intended.

  165. Me thinks “Big Foot” would love these socks! HeHe.
    They are really beautiful.

  166. I haven’t read any other comments, but just in case no one suggested it, you might finish it and hang it “by the chimney with care” in December.

  167. The sock you knit are very pretty. A gorgeous cast cover! Now, please! do not go and break your foot. To fix the sock, maybe you could re-knit it with much smaller needles, or two strands held together? Or, perhaps it is a banner for Sock Summit 2009?

  168. That sock is undeniably HUGE! Perhaps it could become a stocking cap? It’s so pretty it would be a shame to rip it out.

  169. I agree that it’s a beautiful sock, but the yarn may have another beautiful sock within…how would you ever know unless you frog the gigantic (though beautiful) error in gauge? Best wishes for you both, you’ll make it through (maybe you could bribe a teen to help you frog)

  170. Thanks so much for a great laugh! I am the night nurse for my mom who has been very ill and cranky, and it’s catching. I read your sock saga and laughed my head off for the first time in weeks. Not that I haven’t done similar silly things. I recently took a chenille sweater into the yarn store for a look-see on how to make it fit better, The owner advised me that the best way would be to rip it, roll it into balls and that way it would fit into a single plastic bag. Then if I still love the yarn I can knit something that would actually have a chance of fitting me or someone else on the planet.

  171. Hey, you know how they make those mittens for lovers? Well…this is a sock for lovers, where you each sick a foot in and watch your favorite movie and “play toes”.
    It is a thought. Maine is cold, even inside watching a good movie. It could work and it could catch on.

  172. Um.. a sumo wrestler would be pretty fear-inspiring, especially on a bad day. A transvestite sumo wrestler would be… terrifying beyond belief.
    Hagrid? Why not? He had a pink umbrella with the remains of his wand hidden inside, so why not a turqoise lace sock?

  173. I was going to make a crack about a cozy for Italy, but someone already beat me to the punch.
    So how about sending them to Chewbacca’s wife? I’m sure she’d think they were lovely ๐Ÿ™‚

  174. Why is appropriate to make fun of big people? I don’t see it as humor at all. It is not about getting a sense of humor or ‘mellow out’. It is about respect.
    Come on! “If you know someone this would fit… let your soul fill with fear, and then RUN.”
    I have to agree with some other posts that I think it is inappropriate and I am no longer a fan.

  175. My Sasquatch size 12 womens feet and my swollen by lymphedema legs, would be very happy to have such lovely socks. When I try to make a sock that large AND pretty, I always fail.

  176. Rachel at 3:35 pm 4/28: If you met me, you might think I’m a “big person,” which I am, and you would be entitled to that opinion. I don’t think Stephanie’s post was disrespectful to anyone, myself included! Bye bye!

  177. Bigfoot lives in Washington State. Send it to someone there to be offer it up to him.

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