OK..... now I don't want anyone to hate me for saying this, and I don't mean to offend anyone who participated in this, but I think this is crazy. I am usually all for "all things knitted" but knitting sweaters for trees????? I just don't get it . The Area Arts Council in our small town decided the trees downtown needed a little color, and asked area knitters to knit tree cozies. When I first read about this I thought it was absolutely insane to spend time knitting a sweater for a tree when there are so many worthy causes we can knit for. A couple days later they posted another article saying that the winning tree cozy knitter would win $1000 to be donate to a local charity of their choosing, (I wasn't the only one thinking it was nuts, and the letters to the editor in the paper supported that) That made it seem like a more worthwhile reason to knit tree sweaters. Some were pretty simple, most knit with size 35 needles, some were just ugly,
and some were just down right cute. I had to take the kids to the Library yesterday, so I decided to check it out. I did like the snowman cozy, but I won't be knitting one.
I think the real reason they did this was to distract from the ugliness that is happening the next block down. This was in today's paper. They are leveling a mall to build a hotel. I am glad my kids are older now so I don't have to listen to them whine about the play ground in the mall being gone. We spent many a hour at that play ground in the winter, when the weather was too bad to play in the park or in the back yard. It is sad to see it gone.
Not much to show in the way of knitting. I did finish my Woolly Boully Neapolitan socks. I love, love, love this yarn. And I love these socks. As I said in a previous post, so does the eldest daughter. I may have to purchase another hank of this so she can have a pair also. We will just have to see. 
And I started another pair of the Triple Twist pattern. I neglected to include the heel flap set up in the original pattern, so if you purchased one, please note the errata in the links area on the side bar. I am knitting this pair with a short row heel, still trying to find a short row heel method I like, still haven't found it. The yarn is a 100% superwash merino I dyed about 2 years ago. They are a pretty quick knit, and I am trying to finish my 52 pair for the 52 pair plunge. I have 43 so far and need to knit 9 more pair before the end of March to meet the goal of 52 pair in 52 weeks. Those are some pink socks, and I am not really a pink person, or anyway I never have been a pink person, but I kinda like these. Well, that is all I have for today. Have a great week!! I am going to go knit.... and not a tree sweater : - )
19 comments:
I don't wish to offend anyone either, but I agree with you totally--I wouldn't want to participate in the knitting graffitti either--unless they were meant for the homeless people to take the scarves and hats. I am a pink person--so I love both socks.
Really - for trees??
Tree cozies? If you hadn't posted the pics, I would have thought it was a typo or something! Really!
I agree - so many worthwhile things to knit, not that I don't love trees and whatnot......
I love your pink socks! They look nice and bright for this time of the year.
You know I look great in pink. They could be for me! They are so pretty.
Very strange!!! I so wouldn't take the time to knit a cozy for a tree. But to each his own! The socks look wonderful, as usual!!
Beautiful socks! I've never been able to make a decent short row heel(or maybe I haven't tried hard enough...), so I've used an afterthoughtheel a couple of times! I prefer the usual heelflap, though...
A tree cosy....a seems a bit odd to me too but it was interesting...I did like the snowman one.....
I live in an area where they love to implode and make way for the new...no history in this city.....
LOVE LOVE LOVE your socks....
The tree cozies are hilarious. I'm gonna have to show those to my tree-huggin' husband. :-)
I am not offended, everyone is entitled to their opinion, so here is mine. Our little art group, jafagirlart, started a tree sweater which is named the KnitKnot Tree.
I know some people think that knitting should be put to better use, BUT it could be argued that every material an artist uses could be put to a better use or donated. Like paint, or beads, or metal scraps, the vibrant colours of yarn become yet another medium for an artist to use. Who is it for others to dictate how an artist spends their time or how or what materials they should use.
In our village it has become a source of joy and fun for young and old alike. It has inspired some to try knitting and add to the tree. For others they want to touch it, talk about it, explore the pockets with it's notes. It cheers up a glum day. And if it takes a tree cozy to add a little joy to life and bring a smile, how is that a waste of time or a bad thing, eh?
ps. thanks for letting me share my opinion too :)
Tree Cozies? That is the craziest thing I've seen in a long while. Although it's got to be the most creative way to decorate a street;)
You should suggest that when the cozies are taken off the trees that the edges are cut straight. They could be bound and get out as afghan for the homeless. At least this would keep them warm.
Love the socks. Love your hand dyed pink ones too! As for tree cozies, now that is different. I must say it is colorful!
The socks are beautiful...looking forward to the patterns!
As for the tree cozies...I think they are fantastic! While I agree that knitting for charity is a worthwhile and noble thing to do...I think that knitting for urban beautification is also. Look at how bright and festive they are on an otherwise grey and gloomy day. They must be putting smiles on a lot of faces. Some things are worth doing just because they're fun and make people happy. Like any form of art.
I agree with you ...I rather see the effort go to making warm things for people in need. I do like the snowman though...pretty cute :)
Oh wow!! You are such an inspiration. 43 pairs! WOW. I love seeing all your socks. Can't wait to see the next 9.
I think the snowman tree sweater is super cute!
Those tree cozies are weird. The snowman one was kind of cute though.
Love your socks! I have some of Woolly boully's Neopolitan sock yarn too...but I left it back home in Canada...will have to knit it up when I get back there I guess ;o).
Any publicity is good publicity and at least they are encouraging knitting, right? Granted sweaters for trees is a little crazy.
Tree cozies? Okay. I guess there's worse things to knit for. The snowman is pretty cute though.
Honestly you are an amazing knitter. I'm trying to design one lonely little pattern for a special skein of yarn and I truly admire you who does it all the time. I tip my hat to you. :)
You have been tagged with a meme on my blog. I thought you would have interesting things to say. Have fun.
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