Thoughts on the Log Cabin Socks

These were finished in a bit of a rush, before the hot weather hits and I don't even want to think about thick wool -- the Log Cabin Socks, my first project from Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick, despite my having owned the book for over a year now.  I must confess that I did not particularly enjoy making these socks.  It's my first experience with Cork, so I will reserve judgement on it until I knit it at a more reasonable gauge, but here I felt like I was trying to beat it into submission -- not the experience one wants with one's knitting.  It didn't help, to be sure, that my Surina bamboo needles have splits in the tips (again!), so kept catching and splitting the wool.

I was also, like quite a lot of the knitters who have already made these socks, a bit perturbed at the difference between the instructions and the photograph.  Directions for the heel flap don't mention leaving out the last few cables, but I just worked the sts as established after Row 18 of the chart, instead of switching to the second cable portion.  I've heard that the book has rather a lot of errors (there is an errata page from the publisher), but luckily the only other one that I noticed was more one of clarity than actual error: the last part of the heel turn should be something like "Rep Rows 1 and 2 three (four) times, omitting final K1 in last rep of Row 1, and final P1 in last rep of Row 2."  The heel was a bit wonky, but I suppose that's due more to the gargantuosity of Cork than anything else.

I had the morning to myself for finishing, and so I thought this movie would be appropriate --

Log cabins and all, don't you know.  "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" has really grown on me.  I was a bit bored by it when I first saw it, but I've come to appreciate its rustic charms.  My feminist hackles raise a bit, of course, but there is enough in the characters to counter most of that!  Howard Keel is wonderful enough to make me think that I would have married him on the spot, too!  And I like that Milly knows her own mind well enough to take the risk, but is spunky enough (in the best possible way) to stand up to Adam when she needs to.  I don't need to say anything -- well, not very much, anyway! -- about how terrific the dancing is, as the barn-raising number alone is enough to guarantee the movie its place in musical-comedy history, but the music is fabulous too, beautiful Gene de Paul/Johnny Mercer tunes that leave me humming them for days.

The accompanying documentary on the single-disc DVD has some interesting tidbits and interviews, as well.  Sometimes I find the behind-the-scenes information so distracting that I don't enjoy the movie as much as I would like to -- which I found to be the case in some of the "Lord of the Rings" movies, for instance -- but here it's just fun.  One of the brothers, for instance, was played by a non-dancer, such an intimidating thing in the company of Jacques d'Amboise and Russ Tamblyn, et al., that you can see him around the musical numbers but not actually in them, so we have a good time Benjamin-spotting during the dances -- "look, he's on the other side now! oh, sitting down!".  (Reminds me of the little girl in the "Seventy-Six Trombones" number in "The Music Man" who obviously had trouble remembering the steps, as she's watching the feet of the other little girl.  Poor thing! I sympathize whole-heartedly.)

"Bless your beautiful hide,
Wherever you may be!
We ain't met yet
But I'm willin' to bet
You're the girl for me!"

Comments

[loribird]

For what it's worth, I knit a sweater using Cork for the body (handspun for the yoke) and found it to be a nice yarn - soft and light, but plenty of body. (I knit on US 9 needles.)

[Kathryn Estelle]

I have Handknit Holidays, and I've been interested in knitting this pattern. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and tips. As always, your work is lovely.

[Rose Red]

I really love this pattern - I made these for my trip to New York in January (see Feb 16 post on my blog for pics if you are interested). I used DB Cashmerino Aran (as Rowan Cork is hard to come by in Australia!) - making the man size socks but using 3.75mm needles - which made for beautiful warm soft socks. I don't remember thinking there were errors in the pattern but maybe I just did my own thing without even noticing! I did have to extend the foot pattern more to get the right length.
I love all those old musicals - Calamity Jane is my favourite! (despite the, as you say, questionable gender issues!)

[Jessica]

Ah Seven Brides. It was my mother's favorite musical. When I realized I had subconciously named my pets and children in alphabetical order I knew it had left its mark.
I knit the Log Cabins in Cork and thought they were a fun, quick knit--and so cozy to wear on a winter night. But I see what you mean about beating it into submission.

[Sockpal]

Your sockpal remembers watching that movie when she was little and her mother being upset about the gender stuff :) But you're absolutely right -- if you can put on some large blinders, the dancing is just fantastic!

And your socks are, too.

[Felicia]

I don't have that book but have made several patterns from Weekend Knits that have been thoroughly enjoyable. What a bummer that this wasn't a satisfying pattern for you. The socks do look wonderful though. :)

[Rachel]

I just loved your post about Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I grew up loving that movie, and now that I have two kids, I've named them in alphabetical order (my husband rolls his eyes and groans every time I mention this) in honor of the movie.

I love old musicals, too.

Oh, I think your sock is perfectly lovely! I'm sorry the pattern was difficult. However, the finished product seems quite beautiful to me!

[Gypsycrafter]

Do you know where I could buy just the pattern for the "Log Cabin Socks"? I would just love to make them.