On Monday the junior units left for Dublin. Once there they will do all sorts of amazing things like attend a party celebrating their parents' marriage and the birth of their tiny, adorable sister, go horseback riding in the West of Ireland, attend the Oxegen festival, and other quieter things like get used to daily life within a new step-family and feel what it's like to live in another country for an extended period of time. It goes without saying that I am over the moon for them: their dad and his wife are great people who will take good care of them and show them a special time. These are two lucky, lucky girls. . . And yet my excitement for their trip didn't prevent me from TOTALLY LOSING IT at the airport. The waterworks were touched off by an Aer Lingus employee gently asking if "this was the first time they had traveled without their mom". And even though it wasn't, an overwhelming feeling of bereftness came over me. The sobbing was uncontrollable and almost verged on the hysterical. My older daughter was, as expected, humiliated and pointed out to me that "everyone is staring at you", which wasn't really the case. The airport is perhaps the one place (besides a hospital) where crying is completely sanctioned and understood by all. There were many, many others in my situation.
Luckily before my sock models departed I had one last opportunity for a photo shoot. These are the Hedgerow socks, a project I originally envisioned doing last spring but only got around to recently. The pattern lends itself to easy memorization, so after a few rows you can really go to town on these. I am particularly fond of the heel, and toe might be my new gold standard.
The Specs:
Pattern: Hedgerow Socks by Jane Cochran
Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug, 'Vincent's Apron'
Needles: Hiya Hiya 1.5 circ, magic loop
Mods: None whatsoever. I'm not that smart.
Many have complained about the skimpy yardage of the Colinette Jitterbug, and while I have never run out, this was the first project where it was absolutely touch and go for the final toe of the second sock. In the end I had enough with maybe 7 yards to spare, but I came close enough to running out that I now understand the griping about the Jitterbug yardage. I am especially relieved to not have run out as 'Vincent's Apron' seems to be one of the harder colorways to come by. Despite this potential yardage shortcoming, in my mind Jitterbug is more than rescued by the unbelievable panoply of exciting colors this yarn comes in.
Aw, of course you cried! It's only natural. But those socks sure are cheery!
ReplyDeleteYou are the best for letting them have this wonderful opportunity. And heck, it's always good to provide one more public-humiliation moment before they go. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the socks!!!
Socks look great - Jitterbug is one of my faves :) Lurve those heels.
ReplyDeleteJust think of how clean your house is going to be without tweens making messes every 5 minutes! On the jitterbug, mine felted (hubby swears he used cold water), so just be careful when you wash them.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure that was hard! I'd cry, too.
ReplyDeleteSimply gorgeous socks! I love the color, the texture, and the toe. What more could you ask for?
Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteI will never forget how hard I cried in the SFO airport when I said "good-bye" to my husband who was moving to France 4 months before me. I never cried so loud in public before.
Sniff. I am sure everyone in the airport totally got it.
ReplyDeleteI think these socks re great. I heart them, I have some Jitterbug that I am nervous about using because of the yardage issues; but, I think I am just goint throw caution to the wind and cast on for a pair of socks with it.
Your blog made me want to cry too. My 21 year old daughter spent Junior Year Abroad in Madrid. She came back a week ago and left for Boston yesterday. I always cry when my daughters leave. I am okay once I am used to them being gone. . The transitions are hard. While my daughter was in Spain, we talked free with SKYPE. It is a free download and you can use a video feed with it. That helped a lot. Needless to say that I will be knitting today to cope with my empty nest. Take care
ReplyDeleteI think it's character building for kids to be publicly humiliated by parents during childhood! :)
ReplyDeleteNice socks and beautiful color! I have a skein of Jitterbug too and I was relieved to hear you got a full pair out of yours.
Oh. I feel the same way when I leave my dogs. I can't imagine how much worse it must be with children! Console yourself with yarn purchases. I'm sure they will have a wonderful time. Don't you have a big trip coming up too? The socks are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAw! One good thing did come out of this, your photo of Aer Lingus helped me solve 7D of the crossword today!
ReplyDeleteAaawh! I'm sure the other people at the airport were fine with it, though.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful socks!
I'd have bawled too. They will be so GLAD to see you when they come home! It sure sounds like they are going to have great trip. Beautiful socks!
ReplyDeleteI am not a crier nor a worrier, but having sent #1 son off to A, South Africa for a semester abroad, and 2, the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico for a year to be a volunteer teacher in the Zapatista Army of Liberation (his phrase) I can sympathize. We give them roots and wings, but it can be tear-inducing when they exercise the latter.
ReplyDeleteI am finishing a pair of socks from Colinette Jitterbug. I had not heard about the skimpy yardage, and I made the leg nice and long so I would have warm ankles next winter. Yeah, they are gonna have contrasting toes :-)
Sure, she was embarrassed. But you know, deep down inside, she was happy you lost it. She'd have been miffed if you were all nonchalant about them leaving. ;)
ReplyDeleteCute Hedgerows!
Aww. Crying should be tolerated anywhere (I'm such a bawler myself (: ). Hope the kids have a great and safe trip!
ReplyDeletePretty socks, too. :)
Those are luscious socks!
ReplyDeleteIn a few years, I'm sure I'll be crying in the airport right along with you.
Beautiful socks!! I have some Jitterbug in Morello Mash that I am hoarding for something as glorious as your new socks.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the breakdown, but you are totally right - it's completely sanctioned to cry in the airport :) Hope your "junior units" have a super fab time in Ireland!! Happy 4th!
knittymuggins
I say she was worried they were looking at her. Some day she will fondly remember your breakdown. Did you squeal your tires leaving the airport? Probably not, but I thought I'd check...
ReplyDeletewhat a great post! love the pictures - especially the calder mobile and the pretty socks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great trip for those lucky girls! It would be impossible not to cry - because you aren't going with them:) The socks are fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteThe hedgerow socks are gorgeous. I especially like the toe and the color! Very nice:)
ReplyDeleteAng
Oh, you poor thing! Love the socks!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful socks!
ReplyDeleteI totally would have been blubbering too. Send my kids a totally different continent away without me? Rivers of tears I tell ya!
You're right - crying [hysterically] is totally acceptable at airports and hospitals! I hope the junior units have the best time of their lives!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a gold standard. Love it!! :)
ReplyDeletei wish i was one of your daughters! what an experience. hang in there, mom. they will be back before you know it. :)
ReplyDeleteDude, I would have cried just watching the scene unfold! There's nothing wrong with getting a little teary at sending your daughters across an ocean by themselves.
ReplyDeleteLove the socks, too!
I always wondered why my mother wore her sunglasses inside the airport. It was an adult 'revelation' and as a few commenters have commented, I did feel good about it.
ReplyDeleteHope you have some good adventures while they are off on theirs.
As a child & teenager, I traveled across the ocean twice a year. My mom lost it every time she had to say goodbye, which completely mortified me. You see, I'm much more dignified: I only cry once in the plane. Teenage logic!
ReplyDeleteI'm on the verge of tears and I'm only reading about you all. What a wonderful opportunity you have given them.
ReplyDeleteI cry when I have to come home from holiday ;-)
Lovely socks too :-)
Nice socks. Love the stitch pattern!
ReplyDeleteOh, and can you send me to Ireland, too? Less tears, I imagine.
It's been too long, dear, since I've had blog reading time, but you've got me laughing and crying and commiserating right along with you. Curmudgeon or not, we are destined to be buddies. You know that, right?
ReplyDeleteoh boy, i would have been right there with you. what an experience they are going to have. You have such a refreshing point of view about their father and new step family.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I love the socks. Fab color!
give yourself a big pat on the back for making it that far with out crying! They are going to have a fantastic time, and be extremely rich from the experience!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful socks! I'm just loven that color. The toes are fantastic!