Yarn Harlot and knitted socks

I was reading Yarn Harlot's blog today. (Yes, along with reading her books I read her blog!) She knit a pair of socks for a friend and did something too cool for a fellow knitter! http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2009/08/14/dear_tina.html

So it got me to thinking about socks I have knit for people. One woman requested toe socks. After I knit them for her she complained they were uncomfortable. Ok.

Most people say thank you and that's that. This is the reaction I always expect.

Alex, however, gave me a far different reaction. She emailed; she texted; she showed them to her mom, who in turn oohed and awed over them. Alex wears them on special occasions or when she wants to feel good in a trying situation. She treats this as though I did something amazingly special for her. All I did was knit a pair of socks with love.

Alex is a friend of mine I first "met" on line. Later we had the good fortune to meet in person. Since then I've seen her a handful of times. She lives in Germany and I live in the States.

Alex and I keep our friendship going but there are weeks that go by when I don't hear from her or her from me. Yet I know she's there, living her life in Germany as I live mine in the States. There's something I find very cool about that.

When I offered to knit the socks I got her foot measurement and then chose the yarn very carefully. I knit the socks, all the while thinking of Alex putting them on and what she would think.

I used Opal yarn. Made in Germany and returned to Germany. A gift of warmth and friendship to be worn by a German woman I rarely see. There's something amazing about that.