My Affirmation Marker

I had an epiphany this weekend and, even though it is ridiculously simple, I am so proud of it that I simply must share. Last Friday I decided to keep my Big Black Socks with me as much as possible in order to make consistent progress. To judge just how much knitting could be accomplished in a day, I slipped a row counter into one sock right at the top. I knit along quite happily all day.

Saturday morning I realized that moving the marker every day would be a nice way to encourage me by highlighting my daily accomplishment. Without a nice little Affirmation Marker like this, it is easy to feel as if you are making no progress at all in something like a solid black sock.

I realize from your notes over the weekend that I made an assumption of general knowledge regarding the Socks for Soldiers program. A few months ago, Bob's youngest son, Jonathon, joined the Marines. While he was in boot camp, in order to focus my anxiety, I investigated a Yahoo Group that I had known about for awhile. Kim Opperman's son, Tom, is serving in the Air Force. After he received a pair of hand-knit socks from his mother, he wrote to her saying that he wished his fellow soldiers could have a pair of comfy socks.

This year marks the 2nd anniversary of Socks for Soldiers, Inc.

What I appreciate about Kim is that she manages to keep her organization above the scuffle of politics by pointing out that all of our service men and women deserve our support.

Kim's, or Sarge's, gentle but constant commands to keep on knitting are conveniently available at a site called Cafe Press. I just bought a hooded sweatshirt with the Give Me 20 - Minutes logo. I put it on over my pjs every morning when I take Xena outside. I'm finding it to be a nice way to re-committ to knitting on my socks each day. It doesn't hurt that it is also a very nice sweatshirt. I also purchased a bag and a box of cards to use whenever I send a note to someone.

 

Comments

[DennisM]

Great to hear your comments about the Socks for Soldiers. I too am knitting socks for soldiers. It doesn't take much,with all they do for others, we can give back to our soldiers that are away from home and in harms way.

[Lisa]

I carry my soldier socks with me everywhere and I always have at least one pair on the needles. I'm so glad I found the S4S group and I just wish I could knit faster!

Thanks for knitting and thanks for helping get the word out! :)

[Gin]

I love the Options needles I got last year... Recently one of them separated at the cable/point join, I am so disappointed. However, that didn't stop me from ordering several more today. I just wish I knew whether it is possible to fix the needle somehow. Any help would be welcome.

By the way, I knit Socks for Soldiers too.

Gin

[vickig]

kelley,
looking at those socks brings up the question of how/where you join yarn for a man's sock. i'm working on a pair for my fil and am almost at the end of the first skein. do you have any advice for me? i don't want an uncomfortable "bump" in the sock. thanks,
vicki