marmalade socks
Once I'd done a few stripes of these, it was clear that they were obvious follow-up socks to the juicy socks. The latter made me think of fresh fruit, while these made me think of preserved fruit with their mix of tawny and orange and amber marmalade colours.
The timing of knitting these was great. Just as I was realising that their colours resembled marmalade, we moved into the brief, blink-and-you'll miss-it Seville orange season. Last weekend I tried in various places to buy a bag of Seville oranges with absolutely no luck, and eventually began to think it might be a phantom season this year.
And then, surrounded by an abundance of grocer's' apostrophe's [sic], I came across a wooden crate of oranges fresh from Seville on a street market at the giveaway price of 50p a pound (oh, I do love grocers for their stubborn refusal to use metric weights). So Phoebe was able to get back up on the windowsill and model the socks with the appropriate jars and fruit (which I'm planning to turn into marmalade - just as soon as I've pickled those limes...).
And, seeing as she will be America's Next Top Sock Model she decided to bring her own accessories to the shoot, namely the teeteringly high, shiny gold heels she bought in the January sales for not much more than a big bag of oranges. You see, as the daughter of a tall mother with large feet who cannot wear and who doesn't own any high heels, she lives a deprived life. So she buys her own to wear for fun in the house - the taller and sparklier, the better. And she can walk in these things.
And stand still. And pose.
And dance. And tap. And twirl.
And model marmalade socks.
***
The yarn is Lana Grossa Meilenweit Fantasy #4832 knitted on 2.75 dpns.
Beautiful - both sock, shoes and model feet. A bit of brightness on this bleak rainy day in Tacoma.
Cheers
Posted by: Cindy | January 10, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Wonderful photography as usual. I have ordered your beautiful book from amazon, and can't wait to receive it! I hope that when I have a daughter, she will model the socks I will knit for her with as much enthusiasm :) she must be a very special girl.
Posted by: Stephalicious | January 10, 2008 at 04:13 PM
I love the socks. The colors are so sweet. I remember my first high heeled shoes and those that I borrowed from my mother. I can still remember how feminine they made me feel. Then, I turned into a teenager that despised anything feminine. Now, I am a 33-year-old that can't get enough of all things frilly and sparkly. Thanks to Phoebe for the great shots, once again.
Posted by: Rosa | January 10, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Just recently, I was introducing my kids to Paddington and marmalade sandwiches. I'm sure they would love this shot. Thanks to Phoebe...who wouldn't love prancing in the windowsill for Mom's camera. =0) My kiddo's love when I have them sit on the coffee table for a photo (the only time they're allowed to do so).
Posted by: Kristen | January 10, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Every time I read your posts, they are so lovely and such eye candy! I have been to the UK a couple of times, and when I read your posts I get transported back there through your lovely photos of knits etc.
I would love to go back for a visit soon. Until then I have your blog :)
Posted by: Elizabeth Mackey | January 10, 2008 at 04:36 PM
I just love everything about your life! Your journal and images are as rare and wonderful as those oranges. Many, many thanks for sharing your bounty.
Posted by: Celene | January 10, 2008 at 04:46 PM
I have to say I have been inspired by your lovely book and am knittting with the wonderful regia yarns and 4 needles (a first!) I have been baking with my 3 daughters since there were tiny and we have enjoyed bringing home cake cases and sweeties from our travels. I also trail old fashioned haberdashery shops!
It made me feel so much better to hear that an academic can enjoy the old fashioned skills and pass them on, I too, have been embarrassed to admit to enjoying knitting due to the modern world's perception of crafts women! Reading your book and seeing your taste in shoes I smiled I bought 3 pairs of Birkenstocks last summer, and have planted reams of bulbs just before Christmas. Kindred spirits, thankyou Jane!
Posted by: jilly ballard | January 10, 2008 at 04:50 PM
Marmalade socks and gold shoes - wonderful. It's amazing how much of your daughter's personality is expressed in her feet!
I love the phrase "Grocer's' apostrophe's!"
Posted by: woolcat | January 10, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Great socks and appropriate as Marmalade, with falling sales, is currently in the news (well, in the Daily Telegraph!) My late mother always used to make her own marmalade, at least 100 jars (I can't say lbs as some jars were large, some small) each January in what we called the Marmalade Fest. We paid half each towards the ingredients and she made the marmalade for herself and for us, which provided us each with roughly a jar a week for a year. Needless to say, she made it from fresh Seville oranges, not maramalde concentrate!
Posted by: Margaret Powling | January 10, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Loved EVERYTHING about this post, the golden shoes and especially the orange and amber colours! To add colour to my winter, this year, it's not flowers, but tawny, orange and amber wildcats with their rich, warm colours, that I am painting! Feels good to be in sync with you! CHEERS!
Posted by: Alice Saltiel-Marshall | January 10, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Loved EVERYTHING about this post, the golden shoes and especially the orange and amber colours! To add colour to my winter, this year, it's not flowers, but tawny, orange and amber wildcats with their rich, warm colours, that I am painting! Feels good to be in sync with you! CHEERS!
Posted by: Alice Saltiel-Marshall | January 10, 2008 at 05:00 PM
As the tallish daughter of a tiny mother who wore NOTHING BUT high heels (truly - even her bedroom slippers had little heels) I stopped enjoying them at 14 when I shot past her. Put me in high heels and I looked like a hulking Amazon next to her petite perfection.
As for the socks - I'd definitely wear those, both then and now, but in place of silvery spikes, my trusty Birkenstock clogs.
Posted by: mesclun | January 10, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Marmalade is one of my favorite words. Lovely post.
Posted by: Marcelle | January 10, 2008 at 05:09 PM
Those socks are just beautiful, the colours so perfect for January. I thought I had never seen the lovely combination of that dark purply pink against orange. But then I checked the old runner we have in our kitchen to stop the drafts in this chilly house. And there it was, more of a rosy than purply pink, against orange. Which might explain why I love those socks.
Posted by: Colleen | January 10, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Too fabulous for words!
Posted by: the pesky bombolino | January 10, 2008 at 05:13 PM
The socks are great..as is the modeling; Tyra Banks would be proud!
Posted by: Betsy | January 10, 2008 at 05:22 PM
I just love this blog, I just have grumpy teenage boys to model socks,, I really enjoyed your piccies.. great socks!
Posted by: mandycharlie | January 10, 2008 at 05:24 PM
Jane , I enjoy reading your blog and looking at all the beautiful photos.It is so inspiring. I have a question about knitting socks. You say you use a basic knitting pattern for your socks. I have never knitted socks before, but I am ready to try. Could you please suggest a pattern? Thank you! Gail
Posted by: Gail | January 10, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Lucky me - Tiptree Jam Factory is just nearby and they have a tea shop where you can have a scone with cream and their delicious jam. Perhaps I shall knit myself some of these lovely socks and wear them there to tea. If I was Phoebe, of course, I would wear some beautiful gold highheels too and dazzle all the other customers.
Posted by: Teresa | January 10, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Those shoes, oh those shoes! How fabulous! The are the perfect assessory to the marmalade socks!
Posted by: Kirsten | January 10, 2008 at 06:17 PM
lovely socks, and funky shoes!
(i also wear my heels at home only, what a shame...)
Posted by: em | January 10, 2008 at 06:30 PM
love those socks and love those shoes, gorgeous! I thought Seville orange season was in February well i'd better get to the greengrocers, bet i dont get them for 50p a pound.
love your blog
Suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne | January 10, 2008 at 06:53 PM
The socks are beautiful. There's something wonderful about those seasonal fruits that are only available a few times a year; something to look forward to and treasure.
Posted by: Beth | January 10, 2008 at 07:49 PM
these socks are divine - especially in heels!!
Posted by: Jessica | January 10, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Fabulous shoes Phoebe, I am rather envious, especially as I don't think that I can get away with wearing them so well at my age. Still, I feel inspired, perhaps I will do the school run tomorrow in a Pheobe inspired style, stilletoes and handknit socks, should certainly cheer the day up!
Posted by: Rebecca | January 10, 2008 at 08:24 PM