Sock It To ME: a community public art project to raise awareness and funds.

[jspotila]

Oh, and I want to apologise to jspotila if i was a bit harsh in my recent post
It's been a difficult week...:Retro redface:​

:Sign Peace:​

 

[Tammie]

All right puppy!!!! That is so wonderful!!

 

[jace]

The uniformity vs individual thing, I guess we'll find a balance where it doesn't look laundry line like but it's also not cookie cutters.

creek, you hit it right on the nail.

talkingfox, will do, but in a day or three. Technical drawing needs exact specification, and I'm still not in my comfort zone (but I'm getting there). Blame ME for forgetting it's your hubby that's doing the website..

Back soon, jace x

 

[Puppy_almighty]

Hey my wonderful troop! I am still on a mini vacation with limited access to the net but, I got a little net time and wanted to let you all know I am thinking of you all and my brain is booming with a few ideas. I miss you all and will be back home and on the project on monday! Keep it light, keep it happy, keep it fun. Nuzzles and tail wags,

Puppy Almighty. or as Talking fox said " the Almighty Puppy "

 

[citybug]

OK. I'm a knitter, quilter and amateur seamstress. I don't have the energy to read this whole thread, so I apologize if my question was answered pages ago: Does it have to be socks? Apart from the word play (which is great), what's the connection between socks and CFS?

creekfeet has identified some of the challenges with assembling the socks. It's also important to think about wear and tear on the display. As items are shipped around and used, they really take a beating. The join between a sock and the tape (or whatever) will be really stressed, and be the first part to break down. The suggestion of an insert to help the sock keep its shape is great, and there are plastic and wire sock blockers that could work, but that will add to weight - and stress the join even more. If you are committed to using socks, then you'll have to work through some of these logistical problems. I'm happy to add my amateur textile knowledge to the mix if it is helpful.

You are very right to want these details sorted out before you go more public with the project. The AIDS Quilt and the knitted river I linked earlier are simple, personalized (especially the quilt), and VERY easy to make, assemble and display. I think creekfeet pointed out that if people come to your website, and there are no clear easy super-simple instructions - you might lose them.

I recently had an idea about Bhuddist prayer flags. I just thought I should bring it up now rather than later. I'm arty and crafty, and crochet ( not socks). I love Sock it to M.E or put a sock in it, but I cannot come up with inspiration to make a sock. They are too small or ribbed to decorate easily.

A prayer flag could be paper or fabric diamonds folded in half that are easy to paint on, write things, attach photos. Hangs easily, flutters, is pretty,
represents prayers. I know you have moved fast and are probably way past this.

Maybe be Sock it M.E is strong enough to be a public relations campaign without the socks. But I think so far you have no physical socks. Getting a small chain would be good before going big with that part. I think someone probably made a quilt before the Quilt project. It might be hard to get knitting groups to committ to us, though just one group could be displayed.

Paper socks?

 

[Dreambirdie]

I recently had an idea about Bhuddist prayer flags. I just thought I should bring it up now rather than later. I'm arty and crafty, and crochet ( not socks). I love Sock it to M.E or put a sock in it, but I cannot come up with inspiration to make a sock. They are too small or ribbed to decorate easily.

A prayer flag could be paper or fabric diamonds folded in half that are easy to paint on, write things, attach photos. Hangs easily, flutters, is pretty,
represents prayers. I know you have moved fast and are probably way past this.

KDP! and Everyone Else too--

I gotta say, that I really like this idea of PRAYER FLAGS BETTER THAN THE SOCKS.

First of all it is MUCH EASIER and MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD to work with an easily defined and measured SQUARE piece of cloth. This would be a plus for brain fogged/impaired people who aren't always good at reading directions. I definitely have had a hard time following some of the directions you all have been posting about the sock assembly.

Secondly, it would make for MUCH EASIER ASSEMBLY for the assemblers.

Thirdly, prayer flags, I think, would also BE MORE APPEALING TO GUYS.
And as you can see on this thread, so far no guys from the forum have yet shown much interest in the sock project.

Fourthly, there is something SPIRITUALLY POWERFUL AND ENDURING about those prayer flags--associated with high places like Nepal and Tibet (a captive nation), fluttering in the open air and enduring the battering of the elements over time---as WE have. So there's a symbolic aspect that works better than the sock, for me.

Fifth, it would definitely be MORE COST EFFECTIVE.

That's my thoughts on it. I've gone along with the socks up to now, because I couldn't think of anything more appealing. But the prayer flags grab me even more. SO thanks KDP for doing it for me.

 

[Dreambirdie]

I just thought of a slogan too, if we do switch to prayer flags, we can call the project:

RAISING THE FLAG ON CFS

It would definitely be easier to write and draw on a flag, than a sock.
And as we know, there are lots of people with THINGS TO SAY on this forum!

 

[Dreambirdie]

And one more thing.... :Retro redface: I promise it's my last... I need to take a really good nap now.

We could actually do a forum poll and see which idea grabs more interest and more willing participants: SOCK or FLAG.

And now I swear I'm outta here! :In bed:

 

[talkingfox]

I recently had an idea about Bhuddist prayer flags. I just thought I should bring it up now rather than later. I'm arty and crafty, and crochet ( not socks). I love Sock it to M.E or put a sock in it, but I cannot come up with inspiration to make a sock. They are too small or ribbed to decorate easily.

A prayer flag could be paper or fabric diamonds folded in half that are easy to paint on, write things, attach photos. Hangs easily, flutters, is pretty,
represents prayers. I know you have moved fast and are probably way past this.

Maybe be Sock it M.E is strong enough to be a public relations campaign without the socks. But I think so far you have no physical socks. Getting a small chain would be good before going big with that part. I think someone probably made a quilt before the Quilt project. It might be hard to get knitting groups to committ to us, though just one group could be displayed.

Paper socks?

Paper is way too fragile and will not withstand the packing an unpacking need for such projects.

And the project will grow as it does. It will, of course start small as all grassroots sorts of things do

As far as socks, smallness etc...we're still working on size parameters, and in all likelihood we're looking at a thing larger than an actual wearable functional sock, just as the AIDS quilt was not an actual usable functional 'quilt'...the blocks weren't sewn together btw. We want to be sure the personalization space is large enough and the banner look stays, without the 'cookie cutter' effect or looking like this Sunday's washing. As an example of just how non-functional these socks can be, I'm planning on making mine of garment leather and I know of at least one that's going to be faux fur.

I'm currently in touch with a couple of museum textile/ installation people to see what parameters would fit all needs the best.

 

[creekfeet]

To tell you the truth prayer flags could be lovely but yeah paper ain't gonna make it, it's got to be something out of fabric or plastic or bottle caps if you want but not paper because it needs to be sturdy and durable. I still like socks better, can't really go into why right now but to tell you the truth I am too damn sick right now to be trying to write a reply except that if I weren't so sick right now I'd probably spend more time trying to make nice and diplomatic so as it is I just want to use my cranky negative energy of the moment to say, I'm tired. I felt with the Alaska gov's office interested and all the positive feedback so far like we really had some momentum going. We are not talking ribbed socks, we are not talking something hard to do, and if you want to take it in a different direction you go there but I will be going to have a very long lie down.

 

[starryeyes]

Jace wrote: Teej, I'm coming back, but need to be careful today. It was just a specialist appointment, and she took notes about my information rather than the other way around (and she wouldn't give me a Naltrexone script ) but it was a two hour wait in the crowded waiting room, and no safe floor to lay my head down, that was what has done me down again.

Sorry to hear that Jace. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[starryeyes]

The only thing I want to add to the sock construction instruction info is that maybe each sock maker should insert a cardboard "footie" (a piece of cardboard in the shape of their sock) inside his/her sock, in order to help it maintain its shape. Otherwise, depending on what they are made of, the socks could get a bit shapeless. Stiffer fabric socks wouldn't have that problem, but ones that are knitted might just get tubey looking....

So, just a thought to add.

That's an excellent idea DB!

 

[starryeyes]

I want this to stay a sock project! I think it's so unique and we have great momentum going with it. I like prayer flags too but I don't think they're superior to socks. To me, socks are more of an attention grabber, they're an original idea.

Also, when I see prayer flags, I think of Buddhism, which is nice but to me does not equate to ME/CFS. We need our own symbol and socks are a great one for us. I think we can hang some giant socks too that have some writing on them that explain the project or say things about ME/CFS.

I say we keep going with socks!! Sock it to me!

 

[Dreambirdie]

I'm still hoping we can switch over to the prayer flags. They make more sense both practically and symbolically.
When I've spoken with various friends about this project, (both healthy folks and PWC's), they don't get the metaphor of "the sock." I'm afraid that it might end up looking too much like a Christmas stocking display--like we are waiting for Santa to fill our stockings.

Prayer flags don't have to be of paper. At the most basic and simplest level, they could actually be made from hankies or dish towels. It would be SO EASY to draw, paint, even print photos or designs on a flat piece of cloth/prayer flag, compared to a sock. The least skilled folks would be able to use colored markers. And I DO think more MEN would be more likely to join the project. It would be far less intimidating for those who aren't knitters, or who aren't skilled with textiles, and for those who just don't have the energy to sew and create a sock.

My wish is that we have the GREATEST POSSIBLE PARTICIPATION, and I think prayer flags would make that much more likely. Since we haven't yet made the project public, it wouldn't be too late to change the plan at this point. I am hoping you guys will at least think about this prayer flag idea, and consider giving it a chance. I think it's brilliant.

PLEASE CONSIDER A FORUM POLL, to see what others here think about this, and which idea would make them more likely to participate. I'd really like to investigate public opinion before we go further with this plan.

 

[creekfeet]

Socks

*deep breath*

Normally I'm for consensus building. Also it may seem as if this thing is still new enough that it can change directions. HOWEVER!

I need to say that Talkingfox and I have already put a huge amount of energy (especially if seen proportionally to our supply of energy) into this as a Socks project. Further, Talkingfox and her hubby the webmeister have already put over $300 into this as a Socks project. If that doesn't sound like a lot of money to anyone else, then bless you, but it is a whole lot to me. More than I could pay back to them. And yes, I think that if horses are changed at this point in the midstream then that money had by all rights better be paid back to them, and I for one can't do that.

Prayer flags are lovely. I actually thought about prayer flags back when TF and I first brainstormed this. But why not prayer flags? Prayer flags are Buddhist. Prayer flags are Tibetan. Prayer flags are cultural and religious possessions whose appropriation may be resented.

Prayer flags can seem just as hard to make to someone who has no crafting skills. We could provide blanks but that's true of socks too and we already planned to do that. We also have volunteers who will help not only make blanks but custom decorate them for those who are unable. So the "too difficult" thing doesn't wash.

Prayer flags can be taken in and dismissed at a glance. At least here in California, they're pretty common. What's that? Oh, prayer flags. And on the person goes. But socks are going to grab attention and make people look twice.

Prayer flags are no bigger than these socks we're talking about. We're talking I think 8 x 11 and 9 x 13 inches or something? That's big, plenty of room to draw, write, adorn.

Prayer flags could possibly offend some people.

Socks, like quilts, belong to everyone. Everyone can relate, everyone wears socks and is comforted by them.

When socks are hanging in a garland they will almost look like prayer flags but they will catch the eye because oh! they're not prayer flags. And yeah they might look a bit like Christmas stockings but they're not all red and green and there are so many of them and they're not on a mantle. And they will catch the heart. The idea has been charming people. I don't know why the people you're talking to don't see it because it seems like everyone else does.

For example:

Well I don't know about the rest of you, but since I've been practically bedbound for the past three years, I've developed quite an intimate relationship with my socks. I mean shoes are sort of a thing of the past and my socks have become ever so important.

They have to be just right - soft, not too tight, not too loose, not too hot, but warm enough - just right. For me the socks theme really has a lot to do with this illness. Socks and jammies. Since I've been homebound, I have found it completely unnecessary to wear matching socks - even boring to do so. My relationship with my socks has become something quite special these last few years........so while I love Dr Bell and his socks that go up and down, I think the socks are very representative of CFS.

So that's why I don't think prayer flags work, and that's why I do think socks work, and back to the issue of energy I don't want to have a discussion or a vote because this is taking time and energy I could have used to write new promotional emails for the project, compose a press release, wash dishes, do laundry, clean my floors (it's been at least four weeks), clean the bathroom (I don't even want to think how long it has been), go outside and look upon a mountain and be refreshed, make some breakfast for my kids, figure out a way to make my sick kid comfortable outside of his bedroom so I could build his bed instead of having his mattress on the floor and do other things to settle into this house (it's been three months), do a little yoga, deal with the hellacious paperwork tangle that the social services people have placed in the way of my receiving my pittance... well, you get the picture. There are lots of things in my life that I've set aside for this. Because I was energized by it. Because it gave me the something to DO about ME/CFS that I so needed. That can change. I don't want it to. I want to keep the thing that has given me some hope and see it through.


As I went to bed last night I tried to detach and think, "it's going to be okay whichever way it goes," but then I woke up seeing so clearly in my mind an information table with garlands of socks around it, and on the front of the table was hanging a great big huge mesh sock stuffed with money and labeled "Sock It Away." So whatever anybody else sees, I know what it is I see.

Please, no more discussion of changing the project.

 

[Dreambirdie]

I was hoping that we could have more openness and more discussion about this.
I'm disappointed that that is not an option.

 

[creekfeet]

Okay, I can maybe be a bad guy who refused to create open dialogue, if I have to. I already said I prefer consensus. I do not normally stand up for something if it's possible to yield. I just really can't get jerked back and forth any further. I need to go with the forward momentum we had for this project and all that's been committed to it. If you want, you can start a new thread for the Prayer Flags project, field all the responses positive and negative, build support for it here and elsewhere, pull in volunteers, register a domain name, design a website, and pay TF and her hubby back their $300. Because that's what it means, that's all I'm saying.

It's not that I don't want to be open to discussion. It's that, at this point, I CAN'T. I can't. Done.

 

[garcia]

Just posting to say I am very much against prayer flags. We all have differing religious beliefs, and I believe prayer flags would be potentially divisive. We all wear socks though, so that is all inclusive. Just my 2 cents (hope I haven't offended any non-sock wearers. If Don Johnson is your guru, then I apologise in advance! ).

 

[Dreambirdie]

Hey Creekfeet--

I did NOT mean to step on your toes with my enthusiasm over the prayer flags. If I did this, I am sorry.

I got very excited about prayer flags because they just work better for me, in a way that the socks didn't. I saw the prayers to heaven from the sick and suffering CFS patients, flying on beautiful colored flags.

But I can TOTALLY accept that this doesn't work for you. And even though I am disappointed, I really DO wish you the best with this project.

 

[creekfeet]

Thanks Dreambirdie so much, I know you didn't mean to derail the momentum or anything. I see the beauty of prayer flags too and understand your excitement over them, but I hope the socks idea will win you back because you have been and can be super helpful with moving it forward.

Thanks garcia, joy and teej for your posts too, because I was really stressing out and I hope more people who have said they like the socks idea will go ahead and post too.

We have great momentum with the socks, and I promise they will be beautiful and inspiring.

Dratted dialup! I want to watch sock puppet theatre! I'll have to visit the cafe in town soon, with headphones and laptop.