Well, It Had To Happen Sometime....and PRIZES!

My first-ever worn-out handknitted sock. These are Fleece Artist socks that I knitted for myself from yarn that was received from a secret swap a few years ago, and they popped a hole when I was walking Mr. Jefferies the other day.

R.I.P. Fleece Artist socks. And now, I suppose the inveterate non-sock-knitter will have to knit another pair of stockinette socks. I lerve my stockinette socks, and my 4X1 rib socks, both of Trekking yarn, the best of all my handknit socks, and I just happen to have a few balls of Trekking "in stock," so one of these days, after I finish my mom's sweater and after I perhaps knit something for our family Yankee swap (or perhaps not), I will get out the Trekking and force myself to knit a damn pair of socks. It'll be character-building, I reckon. 

Today I am off having fun, cavorting with red scarves, maybe learning something, and probably getting fat with Lynn Davis of the OFA, and Cheryl and Tracey and another Lynn. Of course I will tell you all about it later, but this seems like a great time to give out a few prizes in the Red Scarf Fund drive, no?

In the latest impromptu drawing that I made, this is the tally:

1. Melanie has won the elegant Cloisters wrap pattern from Miriam of Mimknits.

2. Susan G. has won two of This Susan's lovely patterns of her choice. 

3. Luise E. has won the wonderful luncheon napkins handmade by Carol.

4. Christine C. has won Thea's excellent Nantucket Red sweater pattern, with vintage buttons.

5. Helen has won the lovely SigNit beads donated by Marcia.  

Thank you to everyone for their generous money and prize donations! And there are plenty more prizes to win. 

----------------

I completed the basketweave scarf just in time to be able to hand-deliver it to the OFA. 

For this pattern in particular, I am very partial to the steam block. What a beautiful and sophisticated fabric this makes! And it's very economical with the yarn. This 6-inch-wide, 60-inch-long scarf took 1.25 skeins of Cascade 220 Heathers. I paid $7.95 a skein. Pretty economical. Downright cheap, actually, and this is soft Merino wool, in just a gorgeous color.

This took three days of not-very-much knitting time. This was maybe 6 inches long when I arrived at AnnaMarie's house the other day. It was probably 12 inches long when I left. A little bit here and a little bit there, and it's DONE! I produced the final 12 inches during the 6:00 news the other night. Who says there isn't time to make a scarf?!

Comments

[Geri]

Love the pattern and color. Have fun in VA.

[gayle]

Condolences on the sock. Will you darn it or bury it?
Have a fun trip!

[Carole]

Bummer about the socks. I just hate it when that happens.

[margene]

You could darn it and it wouldn't matter the color as it's the heel and unseen in a show. 2ply yarns just don't hold up to much wear, sadly, even if they are "good" yarns.

[Joannah]

Darn it!

I hadn't realized that's a double entendre (sp?). I feel so witty, and it's not 8 am yet!

[Anne]

Yah - you could darn it. Or reknit just the foot, because I'll bet the leg is completely fine.

Safe trip - hope you didn't get too much snow!

[marianne]

Drats on the sock hole. I have darned the handknit socks, just hate to toss them.
Congrats to the lucky Winners and many Thanks to the lovely folks donating :^)
The scarf, 'tis gorgeous!
Have fun, safe travels, have fun (have I mentioned... have fun :^) I know you will!

[Marcia]

I repeat, gotta use 3-ply sock yarn with nylon (or silk or mohair) in it! I love basket weave almost as much as I love seed stitch and have used it for many a baby blankie. It does go pretty fast.

[Sara]

You can darn that hole! And while you're at it duplicate stitch over any weak spots on the other sock ;)

[Gerri]

I'm with the "darn it" people. Anyone can knit a sock but a Real Woman darns them!

My three socks will come screeching in at the deadline.

The prizes have been great but the system seems to have a very serious flaw--I haven't won anything!

Enjoy your time with friends and OFA!

[Kym]

Love the basketweave scarf. . . especially that red!

[Jean E.]

Another beautiful scarf! Cascade 220 heathers is a nice yarn, seems softer to me than the plain ol' 220.

[Mary Fran]

I have a pile of socks and a darning egg sitting next to my chair. Some day. And, seriously??? I can't believe I didn't win today ;)

[Doris]

Another beautiful scarf. I hope you had fun in Virginia!

[Cookie]

Congrats to the winners!

Do I need to knit you some socks, sweetie? Because I can.

[Viki]

I've never knit one, but maybe you could fix that hole with an afterthought heel. I kind of like it when one of my socks gets a hole. I get to knit more!

[Seanna Lea]

Scarf time! I'm hoping to get a lot of knitting done this weekend. I'm almost halfway through Mabel's scarf, the latest of the Red Scarves I'm working on. It's great seeing all of the scarves you've pulled together!

[Renee]

Too bad about the socks - but oooh, say yes to Cookie's offer!!! Cookie - Norma says yes please. :)

[sandy]

Now. You have hol(e)y socks. Divine.

[elizabeth a airhart]

good thoughts to all the winners

happy festival of lights

[Harriet]

I'm down with the rest of the darn it crowd. It's really not hard, and totally worth it to save a pair of handknit socks.

[aldona]

Long time (mostly) lurker here. I mailed my red scarf this morning (humble k1 p1 rib, Paton's Merino) along with $20 to Target. It put a spring in my step to know that I'd done something good today. Thanks for getting my butt in gear!