The Knitting Experience Café

I know, I know, you want the death toll.  But, I'm gonna make you wait a little bit.  Two reported deaths have come in, Pam and Jennifer were struck down - both with socks and poetry!  However, the full accounts have yet to arrive at Battle Command Central.  

Instead, lets talk about the SPA weekend! 

I had the most wonderful time, met incredibly talented people, bought TONS of fiber, and even found a few new and very cool things for the shop.

More than anything, though, I was struck yet again, by our own amazing community. Not only does your creativity take my breath away, but you all really know how to party! Thanks for a great weekend.

(Emily, Patti, and Bridget)

(Spunky Eclectic wall of yumminess)

(Beth is spinning!!!!)

(Scott made it to the party - in a way)

(Lesley and I were decked out like twins for the day, but somehow, I didn't get a picture of us together. Oh, well.  Next year!)

(Me, Mary Ellen, and Terri)

(Trading shots with Mindy)

It has taken me the past few days to recover and get caught up with work.  Now, the kids are in bed, I have a little time to myself, the wheel is free, and there is some Angora/Merino/Silk fiber calling my name. 

Ahhhhhh...

You've been begging for an update.  Who is dead?  Who is still alive and knitting?  Where are the sock pictures?

An update you shall have, but alas, no pictures.  In their knitting/killing/dying frenzy, no one has sent me pictures since the last update!! 

I'm putting out a plea... please send me pictures! Actually, how about this, whoever sends me the most creative picture related to the game gets a set of Lantern Moon Rosewood Sox Stixs.  That's right.  For a little creativity on your part, you could have these yummy needles all to yourself.  And even our dear departed players can participate.  The picture just has to be related to the game somehow.  Send me your picture(s) by next friday, Feb. 29 to be eligible for the prize.

Onto the most recent killings...

Caitlin has struck down her third player when Julie opened the socks of death.  

Gretchen died at hands of Danielle, who forgot to take pictures of her creativity.  Danielle wrote that she " included a decapitated flamingo with a note made with newspaper clipped letters that read "Mr. Flamingo sleeps with the fishes". 

Susan died at hands of Sheryl.  Susan does promise pictures when her camera battery is recharged.  But, she describes her death: "Well it finally came and it was a very quite death.  There sitting on my table by the door was a express mail box, just waiting for me to come home (6:45 pm).  So I open the box and there was a lovely pair of green socks."

11 players remain.

If you have died and still have socks-in-progress in your possession, please make sure you pass them along to your assassin as soon as possible.

And don't forget pictures.  Think of the needles... the lovely needles... they could be yours...

Things are getting closer and closer here.  The past couple of days have brought us news of more deaths.

Esta thought that staying on the run might keep her safe, but her assassin, in quite the feat of prowess, managed to deliver a kill on the interstate.  Esta writes:

Thanks for sharing Wendy!

And now, time for some news from the shop. You may be wondering, what the heck is Chesley knitting while we're all killing each other with these socks?

Well, I'm working on a pair of Killer Zaps that will ultimately go to the winner. 

I decided that it was only fitting that I use a Spunky Eclectic yarn for Amy's pattern, plus it gave me an excuse to play with Spunky Shine, a merino/tencel blend.  I love it.  It is so pretty.  I am going to have a very hard time giving these socks up.  In fact, I'm already plotting my next pair all for me.  

We got the online store updated and you'll find Spunky Shine, the Spunky Color of the Month (15% off)-Walking on the Sun in Super Nova-, Trekking, and Kid Seta all available with lovely pictures taken with the help of my two assistants.

I finally blocked the Airy Wrap that Becka made from Fitted Knits using Classic Elite Miracle. Isn't it gorgeous?  She is letting me use it as a store sample for a little while. 

More of the popular ball winders arrived and we'll now be carrying these swifts:

Our first shipment of the umbrella swifts sold out in 24 hours, but we'll be getting more soon.

Anna surprised me with the most adorable store sample -

The pattern is Saartje's Booties and Anna knit them with Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino. Thank you Anna!!

Others have been knitting as well.  Edie created this cuddly collection for her first granddaughter who is expected to arrive in the next few weeks.

Today, Edie was working on a Felted Hedgehog.  What a lucky baby!

Jane showed off her luxurious felted mittens.  She held two strands of Noro Kochoran together and the result is just incredible.  They are so soft and it would be impossible for your hands to get cold while wearing them.

Sarah was trying out the Kid Seta in a beautiful lace scarf.  We told her she could knit lace!  

Thanks for the great weekend everyone!

If you have die, why not go out with beautiful socks, and this:

That's how Wendy took out Betsey.  We hear an obit is being composed and will be shared later. 

Cheryl - like any proper assassin - wanted to be sure to finish the job.  Rather than pack extra socks, she lined the box with a little Hemlock and a recipe. 

We are certain that many of you have come here expecting to see continued posts from Chesley.

Despite the brilliantly unexpected attack yesterday morning that strove to remove her from the Battle of the Soxes picture, Chesley confidently proclaimed that her powers extended beyond the grave, and she would continue to be able to control the game.

Alas, we received word from her house last night that the moment she removed her socks, the remainder of her power ebbed away.  So, Rogue, if that is truly your name (and we have our doubts), your task has finally been accomplished.  And for that, we applaud your ingenuity.  We applaud your boldness.

But we cannot applaud your understanding of the power structure of this game.  Did you really think that removing Chesley would bring us to our knees?  She was but the public face of this entire shadowy enterprise.  We are a resilient organization, with redundancies designed to withstand even the most determined efforts to wreak havoc.  

We will admit that we did not expect to see Chesley taken out by a sweater.  And we do not like having to expose ourselves in this manner, so to that extent, you have dealt us a blow, Rogue.  But we have overcome that momentary lapse of control, and meanwhile, the carnage we have set in motion continues.

We have reports tonight of two more deaths.  This afternoon, one of the Maine contingent was brought down by one of our Missouri friends.  Barbara sent along a heartfelt "SOB!" to announce that she had become Sally's first victim.

And Dead Deb writes in to report that she is "laying in rest with feet warmed by Terrible Terri."

Now for those of you paying attention, you will recall that prior to her death, Deb had killed Liz.  Liz had already killed Christine, and had received the socks-in-progress from her.

Liz had to pass those back to Deb, who in fact received them the same day that she received from Terri the socks that killed her.  So Deb is sending the socks originally started by Christine back to Terri.

But wait!  You will also note that the same day, we reported that Terri, too, had already been killed.  So she will have to pass the socks back to her killer, Jennifer.

This is but one example of the organized chaos which will only grow as the circle continues to tighten.  There are other such pockets of frantic activity, and we are pleased by it.  Those remaining alive should be pleased by it as well, because it may well be that the socks destined for you are the ones making their way back to your assassin.  As long as they are traveling, you have time to be knitting, working your way onward.  So never despair.  There are too many variables in this game to ever cease your efforts.

To date, then, we have confirmed reports of 15 deaths, so there are 31 still alive, however temporarily.  We know of at least 6 more Killer Zaps which are on their way, so we expect plenty of activity over the next several days.  We remind you to notify us as soon as you receive the instruments of your doom.  There are anxious assassins awaiting affirmation of their efforts, and we don't want to disappoint them.

-TKE

BEEEEP!  BEEEEEP!

This is not a test.  I repeat this is not a test.

The Emergency Battle of the Soxes System has issued the following alert:

Tonight, shortly before 6pm, a vicious killer struck at the home of Bridget.  With a pair of socks and a haiku, Sandy eliminated Bridget from the game. But, the knitting public beware!  Bridget had already finished her Killer Zap! socks and was forced to immediately had them over to Sandy.  Sandy is considered armed and dangerous.  I repeat, she is armed with a pair of fully knit socks. If you see her, well, our condolences. 

Bridget's tombstone reads:

"Bridget Gordan’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave,

A-mouldering in the grave,

Bridget Gordan’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave,

But her socks go marching on!"

Last evening, another Mainer fell. We received this report:

"To Whom it May Concern,

As coroner, I must aver, I thoroughly examined her and 

she's not only MERELY dead, she's really most SINCERELY 

dead!

Dr. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Linnell died this evening, 2/5/08 

at 7:45 pm. Cause of death: a beautifully em-BELL-ished 

and oh so comfortable pair of hand knit socks. As she 

drifted away into that peaceful slumber of death she was 

heard to nominate her assasin, Esta Campbell of 

Massachussetts, for most creative em-BELL-ishment of the 

socks. Her last words were "I wouldn't dream of getting 

rid of the bells - they are my FAVORITE part!".

I have enclosed photographic evidence from the crime 

scene, including a close-up of the aforementioned bells.

Sincerely,

Soc K. Less,

Coroner of Maine"

Esta sent along a picture of the socks pre-kill.  Notice the take-out container since she was about to "take out" Liz. 

Susan also met her fate at the hands of Mara. A beautiful, yet deadly pair of socks awaited her at home.

The newswires brought the following sad news today:

"At 11:43am on February 6, 2008, Lesley L. of Maine succumbed to the effects of the rabid knitting that has already taken out several of her fellow knitter friends. She was grateful to have lasted as long as she did, and does feel a sense of relief after expecting this for several days.

She was not prepared, however, for the ‘face of death’ visual that accompanied her socks. The socks were pretty. Death? Not so much."

The socks could be seen on the victim when police arrived, as the face of death watched over the scene. Gretchen from Missouri is being sought by authorities for questioning.

Diana fell next. Her killer tried to hide behind a carefully crafted note, but the very fact that the words were comprised entirely from letters taken off yarn labels meant it could only be one knitter.

"Knowing that my PO Box Fee was late and being the honest person I am (k, you can get up off the floor from laughing) I trekked my way to the Post Office. I opened the Box and, low and behold, what did I find but a PAST DUE notice for my Box. I rang the bell to alert them I was there to pay my Fee and collect my mail.

The Postmaster set my mail on the counter and what do I see, not 1 but 2 packages both addressed to me. The 1st one was from my “lovely KILLER” Ms. Patti Waters(no wonder she was asking if I would be at KAN on Thursday as we were leaving El Camino on Saturday). Sneaky, very sneaky and yes I did start to wonder!!! The second package was from my “victim” Teresa Lessard and we all know what is in that package but since I “Met My Maker” the task of finishing her “victims” socks is no longer mine, I am sorry to say.

My consolation in this whole thing is threefold: My “victim” is dead, my “assasin” is dead(who just happens to be among the “elite” when it comes to sock knitting speed and talent) and I have warm feet.

I can now join my fellow “dead” in sock heaven, but will not be partaking of Margaritas but will definately be enjoying plenty of Mojitos.

Please let Patti know my feet Thank Her! My advice to those of you still alive and knitting: WATCH YOUR BACKS!!!"

13 are dead.  33 remain.  Who will be next?

With the battle going on, it is hard to remember that knitting continues on the homefront. 

Rachael finished the most beautiful bag out of Soft Linen.

Mary completed a gorgeous entrelac felted bag.  The pattern is from Bags: A Knitters Dozen and the yarn is Cascade 220.

Amy delivered the Spunky Color of the Month in Super Nova.  Meet Walking on the Sun.

These skeins (15% OFF for the month of February) never last long.

UPS brought a very special treat from Blue Sky Alpacas.  Ever want to see what heaven feels like? Just touch the Royal Alpaca. 288yds of pure heaven. 

I showed it to Becka this afternoon and she went home with a skein. I don't think she knows what she is going to do with it yet, but she just had to have it.

New tote bags for all your knitting stuff - and so you can look oh-so-cool around town:

New books, including the Field Guide to Knitting, the coolest pocket reference to cable, lace, knit, and purl patterns.  To make it even better, Sara knit a swatch for the book!  Yay Sara! 

I restocked books that just keep flying off the shelf:

I didn't get a chance to take pictures of our newest sock yarn: Shine from Spunky Eclectic. It is a merino/tencel blend and is simply lovely. I'm using a skein to make the winner's socks.  

Rest in peace all who passed today.  Sleep well, everyone else, for who knows what tomorrow will bring. (Hopefully not Sandy, or you are in big trouble.)

It is with a heavy (yet somewhat disturbingly gleeful) heart that I report the passing of two brave warriors.  While valiantly knitting away, they didn't realize just how close their own assassins were to weaving in those last ends. 

Both arrived to find death literally on their doorsteps. 

At 9am, the entire battlefield felt the shock as Lisa of One City Market- an early fan favorite due to her boundless energy and spirit -  fell to the swift hands of Caitlin.  If only Caitlin had Lisa's home address, the kill would have taken place much earlier.  The small reprieve allowed Lisa to see daylight one more time. 

The following death notice is posted on the door of One City Market in honor of Lisa:

"Lisa, an avid knitter and competitor in the game, was assassinated by her friend and knitting buddy, Caitlin. The weapon Caitlin chose was a lovely pair of worsted-weight, green heathered, Killer Zap socks and the killing delivery was done in the cowardly fashion of taping the assassination socks to the porch of One City Market. Caitlin shall henceforth be referred to as Caitlin the Sly (aka Sly), due to the sneaky, underhanded way she constructed her weapon right in front of her unsuspecting target."

Congratulations to Caitlin who should be inheriting Lisa's target and on her way to her next kill.  Good luck!

The second death happened locally and was captured by our journalists in the field.  Kim, a sock knitting novice, proved her skills today as she became the third assassin in the game to successfully kill their target.  

Susan, may she rest in peace,  gracefully accepted her death and even nominated her killer for the most creative award! Talk about class.  

A few pictures of Kim's Killer Zap! socks:

And the actual hit.  That's right.  Our ace reporting team got shots of the killer in action. Don't be fooled by that innocent face.

I like how she went with the noose for the coffin - nice touch!

At last count their are 7 deadly pairs of socks making their way to their victims.  That means (if my math is correct) we have 36 players without death breathing down their neck... YET.

Before I finish this update, I must say that I am beyond impressed with the creativity and spirit I have seen.  There are a number of pictures in my email, just waiting for the kills to go down, so that I can share them with everyone. Wow.  That's all I can say.  Wow.  Knitters are really incredible people.  I am truly honored to know you all.  

As of 10am EST today there have been NO reported kills.  However, at least two assassins have finished their socks and are in the processing of locating their targets. 

Last night, we celebrated the start of the battle by opening the boxes sent by our new friends from One City Market.  I carefully removed the sealed package containing the incredible prizes donated by Lisa of OCM - prize information is released on a need to know basis only - and we all enjoyed the fun gifts sent to us by "The Show Me State."

There was more, and it is all at the shop to share and enjoy.  

We were so thrilled with the gifts, that we are plotting a little "Taste of Maine" to be sent their way.

After the shop closed, those hearty souls who were willing to risk possibly sitting across from their assassin went to El Camino for dinner, drinks, and a damn good time.

We even got the waiter - the good humored Danny - to hold one of the killer socks.

Stay tuned to your local blog for continuing coverage of the battle.