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:
"Tonight (Friday, Feb 15th) at 5:58 pm I was killed while driving home on I-84 in Northern CT from a weeklong business trip. My poor husband had to deliver the kill over the phone.
A lovely pair of blue bamboo socks keep my now dead, chilled toes warm. As you can see from the photo one of my dogs was quite concerned about my lying on the floor dead with just my socks showing any interest to her."
We also had no idea that our little game had attracted much outside attention, but judging by the
newspaper article enclosed with Esta's socks, the police are closing in on some of our more notorious killers.
These particular socks were particularly well-traveled. They were finally completed by Jennifer, the 5th player to possess them - although they usually arrived at each destination shortly after the recipient was herself killed, so were sent on without any additional knitting.
Cheryl also wrote in to describe the emotional roller coaster that can accompany a trip to the mailbox these days:
"E-gad; so sad. I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm dead.
But I've received some beautiful sox, so no tears from this head!
When Bill and I retrieved our mail (at precisely 1:13 pm on Saturday, Feb 16th) there was a good-sized parcel stuffed tightly into the end of our roadside mailbox. Bill said "Looks like you've been assassinated, Hon." But no ... I was still safe! It was the sox that Bethany was working on when I so boldly did HER in. I breathed a sigh of relief, then gasped as the dagger of death struck my very toes. There was a second package in the mailbox. One of our friendly death-doers from MO (Gretchen) had done me in with a beautiful pair of burgundy malabrigo killer zaps. Nestled within was "The Face of Death" ... and thus I humbly succumb to destiny.
I leave behind a very understanding hubby, four sons and 5 grandchildren and fly aloft to that Great Yarn Shop in the Sky."
And finally, news reached us last night of the death of our most distant assassin, Larkin Small at the hands of Helen from MO:
"Vintage death awaited Ms. Small of Berkeley, CA today in the form of a wool-blend pair of socks. Their color was baby blue.
The package was opened at 3:30 this afternoon, at which point, Ms. Small departed this world.
Her death came as a shock to her, untouched as she had been for 16 whole days."
Ah yes, one never knows just when the final blow will come. We are not sure which is worse - the quick deaths some people suffered, or these lingering ones, with two weeks of stress-filled trips to the mailbox... .
Going back in time a bit, we want to share with you the poem that Wendy sent to accompany the socks that took out Betsey:
"Roses are red
Violets are blue
This Southern Belle is coming for you.
The socks have been knitted
And sent on their way
The South has risen once again today.
Put down your needles
Forget about your socks
You’ve been assassinated
Because the South rocks.
I’m taking you down
There’s nowhere to run
But knitting these socks has been quite fun.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my short little rhyme
Perhaps we will meet again at some other time.
Sangria (socks) and Southern Comfort (foods that is) to soothe the pain
I hope you’ve had fun playing the game."
Wendy “Wendella – The Needle Master”
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!
