Sometime in the late fall when the Lorna’s Laces sock yarn arrived I started having a

One Saturday, Carl (Greensboro’s sock knitter extraordinaire) was in the store and observed the now all too familiar ritual. This time there was an alternate ending. As I returned the sock yarn to the shelf, Carl asked if I was going to buy the yarn. I replied that although I really loved the skeins, I ha
d neither the time or the $$’s to knit the socks. Before I could end the ritual with the usual sigh of resignation, Carl had scooped up the two skeins and they disappeared into his project bag. I clearly remember the feelings of remorse for letting them get away conflicting with the elation that they would become wonderful socks from the best sock knitter I know. I comforted myself for the next few days knowing that they would one day become spectacular socks, better socks than they would have if they had gone home with me, and even though I would miss them, it really was for the best.

Days passed and I thought of the skeins less and less as the time before the holidays got increasingly busy. Then one night (precisely, December 19 at 5:27 pm), Carl handed me a brown REI bag with tissue paper stuffed in the top. A Christmas present!! I pulled out the tissue paper to find the most beautiful pair of socks that I have ever seen. The Black Purl Lorna’s knitted from our Cheryl’s sock pattern. A double sentiment! I knew just how the misty-eyed Dobby felt!
I have never considered knitting an item for a fellow knitter. I have given yarn, gadgets, or gift certificates, but it never occurred to me to knit for other knitters. I mean, isn’t part of the

Tina of Spinners Ridge and the Greensboro Store
4 comments:
What a great gift, and story, too! I have given handknit socks to my mom and sister, both knitters, and I feel so good because I know they'll appreciate them and take care of them properly. You never know what a non-knitter will do with lovingly knitted handknit socks!!
I TOO lusted after the Black Purl. What a fantastic outcome! Thanks for sharing such a great story! Purls ARE better than diamonds!
Oh yeah, WAY TO GO CARL! I had some sneaking suspicions that you were some kind of sock SuperHero!
Oh Tina- what a beautiful sock story...
Someone gave me a handknit scarf for my B'day one year. I was so touched. Knitting for Knitters- what a great idea!
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