Hi, Knitters,
One day many months ago I stumbled upon one of my favorite Etsy shops with no plans to purchase anything. As I was scrolling down and looking at Gale's beautifully dyed sock yarns and fiber something caught my eye. It was something I had never seen before, not like this anyway. I was seeing a piece of art, a new way to think about sock yarn, a new way to have fun with colors and dyeing. I was looking at the Gale's Art Secret Sock Blank. It was incredible.
I had to get one! I had to knit the Secret Sock Blank into socks immediately. And so I did.
If you don't know what a sock blank is, it is a machine-knit piece of fabric that is made out of sock yarn. The dyer creates colors on the fabric and in Gale's case, stencils secret messages. You pull the yarn from the end of the blank that pulls off easily and cast on for your project.
Gale has both single-strand sock blanks that will create mismatched socks, and double-stranded sock blanks which will create matching socks (strands are held together in the sock blank and two strands are pulled off at the same time). When ordering be sure to order the type you'd prefer.
I LOVE knitting socks from a sock blank. I didn't know if I would like it or not but it was fun, easy, portable and entertaining, especially with the Secret Sock Blank because I was so curious about how it would turn out. These socks flew off my needles, literally. I could not put them down. The yarn is kinked up when you knit with it which didn't bother me at all.
Once the socks are finished and washed they are smooth as silk and gorgeous. I love the speckled look of the socks. The speckles on the socks are where the stencils were on the blank. Genius!
Do you remember this Monkey sock from awhile ago? This Graffiti and Asphalt Wonder Sock Yarn (best yarn ever!) is from Gale's Art, too. This yarn is variegated in little blips of color so every couple of stitches the color changes, there is no pooling or flashing at all. This is one of my all-time favorite yarns.
As you can see I have been a long time user and admirer of Gale's yarns. She is so talented and she is always trying to push herself to create new and different techniques with her dyeing. Plus Gale is a down-to-earth, nice person. I met her at SSK last summer and everyone went bananas over her dyeing workshop at that retreat. If you ever get a chance take one of Gale's workshops.
Anyway, I was thrilled when Gale asked me to host a giveaway for a 3-month subscription her first-time ever club! Yes to that!!
Click here to see more information about Gale's Sock Club!
Today I get to offer a prize worth $99 to one lucky winner.
You will receive the three sock blanks in the photo above from left to right:
1. In November 2015: The Fallen
2. In December 2015: Special Snowflake
3. In January 2016: Happy New Year 2016!
Each of these sock blanks evoke the best colors of the seasons ahead. It is so exciting just to think about it. If you want to just purchase the club and not wait too see if you win here is all of the club information including add-ons that can be included in your order.
The blanks are stenciled with seasonal prints and messages. Each one is inspiring.
My goal is to knit each blank in the intended month, November, December and January.
Now be sure to note whether you'd like a single or double-stranded sock blank. My sock blanks in the photos are single sock blanks. You can choose which type you'd prefer.
Gale is also offering a one time only ONE YEAR Sock Club for those of you who are interested. Here is what Gale has to say about this intriguing option:
"This will be 12 sock blanks I am planning on doing this year. There sill be separate listings for the 12 single and 12 double sock blanks. I don't currently have photos of the year's worth so you will just have to trust that you will LOVE every one of them. The price for the year-long club reflects a 10% discount. Convo me with any questions about add-ons or anything else.
The Club Blanks will never be reproduced again! They are only for the club people."
Each blank is 463 yards of a Superwash Merino 75%, Nylon 25%, fingering weight, 100 grams.
If you'd like to be entered to win a 3-month Sock Club Subscription for Gale's Secret Sock Blanks, please leave a comment on this blog post. It is a must to include either your Ravelry username or an email address so Gale can get in touch with you directly if you should win! Please only leave one comment. You have to be patient for your comment to appear as each comment is approved before posting so there is a delay. Only click on the publish button one time.
Be sure to follow Gale's Art on Instagram! You won't believe the sock blanks she has cooking.
Good luck! You will LOVE this prize, I guarantee it.
Let the comments begin.
xo ~ susan