Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Giving it All Away, Day 2!

Who loves socks? I love socks, of course! Who doesn't? (Don't answer. This here is sock territory, this is!)

There is no way that I could do a third book and not include socks. But it needed to be straightforward socks, maybe blank canvas socks for you to put your own design ideas into. In Teach Yourself Visually Circular Knitting there is a great adjustable pattern for making basic top-down socks in a variety of gauges and sizes. Start with a swatch and a size and build your own design, or keep it simple and work them in rib or stockinette.

One of my all-time favorite sock yarns is Valley Yarns Franklin, hand dyed by Gail Callahan, the Kangaroo Dyer.
If you haven't yet sampled some of Gail's work, you should - and here's your chance. If you're the lucky winner, knit up a pair, get a little creative with them, and come back here and tell me about it! Franklin is a durable, go-to yarn perfect for making socks for everyday wear. In fact, about half of my sock wardrobe is made in this yarn. 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon, they go in and out of the washer and seem to last about forever. I have yet to wear through a pair! The yarn is available in 15 different hand dyed colors. Today's giveaway skein, a gift from Webs, is dyed in a colorway called Camo, which is a lovely sea of greens and blues and grays that puts me in mind of the Atlantic on a hazy gray day. I love it, and you, lucky winner, will as well when it arrives at your home with your signed, personalized copy of Teach Yourself Visually Circular Knitting!

Today's question... yesterday's seemed a bit easy. Let's try something off topic, but still simple, ready? What is your dream car. Really. I mean it. I said they might not all be knitting questions. What, if you could have any car, would it be? Leave your answer in the comments below to be entered for today's drawing, and good luck!

76 comments:

Steph said...

ooh..I have a soft spot for vintage sports cars.

1969 Jag xke convertible for starters.

totally impractical, probably would run only half the time if that, but those swoopy lines are to die for.

ccr in MA said...

It's not at all practical, but in 1985 I got my first car, a 1969 Caddy convertible, and it was a dream! These days, even if you had one, it's too big to be practical, and took leaded gasoline ... but as a fantasy it works just fine.

I have a pair of socks done in Kangaroo Dyer yarn, and they are wearing so well! Unfortunately, I made them a little too big, and they haven't shrunk a bit--normally what I want in a yarn, but it didn't work this time! I'll know better next time.

Anonymous said...

My dream car is a 1966 Ford Mustang convertible - powder blue with white leather seats. I've never used Kangaroo Dyer's yarn - thank you for a wonderful giveaway opportunity :)

Leslie said...

My dream car? Probably a Ford Escape Hybrid. I drove a gasoline powered one from Detroit to Raleigh a couple of years ago and it was comfy and really spoiled me for ease of entry and "riding up high" - the visibility is so much better with those additional few inches. And the Hybrid part would really please me as the majority of my driving is "around town."

OzKnitter said...

I've always wanted a Fiat Bambini, one with the "soft top" roof. Totally impractical, but totally gorgeous!

llamalady said...

Dream car - a brand new Toyota Prius. We have an older one and I love the great gas mileage. I want all the fancy bells and whistles and that new car smell, too, though!

Kristi said...

Oh, my dream car would be a 4WD, hybrid SUV that cost less than my annual take-home pay! :)

(If anyone knows of an actual make and model for that, let me know...)

Gail dyes fabulously! I may have some of her work in my stash. Somewhere.

Anonymous said...

I would love to have a 1943 Jeep - I know it's not technically a vintage car -- but I do WW2 reenacting as a hobby and it would be the icing on the cake for my collection. It's name would be MissMartha (my call sign).

Lori said...

My dream car is - and always has been - a red and white 1960 Corvair convertible. Car body is white and most everything else is cherry red. My mother (who was also a knitter) had this car in 1960. I was 6 years old and in love with that little car! I would love to restore one to its original state one day. :)

Bonnie said...

I'd love an electric car. It would be wonderful to drive right pass the gas station with its $4.12/gallon prices. If I'm dreaming, I'd like an electric car with GPS and a really good stereo system!

Kim said...

The new Prius V!

Laura Nelkin said...

Can I have TWO dream cars?

My first? A 1963 English Racing Green Jaguar Convertible Wanna see?
http://bit.ly/joQdt5

Second? Oh, just an Audi TDI Q7...

Unknown said...

Black BMW with a candy apple tint. Hard top convertible. All leather seats Bose sound system. It must have a large enough trunk to fit my spinning wheel!

Unknown said...

I want a VW bug. I always have, but always got a sensible car. Honda Accord, Honda Odyssey. They've been great, but I've always longed for that bug!

crochtlady said...

I would love a brand new handicapped minivan with all the bells and whistles!

Megan said...

I'm a practical lady, so my dream car is a Toyota Sienna. We bought our's last Fall when we found out we were having our third child. I love the keyless entry side door openers, the backing up sensor, the in car DVD player....all I need now is the parallel parking assist feature and I am set. Thanks for the chance to win!

Beki said...

Like Leslie I think I'd like the Ford Escape hybrid for my practical dream car. Up high... space for the kiddos...hybrid...

Yet, my true dream car would not require a trip to the gas station. Especially with today's prices. they've just not yet come up with an electric that will do the major car trips and have the towing/stowing capacity.

Oh and my dream car would have the stow and go seats of my Grand Caravan. I LOVE those things!

jillian.vantuyle said...

I'm with ya llamalady! I have an 2006 Prius and at the time I was really my dream car. Now I would love to havea newer one with the sun panel sun roof.

Although, I wouldn't mind a tessla either, but that would be a little difficult for car seats!

Tipper said...

My dream car is one that drives itself (safely), 'cause I hate to rive. Or, I guess I'd settle for a towncar with a driver.

Cate said...

It's a tie. I have nostalgia for the 1987 Honda CRX I used to drive. Totally fun little two-seater with a sunroof, awesome gas mileage. Fun Fun Fun. Does not fit my life now at all. So the other contender would be some wicked practical tricked-out top of the line...something that seats more than 5 people. Possibly a minivan. With a sunroof, which my current car does not have and I miss terribly.

longest comment ever. sorry. That yarn is lovely!

Melissa said...

Ah, my dream car, that's an easy one.....that would be a 1970 Dodge Challenger Convertible R/T. Color: plum crazy with black racing stripes and black leather interior.

RubyC said...

I am past thinking of a dream car. I loved my 66 Impala that I started driving on. And my granddaddy drove a Studebaker. It was awesome.

But for me, I want one that is paid for. I would want something practical, easy in, easy out, and of course gotta have the seat warmer/cooler system. And great gas mileage.

izzybellarina said...

A Ferrari Formula 1 car with Fernando Alonso to drive me around :)

Anonymous said...

a Ford Mustang with racing stripes.

esea on Ravelry

Montymoo said...

Wow! A Cadillac CTS Coupe. In red. Yes. Definitely red. Or a Ford Mustang Boss 302. In blue, with a white stripe. :-) A girl doesn't really have to choose, does she? lol
Thanks, as always, for having such great giveaways!

Anonymous said...

wow is my answer going to be boring!
What can I say, I'm a mum and my dream car has to be practical! It has to be spacious enough to have 5-7 people without too much fuss, low petrol consumption, enough power to get me up those hills without looking like a snail, build in DVD player to entertain the kids on long trips, AC of course and be comfortable. That's about it!

thepaintedsheep said...

a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, in red.

Natalie Rush said...

Well...a couple months ago I would have said something like a Hybrid SUV but now I'm all about the minivan! :) really want one! It's so much easier to get a kid in and out of a minivan that my car.

smitty said...

This is a tough one. I really don't care about cars! I got a coffee cup holder for my bike last summer, and that was pretty cool. Does this answer count?

GerryART said...

Another easy-peasy question.
The very first model of the PT Cruiser is high on my list of my dream cars
I will send to to California where I would get a ever so cool paint job in black with a hint of a dark silver motif with lots of lacquer coats.
Then would have the interior re-upholstered in a wonderful brocade/tapestry for seats and sculpted carpet.
I'd like to to remember of those old Packards of the 1940's.
So there's my dream car.
But in today's real life I'd love to be able to knit with this yarn you are offering.
hugs,
Gerry

Christine Lima said...

A big truck. Big. Diesel powered. I have horses, so a nice big truck to pull a nice big trailer would be my dream.

Jane said...

I would love an electric car. I would smile every time I passed a gas station. The money I would save on gas would go to add to my stash!

Jane

ChelleC said...

I'm not into cars either. I would probably like an old VW bug from the 1970's - but I agree with someone else who said that a paid off car is best of all! I'm a small compact car kind of person. I also liked my 1977 Honda CVC - but if I were to find one of those now, the wheel wells would probably be hopelessly rusted out.

wyvon54 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Susan Moskwa said...

This might be lame, but I think my current car is my dream car.

When I was in high school I thought the Plymouth Prowler was the height of cool. Later I wanted a purple Ford pickup truck... After college I drove a minivan and really loved all the space and being able to ride up high and see the road. I could move my entire apartment by myself and could easily transport furniture or Christmas trees.

But these days I think my current car--a 2008 Honda Civic hybrid--meets all my needs. I'd be worried to drive something flashier--what if it got stolen or damaged??

wyvon54 said...

I have always dreamed of an Audi Convertible. (Sigh. . . wandering away to dream some more.)

Olivia said...

The F-reg (for non-brits, that's from 1988, and it wasn't new when I got it) white VW Golf that was my 18th birthday present and faithful companion for 13 years. Cried when I had to scrap it, wish it was still running.

Angela said...

I'm a sucker for the Buick Grand National. There's one for sale in my tiny hometown in Kansas. Every time I go home I dream of taking it back to the city!

kaykatrn said...

I would like a truly green car--no gas, no batteries full of bad stuff, zero emissions, pretty sparkly red. And when I wake up from my dream, maybe I will have won something wonderful in your giveaway!

zinnas75 said...

I have my dream car, 1996 Toyota Celica, stick shift, sunroof, leather interior. White with black interior. I have had it since it was new. I enjoy it, it fun to take on trips.
The gas mileage is super great, 30 Miles to the gallon!
Every time my husband hss it serviced, the Guys want to buy it! My husband tells the "Guys" it is not for sale!
So much fun.

Sharripie said...

I don't think my dream car exists, but what I'd like is a solar-powered vehicle that looks like a little SmartCar on the outside, but had the space of a pickup truck with a crew cab. It would come with a driver, so I could knit on every trip and it would have heated seats in winter and chilled seats in summer. It would also come with a lifetime supply of Diet Coke (which would always be bubbly and cold) in the cupholder.

I don't want much in this life.

Liz said...

I've always wanted to drive a vintage VW bus. Which always seemed kind of silly, but I live in Portland, Oregon, now, and there are SO many of them!

Michelle said...

I'm very happy with my current car, a 2009 VW Jetta TDI (diesel). Love the quality and the handling (I'm a go-cart girl), as well as the mileage. The only thing that might be better is a VW Touareg TDI, with more room for my tall guys and my dogs!

bunnnyfoofoo said...

I'd love to have our '66 VW bus again. We had to leave it in Germany when we moved back to the states. Some of the happiest moments of my life include that bus and camping in it all over Europe.

Pat said...

I have always wanted a Jeep Grand Cherokee--don't know why--it has always appealed to me. I have never worked with any of these yarns.

ddstrazzy said...

Dodge Charger

Margo said...

I'm not really that into cars. Ideally my dream vehicle would be 4WD, have plenty of leg and head room, heated steering wheel and seats. It would accomodate my dogs and be big enough to haul 4' x 8' sheets of plywood or dry wall. It would be affordable and get good gas mileage too.

Janet S Gabbert said...

A 1988(?)-89 Mercury Tracer. I bought one of the first Mercury Tracer's on the showroom floor in my town and LOVED it. I drove it for 130,000+ miles before the poor baby gave out. When I went to get another one they were gone. Why do the merchandising gods do this? You find a good thing and then it is gone when you need another one.

CuriousJess said...

How dreamy can we get here? I love the car I have (2004 Nissan Murano in copper the most important part is the color of course) so I'd want my car but completely indestructible and it would run on love.

Anonymous said...

I am going with the classic 1968 Ford Mustang Convertible in Hokie maroon with orange leather interior! GO HOKIES
Dawn Allen

Joan said...

My dream car is a Mini Cooper!

Cathie said...

Porsche 911 or Ford F350 diesel. I know, two polar opposites what can I say : )

S said...

Thanks for the chance to win! I have always liked Mustangs, but now that I have a Jeep, I think it is perfect for me .. not too big, not too small, carries lots of people and lots of stuff...

ogreger@gmail.com

billicummings said...

A vintage red corvette. Gimme some sun and an A&W root beer and a drive along the lake.

billicummings@gmail.com

Linda said...

I love my Camry but sometimes wish I had a sunroof. If I could have a second car to tool around in I would want a VW Bug convertible - yellow. First all-mine, new car I ever owned and it still makes me smile!

Unknown said...

My dream car would be an older style vw bug. I would paint it to look like an old brown suitcase and put travel stickers all over it. License plate would be Trvlbug.
I think it would look cute.

Cali4niaGirl said...

Okay, here it is... my absolute fantasy dream car is an ivory color vintage 1937ish Bentley, the ones with the running boards. and yes, it does come with a chauffeur when I go to the city to shop!

noallatin said...

When I was a sweet young thing, I ousted after a TR7, a British-made two-seater. Now, i'd like something with heated leather seats, excellent gas milage, and room for 5. I don't care who makes, just so it's comfortable.

Wendy U said...

I'd love to have an older Toyota Tacoma with quad cab and room in the back for stuff. Maybe sleeping bags at night and camping supplies during the day. Road trips would be wonderful with a little truck!

Michelle F said...

Right no my dream car would be a Ford Escape with a GPS - I have simple tastes in cars - That they run with minimal repair bills and they fit my family and the 70lb dog!

neknitsandbeads said...

Ooooo... a 1963 Corvette. Light blue.

Deb S said...

A 1953 two tone Chevrolet BelAire in aqua and white. Love that car!

WildflowerWool said...

I would love a Toyota Matrix. Nothing too fancy but has a lot of room for kids, dogs and lots of knitting projects!

alcatmom said...

Well, my dream car would be one that doesn't run on fossil fuel.

ikkinlala said...

My dream car is one pulled by horses - not realistic in today's society, but it apparently it worked in the 1930s.

I'm not a driver (yet).

Sharon said...

A car that ran on water, that it recycled and used again and again!

A red one please!

TuttleDB said...

I just sent my DH the brochure for my dream car today! A Mini Cooper Countryman! Red with white top and white bonnet stripes and red interior.

Judy said...

I'm driving my dream car...a 2008 Prius. It was one of the first things I bought after I sold my home. I had waited for an American made hybrid, but they didn't come through til much later. The mileage is great and I don't hesitate to go anywhere.

mjknits said...

My Honda minivan actually suites me, but if I didn't have the kiddies and their mutitude of stuff to tote around, I'd go for something sporty/racy.

Rebecca said...

Oh I love the Fiat 500! Or the mini cooper! But for now I just walk or cycle.

Rebecca said...

any car? Any car at all? The vintage Stingray that I promised my husband I'd buy him for his 50th birthday...providing I'd made my first million by then. Doesn't look like he'll be getting it ;-)

Gina said...

My dream car is a Nash Metropolitan convertible. They weren't made for very long, but they are so cute... And little. Like, SmartCar little. Fiat 500 little.

ME215 said...

Dream car? Would have to be a new convertible that is paid for...... ;-)

Bgstoner said...

Copper Mini Clubman. It is a wagon and I love the way they look.

Diane (djuseless) said...

My dream car would be anything that does not have a loan payment! LOL!

Anonymous said...

I think jaguars are the most beautiful of cars!