The World's Most Expensive Sock Yarn

See this innocent ball of Opal? Yeah, it's vintage. Yeah, it's pretty. But is it worth more than $500??

Here's the story....

Last week I decided to join Cara's Jaywalker Knit-a-Long so I shopped the stash that ate Ft. Lauderdale. I wanted something unique cause I have a special recipient in mind. And I came upon this REAL EXPENSIVE skein of Opal.

You see, about 2 years ago, I signed up to participate in the "Great Stash Redistribution Project" but I was reading more and more disappointing reviews of huge boxes of Red Heart and the like transversing the nation! And my yarn snobby soul grad student's budget said "NO WAY am I spending my yarn $$ to mail a half ton of Red Heart to Outer East Jabip, Nebraska!" So I bowed out.

Then to my delight I was contacted to join the "Snob Stash Redistribution Project" so join I did! SNOBBY.YARN. ROWAN!!! The SSRP guidelines were you could only put in "a projects worth of yarn - no snippets and left over ends, Rowan and other 'snob-worthy' yarns, and only high end acrylic blends like Rowan Calmer or All Seasons Cotton." NO RED HEART. NO LION BRAND HOMESPUN , NO POUND OF LOVE :::::shudder::::: I was so excited, I even agreed to "donate" stuff to start the box off. I donated a Philosopher's Wool Cardi Kit - $200, ten balls of pure French Angora - $200 and two hanks of Charisma New Zealand Wool - $40. Posatge to mail all this to South Dakota - $30

Now, dear reader, you know JUST where this is going don't you? (yes, there is a sucker born every day and her name is DEBI!)

Again, the snobby yarn morphed into lots of acrylic, kitchen cotton and the like. Then the box totally disappeared never to be heard from again!! (why do people sign up and act like this?? - sheesh!!)

To try and make things right, the organizer started a new box....which finally arrived about a month ago. I had earmarked some new donations which then allowed me to "double dip" since I had already donated a bunch of stuff. I put in some Bryspun DPN's, some Addi Turbo Circs, the book "Style at Large" and 4 large skeins of Shetland yarn- enough for a shawl - that totalled an additional $100 or so. What was in the box? It had improved from the dreck that it started out as but still it was small lots of many yarns I've never heard of, lots of novelty acrylics, some cottons in odd colors and a very few "name brands" like a bag of 20 odd balls of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran and some cotton/silk blends.....

And what did I take out of the box? One skein of Opal Sock yarn! ~~~

Yarn donations and mailing costs: $500 plus

Skein of Opal yarn: $15 (or $500 - $15 = $485!)

Lessons learned: Painful but priceless!

But the good part is the yarn is lovely, I think it looks great in the Jaywalker pattern and in honor of the special person I'm making them for, I'm changing the name from Jaywalkers to L.A. Walkers (hint hint) and she's definately worth the world's most expensive sock yarn!

Today I got the most amazing package! My friend La (who lives in L.A. - imagine that?) sent me all sorts of comfort type goodies for my ongoing "still living in a hovel without doors" distress....chocolates, candles,chocolates, herbal teas, chocolates, yummies for Pumpkin....oh, and did I mention chocolates? AND THE MOST AMAZING YARN!!!!

LOOK! PUMPKIN YARN!!!

She hand dyed this lovely sock yarn to match my P-Man!! How cool is that??? La, I'm overwhelmed and amazed and crushing on you, big time!! I can't wait to make some Pumpkin Yarn footies for me!! And look, it's P-Man approved too...... (please excuse my cement living room floor!)


One second after this shot, he did the "Bite, hug and kick like crazy with your back legs because you're so happy" cat dance so I know he loves it! And isn't it s great match??** Thanks La for the unique and gorgeous yarn and for being a great friend to both me and the P-Man!! (tell the furries and Mr. La thanks too!!)

I finished the Neighbor Thank You socks which are on the blocking board drying as I write and the dreaded Ocean Lace Stole has grown slightly despite days of knitting so both will be available for their close ups next week Mr. DeMille!

Enjoy the weekend and knit lots everyone!!
** in person, Pumpkin's actual color is much more orange than brown as it appears here and in person the yarn and the P-Man are a much closer match!