Aw, lookie here. The Valentine Kit sock found a little place to relax... cozy-ing right up to the new colors from Three Irish Girls. Smart sock, it's snuggling with the Glenhaven Cashmerino. Though Adorn Sock would be comfy too.
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January 30, 2012
January 27, 2012
Inspiring Patterns
Recently I asked you for input on what you'd like to see added to Simply Socks Yarn Company in 2012 since we now have so much more room to house awesome goodies. I received some great feedback- yarn lines, colors, gadgets. One of the suggestions was patterns, including some that use sock yarn but aren't for socks. I immediately though of Anne Hanson. Her Knitspot line of patterns has long been inspiration for me and so I've now added nearly seventy options in the store. As you'd expect from Anne Hanson, these are very nicely designed pattern and great print quality. Most of the socks are top-down, but are listed in the details if they are easily converted to toe-up construction. There are even up to seven sizes for some of the sock patterns, when three is what most of us really need. I think you'll really appreciate her attention to detail. Here are a few: So Square Socks, Cinderblock Socks, and Leaflet Scarf and Mitt Set.
And for those of you who enjoy knitting with solids, particularly our Simply Socks Yarn Solids line, Knitty has released their latest issue with another free pattern featuring our yarn! Donna Druchunas designed these awesome mittens that show off three solid colors in a very catching way. Take a look!
Photo used with permisson of Donna Druchunas
Interested in other patterns from Knitty that use Simply Sock Yarn? Check out Microprocessor Socks & Twisted Socks.
January 26, 2012
On the needles
Thanks so much about the kind comments and e-mails about the upcoming Valentine Kit! I'm so glad that my chosen artisans were able to participate, given the short timeline I gave them (it's difficult to dye several hundred skeins of yarn in a matter of weeks, I'm sure, but Claudia and her crew had my back), and I'm so glad that you all like the traditional Valentine colors I went with. And I'm going to admit that all your e-mails and comments have me scared that this is going to sell super quickly and I'm going to disappoint people.... even though I have more kits than usual available. Check the website and/or the blog on Feb 1 or 2, as that's when I'm anticipating putting these up for sale. In the morning (EST). And if you are an in-store shopper on the one day a week we are open for that, I recommend ordering your kit online, as I don't anticipate having any leftover by Saturday the 4th when the showroom is open again.
I've found a bit of time to knit lately, which means I actually finished a sock. Yes, just one sock so far, because I was distracted. Above is my finished Austermann Step Color Block 184. And I'll admit that while I didn't notice the addition of the aloe and jojoba in the yarn while the yarn slipped through my fingers, I certainly do while wearing. Definitely worth the extra buck it costs over Opal, IMHO. If only Austermann had such a good color selection as Opal.
What distracted me from starting the next Austermann sock? Well, the Van Gogh Collection from Opal, of course (a restock of colors coming in a couple days, for those who want all 8). I'm knitting the Sunflowers colorway above right now, and am already to the heel, which is quick or me after only a few hours of knitting. I'm doing my simple vanilla sock, very similar to this one, so it's easy to knit on at night while watching TV. I find that self-pattering socks are my quickest-to-finish projects because it's addictive to see the color develop. I feel compelled to knit just one more row.. then another... then it's midnight and I have half a sock finished.
I'm using the new Cubics needles, and I'm enjoying them. I've knit my last several pairs of socks on Kollage double points, which are the aluminum square needles. Cubics are similar in shape, but they are made of wood. At first, I thought they seemed flimsy b/c I'm so used to metal. But after knitting one-and-a-half socks with the Cubcis, I'm surprised at how durable they are- not flimsy at all. They haven't bent at all yet, and I usually find that with bamboo needles they start to bend or warp after the first sock (I'm a bit tight on the gusset and toe, so I think it bends the needles prematurely). I really like that these seem warmer than cold metal needles. And the lesser price is very nice too. If you haven't given these a try yet, they are certainly worth the money, in my opinion.
January 25, 2012
Confetti Confection
It's been a whirlwind around here for a week- boxes coming in and boxes going out. So nutty, but in a good way! Here's a reward for tolerating my blog silence- a sneak peak of what's in the Valentine Kit! I snapped this quickly, but will have more photos next week.
I adore the combo of this yarn and pattern. Claudia dyed up exactly what I was envisioning for this year's sweet color. Named Confetti Confection, this Valentine-inspired colorway is a true original from Claudia's Handpainted Yarn. The pattern shown here (designedspecifically to go with this color) was designed by Lara Neel, a local knitter and designer, and my favorite part is how the two rows of hearts end at the toe with one heart in the middle. Oh so sweet.
The kit, which include the yarn and pattern and other surprises, will go on sale the beginning of February, and I'll definitely post here when it does.
January 20, 2012
If snowflakes were yarn skeins....
.... I'd be much happier and warmer.
After a day's break, the snow continues. Which makes it perfect knitting weather, don't ya think? Afterall, this is just begging to be knit up.
If you haven't snagged something awesome from the Van Gogh Collection, now's the time, as it just went up this morning. These are colors that you haven't seen in self-pattering yarn before. And while the photos of the yarn are lovely, they don't do the depth of color justice. In the photo above, you can't really see the beauty of the terra cotta/melon color, which is my favorite part of the ball. The colors, to me, seem much more vivid in the ball than they do in a 2D image.
Regardless of the weather, we will still have store hours tomorrow, Saturday Jan. 21 from 10-4. The weather may be snowy, but there are SO MANY packages that need to get out to door to you all that I and my little crew-of-two will be working all day to get those out to you. I hope you make it into the store, and if not Ih ope you have a warm and safe weekend, wherever you are!
January 18, 2012
Dozens
Yesterday, 22 large boxes of yarn arrived.... from a single company. When I heard the beep of the UPS truck backing up to the delivery doors, I was already prepared for a big shipment, but even I was stunned by the amount of yarn that came through the door. I was too busy to get a picture, but it was a sight to see becuase the UPS truck was 1/4 full of yarn. For my small store. Woah. It's a good thing we have a large, two story warehouse area.
Thankfully, I have a very accomodating UPS guy who stacked all the boxes in nice rows in a single layer, since they are too heavy for me to lift off in my *delicate* state. ahem. He told me he was very worried I wouldn't be in yet that morning, and he wouldn't be able to do his other deliveries, since my shipment blocked everything else.
What's in all the boxes? Take a look at the sale section, and you'll see. It's dozens of new colors of Online Supersocke at a really fabulous discount. 4-ply fingering weights (some with aloe and jojoba) and 6-ply DK weights (again, some with aloe and jojoba), bright stripes and subdued manly colors, and even a cotton stretch collection. So if you want to snag some wonderful yarn at half off, now's the time, as I haven't had this in stock for over a year.
Online Supersocke is one of those fun-to-knit workhorse yarns- you can definitely machine wash and dry your finished socks, which makes them perfect for gifting. Mary, who has worked for me for years, has feet the same size as all the sample socks Online sends, and she wears these Online Supersocke socks everyday (she has many, many pairs she's collected over the years) and they get no special treatment. They still look nearly new- some of them 4 years old.
For those of you who pre-ordered the Van Gogh collection, it will ship on Friday. The single balls of the collection will be up on the website on Thursday or Friday, so if you didn't need a whole collection, then you'll want to snag the particular colors you'd like then. If you see colors you like sell out, I do hope to be able to get more in a few weeks, if it's still available.
If you're coming to the store on Saturday, you'll see I've set aside some space for the Girl Scouts to set up a table and sell their tasty cookies. From 11-1 on Saturday, Jan. 21 you are welcome to buy some cookies along with your yarn... I've already bought FIVE BOXES, which is many more than I usually do. But I think they are good for growing a baby. Even though the lemon-sized baby is much smaller than the mass of all the cookie's I've eaten. Don't tell me otherwise. The coconut caramel ones (now called Caramel Delites) are my faves (and I just had to stop typing, get up and go eat one), with Thin Mints pulling in second. Which are you helpless to refuse?
January 16, 2012
Opal's New Van Gogh Sock Yarn Collection
I'm so excited by this collection! Opal has chosen 8 of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings as inspiration for their newest collection of self-pattering sock yarn, and each colorway seems more stunning than the next. Really, this is going to be one addictive knit for me. I already find self patterning socks to be the quickest project I finish because I'm very motivated to just knit to the next color in the progression, and then just the next, and then the next... it's an addictive process that I know will just be made even more so than the colors of Van Gogh's artwork.
The entire collection arrives in a few short days, and since so many of you have expressed interest in making sure you get the whole collection, I'm allowing preorders for the whole collection. By ordering the entire 8-ball collection you don't pay $136- instead you get the whole thing at 10% off the $17-per-ball price (plus free US shipping), and your yarn will ship on Friday, Jan. 20. That way, you don't have to worry about trying to order quickly when I sell each color individually, trying to get one of each in your shopping cart before one or more of the colors sell out.
I have a specific number of 8-ball collections, so that there's also plenty leftover for those who want to order single balls instead of the whole package. So if you just want one or two balls of a color, that will be available on the website later this week. For now, preordering is only available for the whole collection.
January 12, 2012
First project of 2012
Thank you so much for your kind comments and e-mails about our growing family! It's been hard to keep quiet about it, as this pregnancy is such a wonderfully welcome development. I'm just so happy that everything is going well and the baby and I are healthy. I'm not nearly as tired as I remember being with James, but I don't think I have the luxury of being tired this time around. When I was pregnant with James, I had a more flexible schedule and could rest as needed. But having a super busy store and energetic four year old doesn't really allow me to collapse on the couch. Boo hoo.
I had a few questions about what the Valentine Kit will bring this year, and most related to yarn. Last year I featured Tanis Fiber Arts in a rosy granite color. This year I'm focusing on more traditional Valentine colors, and I think you'll really like Claudia's interpretation. You might remember that one of the kits for the holidays featured a speckled color designed by Claudia Handpainted Yarns. This kit sold in just a couple hours, leaving many of you without those festive dotted skeins. So I asked Claudia to dye up a Valentine-inspired dotted colorway so that more of us could snag one this time. Heck, I didn't even get any of the Christmas Cheer colorway!
The kit will also feature a sock pattern that and some awesome stitch markers, and I'll show all these to you in late January or early February. I expect to put the kits up for sale the first week of February, so you'll have a few days to look at the kit and decide if you want one before I post here and in the newsletter that they are available. It's smart to prepare to snag one because last year's Valentine kit sold out in less than 6 hours.
So as the title promised, let me show off my first project of 2012! My ability to finish a project seemed to be hampered by the busy season and pregnancy, so I decided that the way to fix that was to knit a project that I usually get finished in a timely manner. A self-patterning sock. I find self striping and patterning yarns to be addictive- watching the colors develop as I knit makes me want to just knit another row... then another.. and before you know it I have half a sock finished in just a day. Of course, nothing else gets accomplished around the house, but the sock sure looks great!
This is color 184 from Austermann Step's newest collection, Color Block. Austermann Step is infused with aloe and jojoba, and so I was interested to see if I really would notice a difference between it and a similar yarn like Opal, but one that isn't treated with those soothing oils. I don't notice a difference as the yarn slides through my fingers, but I certainly do feel a difference as I hold and feel the finished fabric. The soothing effects are supposed to last several dozen washes, so I'm looking forward to seeing how different these feel on my feet.
I'm knitting these for myself, using this pattern, and I chose the color because I don't typically choose ones with black in them. But my wardrobe is in great need of socks that I can wear with black, and I really like that black is incorporated in this sock, but not in a big way. Please note that the color is very slightly off in this photo- some of the black has a more blue tinge.
January 10, 2012
Valentine's Day is coming...
...which means Valentine kit planning is in full swing! Now I'll be honest and tell you that this was causing me a bit of trouble. Usually I start planning kits several months in advance. Afterall, it can take three months just to have bags made, and just as long to get in thequeue for dyers. And let's not even discuss the wrench that can be thrown if stitch markers or accessories are hand made in another country, get routed to Australia instead of the US, and end up there for months. Ugh. It's a delicate balance.
This year, I forgot about Valentine's Day. So I've pulled in some favors- luckily I know some awesomely acomodating and understanding people in the fiber industry, and they are making some superb things for this year's kit. I found that just being honest with my predicament is helping quite a bit. Why did I forget about Valentine's Day? I'm blaming it on Baby Brain.
Yep, Joe and I are adding a new little one to our family in early summer. James is very excited about having a brother or sister- I think he expects that he'll have an immediate playmate- he's in for a shocker! This pregnancy hasn't been nearly as easy as I remember my first one being, but of course that was five years ago... perhaps time makes one forget? I'm much more uncomfortable, queasy and unmotivated than I remember being. I'm easily distracted and uninterested in food. And I'm blaming it all on the pregnancy!
So, I guess you can expect the blog to be a bit baby-centric over the coming months as I try and find time to knit baby items (who am I kidding- I only had time to knit one hat for James), poll you for baby name ideas, share my latest craving (whoopie pies!!) and generally grouse about how I'm feeling. I keep telling myself that since I'm into my second trimester now, I should be feeling much better soon. Right? RIGHT?!
January 06, 2012
Winners of the 12 Days of Sock Yarn
Thanks for celebrating the 12 Days of Sock Yarn with me! We had double the participants this year than the previous years, which made it really fun to read and learn about so many of you. I'm so glad so many of you shared your memories of the holidays and your favorite things about knitting. I received many e-mails this year about how many of you enjoyed reading all the responses to questions- how you got so much inspiration for your knitting and celebrating, and how you feel you have some much in common with sock knitters that you'll likely never meet. Very cool.
I used a random number generator to come up with the winners for each day. If you were a winner, you've just received an e-mail from me- if you are a local knitter, I'll hold your yarn here for you to pick up one one of our open days. If you are not in the area, I'll ship it to the address you provide. Time to announce the winners!
On the first day of sock yarn I asked: What have you knit with sock yarn, other than socks, in 2011 that you have adored?
Jennifer C. says: Other than socks, I have knit and not finished a scarf (the one you took a picture of) and a pair of fingerless mitts...Fitz: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fitz-4 with dream in color smooshy with cashmere in wicked royal: http://www.simplysockyarn.com/servlet/Detail?no=4793
On the second day of sock yarn I asked: Did you knit a baby item for yourself or someone else this year? If so, what was it?
Elizabeth answered: This has been A VERY busy year for baby knits! I have knit booties and hats and I am almost done with my ,due in 2 weeks ,grandson's sweater and blanket! The time is running out but thank goodness you still had Sassy Stripes left in your store!!!! Next year I hope to be doing alot of pink knitting!
On the 3rd day of sock yarn I asked: Do you anticipate challenging yourself with a particular knitting or crochet techique in 2012?
Catherine answered: I have seen beautiful Celtic patterns with the knots and long interwoven ropes...I would love to try those on something that is not as huge as a sweater. Maybe try it on gloves or a vest or a tote bag. But they really speak to me, and I would like to see if I can make the yarn and my brain work together.
On the 4th day of sock yarn I asked: Have you knit any dk weight socks this year?
Ruth answered: I have not created any socks with dk weight yarn. But, next year will be the year.
On the 5th day of sock yarn I asked: Do you decorate a tree this time of year?
Deetyblue answered: We decorate a tree, with crafted and gifted ornaments. My favorite ones are the family ornaments, the first ones were just for my husband and me (Marge & Homer, Kermit & Miss Piggy), now that we've got kids we get the recordable ornaments and have the kids sing. So fun to rediscover every year!
On the 6th day of sock yarn I asked: What's the best knitted or crocheted gift you've received?
Melanie answered: My son loves the blankie his Aunt made him. He wraps up in it every night. It makes my heart happy since she is so very far away. :)
On the 7th day of sock yarn I asked: Did you participate in a KAL this year, or attend a sit-and-knit? Tell us about a way that you shared your love of knitting with a group this year.
Elizabeth S. answered: I've never participated in a KAL, but that might be fun. this last year, I've taken a few knitting classes, so I am busy trying to finish a sweater from my last class.
On the 8th day of sock yarn I asked: How many projects did you knit or crochet in 2011?
Julie answered: Haha! I can probably count on one hand the number that I "finished." The ones I "started" is a whole other matter. It's probably a little less than I usually do, but not by much.
On the 9th day of sock yarn I asked: How do you store your stashed yarn?
Cyndy C. answered: Most of my stash is in Rubbermaid tubs in the closet of our spare bedroom.I should get it up on Ravelry.
On the 10th day of sock yarn I asked: What book did you most enjoy reading this past year?
Wendy answered: Still plowing through game of thrones. It's loooooong.
On the 11th day of sock yarn I asked: How long have you been knitting or crocheting? Who taught you and have you taught others?
Jill G. answered: A neighbor taught me to crochet when I was twelve. I taught myself to knit in college but didn't do more than scarves until about four years ago. That was when I knit my first pair of socks; I haven't stopped knitting since.
On the 12th day of sock yarn I asked: Tell us about a favorite Christmas/holiday/winter tradition that you have started for your family or one that your own parents did with you.
Stephanie answered: Christmas candy (english toffee and chocolate covered peanut butter balls) and chex mix. Nothing like food to make a memorable holiday!
January 03, 2012
January 01, 2012
Dream Club, January 2012
It's that rare weekend post! Dream in Color's Dream Club selection for January is available today, and I know that many of you wanted to see it asap, especially since DIC didn't release one in December. When the link stops working, that means it's gone. But if you missed out on the November color (which many did b/c it went quickly), check back in a few days b/c I was able to snag a bit more of it.
This selection is dyed on their newer sock yarn base, Everlasting 12-ply. It's a durable and soft dk weight yarn, and the way it takes dye gives it an ultra-saturated look. This color is one that you'll want to take outside to see the depth of color- as soon as it hits the natural light, the deeply vivid blues and greens pop out of what looks like a duller blue/black in artificial lighting. I took the photo ot this skein on an overcast day outside, and it really reflects the color nicely. Veronica, the mastermind of color at DIC, tells me that she didn't fully appreciate the depth of color until she knit the hat above. She said the knitted fabric really shows off the changing of the colors in this deeply colored skein. It's definitely one I'm putting in my stash so I can experience it myself.
The accompanying pattern is a beanie hat design- wonderful for this time of year. But the color would be equally lovely in a pair of socks, and would even make not-so-boring men's socks. It's one of those colors that would be a nice one even for someone who is somewhat affraid of color.
December 28, 2011
Back in the Swing
We're getting back in the swing of things here after a long holiday weekend. Deliveries are going to be rushing in the door, and all your post-holiday shopping packages will be leaving just as quick. I can tell many of you were gifted yarn dollars this year- especially Canadians! The week following Christmas is always a busy time for us as sock knitters spend their gifted cash on tasty yarn.
So here's what you don't want to miss out on later this week- MALABRIGO. I expect a huge shipment tomorrow, replenishing all but one color of Sock, and nearly all the colors of (new to us) Arroyo, a sport weight option which would be perfect for thicker socks, scarves, garments or baby items. Like Sock, it's very soft and machine washable, and it has great yardage (well over 300 yards for $18.50). I hope to get it up for you on Friday on the website, and Sock could be up as early as Thursday. You'll find a handful of colors on the website now, but a couple dozen in a few days.
If you're like me, you've become addicted to Kollage's square needles. But I know that many of you also like knitting with wood needles, so I have for you the new Cubics from Knitters Pride. These are the same shape as the Kollage square needles but are wood- very smooth to the touch and a bit less expensive than Kollage's version. Both are quite nice, but I know you all like options. Also take a look at Knitters Pride's Dreamz double points- each size is a different color so you can easily pick out your needles if you're like me and have them all jumbled in a glass vase.
We'll be having lots of family in town this week, so I doubt I'll be posting again til next week. I'll try and post the winners of the 12 Days of Sock Yarn then- I know you want to know if you are a winner. But your orders will still be shipped quickly and the store will be open to shoppers on Saturday the 31st (for short hours from 10-2). Here are a few pictures of our holiday fun- first, a cookie swap I hosted. It was fun to bake a few dozen cookies, swap 'em up, and then leave with many different types to try. Second, James' picture with Santa this year. I think he was sick of the long line!
December 24, 2011
12th Day of Sock Yarn
On the 12th Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...
my own set of sock-sized Knitters Pride Dreamz!
To have a chance at the newest line of needles that I've added to the store in sizes US 0-2.5 (5 sets!), just answer the following question in the comments section below:
Tell us about a favorite Christmas/holiday/winter tradition that you have started for your family or one that your own parents did with you. Does it involve wearing matching hand knit sweater to church? What about a special breakfast that you can't live without? Did you start an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party or Pub Crawl in your area that has become a big hit with your friends (this was a hit in my goup of friends this year)?
I like asking this question because each year I get such wonderful ideas from you. The first year I asked this, one of you told me that each Christmas Eve you give your kids and husband special pj's to wear on Christmas morning. Not only do the kids get to stop pestering you about opening up a present early, but then you can also control how nice they look in Christmas pictures because you've just gifted them something new and not in rags! VERY SMART. This picture shows James' second Christmas from several years ago.
One of you also told me that each year you use your kid's school picture and turn it into an ornament- either by ordering a nice one online or simply by inserting it into an inexpensive frame ornament. Each year when you decorate the tree, you get to look back at how your kids have changed and remember where you all started. I love that idea, and again, it's something I totally want to start when James' starts school in another year or so.
Each year, we buy one or two special blown glass ornaments while we are away on vacation or visiting friends or family. It's kind of a souvenier of the trip, and each year we decorate the tree or mantle with these, we can remember where we were when we purchased them. Right now, we have so few that they certainly can't cover a tree, so they live on the mantle. But I hope that in a few decades, we have enough to put a pretty little tree up in the foyer that's covered with these little works of art.
Joe, James and I have a special breakfast each Christmas morning. It's the one time of year I make cinnamon rolls (I used to buy the canned rolls, but last year started making these) and I serve them with fresh Jamison's bacon (a local butcher shop) and a fruit salad. We do this every year, and I'd better get on making the dough for the rolls!
So I'll leave you now for a few days to enjoy the lack of snow (at least in our parts- odd) and the abundance of family and friends. Joe, James and I have a lot to celebrate this year, and YOU are all a big part of it. Next year is going to bring big change in a wonderful way, and I'll definitely be sharing all the details as they come. I'll be going blog-silent until Tuesday, but I'll see you again here (or in the store as we are open on Tuesday for you to spend all those in-store gift certificates!) next week. I wish you a very happy weekend!
December 23, 2011
11th Day of Sock Yarn
On the 11th Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...
the Santa's Little Helper color bundle from this year's holiday kit.
While the kits are gone, I do have a few more of the yarn sets if you'd just like that- you're welcome to e-mail me at service@simplysockyarn.com if you'd like to buy one before they are gone for good. But to have a chance at winning this never-to-be redyed 100g skein and 30g skein of yarn dyed by Black Trillium Fiber Studio, just answer the following question in the comments section below:
How long have you been knitting or crocheting? Who taught you and have you taught others? What about fiber arts inspires you to continue longterm?
My grandma Eloise taught me to knit when I was in grade school. I knit for a bit, and then gave up on it until after college. It was the lure of awesome yarn that got me knitting again- there are just so many gorgeous yarns that I couldn't resist at least giving it a try again. And. I. Was. Hooked. I haven't been without a project on the needles for 10 years, and I see no end to my healthy obsession. I don't see knitting as a fad or a trend. I see it as a big part of my life. I'm a Knitter with a capital K and I always will be.
I take great pride in the pieces I produce and knitting is my hobby and my biggest source of relaxation. There's nothing quite like popping down on my comfy couch and knitting a plain-ol-vanilla sock while watching TV. For me, it's my meditation, a show of love to myself and others, and a way to warm my body. I feel like everyone could be become a Knitter, if they had someone to inspire them.
