Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

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!

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!

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.

10th Day of Sock Yarn

On the 10th Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

a skein of limited edition Smooshy!

To have a chance to win this Rapunzel's Rose color that Dream in Color dyed specially to commemorate the opening of our new space this past August (the color matches the 1940's wall tile!), just answer the following question in the comments section below:

What book did you most enjoy reading this past year?  Was it a knitting book?  What about a recipe or cookbook?  How about a series that you really enjoyed?  And if you didn't have a chance to read anything, you're welcome to simply tell us that.

The books that I really enjoyed reading this past year was the Hunger Games series, and I read all of them in just 10 days.  I'm all about an easy read that allows me to visualize vivid landscapes and action, and that series definitely fit the bill. I'm really looking foward to the first movie coming out this spring too.

9th Day of Sock Yarn

On the 9th Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

my choice of colors from the newest Opal collection.

To have a chance at whatever color you'd like from the new Graffiti Collection of self-patterning sock yarn, just answer the following question in the comments section below:

How do you store your stashed yarn?  Do you use the popular IKEA cubes so you can see everything in one glance?  Or perhaps utilize under-the-bed storage in plastic bins?  Have you just started collecting yarn, so have your skeins displayed on the table?  Perhaps you are like me, and have it stashed various places- a little here, a little there.  Do you use any herbs or sachets to cover the scent of the wool for moths?

I have some of my precious skeins in the back room at the store.  It got sent along with other things when we moved the store in August and I just haven't brough the lovlies home yet.  I also have quite a bit stashed in the entertainment cabinet in our family room, and a bit in my closet.  I think it would be smart to have it all in one place so I can easily pick what I want to knit and when- perhaps that's something to go on the to-do list in 2012.

For those of you who are fans of Opal like I am, you'll be quite happy to hear that the first collection released in 2012 is set to be the Van Gogh Collection.  Opal has developed 8 colorways based on 8 of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings, and I already have my eye on the whole collection.  Like the Harry Potter collection a few years ago, I know this one will be super popular, so I've ordered a huge amount for everyone.  Even though it's still likely to sell quickly, I do believe I have enough on order for all of us, and if you are on the e-newsletter list or read this blog regularly, you'll know as soon as it's available (when I talked to the Opal distributor for an update yesterday, their estimate was early February).  I'll definitely be knitting one of these as soon as they arrive.  It's a must knit.

8th Day of Sock Yarn

On the 8th Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

a limited edition skein of Kidazzle sock yarn dyed by Fleece Artist for the last SSYC Sock Yarn Club.  To have a chance at this special skein, simply answer the following question in the comments section below:

How many projects did you knit or crochet in 2011?  You're welcome to estimate it, if you like- you don't need to be dead-on accurate.  Is the amount of projects you completed normal for you?  Or did you knit more or less than usual?

In 2010, I knit more than I did in 2011.  And since 2010 was the year of knitting only for myself, my full sock drawer is a wonderful reminder of putting myself first for awhile.  But walking into my store in the morning is more of a reminder of where I spent my knitting time in 2011.  While I have completed a half dozen sock and non-sock projects, the single socks I've knit for display far outnumber my finished projects.  This year, I spent so much time with the restoration of our 1948 post office turned (3500 sq ft!) sock yarn store, so not as much time knitting.  I'm thinking that in 2012 I'll be focusing on adding some other projects to my repetoir- perhaps a few more baby items knit with sock yarn and a pair of cashmere gloves.  But for me, socks are such the perfect project that I don't see myself branching out long term. 

After yesterday's prize from one of the past sock yarn clubs, I received several e-mails about more info about the club.  As usual, there's a lot of interest, so I decided to feature a special club yarn for today too!  This skein is called American Gothic, and it's from the Masterpiece Series that was the theme of the club earlier this year.  Fleece Artist created the colorway as their spin on the famous painting, and I adore it.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the SSYC Sock Yarn Club, they are usually a 3-month subscription based on a theme.  Sign ups will begin in the new year, so if you are interested, I recommend signing up for the e-newsletter. 

Want to read the full deatils/rules of the 12 Days of Sock Yarn?  Click here.

7th Day of Sock Yarn

On the 7th Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

a special edition skein of Sweet Georgia Silk Crush.

This skein is from a past SSYC Sock Yarn Club- we typically do two 3-month clubs a year, and I'm hoping to have sign ups for the next one soon.  If you want to get in the club, make sure to sign up for the SSYC newsletter so you're notified when sign ups begin.  To win this super-sized (150 gram!), never to be redyed Midnight Sky skein from the SSYC sock yarn club, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Did you particilate in a Knitalong (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.  And if you didn't, tell us if you'd like to and just haven't found the right one, or if you're just not a group knitter or crocheter.

This year, I didn't particilate in an online KAL that I can remember.  I've done a few sock exchanges in the past and I'd definitely do another one, but haven't for a few years.  But I did do a first for me last week, and that was participate in a knitting group.  I have never found the time, especially on a weekend when that's typically family time, to come into town (we live in a rural area) and join other knitters to chat and stitch.  It was a nice change of pace, sitting with a half dozen ladies and sharing coffee and chatting while knitting away, and I can see myself doing it again when time allows.

Want to read the full details/rules of the 12 Days of Sock Yarn?  Click here.

6th Day of Sock Yarn

On the 6th Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

 a Fleece Artist Thrummed Mitten/Sock Kit in the Mahogany colorway.

To have a chance at this kit, complete with patterns, yarn and fleece for super warm socks or mittens, simply answer the following question in the comments section below:

What's the best knitted or crocheted gift you've received?  Was it a special baby blanket that kept your newborn warm and cozy on cool nights?  What about a striking scarf that got you so many compliments that you wore it out as much as possible?  And if you can't remember receiving such a gift, what about any handmade gift that was memorable?

I've received some lovely knitted gifts over the past years (some of them for James- you all rock!), yet the most memorable gifts I've received are from Joe.  As you may know, he's a potter, but he also is very good at wood working.  He made the mug that I drink from every day, and he also made our first bed and our first china cabinet.  He even learned to cut glass so that he could inset some glass windows into the cabinet. Oh, and he also created the crib and changing table for James- it's a set that I'm sure we'll use with future kids and also pass down.  It's quite precious.  These wonderful things Joe has made each have a memory and I love that he took the time to create special furniture for our family.

Want to read the full details/rules of the 12 Days of Sock Yarn?  Click here.

 

5th Day of Sock Yarn

On the 5th Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

one recently rediscovered skein of Prism yarn from the Yarns on Stage event in 2010.

To have a chance at this skein of sock yarn-a-liciousness, just answer the following question in the comments section below:

Do you decorate a tree this time of year?  If so, tell us if you prefer traditional colors and decorations that you've collected over the years, or if you like a more matchy-matchy tree that coordinates with your particular decor.  Or what about a theme?  If you don't decorate a tree this time of year, tell us about your favorite winter decoration- do you like berry wreathes?  Or perhaps just the clean, white snow that covers a formerly muddy landscape?

Our tree is decorated with a combination of Hallmark ornaments that I received every year of my life, along with some that James created, and very old glass balls.  Some of the glass balls came from my grandma, which means they are quite delicate and decades old, which I think makes an oddly interesting contrast to the hardened dough oranments James brings home from preschool.  I'd call this a "family tree"- nearly every ornament has an memory.  There's no star on the top, as the tree we chose is taller than our ceiling allowed.  This is evidenced by the brown scrapes on the ceiling when I told Joe "oh, it will fit once it's stood up all the way- just DO IT,"  Yeah, didn't make sense then either.  We have both wilte twinkle lights and colored lights all over the tree.  Sometimes we put up a 4 foot tall silver tree out too, and we have a bunch or fun retro ornaments for it, and pink lights, but I don't think that's going to happen this year.

Fourth Day of Sock Yarn

On the 4th Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

a special test skein of Lorna's Laces Solemate 4ply!

To have a chance at this very special skein from the test batch of this new yarn (details below), simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Have you knit any dk weight socks this year?  If so, tell us what yarn/s and pattern/s.  If not, tell us why.  And if you're thinking about it, give this combo a try.  Really, you will adore it.  And if you like self-patterning yarns, this collection has been very popular this month.

A few weeks ago, Lorna's Laces revealed to me that they are in the development stages for a DK weight version of their super popular Solemate sock yarn- you know, the only one available with Outlast fiber that was developed for NASA for temp and moisture control.  The Solemate we all love is a 3-ply fingering weight yarn (and I'd consider it to be on the light side of fingering weight), and Lorna's Laces asked their mill to spin up a batch of 4-ply, to see if it would work as a DK.  It turned out to be just a bit heavier fingering weight, but not a true dk weight, so they offered the entire batch to me at a great discount, and I'm passing it right along to you in the Sale Section.  The yarn would retail at $26, but I have it for you for only $18.20 a skein.  I know, a great price for high quality, hand dyed sock yarn.

Here's the one catch- because they dyed small amounts of each color, I'm offering it as a Potluck.  You choose either Multicolor Potluck or Nearly Solid Potluck, and the SSYC crew will choose the specific color that goes in your box.  Now, you're welcome to come in the store on Saturday (Dec. 17 from 10-5) and choose for yourself, but because I know at this price it will sell very quickly, it's not feasible to put one or two of a color on the website.  That's just ripe with mayhem and foolishness.  Instead, you choose either a multicolor or a nearly solid, and we surprise you with the particular color.  Make sense?  Go here for nearly solids, and here for multicolors.  If the link stops working, then you know it's gone for good.  But rest assured, when Lorna's Laces actually releases their Solemate DK, I'll be carrying it for you in the store.... but not at 30% off like this batch.  This is a special holiday treat.

Want to read the full details/rules of the 12 Days of Sock Yarn?  Click here.

Third Day of Sock Yarn

On the Third Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

a skein of Sweet Georgia's CashLuxe Fine in the color of my choice.

To have a chance an whatever color you'd like, simply answer the following question in the comments section below:

Do you anticipating challenging yourself with a particular knitting or crochet technique in 2012?  Or perhaps learn to tat lace?  Any classes or workshops you're planning to help you expand your knitting knowledge?

There are many technique I'd like to brush up on or learn.  Intarsia and argyle socks are on the top of my list, and I'd also like to give the double knitting method a go.  Having the store's new home open a day a week to the public has really inspired me to learn more.  So many of you come in with such wonderful projects and I can se how much pride you feel in what you've created.  And while my projects are typically pretty vanilla (not exciting, but relaxing), I think that once in awhile it would be nice to give a try to something new.

2nd Day of Sock Yarn

On the Second Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

the Bees Knees Knits pattern of my choice.

To have a chance at the design of your choice, simply answer the following question in the comments section below:

Did you knit a baby item for yourself or someone this year?  If so, what was it?  Do you have specific requirements for what makes a wonderful gift for a wee one?

I didn't knit one baby garment this year.  No blankets, no hats, nothing.  Perhaps that will change this year, because this pattern is just too adorable.  Sock yarn is perfect for baby garments- not only because it's soft enough to wear against the skin on a regular basis, but it washes and holds up to wear very well.  And like the self-patterning yarns commonly used in the Bees Knees pattern line, the garments are small enough to still show off the striping or patterning of the yarn.

Want to read the full details of the 12 Days of Sock Yarn?  Click here.

1st Day of Sock Yarn

On the First Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

a skein of Schaefer Anne in the Hermione colorway.

To have a chance at this super soft skein, simply answer the following question in the comments section below:

What have you knit with sock yarn, other than socks, in 2011 that you have adored?  A particular lightweight sweater?  A lacey scarf?  Or mitts?  If you have a link, please share.  If you've only knit socks this year, that's fine too, just tell us in the comments.

I'm currently knitting the Creekbed Scarf from Knitty using Madelinetosh Merino Light and while it's slow going (441 stitches in a row makes it seem like there's little progress) it's going to be an awesome scarf when it is finished. But at this pace it will be a few months before it's done.  I also want to use the leftover yarn to knit some striped mitts to match the scarf.

Want to read the full details of the 12 Days of Sock Yarn?  Click here.

12 Days of Sock Yarn, 2011

Woo hoo!  It's that time of year!  For the third time, we're celebrating the 12 Days of Sock Yarn at Simply Socks Yarn Company!  From Dec. 13 through Dec. 24 you have a chance to win a special knitterly gift each day.  Could be yarn, could be accessories, and it will definitely be awesome.

How can you join in?   Simply visit the SSYC Blog every day from Dec. 13 through the 24th and answer the question in the comments section before the following day's question is post (the comments will be closed on that post once the next day is up).  You'll automatically be entered to win the gift for that day.  If you participate each day, you'll have a dozen chances to win (one chance each day).  And yes, you can win more than one day!

You don't have to participate in any particular holiday to win anything- you just have to want some awesome free yarn or goodies.  I'll post winners likely in early January, and you'll also get an e-mail if you are a winner.

Are there any questions (knitting or not) you'd like to see asked one of the 12 days?  Tell me in the comments below, and I'll add them to the contest, which starts tomorrow. 

This weekend, I feel like I got so much accomplished, holiday-wise.  I've been feeling under the weather, so I didn't have the energy to do the usual cutting of the tree, so we bought one.  It's now fully decorated and awesome, and I even have some presents bought and wrapped.  That's a big thing for me- usually I'm buying and wrapping until the last day.  So I feel ahead of the game for once, and that's a great feeling.

End of the week

It's a been one of those odd weeks- I feel like I'm constantly working, yet nothing really seems to be getting done.  Do you have those kind of days/weeks?  I think there's just so much else going on around here that the work is happening in such odd increments that things don't get done in a lump sum, but instead in little spurts.  It reminds me of having a baby around- when NOTHING seems to be getting done around the house, but you're constantly left exhausted and wondering "where did all the fricken time go?"

Add to that the snow, which while beautiful, certainly does make a mess of things.  But it makes for good knitting weather.  I'm still knitting on the Creekbed Scarf, and just like me week, it seems to not be making much progress.  It's knit in one long 441 stitch row, so even if I knit for an hour, I really just get two rows out of it.  So I have about two inches to show for it and hope that sometime by spring I'll actually be able to wear it.  Ha!

But I do have some lovely yarn to share with you next week- Dream in Color, news from Opal, Lorna's Laces (with something special to share), and Unique Sheep.  Yum.

How was your week? 

 

Observations

I've been thinking about my hand knit socks a lot lately.  Since I gave up on sandals in early Nov (What?!  It was warm here til then!  Really!), I've worn only hand knit socks- no store bought ones.  Since knitting only for myself in 2010, I now have a drawer full of perfectly fitting hand knit socks.  I have a wide array of colors, styles and fibers, and I've enjoyed seeing which ones hold up the best and which ones are the most comfortable.

Of all the socks I've knit, the ones that have held up the best, with little or no pilling or fuzziness and no color loss after dozens of machine washes (air drying) are Trekking XXL (color 126 is what I wear), Opal (in several lines including Hundertwasser shown below, Feelings, Antonia), and Alchemy's Juniper (Vintage Jade).  I'm super impressed with the Opal colors, because I tend to choose the brightest colors from their lines with greens, reds and hot pinks, and the colors have held their intensity over dozens of washes.

It seems the same with Trekking XXL, but the color I chose wasn't very bright, so I can't tell if it's faded much over time.  It seems not to have though.  But the sock has a large portion of white/natural, and the colors definitely have not bled into the white over time.  Very good.  And Alchemy's Juniper (shown below in Vintage Jade and Underwater Moonlight) still has fabulous stitch definition after many washes and wears- so much so that I now have one of the socks on display in the store next to a never-worn Alchemy sock, just to show that the two still look the same, even though one has been through many washes/wears.  These are yarns that I know I can definitely gift to anyone and know that no matter how they are washed, my hard work will still be appreciated.

When it comes to the hand dyed colors and luxury fibers I carry and have knit, I've found that they have all held up quite well.  Fleece Artist/Hand Maiden Casbah was the first cashmere blend sock yarn to be widely available, and it's continued to be one of the most popular.  The socks I knit from SSYC's Anniversary kit in 2010 have held up wonderfully.  They have a slightly fuzzy halo and the bottoms are a bit felted, but I think that's to be expected of a sock yarn that doesn't have a tight twist.  They are among my most soft socks, and the color has not faded over the past year and a half of washing and wearing.  I have two pair of Cherry Tree Hill socks- one a solid teal, and one is the Herbs and Spices color of Fingerpaints (shown below).  I snagged the bottom of the teal socks, so I rarely wear them (I will sometimes fix them), but I wear the Fingerpaints socks often.  I have noticed some slight fading of the socks- one sock more than the other, which I can't explain because they came from the same 100g skein.

I've also been enjoying my three pairs of String Theory Colorworks Continuum striping yarn (sorry, none available til Caitlin moves and gets a new studio set up- early-mid 2012).  They are soft and colorful, and I loves me some stripes.  I noticed a bit of color bleeding from the red into the white stripes for the row where the two touch (for my Christmas socks), so I can't say I'd knit gift socks for someone if the yarn had a white stripe to it- I think I'd be scared that the color might bleed onto the white.  But for me, I love my three pairs of these socks and the stripes make me smile.

As far as gift socks go, I've knit Pagewood Farms Denali (shown above worn by the recipient), Fleece Artist Merino (at least 4 times for gifts, shown below in Amethyst worn by the recipient), Jojoland Melody Superwash, and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Nearly Solid, and I've seen the recipients wear them and they still look good.  These all made good gifts.

I've knit many other yarns for myself and gifts, and each sock yarn I've knit I've been happy with.  Some are softer, some hold up better, some still have intense color after years, but I do believe that each one has been worth my time and money.  The most important thing I've learned over the years is that if I really want my socks to last, I need to go down a needle size on the foot.  Getting a thick, dense fabric really makes a huge difference in how the socks wear over time.  I rarely (if ever?) knit the foot of a fingering weight sock on anything larger than a US 1, and often enough using a US 0. 

Looking forward

After 5 months of living in our new space, things are finally starting to calm down and we're getting into a groove.  I'm learning to delegate more, worry less, and I'm looking to the future and the growth that the new space allows.

What do you want to see in Simply Socks Yarn Company in 2012?  Though the spaces seems full, there really is potential for adding many more awesome sock-related items for you (and I).  Obviously, more yarn is a definite- but which lines?  Are there particular sock yarns you'd like to see in the store?  I'm staying true to my mission of providing sock-knitting (and crochet, of course, as it's seeing such a surge in popularity) related items for the discerning crafter, so I'm not necessarily looking for fiber-related ideas that don't relate to socks in some way.  What lines would you like to see me add to the store?  Is there something new that you think is a current must-have?  Or what about a tried-and-true yarn that you always want but can't seem to find when you need it?

What about needles?  Are there particular styles, woods/metals, lengths, sizes that you would like me to offer you?

How about pattern lines?  Now that I have more room, I'm looking forward to featuring more pattern designers in the store.  Who inspires you to keep on keepin' on?

With your help, I've been stocking the store with precious tidbits for over 6 years, and I've love your assistance in tailoring Simply Socks Yarn Company into the perfect sock yarn store for years to come.  I welcome short requests, but I'd really like some lengthy feedback on what you want (and don't want) in the store and why.  So I'm going to close the comments on this post so you can instead e-mail me at allison@simplysockyarn.com.  That way, you can be as honest as you want at length about any products that you think I should consider, or not.  Thanks for your ideas!