Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Oh, Halloween!

Yes, the Halloween kit sold out quickly- thank you so much!  But if you want one you can e-mail me at service@simplysockyarn.com to be waitlisted and possibly get one.  I'm going to put myself on that waitlist b/c I didn't even snag one for myself before they were gone!  I think that would be kinda mean to take one from one of you anyway.  But I might have considered being mean for this one.  heh.

Even if you missed out on the kit, I do have some fun things planned for October, celebrating "No Tricks, Just Treats!" all month long.  Contests, free goodies, general merriment.  And there's so much yarn coming in the next week that I don't even know where it's going to go.  I'm stocking up for your holiday knitting and gifting needs.

Henry is now 12 weeks old and is so fun and awesome.  He sleep pretty well at night, getting up just once to eat, if we're lucky.  Lately he's been super smiley and happy and likes when we go places in the evenings because he likes watching things that are going on around him.  The picture below shows Henry on the left, and James on the right.  Five years apart in the same little sleeper.  But James is about a month older than Henry in the same sleeper- Hank's a little Tank!

James is such a great big brother.  Joe and I each try to spend some fun alone time with him each week- going to play mini-golf, going to a movie, or an indoor amusement place- something special so that he's not getting our leftover attention all the time.  James has yet to show any jealousy or anything negative at all toward Henry.  He's the first person James runs to when Joe brings him home from preschool, and he's the last person he hugs (though a little to tightly!) at night.  I know that things have changed drastically for James- afterall, he was the only child for five years.  But he's handling it like a champ and is looking forward to a time, in only a couple short months, when his brother can sit on the floor and "play" with him.  I'm looking forward to that time too.  Seeing them together is an indescribable kind of awesome.

SSYC's Halloween Sock Knit Kit

SSYC's exclusive Halloween Sock Knit Kit.  You know you want it.

Why?  Because...

-Vickie at Bird Leg Bags stitched up an awesome sock project bag with glow-in-the-dark details.

-Rita at Yarn Hollow dyed up a wonderfully coordinating, Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun skein.

-Christy at Floops whipped up some unique, flexible stitch markers.

-Soak sent down their unscented luxury Handmaid hand cream to pamper your stitchin' fingers.

Talented artisans creating uniquely hand made goods for your Halloween treat.  That's why.

As always, the nature of these hand made items means that I can't get an unlimited supply- state laws won't allow me to chain these ladies in my basement to keep crafting me things.  So if you definitely want one, please don't hesitate to snag one- and if you are local, ordering online is still recommended.

Red Hot Mama Bag & Contest

Now this makes me want to crochet.  A combination of Madelinetosh's Tosh Sock and a super cool pattern.  How can you go wrong?

These bags were crocheted by Michelle, a fab local crafter who is the first person to really make me rethink my excuses for not yet learning to properly crochet- said in a whiny kid's voice, "But I like knitting," "I'll take on another hobby when I don't have to wake up to nurse and infant," "I don't want to be referred to as a hooker."

The top two images are Tosh Sock in Alizarin and Heuchera, and the bottom in Twain and Betty Draper Blues.  Michele even has two more options on the hook already for holiday gifts, so if you want some color suggestions for other options you may be considering, just e-mail me at service@simplysockyarn.com  if you need me to say that "YES, these go together," or "No, go with another idea."  While I know that most of you are comfortable choosing coordinating colors using your monitor, I know that it's helpful to also have someone who can tell you how they look in person before you place your online order.  You might also consider using Lorna's Laces in a Multicolor and Nearly Solid, or oh-my-goodness-how-cool Mini Mochi so that the granny squares slowly changed color from the inside to the outside.

So do you want a chance to win the Red Hot Mama Purse pattern?  Dawn Sparks, the pattern designer, is giving away this pattern to five lucky crafters who comment below.  Just tell me in the comments below what two colors you might like to combine in this pattern (use any of the above links to look, or go here for more yarn), and I'll randomly choose five people!   You can only leave one comment, and coments will be closed mid-day Thursday, so get crackin'.  I'll e-mail the winners a few days after the contest closes.  And if you want to get started on this pattern and don't want to take the chance that you won't win one, then you can go right to her Etsy shop to get it now.  Because if you already know how to crochet and you aren't making at least one of these for holiday gifts, then I think you're crazypants.  CRAZYPANTS, I tell you!

Want to win even more goodies?  Check back throughout October as we celebrate No Tricks, Just Treats- a month full of contests!

Here's the preview of the Halloween Kit, going on sale Tuesday!

Fleece Artist/Hand Maiden Casbah

New colors of Casbah and Merino.  You should really click on that picture of new-color-Nebula and see the close up- the way the colors mix and change from one to the next.  It's superb.

Next week is bringing a great contest and the ghoulish Halloween Sock Knit Kit!

Wizard Collection

If you want to snag single skeins of the Wizard Collection from Poste Yarn, now's your chance!

Just a tease of something I want to share next week... and a contest that will come with it.  Isn't crochet awesome?

I have so many wonderful fibery things to share in the coming weeks with new yarn/colors, Halloween kit, and fun projects, and I can't wait to get it all ready for you. But I think I'm going to try and make this a no-work weekend. I love what I do, so it's hard to make myself take even a whole day off.  But it's been awhile since we have done the breakfast/farmers market/relaxing Saturday, and now that little Henry is sleeping in larger (7 hour!) chunks, I feel like life is slowly returning to a new normal.  He's nearing 11 weeks old, and while the time is passing quickly, I'm glad for the changes that bring sleep in longer spans, quiet/happy dinners, tolerance of the car seat, and less than 5 hours a day spent feeding a wee one.  I even stayed up past 9pm last night for the first time in a loooooong time.

Have a fab weekend!

Poste Yarn, Wizard Series

Want to treat yourself to something super cool?  I've put together something awesome for Poste Yarn to celebrate this Halloween- what's better than paying tributeto our favorite wizarding houses from the beloved books?

Right now, you can find the Wizard Series from Poste Yarn- four hand dyed, self striping colors that are perfect for those of us who, like the Yarn Harlot, fancy ourselves more than mere muggles.  For those who definitely want to snag the whole collection of four colors, you can do that now.  That way you won't be left missing one or more colors if you try ordering some but they are already sold out.  If you want to purchase single skeins, that option will be available in about a week.

Colors shown below, clockwise from top left: Bravery, Knowledge, Loyalty, Ambition

And some of you pointed out after I previewed these, these colors also correspond to some sports teams, so would be the perfect gift knit for that spirited fan!

Each collection of four colors(one skein of each) comes with four full sized Poste Cards, as shown at the top.  You could mail one out to a knitter friend to say "hello!" or write care instructions on the back when gifting these socks to someone special.

Schoppel Wolle's New Zauberball 100

Zauberball has been super popular since its release several years ago.  I've carried it from the beginning and it's one of those yarns that's hard to keep in stock because so many fun patterns have been developed that really show it off.  Take a look at the Wingspan if you want to see what I mean. 

Zauberball is available in the first incarnation, simply called Zauberball, also Zauberball Crazy (two plies that give it a bit more variation) Zauberball Starke 6ply, and now Zauberball 100.  Zauberball 100 indicates 100% superwash wool, whereas the others have a bit of nylon content.  This makes the new line perfect for scarves, gloves, garments, or anything that you would prefer all-natural-goodness without a manmade fiber.  You don't need the nylon content if the item isn't going to be worn hard, so why include it?  And some knitters prefer 100% wool for socks anyway.  There are also some new color options in this line, so you should definitely take a look.

Something made me laugh out loud in the car today, because I could really relate.  I was listening to the radio, and a comedian was talking about how he and his wife had discussed spanking and whether or not it was something they would do.  So the wife says to her husband "Well, you wouldn't spank another adult for doing something you didn't like."  And he responded, "I would if he peed in my face!"

Thank you, thank you very much.

Dream in Color Contest

Are you a fan of Dream in Color and interested in winning some yarn?  Take a look at how you can win something lovely.  DIC just sent out this info today, so if you are interested in this contest and haven't yet purchased your skein, you can still take part by starting now.  Even though the first color was released 10 days ago, I do have a couple skein available now.

Click the link below to download the poster- it's easier to read that way, and that way you'll know the rules of the contest going forward.

Download DreamInColorContestPoster

Sentimental Saturday

Whether it be from hormones, a busy schedule, or looking back on life four years ago, I've been quite sentimental all week.  I feel myself pulled by remembering what James was like when he was the age Henry now is, and pushed by the want for more sleep/independence/adult time.  I find myself wanting to spend lots of time at work, but also compelled to sit on the couch, nursing Henry when he isn't even hungry- (perhaps that's why I have an 8 week old who has gained 4 pounds- we call him Hank the Tank).  I wonder if my body is finally getting enough sleep that it now has the luxury of thinking.  Pondering what was, what is quickly changing, and what I have to look forward to, and wanting to experience it all at once.

I think it's hormones.

I hope it's hormones.

I hope I'm not losing my mind!

Just so you can look back with me, this is what has been playing over and over in the film strip of my mind.  Comparing now:

To four years ago, when James was just year old and life seemed so much easier.  More carefree.  I know it wasn't really that way, but apparently the definition of sentimentality includes "emotional idealism, resulting from feeling rather that reason or thought."  Yeah, that's me right now!

I find myself compelled to linger in this quagmire of happy yet longing emotions, rather than try to jolt myself out of it.  When you find yourself looking back while trying to forever capure what's going on now, what do you do?  Do you go nuts trying to make it all happen in your head?   Or do you journal and try and write it all out so that it's there to look back on?  Or do you have a glass of wine and just let it all simmer?

Opal Sale Yarn

If you are a fan of Opal Yarn, now's your chance to snag the retired collections at a fantastic price in the Sale Section!  If you aren't new to the store, you might remember that I had some of this in the store early this year and it went quickly.  If you'd like to stock up on this popular self-patterning line at prices that are 40-50% off the MSRP, then click now. 

Opal is one of my go-to knits, not only because the designs are addictive (just one more row!) but because they wash and wear like a dream.  I consistently put these in the washer and dryer and they take it well (though I don't dry anything on HOT, just warm or delicate).  And I usually choose the brightest of colors, and to me, the color saturation looks the same on wash 52 as it does on wash 1.  Great for gifts when you aren't sure how the recipient will treat the gift.

I have something for nearly every use- cotton blend for soft baby garments, 6ply for thicker, quick knit socks, hand dyes for something interesting and variegated, and self patterning for those of use who like to watch the pattern develop as we knit.  I even have a selection of the Unisolids which I don't usually get in stock b/c I carry so many solid sock yarns already.  But the yardage and sale price were so good that I couldn't resist getting some for you.  And since some of us knit for those who like plain, solid socks, I knew these would be greatly appreciated.

Here's a bit of what I have in stock for you right now in the Sale Section:

As always, we will get your orders shipped out asap, but please do allow me an extra day or two, as I know this will keep us quite busy this week!

Dream in Color's Dream Club 2012-2013

It's that rare weekend post simply because the newest Dream Club has started!  This six-month club from Dream in Color brings us a limited edition colorway and complimentary pattern each month on the 1st (December there is no selection).  So from Sept through March you can purchase each color as you see it- no need to enroll and pay for everything up front- you simply buy that months skein if it's something that tickles your fancy.  The colors often sell out within a day, but I think I ordered enough so that it lasts a few days.

This selection is Baby, a 700 yard/4 ounce skein of lace weight superwash merino.  It's a nice choice for lace because it's not webby or too delicate.  And the patterns that come with this skein (just e-mail after your order to have those e-mailed back to you) are the Twilight Accessories- cuff, cowl and hat.  All made with just one skein of this colorway.  Keep in mind that the picture above accurately represents that skeins I have for you- a deep periwinkle painted with violet and dusky plum. The images below are from Dream in Color and they aren't spot-on.  The designs are lovely, aren't they?  I think this would make a wonderful gift set for someone for a birthday or Christmas!