Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

SSYC's 21st Sock Yarn Club is now available!

It's time to subscribe to our Sock Yarn Club!

This round is a three month club that delivers in March, April and May and features three dyers from three different countries, each creating a colorway inspired by a chosen candy. Each month comes with that candy and coordinating hand made stitch markers, so it's like getting a mini version of our popular holiday Knit Kits each month without having to stalk the website and get yours stolen out of your cart at the last minute. Instead, you get the luxury of pre-ordering and knowing that your selection will arrive each month with no more work from you!

What do you have to do to enroll? Just add this club to your shopping cart and check out. That's it!

Don't wait too long to decide b/c spaces typically sell out in 10 days or less. Yes, they do sell out. Just like our popular themed Knit Kits that sell out in a matter of hours (Valentine's ones will be previewed here on the blog next week!), there's a limit to how many skeins and markers and such we can convince our craftspeople to make for us. These are hand made goods from people who are very busy and we are fortunate that they are dedicating so much of their dye and crafting time to creating for our shop.

Please don't add additional items to your cart, just the club. If you think you'll be moving or changing your address mid-club, no worries, you can always just e-mail us to make changes as needed. And if you are in the US, you can choose the Free Shipping option at check out and if you are International, you're just charged one rate for all three shipments. If you are local, you can choose In-Store Pickup at Check Out and receive a bit of a refund on your order for picking it up after you receive the monthly e-mail telling you it's ready. This e-mail also comes with pattern suggestions, so please do open it each month to see what we've suggested. Want to see what other people have received and knit in the past with our club yarn? There are a few threads on our Ravelry fan page showing off skeins and projects.

Thanks for considering joining in! It's hard to believe this is the 21st club we've done. What a fun and colorful ride!

Girl Scout Cookie Day at SSYC!

Saturday's the day we can all support the Girl Scouts of America at SSYC! Just stop into our yarn shop from 10-1:30 on Saturday, January 19 and purchase your boxes of cookies from the Girl Scouts, and Simply Socks Yarn Company will donate one dollar for each box purchased to the Girls Scouts of America! When you make a Girl Scout Cookie purchase, you’re helping the next generation of girl entrepreneurs get an important taste of what it takes to be successful—teamwork, planning, and a positive outlook (for starters). Come take a taste and make a difference! Cash and checks only for cookie purchases, going directly to the Girl Scouts of America.

 

Proceeds from your cookie purchases stay local and help power new experiences for her and every awesome G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ superstar who sells Girl Scout Cookies! Whether it’s a trip she’ll never forget; a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activity that opens her mind to a whole new world of possibilities; a service project that will change her community forever; or the opportunity to build a lifetime of memories at camp, Girl Scout Cookies make it all happen! Selling them also teaches girls essential skills they can use to be successful today and in the future—it's a sweet deal.

 

I was a part of the Girls Scouts for many years as a Brownie and then a Scout. I attended camps, got experiences that I wouldn't have otherwise had, and made friends and had troop leaders that changed the trajectory of my life. I'm fortunate to have been a part and I hope we can sell enough boxes of cookies on Saturday and donate enough additional money to make a difference in at least one girl's life. And if you don't want to purchase cookies on Saturday, you're just welcome to come and sample one that you might not have tasted before or simply show up to support the cause. Say thank you to a mom or troop leader. Tell someone they are doing a good job. However you'd like to show some love, we'll take it!

Yarn Love's Marvelous Marl

I can't remember the last time I knit a marled yarn. Gosh, the last time we offered a marled yarn was several years ago! It just isn't produced by mills the way that classic sock yarn is. So when Katie at Yarn Love sent me some of her newest yarn to test, I knew Marvelous Marl was for me.

Gilded Aspen

Marvelous Marl is two strands of light grey and two dark grey plied together to create a barber pole or candy cane-like effect. The resulting fabric ends up being something called "marled" and it has quite a bit of character. I just started knitting up my Sockhead Cowl in the Gilded Aspen colorway, and I'll continue to post progress on Instagram.

Fall Chard

This is the rare yarn we carry that is not superwash. It's a combination of merino and Peruvian highland wool, so it has a bit of a fuzzier texture than typical superwash merino/nylon sock yarn. For that texture and the look, you are trading the easy care. But for this yarn, I thought it was worth the change. Sometimes we just have to knit outside our box, right?

We also have a gorgeous restock of Juliet Sock (merino/nylon) and Goldilocks Sock (cashmere blend). And the color really glows on the cashmere blend. I mean, this photo is super pretty but it doesn't do justice to new color Faded Bloom on Goldilocks Sock. GAH! So pretty! 

Katie moved her family and studio last year, and sent us images of her new space. I do believe I shared these already, but they are worth revisiting as I know we all like an inside peek into dye spaces and shops.

Opal's Butterfly collection, plus a contest

I'm really enjoying knitting up my Sinfonie sock right now in color 9610. I've almost completed my first sock. So of course, it's no surprise that I'm really looking forward to the end of next week when the Butterfly collection arrives! PLUS all the 6ply Little Secrets colors that we have just one each of left. Gosh, those thicker socks are great for this colder weather, right?

I'm thinking 9652 may be my first knit, as it reminds me a bit of a Monarch butterfly and seems a departure from Opal's typical color schemes. You? Which would you choose first? Tell me in the comments below and why and I'll randomly choose one person to win the one of their choice. Contest will end Sunday, January 6 at noon EST. Thanks for indulging me!

Hey, let's make it even more interesting and I'll throw in a set of Addi's newest needles (which are currently just make for the US), the FlexiFlips Bamboo! These are just like the hard-to-keep-in-stock FlexiFlips but aren't aluminum but are instead bamboo. Take a look at all the available sizes now, and watch a video of how to use these needles here.

Are you coming to the shop to see us in person tomorrow? We are open from 10-4 for the first time in 2019 and would love to see you! We have all our open days listed until April here now, so if you are planning a shopping visit, now's the time to take a look.

New Year, New Yarn!

We're letting go of retired and discontinued collections and dyers that aren't doing their thing anymore to make room for THE NEW! We are continually expanding and curating the shop, and letting go of dyers that aren't working anymore and collections that aren't made are just part of the process. So you'll see new additions to the Sale Section so you can enhance your crafty life and we can make room for all the awesome goodies we have on the horizon. After all, 3500 square feet is a heck of a lot of space, but when it's full of 16 TONS OF YARN, you do have to continually reorganize and change to make room.

Fiddle Knits, Aria Sock in Eagle Nebula

What are we making room for? New dyers, of course! But first, you'll see the new Opal Yarn Schafpate 10th collection right now and new colors and restocks from UK dyer Qing Fiber early next week. Then we'll be making room for over a ton of the Monet collection from Opal Yarn late this month. Don't worry, we'll do preorders for that for those who don't want to take a chance on missing out. We have a new club subscription coming in January and Valentine kits too!

Thank you for helping us grow and change. We look forward to 2019 being our 14th year of serving you and your friends. It's been a great ride, and while we've seen many yarn shops leave in the past two years, you've made us grow even bigger. That says a lot, and it means everything. Thank you.

This week in the shop

It's a shorter work week, as we work just a couple days. The way the holidays are layed out this year during the week make for an odd set up, but the orders are pouring in as you all spend your gift certificates and Christmas money. Thank you for the busy end to 2018! We will be back to shipping every day starting on January 2 and 2019 promises to be full of amazing dyers, fun collections and our unique kits and clubs.

Later today or tomorrow you may see the new Schafpate 10 collection added to the shop. This one has eight really nice colorways, doesn't it? And can you believe that this is the celebratory 10th collection of their source-local-concept? I have previous Schafpate colors on sale right now for only $11.20 instead of $16.00 (they will change to the sale yarn link later if there are any left).

I've decided to knit more for myself in the new year, so on Christmas day I started a pair for myself in the Opal Sinfonie der Traume collection color 9610. Each color in this collection is completely knitworthy to me. I love the uneven stripes and the bold color combos. This is one of my favorite Opal Yarn collections.

12th Day of Sock Yarn

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

a $100 gift certificate to the shop!

To have your chance at $100 to spend at Simply Socks Yarn Company, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Are you making any new years resolutions this year? If so, please do share them with us (knitting resolutions or general life resolutions are great). If no, then please tell us that.

This year, I'd like to be healthier and find more balance. I think every year at this time I think something similar. This season is very busy for anyone in retail, so balance isn't something we can easily achieve. It's not a complaint- in fact, it's wonderful that we are so busy this time of year that it makes a huge impact on our overall year. I feel very fortunate that I have a small business that thrives and this busy season is a great part of that. But it reminds me that once the new year starts, I need to find better balance. Work more normal hours, be more present with my family, cook more, spend more time playing volleyball or working out at the Y. Balance.

As far as my knitting goes, I hope to make more for myself. I want to knit several pairs of socks. I'm really looking forward to the new Monet line from Opal in early 2019, and I want to knit at least two pairs from the Sinfonie collection.

The SSYC Team and I are going to take some time off this week to be with our families. We will ship a couple days later this week, but otherwise will be a bit slower than our usual one-day-out shipping time. Communication will also be slower. We will be back at it as usual on January 2 and will announce winners of this contest in January. Thank you for another fun and busy year!

11th Day of Sock Yarn

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

three skeins of Poste Yarn, Patina!

To have a chance at winning three skeins of your choice of our exclusive merino/tencel/nylon blend yarn that's perfect for socks, shawls and more PLUS a $20 gift certificate, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Who did you knit more for this year? Yourself or others?

Shown above, a skein of Patina in Easter Island. Below the same color knit into a Sweet Dreams shawl.

I do believe I knit more for others this year than myself. I usually knit socks just for myself and other projects for other people. But this year, I knit several sample socks for the shop, and didn't finish more than a couple pairs for myself. And I knit several cowls and hats for others. The shawls I completed are all samples for the shop too, so I really don't think I kept much for myself. Perhaps in 2019 that will be my knitting resolution- replenish my own sock drawer.

10th Day of Sock Yarn

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

My own box of sock knitters tools!

To have your chance at some of our best accessories to make your knitting life easier (Yarn Cozies - shown below and sold out but coming back next week, Stitch Keepers, a Sock Ruler and stitchmarkers) plus a $20 gift certificate, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Is there one (or more) standout project you made this year? Perhaps something that you were obsessed with or made you feel like a master knitter? Do share your project page on Ravelry if you can, or as many details as you'd like.

This year, I knit quite a few simple cowls. For me, knitting is my meditation and my relaxation. I have plenty of challenge in my life, so I don't want my knitting to complicate things further. Once the kids are in bed, I want to tink-tink-tink away my stress and watch the colors and fabric develop. That's about it. So for me, knitting simple cowls made for a fab knitting year. And I'm giving away quite a few for Christmas this year, all using this pattern and various super soft fingering weight yarns. 

This one used Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20, which we have many colors of. And it would be just as soft with this cashmere blend too. 

9th Day of Sock Yarn

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

two skeins of LITLG Singles!

To enter to win your choice of two skeins of Singles from our newest stunning batch from Irish dyer Life in the Long Grass plus a $20 gift certificate to the shop, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

How have you done much of your holiday gift shopping this year? In person or online? Or tell us how you've been shopping overall in 2018.

Lightbeam

This year, I have done more shopping online with Amazon, Target and small independent websites and Etsy shops. I have taken advantage of special pricing Target has offered for people who order using the app and pick up at the tore. I've also been tempted into ordering from more than one ad I've seen on Instagram for fun t-shirts and baubles for the kids.

Corrode

I'm really pleased with the reliability and speed with wshich I've gotten all the orders I've placed online. Some of these items were made to order, and still arrived just a couple weeks after my order, which I find to be super awesome. When I started my shop 13 years ago, there wasn't a huge online shopping presence. Over the past decade, online shopping/shipping has been revolutionized by businesses like Amazon who compelled USPS and UPS to develop quicker and more reliable shipping methods, and every smaller business has benefited as a result. When I started the shop, Priority shipping cost me $3.85 a box and now is about double that. But man, has the service and reliability really improved!

8th Day of Sock Yarn

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

two balls of West Yorkshire Spinners yarn!

To have your chance at any two ball that you like (perhaps Fairy Lights and a solid to make the socks below?) plus a $20 gift certificate to the shop, answer the following question in the comments below:

Using this Elf Name Generator, what's your Elf Name?

Mine would be Tickle Sparklepants-Stripeytights. Thought I do wish my name could be Buddy McSnowflake or Frosty Tinselbottom cuz those are hilarious!

 

7th Day of Sock Yarn + Free Tote w/ Purchase Today!

Before we get to today's contest, in reorganizing after our post-Thanksgiving craziness (Thank you for making us so busy this season- you are made of awesome!)  we found a big ol' box of our snarky Baaah Humbug sheep totes from two years ago and so we are giving them away with purchases today only! We also found some mugs and if you have been hoping we had a few more, you'll find them now here for 20% off.

What do you have to do to get a tote? Nothing other than place an order online today, December 19. We will automatically tuck one in your order before it leaves here. And if you choose in-store pickup, we'll save one for you to pick up on one of our open days. What might you like to purchase? Perhaps one of 200 colors of Tosh Sock, or some self-patterning Opal Yarn? What about some tweed sock yarn from Qing or Hue Loco? Or start some striped socks that will get you hooked. Now. Let's get to the contest!

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

Two balls of the upcoming Opal Yarn Monet Collection!

To have your chance at winning balls from this collection (which will be available likely late January and we will have plenty of it in presale collections and single balls at our below-retail price), in colors 9684 and 9686, plus a $20 gift certificate to the shop, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

I like to think that this season is about love and selflessness and making this time special for others. Tell me, what is one simple thing you could do today for someone? Perhaps someone you don't know, won't even meet? Or perhaps someone you love as a token of your appreciation?

I've just made a $100 donation to the Community Harvest Foodbank of NE Indiana. It took all of 3 minutes to do. This is a cause that the shop has done fundraisers for before, and one that my sons' school donates their time to. I've even seen one you there (Hi, Elaine!!) working on days I've served there with my kids. I wasn't even considering making this donation until I started writing up this post. But it made me realize that I have been so focused on work and readying my home for the holidays that I was lacking in my service to others. This organization is one I greatly believe in, and so the one I immediately went to their website to help. And it took such a small amount of time and effort that I don't know why I don't do it more regularly. I need to be a better example to these little goobers so they know how important it is to put others first and look up to people who do so. To not make excuses as to why we can't do something, but on the other side, to not feel great guilt when we feel we can't fix something that's wrong in the world. It's sometimes so halting when a problem seems so big that we don't think we can make a difference. But I think as knitters we see how many individual stitches over time add up to an overall completed project... that we can also see that our small donation can be impactful when combined with others.

On a more regular basis, I buy the coffee for the car behind me in the Starbucks line. I know it's not grand or life altering, but I'd like to think that because I do this bit of kindness, that this person might also pass it along in some way to someone else. That it might start a bit of a cascade effect in random acts of kindness. I'm going to do that today too. So if you want a free cuppa, head over the NE Starbucks right now and you might be behind me in in the drive thru. I'll be the white SUV full of yarn! Ha!

I'd love to know what you do for others. The stories you share are inspiring to many of us, and help us see where we can better serve those around us. Please do share!

Want to know more about our annual 12 Days of Sock Yarn contest? I wrote details/rules here.

6th Day of Sock Yarn

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

a skein of Donegal Sock from Qing Fibre!

To have a chance at your favorite color from Qing Fibre plus a $20 gift certificate to the shop, just answer the following question in the comments below:

Do you display or decorate with your yarn? If so, tell us how or leave us a link to Instagram to show us how. If not, why not?

Qing Donegal Tweed Sock color Rambutan. Don't you love the bold color on traditional tweed? I can't get enough.

I consider my yarn to be the best art I own, so of course I display it year round. Yes, sometimes it's a big pile of yarn and projects-in-progress on this cabinet, but during the holidays I do a better job of editing it down and displaying just a few balls.

Right now, I also have a ball on display on my mantle of my current favortite color, Danger Will Robinson in Tosh DK. This color is amazing and definitely worth the place of pride above the fireplace. It originally sold fast and we got more in for all those hats and scarves you want to make.... ok, that I can now make now that Henry's hat is done.

Are you new to our annual holiday contest and want the details? Find them here.

5th Day of Sock Yarn

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

my own DK yarn and pom pom set!

To enter to win your choice of Madelinetosh DK, Life in the Long Grass DK Twist or Spun Right Round Squish DK with the SSYC Pom Pom (new colors!) of your choice PLUS a $20 gift certificate to the shop, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

To stash or not to stash, that is the question. Do tell us if you love to stash yarn, or keep on hand just what you need for current projects, and what your own personal "rules" are to govern your yarn/fabric/craft stash. 

LITLG Twist DK in Lichen w/ a large Coyote pom pom and a pattern very similar to this

Me? Yes, I stash. Oh, do I stash. And I don't really have rules for it either. There are so many rules that govern every other part of my life, that collecting yarn is one that I just enjoy rather than put arbitrary limits on. Of course, I'm not going to buy yarn if I can't afford the pay for Henry's basketball at the Y or my morning coffee, but if I have spare change and it's something that will bring me joy, I will enhance my collection. And I will encourage others to enhance my collection too- especially on vacations!

Spun Right Round Squish DK in Bug Jar with medium Avocado pom pom and Circumvolute pattern

And after owning a yarn shop for 13 years, I've learned that when I see something I like, I should get it if I can because if it's available again it might look totally different the next time. A lot of what I stash are beauties from our yarn clubs (details in early January on the next one here on the blog!) because those aren't for a specific project. They are little special jewels that the dyers make just for us. But I've also learned to grab skeins that I see that speak to me because I've learned that if they sell out the next batch could look different enough that it doesn't speak to me at all.

I've learned that yarn collecting and knitting are two very different hobbies for me. Much like an art collector might not even paint, I'm going to collect yarn that I might not even have plans for in the near future, just because it brings me joy. And I put it on display in my home too! I'm not one to hide away some of the most beautiful pieces of fiber art that I own.

4th Day of Sock Yarn

On the fourth day of sock yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me....

a skein of Marvelous Marl from Yarn Love Yarn! 

To have a chance at this skein of the new base yarn that we will have in early January from Yarn Love PLUS a $20 gift certificate to the shop, just answer the following question in the comments below:

Are you a coffee or tea person? Or both? Or neither? Tell me about the best coffee or tea you have had and where we can find it, online, if available. I bet there's someone on our gift list would might like to try something new and awesome!

I much prefer coffee over tea. But I usually drink just one cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning and then I brew decaf for the rest of the day. I love the flavor of coffee, but I usually have enough energy and don't need a constant boost. When I treat myself to good coffee beans, I go to Old Crown Coffee Roasters. I do like tea as well, but I haven't found a place that offers a lot of good, decaf flavored black tea. I will admit that over the past month, I've enjoyed quite a bit of Starbucks too- there's something about cold weather that makes me want to indulge in a hot beverage, especially while getting all my errands done.