Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Halloween Special

Kids aren't the only ones that get free stuff during Halloween- you can too, and you don't even have to dress up!  Now through November 5 at SSYC you can get a free 100 gram skein of Regia yarn for every 4 balls of Lily Chin Gramercy yarn that you purchase.  Gramercy's great for socks, lightweight sweaters and baby items.

The free skein is of our choosing and will be shipped with your order, though you won't see it on your online receipt or packing slip.  You can receive up to 4 free skeins of yarn through this offer, requiring a purchase of 16 skeins of Gramercy.

If you want a free pattern for this yarn, check out this month's free issue of KnitNet online magazine on page 19.

This is a little snippet of a baby blanket I have started using the Light Blue Gramercy for a friend whose baby is due in late December.  It's super soft and machine washable, so I think it'll be a hit.  I think it's going to end up taking 6 balls of yarn.  I've only gone through one so far, so I have quite a way to go before the baby arrives!

The pattern's a simple basket weave, and I'm wondering what kind of fringe or edging I should put on it, if any.  Any suggestions?  I'm thinking a contrasting color might be nice- the medium blue or purple Gramercy maybe?

Pink Ribbon Sock Pattern

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lisa Loyd is doing her part to bring attention to the cause by offering this free sock pattern on her website.  You can download this pattern at her site if you have Adobe Reader, which is free at www.adobe.com.

Free Knitnet Magazine

If you've never read through Knitnet's online magazine before, now's the time to do so for free.  Usually a year's subscription is $12, but the entire October/November issue is now up for free.  I noticed that when you go to www.knitnet.com, you have to click on the bottom/right button that says "new or visitng, click here for free sampler" - I clicked on the little "enter" button first and it asked for a username and password.  oops.  Follow directions, Allison.

Simply Socks has just received another shipment of Fleece Artist, replenishing several colorways that we were out of, including: Hercules, Indian Summer, Amathyst and Burgundy.  There are also fun stripey labels on the newest shipment- just a little upgrade in the packaging.  The free pattern is still included too.

The Fun o' the Fug

Just when you thought the internet couldn't bring you any more snark, here comes the Halloween Contest at You Knit What??  Regular readers, like myself, are now used to seeing the fugliest knitting patterns being mercilessly ripped apart at this blog, but if you're new- prepare yourself.  You just may see something that you have knit (or thought about knitting) being ridiculed mercilessly- and with good reason.  And if that's the case, you should enter their Halloween Contest this week.  Just think, something horrid that you once knit can now bring you recognition.... and some free yarn!

I, unfortunately, won't be entering, as I have never *ahem* knit anything horrific enough to win such a contest.  Now where's the fun fur dickie pattern I've been searching for... that's right, I loaned it to Ashley.

Socktoberfest

So have you signed up for Socktoberfest?  If not, you still have 15 days, so check it out!  It's a fun way to share your socks with fellow knitters and get some great ideas from others who are as obsessed as you.  To get details, go to Lolly's blog and get the details.  She has even created fun buttons for knitters to post on their blogs.

Rainy Day Knitting

Yesterday, it rained the entire day; a light drizzle that never stopped.  It was one of those I-don't-want-to-do-anything-except-knit-while-drinking-hot-spiked-beverages-and-watching-girl-movies days.  So that's what I did- at least once evening rolled around.  Cause Joe was teaching last night and I had the whole house to myself!

I'm halfway done with the second Fleece Artist Mermaid colorway sock, and the pattern is simple enough that I can watch some TV while knitting.  So I might actually get my mother's birthday present done before it's a month late.  I'm such a great daughter...

I'm thinking about knitting some stockings this year for some gifts.  Any suggestions for Christmas stocking patterns that you like?

Lily Chin's Gramercy is In

The Gramercy yarn has arrived and is now available online at Simply Socks Yarn Company!  Like I mentioned before, October's Knitnet magazine will be free (it comes out in a few days- I will post when it's up) and a sock pattern featuring this yarn will be in this issue.

Gramercy is a 100% merino wool yarn that's machine washable and comes in fabulous colors.  It is one of 6 yarns in Lily Chin's Signature Collection; each yarn is named after a NYC neighborhood.

Dunderball

Anyone who watched The Office last night now knows the joys of Dunderball.  I was so tickled by the most recent episode of The Office that I completely lost track of what I was knitting and had to rip out almost two inches of the second Mermaid sock that I'm trying to finish for my mother's belated birthday present.  So now all I have is the ribbing.  Blem.  I need to either pick prime time TV or socks, b/c I'm not known for multitasking.  I'm the girl who can't even eat and drive at the same time.

For those of you who are new to Knitnet online magazine, the entire upcoming October magazine will be free. Usually a subscription is $12 a year (I believe) but this month's mag is free.  It isn't out yet though- it comes out in about a week, and I hear there are two sock patterns in it.  Something to look forward to!

Opal's 6-ply DK Weight Sock Yarn

Looking for thicker sock yarn for your fall/winter knitting?  If you are an Opal fan, you might like their new 6-ply self patterning yarns, a few of which are shown below.

These 6-ply, DK weight yarns are 50% thicker than Opal's popular fingering weight sock yarns.  They are available in 7 colors (in huge 150 gram skeins) at Simply Socks Yarn Company.

Also new to SSYC- lots of new Lang Jawoll sock yarn colors in solids and self-patterning jacquards.  We now carry over 50 colors of this popular sock yarn.  Each skein of yarn comes with a matching 5 gram spool of reinforcing thread, so you can knit very durable toes and heels.  A few of the jacquards are shown below.

If you're a fan of Lily Chin's Signature Yarns, you will soon be able to find the Gramercy DK weight merino yarn at SSYC.  We expect our shipment later in the week!