Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Online Sock Yarn

Last night, I met with my new yarn rep for Online, and decided on a few of the kits.  First off, the KFI website is not updated, and most of the Online sock yarn kits are no longer available!  I wish that when the season was over, and yarn distributors ran out of a package, they would take it off the website so that I'm not mislead.  It doesn't make me want to spend my precious inventory dollars on a distributor's yarn when I think I can get something and then can't.  That's why, on the SSYC site, I only advertise yarn that is in stock.  There are a few cases where something sells too quickly to update, but 99% of the time, if it's on my store's website, it can be shipped in a couple days.  I wish others would do the same.  Rant over.

I chose three Online sock kits, based mostly on the feedback that many of you gave me via comments and e-mails.  I chose Kit 71, Kit 72, and a new kit which will come out in the fall. No pics are available yet, but the colors in the new kit change as you knit, similar to Noro Transitions.  There's a thin black thread running through the entire skein, and as you knit, the rest of the yarn changes slightly.  I really, really like it and am looking forward to knitting it myself.  This yarn is worth forgiving KFI for not updating their website.

I also chose an incredibly soft 80% superwash merino wool, 20% cashmere yarn, known as Mondial Gold.  I have been looking for a reasonably priced, superwash, fingering weight wool/cashmere blend yarn for those of us who like to give something slightly luxurious for holiday gifts.  I've been knitting up samples from various outlets, but many of them are plied in a way that the yarn separates as you knit, or doesn't have much spring and elasticity.  Not good for knitting with tiny needles and for heels that won't be baggy after a few wears. Mondial Gold is plied well and is just what I have been looking for.  It would also be wonderful for special baby gifts.  I ordered many of the solid colors.  I will be knitting a sample of this shortly, and if it knits and wears well, it will arrive in the early fall.  Oh, and the really nice part is that it will retail around $11 a ball.  Which means that you get a super soft pair of machine washable cashmere blend socks for around $22!  Not a bad deal, considering most high quality merino skeins retail around the same price.  If the Mondial Gold came in variegated colors, I would order A LOT more.

On a COMPLETELY different note, prepare to be slightly horrified.  If you get grossed out easily, stop reading now.  A few days ago, I had to visit a public restroom.  Someone came in after me, and I started smelling french fries.  I thought, wow, how did the smell of french fries waft in here so quickly?  I walked out of the stall, started washing my hands and saw that some chic had brought her open box of Wendy's french fries in with her and let them sit next to the sink, while she did her business in a stall.  Again, brought her french fries in a public rest room and left them (and her purse) next to the sink, I'm assuming, so that she could grab the food and finish after she was done.  There are so. many. things. wrong. about. this.  Uh, the bacteria floating around.  The fact that some deviant could taint them on oh-so-many ways.  The fact that she intended on EATING them after they sat in any bathroom, let alone a public bathroom.  Ick.

Fiber Evidence

I have been knitting.  LOTS.  I just haven't post any picures in the past couple weeks.... I know.  BAD.

Here's what's been taking the bulk of my time.  A wonderfully mindless project that allows me to knit away while not really paying much attention. It's only garter stitch.  I've enjoyed knitting this Mod Baby Blanket from Mason Dixon knitting while watching TV and a couple movies over the past week.  Note:  Don't rent Last Holiday.  Sucked.  I know, I never should have put it on my Netflix list.  For some reason, it was recommended to me and I just clicked the button, and on the list it went.  Joe opened the Netflix envelope before I did, and mocked me relentlessly for getting it. Then, when we had friends over on Friday night, he told them about it, and I was mocked even more.  I deserved it.  It's that bad.

The progress is slow on the Schaefer Anne socks.  Mostly b/c I'm using US 0 needles.  I'm so used to using US 1 or 1.5 that the US 0 is discouraging me!  Progress is slow, but the yarn is really something.  Soft and fuzzy.  Yet the fuzziness isn't getting in the way of the knitting and the stitch definition is still great.  The perfect amount of fuzz, if you ask me.  I'm using the Yarn Over Cable from Sensational Knitted Socks.  I was worried about the yo's b/c I thought that using such thin needles and pulling the yo's over 2 knit stitches would cause them to bend alot or snap (I have a tendency to pull tightly when doing faux cables).  No problems so far though.

I'm considering adding Online sock yarn and Meilenweit cotton and wool to the store in the fall.  If you want to take a look and tell me what you like most, I'll see what's available.  The Online comes in "kits", which means that I will be ordering all colors in one kit- there are at least 10 different kits available, as you can see from the link above. Suggestions?  Leave a comment or e-mail.

Closeted Domestication

I'm not much of a homemaker.  My bouts of cooking and cleaning are sporadic, at best.  But yesterday, I was up on it.  I got up early, stopped at Old Crown for an iced americano, and was on my way to being Martha Jr.  Wait.  I just realized that it was probably the 3 shot of espresso that really got me going.  Maybe I should do that more often.

Here's evidence of my quiet domestic splendor yesterday.  Peas.  Shelled and then frozen.  I love fresh peas.  So do the the ants.  Which is why we don't have many this week.

Flowers.  I got a great deal- $6 for a huge bouquet of pink spray roses (the daisies are from my garden) at the Fresh Market.  If you haven't been there, GO.  Their flowers are CHEAP.  But nothing else is.  Blem.

Oh, and some knitting (no pics, as Joe stole my camera today).  Two days ago I pillaged my LYS, the Cass Street Yarn Depot, and bought 8 skeins (in 4 colors) of Cascade 220 Superwash, some new, long circs, and the Mason Dixon Knitting book.  **I just made myself sick seeing how much I would have saved at Amazon.com.  Oh, well. I NEEDED it.  REALLY.

I would have bought alot more had my LYS had more than 8 colors of Cascade 220. S-E-L-E-C-T-I-O-N, people! I've been inspired by Cara to start a log cabin blanket for a baby gift.  It's highly addictive, though not nearly as much as socks.  It seems that everyone I know is having babies, so I'm getting prepared for gifts.  The log cabin blankets are so easy and I'm able to just let the fingers fly while I'm watching TV or reading blogs.  Has anyone knit socks out of the the Cascade 220 superwash?  I'll have a bit left of each color when I'm done and it could make a pair.  It's very soft, and might make some nice thick socks.  Do you think I should add a worsted weight yarn option in the store?  E-mail me or comment your opinion, as I'm not sure there's much demand for worsted weight yarn for socks.  It's not like you can't find it everywhere.  But, also it's not like my LYS had much superwash either....

**SSYC has received more Regia Cotton Surf sock yarn in the Sale Yarn section.  It's 50% off.  So if you were hoping for some of the colors that sold out last week, there's now a bit more.**

Mmmmmm, Shaefer Anne sock yarn

I'm testing a new (to me) yarn.  Well, I'm not testing it yet, as it's still in the skein.  Right now, I'm just looking at it longingly, counting the hours til I have time to wind and cast on.  It feels supersoft and slightly fuzzy.  The colors are heavenly.  Very feminine, muted jewel tones.  It's Schaefer Yarn Co.'s Anne.  I've been meaning to test this yarn for a couple months now (hell, there are alot of things I've been meaning to do for months now....), I just got around to contacting Schaefer last week, b/c so many of you in your contest entry mentioned that Schaefer Anne would make SSYC even better.  The ladies at Schaefer were super speedy in sending me info and a skein. 3 DAYS and I had the yarn and info- that's the quickest response time I've seen so far. If all works out, I may be ordering very soon.

Since you all are the reason I'm considering stepping up my timeline for this yarn, take a look at some of Schaefer's color combinations, and let me know what ones you really like either by e-mail or comments below.  I'm going to let you all direct what colors SSYC carries right off the bat.  And if you don't see something on their site that you think would be a great color combo, let me know.  Schaefer's colorways are basically one-of-a-kind.  While I will most likely order multiples of a colorway, there's no guarentee that that specific color combo will be duplicated exactly.  So while I may get 20 fraternal (very similar, but not identical) skeins of a colorway in an order from Schaefer, I will be able to order something similar to those again, but an exact replica is not something that's going to be available.

Oh, and the skein is a generous 560, 4 oz skein of 60% superwash merino wool, 25% mohair and 15% nylon.  And it looks, at first glance, like I'll be using US 0 size dpn's instead of my normal US 1.  That's going to take some getting used to, I'm sure.  I'm so used to using US 1 for almost every sock I knit.

One skein is plenty for a pair of socks.  And since I will be knitting this sample skein into a pair of socks for my size 11 feet, I'll be testing the limits of the skein's length.  I'll most likely have hand cramps by the end of this too.

Things I'm learning from you

The contest answers are pouring in, and I'm learning alot from your answers to the question "What would make SSYC even better?"

When I asked that question one year ago with our Grand Opening Contest, the answers I recevied included "add Lorna's Laces" (DONE!) "add Paypal" (DONE!) and "add circular needles" (DONE!).

This time around, the most answers I'm getting are as follows:

1. At least half of you have responded that you like SSYC just the way it is!  This is wonderful- it's so nice to read that my work is really appreciated by you knitters.  Really, it's great!

2. You want to see Trekking sock yarn.  Believe me, I do too.  Right now, the distributor that sells Trekking only sells to "brick and mortar" stores.  Since SSYC is internet only (at least for now... who knows what the future will bring), I cannot open an account with them.  I understand their stance.  We all want to support the brick and mortar stores b/c we like the environment, the people, and feeling the fiber.  I support my local store.  But to many people, SSYC is a local store!  SSYC fills a niche for sock knitters that isn't filled elsewhere, and I'm happy with that!  If the distributor's stance changes, and I wouldn't be surprised if it does in the coming months, then I will carry Trekking. Oh, and Addi's too!

3. You want the option to be able to see all results of a particular yarn on one page, rather than just 10 on a page.  I'm working on this.  For quicker loading time, especially for those with dial-up modems, I designed the site to load 10 images per page.  I'm working with the licencer of our cart software to add a "list all results" link next to the page numbers so that you can view all the results.  I appreciate feedback like this about the functionality of the SSYC site, as it helps me to think outside my little box.

4. You want MORE COWBELL, baby.  Aw, yeah.  This was the best answer.  The first person to correctly comment below (1) what this prase references, AND (2) what actor wants more cowbell, gets a free skein of the Regia Antique Patch color shown at right.  Game ON.  Because it's just that funny.

**Since the right answer has been given below- here's a link to the SNL transcript from this skit. http://snltranscripts.jt.org/99/99pcowbell.phtml **

5. Schaefer Anne Yarn.  Mmmmm. I agree.  I'll have to switch up some plans, but I will look into this asap.

New Rainforest Yarn

As I have mentioned a couple times in the past month, there is a new line of Rainforest colors coming out from Opal in October.  What do you think?!

Really, that Peacock is speaking to me.

There are even more lines coming out soon.  Take a look at what's coming.  I'll be ordering everything you see for the store, so when it's available you'll find it at the SSYC site.  As usual, I will post about it here when it arrives, or a week before, if possible.

More Sale Yarn

I have added some Opal sock yarn to the Sale Yarn section.  Opal's Mosaic yarn is 30% off right now, making it only $11.00 per skein, instead of $15.75.  SSYC hasn't carried this line of Opal before, but I was able to get some at a discounted price, and pass the savings onto you sock knitters.

In the below picture, disregard the Sold Out sign on the Purple- I WAS able to get two bags of this color before it sold out.  Yea!

 

Actual Knitting Content!

It's been several weeks since I have post projects here, but that doesn't mean I haven't been knitting away!  First off, I did finish my Thuja socks a few weeks ago and promised to post pics here.  So here they are (click on pic to enlarge)!  I used the Earth color scheme from the Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Potluck line.  If you haven't used the Potluck colors before, here's how it works: when CTH has finished dying a colorway, they obviously have dye left over, and they use this to create unique Potluck colors.  These colors come in "schemes" like Earth, Purple/Blue, Green/Blue, Jewel, Watercolor, and Brights.  When you order one of these, you have an idea of what you are getting, but you still get a surprise in the mail.  PLUS, the Potluck yarns are a few bucks cheaper than their regular supersock yarn.

So, about the Thuja socks at left.  I just added a few more stitches (64 stitches total) to the pattern since I'm using a fingering weight yarn and not the worsted weight that the pattern calls for.  I also continued the pattern all the way down to the tippy toe, rather than just doing stockinette stitch for the toe like the pattern calls for.  This pattern was so simple that it was easy continue the pattern as I decreased on the sides.  I plan on gifting these for Chrismas this year.  Who gets these?  Well, whoever has a size 9 foot.

I also finished the baby blanket that I started several months ago- the socks above are napping on the blanket.  This project was flung into the 'unfinished project' basket for the past several months b/c I wanted to knit socks (what a surprise).  Since I have a baby shower coming in a few weeks, I thought I would finish it up and give it to my friend, Joy, who is expecting a boy. I used a basket weave pattern and 5 skeins of Lily Chin's Gramercy yarn in the Light Blue color.  There is still a bit of this dk weight yarn in the Sale Yarn section of the store, but once its gone we won't be carrying it anymore.  It's super soft merino wool and machine washable, so I hope mom and baby will enjoy it.  I'm considering doing a little hat a socks in this too.

**Some more Jawoll Cotton yarn has arrived!  So if you are looking for a sock yarn with some cotton content, but with wool and polyamide to help the sock keep its shape, then give it a try.**

Opal Rainforest, Ladybug yarn

The Opal Distributor gave me a ring the other day to let me know that she found 25 skeins of the sold out Rainforest Ladybug yarn in a box in their storeroom.  Needless to say, I aked for it ALL and it's now here.  So if you were one of the knitters who was disappointed when this sold out, you can now get it for a little while at SSYC.  We also have a few  skeins left of Chameleon.  After our stock is gone, we can't get any more b/c it's been sold out in the US for about a month now.  I DO hope that the German manufacturer will re-run this, but I hear that it's not on the dye schedule for 2006.  I DID hear that there might be a new Rainforest collection.  I'll keep you updated if the US gets it.

**A note about the CONTEST**

If you haven't entered yet, DO SO!  If you entered, and accidentally forgot your address, then sent the address afterward, don't worry.  It doesn't disqualify you. It's all good.  I just don't accept more than one entry for the contest.

Lot's O' New Yarn!

SSYC just received lots of new yarn and colorways from Cherry Tree Hill, Interlacements, and Lorna's Laces! First off, the Cherry Tree Hill supersock merino.  This yarn has been backordered for quite some time, as it's really increasing in popularity.  We were out of several of the colors, which have now been replenished.  We also received three new colorways (new to us): Champlain Sunset, Java, and Martha's Vineyard.

I think the Java would make great socks for Joe, seeing as how the colors are something that wouldn't scare him, yet interesting enough for me to like.  CTH doesn't expect more supersock to be available until September, at which time I'm considering adding their solid colors to the store.

Interlacements sent SSYC some yummy Toasty Toes sock yarn.  401- African Violets and 212-Woodlands are new Toasty Toes colorways for SSYC.  We also received more of 202-Carbon Dioxide, 216-Poppy Fields, and 402-Taiga, all shown below.  As usual, the free pattern comes with Toasty Toes, and the skein is enough to make 2 pairs of socks.

To top it all off, SSYC received the last 1/3 of our large Lorna's Laces order.  This gives us every color of Shepherd Sock, but as usual the colors will be taken off the website as they sell out (and will be put back on as we receive more, which won't be for another 2 months or so).  I'm considering starting a pair of socks soon in a Multi color with a coordinating Nearly Solid color for the heels and toes.  There are just so many gorgeous colors, I just don't know what to pick....

Here's some of my favorites from this most recent shipment: Irving Park, Vera, and Pine.  The Vera is, by far, my favorite- a 2D image really can't do it justice!  Perhaps I'll finally get to the Pomatomus pattern from the winter Knitty.