Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Free Pattern with Schaefer Anne

SSYC is offering a free Tilting at Windmills sock pattern with a Schaefer Anne purchase until March 12!  This pattern won the 2006 Schaefer Yarn Design Contest, and though I haven't yet tried it myself yet, looks fairly simple and would be a good pattern choice especially for sock knitters who haven't gone beyond stockinette or ribs on the legs.  The simple chart combines just the knit and purl stitch into a 16 row repeat.  Easy Peasy.  Check out the Anne yarn we have in stock now- over 20 colorways.

The pattern calls for US 2 needles, but does anyone actually use US 2 when knitting with Anne?  I use size US 0.  Even US 1 would be too big for me, and create to loose of a fabric that would likely separate on the soles of my feet (making them uncomfy and last less).  I do have to say that my one pair of Schaefer Anne socks I knit awhile back (when testing it for the store) have held up the best of any sock yarn I have used.  I wear the socks often, machine wash them in a mesh bag, and lay them out to dry, and they look just as good today as they did when I knit them.  I remember being worried about the yarn the first time I knit it b/c it's slightly thinner than other fingering weight sock yarns, and it's also fuzzy from the mohair.  I thought that made it look delicate.  But, wow, have those socks really stood up to wearing.

The pattern at right is an unknown sample color- similar to Indira Gandhi, but the colors in mine are more muted.  The pattern used was the Yarn Over Cable, I believe from the book Sensational Knitted Socks.

Yea for Favorite Socks!

Did anyone else attempt to watch the Oscars last night, only to find that it was completely boring and end up turning to the Dog the Bounty Hunter marathon on A&E?  Nope?  Just me?  Hmmmm.  Well then.  I'll just say that if you haven't seen the show before, it's fricken hil-ar-i-ous.  At least Joe and I think it is.  Of course, we have questionable judgment, seeing as how we both think it would be grand to give our son the middle name "Danger."  Come on, think about it!

I just have to say, WOW, you all like to support good causes.... and buy tasty yarn.  The Lorna's Laces Flamingo Stripe colorway is sold out, but I do have more coming in few weeks.  The other new colorways are going quickly as well, but again, more will arrive in few weeks.

Thanks for info on the new Favorite Socks book from Interweave (check previous post).  I went to Barnes & Noble online and bought it on Friday.  And even though the site said that it wouldn't be available until April, my shipping estimate was 2-3 days.  I'm hoping that's right!  Anyone else order from BN and get it already?  I also ordered the Itty Bitty Hats book that Lisa recommended in the comments.  I should have pre-ordered the upcoming Harry Potter book while I was at it, but it slipped my mind.

Only 50% Sasquatch Today

I really appreciate all the comments and e-mails about the last post.  I'm glad I decided to delurk myself and show a picture of me and the bump.  You all made me feel less like a sasquatch.  I don't know about you, but pregnancy doesn't make me feel like I "glow" or am "womanly"- right now it's just awkward and a bit uncomfortable.  It's not quite what I expected.  I'm sure my favorite uniform of an IU t-shirt and gnome p.j.'s bottoms doesn't help much.... but whatever.  Oh, and if you haven't seen the Nick and Nora p.j.'s at Target, you need to take a look- I also have these sheets to match my gnome p.j.'s.  I can now sleep surrounded by flannel-y gnome splendor. 

I've swear I'm about to decide on a sock yarn for the Blooming Feet exchange that Amanda has organized.  There is actually one person who has her socks finished!  I'm so envious!  I'm about finished with my Embossed Leaves socks using CTH solid in Teal, so I'll make my Blooming Feet socks next on the list.  I'll post pics of the CTH socks when they are finished.  I *heart* that yarn!  It's spun tightly enough, nicely saturated color and is springy.

Oh, and some exciting news in sock pattern publishing- Interweave Press is coming out with a book in April with all the most popular sock patterns from their magazine; it's titled Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave.  From the looks of the site, it looks like the book came out, but I believe it doesn't really come out til April.  There's even a knitalong for it!  Take a look at the knitalong to see all the patterns that are in the book- the Embossed Leaves socks that I often write about is part of it!  I'm definitely getting this book for myself.  It will keep me busy for years! 

New Yarn and the Bun

That's me and the bun at 5 months- taken on Valentine's Day before going out for the night.  What?  Like I'm going to take a picture sans makeup when the 8 people who read this will see me at my worst? When I see myself in a picture (after gasping in horror b/c who really likes to look at yourself especially when it looks like you have a square ass??) I realize that I am actually pregnant.  I didn't realize that I had a belly.  I mean, I'm still wearing all my normal clothes, they just fit differently.

This makes me think that I really should start knitting a bit for the baby.  But I don't know what I want to knit.  And I should maybe think of names.  But I don't like the ones Joe suggests.  And I should think of maybe buying stuff for a nursery.  But then I get overwhelmed with all the things I don't know.  And then I tell myself that why make decisions now when I'm likely to change my mind in, oh, about 4 minutes?  This is my frame of mind.  *sigh*

So... yarn.... not only did the gorgeous new Lorna's Laces and Claudia colors arrive (see previous post), you'll now also see the new Cascade Fixation solid colors and new Crystal Palace Panda Cotton solid colors too!  It's wonderful to be surrounded by so much beautiful fiber, but knowing that it is on its way back out the door just makes me want to stash it!

New Lornas Laces Colors, including Flamingo

Oooooh, they have finally arrived.... the brand new Shepherd Sock colorways from Lorna's Laces!  7 new colors in all, including Flamingo Stripe- Lorna's Laces donates 20% of the proceeds from this colorway to organizations that fund breast cancer research!

All the new colors are shown below, and if you see them sell out on the site, I expect another shipment in a month.  Like all the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock colors, I aim to keep them in stock all the time.

The new colors are: Devon, Envy, Red Rover, Tickled Pink, Firefly, Whisper and Flamingo Stripe

Lorna's Laces wasn't all we got in; new Claudia colors have arrived too!!  SSYC has received 8 new colors from Claudia Hand Painted Yarns, including Lemon Ice, Woodland Moss, Blue Fields, Summer Rose, Peony, Begonia, Sunrise and Buckeye

Yarn, yarn and more yarn

It's amazing to me how quickly the new shipment of Fleece Artist merino has been cleared out.  While we still have a bit left, there's only one or two skeins of most colors.  And the free Tilting Blocks socks pattern still comes with purchase until Monday, so if you haven't taken advantage, now's the time.

And LOTS more yarn has arrived late this week as well.  Tasty tidbits from... well you'll have to wait til Monday to see!  HA!  But, rest assured, it's not to be missed.  Beautiful hand paints from two of your favorite dyers, more Panda Cotton (Solids!)... and more Rainforest II is set to arrive next week too.  We're out of the Peacock, but more is expected at the end of next week.  Oh, and Melienweit!  We've been so low on that for months now, and it's expected to arrive late next week as well.  More Colortweed, Boot Stretch, and solids

Joe's birthday was on Valentine's day, and we dug the little Jetta out of the large snow piles to go out for a tasty dinner.  Since the weather has been so bad here this week, it's a good thing I got his Valentine's and birthday present arranged before hand- usually I'm a procrastinator and wait til the last minute.  Thank God I didn't do that this year!  So Happy 34th Birthday to Joe, my favorite person in the whole world.  It's odd to think that next year we will be celebrating with a little tiny version of ourselves.  Wow.

Snow...

Seems we're under a snow emergency here.  Not much snow this entire season, but all of a sudden we're expecting a foot today in Indiana.  I'm just giving y'all the heads up b/c this means that orders placed today (Tuesday) will likely not be shipped until Thursday.  The roads are ba-ad today.  How do I know?  B/c it's not even 8:30am and I've already been out!  And I'm not going to be dumb enough to try that again!

All the schools in the area have been canceled, which means no work for Joe!  He's not too pleased about this b/c it means that he'll have to make it up when the weather is nice this summer.  The university he teaches for is also closed, so I think it's going to be a day of video games and spaghetti westerns for my him.

So what does this weather mean for me?  Work.  Obviously.  But also, since items can't be shipped, I'll have a bit more time for some much needed office work and then the knitting.  Yea!  I'm finishing up my Embossed Leaves socks and then I think I'm going to start on my Blooming Feet socks.  That is, if I can decide on what to use.  From your comments last week, I've decided to definitely use superwash, and only do a pattern on the foot if it isn't one that bunches up or creates too much texture.  I think I'm going to choose an interesting colorway, rather than play it safe.

Did anyone else get their Spring Interweave Knits magazine and see the great sock patterns?  Not just one, but three, I believe!  And there's one on their website as well, though I think it's password protected for subscribers of the mag.

New Koigu Colors

SSYC has received a new shipment from Koigu, which includes over a dozen more colors of the KPPPM (Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino) multicolored fingering weight yarn.  You can see everything here, and the new ones are listed next to the pictures as arriving in Feb.

Below are three of my favorite colors from this new shipment- perhaps one of them will become sock for my Blooming Feet pal.... decisions, decisions.  The colors are P113, P514, and P429

I had a doc appt last week for my 5 month check up.  And Joe and I learned that the baby is a boy!  Knowing that makes the impending parenthood seem a lot more real.  The ultrasound tech had a hard time getting pics of the little guy b/c he wouldn't stop moving.  Mom seems to think that he's taking after her and already likes to dance.  The tech asked me if I was able to feel all the movement yet, and I haven't felt a thing!  I mean, I feel little aches and pains in that area, which I'm told are normal especially for a first pregnancy, but I don't feel movement yet.  Since he's only about the size of a dollar bill, I guess I'll let him grow a little more before I expect to feel him kicking me.  I'm sure in a few months I'll just want him to stop kicking me.

Opal Rainforest II

The newest Opal collection, Rainforest II, is now available at Simply Socks Yarn Company!  This collection includes 7 new sytles, plus the very popular Tiger.  For now, the only way to reach the collection is through this link http://www.simplysockyarn.com/Categories.bok?category=SOCK+YARN%3AOpal,+Rainforest+II .  So blog readers get a bit of a head start until we get the new link on the website!

I expect this collection to go very quickly, so don't be suprised if you see colors disappear. Check back in a week to see them return, or e-mail service@simplysockyarn.com to see exactly when they will be available again.

New Fleece Artist Merino Shipment

Four big ol' boxes have finally straggled through customs and arrived at SSYC!  We now have over 40 colors of the super popular Fleece Artist merino yarn.  And from now through Feb 19, each Fleece Artist merino order will come with a free Tilted Blocks Socks pattern (in addition to the basic pattern that already comes on the label).  So even if you are somewhat new to socks, and you want options for both a simple and a slightly more advanced pattern, now's your chance to get them both with purchase.

We have back in stock almost 2 dozen colors that we sold out of: Autumn, Blue Lagoon, Bronze, Cosmic Dawn, Ebony, Ivory, Mermaid, Melon, Mellow Yellow, Midnight, Moss, Marine, Pinata, Paris, Pale Pink, Polar Sea, Rainforest, Rose Garden, Seashore, Wildflower, Woodland.

Shown below are Autumn, Rose Garden, and Woodland- most b/c I just think they look extra tasty this time around.  I really like how Fleece Artist dyed the pinks this time in Rose Garden and Pale Pink- they are almost antiqued-looking, if you can tell from the picture.

Choices, choices

I spent quite a bit of time knitting this weekend, especially during the football game, and I have a lovely sock to show for it.  The sock isn't lovely b/c of my mediocre knitting skills- it's a combination of wonderful yarn (CTH supersock solid in Teal) and a very cool pattern (Embossed Leaves from IK Winter 2005) that makes it work.  As you can see, I've finished one sock and am about 1/3 done with the mate.  I've even strayed from my normal use of Crystal Palace's bamboo needles, for Lantern Moon Rosewood needles.  The needles are an inch longer than I'm used to, but I really like how sturdy the hardwood feels, and the pretty reddish color.  **If you use a Netscape browser, you may notice that you get an error when looking at the Lantern Moon needle section.  My webmaster is looking into this, but if you want to see them in the meantime, just use the Manufacturer drop down menu on the left side of the SSYC homepage and scroll to Lantern Moon.  You can see them that way!

SSYC has received several boxes of Fleece Artist merino in the past couple days, and one more in expected to make its way here today- sometimes with customs, things get caught and delayed.  So expect to see our Fleece Artist selection expanded late today or early tomorrow (Tuesday).  Lots of colors we have been out of are going to come back.  Ebony, Moss, Ivory, Pale Pink, Wildflowers, Seashore.... lots more.

I still haven't decided what I'm going to do for the Blooming Feet swap yet.  My pal has given me so much room to choose, that I'm going to eventually take a plunge and decide.  That's kind of cool that I have such a broad range of choices, b/c then I can choose what I would most like to knit, rather than knitting for someone else's desires.  But hopefully it will turn out to be something that she wants.... otherwise what's the point of the exchange?!?  Any suggestions as to what do when an exchange pal gives you such a broad range to choose from?  Do you play it safe?  Do you choose something you like?  Do you go with the popular pattern and the popular yarn?  help.

Cherry Tree Hill's Supersock Contest

Want to win $1000 bucks, free yarn and get a pattern published?  Yeah, I thought that might get your attention.  Cherry Tree Hill is sponsoring a design contest, and one talented knitter can win big by designing a large, multidirectional garment using 6-12 skeins of Supersock yarn.  CTH is particularly interested in designs that incorporate several solid, handpainted and/or Potluck colors into one dynamic pattern.

Take a look at the poster at left for details.  Since the large poster is somewhat grainy, below is the text that I've taken directly from the poster, so you can easily read the rules.

If anyone is interested in this contest, and needs large quantities of Supersock yarn in one dyelot, or wants help picking out coordinating colors, just e-mail me and I'll help by special ordering yarn asap and/or e-mailing pics of colors together so you can get a better idea of what might look nice for your pattern.  Whatever you need, just let me know.  While SSYC carries all of the solid colors and most handpainted colors (as well as potluck), you can check out Cherry Tree Hill's color cards here.  The first two color cards are available in Supersock.

To download the rules in Word format, just click the link below:

Download cherry_tree_hill_2007_contest.doc