Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Wow... finished socks!

First off, a new shipment of Fleece Artist Somoko has arrived, bringing back several colors that sold quickly the first time we had it in stock, and also a few new colors- Dragonfly, Moss, Fruit Punch and Angel Fish.  Check 'em out!  The US Dollar keeps declining in value compared to the Canadian Dollar, and Fleece Artist's prices just went up.... so Fleece Artist prices are likely to increase 10% in a couple weeks.  If you've been eyeing particular colors of Merino, Sea Wool, and Somoko, now's the time to get them before that increase.

I have to say, that I'm quite proud that I have managed to finish some socks since James was born.  I mean, it's really so hard to find spare time to knit and I can't say that I would rather spend my free time doing anything else.  I guess you can really judge what people love to do when they have such little time, and still choose to do that one thing.  Granted, knitting is something that you can do while watching TV, being a passenger in a car, or a multitude of other things.  And I've let other things go- my roots (I have some white peaking through), cooking (yeah, it's all about the premade things at the deli) and movied (well, I DID see Harry Potter)... but knitting?  I've made time for that.

While the socks aren't perfect (there are two obvious mistakes in the Jaywalker at left), and I have only finished one of each the Jaywalker and Monkey sock, I'm still quite proud that I finished anything at all!  My friends had laughed when I said "Well, babies basically sleep all day, right?  So I'll have lots of knitting time."  I just figured it was just them- not at all how things would be for me.

I took the pictures here while relaxing on my couch after having lunch- James decided to take a 2.5 hour nap *gasp* and so I was able to weave in ends, try them on, and enjoy the fit.  The Jaywalker really fits perfectly- slightly snug so I know that it will not bag by the end of the day.  I'm not a fan of the baggy sock.

Anyone watch Chuck this week?  I liked it but didn't love it like I thought I would.  I'm looking forward to The Office.  I did watch a bit of Heroes last night, but fell asleep!  Don't hate me.

Opal Rainforest III

   

Well, you may have noticed that the Opal Rainforest III collection is now available!  This collection from Opal focuses on birds and butterflies, and each color has a quirkly name like Otto the Dancer (for a bird), or Oskar the Dreamer (for a butterfly).  I'm not sure what's up with the names, since all the other Rainforest collections from the past had the colors named after the type of animal, but I think it's pretty funny.  You may also have noticed that there is a decrease in price of this collection.  I hope that this lower price stays in effect for quite awhile... as long as the US dollar doesn't take another dive.

And for those of you who hunt through the Sale section looking for deals, you'll find several Cherry Tree Hill supersock solid colors for just $14.00 a skein- 30% off the original price.  This is first quality supersock yarn, it was simply overstocked at the distributor.  Take advantage of it while it's instock b/c I don't know when I will be able to get more at this price.

Have you joined Ravelry yet?  I signed up months ago and just got my much anticipated invitation!  I haven't had time to browse through and set up more than my name and picture, but I hope to be able to keep in contact with current and new fiber buddies.  My name on there is AllisonSSYC, so contact me if you want to chat- hopefully James gives me a few minutes a day to do so...

**All of the sold out colors of the GoKnits pouches are back in stock.  And I received a new shipment of Fleece Artist Somoko, which I hope to have up later this week.

Travelling Hell

For those of you who have traveled with an infant, you know what I mean.  It is truly traveling hell.  And if traveling with an infant hasn't proved difficult for you, you might not want to leave your comment below 'cuz I will likely hate you.

Joe, James and I drove to PA this weekend to visit Joe's family.  And while the visit was nice, the driving was the complete opposite.  James is NOT a traveler.  For the first 40 minutes, he was in a great mood because "Hey!  Momma's in the backseat with me!  She's never in the backseat with me!  I can coo, and click at her and I have her undivided attention!"  But then James decided that he wanted to be held by Momma too, and started crying.  Then screaming.  Then purple faced, eyes bulging gasping.  And because we took the Ohio Toll Road we couldn't stop just anywhere and there are only rest stop about every 40 minutes.  A drive that used to take us 6 hours ended up being 9.  And I felt so guilty, and still do, for putting James through that.  I felt like I was traumatizing him by keeping him strapped in that seat and he couldn't understand at all why I would do that to him.  Anyone travel on a train with a baby?  Is it any easier?  And is Amtrak reliable or are there lots of delays?

On the new yarn front....Have you been waiting for the new Opal Rainforest 3 collection to arrive?  I hope to be able to get that up on the site in a day or two.  The new collection focuses on bird and bugs and is really quite cool.

From my sleep deprived mind to yours.

I have a sick kid.  James has a head cold and a cough, and it's not fun.  I don't mind giving him extra loves and doting on him, but I just hate that he doesn't feel well.  That little rattley cough and the sniffles just break my heart.  And this is just a cold!  What would happen if something worse would happen to him?  Would I become a complete headcase?  Is this what I have to look forward to for the rest of my life... worrying over the tiniest of things?  Huh?  Is it? IS IT?!?!

On another note, we all went to the Johny Appleseed festival this weekend.  It's like an antiquated fall festival where I can go and consume copious amounts of apple deserts and homemade rootbeer.  There are all sorts of interesting things to buy too, but I'm basically in it for the food. I highly recommend visiting if you are around Fort Wayne this time of year. That is, if you don't mind fighting the crowds.  Every year Joe and I would complain about "Those People" with the big baby strollers who would slow down the flow of the crowd and get in everyone's way.  This year we were Those People.  But having a stroller is so nice b/c you can stow all the stuff you buy in the bottom and it has drink holders!  Had we known how nice it was, we would have bought one sooner and just used it(sans bebe) to push the crowd out of our way and hold our crap.  Oh, the things you learn as parents.

To the fest, James got to wear his new cabled sweater from (blogless) Anne.  Anne's a college friend (one I actually still see on a regular basis and will forever) and she's the one who taught me to knit socks.  Uh, thanks for that Anne...  It's turned out well!  Anne's been talking up this sweater for months now and it's done and gorgeous, don't you think?  And lest you think that this is all Anne knits, I swear she's the one who started the Koigu Charlotte's Web shawl craze about 5 years ago when Matt and Rob operated out of their house in Bloomington- a few years before they opened Threadbear in Lansing.  The pic of her shawl was on their site for years, and might still be. I totally need to go visit that store, as there is no longer a yarn store in my town.  I hear it's huge and wonderful.  Oh, and Anne's feet are the ones in Rob's Broadripple socks in Knitty.  She won't let me post a pic of her face b/c she's so blindingly striking that you would burn your eyes and not be able to knit again.  Or she's just self conscious.  Pick one.

Wow.  Those 2 last paragraphs barely make sense.  It's like I just spewed what came out of my brain onto the screen without censering it.  And you are subjected to reading it.  And yet I just don't care enough to change it.  I need some coffee.

**Notice the blurry hands in the picture above? James has this new thing where he flaps his hands at a crazy pace like he's about to take off for a flight.  It's super cute, but not so good for the taking of pictures!

New Schaefer Heather Sock Yarn

Well, lookie what the ladies over at Schaefer Yarn sent- the NEW Heather sock yarn! It's a lovely blend of superwash wool, silk (35%!!), and nylon.  It has a wonderfully luxurious texture, and as you can see from the picture of the Clara Barton colorway at left, it takes dye very nicely.  I'm quite happy with this new sock yarn, and I hope you are too!

Because this is spankin' new, I have just three colors in stock right now, with more to follow in a couple weeks.  I also have a few new colors of Schaefer Anne yarn, those being Snooks (my favorite, shown at right), Greenjeans, and Sophia Smith.  And if you have been waiting for some of the sold out colors from Schaefer's Memorable Women Collection to return, you can now find Billie Holiday, Dian Fossey, Eleanor Roosevelt, Indira Ghandi, Julia Child, and Louisa May Alcott.  Oh, and there's also a new batch of the super popular Scotch Thistle.  Oh-so-many colors, so little time!

Until Thursday, September 20, you'll get a free Simply Textured Sock pattern automatically with any Anne or Heather purchase.  The pattern will come automatically, so no need to order it or e-mail your request.  And unline the free Meilenweit patterns that were gone in one day (wow, was that crazy), these will definitely be available until Thursday.

You swayed me

Well, I couldn't resist.  After seeing all that sKNITches Syncopation fly outta here, I had to join the club and start a new sock.  So far, I've only done a few inches, which I was able to do b/c of a 2.5 hour wait at the doctor's office!  James doesn't allow me to get much knitting done, so I have to say that the long wait really was a nice mini-vacation!  I'm using the very popular Jaywalker pattern from an issue of Magknits a couple years ago, and the color Leaflet.  I have already knit two socks in this pattern, but I thought that the stripes of the yarn would really make the zig zag of the pattern stand out.  I really love it and I highly recommend doing the pattern if you haven't knit it already.  Especially with Syncopation sock yarn.

James had his 8 week doc appointment recently and he's already over 12 pounds!  Seeing as how he was under 6 pounds when we brought him home, we are quite happy with this.  Of course, I'm not surprised, as I spend 1/3 of my day feeding him!

Spunky Eclectic Yarn

I'm so glad to get your e-mails that you really like the Spunky Eclectic yarn that is September's installment of the small dyers sock yarn club!  Anyone start knitting it up?  If so, leave a link below to yuor blog!  If you want to learn more about Amy King the dyer behind Spunky Eclectic, read on!

Allison: How long have you been dyeing yarn?  And what inspired you to begin?

Amy: I've been dyeing for myself for quite some time but it's been 4-5 years that I've been selling what I dye.  I've always loved color and I have an aversion to white.  I'm not sure what exactly inspired me, it just seemed natural.

Allison: I noticed that you are also a potter.  How does your art background affect your fiber work?

Amy: That's hard to say exactly how it affects my fiber work. Art is something I've always had in my life.  All the learning experiences throughout my life will always be with me. I can't say that I draw on anything specific to do my work but I'm sure it influences it.

Allison: What inspired the color combination of the yarn you designed for the SSYC Sock Yarn Club?

Amy: I was thinking of the time of year and all the berries and fruits that are ripe and available at this time.

Allison: What are some of your favorite sock patterns and pattern sources?

Amy: I think my favorite designer of sock patterns is Nancy Bush.  I really like textured or lace socks. I'm often surprised at how well the patterns work with variegated yarns.

Allison: How did you learn to knit?

Amy: My Gram taught me when I was a little girl.

Allison: If you could plan the perfect day, how would you spend it?

Amy: This is a tough one. I'm not one that relaxes well. I work almost every day and I'm ok with it.  I think maybe my perfect day might be to do some dyeing with friends and then spend the rest of the day chatting, relaxing, knitting, spinning and eating good food.  Of course, the children would be having a good time playing and not fighting.

Only one more month of this club to go (and it's DREAM IN COLOR for October)!  Keep reading the blog this fall to hear when the next club is going to start.  It will be another three-month club, with a bit of a theme.  I've already started planning with the dyers and I'm getting quite excited about it!  It's not likely to be announced until October or November, and the three months won't likely begin until December or January.  Like last time, it's likely to sell out in a couple days so please read here in Oct/Nov or sign up for the newsletter if you haven't already.

Oh, and you may have noticed that most of the sKNITches Syncopation yarn sold in a matter of hours!  More of the striped yarn is likely to arrive in about 3 months.  And you're likely to see more of Sam's sock yarn lines here too!

Yeah. Seriously.

Wanna see why I haven't blogged this week?  Take a look at the picture.  Those are the boxes that recently went out.  I mean, I know that we all like sock yarn, but this is just... WOW.  I felt so guilty having the postal carrier pick this up that I had Joe cart these to the back dock of the post office (it's just 6 blocks away).  Here I thought Labor Day weekend was for grilling and partying- turns out it's for buying sock yarn!

And I hesitate to tell you about what just arrived... sKNITches Syncopation- the self striping yarn.  Shown at right in Militia, which I knit up several months ago.  I placed the largest order I could with Sam, who hand dyes all the lovely yarn, earlier this year.  It has arrived and once it's gone I won't have it back in for another several months.  And while I rarely snag yarn for myself before you all have a chance to get it, I've put aside several for myself this time, including Leaflet and Wickedness.  I'm thinking of snagging a Mint Mocha Latte and Rugby too, before it's all gone.  And a few others.  Oh, how I love stripes!  And how often do you see hand dyed striped sock yarn?  Machine dyed, sure.  Hand dyed?  Not so much.