Before I show off the beauties that have come from the Summer of Color contest, I just want to thank all of you who participated by knitting socks with Simply Sock Yarn, or simply e-mailed telling me how you didn't enter but were really looking forward to seeing what socks came out of the contest.
There were three ways to win in the Summer of Color contest. The first way is to be the randomly chosen knitter from the Striped Category, and this person will win a $150 gift credit to the store. The second way is to be the randomly chosen knitter from the Mosaic/Fairisle Fun Category, and this person will win a $150 gift credit to the store. The third way, and this is where YOU come in, is the be voted the Best in Show, and this knitter will win a $200 gift credit to the store.
I've uploaded the pictures that have been entered exactly as they were given to me, with the exception of changing the size of a few because the files were way too large. There has been no color correction or cropping of the photos. If you would like to duplicate any of these fabulous socks, I've listed the colors and patterns, as given to me by the knitters. But do note that the color might be slightly off, as there's been no color correcting on my part. I've given links to blogs and/or Ravelry profile pages, if given directly to me in the entry e-mail.
Here's how you can vote. Do not leave your vote below in the comments, though you are welcome to talk about the socks, which ones you like and why, detail the inspiration behind the socks (if you are the knitter) or whatever else you want to comment as usual. For your vote to count, e-mail it to allison@simplysockyarn.com, ONCE per person (I will check the IP address of the e-mails, so please be honest and don't vote several times for one person or I might see fit to make changes to the contest- not that any of you would do that!) listing the one sock number that you are voting for. For example, the subject of your e-mail would be VOTE and the body of the e-mail would read: Socks 18.
E-mail me your vote (one time per person) by Friday August 6 at midnight EST. That will give you a week to rally your friends, browse all the entries, and cast your vote for Best in Show. I'll let you know (hopefully the following Monday), who the 2 randomly chosen winners are, and who won Best in Show. I can't wait to see for myself who wins! Now go cast your vote!
STRIPED CATEGORY:
Socks 1: Renee S knit these socks using the Magenta and Rose colors. The pattern is the Treasure Lace (Montana) pattern by Denise Henderly from the 50 Socks- 50 States CD. She used size 2 square dpn's.
Socks 2: Susan B knit these socks using the Black, Finch and Cerulean colors. The pattern is one of her own design, Walk Across Texas, and Susan has written this up for you and I'll be posting it here after the contest is over. She used US 1 needles.
Socks 3: Sue P knit these socks using the Lilac, Chocolate and Purple colors. The pattern is Pi Socks- a Recipe by Susan Gutperl (Purple makes just a brief appearance in the decimal position).
Socks 4: Diane E knit these socks using Rose, Blush, Wasabi, Buttercup and Wheatgrass. While she didn't use a written pattern, she improvised a feather-and-fan-type stitch. She has shared it with me and I'll be posting it here after the contest is over.
Socks 5: Bobbi R knit these socks using Blush, Fiesta Lime and Periwinkle. She devised her own varying-width stripe pattern.
Socks 6: Nancy G knit these socks using Chambray and Navy. This is a pattern that she designed to cleverly use up leftover yardage from knitting her entry in the Mosaic/Fairisle category.
Now for the MOSAIC/FAIRISLE FUN CATEGORY
Socks 7: Wendy S. Knit her socks using Chartreuse, Periwinkle and Cerulean. She utilized the Tiptoe through the Tulips by Stephanie Pearl McPhee from Knitty and changed it to make it more to her liking.
Socks 8: Lynn H knit these socks using Pink and Caribbean. The pattern is modified from a Ravelry pattern called Royal Garden.
Socks 9: Nancy G knit these socks using Chambray and Navy. The pattern is Montgolfiere by Stephanie van der Linden. She used 2.5mm Addi Turbos for the cuff and body and switched to 2.25mm circs for the toe.
Socks 10: Amy R knit her socks using Blue Skies, Natural, Black, Wheatgrass and Wasabi. It's her own pattern featuring tiny little sheep, basing the construction on Ann Budd's sock in The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns.
Socks 11: Gwen P knit these socks using the Sunlight and Blue Skies colors. The pattern is from More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. She used size 1 dpn's.
Socks 12: Janelle W knit her socks using the Turquoise, Chartreuse and Deep Sea colors. The pattern is Fjordland by Chrissy Gardiner's Toe Up book.
Socks 13: Mary B knit her socks using the Cherry Red, Natural, Bittersweet and Pink colors. It's called the Fiesta of Color pattern, which she designed herself. She used US 2 (2.75mm) needles.
Socks 14: Susan B knit her socks using Blue Violet and Periwinkle colors. She used the mosaic Maze pattern by Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks book, making a few mods.
Socks 15: Christina H knit her socks using Black and Slate. Her Groom's "Luis Vuitton Inspired" Socks pattern is one of her own.
Again, thanks to all the knitters who are showing their sock-love by voting or by entering the contest. Aren't these all awesome socks?!
Edited to add: Just a reminder that if you are commenting below and want your vote to count, you need to e-mail it. Comments are awesome for conversation and sharing yoru love of a particular sock, but in this case only e-mails count as votes. I don't want to accidentally count votes twice, thus I'm accepting them just one way.
You are so right Allison. All of the socks are "simply" awesome!!!
Posted by: Patricia Richardson | July 29, 2010 at 03:33 PM
Amazing!!! I have to admit that, while I am impressed with the skill & technique of the Fair Isle/ Mosaic socks, I am just a huge fan of stripes. But there is not a single pair that shouldn't have the knitter's buttons popping off with pride! I have been in quite a slump for the past month or so & these socks have fired up my creative juices. I think I'll have to vote & then buy a bunch of the SS yarn (I've been meaning to anyway.)
Posted by: mwknitter | July 29, 2010 at 04:21 PM
I feel like snatching those sheep socks off of Amy's feet. I love sheep!!! Someday I will have to find the patience to tackle Fairisle "anything". The stripe patterns are TO KEEP for future inspiration too, and I am now also wanting to make a pair of mismatched complimentary color socks. The thing is - I have some of these sock pattern books but have been too "chicken" to try them - but now seeing these knit up - I think I will have to try. Thank you knitters for very much inspiration for design and color combination.
Posted by: Diane | July 30, 2010 at 07:02 AM
Unbelievably beautiful hand-knit socks. I'm amazed at the talent they've displayed here. (Came here from Susan B Knits blog).
Posted by: Mary | July 30, 2010 at 11:28 AM
I have been in a knitting 'slump'. Thank you for the e-mail with the socks; I have started to knit a pair of socks to-night; "out of my slump!" Thank you. Marlene Y.
Posted by: Marleneyustin@gmail.com | July 31, 2010 at 07:35 PM
Thanks Diane for the nice comment! These were fun to knit and the idea just sort of came to me. I love sheep, too, and I wanted to include some in my design. So, I experimented with creating the sheep in fairisle and used the green check to simulate grass. Voila! These socks were born. I'm so glad that you like them.
Posted by: AmyR | August 02, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Vote for #12
Posted by: Barbara | August 03, 2010 at 08:34 AM
#12 gets my vote!
Posted by: Cinda | August 03, 2010 at 02:24 PM
I voted for #12! They were all beautiful and fun, but #12 knocked my socks off!
Posted by: Karen Drickamer | August 03, 2010 at 02:48 PM
Number 11; simply gorgeous!!!
Posted by: arlene magid weber | August 03, 2010 at 04:08 PM
Number 8
Posted by: Rasa | August 03, 2010 at 04:18 PM
I vote for # 12--such a nice combination of patterning in the body of the sock with the striping of the heel and sole. Beautiful
Posted by: Luanne Western | August 03, 2010 at 04:20 PM
#14 gets my vote
Posted by: Sharon | August 03, 2010 at 04:21 PM
I hope the pattern for sock 10 will be published at some point. I LOVE those sheep!
Posted by: Martha Clay | August 03, 2010 at 04:29 PM
They are all beautiful! It's difficult to hoose just one but I like #4. The colors are stunning.
Posted by: Vickie | August 03, 2010 at 04:31 PM
I vote for Socks 7, very unique idea.
Posted by: Josie | August 03, 2010 at 04:39 PM
I vote for sock #5.....It says spring to me!
Posted by: milai | August 03, 2010 at 04:40 PM
They are all amazing but #4 get my vote
Posted by: Tammy Diener | August 03, 2010 at 04:47 PM
All the socks are absolutely wonderful!!! What a hard choice to make but I am going with #10.
Posted by: Carolyn | August 03, 2010 at 05:02 PM
All are beautiful, but if I had to choose, #8.
Posted by: Lia | August 03, 2010 at 05:02 PM
i vote for #11, but also have a fondness for #14. love all of them
Posted by: carol christoffersen | August 03, 2010 at 05:03 PM
These socks are beautiful. I am inspired and a little intimidated.
Posted by: Ralyne | August 03, 2010 at 05:23 PM
I vote #11
Posted by: martie | August 03, 2010 at 05:34 PM
I vote #2
Posted by: Cindy | August 03, 2010 at 05:48 PM
I vote #4 -- they just say summer to me -- I just love the color combinations and they work so well with the pattern!!!
Posted by: Tam Peters | August 03, 2010 at 05:49 PM
#6!
Posted by: Marlyn | August 03, 2010 at 05:52 PM
They're all wonderful. I vote for #8
Posted by: Dianna Jorgensen | August 03, 2010 at 05:56 PM
Had to choose #1. I am a pinky....
bjr
Posted by: Barb R | August 03, 2010 at 06:21 PM
#13. Beautiful, thoughtful work. Kudos!
Posted by: Susan Meyer | August 03, 2010 at 06:23 PM
Lucky Number 7. I love the little flowers!
Posted by: Stacey | August 03, 2010 at 06:45 PM
Very hard to choose, with so many pretty entries! I choose #2 because of the unusual color choice.
Posted by: Honda Janak | August 03, 2010 at 06:47 PM
I like 7, 4, and one. Seven for the theme, four for the colours and 1 just because I like them.
Posted by: amy | August 03, 2010 at 06:53 PM
#13 is the most outstanding of all the wonderful socks.
Posted by: Beth | August 03, 2010 at 06:58 PM
I cannot decide. How about 'every body wins!'? They are all so fantastic. Nice job, everyone.
Posted by: karijuan | August 03, 2010 at 07:08 PM
Difficut decision but my vote goes to #1
Posted by: Pat O'Grady Daley | August 03, 2010 at 07:20 PM
I vote for #8. Wow, they are all swock divas in my book
Posted by: Cynthia Long | August 03, 2010 at 08:27 PM
#9 best in show
Pat Martin
Posted by: [at martin | August 03, 2010 at 09:27 PM
#2 for me -- the colorway is terrific!
Posted by: Kathy | August 03, 2010 at 09:29 PM
They are all wonderful! But I think my choice would be #8. Boy, was it hard to choose.
Thank you
Posted by: candy | August 03, 2010 at 10:16 PM
All these socks are so very wonderful! I am voting for #10 because I just love the sheep. Great job everyone!
Posted by: Susan95946@sbcglobal.net | August 04, 2010 at 01:07 AM
My vote goes to number 10.
Posted by: stricker | August 04, 2010 at 05:05 AM
I'm partial to pinks so #1 does it for me.
Posted by: Susan | August 04, 2010 at 05:15 AM
Wow, this is hard!
Which would I want to wear myself? Number 11
Which showed enviable skill? Number 11
Which colour combinataion? Number 15 but wished they were fitted up the leg a little further
Which inspires me to start another pair myself? Number 7.
So which shall I vote for? Number 7
Posted by: Penny Farthing | August 04, 2010 at 06:09 AM
No. 4 gets my vote. I love the colors.
Posted by: Terri | August 04, 2010 at 08:01 AM
Vote #1 but they are all inspiring.
Posted by: alfabch | August 04, 2010 at 09:17 AM
I'm voting for sock #10, can't resist the little sheepies! But I really like sock #11 too. All the socks are wonderful!!
Posted by: Ginger | August 04, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Socks 9 appeal to me because of the "op art" effect.
Posted by: Janet C | August 04, 2010 at 11:53 AM
I definitely will knit the tulip socks..they look like fun to make. I may change the colors, but then I always do.
Posted by: mary | August 04, 2010 at 01:29 PM
Amazing! Congrats to all the entries - they are so beautiful.
Posted by: Barbara | August 04, 2010 at 02:30 PM
I vote #14
Posted by: Rachel | August 05, 2010 at 07:43 AM
I'm on board with No. 14 - great color combo and the maze pattern is intriguing.
Posted by: Marie Gassler | August 05, 2010 at 08:37 AM
I vote for #6...but I loved them all...they all should pat themselves on the back
Posted by: Marie | August 05, 2010 at 01:59 PM
I vote for #12. They're fun!
Posted by: Michele | August 05, 2010 at 04:12 PM
#1 gets my vote. They are my favorite =)
Posted by: Melisa | August 05, 2010 at 11:37 PM
I would vote for #10, they are so clever and original. Very creative and so cute too!
Posted by: Terri | August 06, 2010 at 09:58 AM
I vote for Socks 10
Posted by: pavan | August 06, 2010 at 10:13 AM
My vote goes to #12. Good use of color and pattern. Actually, they are all beautiful ,& it was hard to settle on just 1.
Posted by: Marilyn | August 06, 2010 at 05:20 PM
Every single pair of socks is fantastic and amazing. I loved them all and find choosing difficult, but I will vote for #12. Couldn't they all win??!!!!
Posted by: Carol Laubach | August 06, 2010 at 08:20 PM
I read my email too late to vote, but I do not think I could pick one anyway. They are all just beautiful. Oh what handwork. They are all winners.
Posted by: Marilyn | August 07, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Such wonderful socks!! I love them all!
Posted by: Shelley | August 11, 2010 at 03:08 AM