Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Life

I recently realized that it's been quite awhile since I've posted anything other than store business- no gardening, cooking, James, traveling.... life details.  It's been so busy in the store and I have so much to share about new yarn and kits and other tidbits that I never get around to sharing what's going on in my life.

So here's the short version- nothing new!  Really!  And it's nice.  We don't plan on moving any time in the near future (or ever) we aren't pregnant, we have no family drama or health problems, the store is doing well, our evenings and weekends are filled with hanging out with great friends, we haven't travelled, there's no major redecorating....  these are all things I've blogged about here over the past (nearly) 6 years.  But there's really nothing compelling to share that I can think of.  Other than the weather.  OMG, seriously, the SNOW?  There's so much of it right now that James looked out the window and asked where the pond was.  I told him that that show was covering it and he said, "When the snow melts, the pond will be there."

 

This is the view from my front porch early this morning.  The white stuff is everywhere!

Is there something that you want to know and ask me?  Cuz' I got nothin'.  If there's a story I've left hanging, or something you want to know about, leave me a comment below or e-mail me and perhaps week I'll write a post to answer some of your questions.

I hope you all have a nice weekend.  It's likely we'll just be hanging around the house because the snow makes going out much more difficult.  Joe has fashioned a little sled run in the backyard for James, to go with the two snowmen and snow fort they built last week, so it's likely James will love staying home for a few days.  See?  I'm just full of excitement.

Coronal Mass Ejection

What a name for this striped color, eh?  If you're one of the many that have been waiting for me to receive the color I wrote about last week, it's now the in the store.  Just a little something for those of you who might not have gotten the Valentines Kit, or for anyone who adores stripes like I do.

 

I think you'll find that the Coronal Mass Ejection skein in person is more rich in color than a picture can show.  The way natural light bounces off the nearly fluorescent pink in this skein, well, it doesn't make for an easy picture.  But it makes for an awesome knit. 

 

When I asked Caitlin at STC to dye up something special for Valentines Day, I told her that I was hoping for something that was black, gray and a color between purple and hot pink.  I really like that the magenta in the skein almost looks purple in some light, and pinker in others.  It's quite a cool effect.

I knit my socks in a simple stockinette stitch, top down, with a kitchener toe.  Definitely an easy and fun project for evenings while enjoying TV.  I think my next project is going to be a pair of socks using one of these colors.  Or maybe these.

Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I have sad news.  I've lost my knitting mojo and I don't know where to find it.  I can't finish any sock projects and I have several other projects just sitting on needles.  I want to find my passion for fiber again, don't know where to start.

What should I do?  Is there a pattern or yarn that I should try to infuse my hobby with passion again?  Maybe this will just pass on its own?

Many thanks,

Languishing in Laporte

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Help a knitter out and leave your advice in the comments section below.  Have a question you'd like answered here?  Simply send an e-mail to service@simplysockyarn.com and title it Ask the Knitters.  You question could be chosen for this series.

40% off

Have you tried Fortissima Socka in the Bamboo Degradee line?  If you haven't yet tried it, I'm offering it for a week or so at 40% off.  It's currently available in 6 colors that change every inch or so as you knit in the round.

I like it because the colors are the type that even my usually-gray-sock-loving-husband would wear- well at least three of the colors.  And it's one of those interesting knits because each change gradually from one color to the next.  And for $9 for over 400 yards, you can get large pair of socks for a low price.

 

Right now, I have two projects on the needles that I'm really enjoying, the STC color that I wrote about last week (which you'll see in the store in about a week) and the Silver Plume color that came with the Valentine Kit.  Otherwise, I'd start another proejct in this bamboo.  Even though my knitting-only-for-myself resolution from 2010 is now over, I'm still knitting for myself.  Partially because the colors I'm knitting I love so much that I can't imaging giving them up.  And also because I've really appreciated wearing the socks that I knit myself throughout last year.  In fact, I've worn nothing but hand knit socks on my feet for months now- until yesterday because my recently washed socks hadn't air dried yet.  I do have two pairs of socks that got snagged on the wood floor and have holes.  But since I've never darned a hole before, I'm not sure where to start.  How do you best mend your socks when they have holes?  Have any tips for me?

Winner of 1.11.11 Contest

And the winner is, Glyn, who said that the project she is working on right now is Mr. Abominable.  Totally adorable pattern!  The link goes to the Ravelry page, which is free to see if you have an account.

 

Glyn wins a skein of this lovliness.  So e-mail me with your info, Glyn, so I can mail your prize!

It's been nutso here, what with the quick sale of the Valentine kit, and getting all those out to you.  But this will be a welcomed work-free weekend, as Joe's out of town and it will be just me and James. Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

My foot circumference is 9+ inches and some sock patterns are made for narrower feet.  I know I can adjust the pattern to accomodate my size, but some patterns just make the foot look even wider.  Are there particular types of patterns that give the illusion of a slimmer foot?

Also, are there particular patterns that seem to "bunch up" the sock and make it difficult to fit into shoes?

Thanks for your help!

Slimming in Selina

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Help a knitter out and leave your answers in the comments section below.  Do you have a question you'd like to see answered here?  Simply title an e-mail Ask the Knitters and send it to service@simplysockyarn.com.  Your question could be chosen for this series.

Another Valentine's Surprise

Yes, the kit sold very quickly.  Every time I sell a kit, I am happy with how well it is received.  But this one sold in just a few hours, which surprised even me.  Since so many of you wanted something special for Valentine's Day, I have something else coming in about a week.  Perhaps this will make it a bit better if you missed out on the kit?

 
 

I'd like your opinions on kits and special offerings in the store.  Since I started selling sock kits last Christmas, they continue to be very popular.  Because of the quality of the items and the time it takes to make each piece, I can't significantly increase the number that I have for sale.  It's just not possible to ask an artisan to put months of her workload on hold to make things just for my small store and disappoint all her other accounts.  And I don't want to compromise the quality of the kits by including things that are more mass-produced or from artisans who aren't sought after.  So would you like to see more than just 4 themed kits in the store a year so that you have a better chance of getting one throughout the year?  Or do you prefer the idea that they are hard to get and it's somewhat likely that you won't be able to get something you want sometimes?  I'd love to read your opinions on the comments.  And if you have longer, or very specific things you'd like to relay, you're welcome to e-mail directly.  SSYC is your store too, and I want to hear what you think.

"Platinum Petals" Valentine Kit Now Available

Just click here!  The link will no longer work when the kit has sold out.  I'll get your orders packed as quickly as possible, but please keep in mind that your orders might arrive a day or two later than usual because of the time it takes to get all these kits out to everyone.  If there are extras in a few days, because of duplicate orders or unpaid, then I'll post those kits throughout the week as I have them.  Edited to add 5 hours later: it's sold out now, but you can check the link throughout the week to check cancelled/duplicate orders going back up).

If you missed the details of the kit, just scroll down or click here to see that post.

 

Something to come

I really like planning kits for the store.  I started putting together special occasion kits last year, and with each one I've designed, it's been a highlight of my month.  The upcoming Valentine's Day kit is no exception because includes two elements I haven't before included in a kit- an awesome pattern and super cool shawl pin.

So let me tell you all about this upcoming kit.  The dyer of this gorgeous skein is Tanis Fiber Arts, and if you've happened on this blog over the past month you know that I looooove her Purple Label cashmere blend sock yarn.  So of course when I was planning the kit, I asked if she would be interested in dyeing a special color.  I told her my inspiration for the color was a pink-flecked granite and I think she and her husband did a really fabulous job of translating that into a squishy, fibery skein, don't you?  I had a contest here on the blog to name the skein, and the one that seemed to fit to me was Silver Plume, which is the type of granite seen in the Rockies.  Especially since one of the items in this kit is a set of four granite stitch markers.

 

Aren't they pretty?  They're hanging on the awesome shawl pin that I found at Sock Summit '09.  One of the vendors that had a booth close to me was Sassafras Creations and they make some fun jewelry and accessories made from knitting needles.  Anne (who helped me staff my booth) and I bought several pieces including earrings, a necklace and a key chain... and I might have just visited the above link and purchased a necklace last night!  I can't help myself, I love the stuff!  And then earlier last year I asked them to make some shawl pins for you all and they made these cool ones using two double point aluminum needles in many colors.  You'll get one two-piece shawl pin in your kit, and I'll choose the color- it will be a fun surprise!  After all, I know many of you like to knit shawls and shawlettes out of your sock yarn and who couldn't use a cool pin?

 

Finally, I asked Jeannie Cartmel to design a pattern for the kit and she did this cool cabled pattern, which the recipients of this kit get a full 6 months before she releases it publicly.  Isn't it nice to be ahead of the game?  I think it looks just perfect with this colorway, which to me, behaves like a semi-solid.  Instead of white yarn showing through the gray, it's a blushing pink. It's such a lovely effect and I think it compliments the geometrically patterned sock.  Jeannie even let my husband Joe contribute by naming the pattern.  After looking at my finished sock, he said that it reminded him of papyriform columns of Egypt which were constructed to resemble multiple papyrus reeds bound together.  Your Papyriform Sock pattern will be e-mailed to you shortly after your order is shipped.

If you are new to cabled socks, then this will be a fun introduction.  It's not an easy beginners pattern, but it's not frustratingly difficult at all.  Once I completed the first pattern repeat, it was really really addictive.  I used the slip and pinch (at least that's what I call it) technique that Jeannie calls for in the pattern.  This is a way of cabling without using a cable needle, and boy was it soooo much easier.  If you are new to knitting cables, check out this article or this video to learn more about doing it without having to fiddle with a cable needle.

The kit will go up on the website on Monday morning and you'll see a new post here when it does.  I have fewer than 200 kits (which typically sell out in a day), and the costwill be less than $50.  So if you do really want one of these, I recommend placing your order when you see the kit.  I'm not trying to frustrate anyone who doesn't get one, but there are limits on what I can ask the dyers and artisans to do.  Since each part of this kit is hand made, each piece takes time and that's really what makes it so special.

1.11.11 - A Contest

What a cool date, eh?  I just realized that today's date is such a cool number that it deserves a contest!  So leave me a comment below telling me what project you are or will be knitting later today, and you could win this month's color from Dream in Color, which is a wintery Alpine Flurry dyed on the their chunky base.  It comes with a free pigtail hat pattern too, for a cute and satisfying quick project.  These are the colors in my family room, so I'm thinking about knitting a small cabled pillow out of a skein or two.

 

You entry must be made my midnight EST on 1/11/11 to be eligible to win.  I'll pick one person and let you know the winner.  Have an awesome day.

What am I knitting later today?  A sock from the upcoming color for the Valentine's kit, which will be available for purchase in a few days.  I luuuuurve it.

Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I have been knitting for ..... well a loooooong time, but I've never tried socks.  So I decided that this is the year.  There are so many sock knitting books out there, but I'm thinking that not all of them are appropriate for a beginner.  Any suggestions?

Also, are there particular free online sources to tips and info fo the beginning sock knitter?

Thanks so much,

A New Year Sock Knitter

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Help a knitter out and leave your suggestions in the comments section below.  Do you have a question that you'd like answered here?  Simply title your e-mail Ask the Knitters and send it to service@simplysockyarn.com and your question could be chosen for this series.

12 Days of Sock Yarn Winners

Thanks to all who participated in the 12 Days of Sock Yarn from Dec 13 through the 24!  This is the second year you've joined me in celebrating this SSYC holiday, and if you didn't have a chance to read through all the answers, I recommend it.  Click here to scroll through the December blog posts to see them all.  There are so many ideas for holiday celebrating and decorating, and great knitting tips as well.  So here's what you've been waiting for- the winners!  If you're one of them, you should have an e-mail in your Inbox shortly, indicating how to retreive your prize.  One of you didn't log your e-mail with your comment, so if you see your name/comment below and didn't get an e-mail, contact me.

 

1st Day's question: How have you incorporated sock yarn into your holiday decorations?

"We have nearly all of the ornaments on the tree tied with either red and green yarn rather than hooks; they seem to stay secured better that way with cats running around. In addition to the yarn ties, there are several crocheted snowflakes and a few handmade knitting baskets with tiny balls of yarn and miniature knitting needles adorning the tree.

This year I planned to knit and crochet a garland for the fireplace, but, well...good intentions... :)" - Jaye

2nd Day's question: When do you start knitting your holiday gifts for the next year?

"I don't knit Christmas gifts. I would go absolutely bonkers if I had that deadline and all the other things to do for the season." -Patty McD

3rd Day's question: How many pairs of socks did you finish in 2010?

"I only finished 2 pair this year. A pair of fixation anklets from one ball (wanted to see if it could be done for my 7.5 feet) and a pair that I started 2 years ago. Baudelaire reworked for my gauge. Actually I am redoing the bind off for the first sock but I hope to finish them today. Most of my knitting time is when I am out waiting for something so maybe 2 hrs a week." -Rachel

4th Day's question:  What's the weather like where you live on December 25th?

"Usually cold with snow here, which would be nice if we didn't have to travel." -Amy

5th Day's question: Do you have a favorite holiday-themed tune?

"The ones that always get stuck in my head are 'Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas', and 'Feliz Navidad' - I'm not sure if that makes them my favorite, or my least favorite. :P' -Akaemi

6th Day's question:  When knitting socks, how do you figure out the size of the sock for the giftee without tipping them off to your intentions?

"When I gift socks it is usually to family so I know their shoe size already." -Vivian

7th Day's question: What was your favorite pattern this year?

For me, it was the Vacation Scarf.  I was stuck in a car for 26+ hours this sumer.  It helps pass the time. -Mneme

8th Day's question: What type of sock yarn do you knit most often?

"I used to like the self-striping yarn, but now that I'm trying more complicated patterns, I like solid colors the best." -Carolyn

9th Day's question: Do you have a favorite cookie or dessert recipe that you must make or eat that the holidays?

"Whether I like it or not, I end up making at least a batch of Night Before Christmas Mice from A Baker's Field Guide to Christmas Cookies. (If you check the "Look Inside" link at Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Field-Guide-Christmas-Cookies/dp/1558322639 -, you can see the mouse peeking out from the upper left corner of the second page.) They're adorable, but take a fair amount of effort. Which reminds me, I need to go make the dough so I can make the cookies tomorrow." - Sarah

10th Day's question:  What is the funniest/most preposterous/memorable thing that anyone has said to you about your knitting or love of yarn?

"I work in a hospital lab and someone from another department came in looking for me, actually asking everyone she was looking for the person who knits. So she was directed to me, finally found me. She needed help, with a project and needed a question answered. I started the answer with "that is easy" and someone in my department yelled across the room "we all can't be Martha Stewart like you" ! Needless to say everyone started laughing.
PS. There was a bad adjective before Martha's name." -Deborah N

11th Day's question: Is there a particular knitting pattern book you would like someone to gift you this year?

"The latest book I added to my "wish list" is Cookie A's new one, Knit, Sock, Love. I think I added it too late to receive it this Christmas, though. I also would like to receive A Fourth Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara Walker (to complete my set), Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders, and Brave New Knits. There's an excellent chance I'll get something from this list.

Oh, yeah, -- then there's the two books I already bought for myself and told my hubby to wrap them up for me: the new version of Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore and Around the World in Knitted Socks by Stephanie Van der Linden. (Those were set aside quite a while ago, so I almost forgot them).

Knitting books make perfect presents for me!" -Nancy

12th Day's question: If you had to choose ONE sock yarn line to knit for one year, which would it be and why?

"Probably Fleece Artist.  They've got lines from all sorts of bases and you can use them to make things other than socks."- J.T. in Missouri

Congrats to the 12 winners of sock yarn!  I look forward to doing this again next year.  In the meantime, I'll make sure to offer some fun contests throughout 2011.  You never know when!

I've already snagged one...

...from this long awaited shipment.

 

But just one skein.  Because I like you all and want you to be able to get some of this stripey goodness before it sells out.  I have the Continuum again (merino/cashmere/nylon), and a new-to-SSYC base yarn, Entanglement, which is a merino/nylon blend with even a bit more yardage than the Continuum.

 

It's so colorful, don't ya just want to throw it up in the air like confetti and let it drop all around you?

2010 - A resolution kept

When the year began, I made one knitting resolution: to put myself first.  Looking at an empty sock drawer and wearing a scarf that I knit years earlier, I realized that I had been giving all my knitting away.  I resolved to make 2010 the year I knit only for myself.  And you know what?  With the exception of the one baby blanket I knit for a special baby, a project that you all made me realize really was just as much for me as the adored baby, I kept with it.  I feel really good about knitting for myself if 2010.  And my feet feel good too!

So what do I have to show for it?  Many pairs of socks.  The projects I knit in 2010 vary in number, depending on whether you count the ones that were actually started in 2009 and finished in 2010, but here's a list of many of the projects I finished in 2010:

Opal Antonia Socks knit in color 2802,

Alchemy's Vintage Jade socks (and I started another pair but only finished one sock so far)

 

Pagewood Farm Alyeska socks in the special edition SSYC Club color Garden Party,

Cascade Sassy Stripe socks

CTH Fingerpaints socks (which I love so much and can't believe I haven't done another pair)

 

Sundance Socks (with a free pattern) with the store's 5th Anniversary colorway

Halloween Mitts (with a free pattern)

Opal Hundertwasser socks

 

Midsummer Morning socks

Candy Corn socks

Obsession Scarf

So do I have any knitting resolutions for 2011?  Nope.  None.  I'm not going to put together a list of things I may or may not accomplish.  I'm not going to impose any restrictions this year on my craft.  I'm going to knit or stash the yarn that I like and let this part of my life be the selfish part.  I'll buy what I want, knit when I want, and finish the projects that I want to finish and not have any bad feelings if I don't finish a project in a timely manner.

And do I have any non-knitting related resolutions?  Nope.  None of those either.  2010 was such a fabulous year.  The store was super busy and my yarn line was featured in several sock patterns in Knitty Magazine (and in even bigger publications coming in 2011), Joe and I got away for our first vacation (without child) since James was born, James started preschool (which was a growing experience for both of us), and I've finally found some balance in my work and personal life in hiring a new employee, who is the mother of that special baby that received the blanket.  In the store, I sponsored awesome events and contests, designed patterns, introduced limited edtion kits, and with your help donated money to those in need... you can expect all this to continue and expand in the coming year.

So what do I want in 2011?  Joe and I made a committment to improved heath, and we will continue.  I'd like to find time for a family vacation.  I'd hope to visit my sister and brother more often.  I want to make weekly date nights a priority with Joe- too often we make excuses for why we are too busy.  And if none of these come to fruition, I'll be fine with that.  I'm just putting it out in the universe that I have hopes and expections, and I hope it comes back to me.

What about you?  How did your 2010 resolutions fare?  And what are you looking forward to in 2011?

Dream in Color's Dream Club, January 2011

It's a rare (and brief) weekend post to let you know that the newest Dream Club color has arrived and it's such a perfect, wintery color named Alpine Flurry.  It's dyed on DIC's chunky-weight Groovy yarn, and at $18.75 it's quite a deal for a hand dyed skein and a pattern.  Just e-mail me after you place your order and I'll e-mail you the free Pigtail Hat pattern.  Happy New Year!