Been waiting for news of the holiday kits? Wait no more! For the first time, I have two options for you- I just couldn't decide between the two, so hey, why not both?
The traditional red/green kit is named Santa's Little Helper- it features a dynamic red-flecked-with-green colorway from Melanie at Black Trillium Fiber Studio with a contrasting deep green mini skein for toes and heels.
The reversible sock project bag from Silver Moon Studios boasts holiday-themed sock monkeys on one side, and a tiny candy cane motif on the other. The kit also includes a 4 ounce Soak wash in the Citrus scent and an adorable knitting needle keychain. Photo with permission of Sassafras Studios
This is the same keychain I've been using since Sock Summit 2009 when Sassafras Creations had a booth near mine and Anne and I spent the bulk of the weekend wearing their jewelry around to, uh, display. Yeah, that's it.... it was a purely selfless way to help Nancy. Uh huh. Nancy was kind enough to make enough for these kits, which is no small feat because the keychains are made from formerly-loved needles and it takes awhile to amass several hundred at a time for me. If you go to any fiber/knitting conventions or Stitches events, you're likely to see Nancy and her husband selling their wares in the marketplace.
The next kit is named Christmas Cheer and features a lightly dotted color from Claudia Handpainted Yarns and a coordinating bag by Vickie at Bird Leg Bags. The bag features festive owls and birds on the outside (oh, how I love the owls) and a coordinating diamond pattern on the inside. Claudia scrutinized the fabric to bring flecks of all the colors into the dappled skein and I love the effect.
This kit comes with the Aquae scent of Soak wash- think light, clean notes. Like the first kit, you'll also find a keychain from Sassafras Creations and your color will be a surprise.
It was quite fun putting together these for you (and me!) and I hope you enjoy them! They got great feedback in the store for Saturday's Holiday Open House and while I think I have plenty to go around, it's quite typical for kits to sell within a day. So if you are on the fence, I recommend deciding quickly.
And if you made it to the end of this post, how about a contest? At the Holiday Open House on Saturday, we made yarn ornaments by swirling sock yarn inside clear glass ornaments- it's a great way to adorn your tree with those leftover bits of yarn from past projects. You can use a few yards of a half-dozen colors and create a lively ornament, or, like Mary, you can braid three colors together to create a cool effect. Or wind tiny skeins and stuff them inside. It was a fun project and there were knitters and non-knitters of all ages making ornaments of their trees.
So, my question is this: What stash yarn would you use to make your yarn ornament? Would you use green and red leftover from some Simply Sock Yarn socks you made? Or would you use some spare Dream in Color Starry so that the silver catches the light from the tree? What about that beaded silk blend from the 4 Seasons of Sock Yarn club in 2010? Tell me in the comments below which leftover yarn you'd use in your ornament, and I'll randomly choose two of you to win a yarny surprise! I have some special skeins and accessories set aside, and I'll count you in if you comment before Friday, Dec. 2 at midnight EST. I'll try and remember to announce the winners next week, but if you win you'll definitely get an e-mail.