Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Holiday Kits and Contest

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.

SSYC's Holiday Open House

Before I take the rest of the week of for to celebrate turkey, stuffing, and all the things I'm thankful for, I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of you.  It's been quite a year for me, and your support has made the difference in my year.  Because of the loyalty of knitters over the past six years, my store has not only moved into a new and awesome space, but there is more change coming in 2012.  I'm thankful that you have given me the opportunity to serve you for six years, and I look forward to many more Thanksgivings to think about you and what we've done together.

This Saturday, Novemner 26 from 10-5, we're celebrating the holidays with our first Holiday Open House, and I hope those of you within driving distance will join us at 1315 E. State Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN.  Of course there will be shopping, but there will also be contests, food and crafts.  Bring your kids and sugar them up and make yarny ornaments for your tree.

For those of you who can't visit in person, I'll take pictures and you'll have your own chance to win yarny goodness early next week.  Also be prepared to see the holiday kits go up for sale next week.  Til then, check out the restocks of Madelinetosh's Pashmina, Tanis Fiber Arts in Yellow, Blue and Purple Labels, as well as a new Opal Collection: Schafpate 3.  Yummy yarn.

I'm off to prepare my kitchen for extreme pecan pie baking.  It's going to smell awesome in my home tomorrow!

Holiday Kits, a glimpse

I think I've shared with you that one of my favorite things about my career is that I get to do something different everyday.  I could be helping design special colorways, helping you all out on the phone/e-mail/in person, writing newsletters and blog posts, or bookkeeping.  For someone who has an admittedly short attention span, it's ideal.  Over the past two years, one things I've started doing and really enjoy is putting together holiday kits.

When I started offering special kits a couple years ago, it was at your request.  I thought it might be something I'd do twice a year, but has instead turned into a 5-6 times a year gig, and as you likely know, they tend to sell out quite quickly.  Nearly each part of these kits is hand made, which is the reason I can't offer a thousand of them, and it makes them quite special.

For this holiday season, I've decided to offer two different kits- one in the bright reds and greens that are traditional this time of year, and another that also incorporates some pink and sky blue- a festive departure from the standard.  I'll likely put these kits up for sale shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US (so at least a week from now). 

Here's a peak at what's in store.  Give it a click to see the color up close.  Come on, you know you wanna.

It's unlikely I'll post anything here next week, because it's only a three-day work week here in the US, it's likely to be a busy time.  So I hope you all have a wonderful (and filling) Thanksgiving holiday and feast.  Please also keep in mind that shipping will be delayed next week because we will not be shipping from Wednesday through Friday, but will start up first thing Saturday morning.

And if you have the chance to stop in the store on Saturday morning, I highly recommend it, as it will be a busy and fun day!  Dubbed Small Business Saturday, it's also SSYC's Holiday Open House!  A great time to stop in and support a small business instead of get stuck for an hour in a mall parking lot.  I'll be offering snacks and crafts- you can come home with a wish list to pass on to a loved one and even make a lovely ornament to take home with you!

Our hours on Saturday, Nov 26 are 10-5 and I hope you'll join us! 1315 E. State Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 

Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I'm knitting with Simply Sock Yarn right now, and I'm wondering if I should use reinforcing thread in the heels and toes.

In what cases, if any, do you use reinforcing thread?  What are the pros and cons?

Thanks for your help,

Reinforcer in Rock Springs

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

 

Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I'd like to add a little bit of knitting to my Christmas tree this year.  I've thought about knitting some miniature socks or mittens, but I'm betting other knitters have some better ideas.   I'm also open to suggestions for ways to incorporate yarn into any kind of Christmas decorations.

Thanks for posting my question for the sock-knitting-masses!

Decorating in Dallas

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

New: Qiviut Sock Yarn, Opal Polar Lights

Yes, I'm serious.  I've added some Qiviut sock yarn to the store.  For those of you who don't know about Qiviut, here's a bit directly from Arctic Qiviut Yarns:

Qiviut is truly an amazing fiber. It is the delicate underwool of the Arctic muskox. It is one of the most sought after fibers in the world because of its rarity, softness and warmth. Qiviut is softer than cashmere and is light as a feather. It’s an insulating fiber and is comfortable to wear in any climate.

Qiviut is eight times warmer than sheep wool. 100% qiviut is non-shrinkable, non-felting and safe for people who suffer from sheep wool allergies. Unlike wool, qiviut is not scratchy. The more you handle and wash qiviut, the softer it feels

The Muskox is not an ox; this large hairy mammal dates back to the last Ice Age, and is most closely related to sheep and goats. The Inuit name for muskox is “Umingmak” meaning the bearded one. Muskox adapted to the life in the Arctic tundra. They have been an integral part of the Inuit lifestyle for centuries as an animal that provides a great amount of nutritious meat, warm hides and soft insulating underwool to knit into clothing.

Qiviut naturally sheds in the springtime. Qiviut commands a high price due to it rarity, softness, warmth and light weight. Qiviut grows from every part of the muskox including the face, belly, ears, hooves and under the horns. Qiviut can grow up to 6 inches thick. A mature male muskox produces around 6 to 8 pounds of muskox fleece raw fiber a year. After processing the 6 to 8 pounds of muskox fleece raw fiber, you will yield about 2 to 3 pounds of cleaned qiviut fiber that is ready for spinning into yarn. Muskox grow a new layer of Qiviut in the autumn.

I've been looking for the right source of Qiviut sock yarn for years now.  So when Lara Neel walked in my doors a few months ago showing off the yarn she found when vacationing in Alaska, I immediately contacted the seller to test it (Lara even published this free pattern for the yarn in our local newspaper).   Arctic Qiviut is a small company, utilizing the fiber and talents in and around Fairbanks, AK.  The yarn I've had the pleasure of knitting, selfishly into socks for myself, are warm, colorful, non-pooling, and a complete joy. Qiviut sock yarn is a rare treat, one that is worth the investment just to say I've knit it... and to have super warm feet.

This is one of my Qiviut socks, un-known sample color.  I LOVE the dappled color.

I don't have a lot of Qiviut right now, and it's something that I'll be able to get just a few times a year.  It's a truly special treat.

For those of you waiting for the newest Opal collection, I have the 6-ply/DK weight Polar Lights in stock!  This collection of 8 self-patterning colors will make an addictive knit... and thick, warm socks.  Since it actually snowed for the first time in Fort Wayne yesterday, I'm definitely in the state of mind for super warm socks.  I'm also in the mood for decorating the store with garlands and yarn.  Mary, Heather (my SSYC crew) and I spent a morning shopping around town last week to find goodies for decorating, and I'll share it with you likely next week.

Being Thankful

In a few weeks, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving in the US.  We celebrate with parties, an over abundance of food and family, and feeling happy that we have love and life.  But there are many who can't celebrate with a meal to share with their families; there are many who can't afford a turkey to carve on the family table.

As I did last year, I've created something special to help raise money for Community Harvest Foodbank.  Last year, it was a lovely kit which sold out in less than a day, and this year Madelinetosh has designed a special edition colorway just for this event.  10% of the cost of each skein purchased will be sent to Community Harvest Foodbank in time to purchase turkeys for families in need this Thanksgiving.

Oeuf Clair, loosely translated as pale egg, is a departure from the bolder colors Madelinetosh usually dyes up.  Inspired by the variety of neutral and pale tones found in heirloom eggs, this skein is a unique work of art, much like each egg.  Your skein might look exactly like this one, or it could have a slightly more of less of any of the colors pictured here.  It could even be slightly more peach or celedon.  Like all hand dyed works, your skein will be unique and wonderful.

Monica Jines has created a mystery sock pattern that you'll receive when you e-mail me after your purchase.  It compliments the pale tones of this french farm-inspired color, and I think you'll really like it for this skein, or other special skeins in your stash.

The cost of this special skein is the same as any othe Tosh Sock skein, plus you get the complimentary mystery sock pattern, and 10% goes to a good cause.  It's a win-win!

 

 

Extended Holiday Hours

For those of you who live in or around Fort Wayne, or for the many of you who drive quite a distance to visit in person, I'm increasing the in-person shopping days this holiday season.  Simply Socks Yarn Company will be open from 10-5 every Saturday from now until the end of 2011 (excluding Christmas Eve- we will not be open on the 24th).  On New Year's Eve we will be open from 10-2.  We will also be open every other Tuesday as we have been in the past, I'm simply adding a few more Saturdays now that life post-move has calmed down a bit and many of you have family who want to shop for you this holiday season.

To see a complete list of open days, go to the store's homepage and scroll to the bottom.

And for those of you who would like to leave a hint to your loved ones about what you'd appreciate this holiday season, I've made up a little wish list for you to print out.  You can either give it to a loved one so they can order online, or that special someone could bring the wishlist with him on a Saturday to pick out your gifts!  If you like, you can leave your wish list on file here at the store, and we can look it up for the gift giver when he/she comes in.

Here's the file you can print out:

Download Wish List

 

Show and Tell

One of the fun things that happens in the store on the one day a week we are open to the public is that many of you bring in projects to show off.  Below are a few of the goodies I wanted to share with you.

First is Jan's sock knit using the special color Lorna's Laces dyed for the Halloween Kit.  Jan knit the circle sock pattern, and I think it does a nice job breaking up what could have been a lot of pooling of color.

Natalie brough in her sock in the same colorway using the Jaywalker pattern.  I love how the zig zag pattern shows of the strips of color, don't you?

Finally, this next bit of awesomeness was knit with FIVE different colors of sock yarn- and these are colors and yarns that I never would have even thought to put together.  Leave it to Jennifer, a jewelry artist, to come up with something outside the box.

This linen stitch scarf was knit using Tosh Sock in Terrarium and Earl Gray, the DIC Dream Club from August 2010 (was the first Dream Club ever introduced), and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Watercolor and Shenanigans.  A very imaginative combination of colors, don't you think?

If you were to come into the store this Saturday, what would you bring in to show off?

The choice has been made

I've subbed out two colors of my original ideas, one being Filigree, which was actually my fave color from this entire shipment.  The other three colors are Magnolia Leaf, Copper Penny and Glazed Pecan.  I chose a bright skein, one that has more green than gold, and I LOVE IT.  Photos just do not do Merino Light justice.  The colors are just so spectacular and really seem to pop on this one-ply yarn.

Photos of the Creekbed Scarf courtesty of Stephen West

I'll start my new scarf tonight, and once that's finished I'll be using the remaining yarn to knit my mitts.  And don't think I haven't considered starting my project right now- it's taking quite a lot of restraint not to, but I specifically got up in the wee hours of the morning to get work done before James wakes, and I'm doing my best to keep on task.... though my resolve is weakening as I type this.  Argh.

Dream Club, November

November's Dream Club color is a somewhat masculine combination of dusky blue, mossy green, straw, and a smidge of plum.  The colors are blended in such a lovely way that as thee dues combine, they create other colors, making for a very dynamic skein.  The free pattern for this one is the Opa Scarf, which takes just one skein.  Since I'm the type who prefers a long scarf, I'd go with two skeins and save 1/3 of the second skein for a pair of basic mitts.  The true color of this month is shown in the skein above- the scarf pictured was provided by Dream in Color and isn't representative of how this dyelot looks.

This special edition color is dyed on the Smooshy with Cashmere base, so it features 20% cashmere (with 70% merino and 10% nylon).  Super yummy!  After you please your order, e-mail me with your invoice number to get your copy of the pattern.

This is the last Dream Club skein of 2011.  There will be no offering in the month of December, but don't worry, I'll be having some other special treats for you instead!