Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Malabrigo KAL

To answer the questions that were asked about the pictures from the KAL, the top picture, also shown here finished, is Susan's Scrunchy Scarf in Malabrigo's sport weight Arroyo in the Chispas color.  Heather knit this one wider than the pattern calls for and used all of two skeins- it's the kind of scarf that would definitely keep the wind out of your collar in the winter, especially at this width.  It will be on display as a store sample if you want to get a closer look.

The other question that was asked was about the color in the last photo.  Is Archangel in Sock.  The sun through the window made the color more bright and brought out the orange in that photo.  Liz is knitting the Lepidoptera Mitts and I hope she's farther along than I am b/c I haven't gotten much more completed than I did on that day!  I'm knitting the same mitts in Pocion, and at this rate I'll be lucky to get done by Mother's Day.  I haven't had much knitting time this week as it seems that everyone in my house has a cold.  I'm trying to cure mine with orange juice and vitamin D, and Henry's nose is getting the snot sucked out every few hours with the dreaded booger-sucker.  Did you use one of those on your kids?  The bulbus rubber sucker that makes kits cringe every time they see it?

Our next day (and perhaps last) for this KAL is this Sunday, Dec 2.  E-mail me if you want to join us.  We sit and chat and knit and laugh- it's a great way to spend a couple hours!  One of us is knitting this scarf and I'm really looking forward to seeing it progress.   We have store hours tomorrow, Saturday, so even if you haven't started something yet, you have a day to pick something out.

KAL Picture Post

Just a couple snapshots of projects that were started at the Malabrigo KAL. Our next session is this Sunday afternoon and if you live in the Fort Wayne area, email me for details to join us for knitting and laughter! Service@simplysockyarn.com

Poste Yarn, 2012 Holiday Colors & Cyber Monday Special

I have for you two special goodies today.  First, the Poste Yarn holiday colors.  Second, a Cyber Monday special. 

The Monday after Thanksgiving is regarded as the busiest online shopping day, and I have a little something special to celebrate.  In the course of creating special colors for the Poste Yarn line, we dye of dozens of unique, small batch prototype skeins before making our final color choices.  These skeins might be released later in a large amount, or this might be the only time we dye them.  I'm selling these skeins to you this week, or til they sell out, for 25% off.  Marked as Private Label Potluck on the website, if you choose this, we'll choose one of these special colors for you and you'll pay only $20.  If you like a beautiful surprise, this is for you!

I've received some really nice e-mails and comments about the Poste Yarn holiday colors I previewed earlier this month. I know have all five of those for you!

Christmas Island.  I'm knitting this one myself, and at the toe now.  It's so addictive and pretty.

Island of Misfit Toys.  A fun take on the holidays with icy aqua and Christmas red.

Santa Claus, Indiana.  Yes, like we have for the previous colors (other than the Wizard Series), we are keeping with naming the colors after destinations.  Just part of the fun and keeping with the Poste theme.  This color is the only two-color stripe (aprox 10 rows per color) in the holiday series.

Holiday, Florida.  I love this color combo.  The black against the emerald and magenta.  Would look awesome with black mary janes.

Chestnut Hills.  This color makes me think of sipping a glass of wine and knitting next to a fireplace.

We will continue dyeing these colors through the end of the year, and we will do our best to keep up with demand.  Please do keep in mind that dyeing stripes is very labor intensive and you'll see these leave the website and come back when we can dye more.  If you have questions, you're always welcome to e-mail service@simplysockyarn.com .

Now Available: SSYC's Holly Jolly Sock Kit

The kit is now available!  Should the link stop working, it means that this batch has sold out and the second batch will be available on or near the 8th of December.  I'll post here on the blog and include info in the e-newsletter when this happens.

Don't forget to check next week if you'd like to grab some of the holiday striping colors of Poste Yarn.  I'll have five special options for you, each a wonderfully addictive holiday knit!

Coming soon: The Holly Jolly Sock Kit

It's the time of year when we knitters, who more often than not gift others with our talents, get to treat ourselves to something full of holiday cheer.  The time of year when our hearts are full of love for others as we continue knitting tiny stitches into a thoughtful fabric that keeps those we care for comfortable and warm.  Don't we deserve something bright and awesome to fuel our passion further?  To show appreciation to ourselves or maybe even to the knitter in our life who is giving and thoughtful? For that person, I've designed the Holly Jolly Sock Kit, soon to be available only at Simply Socks Yarn Company.  As soon as Saturday, November 24, if all goes as planned.

For this kit, I've paired a cheery limited edition multicolor and solid from Three Irish Girls in their Adorn sock yarn, a merino nylon blend that is a soft and pleasing knit.  With the full sized and mini skein, you're getting nearly 550 yards- certainly enough for a pair of socks with contrasting toes and heels, or a shawlette project with a solid ruffle or edge.

Sharon, owner of Three Irish Girls who had her fourth baby right around the time I had Henry, and her dyers came up with the lovely multicolor that you see above.  And they even managed to dye up A LOT of this while in the midst of remodeling their new 3-story studio.  And below you can see how that one mini skein of aqua really changes the entire look of the colorway.  How combining those two skeins into a project would give you something akin to a tropical Christmas.  Sharon has named this combo Holiday on Ice, and the only way you can get this awesome color is here at Simply Socks Yarn Company.

Vickie at Bird Leg Bags has stitched the awesome coordinating sock project bag for this kit.  The striped bag can really be used any time of year, but when you open it you'll be reminded of the holidays with the snowflake interior.

Like always, Vickie's creations are of the highest standards, featuring a coordinating zipper and beaded pull.

To round out this kit, I have for you a special sweet treat from a local candy maker.  You'll really like these hand-dipped, artisan treats from Dip Sticks Gourmet Pretzels.  You'll receive one Candy Cane (with caramel, peppermint candy and white chocolate) and one Pecan Pie (with caramel, toffee bits, pecans and milk chocolate).  How do I know you'll like them?  Let's just say that the SSYC Team has thoroughly and *ahem* selflessly sampled these.

Finally, because I've told you for years that I recommend washing your special hand dyed socks in a lingerie bag, I'm including one in this kit.  I've even found ones using a drawstring closure instead of zippers so there's absolutely nothing to snag those precious socks in the wash.  Shown below are three 100g skeins of sock yarn to show the size, so you could easily fit three pairs of socks in each lingerie bag.

I really enjoyed seeing this kit come together.  It's one of the best parts of my job, collecting special items and sending them all over the world to you.  Like always, I put together as many kits as I can, but they do sell quickly.  In this case, I'll have half the kits for you likely on Saturday the 24th (watch for your e-newsletter or the blog) and the other half for you the first or second week of December.  So when they sell out, you'll have a second chance at snagging one at that time.  Please note that it will take a few days longer than usual for these to reach you, as we take extra time carefully pack each kit to protect it during shipping.  And the large number of these does take us quite awhile to ship out to you.

If you look closely, you'll see three of the new Poste Yarn holiday striping colors in the mesh bag above.  These will be available next week, or you can come by the store on Saturday, November 24 from 10-4 for a preview of all five!

Thankful

Here in the US, we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving, a time when we sit down with our friends and family, break bread, and share time with those we appreciate.  2012 has been such a full year for me, and I'm thankful for so many things:

Hank the Tank.  This summer I had another healthy baby boy.  James may have made me a mother five years earlier, but with little Henry (or Hank) I feel assured that I'm a good mother.  My second child has made me a more relaxed mother- one who knows how quickly time passes and that is okay to work less and enjoy more.  I'm allowing myself to not be everything to everyone, and instead take time with this little guy to simply be.  And I'm thankful for that.

The SSYC Team.  A year ago I had just one person helping me run this entire store.  Now, I have a team of ladies- each a wonderful and kind person who make my life easier.  Each person has their role and does it well.  If you shop with SSYC and have had a good experience this year, you can be sure that's in no small part due to Heather, Mary, Angela and Rachael.  It takes all of us to run an ever-growing 3500 sq ft sock yarn store, hand dye an entire yarn line, and ship each order to you quickly.  They are all honest, kind and talented women.  Their hard work allows me to work more sensible hours and actually have a family life.  THANK YOU.

You loyal knitters.  When I had the "crazy" idea to open a sock yarn store in a 10x12' bedroom of my first house, I hoped it would allow me enough of an income that I could eventually stay home with future children.  In the past 7 years this small business has grown to help support not only the families of the SSYC Team, but dozens of small dyers, staff at larger yarn companies, shippers, crafters, and artisans who create the fuel for your fiber passion.  We all work hard and what we love, and I can confidently speak for all involved that we are very, very thankful for you. 

Simply Socks Yarn Company will be closed on Thursday and Friday of this week to spend time with our families.  We will open right back up at 10am on Small Business Saturday, November 24.  Shop online with us or come shop in person from 10-4.  We would love to see you!

Self Patterning Awesomeness

Super fun knits have arrived at Simply Socks Yarn Company!  If you have a few gifts left to knit for the holidays, I hightly recommend a self patterning yarn.  Not only are they addictive and force your knitterly mind to knit "just.one.more.row." but these are also great for machine washing AND drying.  I would feel comfortable washing and drying these along with anything else in my laundry bin.

Opal's Flower Power Collection

Austermann Step Holiday Collection (reminds me of the discontinued Cocktail colors that were very popular b/c of just one color with white, which is not offered very often)

Also, I have restocks in all but one color of Opal's Van Gogh Collection- the last color will come in a few weeks.

I also have new colors are restocks of the popular Berroco Sox line.  It's a great value and a fun knit.  I've knit color 1410 myself, and it's one of those sock yarns that practically knits itself- you just want to keep going once you start!

An unproductive week

Do you have those frustrating days or weeks when one or two things seemingly wreck an otherwise good week? I've kind of had one of those. I've had so many intentions, but computer woes are getting the better of me. Oh well- it leaves more time for knitting (and playing Words with Friends which I just discovered), which is great because I'm totally addicted to one of the holiday colors that we've dyed up in the Poste Yarn line.  The lime/emerald/pink colorway is the one I'm knitting up now and I adore it.  For those of you who are interested in snagging one or more of the new colors, I hope to release the first batch of the new colors the last week of November and while those might sell quickly, we will continue to dye them up through the end of the year.  I really appreciate your e-mails of interest, and if I don't get back with you immediately, just know that I'll do my best.  My computer woes are causing e-mail delays.

Something else I've been getting questions about is our next holiday kit.   We get a great response for all the kits we put out (the Halloween one went SUPER quickly!) and I really appreciate how much you like them!  I do have an awesome kit coming up with a special bag, yarn and goodies, and I hope to share more info with you about that this coming week, but again the computer woes, they are keeping me from sharing photos of things to come.

Thank you so much for your kind comments and e-mails about my attempts at getting a proper photo for our Christmas card.  I was hoping for a nice, smiling photo, but the squigly, goofy ones will have to do!  I agree, the third one is super cute with Henry's finger aside his nose.  And on another note...

James just turned to me and asked "How do you spell poop?  Oh, P-O-O-P."  Apparently he knows how to spell that.

Then, "Oh, man, I put a M at the end.  I'll just make it Poop Mama. HAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

This is my life.  I'm off to feed my 18 pound 4-month old.  Again.

The end.

Candy-coated Christmas Colors

Addictive-to-knit, candy-colored holiday hues are coming soon to the Poste Yarn line. Of course we will have a traditional red/green, but also a trendy aqua/red and a limey/emerald/hot pink... and others. Super fun knits!

The above sock I already have half finished in just a day and a half, which is a feat for me since I'm usually holding a wee one.  It could be that I stayed up later than I should have one night because I couldn't stop!

The new colors should be available at the end of November.  Will keep you updated.

Christmas Card Photos Gone Wrong

Oh so many attempts at the "perfect" photo for our Christmas cards. Instead we got dozens of wiggly, funny-faced, imperfect ones that made us laugh.

Picture post

Woah. These boys are growing up too quickly.

Malabrigo KAL at SSYC

Want to join us in a knitalong?  I'm so inspired by all the new colors of Malabrigo Sock that I feel compelled to organize a KAL for this lovely yarn.  While you're welcome to use Malabrigo Arroyo if you want to knit a sport weight project (like SSYC store manager Heather will be), I've chosen Sock for my project.... even though I haven't yet decided on the project itself.  But the front runner is this- something that is a quick and satisfying knit, so I can feel a sense of accomplishment even if I don't have a lot of time to knit.

For this KAL you can knit any pattern you like, as long as you are knitting Malabrigo Sock or Arroyo.  Like our last KAL there is no charge if you purchase the yarn for the project from SSYC.  If you use yarn purchased elsewhere there's a $5 fee for each sitting you attend.

This KAL isn't a class offering instruction, it's simply an informal get together three Sunday afternoons in the store from 1:30-3:30, where we can all just sit and share our Malabrigo projects as they start and progress, and we can ask and answer questions and keep each other motivated toward our goal of casting off and wearing our lovely pieces.  If you think you would be interested in sitting and knitting with us in the store on a few Sunday afternoons, e-mail me at service@simplysockyarn.com so I can e-mail back the details.  If enough knitters commit, we'll make it a go- likely starting on November 11.  This will give us plenty of time to start and finish a project before Christmas, should you be in need of inspiration to keep going and get something ready to be gifted.  I know I am!

Several of you have already purchased yarn for this project when we saw you in the store this past week, but I'm sure this is news to most, so you still need to get yarn.  If so, I recommend visiting the store during store hours on Saturday, November 10.  Or you can purchase your yarn the day of the first KAL.

If you can't come knitalong in person, you're welcome to join us online!  I'll post progress pics of our projects here on the blog throughout the KAL so you can see what we are up to, and you can even e-mail me your pics or post them in our Ravelry group if you want to share.  And like all hand dyed yarns, each skein is unique, so if you are hoping for a skein with more or less of a color- like Pocion with more green and less red, or a skein of Indiecita with lots of purple and blue and less gold and green, you're always welcome to e-mail your requests after your order.  Or if you need help combining colors for a multi-skein project, you know we love to help you via e-mail with that as well.

How about some pattern ideas?  Here are a few that I think would pair well with Malabrigo Sock.  I'll try and post later next week with some Arroyo ideas.  Here are links to Ravelry for projects knit with Sock and Arroyo.  Please feel free to link below some project that you've enjoyed knitting with Malabrigo. 

1 skein projects:

Ishbel, Ysolda Teague

Lepidoptera Mitts, Allison Van Zandt (Me.)

Monkey Socks, Cookie A.

Ailbe Mittens, Kristi Geraci

2 skein (or more) projects:

Flamboyan, Stephen West

Camino Leaves, Kieran Foley

Lace Ribbon Scarf (can be done with one skein as well), Veronik Avery

 

Dream Club, November

The Dream Club is a great way to try different and special fibers and colors from Dream in Color.  Not only is there a wide array of yarn from month to month, but there's also a span in price points.  Last month, the lovely silk blend was $30 a skein- not something that everyone can splurge on, even if it didn't sell out so quickly.  This month, the special skein is only $17.50 for an American grown, spun and dyed one-ply worsted weight wool skein.

 

And the free pattern is something that would make an awesome holiday gift.  What do you think?